The Early Development Fund supports writers at the very beginning of their development process, prior to completing the first draft of a script. Funding is available to help writers produce an initial treatment, as well as related materials such as a mood board, with the aim of equipping writers with materials that can be used to seek support for further development.

You can apply for funding between £3,000 - £5,000 through the Early Development Fund. Support can go towards a writer’s allowance to cover your time invested in the early stages of project development. Funding can also contribute towards a producer’s allowance if you are working with a producer, as well as research and travel costs, and the creation of visual materials to support your project. Writers working towards their debut long-form project in live-action, immersive or animation are eligible for support.

Before applying, please read the funding guidelines on the BFI NETWORK website thoroughly to ensure your project is a good fit for the fund and is in the best position to succeed.

After reading the guidelines, you'll be prompted to submit your application via the BFI’s grant request form. You will need to create an account to make your application online. You can save your application and return to it later. Make sure you complete all the required sections as incomplete forms will automatically be deemed ineligible.

The BFI can provide assistance to applicants who have access requirements and need some support in order to make an application. Find out more about access support for BFI fund applicants.

If you have any further questions on the Early Development Fund, you can contact our team at: bfinetwork@filmhubnorth.org.uk.

Monday 20 October, 12:00 - 13:00

We’re hosting an online roundtable to help Northern filmmakers find out more about the Early Development Fund and the wider process of developing a debut feature.

The roundtable will be hosted by our BFI NETWORK Talent Executives and will involve up to 30 filmmakers. If you're new to our work, they're a great place to get to know us and how we can help you develop as a filmmaker. And you'll have the chance to meet other filmmakers working across the North.

Wednesday 29 October & Wednesday 12 November

We’re offering one to ones with Northern deaf, disabled and neurodivergent filmmakers and their collaborators to help navigate the application process, understand the available support, and ask any questions you might have about the BFI NETWORK Early Development Fund.

1-2-1s are 30 minutes each and available in these slots:

These sessions are for deaf, disabled, and/or neurodivergent filmmakers, and those with access requirements, only. An access rider must be completed before attending; this will be emailed to you and should be returned at least one week before the session. You must be based in the North of England to attend.

We’re teaming up with Film Hub Midlands for an online session with BAFTA nominated screenwriter Laura Jayne Tunbridge on how to tell your story concisely. We'll look at what to put in a logline, how to write a compelling synopsis, and how to express your narrative and themes when you have a limited word count on a funding application.

This session aims to help you put together a strong application for the Early Development Fund as well as help you with tips and advice for further funding applications and creating materials to pitch your project.