3 Minute Wonder

3 Minute Wonder is a documentary shorts strand that follows Channel 4 News on weekdays. It provides an opportunity for directors who have not previously worked for Channel 4, directors who wish to cross genres and first time directors and assistant producers.

The scheme is open to anyone with clever and intriguing stories that have a new and surprising way of reflecting who we are today. Films should be engaging and inventive in form and can be about any subject, but must be suitable for pre-watershed transmission.

For a chance to stretch your creative legs and experiment with short-form docs as an entry-level filmmaker, FourDocs should be your first port of call: and there are numerous case studies of FourDoccers progressing to produce for the 3MW broadcast slot.

What you get:

A fixed budget of £4,000 per episode and the support of Channel 4 in making your three-minute documentary.

Then what?

With screenings at 7.55pm, this slot enables new talent to show their ideas to millions and take risks at the heart of the primetime schedule. There's no commitment to commission any more documentaries from you, but it is sure to provide a fantastic springboard - and portfolio filler - for the future.

For example, Influential writer, broadcaster and cultural critic Sarfraz Manzoor began his media career at Channel 4 and got his first taste of presenting when he was given four 3 Minute Wonder slots. "The best part of making these short films was the creative freedom I was given," he says. And who are we to argue?

Deadline

There is no current deadline for submissions. Films will be commissioned on a rolling basis over the coming months.

Useful link: 4Producers