Applying for UK Global Screen Fund (UKGSF) International Co-production

Contents

1. About this fund
2. Check if you’re eligible
3. What you can use the funding for
4. How to apply
5. What happens after you apply
6. Getting a decision
7. Conditions of our funding

1. About this fund

The UK Global Screen Fund (UKGSF) seeks to increase the UK screen sector’s international competitiveness by offering additional, targeted support at each stage of the screen content supply chain. It is financed by the UK government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and administered by the BFI. 

The UKGSF supports international business development, slate development, co-production, promotion and distribution activities to: 

• grow the revenue and sustainability of UK independent screen businesses by supporting their international activity 
• enable industry to further grow international partnerships and to develop projects with international appeal for mutual benefit 
• increase the reach of UK screen content to international audiences

Fund aims and priorities  

UKGSF International Co-production funding has a global reach and aims to increase the number of internationally co-produced projects involving UK collaboration.  We give support in the form of non-recoupable grants to independent UK producers as part of their UK financial contribution to:  

• “minority” feature film co-productions (including fiction, animation and documentary, in any genre)  
• animated and documentary television co-productions (whether “minority” or “majority” in nature), which are co-produced with international partners

We seek to support UK producers with projects that: 

• have strong international appeal 
• make persuasive cases for their international audience and market appeal  
• have strong distribution and revenue potential  
• will access new markets that the UK producer has not previously engaged with, or strengthen ties with existing partners in familiar foreign markets  
• will improve reciprocity between the UK and other nations in co-production  
• come from teams that can demonstrate a previous successful track record, whether through success at festivals, awards, or box office or viewing figures  
• will increase the visibility, level of financial and creative input, and the international track record of UK producers 
• have secured third-party financing towards the proposed UK financial contribution to the relevant co-production

If you have any questions about the fund or the application process please email [email protected]. 

2. Check if you’re eligible

Applications must be made by a producer who is resident in the UK and is leading an independent UK production company.  

Where applicable, we expect producers to seek certification as an official co-production under an existing bi-lateral treaty or the Council of Europe Convention on Cinematographic Co-production. If you apply with an unofficial co‑production when a relevant treaty or the Convention is available, you must: 

• provide a clear and persuasive reason for choosing an unofficial co‑production 
• still qualify for British certification and meet all other eligibility requirements in these guidelines 

You must demonstrate that the following will be included as part of the UK producer’s financial contribution for the purposes of official co-production qualification: 

• 100% of any UKGSF International Co-production funding that may be awarded to you 
• 100% of the proceeds of any AVEC that you are able to claim in respect of the project

You may not allocate any of this funding to another co-producing country.  

Find out about the AVEC / VGEC system and how to apply for British certification and expenditure credits.

Where the film is produced outside of an official co-production agreement, any funds awarded from UKGSF International Co-production  must be allocated to UK spend within the budget and paid by the UK co-producer on qualifying UK expenditure. Unless you have written approval from the BFI, deviation from these allocations will not be permitted. Unofficial co-productions must be  broadly in line with official co-production rules. Check BFI Certification co-production guidance for more details. 

Team track record 

The lead individual UK producer must be able to give evidence of demonstrable production experience. This is defined as having a personal on-screen producer credit on at least one project that: 

• meets the definition of narrative-driven screen content (as defined in eligible content) 
• has had commercial distribution or broadcast in the UK or internationally (this can include a festival release) 

All producers, writers and directors in the co-production need to be able to demonstrate a creative track record.

We can support UK producers working with first-time feature and television directors if they have a strong track record in a relevant creative sector such as theatre or short film.   

Your organisation 

Your organisation must meet all the following criteria: 

• be a limited company registered and centrally managed in the UK and in good standing, whose core business is producing independent narrative content for cinema release, VOD or television broadcast 
• be the parent company and not a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created solely for the project 
• not have any common ownership, management or control with the international co-production partner(s) or vice versa 
• not be one of the following types of entity, nor have more than 25% of its shares held, directly or indirectly, by one or more of the following third parties: 
  • a non-UK corporate entity 
  • a television broadcaster/SVOD platform or operator 
  • a company classed as a large company in relation to the Companies Act 2006 — this means the company has at least two of the following: 
    • turnover of more than £54 million 
    • balance sheet total of more than £27 million 
    • more than 250 employees 

If your application is successful, you will be obliged to sign off on a transfer letter so the award will be payable to the SPV.  

We may not assess your application if you have mismanaged a previous BFI award or have not provided deliverables on time without reasonable justification. 

Eligible content 

Check the shooting and completion dates requirement for eligible projects. 

