The British Film Institute

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £20.3 million (filmmaking and talent development funding)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 12-14 weeks standard assessment
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £1,250,000
• Geographic Focus: UK national (with regional variations by program)

Contact Details

Website: www.bfi.org.uk

Phone: 020 7957 4751

Email: james.morgan@bfi.org.uk

General Funding Enquiries: Available through BFI website contact forms

Pre-application Support: Contact available for access requirements and application guidance

Overview

Established by Royal Charter in 1933, the British Film Institute is the UK's lead organization for film, television and the moving image. As a registered charity (287780), the BFI receives £74.31 million annually from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport plus approximately £25 million in National Lottery funding for film distribution. Under CEO Ben Roberts and Chair Jay Hunt, the BFI champions film culture and supports the UK screen industries through funding, education, and archive preservation. The organization has significantly increased its filmmaking and talent development funding by 13% to £20.3 million annually for 2024-2027, demonstrating its commitment to nurturing UK talent and maintaining the UK's position as a creative hub for international production.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Discovery Feature Funding: £500,000 - £1,000,000 (for debut directors, production budgets £1-3.5M)
• Impact Feature Funding: Up to £1,250,000 (experienced directors, budgets over £1M)
• BFI Doc Society Features Fund: £30,000 - £150,000 (rolling applications)
• BFI NETWORK England Short Film: £5,000 - £25,000 (England-based directors)
• BFI and Film4 Future Takes: Up to £90,000 per film (7 projects annually)
• Development Funding: Variable amounts for script development (rolling basis)
• Doc Society Shorts Fund: Up to £25,000 (5-40 minute documentaries)

Priority Areas

• UK-based filmmakers and production companies
• Projects demonstrating commitment to diversity and inclusion through BFI Diversity Standards
• Live action and animation features, documentaries, and short films
• International co-productions with significant UK involvement
• Emerging talent development and career progression
• Projects addressing under-representation in the screen industries

What They Don't Fund

• Projects without significant UK involvement or UK-registered production companies
• Applications from individuals not meeting residency requirements
• Previously declined projects without significant changes
• Projects not meeting minimum diversity standard requirements

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Governance and Leadership

The BFI is governed by up to 15 governors appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Current leadership includes Chair Jay Hunt (television executive, appointed 2024) and CEO Ben Roberts. The board includes notable figures such as actor Idris Elba, alongside business leaders like Michael Birshan (McKinsey & Company) and industry professionals. The Executive Board features Arike Oke (Executive Director of Knowledge & Collections) and Jason Wood (Executive Director of Public Programmes & Audiences).

Key governance principle: “Everyone across the UK should be able to experience and create the widest range of screen culture.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Online applications through BFI website portal
• Must apply minimum 20 weeks before proposed principal photography
• Rolling applications for most programs
• Pre-application contact encouraged for access requirements

Decision Timeline

• Standard Assessment: 12 weeks from closing date
• Extended Period: Up to 14 weeks if assessment spans festive periods
• Multi-stage Process: Initial screening by two BFI staff plus external reader
• Final Approval: Subject to BFI Grant and Lottery Finance Committee approval

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed due to high application volumes and varied program structures.

Reapplication Policy

Declined applications generally cannot be resubmitted unless there are significant changes such as:

• Change of director
• Substantial script rewrite
• Change of producer (with clear rights transfer)
• Voluntary withdrawal before decision

Application Success Factors

Key Requirements

• Diversity Standards: Must meet criteria from at least two of four diversity standards
• UK Registration: Production company must be UK-registered and centrally managed
• Regional Eligibility: Varies by program (some England-specific, others UK-wide)
• Clear Chain of Title: Essential for resubmissions and final approval

BFI Priorities

• Demonstrable commitment to addressing under-representation
• Clear recruitment strategies for diverse talent
• Projects showing “clarity of intention” for inclusive hiring
• Evidence of changing recruitment practices: “how, when and where are you recruiting?”

Application Strength Indicators

• Concrete diversity plans rather than vague commitments
• Strong financial planning and realistic budgets
• Clear artistic vision supported by solid development work
• Proven track record appropriate to funding level
• Understanding of BFI's strategic priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Diversity is Non-Negotiable: BFI Diversity Standards must be integral to your project from conception, not an afterthought
• UK Focus Essential: Ensure clear UK involvement and proper company registration before applying
• Program-Specific Requirements: Carefully match your project to the right funding stream based on budget, experience level, and regional eligibility
• Long Lead Times: Apply minimum 20 weeks before production start - BFI processes are thorough but lengthy
• Limited Resubmission: Get it right first time as declined projects rarely get second chances without major changes
• Rolling vs Fixed Deadlines: Most programs accept rolling applications, but some have specific closure periods
• Relationship Building: Contact BFI for pre-application guidance, especially regarding access requirements and program suitability

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Arts Council of England
• The Leverhulme Trust
• The Henry Smith Foundation
• The Tudor Trust
• SF Foundation
• THE A B CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE HEADLEY TRUST
• Cornwall Community Foundation
• The Charles Hayward Foundation
• The Cadbury Foundation
• Awards for All
• THE BIG GIVE TRUST
• THE GUILDHALL SCHOOL TRUST
• THE SAINTBURY TRUST
• HELP THE HOMELESS LIMITED
• COMMON GROUND
• HENRY SMITH
• National Lottery
• Office for Students
• Heritage Action Zone

References

• BFI official website funding pages (www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support)
• BFI 2024 production statistics and funding allocations
• BFI Diversity Standards criteria and guidance documents
• BFI governance and leadership pages
• Government appointments announcements for BFI governors
• BFI Doc Society fund guidelines and application processes
• BFI general funding conditions and assessment process documentation
• Official BFI statistics for 2023-2024 production spending data

Information compiled from official BFI sources