The BFI is the UK’s leading organisation for film and the moving image, playing a significant role in funding and supporting the entire screen sector. They distribute National Lottery funds and are committed to championing new talent, diverse stories, and promoting the UK industry internationally.

• What they offer:
  • Filmmaking Fund: Supports the development and production of original live-action and animation feature films, including Discovery and Impact Feature Funding for debut directors and established talent.
  • Doc Society – Features Fund: Specifically for progressive and creative documentary filmmaking across the UK.
  • UK Global Screen Fund: Supports UK producers in international co-productions and helps grow UK companies internationally through initiatives like the International Business Development strand.
  • BFI NETWORK: Focuses on discovering, developing, and funding new filmmakers at the start of their careers, often through short film funding and talent development labs.
  • Audience Projects Fund: Supports ambitious, audience-facing independent UK and international film and broader screen activity designed to increase awareness and participation.
  • They also offer support for skills development, exhibition, and screen heritage.
• Where to find the good stuff: Their “Get funding and support” section is your go-to hub. Look for pages like “Create films, TV or new formats of storytelling” and “Explore funding opportunities.”

While not a direct production funder in the traditional sense, ScreenSkills is absolutely crucial for the UK screen industries. They focus on skills development and ensuring a diverse and skilled workforce.

• What they offer:
  • Bursaries: Cash grants to remove obstacles to getting into the screen industries or progressing your career. This can cover training fees, accommodation, care, disability access costs, equipment, software, and travel.
  • Training and Development Programmes: They facilitate various training initiatives across film, TV, animation, and more, often supported by industry contributions and National Lottery funds.
• Why they’re important: Even if you secure production funding, having a skilled crew is vital. ScreenSkills helps build that pipeline of talent, making the UK a more attractive place to film.
• Where to find the good stuff: Check their “Bursaries” and “Training” sections.

Creative Scotland is the national agency for Scotland’s arts, screen, and creative industries. They invest significant funds, including National Lottery funds, to develop and promote Scotland’s screen sector.

• What they offer:
  • Content Development Fund: Supports the development of new projects.
  • Content Production Fund: For the production of commissioned programmes.
  • Talent Development Fund: To nurture creative talent.
  • Production Growth Fund: Aims to attract large-scale productions to Scotland and maximise local spend.
  • Distribution Fund: Supports the distribution of Scottish feature films to reach wider audiences.
  • They also offer “Open Funds” for individuals and organisations undertaking creative activity.
• Where to find the good stuff: Look for their “Funding & Opportunities” section, specifically within their “Screen” pages.

Ffilm Cymru Wales is dedicated to nurturing independent Welsh films and developing the film sector in Wales. They combine National Lottery funds (delegated via Arts Council of Wales) and Welsh Government funds (delegated via Creative Wales).

• What they offer:
  • Feature Film Production Fund: Supports the production of unconventional, ambitious, and well-crafted independent Welsh films, with a particular focus on championing under-represented voices and Welsh language projects.
  • Sinema Cymru: A collaboration with S4C and Creative Wales, this fund supports Welsh-language feature films with international and big-screen potential, including early-stage talent development.
• Where to find the good stuff: Their “Funding & Support” section is where you’ll find details on their production and development funds.

Northern Ireland Screen is the national screen agency for Northern Ireland, aiming to promote a sustainable film, animation, and television production industry. They are funded by the Department for Communities (NI) and Invest Northern Ireland, with Lottery funding delegated from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

• What they offer:
  • Production Funding: Offers recoupable loans or grants to assist in completing budgets for productions that are already significantly financed (typically 65% or more). They look for projects that contribute to the local industry and demonstrate commercial viability.
  • Irish Language Broadcast Fund: Supports an increase in Irish-language broadcasting.
• Where to find the good stuff: Their “Funding” section, particularly “Production Funding,” will have the details.

While not solely focused on film production, Innovate UK, in partnership with DCMS, runs programmes like the “Creative Catalyst” and “Create Growth Programme.” These are broader initiatives designed to support innovation and growth within the creative industries as a whole.

• What they offer:
  • Grants for Innovation Projects: These funds typically support businesses in the creative sector to scale, build investor networks, and explore new innovation projects. This could include technology, new production methods, or audience engagement strategies.
• Why they’re relevant: If your film project has a strong innovative element, or you’re looking to grow your production company in a novel way, these grants might be a good fit.
• Where to find the good stuff: Keep an eye on the “Innovation Funding Service” section of the GOV.UK website and the Innovate UK Business Connect site for open competitions.

While not a direct “grant,” the UK offers generous Film Tax Relief (and Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit – AVEC) which can significantly reduce the cost of production for qualifying British films. The British Film Commission is your primary resource for information on this.

• Read the Guidelines Carefully (Seriously!): Every fund has specific criteria, aims, and application processes. Missing a small detail can lead to rejection.
• Check Deadlines Regularly: Funding rounds open and close. Keep an eye on the agency websites for upcoming dates.
• Tailor Your Application: Don’t send generic applications. Research what each agency is looking for and highlight how your project aligns with their mission and priorities (e.g., diversity, regional impact, audience engagement, innovation).
• Demonstrate Britishness: Many funds require your project to qualify as “British” which involves passing a cultural test.
• Show Financial Viability (Even for Grants): While grants are non-repayable, agencies want to see that your project is well-planned and has a realistic budget.
• Network: Attend industry events, workshops, and connect with people who have successfully secured funding. Their insights can be invaluable.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions: Most agencies have contact details for their funding teams. If you’re unsure about something, reach out.