BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund
Funding
Contact funder
Deadline
Check with the funder
Location
England
Applications
Open for applications
Overview
The BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund supports the exhibition and distribution of independent film and immersive projects across the UK. It funds ambitious, audience-facing work that brings UK and international films to new audiences in original ways. The fund also supports sector-facing projects that help the film industry adapt and innovate. You can apply for multi-year projects, short-term projects, or smaller pilot projects if you are new to the fund. Applications are accepted year-round. If your project involves distributing a single film, you must apply at least 10 weeks before the release date. All other applications must be submitted at least 16 weeks before your project starts.
Requirements to check
Key requirements:
- Must have experience in at least one relevant area such as film festivals, distribution, immersive installations, or touring projects
- Projects must be high-profile and capable of attracting national press and media coverage
- Applications for single film distribution must be submitted at least 10 weeks before the film's release date
- All other applications must be submitted at least 16 weeks before the project start date
The fund will support organisations with multi-year and short-term projects as well as smaller pilot projects from organisations new to the fund. Who can apply You’ll need experience of one or more of the following: marketing initiatives film festivals film distribution, including cinema and online immersive installations and tours major cultural festivals and programmes of national scale and ambition in-venue programmes or seasons touring projects in-venue audience analysis projects strategic sector support initiatives
This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.
This fund is for organisations with experience in film distribution, festivals, immersive installations, touring projects, or similar audience-facing work. It is open to organisations of different sizes, including those new to the fund who want to run a smaller pilot project. Your project must be high-profile enough to attract national press and media coverage.
Regions
No published award history for British Film Institute. Some funders do not publish their grants data.
Full details from British Film Institute
BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund Awarding National Lottery funding to support the exhibition and distribution of nationally significant audience-facing independent film and immersive projects. These guidelines were updated on 3 November 2025. Overview Supporting the exhibition and distribution of ambitious, audience-facing film and immersive projects activity supported by the Audience Projects Fund will bring independent UK and international films to audiences across the UK in a dynamic and original way. The fund will also support sector-facing projects that support the industry to adapt, innovate and develop ambition and resilience. Projects must be high-profile and able to attract national press and media coverage. With a focus on increasing access and encouraging audiences to take risks in the viewing choices they make, supported projects will grow the participation of audiences that are representative of the UK population. Equal priority will be given to the cultural and social ambitions of projects. The fund will support organisations with multi-year and short-term projects as well as smaller pilot projects from organisations new to the fund. Who can apply You’ll need experience of one or more of the following: marketing initiatives film festivals film distribution, including cinema and online immersive installations and tours major cultural festivals and programmes of national scale and ambition in-venue programmes or seasons touring projects in-venue audience analysis projects strategic sector support initiatives When you can apply Opens on 3 November 2025. Applications are accepted year-round. If your project relates to the distribution of a single film, your application must be submitted no later than 10 weeks before the film’s release date. For all other applications, you must apply at least 16 weeks before your project start date. Applications submitted less than 16 weeks before the start of a project are ineligible and will be declined. How to apply You can apply online once you’ve read the funding guidelines in full. There is an application link in the guidelines. Read the Audience Project Fund guidelinesSuccessful applications will need to address all the aims and priorities so please read the fund guidelines carefully before applying. We strongly encourage you to discuss your project with the Audiences team before making an application. If you have any questions about this fund or your application, email [email protected]. Get help with your application We are committed to making our funding accessible to all. If you have access requirements and need some support applying for funding, see Access support for BFI funding applicants. About BFI National Lottery funding
Read the full Audience Projects Fund guidelines on the BFI website, where you will find the application link. Apply online at least 16 weeks before your project start date, or 10 weeks before a single film's release. The BFI strongly encourages you to speak with their Audiences team before applying.
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