BEHIND THE CURTAINS

A MOCKUMENTARY
BY CHARLES LIGHT
 BFI FILM FESTIVAL
I've chosen to produce my project for the BFI London Film
Festival, which is a prestigious film festival in the UK.

It is a non-profit organization that supports the development and

promotion of film and television in the UK. Every year, they organize a film
festival (taking place from October 4th to 15th in 2023) to feature new and
noteworthy films and documentaries created by emerging filmmakers.

I would enter into the short film contest

Rule/Guidelines
1​ . T H E B F I L O N D O N F I L M F E S T I V A L I S P R E S E N T E D B Y T H E B R I T I S H F I L M
INSTITUTE.
2. THE BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL IS AN ANNUAL EVENT BASED AT THE BFI
SOUTHBANK, OTHER CENTRAL LONDON VENUES AND VIRTUALLY ON BFI
PLAYER. IT RUNS FOR 12 DAYS AND WHEREVER POSSIBLE EACH FILM IS
PRESENTED AT LEAST TWICE AND UP TO FIVE TIMES.
3. PROGRAMMING DECISIONS ARE MADE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND THE PROGRAMMING TEAM. FEATURE FILM
ELIGIBILITY
4. ONLY UK FEATURE FILM PRODUCTIONS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR OPEN
SUBMISSION – WE ARE NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING OPEN SUBMISSIONS
FOR INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILMS. WE DO ACCEPT UK CO-
PRODUCTIONS WHERE THE PRIMARY COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION IS THE UK.
PLEASE SKIP TO POINT 11 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON UK
PRODUCTIONS.
5. ALL FEATURE FILMS SCREENED IN THE FESTIVAL MUST BE AT MINIMUM
UK PREMIERES. PRIOR PUBLIC OR ADVERTISED UK SCREENINGS,
THEATRICAL SCREENINGS, FILM FESTIVALS, TELEVISION SCREENINGS,
INTERNET TRANSMISSION, TVOD, SVOD OR DVD RELEASES OF FEATURE
LENGTH FILMS DISQUALIFY THEM FROM ENTRY. FOR THE COMPETITION
SECTIONS OF THE PROGRAMME, PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO
EUROPEAN, INTERNATIONAL AND WORLD PREMIERES.
6. EXCEPTIONS TO THE UK PREMIERE RULE FOR FEATURE FILMS MAY BE
MADE FOR UK PRODUCTIONS BUT ONLY IF:
(A.) THE UK PREMIERE HAS TAKEN PLACE IN THE NATION OF ORIGIN,
WHERE A SCOTTISH FILM HAS SHOWN ONCE IN SCOTLAND, A
NORTHERN IRISH FILM IN NORTHERN IRELAND, OR A WELSH FILM IN
WALES, IN WHICH CASE THE LFF SCREENING MUST BE ITS SECOND UK
SCREENING. THIS EXCEPTION DOES NOT APPLY TO FILMS ORIGINATING
FROM ENGLAND, WHERE THE UK PREMIERE RULE APPLIES. THIS
EXCEPTION DOES NOT APPLY TO FILMS SELECTED FOR COMPETITION
AND GALA SECTIONS. ALL EXCEPTIONS ARE AT THE DISCRETION OF
THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR.
(B.) THE UK PREMIERE HAS TAKEN PLACE AT BFI FLARE: LONDON
LGBTQIA+ FILM FESTIVAL, IN WHICH CASE THE LFF SCREENING MUST
BE ITS SECOND UK SCREENING. THIS EXCEPTION DOES NOT APPLY TO
COMPETITION AND GALA SECTIONS, WHERE THE UK PREMIERE RULE
APPLIES. FILMS ORIGINATING FROM ANYWHERE IN THE UK (INCLUDING
ENGLAND) THAT PREMIERE AT BFI FLARE: LONDON LGBTQIA+ FILM
FESTIVAL WILL REMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR LFF CONSIDERATION, HOWEVER
SELECTION FOR BFI FLARE: LONDON LGBTQIA+ FILM FESTIVAL DOES
NOT AUTOMATICALLY GUARANTEE SELECTION AT LFF AND FILM
REPRESENTATIVES MUST INDICATE INTEREST IN BEING CONSIDERED
FOR BOTH FESTIVALS. ALL EXCEPTIONS ARE AT THE DISCRETION OF
THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR.
7. ENTRIES MUST HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHIN 12 MONTHS PRIOR TO
THE FESTIVAL START. FILMS THAT HAVE SCREENED BEFORE THE
PREVIOUS BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL (OCTOBER 2022) AT
