BFI Discovery and Impact feature funding via National Lottery

Discovery and Impact feature funding

BFI Discovery and Impact feature funding awards money from the National Lottery to support original live action and animation feature filmmaking.

  • Discovery feature funding supports funding for debut directors with a budget of up to £3,500,000. It provides awards of up to £1,000,000.
  • Impact feature funding is for more experienced directors or debut filmmakers with projects budgeted above £3,500,000. It provides awards of up to £1,250,000.

Who can apply

Applications must made by the film’s producer.

Full eligibility criteria are contained within the funding guidelines:

How to apply

You can apply online once you’ve read the funding guidelines in full. There is an application link in the guidelines.

Discovery feature funding

Applications are currently closed. The Discovery Fund will reopen in the winter, specific dates to be announced closer to the time.

Read the funding guidelines

Impact feature funding

Funding can be applied for on a rolling basis.

Read the funding guidelines

If you have any questions relating to this funding or your application, email productioncoordinator@bfi.org.uk

When you can apply

Discovery feature funding

  • Monday 17 July until Wednesday 16 August
  • November until January 2024 (exact dates TBC)

Impact feature funding

  • Funding can be applied for on a rolling basis from 21 March 2023.

If you have any questions relating to this funding or your application, email productioncoordinator@bfi.org.uk

Since the very first National Lottery draw in 1994, public support – raised directly through National Lottery ticket sales – has funded more than 670,000 projects, raising more than £46 billion for good causes. As a recipient, it is important to publicly acknowledge the source of this funding throughout the lifespan of the project. Effectively communicating that it is supported by BFI National Lottery funding ensures those engaging with the work recognise the value and benefit of this unique Good Cause funding.

Therefore, if your application is successful, you will be responsible for prominently crediting BFI National Lottery funding and thanking National Lottery players. As such, you are encouraged to ensure that elements of your project/s which have the potential to engage a broad public audience are capitalised on, in order to communicate this message. More details will be supplied once an award has been made.