This fund supports the production costs of standalone fiction shorts that showcase new perspectives from Northern filmmaking teams. The fund is intended to stimulate original idea and stories, so it doesn’t support adaptations of existing material. We welcome applications for amounts from £5,000 up to a maximum of £25,000. Projects can be of any length, up to a maximum of 15 minutes.

Our funding is supplemented by creative oversight from our BFI NETWORK Talent Executives. As well as working with filmmakers prior to and during production, our team can advise supported projects on: 

Please read the funding guidelines before applying 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.

We’re holding a series of free events to help Northern filmmakers with their Short Film Fund applications. Sign up to our online roundtables to learn more about the guidelines, or head along to one of our mixers to meet potential collaborators.

Screen Yorkshire presents an afternoon of laughter, learning and networking at Blackstock Market, Liverpool. Hear from industry panels including one of our BFI NETWORK Talent Executives and connect with fellow comedy writers.

We’re offering access one-to-ones for writers, directors and producers based in the North who are looking to apply to BFI NETWORK's Short Film Fund. These one-to-ones are specifically for people who have questions pertaining to access, including extra funding available and support with the application process. 

As part of the sign-up process you'll be asked if you need an access rider for the meeting: if you select yes we'll send you an access rider document for the meeting for you to complete, or you can send us your own version if you have one. If you have any requirements that need prior arrangement such as BSL interpretation please book and complete the rider at least 5 days before your chosen date and time.

We’re hosting two online roundtables to help Northern filmmakers find out more about the fund and application process.

The roundtables 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.

Saturday 22 March, 14:00-15:00, Speed Mixer at Manchester Film Festival

BFI NETWORK Filmmaker Mixers are informal meet-ups for filmmakers based in the North of England. 

Mixers bring together local creatives and provide opportunities for growing your network, finding collaborators and connecting with the filmmaking community. There's no set agenda for these events though our BFI NETWORK Talent Executives will be on hand for any questions about the fund and its application process.

Visit our mixer page for more event info and sign-up links.

If you have any queries about the fund, take a look at the BFI NETWORK FAQs or contact out team at bfinetwork@filmhubnorth.org.uk.

If you have access requirements that mean you need assistance when applying for funds, you can request help through the BFI Access Support Scheme.