bfi doc society fund guidelines making an …...1. introduction from 2018 doc society is the bfi’s...
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BFIDOCSOCIETYFUND
GUIDELINES
MAKINGANAPPLICATIONFORDOCUMENTARYFUNDING---FEATURESPublishedApril2018
UpdatedJanuary2020
1. Introduction ...................................................................... 3
2. Can I apply? ....................................................................... 5
3. Funding parameters ............................................................. 8
Additional funding ................................................................... 9
Other projects supported by the BFI Doc Society Fund ...................... 10
4. How do I make an application? .............................................. 11
Calls for applications .............................................................. 11
Contents of the application ...................................................... 11
Speculative submissions .......................................................... 12
BFI Locked Box ..................................................................... 13
BFI Diversity Standards ............................................................ 13
Environmental sustainability ..................................................... 14
5. What happens to my application? ........................................... 16
Eligibility ............................................................................ 16
Assessment .......................................................................... 16
First stage of assessment ......................................................... 17
Second stage of assessment ...................................................... 17
Fund Committee consideration .................................................. 17
Timeline summary ................................................................. 18
6. Successful applications ....................................................... 20
7. Our commitment to you ...................................................... 24
8. National Lottery Funding General Conditions ............................. 25
1. Introduction
From2018DocSocietyistheBFI’sdelegatepartnerfordocumentaryfunding.Havingruna
numberofinternationalfundsforseveralyearsitisaprivilegeandapleasuretoadminister
theUK’snationaldocumentaryfilmfundforfeaturesandshortsandwewillalsoberunning
adedicatedsupportprogrammealongsidethefund.
Theseguidelinesareintendedtohelpyouapplyforfeaturefunding.Thereisaseparateset
ofguidelinesforshorts.Pleasereadtheseguidelinescarefullybeforeapplyingasthey
shouldcovereverythingyouneedtoknow.Ifnot,[email protected]
andwewouldbehappytoansweryourquestions.
AstheBFI’sdelegatepartner,DocSocietyusesNationalLotteryfundstosupportexcellence
inBritishdocumentaryfilmmaking.TheBFIDocSocietyFund(the“Fund”)aimsto
championabreadthofboldanddistinctivefilmmakingacrosstheUKwithaparticularfocus
on:
• Supportingtheearlycareersofambitiousfilmmakers
• Supportingworkwithculturalrelevanceorprogressiveideas
• Filmmakingthattakesrisksontalent,formandcontent,wherethemorecommercial
sectorcannot
• Workthatrecognisesthequalityofdifference–inperspective,intalent,in
recruitment
• Anincreaseinthenumberofactiveprojectsoriginatedbyfilmmakersoutside
London&theSouthEast.
Webelievethat,inordertohaveahealthy,resilientandworld---classdocumentary
community,weneedtoinvestin,developandpromotethebesttalentwehaveintheUK.
Thismeansthatdiversitysitsattheheartofourdecision---making.Ourprioritieswillbeto
raiseupstoriesandstorytellersfromallpartsofthecountryandfromallcommunities.
AstheBFI’sdelegatepartner,DocSocietyadherestotheBFIDiversityStandardsanduses
thesetogaugetheabilityofprojectstocontributetotheseaims.Weaskapplicantsto
embracetheseStandardsandexploretheopportunitiesofworkingwithamorediverse
workforce,notjustfortheirproductions,butforourcommunityasawhole.
TheFundisintendedforprojectsthatareunlikelytobefullycommerciallyfinancedand
wouldthereforebenefitfromNationalLotterysupport.
DocSocietyhasanumberofotherfundsandopportunitiesthatmayalsobesuitablefor
yourproject.Ifyouthinkthatyourprojectfitsthecriteriawehavesetforourotherfunds
andopportunities,wewelcomeapplicationstoourotherfunds.Incertaincircumstances
projectsmayreceivefundingfromtheFundaswellasfromanotheroneofourfunds,but
thedecisionmakingprocessisentirelyseparate.Formoreinformationonourotherfunds
pleaseseewww.docsociety.org/funds
2. CanIapply?
Wewelcomedocumentaryfundingapplicationsfrombothnewandestablishedfilmmakers.
Ourdocumentaryfundingcansupportfeatureprojectsfromtheirearlystagesthroughto
completion,helpingfilmmakerstorealisetheirprojectsonscreen.
