Through the Film Exhibition Fund, funding of up to £10,000 per project, per year is available for screening activity taking place between April 2023 - March 2026.  

The primary objective of the Film Exhibition Fund is to support exhibitors to engage audiences with independent film programmes in a communal setting. All activity supported through the fund should aim to increase in-person audiences for British, independent and international film in the North. This fund has been made available thanks to BFI National Lottery as part of the BFI’s Screen Culture 2033 strategy.

We can support a range of project specific costs including programming, marketing, staffing and accessibility.

The entire range of organisations in our exhibitor network are eligible to apply - including full-time cinemas, mixed arts centres, community cinemas and film societies, film festivals and touring programmes.

Round 1 (for activity taking place 15 April 2024 - 31 August 2024) 

Call opens: Monday 5 February 2024 

Call closes: Friday 8 March 2024 (noon) 

Round 2 (for activity taking place 1 September 2024 - 31 December 2024)

Call opens: Thursday 30 May 2024

Call closes: Friday 5 July 2024 (noon)

Round 3 (for activity taking place 1 January 2025 - 30 March 2025) 

Call opens: Tuesday 1 October 2024

Call closes: Monday 4 November 2024 (noon)

Take a look at the funding guidelines for more information on the fund, its aims and eligibility criteria. If you have access requirements that mean you need assistance when applying for funds, you can request help through the BFI Access Support Scheme.

 

A plain text version of these guidelines is also available to download [.docx].

If your project requires less financial support (up to £3,000), you might consider applying to our Film Exhibition Fund - Pitch Pot scheme.