This fund supports the early stages of development for debut long-form projects.
It supports writers who do not yet have the first draft of a script (or equivalent format for immersive work), to produce an initial treatment – a piece of writing that outlines the story, characters, themes and structure of the project – and related materials like a mood board or other visual content. The Fund supports long-form live-action, immersive and animation fiction projects.
You can apply with or without a producer.
You can apply for funding of between £3,000 and £5,000 to support writing a treatment and creating related materials, and – if you’re working with a producer – their time spent on the project.
Projects that are supported at treatment stage and which are completed to schedule will then be able to apply for funding for a first draft of the full feature-length screenplay, or equivalent format for immersive work.
This fund supports projects with writers based in England who have not yet written a feature film or immersive work that has been produced and received a distribution deal in the UK.
Demand for BFI NETWORK funding
Based on previous rounds, we expect to receive a very high number of applications to this fund, and we have a limited amount of funding available. In 2023, we received 919 eligible applications and were only able to offer funding to 21 of these projects. You can see what we’ve funded in the past.
Our detailed guidelines will help you decide if this is the right funding route for your project, and give you details about how we assess applications, and the priorities that guide those difficult decisions about which projects we will support.
How to apply
You must read the fund guidelines in full before applying. You’ll find an application link in the guidelines.
If you have any questions about this funding or your application, email bfinetworkfunding@bfi.org.uk.
Access support for your application
We can provide assistance to applicants who have access requirements and need some support in order to make an application. See access support for BFI funding applicants.
If you have any questions about this funding or your application, email bfinetworkfunding@bfi.org.uk.
BFI NETWORK England Funding – British Sign Language Introduction
This introduction video is only a summary of information and does not supersede the main funding guidelines. If you require access support to apply there is help available to make an application.
BFI NETWORK England Funding – Easy Read Introduction
This Easy Read introduction is only a summary of information and does not supersede the main funding guidelines. If you require access support to apply there is help available to to make an application.
Since the very first National Lottery draw in 1994, public support – raised directly through National Lottery ticket sales – has funded more than 670,000 projects, raising more than £46 billion for good causes. As a recipient, it is important to publicly acknowledge the source of this funding throughout the lifespan of the project. Effectively communicating that it is supported by BFI National Lottery funding ensures those engaging with the work recognise the value and benefit of this unique Good Cause funding. Therefore, if your application is successful, you will be responsible for prominently crediting BFI National Lottery funding and thanking National Lottery players. As such, you are encouraged to ensure that elements of your project/s which have the potential to engage a broad public audience are capitalised on, in order to communicate this message. More details will be supplied once an award has been made.