Short Film Commission

We're commissioning a short film to honour the 130-year legacy of Birmingham's City Hospital (closed 2024) and celebrate the opening of the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS COMMISSION IS NOW CLOSED FOR APPLICATIONS

We're open to innovative approaches, but we envision a positive and engaging documentary that captures the spirit of healthcare in the Midlands. Potential elements of the documentary that could be explored/used include:

• Existing archive footage and photography of City Hospital, telling its rich history;
• Fresh footage and photography which touches on nostalgia but also looks to the future;
• Interviews and narratives from the people of the Midlands – those who experienced care at City Hospital, and those who will benefit from the new facility - this could be a mix of existing and new material.

The film should tell a local story but also resonate with universal themes of care, progress, and community resilience. It should be a celebration of medical advancement and humans’ connection with healthcare, engaging audiences on various different levels.

Filmmaker Fee

£5,000

Timeline

Submission Deadline: 8 September 2025
Selection Announcement: 22 September 2025
Production Period: October 2025 - January 2026
Final Delivery: February 2026

How will the film be exhibited?

The finished film will be a central feature of an exhibition at the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital and part of the project A Hundred and 10 years of Healthcare, Hospitals, Heritage and Healing funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It will be showcased on a large digital screen within the gallery space during 2026.

The film will be integrated into a broader exhibition that includes historical objects and other artworks. There's also potential to display elements from the filmmaking process itself (both photography and medical objects/contraptions/machinery that have been documented during the filmmaking process), offering a deeper insight into the creation of the piece.

What are we looking for?

Duration:
The film should be between 8 -15 minutes long. If however you have a proposal for an alternative approximate length, you can let us know in the application process.

Target Audience:
Local residents (all ages), visitors to the hospital (both patients and their friends/families), hospital staff (both former and current).

Themes to explore:
Community, medical care, personal stories, memories, resilience, local character.

Desired Tone and Style:
Uplifting, authentic, and visually engaging. We encourage creative approaches to tell stories and experiences of the old hospital and its legacy, whilst also giving a nod to the positive potential of the new hospital.

Format and Length:
The film should be between 8 -15 minutes long and delivered as a high-resolution digital file (ProRes and H.264). If you have a proposal for an alternative approximate length, you can let us know in the application process.

Selection Criteria:
Creative originality, narrative strength, feasibility within budget, directorial vision, quality of previous work, and alignment with the brief's objectives.

Deliverables

The £5,000 fee covers:

1. One final short film (8-15 minutes)
2. 1x social media cut (up to 60-seconds)
3. 5x high-res production stills

Creative Requirements/Considerations:

• Using archive footage and images: there is budget set aside (outside the £5,000 fee) to cover the use of some archival material. We recommend the Midlands Archive for Central England as a starting point.
• Originality: We are looking for fresh perspectives and as mentioned, are open to experimental approaches. However, the film needs to be accessible and engaging for a wide range of audience of all ages.
• Community engagement: Proposals should reflect ethical and respectful engagement practices - with local individuals or groups, and when representing personal stories and documents within the film.
• Archive objects from City Hospital: a large number of archival documents, machines, and ephemera were removed from City Hospital and have been placed in storage; the filmmaker will be able to access this for photography and filming. Examples of what’s in the archive can be downloaded here (Google Drive Folder).

How to apply

You will need to submit the following via our application form (linked below):

• Up to 250 word synopsis of your film concept;
• Up to 200 word director's vision (explaining your creative approach and how you'll achieve it within budget);
• Examples of previous work you’ve created.

Please complete both the application form and equality monitoring form:

Application form
Equality Monitoring Form

Application closing date: 11:59pm, Monday 8 September 2025

If you have any questions please do get in touch.