Black and minority ethnic filmmakers can now see their new story ideas turned into production, theatrical release or television broadcast with the help of an innovative development scheme launched today. BREAKOUT is a national, year-long professional development scheme for writers, directors and writer/ directors from the black and minority ethnic talent base in the UK who are ready to make successful fiction or factual features.

BREAKOUT ‘hot-houses’ low-budget commercial fiction for theatrical features and feature-length documentaries under the guidance of mentors and trainers drawn from the international film industry.  Projects are developed with production partners Warp X and the Channel 4 British Documentary Film Foundation for prospective inclusion on company development and production slates. The scheme is supported by Skillset and delivered by Breakout Training and Development Ltd in association with Screen East and the University of East Anglia.

Robin Gutch and Mark Herbert, Joint Managing Directors of Warp X, said: “Warp X is immensely excited to be one of the partners in BREAKOUT. British cinema is only just beginning to rise to the challenge of reflecting the multi-cultural reality of modern Britain, and here is a great opportunity to seize the creative and commercial opportunities presented by this social transformation.”

Beadie Finzi from The Channel 4 British Documentary Film Foundation said, “We are delighted to be partners in Breakout. It is a unique opportunity for us to work with the UK’s finest filmmakers, to provide support and development they need to make the next step into feature documentaries.”

For downloadable application forms, further information and key dates visit the new website www.breakoutdevelopment.co.uk or contact  Sam Lee, Breakout Project Manager on 07770 574451

Breakout is delivered by Breakout Training and Development Ltd, its directors are Sheryl Crown (Independent Film Producer and Head of Production, Screen East) and Val Taylor (Training/Script Development Consultant and Director of Screenwriting, UEA) with Nadine Marsh Edwards (Independent Producer  and Executive Producer, leopard Film and TV) as Programme Consultant. Sam Lee is Project Manager and Projects Co-ordinator at Screen East.