Filmmaker Commission

We Are Ipswich is leading phase two of the development of a bold, 10-year Culture and Heritage Strategy for the town. This work is grounded in lived experience and everyday culture, and is running alongside Ipswich’s bid for UK City of Culture.

As part of the engagement programme, we are commissioning an early-career or emerging filmmaker/moving-image artist to create a short documentary-style film that captures Ipswich’s cultural life from the ground up.

This film will sit alongside survey data and stakeholder conversations as a core strand of evidence and insight informing both the Cultural Strategy and the City of Culture bid.

This is not a promotional film. We are looking for something honest, curious and artist-led – a piece of cultural documentation that reflects people, place and potential, without trying to sell a narrative.

The Commission

We are seeking a filmmaker/team to imagine, develop, shoot and edit a short, circa 5 minute film, (with ability to snip teasers and archive extra footage) responding to Ipswich at a moment of change.

The work should be rooted in:

● Street and community-level engagement
● Conversations and observation
● A sensitivity to people, communities and context

You will be supported through the process by a dedicated project team but trusted to lead creatively. The team will be able to support connections to useful networks, groups and individuals as well as facilitating access to key buildings and places.

Indicative themes may include (but are not limited to):

● Culture as lived experience, not just buildings or events
● Multi generational perspectives on potential, time, creativity and belonging
● Community, identity and change
● Ipswich as a place to make, stay, return to – or leave

The format, style and narrative approach are open, and will be shaped through discussion during early development.

What we’re offering

● Creative control over format, story and participants (within an agreed framework)
● A transparent fee, with scope to include travel, equipment and collaborators
● Regular development check-ins for support and reflection
● Involvement from early development through to final delivery
● A meaningful opportunity to contribute to a significant cultural moment for Ipswich

We particularly welcome applications from recent graduates, early-career and emerging filmmakers, and those interested in documentary, socially engaged or artist-led practice.

Who can apply

● Open to filmmakers based anywhere in the UK
● Applications from individuals or small teams are welcome
● Evidence of collaboration or supported practice is encouraged but not required
● An outside perspective is interesting, an Ipswich perspective is useful, both are welcome and collaboration is encouraged

The wider programme is supported by Ipswich Borough Council, Arts Council England, Ipswich BID, We Are Ipswich – an independent, self-organising group of arts and heritage organisations based in Ipswich, and a range of local voluntary and community partners.

Timescale

● Appointment: Mid February 2026
● Filming & engagement: Mid February – March 2026
● Editing & final delivery: by 20th April 2026

How to apply

We are keen to keep this process accessible and proportionate, particularly for early-career practitioners. We are most interested in your perspective, curiosity and the rigour of your approach, rather than a large portfolio.

Please submit:

1. Short written statement (max 500 words)

This should focus on:

● Why this project interests you
● Your creative approach to documentary or moving-image work
● The kinds of stories, people or moments you would be curious to explore
● How you would approach working ethically and sensitively with participants

This does not need to describe a finished film in detail — we expect the work to evolve through engagement and conversation.

2. Examples of work – links only please

Please share:

● A short showreel, or
● Up to three links to previous work e.g. finished films, excerpts, student projects, experiments or collaborative work
These can be informal or self-initiated. We understand that not everyone will have an extensive body of work.

3. Supporting practice & quality assurance (optional – max 200 words)

If you are still building experience, we actively welcome applications that demonstrate thoughtful approaches to quality, such as:

● Working with a mentor or more established filmmaker
● Collaborating with a small, trusted crew
● Access to peer review, supervision or development support
● Clear plans for reflection, testing ideas and iterative editing

This is not a requirement – it is an opportunity to show how you would support yourself to deliver strong work.

4. Indicative fee or budget outline

A short paragraph or bullet list outlining:

● Your delivery based on the published fee
● Your anticipated cost allocation (e.g. fees, travel, collaborators, equipment) A detailed budget will be agreed with the appointed filmmaker.
Selection process
● Applications will be reviewed by a small panel including We Are Ipswich and project partners
● A shortlist will be invited to a friendly, informal online conversation
● This conversation will focus on creative thinking, approach and fit, not a formal pitch
● The final filmmaker(s) will be appointed by mid-February 2026

We are committed to a supportive, transparent and inclusive process. We encourage applications from those from under represented backgrounds.

Access & alternative formats – if you would like to apply in a different format (for example, audio or short recorded video in place of written text), or have access needs you’d like us to consider, please get in touch.

Please click the link at the top of this page to send your submissions to admin@wolseytheatre.co.uk with ‘Filmmaker Commission’ in the subject line.