You can apply for funding for the following forms of content:

1. Film 

Feature film international co-productions, including drama, animation and documentary, in any genre and in any language, where the UK producer is a “minority” co-producing partner (meaning that the creative and financial contribution of at least one of the other co-producing partners is greater than the overall contribution of the UK producer). 

Films must: 

• be a ‘single project’, feature-length (no less than 60 minutes), fiction, animated or documentary film with the potential for a theatrical release 
• qualify or be wholly capable of qualifying for certification as a British film under:  
  • the cultural test; 
  • one of the UK’s official bilateral co-production treaties; or 
  • the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production 
    • we encourage all applicants  to check with the BFI Certification team to ensure that your project meets the relevant requirements and certification deadlines before applying to UKGSF
    • if you’re unsure if your project can qualify, email [email protected] before you apply
• have already secured at least 60% of the overall finance (the financing required to cover the total budget of the film), or 80% in the case of Fast Track applications, in addition to any prospective contribution from UKGSF International Co-Production or AVEC or any non-cash flowed sources of finance  
• have an overall UK financial contribution of at least 10% on multi-lateral co-productions, and 20% on bi-lateral co-productions, against the total budget of the co-production, whether the film is produced as an official or unofficial co-production

2. TV 

Television international co-productions in animation or documentary only, in any language.  

TV projects must:  

• be a ‘single project’ or episodic animated or documentary project, with a minimum aggregate duration of 24 minutes, intended for TV/VOD broadcast and: 
  • for “minority” co-productions, have at least two broadcasters from two different countries contributing to the finance plan (this can include a broadcaster from the UK) 
  • for “majority” co-productions, have at least three broadcasters from three different countries contributing to the finance plan (this can include a broadcaster from the UK) 
    • VOD platforms can be included, provided that the VOD platform is not acquiring worldwide rights on a buyout basis 
• qualify or be wholly capable of qualifying for certification as British under any of the following:  
  • the cultural test  
  • one of the UK’s official bilateral co-production treaties that covers TV projects 
    • if you are applying for a TV project as an unofficial co-production for which there is no applicable cultural test, you will need to contact the BFI Certification team to ask for a Letter of Comfort in relation to your project. We encourage all applicants to ensure that your project can qualify, email [email protected] before you apply 
• have already secured at least 60% of the overall finance (the finance required to cover the total budget of the TV project), or 80% in the case of Fast Track applications, in addition to any prospective contribution from UKGSF International Co-Production or AVEC or any non-cash flowed sources of finance 
• have an overall UK financial contribution of at least 10% on multi-lateral co-productions, and 20% on bi-lateral co-productions, against the total budget of the co-production, whether the TV project is produced as an official or unofficial co-production 

If your project is a TV documentary, you can have a theatrical release if the project is intended primarily for the television market and meets the above requirements.  

Third-party finance 

All projects need to have secured at least one other source of third-party finance on the UK financial contribution, in addition to any prospective contribution from UKGSF International Co-production or the AVEC or any non-cash flowed sources of finance. This third-party finance may come from sources within or outside the UK, such as financing from sales agents, distributors, broadcasters, private equity financing, and UK regional/national public funding. Contributions from one or more of the co-producers will not be considered as eligible third-party finance.  

Additional criteria for fast track applications 

For projects where shooting is set to commence within a specified period, we have a fast-track process for the submission and consideration of applications, where these meet the following criteria. 

Fast track projects need to score highly against our assessment criteria and demonstrate timelines that mean an early decision is essential for the production to be realised. 

If applying under the fast track, you will need to evidence this in your application with: 

• all relevant documentation to support the finance plan   
• evidence of at least 80% secured of the overall finance (the financing required to cover the total budget of the project), in addition to any prospective contribution from UKGSF International Co-Production or the AVEC or any non-cash flowed sources of finance 
• evidence of start of principal photography or animation date  
• availability of lead cast for the eligible shooting dates

You cannot apply through fast track if: 

• you have started principal photography or principal animation before the eligible shooting dates for fast track applications 
• your project has financially closed 
• you do not provide financial evidence of the secured 80% financing 
• you do not provide evidence of availability from lead cast 

When you’re ineligible 

The fund will not support the following: 

