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BFI NETWORK: Early Development Fund

The BFI NETWORK Early Development Fund supports the early stages of development for debut long-form projects.

It supports writers who do not yet have the first draft of a script (or equivalent format for immersive work), to produce an initial treatment – a piece of writing that outlines the story, characters, themes and structure of the project – and related materials like a mood board or other visual content. The Fund supports long-form live-action, immersive and animation fiction projects.

You can apply with or without a producer.

Projects that are supported at this stage, and are completed to schedule, will then be able to apply for funding for a first draft of the full feature-length screenplay, or equivalent format for immersive work. Full details of this Stage Two fund can be found in the guidelines.

This fund supports projects with writers based in England who have not yet written a feature film or immersive work that has been produced and received a commercial distribution deal in the last five years.

What you can apply for:

You can apply for funding of between £3,000 and £5,000 to support writing a treatment and creating related materials, and – if you’re working with a producer – their time spent on the project.

  • Up to £3,000 writer allowance
  • Up to £750 producer allowance if you are working with a producer
  • Reasonable research and travel costs which may include travel or accommodation, the costs of accessing materials or archives, making copies of archive material, subsistence while travelling (maximum £40 per day) and other relevant expenses.
  • The creation of visual materials where this incurs specific costs such as graphic design by a third-party contractor
  • Any disability access support you require to produce the project (see guidelines)

The funding guidelines include more information on these costs and what they are unable to support.

How to apply

Read the fund guidelines in full before applying. There is an application link in the guidelines.

Applications are now open! The deadline to apply is on the Tuesday 19 November 2024 at 11am.

The BFI can provide assistance to applicants who have access requirements and need some support in order to make an application. See access support for BFI funding applicants.

Some ways in which Film Hub Midlands will be supporting and inspiring applications over the coming weeks:

  • Visit the FAQ page to find answers to support your application
  • Read more about last year’s projects here.
  • Film Hub Midlands will be holding weekly roundtables with BFI NETWORK Talent Executives who will be talking about the fund, and giving you an opportunity to ask any questions.
  • Got a more in-depth question about your project? While they can’t provide creative support at this stage they are happy to talk through any questions you might have either by email or by booking a 121 call, so get in touch.

 

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