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS ARE INELIGIBLE FOR OPEN SUBMISSION.
SHORT FILM ELIGIBILITY
8. SHORT FILMS MAY BE ANY STYLE OR FORM (EG. NARRATIVE,
ANIMATION, DOCUMENTARY, ETC) THAT HAVE A RUNNING TIME OF 40
MINUTES OR LESS, AND HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHIN 12 MONTHS
PRIOR TO THE FESTIVAL START. FILMS THAT HAVE SCREENED BEFORE
THE PREVIOUS BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL (OCTOBER 2022) AT
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS ARE INELIGIBLE FOR OPEN SUBMISSION.
9. WE ACCEPT UK AND INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM SUBMISSIONS.
10. THERE ARE NO PREMIERE OR PRIOR SCREENING RESTRICTIONS FOR
SHORT FILMS EXCEPT THE WORK SUBMITTED UNDER THE ARTIST FILM
AND VIDEO CATEGORY WHERE A MINIMUM LONDON PREMIERE IS
REQUIRED AND PREFERENCES WILL BE GIVEN TO UK PREMIERES.
SHORTS OUTSIDE OF THE ARTIST FILM AND VIDEO CATEGORY MAY
HAVE BEEN BROADCAST ON TELEVISION OR THE INTERNET, RELEASED
VIA ANY HOME VIDEO OUTLET, AND/OR PUBLICLY SCREENED
ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD AND STILL REMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR
CONSIDERATION BY THE FESTIVAL. WHILE THERE IS NO PREMIERE
RULE FOR FILMS SCREENING WITHIN THE MAIN PROGRAMME, WE DO
PRIORITISE UK, EUROPEAN AND WORLD PREMIERES FOR OUR SHORT
FILM COMPETITION. UK PRODUCTIONS
11. A FILM WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION AS A UK FEATURE
OR SHORT IF IT HAS BEEN MADE BY A UK FILM PRODUCTION
COMPANY (FPC) WHICH IS REGISTERED WITH COMPANIES HOUSE,
AND HAS BEEN CERTIFIED AS A BRITISH FILM UNDER EITHER:
A. THE CULTURAL TEST
B. ONE OF THE UK'S OFFICIAL BILATERAL CO-PRODUCTION
TREATIES; OR
C. THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON CINEMATOGRAPHIC CO-
PRODUCTION YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ON THE
CULTURAL TEST, AND THE POINTS-SYSTEM HERE:
HTTPS://WWW.BFI.ORG.UK/APPLY-BRITISH-CERTIFICATION-TAX-
RELIEF/CULTURAL-TEST-FILM FOR SHORT FILMS, THE COMPANY
DOES NOT NEED TO BE REGISTERED, BUT THE FILM SHOULD BE
WHOLLY CAPABLE OF QUALIFYING AS A BRITISH FILM, VIA THE
CULTURAL TEST. FOR FEATURE FILMS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN
PRODUCED BY A REGISTERED UK FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY, IF
THEY ARE PRIMARILY SELF- FINANCED, ENTIRELY SHOT IN THE UK
AND BY A BRITISH DIRECTOR, THESE TOO WILL BE ELIGIBLE AS A UK
FEATURE. PLEASE NOTE THE FESTIVAL TEAM IS NOT ABLE TO ADVISE
ON IF YOUR FILM QUALIFIES AS A UK PRODUCTION. SUBMISSIONS BY
ORGANISATIONS
12. OFFICIAL OR PROFESSIONAL NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND
INDIVIDUALS MAY SUBMIT FEATURES AND SHORT FILMS TO THE
FESTIVAL. NATIONAL FILM AGENCIES AND INSTITUTES OR FILM
SCHOOLS SUBMITTING MULTIPLE FILMS MAY CONTACT THE
PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT BY EMAIL, TO DISCUSS FEES FOR
MULTIPLE SUBMISSIONS TO: LFFSUBMISSIONS@BFI.ORG.UK.
SUBMISSION MATERIALS
13. ALL FILMS IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH MUST BE
SUBTITLED IN ENGLISH, UNLESS DIALOGUE OR COMMENTARY IS
UNNECESSARY FOR COMPREHENSION AND APPRECIATION.
14. DURING THE SELECTION PROCESS, THE FESTIVAL RESERVES THE
RIGHT TO DOWNLOAD THE FILMS SUBMITTED VIA ONLINE LINKS
FOR ITS OFFLINE VIEWING. THESE DOWNLOADS WILL BE
EXCLUSIVELY FOR INTERNAL USE BY THE FESTIVAL TEAM FOR
SELECTION PURPOSES.
15. PLEASE NOTE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR US TO RETURN ANY DVDS
SENT TO US THROUGH OPEN SUBMISSIONS. OFFICIAL SELECTION
