BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund

The film industry is constantly evolving, with new talent emerging and pushing boundaries in storytelling and creativity. To support these emerging filmmakers and nurture their projects, the BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund has been established. This fund aims to provide financial support and development opportunities for filmmakers working on genre-focused projects across feature film, live action, animation, documentary, and immersive experiences.

First Awards for Project Development Programmes

The BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund has recently announced its first round of awards, allocating a total of £911,525 to eight project development labs across the UK. These labs will work with emerging filmmakers to develop their genre-focused projects and provide them with the necessary tools, skills, and support to bring their visions to life.

The selected project development labs include:

• 104 Projects, No Funny Business
• Crossover Labs, Immersive Fictions Lab
• Film Constellation, UK Next Wave Genre Lab
• The Glasgow Film Theatre, Funny Features
• Screen South, Develop-CreateXR
• Sheffield DocFest, Development Lab for LGBTQIA+ documentary
• Story Compound, The Residency
• Trans+ On Screen, The DarkRoom – a Film Development Lab

A Three-Year Commitment to Talent and Project Development

Over the next three years, the BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund will invest up to £2.7 million in project and talent development programmes. Each funding round will have a different focus, addressing underrepresentation and stimulating growth within the industry. The first funding round aims to tackle the lack of genre projects coming through to public funders, which contributes to a lack of diversity in UK independent projects.

Decentralizing Project Development and Supporting the Ecosystem

The structure of the BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund is designed to decentralize project development and support the wider ecosystem in which emerging UK filmmakers can thrive. It complements the longstanding feature development support provided through the BFI Filmmaking Fund, allowing more filmmakers to develop their own creative practice. By offering targeted development support, the fund aims to maximize the chances of projects securing further development finance and production funding from various sources.

Diverse Programmes Across the UK

The project development labs selected for funding in the first round are spread across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. These labs consist of production companies, regional screen agencies, and festivals with experience and a track record in project development. They also offer specific expertise in genre and different forms of storytelling, including work with creatives from marginalized communities.

Comedy, Immersive Experiences, and Genre Filmmaking

Each of the supported project development labs brings a unique focus and specialism to the table. For example, the 104 Projects lab aims to challenge and explore new ways of depicting disability on cinema screens through comedy genre projects. Crossover Labs will focus on immersive projects, exploring the untapped potential of screen-based XR technologies to deliver humor and escapism. The Film Constellation lab is dedicated to developing genre films and forging international partnerships.

Supporting LGBTQIA+ Documentary Filmmaking

The Sheffield DocFest lab aims to support filmmakers who are experimenting with innovative approaches to narrative non-fiction, particularly in exploring the LGBTQIA+ experience. This lab will enable creative freedom and risk-taking cross-genre documentary filmmaking while equipping talent with the network, resources, and toolkit for an independent film career.

Accelerating Screenwriting Talent and IP Development

The Residency, developed by Story Compound in partnership with Greenacre Films, will identify outstanding screenwriting talent with unique global perspectives. With a focus on action and thriller films, this lab aims to fast-track the production of new films for local and international markets. The Residency will prioritize female and non-binary writers from the Global Majority and encourage major media stakeholders to invest in the talent pipeline.

Creating Opportunities for Trans+ and Queer Global Majority Writers

The DarkRoom, a film development lab by Trans+ On Screen, is specifically designed for Trans+ and/or Queer Global Majority writers. This program aims to support underrepresented writers who may not have had the chance to develop their work in a supported environment. Through a week-long residency, masterclasses, and a pitching showcase, the lab will expand the parameters of the stories told by Trans+ and Queer creatives and showcase their work globally.

A Commitment to Long-Term Support and Growth

The BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund is committed to supporting the UK indie film industry in the long term. By building a stronger lab and project development ecosystem, the fund aims to propel strong projects and talented filmmakers forward into the marketplace. With a total of 24 separate project development programs expected to be supported across the UK, this fund will positively impact underserved areas and encourage the growth of the independent industry.

The BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund is a significant step towards supporting emerging filmmakers and nurturing their genre-focused projects. With a diverse range of project development labs spanning the UK, this fund aims to provide the necessary support, tools, and skills for filmmakers to bring their visions to life. By addressing underrepresentation and stimulating growth within the industry, the fund is paving the way for a more inclusive and vibrant film landscape.