If these don't answer your question please mail us Films@britishcouncil.org
What kind of project does the British Council’s Travel Grant Fund Support?
We accept applications for the travel costs of filmmakers and film projects of any genre that meet the eligibility criteria above; XR and immersive storytelling projects and installations; and Labs / Co-pro Forums which have issued personal invitations.
How do you select the events on your Key Lists?
We select the events and festivals on our two Key Lists based on the strategic role each festival / event plays in promoting and developing new talent internationally. We work with the industry to ensure that the lists are as up to date as possible and therefore may add or remove festivals/events when appropriate. We also recognise the value to filmmakers of showing work in safe, supportive spaces, and actively prioritise festivals that create these environments for filmmakers with protected characteristics. The list is subject to regular changes.
If my film is selected for a major event like the Academy Awards can I apply to the fund?
The Travel Grant Fund is designed primarily to support filmmakers to travel to festivals, labs and co-production forum events, but we may consider major international film awards (such as the Academy and Emmy Award ceremonies) for Travel Grant support, where the event organisers do not offer attendance costs. Consideration for support in these cases is at the discretion of the British Council Film department.
Can more than one applicant apply for support to travel with the same film or project?
Travel Grants are made per film or project. It is ultimately up to the creative team how any grant is divided, the only stipulation being that grants must be used to cover travel and accommodation or participant fees.
How many times can I apply to the fund?
Only one grant will be made per project at any given Event. Please note that short film applicants may make a maximum of three applications to the fund for any one film or project and applications must be for a different festival each time. We can not support a feature filmmaker / XR creative or project to attend more than one event in any single year.
If I have applied to the fund already and been successful, do I need to make a subsequent application when the film or project is selected in another festival/lab/event?
Yes you will need to make a new application for each Event.
I am applying for a lab grant. Will a grant cover the full cost of participation fees as well as my travel and accommodation costs?
This depends on the lab you’re planning to attend, but it is rare that a grant will entirely cover these costs. If you are offered a lab grant it will likely be a contribution towards participation fees and travel costs. The cost of participation will be taken into account when making the offer.
I am applying for a lab that is explicitly for more than one team member – i.e. writer AND director / director and producer. Will this be taken into consideration when making the grant offer?
Yes. We will only make one grant per film / project, but we will make an assessment and an offer based on the lab’s requirements for attendance.
Do you make the same grant offer for every project wishing to attend a given eligible event?
Yes. Unless the grantee has specific access requirements, which means they need additional support in order to attend the festival or event. In addition, in order to encourage sustainable travel, we offer a higher-level grant for travel to European events where the grantee opts for overland travel.
Does my film or project need to have been shot or created in the UK to be eligible?
No, but the core personnel (writer, director or producer) behind the film or project must include filmmakers resident in the UK or UK citizens and the project must be a UK production or co-production. Please note that grant offers are always based on the assumption of travel to and from the UK
I have only just been notified that I have been selected for a festival/lab/event on your list that starts very soon, can I still apply?
If you have received a notification of acceptance from one of our Key List events and are concerned that your application will not be assessed in time, then please contact films@britishcouncil.org to let us know.
Can I suggest a festival/lab/event to be included on your Key List?
We are always keen to hear from filmmakers/creatives who have had positive experiences at film festivals, labs and events. If you want to suggest a festival/event for the Key Lists, then please email films@britishcouncil.org indicating why we should consider it. Please remember that professional development and potential for exposure on the international stage are key factors in our decision making.