BFI NETWORK England Early Development Fund (United Kingdom)

The BFI NETWORK England’s Early Development Fund offers crucial support for writers at the beginning stages of their debut long-form projects. This initiative, funded by the National Lottery, aims to assist writers in producing initial treatments for their projects. Applications open from 7 October 2026 to 11 November 2026. The BFI NETWORK Early Development Fund is designed to support writers in the early stages of developing debut long-form projects. This funding is specifically aimed at those who have not yet drafted a full script, enabling them to create comprehensive treatments that cover story, character, and thematic elements. This fund is significant as it provides emerging writers the financial means to develop their initial project ideas into structured treatments, a critical step in the journey towards producing a full feature-length work. Who can apply for the Early Development Fund? Writers based in England who have not yet completed a feature film or immersive work that has been produced and distributed in the UK. What is the funding range for this opportunity? Eligible projects can receive between £3,000 and £5,000 to develop a project treatment. What types of projects are eligible? Long-form live-action, immersive, and animation fiction projects. When is the application deadline? Applications must be submitted by 11 November 2026. How will applicants be notified? Applicants will be informed about the progress of their application by 10 February 2027. Eligible writers should thoroughly review the BFI’s official guidelines and prepare their application well in advance of the deadline. This is a valuable opportunity to secure funding for the early development of your creative project.