BFI Doc Society Funds support and nurture independent non-fiction films and immersive projects by UK filmmakers: prioritising expansive, director-led storytelling. Our funding is intended to be transformative and representative of all UK society. We back ambitious, independent feature documentary films and immersive projects intended for theatrical release, from both emerging talent and more established directors. The fund recognises the quality of difference in perspective, the importance of who is telling the story and strong collaborations. We invite local stories and encourage films that take creative leaps and bring fresh vision to the form.

The BFI Doc Society RAD (Research and Development) Fund provides support of up to a maximum of £5,000 to first or second time feature length documentary directors or director/producer teams with a single feature documentary film in early development; or up to £10,000 to producers with more than one feature documentary film in early development with first or second time feature length documentary directors attached.

We recognise the creative risk and financial challenge early development presents to filmmakers without time, commercial investment or resources to advance their creative non-fiction films. This funding is intended to support the need for early stage creative risk, research and development where commercial or private resources are not available, to stimulate new ideas and stories for longform nonfiction projects or immersive formats from first or second time feature length documentary directors and emerging to mid-career producers.

BFI are looking to support:

  • Bold creative non-fiction films and immersive projects
  • Projects in early stages of development but with a clear project outline and need for development support
  • Cinematic proposals with theatrical distribution intentions

Click here to find out more and apply.

This Fund will open twice in 2026:

ROUND 1 – Opens at 1PM on Wednesday 24th June, | Closes at 1PM on Wednesday 5th August

ROUND 2 – Opens at 1pm Monday 9th November | Closes at 1pm on Monday 21st December