Details

The BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund supports ambitious, audience-facing independent UK and international film and broader screen activity of national scale.

Projects should be focused on increasing access and growing the participation of audiences that are representative of the UK population. Equal priority will be given to the cultural and social ambitions of projects, and they expect these two ambitions to work together to realise the fund’s aims. The fund will support film exhibitors, film distributors, and other organisations delivering audience development activity with multi-year and short-term projects as well as research and development.

All funded activity must deliver against at least five of the following aims which are listed in the BFI National Lottery strategy outcomes:

• people across the UK can access a wider choice of film and the moving image including stories that reflect their lives
• an increased profile for independent UK and international film and broader screen activity
• a larger audience for independent UK and international film and broader screen activity that is representative of the UK population, achieved through a genuine change in working practices
• funding helps to tackle social, economic and geographic barriers for screen audiences in new and effective ways ensuring an increased number of accessible screenings right across the UK to ensure independent UK and international film and broader screen activity is truly accessible to all children and young people are empowered to develop their own relationships with a wider range of screen culture
• screen organisations have significantly reduced their carbon footprint
• a broader range of organisations supported by the fund, breaking down historic barriers to funding

Premium information is available exclusively to SCVO members and supporters

Geographical areas funded: UK

Fund type

Type of funding:

Grant

Type of cost:

Revenue

Fund award sizes

Minimum:

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Maximum:

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Annually awarded:

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Notes on award amounts:

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Who can apply

Your organisation must be a legally constituted organisation centrally managed in the UK that is one of the following:

• a limited company registered at Companies House that is not: defined as a ‘large’ company under the Companies Act 2006; or more than 50% owned by (or a subsidiary of) non-UK resident individuals or a company or corporation owned by non UK-resident individuals or a company or corporation having shares listed on any stock exchange
• a community interest company registered at Companies House
• a limited liability partnership (LLP) registered at Companies House that is not more than 50% owned by non-UK residents partners or members
• a UK combined or local authority or statutory body
• a UK charity or trust registered with the Charity Commission

When to apply

Applications are accepted all year round but must be submitted 16 weeks before the start of any funded activity. They can support projects of any duration but all activity must be completed by 31 March 2026 unless you have approval from the Audiences team prior to making an application.

How to apply

Application form and guidance available on the website.

Contact information

Exclusions

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Activites funded: Arts and culture

Beneficiaries funded: General public Local communities

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Last reviewed 24 days ago