Creative Support
Ignite
Our Arts Council funded programme of work is dedicated to enabling arts makers and audiences in Somerset to harness the new opportunities afforded through digital technology to create and experience greater artistic excellence and innovation.
The way we make, distribute, receive and exchange art is radically changing through the power of digital technology. Our programme of activity includes Artist Surgeries (below) Creative Network Events, Artist in Residency opportunity (below) and community outreach.
Artist In Residence 2026
Our Ignite Somerset programme, supported by the Arts Council England, offers a Somerset-based artist the opportunity to work as an artist-in-residence at The Engine Room in Bridgwater, from mid-June to mid-September 2026, and explore an aspect of digital technology.
This year, we’re interested in hearing from an artist who would like to create an environmentally themed interactive installation to be presented at The Engine Room in September 2026.
We welcome proposals where the environment plays a central role, whether through storytelling, sensory interpretation, environmental data, or reflections on place. Your installation might convey a message, uncover a story, or translate elements of the environment into an interactive digital form.
The selected artist will be supported by our Creative Technologist and will have access to a range of digital tools, including cameras, field recorders, projectors, VR/3D scanning apps, animation and editing software, projection-mapping tools and interactive media platforms such as VDMX.
How to apply
Please send an outline proposal (maximum 500 words) introducing your current practice and your initial ideas for responding to the residency focus. You may wish to mention the tools you’re interested in experimenting with, or the environmental themes you hope to explore. Include a CV and a link to your work or portfolio. Send your proposal by midday 1 May 2026 to daniel@somersetfilm.com
We particularly welcome applications from emerging (undergraduates and recent graduates), disabled and ethnically diverse artists.
Who we’re looking for
A Somerset based artist (an artist living in the county of Somerset), aged 18+, who wants to develop their practice.
The interactive installation will be exhibited 19 September - 2 October 2026 at The Engine Room in Bridgwater, as part of Somerset Art Weeks.
An artist with Public Liability Insurance.
Expectations
Over the course of the residency the artist will keep a log that documents their creative journey. This diary could be in the form of, for example: a blog, a video documentary, a photo diary or audio diary.
The artist will present their project at a Creative Network event during September 2026.
(The Creative Network is an informal event for artists to get together and share ideas and inspiration).
Artist in Residence benefits
£1000 award to support your time and material costs.
The artist will be able to access, through negotiation with the team at Somerset Film, facilities at The Engine Room during the course of the residency. Our facilities include: Mac computers and a range of media production software, DSLRs, professional microphones, film and photography lighting, audio equipment and studio space, iPad, Polycam Lidar Scanning Software.
Over the course of the residency the artist will benefit from up to twelve days of support from the Ignite Somerset Creative Technologist. This support can cover, for example: ideas development, technical production assistance, video/sound editing, and curatorial support.
Artist Surgeries
Qualifying artists from Somerset, working in any artform, can apply for a free one-to-one surgery session (face to face or online) with the aim of bringing a digital element to their current practice or planned work. If you need help completing the form or accessing an online session, pop in or give us a call: 01278 433187.
Young Filmmaker Commission
This is the fifth year we are proud to commission a young Somerset filmmaker to produce an original short film! Thanks to support from BFI Film Academy Network South West and Watershed, we are delighted to be able to offer a filmmaking commission again.
Creatives aged under 25 were invited to pitch their idea to be made into a short film. The deadline for applications is midnight on Friday 12th June 2026. Find out how to apply.
Community Film Kit
Somerset Film aims to support the making of short films by emerging talent that might not otherwise get made, we are particularly interested in supporting narrative fiction and films which tell stories about Somerset and the climate crisis. We do this by providing access to equipment, advice and guidance. Our community film kit includes camera, tripod, mics. Other kit may also be available, subject to demand.
To apply to use our Community Film Kit to produce your short film, complete our enquiry form. Please take the time to read the terms and conditions at the start of the form.
We ask that you submit your application at least two weeks prior to your planned production dates to give us time to review documents and to respond. If you have any queries about the kit call us on 01278 433187.
As part of the request, please complete a Production Risk Assessment. You can download a blank template in the form.
Technical Support
If you have a creative project that you need support with take a look below for further details of how you can access technical support and equipment / software through the Creative Project Hub. If you need help completing the registration form, pop in or give us a call: 01278 433187.
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We offer FREE one to one technical support sessions to help you develop your creative projects.
From April 18th 2023 we will be introducing a new structure. The bookable one-to-one support is to learn a creative process or use equipment to continue with the project yourself. Registered users will be able to access bookable one-to-one support on Tuesday mornings (10am - 12pm* | max. two hours per person per quarter subject to demand). Registration is free. Further one-to-one support will be charged at a discounted cost of £30 per hour.
These sessions will mostly be held at The Engine Room but we aim to get out and about to other venues and will be offering bookable sessions at locations including Holman Hub at Chapel Cross Tea Rooms in South Cadbury and The Art Bank Café in Shepton Mallet amongst others. Please note under 18s must be accompanied by a a parent / carer.
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If you need access to equipment to continue your creative project then our Digital Creative Project Hub takes place on Tuesday afternoons (2pm – 4pm*). The hub is intended for those who just need access to equipment and occasional input from our technical manager to continue their creative project. When you apply to join the hub you will be asked about the creative project you want to undertake - hub resources will be allocated based on the information you provide. We will write to you to let you know how many hours we can allocate to you and your project. You will then need to sign up for the sessions you’d like to attend. Please note under 18s must be accompanied by a a parent / carer.
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“Somerset Film, thank you so much for your support with my creative project. I’ve just been adding a background to my animation and will add live-action soon too! The Project Hub Technical Support 1:1 made all the difference. Honestly don’t think I could have created any film at all, without it. Amazing how much I learnt in 2 hours!” Artist Kristen
Young Creatives Mixer
If you are thinking of a career in the creative industries such as film you will be aware that networking is key. Come and develop those skills in our event for those aged 16 - 25 years and meet like-minded peers. Our next events take place on 28th May and 12th November in 2025.
Short Film Night
These events take place every six months (5th June and 11th December in 2025) and are an opportunity to show short films or extracts from something longer. For filmmakers and film fans. If you have a short film you’d like to sreen then get in touch
Short Script Library
This closed Facebook group is a place where Somerset scriptwriters can connect with local filmmakers and get their work made. Somerset writers are invited to share their story outline or a scene so that local filmmakers can get in touch and read their script.
“You never know, this could be the creative collaboration you've been waiting for!” This group is currently managed by volunteer Helen Tompson.
To join the group email info@somersetfilm.com Terms and conditions apply.