• fiction or animated productions that have already started shooting or principal animation 
• projects that are financially closed 
• projects that cannot provide evidence of the minimum level of secured financing via letters of intent, letters of commitment or deal memos 
  • letters of interest and deferments will not be considered as secured finance 
• filmed productions of theatre shows, sporting or music events, or artist installation work (or similar) 
• short films 
• projects seeking only completion costs 
• immersive and interactive media of any kind 
• video or digital games of any kind, including related platforms and tools 
• music videos and video-clips 
• live action TV fiction content  
• multimedia art projects and installations 
• student films and graduation works 
• live recordings, TV game shows, talk shows, reality shows or educational, teaching and ‘how-to’ programmes 
• returning TV series and additional instalments of existing TV or film franchises/series including prequels and sequels 
• documentaries promoting tourism, “making-of”, factual entertainment programming, constructed reality shows, reports, current affairs, news programmes, docu-soaps,  
• works of a promotional nature, being part of a promotional campaign or advertising for a specific product, organisation or brand 
• work that is incapable of obtaining a BBFC certificate no more restrictive than BBFC ‘18’, or the equivalent certification within another format 
• work that does not meet the other eligibility criteria stated elsewhere in the funding guidelines 

This list is not exhaustive and if you are unsure if your project is eligible, email [email protected]. 

Applicants cannot make simultaneous applications for production funding for the same project to UKGSF International Co-production, and to the BFI National Lottery Filmmaking Fund or the BFI Doc Society Fund. You can only receive production funding from one of these sources for any single project. Projects which have received prior development funding from, or been unsuccessful in seeking funding from, any of the above funds may still be eligible for UKGSF International Co-production funding, subject to the fund’s discretion and providing they meet all other eligibility criteria in these guidelines. 

Other sources of support 

If you are ineligible for UKGSF International Co-production funding, here are some other resources that may be of interest: 

• the BFI National Lottery Filmmaking Fund
• the BFI Doc Society Fund
• BFI NETWORK which offers opportunities for new and emerging filmmakers to grow their skills and contacts, and supports short film production and feature idea development 

If you have read these guidelines thoroughly and are still unsure if you are eligible to apply, please email us at [email protected].

3. What you can use the funding for

You can apply for up to £300,000 towards the UK production spend of a project that meets the eligible content criteria. You can seek funding towards the UK producer’s creative contribution to the project during both production and post-production costs, depending on the needs of the project and the structure of the co-production itself. For projects where the UK producer’s creative contribution will only be during post-production, our assessment will look at whether there is a balanced and proportionate artistic, creative, technical or financial overall contribution from the UK.

We can support a maximum of 50% of the overall UK financial contribution to the project and our assessment will consider the extent and nature of third-party finance secured as part of the UK financial contribution. Those seeking funding above 25% of the overall UK financial contribution to the budget will be required to demonstrate significant international audience potential as well as a persuasive need for this higher level of funding and a strong track record in previous co-productions. 

Sustainability consultant support 

You can apply for up to £6,000 towards engaging a sustainability consultant, or a similar high-level sustainability support role, for your production. This is a ring-fenced amount that can only be used for this purpose and is provided in addition to the main production funding amount you are applying for. If you are applying for the maximum award, the additional sustainability funding can still be provided on top.

You can review a sustainability consultancy brief with guidance on what the additional funding can be used for. If your application is successful, you will need to identify the consultant or service you would like to work with, which we will need to approve.  

Eligible costs 

Any funding granted under these guidelines must be applied solely against the UK elements for your project. Successful applicants will therefore be required to make use of the UK’s talent pool in areas, including but not limited to, cast, crew or post-production and location facilities and either: 

• comply with the eligible expenditure requirements set out in the applicable bilateral treaty or the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production; or 
• for unofficial co-productions, apply the UK financial contribution on costs which, at a minimum, constitute qualifying UK expenditure in line with the BFI Co-production guidance notes

 You’ll need to submit a production budget based on industry norms and market rates, to include: 

• at least national minimum wage for any UK crew 
• at least equity minimums for any UK cast 
• at least Writers Guild of Great Britain minimums for UK scriptwriters 
• clearance of all rights: 
  • for film: clearance of all rights in the project worldwide in all media in perpetuity (except for those sums due in respect of music public performance rights) 
  • for TV: clearance of all rights in the project in all UK broadcast and online media in accordance with the applicable union or guild agreement and, where appropriate, the requirements of the published terms of trade with the relevant Public Service Broadcaster 
• repayment of any BFI Development Awards or Vision Award (if applicable) — please note any award made by International Co-Production cannot be used for this budget line   
• all customary production insurances (including errors and omissions) on which the BFI will require to be named as an additional insured 
• all the delivery materials required by the BFI including enhanced access materials and any costs related to achieving BAFTA albert certification or an equivalent approach agreed by UKGSF. You can also include up to £6,000 for sustainability consultancy if requesting this additional amount 
• adequate unit publicity, stills and EPK 
• a mandatory Film Skills Fund (FSF) levy, or Skills Fund for Animation or equivalent recognised skills programme for television, of 0.5% of UK core expenditure (subject to the FSF cap) 
• sufficient allowance for accounting and audit costs including those related to the final Audit Statement and AVEC if claimed 
• adequate legal costs for the production and financiers 
• all financing costs 
• a contingency suitable to the needs of the project 

Due to limited funding, we discourage individual producers from making multiple submissions to the fund in any single application period.

