BFI National Lottery Sustainable Screen

The BFI has established environmental sustainability as a core principle across its 10-year plans as set out in Screen Culture 2033 and the BFI National Lottery Strategy 2023-2033 alongside equity, diversity and inclusion, and UK-wide.

About the fund

The fund supports award recipients and wider industry to minimise the environmental impact of filmmaking and positively support the sector towards achieving net zero carbon emissions. 

Non-profit environmental organisations Julie’s Bicycle and BAFTA albert were awarded National Lottery funding over three years (2023-2026) through the BFI National Lottery Sustainable Screen Fund. 

We are now looking for organisations with proven expertise in environmental sustainability and experience working with the screen or wider cultural sectors to deliver direct support to BFI National Lottery award recipients from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029. This will be divided into two strands:

• development and production – supporting BFI award recipients across film, television, and emerging formats to embed sustainable practice throughout the development and production process.   
• beyond production – supporting BFI award recipients delivering activity across exhibition, distribution, screen heritage, skills, education, research, and international projects to embed sustainability within their funded activity and wider organisational practice.

Who can apply

This fund is open to organisations operating across the UK with extensive expertise in environmental sustainability, including carbon accounting, training, and resource development, and with experience working in the screen industries or wider cultural sector.

You will need to indicate whether you are applying for funding to deliver development and production support or screen activity beyond production, depending on your expertise and capacity.

How to apply

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 21 January 2026. Awards are expected to be made in March 2026.

You need to read the funding guidelines before you apply. The application link is included in the guidelines.

Get help with your application

We are committed to making our funding accessible to all. If you have access requirements and need some support applying for funding, see Access support for BFI funding applicants.  

BFI National Lottery award recipients will be advised of environmental sustainability conditions relating to their award at the time of contracting and further guidance will be provided directly by the BFI’s fund teams.