Weexpectapplicationsforfeaturestobemadebytheproduceronyourproject(or,ifthere
ismorethanoneproducer,theleadproducer)although,inappropriatecircumstances,we
mayconsiderapplicationsfromadirectorwithoutaseparateproducer,butonlyinthevery
earlystagesofaproject.Wearehappytofacilitateintroductionstoproducersifneeded.
Whilewedowelcomefilmsintendedformulti---platformreleaseandlookingtopushthe
boundariesofdocumentarystorytelling,weareunabletoprovidefundingforfilmed
productionssuchasatheatreshow,filmedsportingormusicevent,artistinstallationwork,
ormaterialintendedprimarilyforbroadcasttelevision.However,youmaybeeligiblefor
fundingfromTheArtsCouncilsoshouldchecktheirguidelinesforEngland
[http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding],NorthernIreland[http://www.artscouncil---ni.org/],
Scotland[http://www.creativescotland.com/][andWales[http://www.arts.wales/].
TobeeligibletoapplytotheFund,youmustbeabletotickallofthefollowingstatements
beforesubmittinganapplicationforfunding.
Myfilmisa‘singleproject’workofnon---fiction.
Theproductionbudgetisnotmorethan£5,000,000.
Myteam(producer,writeranddirector)areall18yearsofageorover.
Myapplicationisbeingmadebyorthroughacompany1registeredandcentrally
managedintheUKoranotherstateoftheEuropeanUnionorEuropeanEconomic
Area.
1 DocSocietyisnotabletoofferguidanceonsettingupacompanybutadvicecanbefoundatCompaniesHouse.
MyfilmiscapableofobtainingaBBFCcertificatewhichisnomorerestrictivethan
BBFC‘18’.
MyfilmiscapableofqualifyingforcertificationasaBritishfilmthrough:
i. Schedule1totheFilmsAct1985(TheCulturalTest)2;
ii. OneoftheUK’sofficialco---productiontreaties;or
iii. TheEuropeanConventiononCo---Production.
Ihavesecured,orcansecure,therights(includinganyunderlyingrights)intheidea
proposedandwillbeabletoprovideproofofthisatalaterstage.
IhaveconsideredhowmyprojectwillmeettheBFIDiversityStandards.
NotethatbeforetheFundcanawardfundingtoaproduction,DocSocietywillneedto
haveobtainedcomfortfromtheBFICertificationUnitthattheproductioniscapableof
achievingtheBFIDiversityStandards.
If,atthepointoffinancialclosingforthisproject,Ihavemorethan£20,000inmyBFI
LockedBox3,Iwillusetheamountover£20,000asmyownfinancialcontributionto
thisprojectandreducetheamountrequestedfromtheFundcommensurately.
Asaguide,andinordertodeterminewhetheraprojectmaybepotentiallycapableof
qualifyingasaBritishfilm,wewilllookatthefollowingmaincriteria:
• whethertheprojectissetintheUK;
• whethertheleadcontributorsareBritish;
• whetherthefilmisbasedonBritishsubjectmatterorunderlyingmaterial;
• whetherthescript(ifapplicable)isintendedtobedevelopedintheEnglishlanguage
(orinarecognisedregionalorminoritylanguage);
• whetherthereisasignificantrepresentation/reflectionofBritishculturalheritage;
2 AsummaryofhowpointsfortheCulturalTestforfilmareallocatedandfullguidanceonBritishcertification
andtaxreliefcanbefoundontheBFIwebsiteat:bfi.org.uk/film---industry/british---certification---tax---relief.
3 TheBFILockedBoxschemeisadministeredbytheBFIandprovidesforrecoupedNationalLotteryfundingonspecificprojectstobeheldinaBFILockedBoxforthebenefitofthefilmmakers(producer,writeranddirector)touseforfuturefilmmakingandtrainingactivities.FurtherinformationontheBFILockedBoxschemecanbefoundontheBFIwebsiteat:http://www.bfi.org.uk/supporting---uk---film/production---development---funding/filmmaker---benefits---bfi---locked---box
• whetherthereisasignificantrepresentationofBritishculturaldiversity;
• whetherthereisasignificantrepresentation/reflectionofBritishculturethrougha
novelandcreativeapproachtofilmmaking;
• nationalityorresidencyofthewriter(EuropeanUnionorEEA);
• nationalityorresidencyofthedirector(EuropeanUnionorEEA).
• nationalityorresidencyoftheproducer(EuropeanUnionorEEA).
Ifyouarestillunsureifyouareeligibletoapply,[email protected].