4. How to apply

When you can apply

Check the landing page for open and closing dates for this fund. There is an earlier closing date for fast track applications.

Download templates for your application

Information you need to provide 

Your proposal 

You’ll need to provide: 

• your project proposal in English, including: 
  • the synopsis 
  • biographies of writer, director and producer 
  • how the project benefits your international business development plans 
  • an outline of how your project shows strong distribution and revenue potential  
  • how your planned co-production will be structured, information on your producing partner(s) with a list of their credits and experience, how the production budget and resources will be managed, and detailed information on the UK elements of the production 
  • commitment to making use of the UK’s talent pool, through cast, crew or post-production facilities 
  • locations and cast, where known 
• your distribution approach including target audiences, markets and territories — including an explanation of why those markets have been selected and what opportunities have been identified — potential distribution methods and partners 
• the total budget for your project (including UK contribution and detailing split of expenditure per co-producing partner) and the amount you are requesting from UKGSF International Co-Production and whether you are requesting additional sustainability consultant funding   
• the co-production’s actual and potential financial partners and any expenditure to date.  You need to include an initial calculation of the relevant UK AVEC (if applicable) and any other public incentives or subsidies available to the production 
• any anticipated unusual or challenging technical or budgetary requirements 
• your environmental impact planning, including in relation to undertaking BAFTA albert certification or an equivalent approach as agreed with BFI 
• your previous work and track record including any success at festivals, awards and audience reach (for example, box office, viewing figures) 
• information on the UK-wide benefit of the project 

 Documents you’ll need to provide 

You’ll need to upload: 

• preliminary production package consisting of an: 
  • overall timeline for the project to include prep, shoot/animation, locations, post-production and a delivery date 
  • industry standard production schedule 
  • industry standard production budget 
• script (for feature films), treatment (for documentaries), or storyboard/bible (for animation) 
• proposed full finance plan (you must use the template provided) that matches the budget along with all funding agreements, indicating the sources of each funding amount and whether such funding is secured or is awaiting confirmation. The finance plan must include AVEC where the production is able to apply for it 
• budget detailing split of expenditure per country and the spend of the award on UK elements of the budget (you must use the template provided) 
• sales agreement and sales estimates provided by your sales agent (for film) or distributor (for TV) 
• production cash flow 
• proposed recoupment schedule that clearly demonstrates the UK producer’s share of revenue 
• corporate ownership chart indicating direct and indirect ownership interests (%) and domicile of related entities, if applicable   
• any Letters of Commitment (LOCs), Letters of Intent (LOI), deal memos or agreements (for cast, financiers)
  • any financing marked as “Secured” must provide a LOC, LOI, deal memo or an agreement at the time of application 
• any visual materials to support the application (optional) 

If you’re applying through fast track

You’ll also need to provide: 

• chain of title documents 
• evidence of start of principal photography or animation date and availability of lead cast and key HODs for the eligible shooting dates 

Incomplete applications will be considered ineligible so please ensure that you complete all sections of the application form with the information requested. 

Additional areas you will need to consider 

You will need to address the BFI’s cross-cutting priorities in your application. 

UK-wide 

The UKGSF seeks to ensure a UK-wide benefit and address geographic imbalance within the industry. You will be asked to answer a question on the UK-wide elements of your project. As part of our assessment we consider: 

• where the applicant UK production company and individual UK producer(s) are based 
• where projects are shot and made 
• how projects reflect the culture and talent of Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the English regions outside Greater London 

Environmental sustainability 

All teams applying for International Co-production funding need to plan their project and its budget with the environment and the climate crisis in mind. 

This includes:  

• reducing carbon emissions as much as possible 
• minimising negative impacts and maximising environmental benefits 

Key areas to address in your planning and application include energy, transport, food, materials use, biodiversity and influencing change. We ask all applicants to share and embed sustainable values and behaviour with their collaborators and their supply chain and promote sustainable production to colleagues across the wider industry.  

We require all projects receiving funding  to seek sustainability certification. This should be via BAFTA Albert or, if you have a rationale for using a sustainability certification system from another territory of co-production,  contact us to discuss this on [email protected]. You can also contact us if you have any concerns about your ability to gain sustainability certification. All successful applicants are expected to make best endeavors to achieve sustainable production and to budget adequately for the costs involved. 

If your funding application is successful, you will need to start the Certification process in pre-production: for BAFTA Albert  visit the Albert website to request an account.  

