BFI DOC SOCIETY FUND
As part of the BFI National Lottery Funding Plan 2026-2029, the BFI has committed to invest £7.2m in documentary funding and talent development over three years.
Doc Society renewed as delegate partner to fund features, shorts and to invest in talent development through the BFI Doc Society Fund.
The investment allows for an expansion of feature production and development finance, enabling Doc Society to increase the spectrum of support available for documentary filmmakers.
In addition to a new immersive fund, a dedicated development fund for feature length documentaries will be introduced. An expansion of production support via two dedicated funding strands - one for emerging directors and one for mid-career to established filmmakers.
BFI Doc Society Fund will be opening for applications early in Spring 2026.
Please follow @thedocsociety on instagram or sign up for our newsletter below for updates.
News & Events
BFI Doc Society at Flatpack Festival 2026
BFI Doc Society events at Flatpack Festival in Birmingham
BFI Doc Society Fund: Made of Truth Roundtable
Saturday 9 May, 15:00 - 16:00 // The Mockingbird Cinema, Screen 2
Do you have an idea for a cinematic, innovative and bold non-fiction short film and are looking for support in getting it made? Then you might want to attend this info session with the BFI Doc Society team about their Made of Truth Short Film Fund, which will reopen for applications in spring 2026 to support independent short documentary films from across the UK.
Find event and booking info here.
After Eight: The Story of Satpal Ram + Q&A
Saturday 9 May, 17:30 - 19:00 // MAC Birmingham - Cinema
Join us for this screening of BFI Doc Society Made of Truth funded short After Eight, directed by Mos Hannan and Usayd Younis.
In 1986 Satpal Ram was assaulted in a racially motivated attack at an Indian restaurant in Handsworth, Birmingham. Stabbed in the face with a glass bottle, he defended himself, sparking a chain of events that would shape his life.
This film delves into the injustices of his trial, exposing biases and systemic shortcomings that led to a murder conviction despite clear evidence of self-defence, and chronicles the decades-long global campaign for Satpal Ram’s freedom.
The screening will be followed by a panel discussion which will include director Mos Hannan and Steve Chandra Savale from Asian Dub Foundation.
This event will be part of Unite the People Festival by Kalaboration Arts and is supported by BFI Doc Society Fund and in partnership with the Guardian.
Visions du Réel 2026 Group Attendance: Meet the Producers
Visions du Réel 2026 Group Attendance: Meet the Producers
We are delighted to introduce the five UK-based producers selected for a Group Attendance to Visions du Réel (Nyon, Switzerland) from 19–23 April 2026, supported by the BFI Doc Society Fund and the BFI National Lottery International Connections Fund.
This brilliant cohort will have the opportunity to meet potential international partners, explore co-production opportunities, and gain wide industry insights through the festival's Industry Programme. They will be able to take part in a range of VdR Industry activities, including roundtables, one-to-one meetings and networking events. The cohort was selected through a UK-wide call for applications.
Morning Brews with the BFI Doc Society team
Morning Brews with the BFI Doc Society team
**We are currently transitioning into our next delegation as BFI's partner for UK documentary funding. Therefore we are temporarily pausing our Morning Brews slots, and we will launch new online info sessions about our funds when they reopen this spring.**
The BFI Doc Society team hosts regular online coffee mornings, during which you can ask us questions about our funds, get advice on challenges you're dealing with, connect with other filmmakers and maybe even get some peer-to-peer feedback.
We aim to host these hour-long gatherings twice per month, with a capacity of max 10 attendees per session. Filmmakers cannot attend more than one coffee morning per three months.
Please note that we can not discuss any active applications to our funds. If you have access requirements to attend, please email sanne@docsociety.org.
Find available sessions here. Make yourself a good ☕ or 🫖 and join us!
Creative Non-Fiction Playlist
Interested in short creative non-fiction work? Looking for inspiration or insight into the wider short film landscape? Maybe you've applied to our Made of Truth Fund or are intending to do so in the future?
We've put together a selection of freely available, great short films that have been successful at international festivals, across forms and approaches. Worth a watch, and there are a few Made of Truth funded titles in there too!
