BFI secures £150m boost to transform UK film industry by 2027

A landmark £150m injection could redefine British cinema. From indie filmmakers to blockbuster studios, discover how this cash surge will reshape the industry's future.

, and Administrator

2026 March 29 . 11:02 PM

1 min read

The image shows a man in a tuxedo standing and smiling while holding a BAFTA award in his hands. In... — The image shows a man in a tuxedo standing and smiling while holding a BAFTA award in his hands. In the background, there is a board with the words "BAFTA Awards 2018" written on it, indicating that the man is the winner of the award.

BFI secures £150m boost to transform UK film industry by 2027

The British Film Institute (BFI) has announced a significant boost in funding for filmmakers, audiences and industry growth. Over the next three years, National Lottery and government-backed investments will rise by 10%, bringing the total to £150 million. The increase aims to strengthen cinema infrastructure, talent development and short film production. The BFI will allocate around £50 million per year from National Lottery 'good cause' funding, up from £136.3 million over the previous three-year period. This represents a 13% rise in support for filmmakers and talent development, climbing from £54 million to £61 million. Audience development has also seen a 21% increase, with £33.5 million now available for projects that engage viewers.

The BFI's chief executive, Ben Roberts, highlighted the need for further investment in cinema infrastructure—an area not covered by National Lottery funds. Meanwhile, the UK government's Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will contribute £75 million over three years through the Screen Growth Package. This funding will focus on inward investment and production services, helping to attract major film projects to the UK.

Additional plans include expanded support for short films via the BFI Network. The institute currently receives 2.7% of all National Lottery funding, which it redistributes to priority areas such as filmmaking and audience engagement. The new funding will provide filmmakers with greater resources for production, distribution and audience outreach. With increased government and lottery-backed investments, the BFI aims to bolster the UK's film industry over the next three years. The changes reflect a targeted effort to sustain growth in both creative talent and cinema infrastructure.