Grierson DocLab: Development will offer intensive training and work placement opportunities for eight successful candidates who can demonstrate their strong passion for development, providing them with the support to develop their skillset and build their network to become future, leading, senior professionals working at the forefront of premium documentary development.

The programme will also provide trainees with mentoring from an industry professional, the opportunity to network at the Grierson Awards (the British Documentary Awards), and an eight-week paid placement with a production company.

To create an accelerated learning environment, the hybrid training weeks will bring together a range of industry professionals working across the gamut of development, with experiences in various documentary sub genres, as well as incorporating an examination of ethics, understanding the changing documentary landscape, the challenges of working with difficult material, looking after contributors, and much more.

Aesthetica Film Festival and Audible are offering two grants of up to £10,000 to fund new documentary films that showcase the power of sound in storytelling. Open to filmmakers worldwide, this opportunity encourages bold, original stories that explore listening in innovative ways. Selected projects will receive funding, mentorship, and a premiere at the Aesthetica Film Festival in November 2025, with distribution on Audible and Aesthetica platforms. Five finalists will pitch their ideas in May 2025, and multiple grants will be awarded.

UK Jewish Film has launched a new fund for three dramatic short films (15 minutes each) aimed at teenagers, exploring British Jewish identity. Each film will receive a production budget of £25,000, with a ring-fenced fee for the director and producer. The completed films will premiere at the UK Jewish Film Festival in November 2026 and be part of the Changing Perspectives schools programme.