Why Is the BFI Increasing Documentary Funding by 20 Percent?

As the BFI’s UK wide delegate partner, Doc Society will distribute funding across feature documentaries, immersive projects and short films, while also strengthening talent development. The uplift means expanded production and development finance, including a new immersive fund and a dedicated development strand for feature length documentaries. There will also be two targeted production funds, one for emerging directors and another for mid career to established filmmakers, addressing the long standing challenge of career progression in non fiction storytelling.

The Made of Truth BFI Doc Society Short Film Fund will continue in partnership with BFI NETWORK, supporting new voices across the UK. Meanwhile, talent initiatives such as the RISE Producer Programme and regional Matchmakers sessions will return, alongside a new year round online series called Doc Dialogues focused on professional development.

Recent successes underline the impact of this partnership, from festival premieres in Berlin and Copenhagen to award recognition at the BIFAs and BAFTAs.

In short, the message is clear. Documentary in the UK is not just surviving, it is being strengthened, expanded and taken seriously as one of the most vital forces in British cultural life.