Grant News
Round two of the BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund is open to UK organisations that can design and deliver specialist development programmes for filmmakers.
The BFI wants to increase opportunities for UK filmmakers developing feature films or screen-based immersive projects, particularly in underserved areas of the screen industry.
Funding is for organisations running support programmes, rather than for individual filmmakers applying directly. Programmes should help participants to:
- develop their projects;
- prepare projects for the market; and
- improve their prospects of securing further finance.
The fund will provide up to £3 million over three years and is expected to support up to 24 development programmes across the UK.
Grants of between £12,000 and £150,000 are available to support one edition of a programme. Larger grants may be considered for programmes delivered over up to three editions.
Applicants must be UK-based, legally constituted organisations with relevant experience and the capacity to deliver the proposed programme. Participants must be recruited through an open call.
Each programme must support at least:
- 10 live-action feature projects and participants; or
- 5 animation or immersive projects and participants.
Applications for round two close at midday on Wednesday 9 September 2026.
Funded programme activity must begin between 1 January and 31 December 2027.
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