The BFI Production Fund will be closing for applications on 13 January 2023 in readiness for the roll out of our new 10-year National Lottery Funding Strategy. As we currently have a large amount of applications to process, we are no longer accepting applications for debut features. We will continue to accept applications for second features and above, and XR/VR projects from filmmakers at all levels, up until 13 January 2023.
Further details of our BFI National Lottery Filmmaking Fund will be published in early 2023, with applications opening in February. The new Fund will include development and production funding for features and XR/VR projects, as well as support for project development.
We welcome applications to the BFI Production Fund for second features and above, and XR/VR projects from filmmakers at all levels, until the closing date of 13 January 2023, but please be aware that we are currently processing a large amount of applications. Therefore, we recommend that any projects which are not time sensitive consider waiting for the new Filmmaking Fund to open in 2023.
Whilst our funds are closed, we will continue to consider supplementary funding awards for projects which are currently in development or production with us at the BFI Film Fund.
National Lottery funding for documentaries is provided by our partner, Doc Society and funding for short films is provided through BFI NETWORK.
Who can apply
Applications must be made by the lead producer who is:
• a different person to the director and writer
• producing a project between £250,000 and £15,000,000
Filmmakers without demonstrable experience in short film or TV should consider BFI NETWORK.
Our funding priorities
We prioritise work that:
- is made by filmmakers in the early stages of their careers
- has cultural relevance or progressive ideas
- takes risks in form and content
- recognises the quality of differences in perspective, talent and recruitment
- originated by filmmakers outside London and South East England
What you need to provide
Along with a completed application form, you should submit:
- the script
- an overall timeline for the project to include prep, shoot, post (with at least 10-12 weeks edit) and a delivery date
- an industry standard production budget; for example, using Movie Magic
- an industry standard production schedule
- a proposed finance plan that matches the budget
Apply for funding
We are accepting applications for second features and above, and XR/VR projects from filmmakers at all levels, up until 13 January 2023. We are no longer accepting applications for debut features.
If this is your first application, please create an account.
Read the BFI Production Fund guidelines before making an application. Please note that the BFI National Lottery: General Terms have been updated. Find out more.
If you wish to see the online application format before applying, please download the application preview.
Applications are accepted until 13 January 2023.
We aim to let applicants know the outcome of their application within 8 weeks.
If you have any questions relating to the fund or application, please email productioncoordinator@bfi.org.uk.
We can provide assistance to applicants who have a disability, are D/deaf, have a visual or hearing impairment or are neurodiverse, where this support is needed for someone to make an application. See Access support for BFI Film Fund applicants.
Our resources: application outcomes and feedback
The extremely competitive nature of our funding means that we have to make very difficult decisions and often have to turn down projects even when they meet some or all of our stated criteria. On average, we have to turn down over 7 in every 10 projects seeking Development funding, and 8 in every 10 projects seeking Production funding.
We aim to make the application process as fair and transparent as possible. As a result of the volume of applications we receive, we do not have the resources to provide feedback on projects that have been declined.