BFI welcomes £75 million funding boost for UK’s world-class film and TV industry

The BFI welcomes the government’s £75m Screen Growth Package for the UK’s film and TV industry as part of its Creative Industries Sector Plan which focused on international development, growing the sector’s talent pool and strengthening creative clusters nationwide.

The package includes funding boosts across BFI activities and programmes over three years, that are vital to supporting the growth of the sector in these key areas including

• Expanding the UK Global Screen Fund which the BFI administers on behalf of the DCMS to £18 million annually (2026-2029) to develop international business capabilities, enable co-productions and showcase independent UK screen content worldwide.
• Opening pathways for young people from underrepresented backgrounds through a significantly expanded BFI Film Academy, providing hands-on filmmaking experience and specialist training for 16-25 year olds.
• Continued support for the BFI London Film Festival and funding for the British Film Commission to attract further inward investment to strengthen the UK’s international appeal.
• The investment announced for five new CoSTAR research and development labs and fund two showcase spaces to demonstrate new creative technology, film, TV and games innovations to investors, will also be important to the BFI in its role within the CoSTAR Foresight Lab.

It is also fantastic that the package will include a £10 million investment in the National Film and Television School to expand and modernise its Beaconsfield site, enabling the training 2,000 new trainees and apprentices over the next decade and helping it to unlock in investment from industry and private supporters.

The BFI’s work with creative clusters and partners providing industry support services will also contribute to a new £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund which will devolved to six Mayoral Strategic Authorities to support development of regional screen agencies and production funds in boosting film and TV clusters across the country.

Ben Roberts, BFI Chief Executive, said: “We’re pleased the government recognises that our world-class screen industries drive regional growth and add billions to the UK economy—and that the BFI plays an important part in that success. Through the BFI Film Academy we open doors for young people from under-represented backgrounds. 

“The UK Global Screen Fund helps UK screen businesses expand into overseas markets, while our work with creative clusters, partners providing industry support services and the CoSTAR research labs attracts fresh investment. And every autumn, the BFI London Film Festival brings global cinema and international filmmakers to audiences here and shines a light on UK creativity worldwide.”

Denitsa Yordanova, Head of International Funds and UK Global Screen Fund said: “I am delighted by the government’s decision to expand the UK Global Screen Fund with such a significant increase in investment. This vital backing of the UK’s independent screen sector will allow us to further boost international development, co-production, promotion and distribution opportunities for film, TV, animation, documentary and video games companies right across the UK, showcasing our unique creative talent in the global marketplace and accelerating export growth. We very much look forward to working with government and consulting with industry to formulate and take forward plans for the future of the UK Global Screen Fund.”