BAFTA Albert has a range of production and editorial tools, and training courses to support you and your teams to reduce the negative and increase the positive environmental impacts of your film. Find full details and upcoming training dates on the Albert website.   

We also expect all productions to consult the Independent Film Sustainability Handbook to begin planning sustainability actions as early as possible in the production process. This is likely to save you money in some cost areas and enable you to get the most out of any funding you receive to support sustainability. Documentary producers may wish to consult Doc Society’s Green Doc Protocol when planning their production. 

Equity, diversity and inclusion  

In your application you will be asked to answer a question about representation within your organisation’s leadership. You must also complete and submit the separate BFI Diversity Standards – Production form so we can understand your intentions around diversity, inclusion and representation for your project. This means detailing how you will address industry under-representation in relation to characters, narrative, setting, lead creatives and crew, early career opportunities, audience development and accessibility.  

Please read the guidance on how to complete the Diversity Standards before registering for an account.

Ensure that you have information about the film or programme, casting choices, current crew, early career and training opportunities and your accessibility processes before you start filling in the form. You will also need relevant information on these areas from your co-producing partners.  

We will review the quality and ambition of your plans to meet the Diversity Standards and may ask you to further develop your ideas before we make a funding decision.   

You’ll need to create an account for the BFI Diversity Standards portal, if you don’t already have one. Once you have logged in to the portal, click ‘start new application’ and select the Diversity Standards – Production Form.   

This form will give you a unique reference number, which you’ll need to complete your main funding application form. You’ll need to submit both forms by the deadline for your main application.  

Application forms received without a completed and submitted Diversity Standards form will be considered incomplete and therefore ineligible. 

Please note that the information you provide within your Diversity Standards form may be shared with any funding partners or the BAFTA and BIFA film awards, and used to help inform future funding decisions, research, and strategy.  Equality monitoring data will be anonymised. 

If you have questions or concerns about your ability to meet the standards or would like to discuss approaches to meeting the criteria, you can contact the Diversity Standards Manager in the BFI Certification Unit on 020 7173 3273 or email [email protected]. 

Equality monitoring form  

You’ll be asked to complete an equality monitoring form when you submit your application. The form asks for demographic information on the staff working in your organisation. The data you submit on this form will be confidential and anonymous and not seen by the staff assessing your application. We will not be able to put forward your application for assessment until you have completed the equality monitoring form. 

Submitting your application 

To apply, you’ll need to create an account or have an existing account on our grant website. You’ll then need to complete and submit the online application form. You can save your application and return to it when you need to.     

Make sure you complete all the sections as incomplete forms will be automatically ineligible.  

Check the guidance on how to use our BFI applicant portal.

You can view a PDF preview of the application form to see the questions you will be asked in full:

If you need additional support using the application form, please contact us at [email protected] 

Speculative submissions 

We will only consider funding projects that have been submitted to us through the formal application process. This means that we cannot accept, or read, informal submissions such as scripts or application materials submitted by any means other than via the online application portal. 

5. What happens after you apply

Check our response timeframes for applications.

1. Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a unique ID number and an automated confirmation of receipt. If you do not receive this, please contact [email protected] 
2. You’ll get confirmation we received your application within five working days.  
3. We will review your application to check that it is eligible for assessment. 

If your application is ineligible 

We will endeavour to inform you of this within four weeks of the fund closing date. If you then realise you’ve made an error on your application which has rendered it ineligible, please tell us immediately, as we may allow you to correct it and resubmit. We continue to verify application eligibility throughout the assessment process and may determine at any point that an application is ineligible. 

If we need more information to determine eligibility   

We may write to you or request to meet with you to obtain more information about your application. If we need more information, it may have an impact on our ability to take a funding decision within the response timeframes. You will be required to respond to this request within five working days or as otherwise specified in correspondence. If no response is given within that timeframe, the application will be declined.   

How your application is assessed

The UKGSF seeks to support projects that are in clear need of public funding and that make a case for achieving significant results against our stated aims. Our assessment scores eligible applications against the following criteria: 

1. Finance plan: 25% 

We will assess the robustness of the finance plan and financial viability of the project, including the proportion of budget and funding partners secured, and will look at:  

• the level of UK third party finance secured – projects with higher levels of UK third-party finance secured will score more highly 
• grant intensity: those seeking funding above 25%  of the overall UK financial contribution to the budget will be required to demonstrate a persuasive need for this higher level of funding, and a strong track record in previous co-productions.  
• the percentage of overall budget secured: projects with a higher level of financing secured will be prioritised over those with limited financing secured 
• whether the project has secured finance or a LOC indicating commitment to funding the production from a regional or national film fund or broadcaster in the majority country of production 
• how allocation of UK spend and a balanced contribution is safeguarded if working outside the treaties and how the applicant is making use of UK talent pool 

