Driven by a shared commitment to support audacious emerging talent to build sustainable and remarkable careers, BFI and Film4 have joined forces to offer Future Takes.
As it becomes harder to get debut features financed and in front of an audience, there is a considerable gap in the support available to filmmakers who may have started their careers but are missing the piece of work that will allow them to move on to bigger, bolder work.
Future Takes aims to support the creation of innovative, ambitious short-form works that command a higher budget and will not be realisable without support. This could mean ideas, settings or filming techniques that are truly boundary pushing, either in form or content.
We will support scripted live action work or hybrid documentary involving scripted or dramatised elements. Films can be a maximum length of 25 minutes and must be capable of obtaining a BBFC certificate which is no more restrictive than BBFC 18 and qualifying for certification as a British film through the applicable cultural test.
Who can apply
Filmmaking teams who are looking to progress with long form work and can demonstrate that a Future Takes short film will provide them with significant career benefits.
The application must be made by the lead producer who must have an established track record in moving image work and be a UK resident. The producer cannot be the writer or director of the project.
The director (or writer / director) must have an established creative track record in scripted moving image work and either not yet have had a feature film (minimum length 60 minutes) – or had no more than one – produced and commercially distributed in the UK.
There is no minimum experience required for the project’s writer.
When you can apply
Applications open at 12 noon on 8 September 2025 and close at 12 noon on 20 October 2025.
The assessment period for Future Takes is 20 weeks. You’ll need to check that the proposed first day of principal photography for your project allows enough time for the assessment of the application and, if successful, for the legal paperwork required to be completed.
How much you can apply for
We are looking to support up to six short films, with funding of between £60,000 and £90,000 per film. The BFI will contribute National Lottery funding as a grant to each selected project and Film4’s funding will, in part, purchase a license of certain distribution and broadcast rights.
How to apply
Guidelines for this fund will be published on Monday 8 September. Please get in contact after this date should you need further clarification. Our email is future.takes@bfi.org.uk.
About BFI National Lottery funding
Since the very first National Lottery draw in 1994, more than £50 billion for good causes has been raised directly through National Lottery ticket sales, funding more than 700,000 projects. As a recipient of National Lottery funding, it is important to publicly acknowledge the source of this funding ensuring that those engaging with your work recognise the value and benefit of this unique Good Cause funding.
If your application is successful, you will be responsible for prominently crediting BFI National Lottery funding and thanking National Lottery players. To communicate this message, you should ensure that the elements of your project which have the potential to engage a broad public audience are capitalised on. More details will be supplied once an award has been made.