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

Fund aims and priorities 

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

The UKGSF supports international business 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

UKGSF International Co-production

UKGSF International Co-production has a global reach and aims to increase the number of internationally co-produced projects involving UK collaboration.  Funding will be provided as 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 

The fund seeks to support UK producers with projects that:

• have strong export potential
• make persuasive cases for their international audience and market appeal
• have international 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, and/or box office/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 ukglobalscreenfund@bfi.org.uk.

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

For your application to be eligible, 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 Audio-Visual Expenditure Credits (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. This must be paid by the UK co-producer on qualifying UK expenditure in line with the co-production treaties or the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production rules as explained in the BFI Certification Co-production guidance notes. Unless you have written approval from the BFI, deviation from these allocations will not be permitted.

Lead applicant producer

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

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 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 defined as a large company under 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.

Eligible content

Check the shooting and completion dates requirement for eligible projects on the fund landing page.

Eligible applicants may apply for funding for the following forms of content:

1. Film

Feature film 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 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 in length), fiction, animation or documentary film with potential for a theatrical release
• be a project where the UK co-producer is a “minority” co-producing partner

• qualify or be wholly capable of qualifying for certification as a British film either under:

  • the cultural test;
  • one of the UK’s official bilateral co-production treaties; or
  • the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production

  We encourage you to check with the BFI Certification department 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 certifications@bfi.org.uk 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 and/or Audio-Visual Expenditure Credits (AVEC) and/or any non-cash flowed sources of finance
• have an overall UK financial and creative 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 co-productions in animation or documentary only, in any language.

TV projects must:

• be a ‘single project’ or episodic animation 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
    • 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
• 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 and/or Audio-Visual Expenditure Credits (AVEC) and/or any non-cash flowed sources of finance
• have an overall UK financial and creative 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

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 and/or the Audio-Visual Expenditure Credits (AVEC) and/or any non-cash flowed sources of finance. This third-party finance may come from sources within and 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 for this requirement. 

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 Audio-Visual Expenditure Credits (AVEC) and/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 animation 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 and/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
• 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
• documentaries promoting tourism, “making-of”, factual entertainment programming, constructed reality shows, reports, current affairs, news programmes, docu-soaps, animal reportage
• 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 ukglobalscreenfund@bfi.org.uk.

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 production funding support, subject to the fund’s discretion and providing they meet all other eligibility criteria outlined in these guidelines.

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 Convention on Cinematographic Co-production
• for unofficial co-productions, apply the UK financial contribution on costs which, as 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 and/or Vision Award (if applicable)
• 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 (see further below) required by the BFI including access materials and any costs related to achieving BAFTA albert certification or an equivalent approach agreed by UKGSF
• 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 Audio-Visual Expenditure Credits (AVEC) if claimed
• adequate legal costs for the production and financiers
• all financing costs
• a contingency suitable to the needs of the project

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 ukglobalscreenfund@bfi.org.uk

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, 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.

Funding requested from UKGSF International Co-production cannot exceed 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 equivalent to 25% or more 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.

Due to limited funding, we discourage individual producers from making multiple submissions to this 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 why and how your project shows export potential and can generate revenues
  • how your planned co-production will be structured, information on your producing partner(s) with a list of their credits/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 and/or crew and/or post-production facilities etc.
  • 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 the amount you are requesting from UKGSF International Co-Production
• 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 Audio Visual Expenditure Credit (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, 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 Audio-Visual Expenditure Credits (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 / company ownership
• any Letters of Commitment (LOCs), Letters of Intent (LOI), deal memos and/or agreements (for cast, financiers etc.). 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 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 also 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/or 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. In your application, you will need to tell us about how environmental sustainability will be embedded in your production. This means working to reduce your carbon emissions as much as possible, and your impact on the living world; and to maximise the positive environmental benefits your project could have.    

When completing your application, you should consider:   

•  the impact of your approach to production
• where your energy comes from, in offices and on location
• what materials you consume
• how you plan to limit the use of petrol-based transport
• considerations on catering, props and wardrobe
• how you plan for reduction, re-use and recycling  

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 gain BAFTA albert certification, or an equivalent approach as agreed with UKGSF. Flexibility may be provided where an equivalent certification system is already in place for the production, or where the UK’s status as a minority co-producer means that the UK producer has limited influence over the production conditions as a whole. In all circumstances, grantees will be expected to make best endeavours to achieve sustainable production. If you have concerns about your ability to meet the requirements of BAFTA albert certification, please contact us to discuss this on ukglobalscreenfund@bfi.org.uk  

If your funding application is successful and you are using BAFTA albert, you will need to start the Certification process in pre-production: visit the albert website to request an account. You can then use the Carbon Calculator to predict your production’s footprint by entering information on your anticipated activity, including prep and post-production phases. The predicted footprint will enable you to see which aspects of the production will generate the most carbon emissions and help you to identify actions to reduce these before you start. These should then be recorded in your Carbon Action Plan. Once production gets underway, enter the actual data to calculate a final footprint which forms part of your submission to albert at the end of post-production.   