2. International growth and innovation: 20% 

We’ll look at: 

• the proposed benefit to the producer’s international company growth 
• whether a sales agent, international distributor or broadcaster is attached to the project and any pre-sales made 
• the project’s international appeal, considering its creative team, content, cast, the co-production approach, any pre-sales and distributors or broadcasters attached, identified target audience(s), planned distribution methods, awareness of potential markets, relevance of choice of territories 
• international and domestic sales appeal of the lead cast/contributors and status of their attachment to the project  
• innovation shown through approaches to reaching target audiences, co-production approach, distribution methods and new markets and partnerships  
• whether the project is an official co-production under a bilateral treaty or the European Convention, and if not, the strength of the case made for working with the territory/territories and international partners involved, for example in relation to potential sales, unique subject/access etc. 

3. Funding outcomes (for applicant/IP owners): 20% 

We’ll look at: 

• the benefits of the co-production for the UK producer, including professional and network development, partnerships and access to talent relationships 
• the benefits for the UK screen industry of the project’s co-production model, including whether the producer is working with territories they have not co-produced with before  
• projected return on investment or other economic benefits for the UK producer 
• potential for increased international audience reach 

4. Track record and team: 15% 

We’ll look at the:  

• experience of the companies, teams, talent and partners involved. If, collectively, the team has multiple previous works that have been produced and found international success, and particularly any previous successful international co-productions, this will score higher.   
• demonstrable past success of the director, writer and producer for example, through festival acceptances, awards and audience reach (box office, viewing figures) 
• experience of producing previous successful international co-productions (this will be assessed for all applications and will be a particular focus for applications seeking above 25% of UK share of spend) 

5. Additionality: 10% 

We’ll look at: 

• how your proposal demonstrates that the co-production would not otherwise happen without UKGSF support 
•  the extent to which the UKGSF funding specifically will unlock additional benefits for the project for example, additional projected revenues, company growth, visibility and reputation, new international relationships and new territories 

6. UK-wide benefit: 10% 

We’ll look at: 

• where projects are shot or made 
• where the applicant UK production company and individual UK producers are based 
• how the project reflects the culture and talent of Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the English regions outside Greater London 
• any other proposed UK-wide benefits within the application 

7. Cross-cutting BFI priorities required across all open programmes

Each of the following must be fully addressed: 

• the quality and ambition of plans to address the Diversity Standards 
• feasibility and impact of your intentions for production activity to be more environmentally sustainable and to reduce negative environmental impact 

Assessment process  

All applications will be assessed by the UKGSF team at the BFI. We may consult external reviewers with relevant expertise during the assessment process. 

You may be invited to a meeting to discuss the application further. This does not mean that we have made a commitment to fund your production. The meeting is an opportunity for us to discuss your application and project with you in more detail. You may need to supply further information after the meeting and we will need to review that before we can make a final decision. 

If we don’t receive any further materials or information from you within five working days or as otherwise specified in correspondence, your application will automatically be marked as ‘withdrawn’. This will not affect your ability to apply for other BFI funds or to UKGSF in the future. 

Projects which are not progressing beyond the assessment stage will be declined by email. This email will state that we have reviewed your application and are not considering it further and that your application is now closed. 

Identity checks 

We undertake due diligence assessments of the applications we are recommending to our decision-making committee for funding. As part of this, before applying to the committee, we may request the bank details of the lead applicant. We will request the personal address and date of birth of the CEO or Managing Director of the organisation applying. We will use this data to run an identity check. Our request for this information is not an indication or confirmation of funding and you will be informed separately of the funding decision on your application. This is not a credit check. We will be unable to submit your application to our decision-making committee until we have received your completed form. 

Grant Finance Committee consideration 

Following the assessment of your application, a funding recommendation will be made to the BFI’s Grant Finance Committee who will take a final funding decision on the project. This committee is made up of members of the BFI Executive Board and other staff members who make funding decisions in line with the BFI Grant Funding Policies and Procedures handbook. 

6. Getting a decision

You will be informed in writing if your application has been unsuccessful or successful within the response timeframes.

If you’re  successful 

You’ll receive a written offer of funding which you’ll need to sign and return to the BFI within seven days, otherwise the offer will lapse.   

Your offer of funding will set out details of how you’ll receive the funding, how to use it and how we expect you to report to us. Successful applicants should also ensure they are aware of the payment terms for the award and the deliverables. 

BFI delivery materials 

Below is a summary of the delivery materials that may be required for BFI-funded projects, the cost of which must be contained in the budget for the project. This is a summary only and a more detailed list of delivery requirements is available on request. 

