The 2026 BFI FAN UK-wide season – Rip It Up – explores and celebrates the changing face of youth rebellion, culture and expression – from joy to heartbreak - on screen in the UK.
Youth culture in the UK has a wide and varied history, from the defiant rebellion of Teddy Boys, mods and rockers and the many activist movements that have shaped our society to hedonistic self-expression in the music and fashion scenes and the emotional rollercoaster that simply is being a teenager – all of which have been portrayed on screen in a multitude of ways.
With the
Southbank Centre marking the 75th anniversary of the Festival of Britain – a landmark moment of post-war cultural renewal – and the 50th anniversary of Punk being celebrated in 2026, BFI FAN members are invited to join in these UK wide celebrations and explore how youth scenes and counterculture have impacted and resonate to this day inspiring new generations and beyond.
Rip It Up has two core elements, both of which need to include big screen moments and offer audiences opportunities to reflect on the evolution of generational rebellion from the 1950s through to today here in the UK.
- Activity involving young programmers/creatives focusing on youth scenes and/or counterculture that they themselves are part of or can relate to with clear potential to engage their peers.
- Activity celebrating the transformative energy and evolution of youth culture over the past 75 years, tapping into a selection of key titles with potential to engage a range of audiences across generations.
If you are interested in taking part in this UK wide season, please also read the
Funding Guidelines that sit alongside this brief.
You must be a member of Film Hub North as part of BFI Film Audience Network to access support from this programme.
How do I become a Film Hub Member?
To be eligible for support, organisations must be registered members of Film Hub North and be legally constituted with a nominated UK Bank Account. Proposals from individuals or non-members will not be considered. You can read more about how to become a member
here.
Where do I start?
Look at the
Creative Brief for more information about the programme scope and to get some inspiration.
What funding is available?
There are three ways you can engage with the programme and access support:
- BESPOKE: up to £15,000 (average awards likely to be circa £5,000)
Develop a more bespoke season of films within the parameters of the Creative Brief. There is also scope for site-specific, immersive and ‘event cinema’ projects activity. If your bespoke activity includes Menu titles, please include costs associated with those screenings within your activity budget rather than applying separately for the menu.
To support programme/marketing/outreach activity with the potential to scale or tour across the UK and/or projects involving multiple site-specific events in more than one region/nation. If your Cross-FAN activity includes Menu titles, please include costs associated with those screenings within your activity budget rather than applying separately for the menu.
Cross-FAN projects need to have a clear audience development and outreach plan, as well as confirmation from five or more venues about their participation, to be considered. Please contact BFI FAN season producer Ti Singh before applying.
Key dates
The bulk of the season takes place between May-October 2026 across the FAN membership.
- First deadline for Bespoke and Cross-FAN proposals: Monday 13 April 2026
- Final deadline for Bespoke proposals: Wednesday 1 July 2026
- Menu expressions of interest deadline: Monday 7 Sept 2026 (subject to funds remaining; please note that for your activity to be included in the initial listings announcement, you need to confirm your bookings by the end of April 2026).
Accessibility
If you require any access needs for completing the form, email us directly via
info@filmhubnorth.org and we can advise how we can accommodate your needs to complete a proposal. You can find further support for access via the BFI
here.
Guidelines & How to apply
Please read the Creative Brief and Funding Guidelines below to make sure that your proposal responds to the fund’s priorities, is taking place within the relevant timeframes, and is eligible for support.
For Bespoke/Cross-FAN proposals
Download and complete a project budget using
this template and submit your proposal online
here.
Please note that the online application form cannot be saved mid-progress: a Word version of the form can be viewed
here.
If you're proposing a Cross-FAN project, please contact BFI FAN season producer
Ti Singh as soon as possible.
For Menu Expressions of InterestSubmit your expression of interest
here.