3. Fundingparameters
Wefunddocumentaryfilmmakingatallstages.Youcanapplytousatanystageinthelifeof
yourdocumentaryincludingatthecompletionstage.
Ourfundingcanonlybeacontributiontowardsthecostsofyourfilm.Wearenota
commissionerandcannotfullyfinancetheproductionofadocumentaryfilm,regardlessof
thebudget,andexpectyoutofindotherfinancetowardsthecostsoftheproject.
ThismeansthatifyouaskforfinancingfromtheFundequalto100%ofyourtotalbudget
lesstheexpectedvalueoftheUKFilmTaxCredit,wewillhavetoautomaticallyrejectyour
applicationwithoutassessingitscontents.
However,wecanfullyfundanygivenstageofaproduction.Aproductiontowhichwehave
previouslyawardedfundingmay,atsubsequentcalls,applyforfurtherfundingfromthe
Fund,solongasthecumulativetotalofthefundingthattheproductionappliesforfromthe
Fundrepresentsacontributiononlytotheproduction’stotalbudgetandnotthefull
amountofthebudget(orthebudgetlesstheexpectedvalueoftheUKFilmTaxCredit).
Aspartofyourapplicationyouwillneedtostatethetotalbudget(oranticipatedtotal
budget,ifapplyingatanearlystage)foryourfilmandtheamountyouarerequestingfrom
theFund.Asaroughguide,weareabletogiveuptoamaximumof£70---80Koverthelifeof
thefilm,soyourrequestshouldreflectyourprojectstageandanyotherfundingalready
obtainedand/oravailabletoyouforthatstage.Whileweencouragebeingeconomicalwith
budgets,wealsostillwanttoensurethattheprojectswesupportareproducedin
accordancewithallapplicableUKlaws,includinginrelationtominimumcastandcrew
payments.
WhenyoumakeanapplicationtotheFund,wewillaskyouforthefollowing:
(i) Thetotalbudget(oranticipatedtotalbudget,ifapplyingatanearlystage)
requiredtomakethedocumentary.
(ii) Afeasibledraftfinanceplan(or,ifapplyingatanearlystage,detailsofhowyou
anticipatethatthetotalbudgetwillbefinanced),includingdetailsofanyexisting
orproposedthirdpartyfinanciersthatyouarealreadyintouchwithinrelation
totheproject.
(iii) Asummarybreakdownoftheamountspenttodateandhowsuchspendhas
beenfinanced.
(iv) Acomprehensivebreakdownofthecostsinrespectofwhichyouareseeking
fundingatthisstage.
Pleasenotethat,aspartofyourfinanceplanyouwillberequiredtoincludeaninitial
calculationoftheUKtaxcredit(ifapplicable)andanyotherincentivesorsubsidiesavailable
totheproduction.
FurtherguidanceonUKfilmtaxreliefcanbefoundontheUKCreativeindustrytaxreliefs
pageoftheBFIwebsite.
Additionalfunding
Ifwefundyourprojectduringitsearlystages,wewilldiscusswithyouhowandwhenwe
mightprovidefundingforsubsequentstagesofproduction.Ifyouwishtoapplyforsuch
additionalfunding,youwillneedtocompleteanotheronlineapplicationwhichwillprovide
anuptodatesnapshotoftheprojectatthetimeofapplicationandhowtheprojecthas
developedsinceyourpreviousapplication(s).Thisapplicationshouldbemadeduringoneof
thetwoannualopencallsandyourprojectwillbeconsideredinthesamewayasother
applications.Onlyinveryexceptionalcircumstances(e.g.urgentproductionneeds),willwe
consideradditionalfundingoutsideofopencalls.
Thecriteriawewillusetodecidewhethertoprovideadditionalfundinginclude:howthe
filmhasdevelopedsinceyourpreviousapplication(s);howpreviousfundinghasbeenspent;
thequalityofcreativediscussionandcommunication;thefinanceplanandfundraising
strategy;andthepotentialaudience.
Anapplicationforadditionalfundingshouldinclude:arevisedtreatment(ifappropriate),
and(ifthesehavechangedsinceyourlastapplication)updatedbudget,financeplan,
(includingthecommercialtermsandproposedrecoupmentschedulewherethefinance
planincludesanyotherrecoupablefunds)andproductionplan.
OtherprojectssupportedbytheBFIDocSocietyFund
Producerscanmakemultiplesimultaneousapplicationsandalsohavemultipleprojectsthat
arebeingsupportedbytheFund,providedtheyhavedifferentcreativeteamsattached.
