BFI and DCMS contribute £2 million to UK Global Screen Fund International

The British Film Institute (BFI) and the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) have invested over £2 million into the UK Global Screen Fund’s latest round of International Business Development Awards. These awards will benefit 24 UK independent screen content companies, demonstrating a commitment to supporting the UK’s independent screen sector’s international opportunities.

The UK Global Screen Fund, managed by the BFI, has allocated a total of £11 million to date through its International Business Development strand. This funding is designed to assist UK companies in film, TV, animation, and interactive narrative video games to secure new business partnerships and enhance their international activities. The grants provided range from £50,000 to £200,000 and are awarded through three tracks: Film Transformation, General, and Challenger – the latter being a unique £50,000 award with optional mentorship for early-stage screen companies.

In addition to these awards, the UK Global Screen Fund has launched a new initiative called Video Games Release funding to support UK video game developers in mounting release campaigns for their games in international markets. This program aims to increase circulation and sales potential by providing grants of up to £50,000 for marketing, promotion, and localization efforts. This initiative is part of the UKGSF’s strategic plan for 2026-2029, following its recent expansion and budget increase to over £18 million per year.

Denitsa Yordanova, BFI Director of UK Global Screen Fund, highlighted the quality and diversity of the UK’s independent screen sector, emphasizing the ambition of companies in developing global growth strategies. Recipients of the International Business Development Awards, such as Rogan Productions and Friday Sundae, expressed gratitude for the support, emphasizing the opportunities it provides for expanding their international reach and fostering relationships in new markets.

Applications are currently open for various funding opportunities under the UK Global Screen Fund, including International Business Development, International Distribution Prints & Advertising (P&A), International Distribution Festival Launch, and International Distribution Video Games Release. Companies like Boudica Entertainment, Disruptive Element Films, Dlala Studios, and Dog Ears are among the recipients of the International Business Development awards, utilizing the funding to engage key personnel, bridge international gaps, and expand their global presence in the industry.

The investment made by the BFI and DCMS through the UK Global Screen Fund underscores the importance of supporting the UK’s independent screen sector and ensuring its continued growth and success on the international stage. By providing financial assistance and resources to independent screen content companies, these initiatives contribute to the sector’s competitiveness and ability to reach new audiences globally.