BFI Unveils $200 Million Three-Year Funding Strategy

The British Film Institute has launched its funding plan for 2026-2029, with £150 million ($204 million) allocated from the National Lottery.

The funding represents a 10% increase on the previous figure and will go to supporting U.K. screen culture and industry.

Highlights include the creation of BFI Skills Clusters across the UK; the Open Cinemas fund attracting new audiences to independent cinemas; funding award-winning features such as “Santosh,” “My Father’s Shadow” and “Pillion”, all directed by BFI Network alumni; and research providing analysis including a roadmap to help the industry navigate AI.

The Funding Plan guides how the BFI will invest approximately £50 million ($68 million) a year of National Lottery “good cause” funding, up from the £136.3 million ($185 million) available over the last three years.

According to the BFI, the money will be invested into the follow areas:
– £33.5 million for audiences
– £13.3 million for education & heritage
– £61 million for filmmaking & talent development
– £35.55 million for skills & workforce development
– £1.4 million for international
– £5.25 million for insight & industry

“The BFI National Lottery Strategy and current Funding Plan builds on the legacy of National Lottery funding which has played a transformative role on the U.K.’s screen sectors,” said BFI chief executive Ben Roberts. “This Plan aims to ensure £150 million of good cause National Lottery funding over three years can have the greatest possible impact for the UK public. Coupled with the support of the Government through its ambitious Creative Industries Sector Plan, it can help create the right conditions to see the screen sector thrive culturally and economically.”

Roberts added: “We are committed to nurturing filmmakers and creative risk-takers, developing the U.K.’s world-class workforce, inspiring children and young people, and connecting audiences to a more diverse screen culture – all driven by the ambition to deliver benefit to the UK public and provide support where there is an absence of sufficient commercial funding.”