15. PLEASE NOTE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR US TO RETURN ANY DVDS
SENT TO US THROUGH OPEN SUBMISSIONS. OFFICIAL SELECTION
16. IN THE EVENT OF YOUR SHORT OR FEATURE FILM BEING
OFFICIALLY SELECTED, YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED BY INVITATION. AT
THAT POINT AN OFFICIAL SELECTION FORM WILL BE SENT FOR
YOUR COMPLETION, TO CONFIRM THE INVITATION HAS BEEN
ACCEPTED, AND TO GATHER ALL THE INFORMATION NECESSARY
FOR THE PRESENTATION AND MARKETING OF THE FILM IN THE
FESTIVAL.
17. FEATURE FILMS SCREENING IN THE FESTIVAL MUST NOT BE
RELEASED IN THE UK OR SCREENED ELSEWHERE PUBLICLY IN THE UK
DURING THE FESTIVAL WINDOW (PERMITTED FROM THE 16TH
OCTOBER 2023 FOR THIS EDITION) WITHOUT PRIOR AGREEMENT
WITH THE FESTIVAL DIRECTOR.
18. EXCERPTS FROM FILMS WILL ONLY BE SHOWN ON ALL MEDIA FOR
PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES IF PERMISSION IS OBTAINED FROM THE
PRODUCER / RIGHTS HOLDER, AS DETAILED ON OFFICIAL
SELECTION FORMS.
19. THE BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. A
SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF ACCREDITED NATIONAL AND
INTERNATIONAL PRESS, TV AND FILM BUYERS AND DISTRIBUTORS
ALSO PARTICIPATE.
20. ALL INFORMATION WITH REGARD TO PRESS AND INDUSTRY
VIEWING PERMISSIONS ARE DETAILED ON OFFICIAL SELECTION
FORMS RECEIVED ONCE A FILM HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY SELECTED.
YOU MAY ALSO BE CONTACTED BY OUR PRESS AND INDUSTRY TEAMS
IN THESE INSTANCES.
21. IN THE EVENT OF YOUR SHORT OR FEATURE BEING OFFICIALLY
SELECTED, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUPPLY A FULLY COMPLIANT
DCP. FULL DETAILS WILL BE SUPPLIED WITH THE OFFICIAL
SELECTION FORM. 22. EXHIBITION MATERIALS OF OFFICIALLY
SELECTED FILMS WILL BE INSURED BY THE BFI AND ANY SHIPPING
COSTS INCURRED IN GETTING THE FILM TO THE BFI LONDON FILM
FESTIVAL WILL BE COVERED BY THE FESTIVAL.
23. NO CUTS OR CHANGES TO ANY FILM WILL BE MADE BY THE
FESTIVAL MANAGEMENT FOR ANY REASON. IN CONCLUSION 2
4. NO REFUNDS TO SUBMISSION FEES ARE POSSIBLE.
​2 5 . I T I S T H E F I L M M A K E R S ’ R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y T O E N S U R E T H A T T H E
FILM MEETS THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA. IF A FILM SUBMITTED
SUBSEQUENTLY BECOMES INELIGIBLE, WHILE WE ARE GRATEFUL IF
YOU COULD LET US KNOW, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO REFUND ONCE
FILMS ARE ALREADY SUBMITTED.
26. IT IS THE FILMMAKER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THE
FILM LINK AND PASSWORD ARE WORKING, AND TO INFORM THE
FESTIVAL IF EITHER THE LINK OR PASSWORD HAS CHANGED.
27. SUBMISSION OF A FILM REPRESENTS AGREEMENT WITH THE
REGULATIONS SET FORTH HERE.
28. DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF SUBMISSIONS WE RECEIVE, IT IS BFI
LONDON FILM FESTIVAL POLICY NOT TO OFFER COMMENTS OR
REASONS FOR FILMS NOT SELECTED FOR THE PROGRAMME.
 PROJECT CONSEPT
Mocumentary about drama nerds making a musical.
We could see the drama nerd overcome comical
obstacles and setbacks, such as struggling to come
up with a good storyline, clashing personalities, or
technical difficulties during rehearsals. The
mockumentary could include interviews with the
characters, where they share their hopes and
dreams for the musical, as well as their frustrations
and anxieties as the production runs into problems.
We could also see behind-the-scenes footage of
the drama nerds practicing their dance routines,
rehearsing their lines, and creating the sets and
costumes.

