We’re excited to share that Future Takes, a joint initiative with Film4, is now open for submissions!

Future Takes offers support for higher-budget live-action, short-form projects from UK-based teams of writers, directors, and producers. BFI and Film4 are committed to backing bold and innovative new voices, helping filmmakers bridge the gap between early work and ambitious long-form projects.

We’re looking to support up to six short films with funding of £60,000–£90,000 each.

BFI and Film4 Future Takes offers support for higher-budget live action, short-form projects from teams of writers, directors and producers based in the UK.

 

Driven by a shared commitment to support audacious emerging talent to build sustainable and remarkable careers, BFI and Film4 have joined forces to offer Future Takes.

As it becomes harder to get debut features financed and in front of an audience, there is a considerable gap in the support available to filmmakers who may have started their careers but are missing the piece of work that will allow them to move on to bigger, bolder work.

Future Takes aims to support the creation of innovative, ambitious short-form works that command a higher budget and will not be realisable without support. This could mean ideas, settings or filming techniques that are truly boundary pushing, either in form or content.

We will support scripted live action work or hybrid documentary involving scripted or dramatised elements. Films can be a maximum length of 25 minutes and must be capable of obtaining a BBFC certificate, which is no more restrictive than BBFC 18 and qualify for certification as a British film through the applicable cultural test.

Who can apply

Filmmaking teams who are looking to progress with long-form work and can demonstrate that a Future Takes short film will provide them with significant career benefits.

The application must be made by the lead producer who must have an established track record in moving image work and be a UK resident. The producer cannot be the writer or director of the project.

The director (or writer/director) must have an established creative track record in scripted moving image work and either not yet have had a feature film (minimum length 60 minutes), or have had no more than one produced and commercially distributed in the UK.

There is no minimum experience required for the project’s writer.

If you’re a filmmaking team based in Scotland, you can also consider applying for The Bigger Picture, part of Screen Scotland’s new film talent development programme, Talent Builder.

When you can apply

Applications opened at 12 pm on 8 September 2025 and closed at 12 pm on 20 October 2025.

The assessment period for Future Takes is 20 weeks. You’ll need to check that the proposed first day of principal photography for your project allows enough time for the assessment of the application and, if successful, for the legal paperwork required to be completed.

How much can you apply for

We are looking to support up to six short films, with funding of between £60,000 and £90,000 per film. The BFI will contribute National Lottery funding as a grant to each selected project, and Film4’s funding will, in part, purchase a license of certain distribution and broadcast rights.

How to apply

Read the funding guidelines in full.

If you have any questions relating to this funding or your application, email future.takes@bfi.org.uk.

Get help with your application

We are committed to making our funding accessible to all. If you have access requirements and need some support applying for funding, see Access support for BFI funding applicants.