However,weexpectproducerstodemonstratethattheywillhavesufficienttimeto
dedicatetoeachprojectthatwesupport,soyoushouldbearthisinmindwhenmaking
applicationsformorethanoneproject.
Ifyouareapplyingforearly---stagefundingforyourdocumentary,pleasenotethatifwehave
anotherprojectthatisalreadyactivewiththesamedirectorattached,thismayhavea
bearingonourdecision.Ifwedodecidetoawardfunding,itmaybeheldbackorstaggered
untiltheotherprojectisnearingtheendofitsaward.
4. HowdoImakeanapplication?
Callsforapplications
Therewillbetwoopencallsforapplicationsperyear,andtheopeningandclosingdateof
eachcallforapplicationswillbepostedontheFundpageofourwebsite
(https://docsociety.org/bfi---doc),onoursocialmedia,andwillbeadvertisedinourbi---
monthlynewsletters.Eachcallwillbeopenforonemonth;applicationstotheBFIDoc
SocietyFundcanbemadeatanypointduringthemonthbeforeagivenround’sclosing
date.Wewillonlyconsiderapplicationsforfundingoutsideanopencallfromproductions
whicharealreadyreceivingfundingfromtheFund,andonlyinexceptionalcircumstances
(e.g.urgentproductionneeds).
Onlineapplication
Toapplyforfundingyouwillneedtocompleteanapplicationonline,usingouronline
applicationformathttps://apply.docsociety.org.
TheapplicationformispostedonlineinwordformatontheFundhomepage
(https://docsociety.org/bfi---doc),soyoucanprepareitofflineifyouwant.Theformispart
oftheCommonApplicationProject,aninitiativebyinternationaldocumentaryfundersto
reducetheburdenonfilmmakersbyprovidingthesameapplicationformacrossfunders.
Guidancecanbefoundathttps://www.documentary.org/funding/documentary---core---
application---project.
Whenfirstusingtheonlineapplicationformyouwillneedtocreateanaccountwhichwill
allowyourapplicationstobesavedandreviewedbeforesubmission.Youwillbeableto
accessallofyourpastonlineapplicationsandin---progressapplicationsatanypointby
loggingintoyouraccountfromanyoftheDocSocietyfundsandprogrammes.
Ifyouneedadditionalsupportusingtheapplicationformpleasecontactusat
Contentsoftheapplication
Theapplicationformconsistsofaseriesofquestionsregardingyourcompany,the
filmmakingteamandtheprojectitself.Youwillbeaskedtoincludelinkstorelevantsamples
ofthedirector’spreviousworkalongwithanyothervisualmaterialsyouthinkmightbe
relevant,e.g.trailer,selectscenesetc.
Pleaserememberthatwewillbereviewingaconsiderablenumberofapplicationsandhave
toturndownmanymoreprojectsforfundingthanweareabletosupport,soitisimportant
tomakeanimpactwithyourapplication.
Yourapplicationshouldcoverbothyourcreativeandstrategicideasfortheproject.Youwill
beaskedtocoverthefollowingareasinyourapplication:
• Yourstoryandstorystructure
• Whythistopicisimportant,timelyorrelevant.
• Howareyougoingtotellthisstory?Yourcreativevisionforthefinishedproject---its
visuallookandfeel.
• Intendeddistributionlifeforyourfilm.
• Anticipatedaudienceforyourproject,includinganyunderservedaudiences.
• Audienceengagementstrategy
• Keycreativepersonnel
• Budgetbreakdown
• Financeplan
• Awardamountrequestedandimpactofthatfunding
• Fundraisingstrategy
Speculativesubmissions
AsaNationalLotteryfundwecanonlyconsiderfundingprojectsthathavebeensubmitted
tousthroughtheformalonlineapplicationprocess.Thismeansthatwecannotaccept,or
read,informalsubmissionssubmittedbyanymeansotherthantheonlineapplication
portal.
BFILockedBox
IfyouhaveaBFILockedBox,whichisaccumulatingfundsfromotherBFIfundedprojects,
youshouldtellusthisinyourapplication.
UnderthetermsofDocSociety’sagreementwiththeBFI,Fundawardsarerecoupableby
theBFI.Subjecttoconditions,someofthoserecoupedfundsmaybeheldinaBFILocked
Boxforthebenefitofthefilmmakers(producer,writeranddirector)touseforfuture
filmmakingandtrainingactivities.ThepurposeoftheBFILockedBoxistorewardfinancial
success,ensurerevenuefromsuccessfulBFIbackedfilmsisinvesteddirectlybackintothe
Britishfilmindustry,andreducerelianceonNationalLotteryfunds.
