BFI Audience Fund

Using funding from the National Lottery, the BFI Audience Fund (which replaces the separate Distribution, Film Festival, Programming Development and Neighbourhood Cinema Funds which ran until March 2017) is central to this commitment. This Fund is underpinned by our desire to boost diversity and inclusivity, and to build a broad film culture across the UK which recognises and values the quality of difference and seeks to rebalance under-representation on screen, in the workforce and in audiences.

There are two types of awards available:

• Project awards
• Organisational awards

For more information and before making an application, please read the BFI Audience Fund Guidelines and FAQs.

If you are applying for an Organisational award, rather than an award for project funding, please read the additional guidance below in conjunction with the Audience Fund Guidelines.  Organisational award applicants will also be required to upload additional documents.

Note that the closing date for Organisational award applications for the 2019-20 financial year will be 11:59pm, 5 November 2018.

Separately, the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) was set up in 2012, using funds from the National Lottery, to support a stronger and more connected approach to growing audiences for British and international film on the big screen. Read more about the Film Audience Network initiative

How to apply

Applications for funding must be submitted via the online application form below.

The application should be completed by the individual within the organisation responsible for delivery of the activity (if this staff member is not yet in post, the person responsible for oversight of the activity should complete the application).

When first using the application portal, you will be asked to create an account; this will let you review submitted and in-progress applications, and will pre-populate certain details in subsequent applications.

• New application

To continue with an Audience Fund application you have already started, log in to your account.

When completing the application you will be asked to upload a budget. The budget must be submitted on one of the following templates; please select the one relevant to the type of award you are applying for:

• Project awards (excluding distribution projects)
• Project awards (distribution projects only)
• Organisational awards

For assistance with making an application or for any queries relating to the BFI Audience Fund, contact audiencefund@bfi.org.uk.