Made possible through National Lottery funding, BFI NETWORK collaborates with film organisations and leading cultural venues across the UK to provide short film and early feature development funding, industry-backed professional development and networking support to producers, writers and directors aged 18 and above. Our team, based at Watershed in Bristol, are proud to support emerging filmmakers in the south west.
Funded projects will also benefit from creative and professional guidance from our Bristol-based BFI NETWORK Talent Executives Nadia Attia and Jess Wheeler.
What does BFI NETWORK offer?
BFI NETWORK: Short Film Fund
The BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund supports the production of scripted films in live action, animation or immersive, up to 15 minutes long.
BFI NETWORK: Early Development Fund
The BFI NETWORK Early Development Fund (EDF) supports the early stages of development for debut long-form scripted projects in live action, immersive or animation.
Events & Opportunities
Check out the latest events and opportunities at Film Hub South West.
Past Lab Participants
Introducing the South West Creatives who have taken part in our training schemes or labs.
Latest Events & Opportunities See all
Apply to New Voices: Step Up
This summer, in partnership Bristol AF Productions, BFI NETWORK South West are relaunching New Voices: Step Up, a mentoring opportunity for filmmakers who identify as being from a lower socio-economic background or who are currently unemployed and claiming benefits.
Apply to BFI NETWORK SW’s Producer Lab
BFI NETWORK South West, in partnership with Screen Cornwall and Exeter Phoenix, are pleased to announce a new one-month Producer Lab.
BFI FAN Con 2026
We’re excited to announce that the second edition of the BFI Film Audience Network conference, BFI FAN CON, will take place at Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle, from 7–9 September 2026.
Latest Updates See all
Announcing our New Voices cohort 2025
BFI NETWORK South West are delighted to announce the latest New Voices cohort.
BFI NETWORK @ Encounters 2025
Find out what BFI NETWORK South West will be up to at Encounters 2025.
New Voices 3: where are they now?
As the fourth round opens for applications in July 2025 we wanted to chat to a few writer-directors who took part previously, to reflect on their experience and tell us where they are now.