Delivery materials for film 

You’ll have to provide: 

• one uncompressed and unencrypted clone of the Digital Cinema Distribution Master (DCDM) delivered on a portable hard drive 
• one unencrypted Digital Cinema Package (DCP) delivered on a portable hard drive 
• one ProRes or Broadcast MXF file delivered on a portable hard drive  
• enhanced access: closed captions (open captions also, if available) files for all formats/platforms 
• enhanced access: audio description tracks for all formats and platforms 
• if any other financier of the project requires one digital print (final version as used for UK theatrical release) the BFI shall have the option to also request delivery to the BFI of one digital print 
• if the project has been produced in a foreign language the print must incorporate dialogue subtitles in the English language 
• evidence of BAFTA albert certification for the film, including pre- and post-production carbon calculations, or evidence of equivalent approach as agreed with the awardee by the BFI 

Delivery materials for TV 

 You’ll have to provide: 

• digital master files of all finished programmes funded through UKGSF delivered irrespective of broadcast platform 
• broadcast master files to DPP specification of all finished episodes or standalone programmes funded through UKGSF delivered prior to first broadcast 
• narrative audio track for the visually impaired: narrative description of content on screen 
• open captions (English): open captions are text displayed to assist hearing impaired audience members. Caption text includes scene dialogue and descriptions of key sounds for example “phone rings” or “door slams”. Open captions are rendered by the server or projector and will display the timed text captions on screen, visible to the entire audience 
• closed captions (English): closed captions are text displayed to assist hearing impaired audience members. Caption text includes scene dialogue and descriptions of key sounds for example ‘phone rings’ or ‘door slams’. Closed captions are generally presented off-screen on dedicated devices and are not generally visible to the entire audience 

We require these materials to be supplied by the producer to the BFI National Archive to the same specification required by DPP compliant broadcasters (AS-11 DPP HD/1080i/25 AVC Intra Video/MXF OP1a).  

All broadcast master files must be accompanied by an MD5 checksum for use in the BFI’s file integrity checking processes. This must be supplied as a .csv or plain text document.  

Any automated quality control (AQC) or eyeball quality control (EQC) documentation generated for DPP compliance must also be included with the delivered files. 

Feedback on an unsuccessful  application  

We aim to provide feedback to all eligible applications we decline. Once we have provided feedback we aren’t able to correspond further with you regarding the funding decision for your project. For applications we decline, we will keep the data and supporting materials you sent to us in line with our records retention policy. 

Resubmission 

No resubmissions can be made to UKGSF International Co-production for projects that are declined unless there is a substantial and significant change in elements, or where an application has been withdrawn from the previous funding process by the applicant. 

If you meet either of the above criteria, please contact us to confirm whether you can apply. If you then submit a new application for the same project, ensure that you identify any revised project elements clearly in the new application. 

We welcome your feedback on the application process and how we might improve it, via [email protected].

7. Conditions of funding

If your application is successful, we will send you a written conditional offer of funding. The offer of funding must be countersigned and returned to the BFI within seven days of issue or it will automatically lapse. 

Before we make any payments to you, you will be required to enter into a UKGSF production finance agreement with the BFI that sets out the terms and conditions of UKGSF International Co-production funding (the PFA).  

In addition to the BFI General Funding Conditions, these terms and conditions will include the following (but may also include others specific to your application): 

1. Any award must be used exclusively for the purpose for which it was requested, as set out in your application, and solely on UK elements. 
2. The award is a grant that is not recoupable by the BFI, except in the circumstances set out below and in the funding agreement. 
3. Subject to clause six below, all grants awarded will be paid in accordance with the following payment schedule: 

• 30% payable on the later of: signature and satisfaction of relevant conditions precedent and the project’s financial closing 
• 50% payable upon receipt of evidence that all commercial funding has been received by the production; “commercial funding” means any funding other than funding provided by a bank, a public broadcaster or a national public funding body 
• 10% payable on receipt of the physical delivery materials 
• 10% payable on paper deliverables including a final audited cost report certified by an independent auditor, a final British certificate (if applicable), a final narrative and data report, and proof of BAFTA Albert certification or equivalent approach as agreed by UKGSF  

To the extent that any of the UKGSF International Co-production funding is required sooner than provided for above, you will either need to cash flow this yourself or arrange for a third party to cash flow the amounts so required. You will also need to ensure that any anticipated AVEC proceeds which form part of the UK financial contribution to the project are cash flowed by you or a third party during production, as the BFI cannot cash flow these. Any such cash flowed amounts will be considered to be “commercial funding” unless they are cash flowed by a bank, a public broadcaster or a national public funding body. 

