Grant News
Grants of £12,000 to £150,000 are available through the BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund.
The BFI is a cultural charity, a National Lottery funding distributor and the UK’s lead organisation for film and the moving image.
The fund supports organisations that design and run development programmes for UK filmmakers and immersive media creatives in areas with limited industry opportunities. Programmes should help participants develop projects and prepare to seek funding from investors, commissioners or other industry sources.
The fund will distribute £3 million over three years to support project development across the UK and strengthen the film, animation and immersive media sectors.
Funding is available for programmes developing fiction, documentary or animation feature films, as well as narrative immersive projects using virtual reality, augmented reality, extended reality or 360-degree media.
Applicants must be legally established UK organisations, such as companies, community interest companies, limited liability partnerships, charities, trusts, local authorities or statutory bodies. Individuals cannot apply.
Programmes must recruit through an open application process and support at least 10 live-action feature film projects, or five animation or immersive projects.
Funding can cover staff, facilitators, participant payments, venues, mentoring, travel, accommodation, accessibility costs and relevant industry events.
Applicants must also secure financial or in-kind partner support worth between 5% and 20% of programme costs, depending on their organisation’s size.
Applications close at midday on 9 September 2026. Funded activity must begin between 1 January and 31 December 2027.
Related Funding News:
Funding to Increase Film Audience Choice & Engagement (UK)
Useful Links: