Tutti
List a space

13 independent film grants and funding opportunities for UK filmmakers

Share
Save

Written by Esther C

Published Jan 30, 2025

Getting your dream film career off the ground is tough without the safety net of financial support. In 2020, the median cost of a domestic feature film in the UK was around £1.97 million. Even if you're only working with a micro-budget, how do you raise investment as a debut director?

Fortunately there are organisations and charities that want to see the film industry flourish with a diverse range of new talent, and are doing their bit by providing grants and funding opportunities to filmmakers. To help you make the most out of these opportunities, we have provided a list of 13 UK filmmaking grants and funding for film available for UK applicants. Don't let financial barriers hold you back from achieving your full potential!

Contents

UK-wide Film Funding:

  1. British Film Institute (BFI) Feature Funding
  2. BFI Global Screen Fund
  3. BBC The Small Indie Fund
  4. Screenskills Bursaries
  5. British Council Film Lab Travel Grant
  6. Shore Scripts Short Film Fund

National and Regional Film Funding:

  1. The Yorkshire Content Fund
  2. The Liverpool City Region Production Fund
  3. West Midlands Production Fund
  4. Screen Scotland Production Growth Fund
  5. Northern Ireland Screen Fund
  6. Creative Wales
  7. Ffilm Cymru Wales

UK-wide Film Funding:

1. British Film Institute (BFI) Feature Funding

British Film Institute Southwark
British Film Institute

Through its various funding programmes, the BFI Filmmaking Fund focuses on developing new, emerging and established talent in front of and behind the camera and encouraging risk in form and narrative approach.

Feature funding supports original live action and animated feature filmmaking. The application must be made by the project's dedicated producer with prior producing credits.

Applications for all funding should be submitted at least 20 weeks before your project’s first day of principal photography. 

Discovery feature funding

Discovery feature funding is for projects with debut directors and a production budget of £3,500,000 and below

Submissions window: Open and accepting applications on a rolling basis.

Grant: up to £1,000,000 (award amounts will generally range from £500,000 to £850,000).

Impact feature funding

Impact feature funding is for projects with debut directors with production budgets above £3,500,000, or experienced directors with production budgets above £1,000,000.

Submissions open: Tuesday 25 March 2025

Final deadline: Tuesday 6 May 2025 at 5pm

Grant: up to £1,250,000 

2. BFI Global Screen Fund

British Film Institute
British Film Institute

The BFI Global Screen Fund supports the international growth of UK independent screen content, including film, TV, animation, documentaries, and interactive games.

It offers financial assistance for development, international distribution, and marketing to help UK projects succeed globally. The fund aids producers by facilitating international partnerships, enhancing global appeal, and supporting participation in festivals and markets.

It also helps distribute completed UK films internationally, promoting British creativity to new audiences worldwide.

Submission window: Most global screen grants are open and accepting applications on a rolling basis.

3. BBC The Small Indie Fund

BBC The Small Indie Fund
BBC

With a dedicated annual budget of £1 million, The BBC's "The Small Indie Fund" fund focuses on empowering small indies with turnovers under £10 million. Successful applicants are also matched with experienced BBC mentors who provide guidance, advice, and invaluable industry connections.

The Fund is open to a wide range of genres, including factual programming, entertainment shows, comedy, children's content, drama series, daytime television, and films.

They assesses each company individually, carefully considering factors such as the strength of their creative ideas, their current commissioning opportunities, and their overall potential to make a meaningful impact in the industry.

Submission window: Not yet open for 2025

4. Screenskills Bursaries

Screenskills Bursaries
Screenskills

Screenskills offer cash grants to remove the obstacles to getting into the screen industries or progressing your career once you’re in.

Whether you need assistance with training fees to gain new skills, accommodation and travel expenses to attend a crucial industry event, care costs to allow you to go to work, disability access equipment to do your job, or the latest software and gear to stay at the cutting edge, ScreenSkills bursaries can provide the support you need.

Submission window: Open and accepting applications on a rolling basis.

Grant: £1,000-£3,000

5. British Council Film Lab Travel Grant

British Council Travel Grant Fund UK
British Council Film

In partnership with the British Film Institute (BFI) team, British Council offers grants to help filmmakers attend international labs to develop their projects and careers.

The Fund has a list of eligible training and development labs, and the grants contribute towards the cost of course fees, travel and accommodation.

Submission window: Open and accepting applications on a rolling basis.

Grant: Awards for Lab Grants are capped at £6,000 and awards for Co-Production Forum Grants are capped at £2,000. 

6. Shore Scripts Short Film Fund

Shore Scripts short films funding
Shore Scripts

Their Short Film Fund offers an opportunity for emerging screenwriters and filmmakers to have their short films financed and produced. Shore Scripts has a network of industry professionals and actively supports winning filmmakers in submitting their completed shorts to major film festivals worldwide.

The grant is open to writers and filmmakers from around the globe. Applicants must submit a short film script, typically no longer than 30 pages, along with a production plan and budget outline.

Submission opens: 15 January 2025

Final deadline: 2 May 2025

Grant: $10,000- $15,000

Thinking of hiring a UK film location for your next project?

Choose from 1000+ spaces and locations on Tutti and deal directly with space hosts for a quick, hassle-free booking process.

National and Regional Film Funding:

1. The Yorkshire Content Fund

The Yorkshire Content Fund
Screen Yorkshire

The Yorkshire Content Fund (YCF) is a public-private investment initiative managed by Screen Yorkshire, supporting TV, film, video games, and digital projects in Yorkshire and Humber.

