Thapelo Phukubye: Britain Launches $9.7m Global Screen Fund

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Britain Launches $9.7m Global Screen Fund

The British Government has launched UK’s £7M ($9.7M) Global Screen Fund.

UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the BFI have announced the launch of the Fund.

The year-long pilot fund is designed to help bridge the gap caused by the absence of Creative Europe’s MEDIA funding post-Brexit.

The Fund is for Britain’s independent screen sector (including film, TV, animation, documentary and interactive narrative games).

Among other things, it is targeted at “developing and producing projects with international appeal, expanding the worldwide distribution of UK content and encouraging collaboration with international partners.”

According to the UK Government, the Global Screen Fund is open to independent screen sector companies registered and centrally managed in Britain, which meet the eligibility criteria in the published guidelines.

The Government further noted that the fund will support companies across the UK, by “addressing geographic imbalance within the industry”.

UK Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, says “The United Kingdom has an independent screen industry to be proud of. World renowned, our film, TV, video game and animation industries create jobs and growth the length and breadth of the UK.”

Leading the pilot fund is Neil Peplow, Director of International Affairs BFI.

Funding is expected to be allocated to:

International distribution funding: support for sales and distribution of one or more UK feature films (drama, documentary, animation) in international territories.

International business development: financial support for business strategies that drive international growth and IP development for companies working in film, TV (animation, drama and documentary) and interactive narrative gaming.

Co-Production investment: support for UK companies to be partners in international productions, sharing IP and revenue on film and TV animation and documentary projects with audience potential.