Ifyouhave,orarelikelytohavemorethan£20,000accruedinaBFILockedBoxatthepoint
offinancialclosingofyournewfilm,wewillrequireyoutoinvestallsumsover£20,000in
theprojectaheadofadditionalfundingfromtheBFI.FurtherinformationontheBFILocked
BoxschemecanbefoundontheBFIwebsiteat:http://www.bfi.org.uk/supporting---uk---
film/production---development---funding/filmmaker---benefits---bfi---locked---box.
BFIDiversityStandards
Aspartofyourapplication,weaskyoutowriteabouthowyouintendtomeetBFIDiversity
Standards.Youshouldusethisparagraphintheapplicationtodescribeyourplansand
intentionsfordiversityinyourproject,respondingtotheBFIDiversityStandards.This
meansdetailinghowyouwilladdressindustryunder---representationinrelationtoage,
disability,gender,race,sexualorientationandsocio---economicstatus.
Ifyourplansarenotfullydevelopedatthepointofapplication,thenpleasestatethestage
youarecurrentlyatandexplainhowyouwillturnyouraimsintoactions.
Ifyourteamororganisationhasalong---standingcommitmenttodiversity,enablingyouto
meettheBFIDiversityStandardsbycontinuingyourcurrentpractice,yourapplication
shouldoutlinehowyouwillbuildonpastachievementsandshowleadershiptothewider
industry.
SuccessfulapplicantswillberequiredtosubmitanEqualityMonitoringReportbeforefinal
creditsignoff.Thiswillrequestinformationonthecontributorstoyourprojectandwillbe
usedtomeasuresuccessagainsttheBFIDiversityStandards.Projectsachievingahighlevel
ofgoodpracticewillbeabletodisplaytheScreenDiversitymarkofgoodpracticeintheend
creditstoadvertisetotheindustryandaudiencesthecontributionthattheirfilmhasmade
tosectordiversity.
TheinformationprovidedbyapplicantswithinboththeirDiversityStandardsandEquality
Monitoringformswillbeanonymisedandusedtohelpinformfuturefundingdecisions,
researchandstrategy.
Environmentalsustainability
Thereisanincreasingrecognitionthatenvironmentalsustainabilityneedstobeplacedat
theheartofallouractivity.Asadistributorofpublicfundsweaskyoutoconsiderhowyour
productionmightcontributetothis.
Whilewedonotaskyoutodetailenvironmentalsustainabilityatapplicationstage,you
shouldbeaware,beforeyouapply,thatitisarequirementofourfunding.
TheBAFTAalbertcertificationschemeandcarboncalculatorintroducesgreenerwaysof
workingforfilmproductions,allowingteamstomeasuretheireffortsinmitigatingtheir
film’simpactontheenvironment.
Starratings,determinedbytherangeandeffectivenessofgreeninitiativesimplemented,
areawardedtoproductionsfortheirsustainableproductiontechniquesandachieving
carbonreduction.
Startingatthepre---productionstage,teamscanworkthrougharangeofideasand
suggestionsfromabespokechecklist,decidewhichaspectsworkforthem,andthenput
themintopractice.Toensuretheratingsystemisrobustandmeaningful,eachactionmust
besupportedwithevidenceorotherauditableinformationtoverifytheprocess.
Productionsshouldfollowthesecoreprinciples:
• Seektoreducethenegativeenvironmentalimpactoffilmproductionwherever
possible
• Shareandembedsustainablevaluesandbehaviourwithcast,crewandtheirsupply
chain
• Promotesustainableproductiontocolleagueswithintheproductionandacrossthe
widerindustry.
• AllproductionsinreceiptofBFIfundingarerequiredtocompleteandsubmitan
albertreportandcarboncalculatortousattheendoftheproduction:
https://calc.wearealbert.org/uk/.
Tohelpyouachievethis,BAFTAalbertdeliversfreecarbonliteracytrainingtounderstand
climatechange,theenvironmentalimpactsoffilmproduction,howtocalculatethecarbon
footprintofyourfilm,andunderstandwhatactionscanbetakentocreateamore
sustainableproduction.Weencourageatleastonepersonfromyourteamtoattendoneof
thesesessions.Pleasecheckhereforupcomingtrainingdates:
http://wearealbert.org/help/get---trained.
