Screen Scotland - Film Festival and Screening Programme Fund

Details

The National Lottery Film Festival and Screening Programme Fund supports organisations in Scotland that produce film festivals and curated screening programmes for a public audience.

Activities supported by the fund should increase the reach, impact and diversity of screen culture for communities throughout Scotland, engage underrepresented and underserved audiences, and align with Screen Scotland's Audience Development Goals:

• Celebrating a diverse screen culture in inclusive spaces.
• Reaching underrepresented and underserved audiences.
• Helping film exhibition move towards net zero.
• Offering talent development opportunities.

Every application must include activity for at least one underrepresented group. Projects aligned with the current Focus Areas are prioritised: Global Majority and minority ethnic groups (particularly South Asian and Polish heritage); d/Deaf and disabled people; people from low-income socio-economic backgrounds; underrepresented geographic areas; and children and young people. Applicants are not required to address all focus areas, and applications meeting the criteria in other ways are still accepted.

This fund is project funding, not core organisational funding. However, core costs that directly relate to the delivery of the project and the development of the team and organisation during the project dates can be covered. Applicants are encouraged to secure additional funding from other sources, such as sponsors, partners, charities, private or other public funding, and at least 30% of the budget is expected to come from other sources (cash or in-kind). Applicants may also apply for personal access costs for the project team in line with Creative Scotland's guidelines.

The fund supports activity taking place between 1 September 2026 and 31 August 2027. A new two-year Development Funding strand is available for established festivals and screening programmes, covering activity up to 31 August 2028.

Premium information is available exclusively to SCVO members and supporters

Geographical areas funded: Scotland

Fund type

Type of funding:

Grant

Type of cost:

Revenue

Fund award sizes

Minimum:

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Maximum:

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Notes on award amounts:

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Who can apply

This fund is open to organisations based in Scotland that will produce film festivals and/or curated screening programmes for public audiences in Scotland and meet the aims and eligibility criteria of this fund. Priority will be given to projects that support workforce and audience development priorities related to their focus areas.

When to apply

The fund runs annual application rounds with fixed deadlines, and in 2026/27 there were two rounds due to demand. The 2026/27 rounds have now closed. Applications for future years are expected to follow the annual guidance published by Screen Scotland, so applicants should check the funder's website for the next round.

How to apply

Application forms are available via the Screen Scotland website.

Contact information

Exclusions

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Activites funded: Arts and culture

Beneficiaries funded: Black and Ethnic Minorities Economically/socially disadvantaged General public LGBTQI people Rural communities Religious and Belief Groups Local communities

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Last reviewed about 9 hours ago