A Talent Exec’s Guide to the Early Development Fund

Our south west Talent Exec Nadia Attia offers some extra insights on what the BFI NETWORK’s Early Development Fund (EDF) is, and why it can be a valuable stepping-stone in your career.

 

Image credit: Yummy Mummy. Courtesy of Dreammore Films Ltd.

The Key

The EDF is for writers with a solid creative track record who are ready to make their debut long-form project. The EDF can provide you with a small amount of money to help you create a brilliant 10-page treatment document (plus any supporting visual materials such as a pitch deck or mood board), which will then help you ‘sell’ your project to financiers and collaborators. As we know, producers are in high demand so having some professional-looking materials to entice them and bring your story and vision to life is essential. Think of the EDF as a key to help you unlock your potential and find your champions.

‘Think of the EDF as a key to help you unlock your potential and find your champions’

Show me the Money!

You can apply for up to £5,000 for things such as a writer allowance for your time, a producer allowance (if you have a producer attached to the project), access-related costs, research materials and trips, design support, maybe even contributor fees if you plan on interviewing subjects relevant to your idea. Really think about exactly what you need, and apply for just that amount (our pot is limited and we want to support as many writers as we can). We expect you to outline what your award will be spent on at the time of applying, so plan wisely. Also think about sustainability  – do you need to travel or could meetings be held online?

What’s the Big Idea?

Let’s assume that you’ve already considered how your idea fits with the BFI Funding Priorities and Diversity Standards. What else are we looking for? Well, it can be any genre but has to be a scripted, narrative-driven idea that’s live action, animation or immersive, and an idea that would result in a film of over 70mins and a cert of no more than 18. Since this is your debut you won’t be getting a huge budget to make it, so be realistic and smart about the scale of your story. Do we really need another aspirational James Bond-esque film with private-jets, glam locations and a cast of hundreds? Perhaps audiences would resonate more with a tale that is prescient, urgent, something that offers a fresh angle on the world right now… And make sure it’s original, not a biopic or an adaptation of existing material (unless you are the author/sole creator of said material). Remember that we don’t ask you to sign over any rights to us; this is your baby. 

‘Make sure it’s original’

What’s New?

To apply for the EDF you don’t need a producer. In 2023 the BFI introduced a Stage 2: once you’ve handed in your treatment and fulfilled your contractual obligations you’ll be invited to apply for further funding to take your idea to a first-draft script. More details on this will be provided at the time, and it will involve you signing another agreement. Each region is expected to support at least 3 projects at Stage 1, and 1 project at Stage 2, so this is still a competitive fund – and we won’t be able to offer feedback on every application (only on those shortlisted). So make it count, and make sure you’re ready: you won’t be able to apply the year after with the same idea unless specifically asked to do so.

We look forward to reading your application, have fun with it, and best of luck!

If you have any specific questions on the fund drop us a line at bfinetworkfunding@bfi.org.uk

In Oct 2023 we held a Q&A, with special guest Sophie Mair, which may answer some more of your questions, you can watch that back here.

Further information

  • Guides & Resources for Filmmakers Read more
  • A Rough Guide to Animation Production Read more
  • A Short Guide to Music Licensing with PRSForMusic Read more
  • A Short Guide to Working With Music Supervisors and Composers Read more
  • A Talent Exec’s Guide to the Early Development Fund Read more
  • BFI guidance on bullying and harassment prevention for the screen industries Read more
  • BFI NETWORK South West Short Film Fund Roundtable: Meet the Producer Read more
  • BFI NETWORK South West: Short Film Fund Roundtable: Budgets 101 Read more
  • How To Make Your Film Shoot More Sustainable Read more
  • Intro to Immersive webinar Read more
  • Resource Directory Read more
  • Selling Your Idea: What Makes a Great Funding Application? Read more
  • Short Film Toolkit Read more
  • Spines: A Case Study in Working with Neurodiverse Talent and Crew Read more
  • Stories To Change The World Read more

More from Film Hub South West

Guides & Resources for Filmmakers

Guidance for filmmaking talent from planning to shooting and more

Read more

A Rough Guide to Animation Production

We’ve created a handy guide for anyone thinking about making an animated short – this PDF includes information on budgeting, workflows and ways into animation, as well as a glossary of terms and plenty of useful links.

Read more

How To Make Your Film Shoot More Sustainable

This guide takes you through some useful information that considers how to minimise the environmental impact of your activity, no matter the size of your shoot.

Read more

Selling Your Idea: What Makes a Great Funding Application?

BFI NETWORK South West Talent Executive Nadia Attia has read countless scripts for Channel 4, BBC, BFI, Studiocanal and more, and as an ex-filmmaker herself she’s been on the flipside of applying for funding. She took some time out to share her learnings with you, to help your application stand out and prepare you for the next round of funding.

Read more