4. Successful applicants will be issued with guidance on final reporting, including requirements around benefits generated by the funding and promotional activity.  
5. You will be required to deliver against the undertakings made by you in relation to the BFI Diversity Standards. Failure to deliver against those undertakings without good cause may affect your ability to receive future project funding from the BFI. 
6. We reserve the right to adjust the payment structure at the BFI’s sole discretion. The BFI will pay the grant to the UK limited company registered in the UK . The BFI funding must be paid into a separate dedicated production account. 
7. The offer of funding may be terminated, and any funding already advanced may be required to be repaid, in the event that any of the requirements set out in these Guidelines, or any of the terms and conditions of funding set out in the PFA, are breached. 
8. The BFI may withdraw any offer of its funding if it has reasonable concerns relating to the viability of the project, the nature and terms of any UK partnership funding, the nature and terms of any of the financial contributions of any of the other co-producers, or if any of the co-producers operates in a way which might bring the BFI or DCMS into disrepute. Any material changes to the financing structure and/or co-production parties, co-production status and/or cast, without UKGSF’s prior approval, may impact any UKGSF funding. 
9. You will be required to include the UKGSF animated logo and presentation credit in the opening (or main, if appearing at the end) credits of the production, and certain further UKGSF credits and logos in the end credits of the production pursuant to the UKGSF branding guidelines. 
10. Successful applicants will be provided with detailed branding guidelines that set out the specific requirements for acknowledging the UKGSF International Co-production funding and the UKGSF as a UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport fund administered by the BFI. Generally, we require grant recipients to increase the visibility of the Government’s support by: 

• promoting and displaying the UKGSF logo 
• assisting in communicating the benefit of the UKGSF, to ensure that its value and impact is recognised and understood by key stakeholders 
• making themselves available and encouraging key talent to take part in promotional activities 

You may also be asked to provide access to the production for UKGSF activities such as promotion of the Fund and/or international exchange/training.  

It is an important condition of UKGSF funding that the source of the funding is prominently acknowledged through use of the UKGSF logo and through agreed verbal and written acknowledgement. Partners and beneficiaries are expected to take opportunities to highlight not just the fact of the funding but why their project is funded and therefore the increased opportunity that is possible through the Government’s support.  

11. Successful applicants will be required to grant, or use reasonable endeavours to secure the right to grant to the BFI and DCMS, the right to use stills and clips from the supported production for the purpose of promoting the UKGSF in any media throughout the world for a period of at least three years from the date that the conditional offer of funding was issued. 
12. You will be required to clear worldwide rights in all media in perpetuity from all individuals or organisations who are contributing to, or whose material is to be featured in, the production (save only for music public performance rights). 
13. You will be required to provide a contribution to the Film Skills Fund (FSF) levy, or Skills Fund for Animation or equivalent recognised skills programme for television, of 0.5% of UK core expenditure (subject to the FSF cap).   
14. You will be expected to put in place all customary production insurances (including errors and omissions insurance) on which the BFI must be named as an additional insured. 
15. You will be required to provide the BFI Delivery Materials set out in these Guidelines to the BFI, the costs of which must be included in the budget of the production. 
16. The BFI will require certain approvals over your production including in relation to the terms of all other finance, and all key production and financial documentation prepared in relation to the production. 
17. You will need to establish clear chain of title to your project, demonstrating you have or can acquire all the rights necessary to produce and exploit the production. 
18. The BFI is keen to ensure that you receive your full entitlement to a reasonable producer fee and production company overhead from within the production budget and does not encourage deferral of any such amounts. 
19. You will be required to ensure that your project is produced in accordance with the requirements of all unions and guilds having jurisdiction and with all applicable laws and statutes. 
20. You will be required to ensure that any agreement for the distribution of your project in the UK provides for the availability of soft-subtitling and audio-description materials in cinemas and on any video-on-demand, DVD or Blu-ray disc release of the production. 
21. The BFI will expect to be provided with information about the progress of the production, for example, regular production reports and dailies and for BFI and/or DCMS representatives to be able to attend any stages of production subject to reasonable prior notice. 
22. You may also be asked to provide access to the production, or the completed project, for other BFI activities such as film education and from time to time to make yourself, the writer and/or the director of your production available (subject to professional commitments), to provide industry training or mentoring, if the BFI reasonably requests. 
23. Successful applicants will be required to take part in formal evaluation of the UKGSF if contacted by an independent evaluator. This will include the provision of information on the relevant production and the funded activities to inform this evaluation. This may include, but shall not be limited to, information in respect of the production and the funded activities for the purposes of case studies, quotes from the company benefiting from the award and provision of visual materials relating to the funded activity. 
24. To ensure proportionality, no Group of applicants (or SPV) can receive more than £781,250 in combination from any or all of the UKGSF funds over a three-year fiscal period.