The Early Development Fund opens on Wednesday 7 October 2026 and closes on Wednesday 11 November 2026.
BFI NETWORK Early Development funding supports the early stages of development for debut long-form projects. This highly competitive fund supports writers with a strong creative track record, who do not yet have the first draft of a script, or equivalent format for immersive work, to produce an initial treatment outlining the story, characters, themes and structure of their project along with related materials such as a mood board or other visual content.
The first stage of the fund supports long-form live-action, immersive and animation fiction projects with awards of £3,000 to £5,000 to develop a treatment.
Projects that are supported at treatment stage and which are completed to schedule will then be able to apply for a second stage of funding to complete a first draft of the full feature-length screenplay, or equivalent format for immersive work.
Find out more about the fund. Read the full funding guidelines.
Book a 1:1 with a Talent Executive (places subject to availability).
Join our EDF Q&A: Meet The Writer on Mon 19 Oct 17:30 – 18:30.
Funded Projects
Between 2018 and 2026 BFI NETWORK South West has supported the development of 32 feature treatments. Explore the slate of previously funded projects by clicking the button below.
FAQs
Thinking of applying to the Early Development Fund? Check out these FAQs, answered by the Talent Execs.
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