Apply for a Lab Travel Grant
British Council opportunities: From funding for travel to opportunities to promote UK talent, films and events. Our opportunities are open to filmmakers, actors, festival programmers and film enthusiasts.
Funding to attend international Labs
The scheme is designed to support filmmakers looking to develop skills and networks internationally, and priority is given to those who are yet to make (or who are developing) their first feature.
The scheme currently focuses on seven key training and development Labs. The grants are awarded to contribute towards the cost of course fees, travel and accommodation.
We accept applications from writers, directors and producers, working in genres that meet the eligibility criteria, as well as filmmakers working in virtual reality and immersive storytelling projects, who have been accepted on to one of our ‘Key Labs’ (listed below).
Grants are intended as a contribution towards travel and accommodation costs, but may not always cover the full cost of attendance.
Eligibility
Applicants may make a maximum of one application to the Lab Travel Grant Fund within each financial year.
- Eligible applicants must have been selected by one of the Labs on the British Council’s ‘Key Labs List’ for international Lab Travel Grants.
- If the Lab is project-based, the selected film or project must be a UK production or co-production.
Lab Grants Terms and Conditions 2022(PDF 341KB)
The fund can not accept applications for retrospective activity, ie. an application for travel to a Lab that has already taken place when the application is made.
Access and support
If you have specific access needs please talk to us about what additional help may be available to travel grant recipients – for example additional funds to facilitate travel with a BSL interpreter or access worker.
Sustainability
In the interest of sustainability, Travel Grant recipients are encouraged to travel to European events by train, and may be supported with additional funding to do so. Please note your travel plans in your application and give an estimated cost.
Assessment
Applications are assessed weekly by the British Council film team according to the eligibility criteria. We prioritise grants based on the following:
- The applicant is a new and emerging filmmaker. Priority is given to filmmakers who are yet to make, or in the process of developing, their first feature-length film.
- A smaller portion of international Lab Travel Grants support emerging filmmakers who may have already made a first or second feature, but have clearly expressed how this international training opportunity will help further career ambitions and stability.
Key International Labs List
- ACE Producers and ACE Animation Lab (the ACE SERIES lab is not covered by this grant)
- EAVE Producers Lab (only one grant to the central EAVE Producers Lab can be made per team – we cannot support two participants working on the same project; EAVE + Labs will be considered for discretionary grants where funds allow)
- Rotterdam IFFR Pro Lab
- Sundance Directors Lab and Development Track
- Torino Film Labs (Torino Extended will be considered for discretionary grants where funds allow)
- Venice Biennale College Cinema Labs
- Zurich Masterclass Lab
DISCRETIONARY OFFERS for Labs not currently on this list will be considered on a case by case basis. Where funds allow, contributory grants may be offered on the understanding that the amount offered is unlikely to cover full attendance costs. To discuss a discretionary award for Labs not listed above please contact Films@britishcouncil.org with details.
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