The BFI has opened a refreshed and revised International Distribution strand of the UK Global Screen Fund, supporting UK companies in growing exports and global demand for UK independent film.
Financed by the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and delivered by the BFI, the UK Global Screen Fund is designed to boost international development, co-production, sales and distribution and promotional opportunities for the UK’s independent screen sector.
Ali & Ava
Following the pilot year of the UK Global Screen Fund, and in consultation with industry, the International Distribution strand is introducing a new two-track approach, making two forms of support available:
● Film Sales Support – now open for applications, assessed on a rolling basis
Awarded to UK sales agents presenting UK independent films to international buyers with the aim of securing international distribution deals. Funding is available for specific sales and marketing activities, including the creation of eligible marketing materials. The maximum grant available per eligible film is £25,000. Eligibility criteria and full details of how to apply can be found here.
● Prints & Advertising Support (P&A) – in final programme development and open for application in the autumn
Awarded to either the UK producer or UK sales agent of a UK film, to contribute towards the P&A costs across a group of international distributors, with the aim of increasing the film’s circulation, audience size and box office potential. This strand is being piloted in 2022/23.
Brian & Charles
The International Business Development strand of the UK Global Screen Fund is also now open, supporting UK screen content businesses across film, TV, animation and interactive narrative video games to enhance their international activities. Grants are available between £50,000 and £200,000, with funding split into two allocations comprising a film-specific business transformation track and a general international business growth track, open to all screen sectors. The application period closes on Thursday 13 October 2022 and full details can be found here.
The International Co-production strand of the UK Global Screen Fund is set to re-open in Spring 2023, offering grants of up to £300,000 for minority UK feature film co-productions and minority or majority UK TV co-productions.
In its pilot year the UK Global Screen Fund made 75 awards totalling £5.2m across all three strands, covering International Distribution, International Co-production and International Business Development. 34 awards were made through the International Distribution strand, supporting the promotion of films including: Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, which premiered at Tribeca Festival; Enys Men, which premiered in the 54th Cannes Directors’ Fortnight; Daliland, which was selected to close the Toronto International Film Festival this September; Ali & Ava, which was nominated for two BAFTAs; and Brian And Charles, which closed Sundance London, winning the festival’s Audience Award.