In the beginning, we'll follow the group and how

they react to getting chosen to fill in for the main
cast for the musical. Throughout the second act,
we see them fighting over roles and getting
irritated by each other and inevitably fighting quite
a bit ending in one of the characters walking out.
They decide that they can't do the musical and
they're friends again.
Project production schedule

Week 1 Morning Afternoon Evening

Monday 1st Finish up

- -

May research

Create Crew

Tuesday Timeline/Charact
Production List/Equipment
2nd May er profiles
Schedule list

Helping Abi with

WEdnesda
Work her documentary Contingency plan
y 3rd May
interviews

Thursday Location
Script -
4th May recces/auditions

Friday 5th Storyboards/feed

Script -
May back on script

Weekend Saturday: Rewrite Saturday: - Saturday: -

6/7th May Sunday: - Sunday: Rewrite Sunday: -
 Week 2 Morning Afternoon Evening

Final
Equipment
Monday Rewrite/Gatherfe
- check/charge
8th May edback on the
batteries
rewrite

Gather
equipment/shot
Tuesday
lists for first FIlm -
9th May
filming day/final
edits to the script

WEdnesda Shot lists for 2nd

- -
y 10th May filming day

Backup footage
Thursday from first day of
FIlm -
11th May filming and sort
into folders

Backup footage
Friday 12th from second day
Start on edit -
May of filming and
sort into folders

Weekend
- - -
13/14th May
 Week 3 Morning Afternoon Evening

Continue edit
Monday
from first two Edit -
15th May
filming days

Gather
Tuesday
Equipment for Film -
16th May
final filming

WEdnesda
- - -
y 17th May

Thursday
Edit Edit -
18th May

Friday 19th Gather feedback

Edit -
May for first edit

Weekend
20th/21st - - -
May
 Week 4 Morning Afternoon Evening

Monday Start on edit for

Second Draft -
22nd May second draft

Tuesday Feedback for

Second draft -
23rd May second draft

WEdnesda
- - -
y 24th May

Thursday
Final edit Final edit -
25th May

Friday 26th Feedback for

Final website edit -
May LO1/LO2/LO3

Start of half
- - -
term
 My taget audience:
My target audience will be 16 to 25 year olds because I
believe this demographic have the most interest in
mockumentaries. I think with a mockumentary there is a
certain relatability that you don't get with your average tv
show because you've got all these situatuations and the
production team is trying to make it seem as real as
possible.

I think that's why 16 to 25 year old love these the most.

Because they rely on the comfort of relatability.

Additionally with all these social media platforms younger

people who use them have a lesser attention span so easy
watching is a must when making content.
Legal, Ethical, Health and Saftey.

Legal:
I will use royalty-free music and all footage used
will be shot by myself or a second cameraman.

Ethical:
I will treat my actors with the respect and dignity
that they deserve and make sure that no form of
abuse from the cast or crew is tolerated

Health and Safety:

All scenes are shot inside a school and apart
from a couple of trip hazards which will be
pointed out by me to my actors and the crew.
There aren't any other hazards.