Sources of funding for UK filmmakers

BFI Film Fund

The BFI is the lead agency for film in the UK. The BFI Film Fund has a number of funding strands, investing over £26m of Lottery funds per year to support film development, production (incl. majority and minority co-productions) and distribution activity in the UK.

Development funding only: BFI NETWORK (for emerging talent only)

With an annual budget of £3m, BFI NETWORK supports talent development of new filmmakers across the UK.

Development funding only: MEDIA Sub-Programme (MEDIA Desk UK)

The MEDIA Sub-Programme runs a number of schemes to provide funding for the cinema and audiovisual sector.

Creative Scotland Film and Television Funding Programme

The Film and Television Funding Programme provides support to emerging and established film and television talent capable of creating distinctive and engaging work that promotes Scotland’s creativity.

Creative England Fund

Creative England offers a number of funds for development and production funding. All strands have flexibility with respect to international projects. Creative England is particularly interested in projects from regionally-based filmmakers or which have a strong regional voice.

Northern Ireland Screen Fund

Northern Ireland Screen offers a range of funding strands for script, project and slate development and feature film, television and digital content production funding. Incoming productions will be required to spend a proportion of the total production budget in Northern Ireland.

Ffilm Cymru Wales Development, Production and Cross Media Funds

Ffilm Cymru Wales aims to identify and nurture Welsh filmmakers – particularly producers, writers and directors – by supporting and encouraging the development of their work and ambitions.

Film London

Film London is the strategic agency for film and media in London and supports the growth and development of film, TV, video, commercials and interactive media.

BBC Films

BBC Films is committed to finding and developing new talent, collaborating with some of the foremost writers and directors in the industry. Applicants usually get in contact with BBC Films via an agent or individually, as an established producer. BBC Films can not accept unsolicited material.

Film4

Film4 is Channel 4’s film production arm invests £15 million annually in developing and financing films for theatrical release in cinemas, working collaboratively with filmmakers and usually in partnership with other funders. Due to the large number of submissions Film4 receives, it can only accept proposals via production companies or agents.

Isle of Man Media Development Fund

The Isle of Man Media Development Fund has a range of funding options available to UK Film and TV productions as well as games, including equity finance investment, gap finance and discounting of the UK tax credit and pre-sales of a project. The Fund has an evergreen budget of £25m and is administered by Pinewood Pictures.

Yorkshire Content Fund

The Yorkshire Content Fund is a public-private investment fund for the TV, film, video games and digital sectors in Yorkshire and Humber, open to producers either based in Yorkshire or wishing to film or establish a base in the region.

Liverpool City Region Production Fund

Open to local, national and international production companies, the Liverpool City Region Production Fund invests in feature films, scripted TV, animation and comedy series that are filming in Liverpool and its environs. It is managed by the Liverpool Film Office and can invest up to 20% of total budget, with a cap of £500,000 per project.

Training and career development: Creative Skillset

Creative Skillset empowers the Creative Industries to develop skills and talent by providing investment for individuals and businesses to grow.