It offers first-time directors and assistant producers the opportunity to air their work to a large audience, and in doing so, to take a first step into the competitive UK film industry.

The 3 Minute Wonder strand is part of the Channel 4's 4Talent initiative to help new talent break into the very competitive UK television industry.

Channel 4 offers new directors £4000 and their assistance in making their shorts which are then broadcast at 7:55 pm every weekday.

[1] The films shown on the series are primarily documentaries that generally highlight a current issue that is not in the public eye, for instance synesthesia or domestic abuse.

[1] It has previously featured Karl Pilkington in a series of 4 and was mentioned on The Ricky Gervais Show.