Funds & Support Database
Keeping on top of the latest film funds, bursaries, competitions, schemes and more for filmmakers can be a full-time job in itself - that's why we created this database to save you the time scouring the web.
BIFA Springboard is a ten-month professional development programme for filmmakers with a second fiction feature in development, offering training, mentoring, and networking to support career progression beyond early success. Running from May 2025 to February 2026 and supported by Prime Video, ScreenSkills and others, it’s open to up to 30 UK-based directors, writers, and producers who have completed one feature film that has played at a BIFA-recognised festival, online, or had a UK release. The programme is not entry-level and prioritises applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and those based outside London and the South East.
BIFA Springboard is a ten-month professional development programme for filmmakers with a second fiction feature in development, offering training, mentoring, and networking to support career progression beyond early success. Running from May 2025 to February 2026 and supported by Prime Video, ScreenSkills and others, it’s open to up to 30 UK-based directors, writers, and producers who have completed one feature film that has played at a BIFA-recognised festival, online, or had a UK release. The programme is not entry-level and prioritises applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and those based outside London and the South East.
The BFI National Lottery Filmmaking Fund supports ambitious and creative projects that the commercial sector cannot fully finance, focusing on new, emerging, and established talent.
The Discovery Feature Funding programme offers up to £1,000,000 for debut directors working on features with budgets of up to £3,500,000. The programme emphasizes championing underrepresented talent early in their careers to foster a more inclusive and diverse film industry. Applications are assessed based on the talent’s progression and the creative merit of the project.
Awards typically range between £500,000 and £850,000, with only a few projects receiving the maximum funding.
The BFI National Lottery Filmmaking Fund supports ambitious and creative projects that the commercial sector cannot fully finance, focusing on new, emerging, and established talent.
The Discovery Feature Funding programme offers up to £1,000,000 for debut directors working on features with budgets of up to £3,500,000. The programme emphasizes championing underrepresented talent early in their careers to foster a more inclusive and diverse film industry. Applications are assessed based on the talent’s progression and the creative merit of the project.
Awards typically range between £500,000 and £850,000, with only a few projects receiving the maximum funding.
Too Happy Studios are inviting applications from early-career artists based in Scotland for their 2026 Artist Moving Image Commission. The selected artist will develop a new 10–15 minute single-screen film for cinema, with support from Rachel Maclean’s studio, producers Forest of Black, and Too Happy’s in-house team. The commissioned work will premiere at Glasgow Short Film Festival in March 2026, with additional support for international festival strategy and marketing.
The offer includes a £8,150 artist fee, £12,000 production budget, and access support where needed. Applicants must be based in Scotland and willing to spend time in Glasgow during the commission period (May 2025 – April 2026). They're looking for ambitious proposals from artists who already have or can adapt to a moving image practice.
Too Happy Studios are inviting applications from early-career artists based in Scotland for their 2026 Artist Moving Image Commission. The selected artist will develop a new 10–15 minute single-screen film for cinema, with support from Rachel Maclean’s studio, producers Forest of Black, and Too Happy’s in-house team. The commissioned work will premiere at Glasgow Short Film Festival in March 2026, with additional support for international festival strategy and marketing.
The offer includes a £8,150 artist fee, £12,000 production budget, and access support where needed. Applicants must be based in Scotland and willing to spend time in Glasgow during the commission period (May 2025 – April 2026). They're looking for ambitious proposals from artists who already have or can adapt to a moving image practice.