Launch of £7m Fund to Bring Independent UK Screen Content to a Global Stage

Posted: 28th April 2021

Location: Town Centre

Closing: 30th June 2021

More information

The new UK Global Screen Fund will support content made by independent UK film and screen companies exporting to markets around the world. It will provide grants for business development, co-production, and international distribution.

Eligible screen content includes feature-length and episodic fiction, documentary and animated content for film and television, as well as interactive digital projects with narrative content (‘interactive narrative games’) for distribution via digital platforms.

Independent screen sector companies registered and centrally managed in the UK may apply. Consideration will be given to where companies are based, where projects are made and how projects reflect the culture and talent of Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the English regions outside Greater London.

The scheme has an overall budget of £7 million. The first strand to open is for international distribution, for which there will be a maximum award for each type of eligible film, amounting to £60,000 in the case of a Packaged Film and £10,000 in the case of a Pre-Sale Film. Levels of support for other strands will be reported in due course.

The International Distribution strand is targeting UK sales agents to increase their international promotion and sales of live action and animated fiction and documentary UK feature film projects. This strand will be looking for UK films that have clear appeal to identified international audiences, and strong potential for commercial success.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:

‘The United Kingdom has an independent screen industry to be proud of. World renowned, our film, 'TV, video game and animation industries create jobs and growth the length and breadth of the UK.

‘The UK Global Screen Fund will export the extraordinary talent and creativity of the UK to audiences across the globe, supporting our talented filmmakers and screen businesses to compete and grow.’

The International Distribution strand will open on Wednesday 28 April 2021 and close to applications on 30 June 2021.

UK Global Screen Fund | BFI