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 in albert’s handbook.  

Documentary projects may wish to consult Doc Society’s Green Doc Protocol when planning their production.

Equity, diversity and inclusion 

As part of your application, you must complete and submit the 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. If successful, you will need to report following the conclusion of your activity, evaluating how you have delivered against the aims of the Diversity Standards in practice.

If your plans are not fully developed at the point of application, then please state the stage you are currently at and explain how you will turn your aims into actions. If we are interested in supporting your project we may ask you to further develop your ideas before we make a funding decision.

If your team or organisation has a long-standing commitment to diversity, enabling you to meet the BFI Diversity Standards by continuing your current practice, your application should outline how you will build on past achievements and show leadership to the wider industry.

Diversity Standards form

Before you can submit your application, you’ll need to complete and submit the Diversity Standards Production Form. You’ll need to register for an account to do this. Once you have logged in, click ‘start new application’ and it is the second form on the list.

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 the above from all your co-producing partners.

This form will give you a unique reference number, which you’ll need to complete the main application form. You’ll need to submit both forms by the same deadline as 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 provided by applicants within their Diversity Standards may be shared with any funding partners or the BAFTA/BIFA film awards, and used to help inform future funding decisions, research, and strategy. Equality monitoring data is 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 diversitystandards@bfi.org.uk.

Equality monitoring form and report

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.

Successful applicants will be required to submit an Equality Monitoring Report before final credit sign off and as part of deliverables required to release final payment. This report will request information on the contributors to your project and will be used to measure success against the BFI Diversity Standards. If you do not hold equality monitoring data for key staff working on your project, we advise that you send out anonymised equality monitoring forms prior to activity commencing so that you have the information to hand when completing your final report. The information will be used to measure achievement against the BFI Diversity Standards.

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.

For guidance about how to use our new 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 ukglobalscreenfund@bfi.org.uk

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 ukglobalscreenfund@bfi.org.uk.
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. Plan for international growth and innovation: 20%

We’ll look at:

• proposed benefit to producer’s international company growth
• whether a sales agent or international distributor is attached to the project
• 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 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 Convention, and if not, why the territory represents opportunity for potential for example, sales, unique subject/access, international partnerships

2. 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: 

• 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 equivalent to 25% or more 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.
• 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

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

We’ll look at:

• the benefits of the co-production for the UK producer, including economic, professional and network development, 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, and projected return on investment for the UK producer
• increased audience/revenue/partnerships/production

4. Track record and team: 15%

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

If, collectively, they have multiple previous works that have been produced and found international success, and particularly any previous successful international co-productions, this will strengthen the application.

The fund can support UK producers working with first-time feature and television directors  if they have a strong track record in a relevant creative sector for example, theatre or short film.

In your application we will assess:        

• experience of the companies, teams, talent and partners involved
• demonstrable past success for example, at festivals with awards or 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 the funding makes a difference to your project in terms of for example, projected revenues, company growth, new international relationships, new territories
• how your proposal demonstrates that the co-production would not otherwise happen without UKGSF support

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 projects reflect 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 company’s intentions for activity to be more environmentally sustainable and 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 or phone call 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. Please note that 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. Please note that 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. This is the final stage of the funding decision process. 

6. Getting a decision

You will be informed in writing if your application has been unsuccessful or successful.

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. Please note this is a summary only and a more detailed list of delivery requirements is available on request.

Delivery materials for film

• 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:

• 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 make the application process as transparent as possible. Because of the volume of applications we receive, we do not have the resources to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants. 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 ukglobalscreenfund@bfi.org.uk. 

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 four 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 final audit, equality monitoring report etc.)

To the extent that any of 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 Audio-Visual Expenditure Credits (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. 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 (either as a company incorporated in the UK or incorporated in the European Union or European Economic Area and registered as a branch in the UK). The BFI funding must be paid into a separate dedicated production account.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Successful applicants will be provided with detailed branding guidelines that set out the specific requirements for acknowledging UKGSF International Co-production funding and the UKGSF as a UK Government’s Department for 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 therefore 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. 

9. 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.
10. 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).
11. You will be required to provide a contribution to the SIF levy of 0.5% of the project’s UK core expenditure (subject to the SIF cap).
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. Successful applicants will be issued with guidance on final reporting, including requirements around benefits generated by the grant and promotional activity.
20. The BFI will hold back 10% of its funding until delivery to the BFI of specified paper delivery materials including a final audited cost report certified by an independent auditor, a final narrative and data report, an Equality Monitoring Report (which helps us to measure against the BFI Diversity Standards form that you submitted), and proof of BAFTA albert certification or equivalent approach as agreed with the awardee with BFI.
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/or 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. 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.
24. 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 grantee benefiting from the award and provision of visual materials relating to the funded activity.
25. To ensure proportionality, no Group of applicants (or SPV) can receive more than £625,000 in combination from any or all of the UKGSF funds over a three-year fiscal period.