What is the Film Exhibition Fund? 

The Film Exhibition Fund supports the independent film exhibition sector to put on screenings and deliver audience development activity that meets the objectives of the BFI’s Screen Culture 2033 strategy.    

The focus of the Film Exhibition Fund is to support in-person events that bring audiences together for a communal viewing experience, in particular screenings of UK independent and international films.   

Projects which support audiences to experience moving image such as television, digital media and broader screen activity such as XR, VR, and AR will be considered, where this represents a valuable opportunity for audience development, in line with the priorities of the fund. Online activities are not a priority but will be considered where they add value and create meaningful engagement (for example, by removing barriers and improving access for disabled audiences).  

The activity proposed will need to target specific audience groups and show how the funding is necessary to reach those identified audiences. 

Multi-year proposals will be considered for funding of up to three years.  

If your project runs for more than one financial year, we will ask you to outline why multi-year support is required. You’ll also need to provide key milestones, measures of success, and additional financial information. As each year of funded activity comes to a close, we will review your project based on these metrics and discuss the subsequent year’s funding. 

We are especially interested in proposals aimed at working-class audiences and will also prioritise activity in areas of deprivation. In addition, we are keen to support projects focused on Black and Global Majority audiences, young people aged 25 and under, disabled audiences and LGBTQIA+ audiences. 

We also welcome and encourage proposals from organisations led by those people who are currently underrepresented in the exhibition sector. These include organisations led by Black and global majority people, those that identify as d/Deaf and disabled people and those that are working class and/or are experiencing economic hardship.  

This funding is only available to South West based* BFI Film Audience Network member organisations  

* We expect funded activity to be led and delivered by organisations that screens films to public audiences (or has plans to do so within 12 months of joining) and have a demonstrable presence in the South West (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, West of England, Hampshire, The Isle of Wight and The Isles of Scilly.) This includes having key decision-makers and delivery teams based in the region. The Film Hub South West team will use its discretion to determine whether an organisation has sufficient regional presence and capacity to deliver the proposed activity effectively.   

FAN Membership is free: To become a member of Film Hub South West, take a moment to fill in our application and we will check your eligibility. 

You can seek support of £2,000 up to £9,000, covering costs such as programming, marketing, access costs and wraparound events.  

For project funding of below £2000, please see Rolling Audience Pitch Pot  

The fund will support activity taking place from July 2026 – mid-March 2027, unless this is a multi-year project. 

If your plans include activity outside of this timeline, please get in touch with the team to discuss your ideas. filmhub@watershed.co.uk  

Demand for this fund is high. In 2025, it was oversubscribed by 160% with an average award £4,500 per project. 

Proposals which meet the fund’s criteria as fully as possible will be prioritised. We may not be able to fund your activity, even if it meets the criteria. The larger the amount of funding requested, the higher we would expect the project to score in our assessment process.  

* Not a member? Find out more and join here.   

Activity Period: July 2026 – 30th March 2027 (unless multi-year); if your plans include activity outside of this timeline, please get in touch with the team before completing your application.  

Submit your proposal 

Guidelines for Applications   

Please ensure that you read our 2026-29 guidelines in full before submitting your proposal. If you still have questions, first check out our FAQ on the FAN Film Exhibition Fund here.    

Feel free to get in touch with the team to discuss your proposal ahead of submission for any guidance or assistance: filmhub@watershed.co.uk