BFI NETWORK Short Film funding is intended to support early career filmmakers and stimulate new ideas and stories by supporting original and entirely fictional shortform projects of up to 15 minutes in length in live action, animation and immersive/virtual reality.
The Fund grants awards of between £5,000 to £25,000.
We can only accept applications for projects that are scheduled to start production between 1 November 2026 and 31 October 2027.
Who can apply
This fund is for early career filmmakers (producers, writers, and directors) and projects with a reasonable proportion of early career cast and crew.
Teams need to have a minimum of two individuals across the director and producer roles. Director/producers are not eligible to apply.
Producers must be lead applicants and directors attached to the application need to be based in England.
When you can apply
BFI NETWORK England short film funding opens at 11am on 10 February 2026 and closes at 11am on 18 March 2026.
When you'll hear from us
We’ll contact you by Tuesday 30 June 2026 to let you know if we're progressing or declining your application. Please do not contact us for updates about your application before this date.
How to apply
Before you apply, you must read the full guidelines.
If you have any questions relating to this fund or your application, you can email bfinetworkfunding@bfi.org.uk.
Get help with your application
We’re 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.
Introduction to our funds in alternative formats
Below you can find introductions to BFI NETWORK funds in easy read format and British Sign Language (BSL).
These alternative formats are only a summary of information and do not supersede the main funding guidelines. If you require access support to apply there is help available to make an application.
For more information on BFI NETWORK funding we also provide FAQ.
Demand for BFI NETWORK funding
Based on previous rounds, we expect to receive up to 1,000 applications and will only be able fund around 30 of these. You can see what we’ve funded in the past.
About BFI National Lottery funding
Since the very first National Lottery draw in 1994, public support — raised directly through National Lottery ticket sales — has funded more than 670,000 projects, raising more than £46 billion for good causes.
As a recipient, it is important to publicly acknowledge the source of this funding throughout the lifespan of the project. Effectively communicating that it is supported by BFI National Lottery funding ensures those engaging with the work recognise the value and benefit of this unique Good Cause funding.
Therefore, if your application is successful, you will be responsible for prominently crediting BFI National Lottery funding and thanking National Lottery players.
As such, you are encouraged to ensure that elements of your project/s which have the potential to engage a broad public audience are capitalised on, in order to communicate this message. More details will be supplied once an award has been made.