Deadline: 01-Jul-2026
The BFI Doc Society Short Film Fund: Made of Truth supports emerging UK-based filmmakers creating bold, original non-fiction short films. It provides up to £25,000 per project to develop documentary, animated documentary, or hybrid non-fiction works with strong creative and social impact. The fund prioritizes diversity, innovation, accessibility, and environmentally responsible filmmaking.
Overview of the Fund
The Made of Truth fund is a UK-wide initiative supporting new voices in documentary storytelling through the British Film Institute in partnership with Doc Society.
Its purpose is to strengthen the UK’s independent documentary ecosystem by supporting:
- Emerging filmmakers
- Creative non-fiction storytelling
- Inclusive and diverse screen representation
- Innovative documentary formats
Key Focus Areas
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
- Supporting underrepresented voices in UK film
- Encouraging inclusive storytelling practices
- Expanding participation across regions and communities
Impact and Audience Engagement
- Films with clear audience reach and engagement strategies
- Projects that connect with real-world communities
- Socially relevant documentary storytelling
Talent Development and Progression
- Supporting early-career directors and producers
- Building long-term careers in documentary filmmaking
- Encouraging collaboration between creative roles
Creative Risk and Innovation
- Experimental documentary approaches
- Hybrid formats combining fiction and non-fiction elements
- New storytelling techniques and visual styles
UK-Wide Screen Participation
- Supporting filmmakers across all regions of the UK
- Strengthening regional creative industries
- Encouraging decentralised production opportunities
Environmental Sustainability
- Low-carbon and sustainable production practices
- Eco-conscious crew and production planning
- Sustainable resource use in filmmaking
Funding Details
- Maximum funding: £25,000 per project
- Covers production and post-production costs
Eligible Costs Include
Funding may be used for:
- Production and post-production expenses
- Rights clearances
- Legal services
- Insurance
- Accessibility support (e.g., subtitles, captions)
- Publicity and marketing materials
- Festival submissions
- Accounting and audit costs
- Contingency budgets
- Sustainable production practices
Project Requirements
Film Type Eligibility
Eligible projects must be:
- Standalone non-fiction short films
- Live-action documentaries
- Animated documentaries
- Hybrid documentary works (documentary + fiction/animation elements)
Technical Requirements
- Duration: 5 to 40 minutes (including credits)
- Must be completed by October 2027
- Must qualify as a British film
- Must be original work
Ineligible Projects
The fund does NOT support:
- Fiction-only films
- Adaptations of third-party works
- Projects primarily intended for television broadcast
- Films mainly focused on other art forms (e.g., literature, dance, poetry, opera, or artist moving image works)
Eligibility Criteria
Applicant Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be UK residents
- Apply as lead producer or director
- Ensure both producer and director are UK-based
Team Structure
- Minimum two people required (producer + director)
- All team members must:
- Be over 18
- Have a creative track record
- Have completed full-time education within required timeframe
- Be fully available for the project
Director Eligibility Rules
- Must be an early-career filmmaker
- Must NOT have received a commercial distribution deal for a non-fiction feature film in the past 5 years
Application Structure Rules
- Applications submitted by lead producer if attached
- Directors may apply only if no producer is attached
- Fund may support producer matching if needed (up to 2 months after award)
Why This Fund Matters
The Made of Truth fund strengthens the UK documentary ecosystem by supporting new and diverse storytelling voices. It encourages experimentation in nonfiction film while ensuring accessibility, sustainability, and regional participation.
Key impacts:
- Expands opportunities for emerging documentary filmmakers
- Promotes inclusive and diverse storytelling
- Supports innovation in nonfiction film formats
- Strengthens UK regional film production
- Encourages environmentally responsible filmmaking
How the Program Works
Step 1: Team Formation
- Assemble a UK-based producer and director team
- Ensure eligibility requirements are met
Step 2: Project Development
- Develop a non-fiction short film concept
- Define narrative, audience, and impact strategy
Step 3: Application Submission
- Submit proposal through the fund application process
- Include budget, creative vision, and production plan
Step 4: Selection Process
- Projects evaluated for creativity, impact, and feasibility
- Focus on innovation, inclusion, and audience engagement
Step 5: Funding Award
- Up to £25,000 awarded per selected project
- Funds allocated for production and post-production
Step 6: Production and Delivery
- Complete film by October 2027
- Ensure compliance with delivery requirements
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting fiction-only or adaptation projects
- Ignoring UK residency requirements
- Weak or missing documentary focus
- Lack of clear audience engagement strategy
- Ineligible director experience (non-fiction feature distribution history)
- Poorly defined production roles
Tips for a Strong Application
- Emphasize originality and documentary strength
- Highlight social or cultural impact
- Show strong collaboration between producer and director
- Include realistic production and post-production plan
- Demonstrate sustainability and accessibility considerations
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Made of Truth fund?
It is a UK short documentary film fund supporting emerging filmmakers producing innovative non-fiction short films.
How much funding is available?
Up to £25,000 per project.
What types of films are eligible?
Documentaries, animated documentaries, and hybrid non-fiction films (5–40 minutes).
Who can apply?
UK-based early-career filmmakers working as producer-director teams.
What is the deadline for completion?
Films must be completed by October 2027.
Are fiction films eligible?
No, fiction-only films and adaptations are not supported.
What is the main goal of the fund?
To support innovative, inclusive, and impactful UK documentary storytelling.
Conclusion
The BFI Doc Society Made of Truth fund is a major opportunity for emerging UK documentary filmmakers to create bold, original non-fiction short films. By combining funding with strong values around inclusion, sustainability, and innovation, it strengthens the future of independent documentary storytelling in the UK.
For more information, visit Doc Society.
