Grants are being offered to help support local filmmakers through the Short Film Fund 2009.

The scheme aims to discover grassroots talent, stimulate local filmmaking and develop new skills. Grants of up to £4,000 are available to help produce short films of no longer than 12 minutes in length.

The deadline for applications is 12pm, Friday 11 September.

The Short Film Fund is run in partnership by Wandsworth, Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea Councils, with support from Film London.

To qualify for funding the director, writer or producer must live, work or study in one of the three boroughs and applicants must have had no more than two films professionally distributed or exhibited.

Cllr Paul Ellis, Wandsworth Council's arts spokesman said, "This scheme offers valuable exposure and resources to up and coming filmmakers. In previous years the standard of work produced through this scheme has been remarkable and we hope to unearth more raw talent this time round.

“The initiative is an important plank in the council’s new cultural strategy which aims to improve the community's access to valuable and enriching cultural activities.”

The Short Film Fund 2009 was launched last month (July) by Mayor Boris Johnson and Film London as part of the largest ever London Borough Film Fund Challenge.

The completed films could be shortlisted for Film London’s Best of Borough Film Awards (BoB’s) which carries prizes for the eventual winners.