Budding filmmakers invited to enter the AHRC Research in Film Awards

For the third year running members of the public are invited to enter the Inspiration Award, the only category open to the public, in this year’s Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Research in Film Awards.

The Research in Film Awards (RIFA) presents a fantastic opportunity for budding filmmakers to showcase their work to a wider audience, including those in the film industry.

The awards are designed to recognise the best short films (defined as no longer than 30 minutes) which have been inspired by arts and humanities research and are judged by a panel of academic and film industry experts, with names including Professor Andrew Chitty, AHRC Creative Economy Champion, British film critic Antonia Quirke, and Matthew Reisz from Times Higher Education.

Financial Times Arts Editor and Chair of the judging panel, Jan Dalley said:

“I am delighted to be the chair of the judges for the third AHRC Research in Film Awards. The project has grown in size, reach and quality in a remarkable way in such a short time, and is becoming an important voice in imaginative research initiatives, and in short documentary filmmaking generally. Last year the judges were delighted with the excellent and highly varied entries, and look forward to even more this time around. “

With a trophy up for grabs as well as £2,000 in prize money to put towards their future filmmaking activities, the awards present a unique platform for emerging filmmakers to get themselves and their work noticed. All shortlisted entrants will be invited to an awards ceremony on 9 November 2017 at the prestigious 195 Piccadilly in London, home of BAFTA, where writer and broadcaster Danny Leigh, will be hosting the event.

RIFA is the only film awards dedicated entirely to arts and humanities research, designed to bring research to life using creative and visual storytelling. Last year the awards received over 200 entries across five categories² and are fast becoming recognised as an important accolade in their own right.

The Inspiration Award recognises films produced in the UK which have been inspired by arts and humanities research in some way. The film could stem from a museum exhibition, book, performance or an archaeological dig for example and it may be produced collaboratively or individually.