Got some questions? Read our FAQs
Are there any project rights requirements?
As part of your application, you will need to confirm your projects meets the following rights requirments:
- the Project is an original work (except to the extent it is in the public domain) or that the necessary rights have been optioned, licensed oracquiredfrom the rights owners;
- it owns the Project free from all charges, claims,liensor other encumbrances save in respect of those disclosed at application stage (such as in relation to any development financier’s interest through prior funding);
- the Project does not infringe the copyright or,so far as the Participant is reasonably aware having undertaken due and diligent enquiry, any other personal or proprietary right of any person, firm or company or any statutory obligation;
- to the best of its knowledge and belief having made due and diligent enquiry, the Project is not defamatory or obscene and does not contain any matter constituting a breach of confidence;
- the Participant will remain fully and solely responsible for the content for the Project;
- it agrees that all scripts and other creative materials created by the Awardee or other participants in the Activity and used or shared in conjunction with the Activity (Third Party Content) are confidential and shall not use, disclose, display, publish, transmit or otherwise make available such Third Party Content in whole or in part to any person or entity or copy, duplicate, replicate, transform or reproduce Third Party Content without the prior written consent of the Awardee and, where applicable, any other contributor to that Third Party Content.
Other than the application form, are there any other requirements?
Please ensure at least one member of the funded projects’ creative team completes a relevant BAFTA albert academy workshop before the course begins– see the link for further details.
https://wearealbert.org/academy/
Who is the programme for?
Local Landscapes, Global Horizons is designed for UK-based feature film producers, working with writers and directors on fiction feature projects in active development. Producers may be emerging or established and must apply with a nominated project.
Writers, directors and writer-directors are invited to participate as part of the core creative team for a selected project.
What stage should my project be at?
Projects should be at treatment or draft stage at the point of application. Projects already in funded development are eligible, provided the programme activity complements and extends existing support rather than duplicating it.
Will I be paid?
You will be paid the equivalent of the Real Living Wage for the hours you spend actively participating in the programme. In addition, reasonable expenses will be covered.
What kind of projects are you looking for?
We are looking for
live action fiction feature films that:
- Are rooted in a distinctive UK regional or cultural context
- Reflect authentic voices and lived experience
- Demonstrate ambition and potential for commercial success in the UK and internationally
- Are capable of being certified as British
There is no restriction on genre, but projects should have a clear creative identity and market intent.
Do I need to be based in Yorkshire to apply?
No. This is a UK-wide programme. However, there is a strong commitment to supporting producers and stories outside London and the South East, and the programme foregrounds storytelling from the English regions.
What is a Project Development Blueprint?
The Project Development Blueprint is a strategic document developed during the programme that clearly sets out:
- The project’s creative vision and identity
- Its market positioning and audience focus
- Financing pathways and next development steps
It acts as a practical roadmap for taking the project forward and underpins all updated creative and pitching materials.
What will I have at the end of the programme?
All teams will leave with:
- A completed Project Development Blueprint
- Revised creative materials tailored to their project’s needs and stage, which may include scripts, treatments, pitch decks, mood boards, or proof-of-concept materials
- Stronger alignment and cohesion across the creative team
- New industry relationships and peer connections
Is access and wellbeing support available?
Yes. Participant wellbeing and access are integral to the programme.
All participants will be invited to complete an access rider, and support is available for physical access, caring responsibilities, neurodiversity, mental health, and other needs. Mentors receive guidance in inclusive and trauma-aware practice, and clear codes of conduct are in place throughout delivery.
Does my project need to be completely original?
Your project should be an original work, unless it uses material that is in the public domain. If it is based on someone else’s work, you’ll need to have the appropriate rights optioned or licensed.
Do I need to fully own the project to apply?
You should own the project and be free to submit it to the programme. If there are any existing interests or restrictions (such as previous development funding), these should be disclosed in your application.
What if my project is similar to someone else’s work?
As long as you have taken reasonable steps to check, your project should not infringe copyright or other personal, proprietary, or statutory rights
Are there content restrictions I should be aware of?
Your project should not be defamatory, obscene, or include material that breaches confidentiality, based on what you reasonably know after making appropriate checks.
Who is responsible for the project’s content during the programme?
You remain fully responsible for the content of your project at all times.
Will I see other participants’ scripts, and can I share them?
You may see other participants’ creative work during the programme, but this material is confidential. It must not be shared, copied, or used outside the programme without written permission from the creator.
Do I need to declare past National Lottery funding from the BFI?
Yes. Please tell us if you have received National Lottery funding from the BFI in the past, even if it was for a different project.
What about National Lottery funding from other organisations?
You should also declare if you have received National Lottery funding from other distributors or funding bodies.
Why is National Lottery funding information important?
National Lottery funding is intended to support creatives who can demonstrate a clear public benefit and a compelling case for support. We need this information to ensure the funding is allocated fairly and in line with National Lottery requirements.
