The British Council Travel Grant Fund is an exciting funding opportunity designed to help filmmakers and XR (Extended Reality) creatives from the United Kingdom expand their careers by participating in leading international festivals, showcase events, creative development labs, and co-production forums.

Supported through BFI National Lottery funding, in partnership with BFI NETWORK and the BFI International Fund, this initiative aims to strengthen the global presence of UK creative talent by making international networking and showcasing opportunities more accessible.

The fund recognizes that attending major international industry events can significantly influence a filmmaker’s career. Whether presenting a short film, screening a feature film, showcasing an immersive XR project, or seeking production partners for a new feature, the Travel Grant Fund provides financial support that enables creatives to represent their work on the international stage.

Unlike many funding opportunities that operate under fixed application windows, the British Council Travel Grant Fund operates as a rolling fund, allowing eligible applicants to submit applications throughout the year before their intended travel.

About the British Council Travel Grant Fund

International festivals, film markets, labs, and co-production forums provide filmmakers with opportunities to:

• Showcase their creative work to international audiences.
• Meet producers, distributors, financiers, and collaborators.
• Build long-term professional networks.
• Discover international market opportunities.
• Develop future film projects.
• Increase the visibility of UK film and XR talent worldwide.
• Learn from global industry experts.
• Secure partnerships and funding for future productions.

The Travel Grant Fund was established to remove some of the financial barriers that prevent filmmakers and XR creatives from participating in these important international events.

The programme particularly focuses on increasing the international exposure of new and emerging UK filmmakers and XR creators, helping them build sustainable international careers.

What Does the Travel Grant Fund Support?

The fund supports travel to selected international events through five funding strands, grouped under two major application categories.

1. Festivals and Showcases

Applicants wishing to attend international festivals or showcase events can apply through one of the following grants.

Short Film Festival Grants

These grants are available for:

• New and emerging writers
• New and emerging directors
• Producers of any experience level

The funding supports attendance at eligible international festivals where a short film is being screened.

This grant enables filmmakers to:

• Attend film screenings.
• Meet festival programmers.
• Connect with distributors.
• Build international industry relationships.
• Promote their short films to wider audiences.

Feature Film Festival Grants

This funding is specifically designed for producers attending eligible international festivals where a feature film is being screened.

The grant helps producers:

• Represent their feature film internationally.
• Meet sales agents.
• Connect with distributors.
• Build financing opportunities.
• Expand international partnerships.

Interactive, Immersive and XR Grants

This funding supports XR creatives attending eligible international festivals and showcase events with interactive, immersive, or XR projects.

Eligible projects may include:

• Virtual Reality (VR)
• Augmented Reality (AR)
• Mixed Reality (MR)
• Interactive storytelling
• Immersive digital experiences

Recipients can showcase innovative work while building valuable international collaborations.

2. Labs and Co-Production Forums

The second application route focuses on supporting feature film development through international labs and co-production forums.

Lab Grants

Lab Grants are intended for:

• Producers
• Writers
• Directors

Applicants must be working on new feature film projects and attending eligible international creative development labs.

These labs provide opportunities to:

• Develop projects with experienced mentors.
• Refine scripts.
• Improve production strategies.
• Receive professional feedback.
• Build relationships with international industry professionals.

Co-Production Forum Grants

These grants are available for producers seeking international finance and production partners for feature film projects.

The funding supports attendance at eligible international markets and co-production forums where producers can:

• Present projects to investors.
• Meet international production partners.
• Secure financing opportunities.
• Expand international co-production networks.

Eligible International Events

Applicants can only receive funding for approved international events.

The British Council maintains Key Lists of eligible:

• Short film festivals
• Feature film festivals
• XR festivals and showcase events
• Creative development labs
• Co-production forums

These lists are carefully curated to include:

• Major international film events
• Leading XR festivals
• Industry-recognized development programmes
• Specialist events supporting diverse creative voices

The Key Lists are reviewed every six months, and all travel awards remain subject to available funding.

Benefits of the British Council Travel Grant Fund

Successful applicants benefit in many ways beyond financial assistance.

Key benefits include:

• Financial support for international travel.
• Increased international exposure.
• Opportunities to showcase films and XR projects.
• Access to leading international festivals.
• Professional networking opportunities.
• Connections with producers, distributors, financiers, and collaborators.
• Career development opportunities.
• Participation in internationally recognized creative labs.
• Access to co-production markets.
• Increased visibility for UK creative talent.
• Support for emerging filmmakers entering international markets.

Accessibility and Inclusive Support

The British Council is committed to making its funding programmes accessible to everyone.

Applicants requiring additional assistance can request support throughout the application process.

Available support includes:

• Funding guidelines in alternative formats such as large print or audio.
• Assistance understanding application guidelines.
• Help completing application forms.
• Additional travel funding for:
  • British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters.
  • Access workers.

Applicants with accessibility needs are encouraged to contact the British Council before submitting their application.

Support requests can be made by emailing:

Films@britishcouncil.org

Sustainability Commitment

The British Council recognizes that international travel contributes to environmental challenges. However, it also acknowledges that face-to-face participation remains invaluable for filmmakers and XR creatives, particularly those at the beginning of their careers.

To encourage more sustainable travel practices, the programme has partnered with Julie’s Bicycle to produce a Greener Travel Grants Guide.

Recipients travelling to European events are encouraged to use rail travel wherever possible.

Additional funding is also available to support train travel to eligible European events.

Funding Partners

The Travel Grant Fund is made possible through collaboration between:

• BFI National Lottery
• BFI NETWORK
• BFI International Fund
• British Council

Together, these organizations help strengthen the international reach of UK film and immersive creative industries.

Application Process

The Travel Grant Fund has been designed with a straightforward application process.

Applicants simply choose the funding strand that matches their project and event before submitting their application ahead of travel.

The two main application routes are:

Festivals and Showcases

• Short Film Festival Grants
• Feature Film Festival Grants
• Interactive/Immersive/XR Grants

Labs and Co-Production Forums

• Lab Grants
• Co-Production Forum Grants

Applications are assessed according to eligibility requirements and available funding.

Important Deadline

There is no fixed application deadline.

The British Council Travel Grant Fund operates as a rolling funding programme, meaning applications are accepted throughout the year.

However, applicants must submit their application before travelling. Funding cannot be awarded for festivals, labs, showcases, or events that have already taken place.

Why You Should Apply

Participating in internationally recognized festivals, development labs, and co-production forums can transform a filmmaker’s career. Beyond financial assistance, the British Council Travel Grant Fund provides access to opportunities that foster international recognition, industry partnerships, creative growth, and future funding prospects.

Whether you are screening a short film, launching a feature, showcasing an immersive XR project, or developing your next production with global collaborators, this programme offers valuable support to help UK creative professionals reach wider audiences and build lasting international careers.

Interested applicants should review the eligible event lists, select the appropriate funding strand, and submit their application before making travel arrangements.

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