It supports writers who do not yet have the first draft of a script (or equivalent format for immersive work), to produce an initial treatment – a piece of writing that outlines the story, characters, themes and structure of the project – and related materials like a mood board or other visual content.
The Fund supports long-form live-action, immersive and animation fiction projects with awards of £3,000 to £5,000 to develop a treatment.
You can apply with or without a producer.
Projects that are supported at this stage, and are completed to schedule, will then be able to apply for a second stage of funding for a first draft of the full feature-length screenplay, or equivalent format for immersive work. Full details of this Stage Two fund can be found in the guidelines.
Who can apply
This fund supports projects with writers based in England who have not yet written a feature film or immersive work that has been produced and received a commercial distribution deal in the UK.
When you can apply
The Early Development Fund is now open and closes on Wednesday 11 November 2026.
What you can apply for
You can apply for funding of between £3,000 and £5,000 to support writing a treatment and creating related materials, and – if you’re working with a producer – their time spent on the project.
- Up to £3,000 writer allowance
- Up to £750 producer allowance if you are working with a producer
- Reasonable research and travel costs, which may include travel or accommodation, the costs of accessing materials or archives, making copies of archive material, subsistence while travelling (maximum £40 per day) and other relevant expenses.
- The creation of visual materials such as a pitch deck or moodboard where this incurs specific costs such as graphic design by a third-party contractor
- Any disability access support you require to produce the project (see guidelines)
The funding guidelines include more information on these costs and what we are unable to support.
Access support for your application
We can provide assistance to applicants who have access requirements and need some support in order to make an application. See access support for BFI funding applicants.
