Screen sector skills shortages vary across the nations and regions of the UK, and targeted local strategies are needed to address these, as highlighted in the recommendations from the BFI 2022 Skills Review.
In line with BFI’s National Lottery Strategy and the Funding Plan 2023 to 2026, the BFI currently funds Skills Clusters in seven production hubs across the UK. These partnerships, between industry, education and training providers, and other skills organisations, develop clearer pathways to employment for screen production in their area. This strengthens local skills bases, leading to more people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, working in the screen industry.
The BFI recognises that there are growing screen production industries outside of the seven areas that have Skills Clusters. The Places Fund will recognise and invest in areas that do not already have a BFI funded Skills Cluster, where there is evidence of a growing screen production industry and skills gaps and/or shortages in the local workforce.
Successful applicants will partner with industry and education stakeholders to map skills gaps and shortages in their area and pilot skills provision that seeks to address these. Each awardee will develop long term, strategic recommendations for building an appropriately skilled and representative workforce in their area. This could inform future funding programmes including the potential expansion of the BFI National Lottery Skills Cluster Fund in future funding periods.
This fund will support skills and workforce development activity primarily for film, and will also consider activity for scripted productions, animation, games and other forms of immersive storytelling where there is evidence of a local need.
This fund cannot be used for skills activity related to ‘above-the-line’ roles. ‘Above-the-line’ roles refers to those who support the creative idea or direction of a production, such as a writer, director, producer, or actor.
Who can apply
You must be based, and seek to deliver, within one of the following:
- East of England
- South West
- East Midlands
- South East (not Hertfordshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, as they are already covered by BFI Skills Cluster provision)
You can focus activity in a targeted area within one of the above regions or take a region-wide approach (except for the South East).
How much you can apply for
The Places Fund: Skills and Training is making available up to £750,000 under the BFI’s National Lottery Funding Plan 2023-2026.
We expect to grant awards between £100,000 and £250,000. Activity is planned to commence from January 2025 and can run for up to 18 months, until no later than 30 June 2026.
Get support
If you’re interested in applying, we’re running personal Q&A sessions from Monday 2 September. To book a Q&A session, email skills.coordinator@bfi.org.uk by 4pm on Thursday 23 August.
If you have access requirements and need some support to make an application, check Access support for BFI funding applicants.
When you can apply
This fund opens for applications on Monday 19 August 2024. The deadline for applications is midday Friday 11 October 2024.
You need to read the fund guidelines in full before applying.
About National Lottery funding
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.