The Fund is open to producers based in Yorkshire or those looking to establish a base or film in the region. Investments are made on commercial terms, aiming to create a sustainable fund for future content development.

Interested applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) before applying.

Submission window: Open and accepting expressions of interest on a rolling basis.

Grant: £10,000 - £500,000 (typically covering up to 10% of the total production budget)

2. The Liverpool City Region Production Fund

Liverpool Film Office film funding
Liverpool Film Office

The Liverpool Film Fund, managed by the Liverpool Film Office, supports local, national, and international production companies to boost Liverpool's film and TV sector.

It invests up to 20% of a production's budget, capped at £500,000 per project, for feature films, TV dramas, animation, and scripted comedies filmed in the Liverpool region. The fund has no specific match funding requirements and can be combined with other financing sources, including the UK tax credit.

Priority is given to projects that offer significant local economic benefits, have strong creative and commercial potential, promise a financial return, and enhance Liverpool's cultural visibility. International co-productions with Liverpool-based producers are also encouraged.

Submissions window: Opening early 2025

Grant: up to £500,000

3. West Midlands Production Fund

Creative UK West Midlands Film funding
Creative UK

The Creative UK West Midlands Production Fund (WMPF) supports the growth of the West Midlands as a film and TV drama hub by providing financial backing to start-up SMEs.

It offers investments of up to £500,000 per project, with a minimum preferred investment of £100,000 in feature films and TV dramas that demonstrate strong commercial potential and regional impact.

Investments can be in the form of debt or equity, and must be matched by equivalent private or public sector finance. Priority is given to projects with significant private investment.

The WMPF is open to both local producers and those bringing productions to the region, and interested applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form before applying.

Submissions window: Open and accepting expressions of interest on a rolling basis.

Grant: up to £500,000

4. Northern Ireland Screen Funding

Northern Ireland Screen Fund

Northern Ireland Screen (NIS) offers production funding as a recoupable loan with profit participation, or occasionally as a grant, to help complete budgets for projects that are nearly fully financed (with at least 65% of funding secured).

NIS prioritises projects that contribute to a sustainable screen industry in Northern Ireland and demonstrate economic benefits to the region. Funded projects must be commercially viable and feature films benefit from having an experienced sales agent or distribution in the UK or US, while TV projects prefer interest from international distributors or broadcasters.

Funding is available for feature films, TV drama, animation, factual and entertainment TV, and interactive content. Eligible applicants must be legally incorporated companies meeting British Cultural and project criteria.

Submissions window: Open - contact Andrew Reid, Head of Production to discuss the project.

5. Screen Scotland Production Growth Fund

Screen Scotland production growth fund
Screen Scotland

Scotland's Production Growth Fund offers large, non-recoupable grants to attract large-scale film and TV productions to Scotland. The fund supports live-action and animated features, as well as high-end TV dramas and factual series that deliver significant economic benefits to the region.

Applicants must have a minimum Scottish spend of £2,000,000 and meet a Scottish Spend Ratio of 10:1. The fund is compatible with UK Film, High End TV, and Animation Tax Reliefs.

Productions must be in advanced development and ready to begin prep within 12 weeks of funding approval.

Submissions window: Open and accepting applications on a rolling basis.

Grant: £200,000 to £500,000

6. Creative Wales


Creative Wales, part of the Welsh Government, provides funding for Film, TV, Games, and Animation projects to promote Wales as a base for world-class content production.

Eligible projects must have a confirmed broadcaster/distributor and a finance plan in place, with a minimum Welsh spend-to-grant ratio of 10:1.

Projects with Welsh cultural significance and those offering trainee placements are prioritised.

Submissions window: Open and accepting applications on a rolling basis.

Grant: £50,000 to £750,000

7. Ffilm Cymru Wales

Ffilm Cymru Wales

Ffilm Cymru Wales supports the development of live-action, documentary, and animated feature films led by Wales-born or based writers, directors, and producers.

Funded by the National Lottery and the BFI Network, the program aims to nurture unconventional, ambitious Welsh films and champion under-represented voices. It welcomes co-productions and projects in minority languages, including Welsh and British Sign Language.

Applicants can include writers or teams with at least one Wales-based or born member and must hold the project rights. Priority is given to early-career Welsh filmmakers, under-represented talent, and projects showcasing Welsh culture in innovative ways.

Submissions opens: Open and accepting applications.

Next deadlines:

  • 1st February 2025, midday
  • 3rd June 2025, midday

Grant: £10,000 - £25,000

That's a wrap

These 13 film grants and funding opportunities offer valuable financial support for UK filmmakers. Whether you're working on a feature film, documentary, or animation, these resources can help you bring your creative vision to life, gain industry recognition, and expand your career. Additionally, exploring film festivals and competitions with cash prizes can further promote your independent film and boost your project's visibility.

If you're seeking ideal locations for your next shoot, Tutti offers affordable UK fillming locations for hire to help you achieve your creative goals. With these tools at your disposal, the path to realising your filmmaking dreams becomes more accessible.

Thinking of hiring a studio for your next film project?

Choose from 1000+ spaces and locations on Tutti and deal directly with space hosts for a quick, hassle-free booking process.

Related posts

image of girl studying at a desk with textbooks
Mar 28, 2024
London's 10 best film schools in 2024
Thinking about starting a career in film or TV or want to further hone your filmmaking skills? Then these ten London film schools should be on your radar.