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UK Global Screen Fund: International Co-production

Deadline: 12-Mar-2026

The UK Global Screen Fund offers grants up to £300,000 to UK producers for international co-productions. The fund aims to increase global reach, grow UK independent screen businesses, and support projects with strong export potential and international market appeal. Applications close on 9 April 2026.

About the UK Global Screen Fund

The UK Global Screen Fund, administered by the British Film Institute (BFI) and financed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, is designed to support UK independent producers working on international co-productions. The fund aims to help UK producers partner with international counterparts to develop projects with global appeal and enhance the visibility of UK content worldwide. It also fosters international partnerships, strengthens the UK’s co-production relationships, and supports sustainable business growth for UK screen companies.

Key Objectives

The UK Global Screen Fund aims to:

  • Grow the sustainability of UK independent screen businesses by supporting international activity.

  • Increase global reach of UK screen content, enhancing international audience appeal.

  • Strengthen international partnerships and reciprocity in co-productions.

  • Promote UK producers’ creative input and visibility on global projects.

  • Support projects with strong export potential and international market appeal.

Funding Details

  • Grant Amounts: Non-recoupable grants up to £300,000

  • Eligible Projects: Minority feature film co-productions, including fiction, animation, and documentary projects.

  • Funding Limit: Grants cannot exceed 50% of the overall UK financial contribution to the project.

  • Eligibility Criteria: Funding must be applied to UK elements of the project and spent on qualifying UK expenditure.

Additional Requirements

  • Projects must comply with co-production certification requirements.

  • The grant must be included in the UK producer’s financial contribution and adhere to standard industry practices.

  • Applicants must ensure compliance with minimum wage requirements, rights clearance, insurance provisions, sustainability planning, and skills levies.

Eligible Project Types

  • Minority Feature Film Co-Productions: Fiction, animation, and documentary projects.

  • Television Co-Productions: Animated and documentary TV projects, either minority or majority in nature.

  • Project Timelines:

    • Fiction or animation projects must begin principal photography or animation between 18 June and 31 December 2026 and should not have financially closed before 18 June 2026.

    • Documentary projects must be completed before 9 October 2027.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must be:

  • Independent UK Producers with demonstrated production experience.

  • UK-registered limited production companies engaged in producing independent narrative content.

  • The UK producer must have a personal on-screen producer credit on at least one commercially distributed or broadcasted narrative-driven project.

  • The applicant’s company must not be a Special Purpose Vehicle or share ownership with international co-production partners, and must not have more than 25% ownership by third parties (including non-UK entities, broadcasters, and SVOD platforms).

Project Requirements

To qualify, projects must demonstrate:

  • Strong export potential and access to international audiences.

  • Revenue-generating prospects for the UK producer.

  • At least 60% of financing already secured, rising to 80% for Fast Track applications.

  • Projects must secure at least one additional third-party finance source for the UK financial contribution.

  • Financial Contribution Requirement: At least 10% for multi-lateral co-productions and 20% for bi-lateral co-productions.

Application Deadlines

  • Fast Track Applications Deadline: 12 March 2026

  • General Applications Deadline: 9 April 2026

  • Decision Notifications:

    • Fast Track: By 9 April 2026

    • General Applications: By 18 June 2026

  • Next Funding Round: Scheduled to open in September 2026

Why This Fund Matters

The UK Global Screen Fund plays a vital role in supporting UK independent producers and strengthening the global presence of UK content. By fostering international co-productions, the fund enables UK producers to access new markets, collaborate globally, and enhance the export potential of their projects. This initiative not only boosts the sustainability of UK screen businesses but also contributes to the UK’s broader creative economy.

FAQs

  1. Who can apply for the UK Global Screen Fund? Independent UK producers with demonstrable production experience.

  2. What is the maximum grant amount? Up to £300,000 for eligible international co-productions.

  3. Can co-productions in any genre apply? Yes, the fund supports feature films (fiction, animation, documentary), and TV projects (minority or majority).

  4. What is the minimum percentage of financing required? At least 60% secured financing, 80% for Fast Track applications.

  5. Are there specific requirements for UK involvement? Yes, at least 10% for multi-lateral and 20% for bi-lateral co-productions.

  6. When do applications open and close? Fast Track deadline: 12 March 2026; General deadline: 9 April 2026.

  7. What is the next funding round schedule? The next round opens in September 2026.

Conclusion

The UK Global Screen Fund provides essential funding for UK producers seeking to collaborate on international co-productions. By supporting projects with strong export potential, this fund enhances the visibility of UK content, strengthens international partnerships, and fosters sustainable growth for the UK screen sector.

For more information, visit British Film Institute.