BFI DOC SOCIETY FUND
The BFI Doc Society Fund supports and nurtures independent non-fiction film and immersive projects by UK filmmakers, prioritising expansive, director-led storytelling.
London Short Film Festival Industry Events
London Short Film Festival 2025
BFI Doc Society and Documentary Film Council are pleased to support the following events as part of this year's LSFF Industry Programme.
Panel: Shorts to Features
Friday 24 January, 13:00 - 14:30 // Rich Mix, London
So you’ve made a few shorts and are wondering what the next steps are to making feature-length work? Or what development opportunities shorts can offer you beyond being a training ground? And why even get stuck in the traditional shorts versus features framework when plenty of great filmmakers and artists move between short, mid-length and feature-length work throughout their careers? We will discuss the value of the short form, the challenges and benefits of working outside of the traditional pipeline, and much more.
Filmmakers Graeme Arnfield, Cherish Oteka, and Duncan Cowles will participate in this conversation hosted by BFI Doc Society Talent Support Programme Manager Sanne Jehoul.
Documentary Networking
Friday 24 January, 15:30 - 17:00 // Rich Mix, London
Calling all documentary makers and enthusiasts! This networking event will be catered specifically to you. With the participation of BFI Doc Society Film & Production Executive Hannah Bush Bailey, as well as more organisations that champion, celebrate, support and promote the doc format. Join us to make useful connections and ask burning questions from our invited guests.
Made of Truth Matchmaker
Made of Truth Matchmaker
Application deadline: Thursday 7 January, 5pm BST
Are you a UK based director with an idea for a non-fiction short film or immersive work, and keen to apply to the next round of our Made of Truth Fund (opening spring 2025)? Are you still looking for a producer to collaborate with?
Then we would like to hear from you. Finding the right project partner is not always easy, especially early on in your filmmaking career. The BFI Doc Society team hopes to facilitate new and fruitful connections through an online matchmaking event that helps you connect with the right producer before you start your funding application.
Find all info and criteria in the application form here.
We will require you to submit your project idea and creative track record.
If you are a producer with interest in attending the project presentations in January, please email sanne@docsociety.org.
BFI Group Attendance at CPH:DOX 2025 (Immersive)
Open Call: BFI Doc Society Group Attendance at CPH:DOX 2025
Focus: Immersive Producers and Producer/Creators
In collaboration with BFI, we are inviting applications from UK immersive non-fiction producers and producer/creators with active projects in development to take part in a Group Attendance to CPH:DOX between 23 and 27 March 2025 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Selected delegates will be accredited to CPH:DOX and attendance will allow them to meet potential international funders and partners, to explore co-production opportunities, and to take part in the full range of industry programme activities, including the various networking events.
Applications are now open until Tuesday 7th January, 10am.
BFI Doc Society Fund Reader / Peer Reviewer Consultant
BFI Doc Society Fund Reader / Peer Reviewer Consultant
Closing date: Thursday 9th January 2025 at 1pm BST
Location: Remote working. Applicants to this freelance consultant position may be based anywhere in the world.
Roles:
BFI Doc Society seeks to appoint new freelance external readers and peer reviewers for our Features Fund and Made of Truth short film fund. Both funds support and nurture independent non-fiction film and immersive projects by UK filmmakers, prioritising expansive, director-led storytelling.
The BFI Doc Society Features Fund operates on a rolling application basis and will appoint one new external reader through to March 31st 2026, and three groups of three peer reviewers for the financial year beginning April 1st 2025 (9 in total). In addition, the Made of Truth Fund opens once a year for an open call and we want to appoint three new peer reviewers for the 2025 open call.
Please read more about the nature of each role and how to apply via https://docsociety.org/jobs/bfi-doc-society-fund-reader-peer-reviewer-consultant/
Independent Tax Credit Webinar
Independent Film Tax Credit Webinar - November 2024
In November 2024 BFI Doc Society and Documentary Film Council hosted a webinar with Chantel Burrell and Anna Mansi from the BFI Certification Unit, to shed light on the new Independent Film Tax Credit for UK film productions. The session was tailored to documentary productions and fully recorded. You can now watch it back here, and read more in this document.
1-2-1 ONLINE ADVICE SESSIONS - OPEN ACCESS
Book your 15-minute 1-2-1 online advice session with a member of the BFI Doc Society team! Open to filmmakers and producers across the UK, this is an opportunity to discuss projects or ask advice about our funds.