5. Whathappenstomyapplication?
Weaimtoreviewapplicationsastransparentlyandefficientlyaspossible.Onceyouhave
submittedyourapplication,wewillconfirmbyemailthatithasbeenreceivedandaunique
IDnumberwillbeassignedtotheapplication.Youshouldreceivethisacknowledgment
withintwoweeksofthedeadlineforsubmissions.
Eligibility
Wewillcheckthatyourapplicationiseligibleforfunding,usingthecriteriaidentified
previouslyinSection2:CanIapply?Ifitisineligible,wewillsendyouanemailtoinform
youthatyourapplicationwillnotbeprogressingfurther.Anincompleteapplicationwillbe
consideredineligible.Ifincompletenessistheonlyreasonforrejectingyourapplicationwe
maycontactyouandaskyoutosubmitacompleteapplication.However,dopleasedouble
checkthatyourapplicationiscompletebeforepressingsubmit!
Ifyourapplicationiseligible,itwillprogresstotheAssessmentstage.
Assessment
AninitialassessmentoftheapplicationwillbemadebytheDocSocietyreadingteam,who
haveexperiencereadingacrossourotherfilmfunds.Projectswillbeassessedontheir
creativevisionandtheperceivedabilityoftheteamtodeliverthatvision.Criteriawill
includestrengthofstoryandcharactersandtheculturalandsocialresonanceandambitions
oftheproject.Weareprimarilyinterestedinstoriesthatpushtheboundariesofnon---fiction
filmmaking,withanemphasisondistinctivenessofvoiceandperspective.
Assessmentwillalsotakeintoaccount:
• Whetheryourfinancialideasarereasonableandappropriateforyourproject.
• HowyouhavemanagedanypreviousBFIDocSocietyFundfundingyouhave
received.
• HowyourprojectsitsinthemixofotherfilmsthattheFundhasalreadysupported,
givenourcommitmenttoregionalityanddiversity.
Secondstageofassessment
Inthesecondstageofassessment,applicationsarereviewedbyDocSocietyexecutivesand
aexternalpanelofindustryexperts,whowillbeselectedonthebasisoftheirdocumentary
experienceandvettedforanypotentialconflictofinterest.Theexpertswillprovidetheir
viewsandcommentswhichwillbetakenintoaccountwhendrawingupashortlist.
Dependingontheoutcomeofthisreview,wemaysendyouan“EmailofInterest”,inviting
youtoameetingtodiscussyourprojectfurther,includingyourbudget(foreachstageof
fundingyourequirefromtheFundandyouroverallbudget).
Dependingontheoutcomeofthismeeting,andfollowingfurtherinternaldiscussionyour
applicationmaybesubmittedtotheFundCommittee.
FundCommitteeconsideration
TheFundCommitteeiscomprisedoftheFundexecutives,arepresentativeoftheBFI,and
DocSocietyexecutivedirectors.TheFundCommitteewilldecidewhethertoawardfunding
toanapplication.
Successfulandunsuccessfulapplicantswillbeinformedbyemailofourdecisionsassoon
aspossible.Ourdecisiononwhetherwewishtosupportyourprojectisfinal.
Timelinesummary
DeadlinesforthesubmissionofapplicationsarelistedonDocSociety’swebsite.
Stage Timefromdeadlineforapplications
EmailAcknowledgementofyourapplicationWithin14daysofsubmission
EmailofInterestordeclinationWithin8weeksofapplicationdeadline
FinalDecisionsmadeWithin9weeksofapplicationdeadline
ApplicationsforadditionalfundingmadeoutsideanopenCallshouldbeconfirmedwithin
fiveweeksofourreceivingthem.
Feedback
Weaimtomaketheapplicationprocessasfairandtransparentaspossible,butasaresult
ofthevolumeofapplicationswereceive,wedonothavetheresourcestoprovidedetailed
feedbackonprojectswherewehavenotrequestedameeting.
Inthesecircumstances,wewillsendyouastandardrejectionemailandthedocumentation
heldonfilefortheassessmentoftheseprojectswillsimplystate,“reject”.
Ifwehavemetwithyoutodiscussyourprojectandthendeclinedit,wewillprovidesome
feedbackandofferconstructiveadviceonhowbesttoproceedwithyourproject.
Weareonlyabletosupportaverysmallpercentageoftheapplicationswereceivesohave
tosay‘no’farmoreoftenthanweareabletosay‘yes’.
Ifyouhaveconstructivefeedbackontheapplicationprocesspleasedocontactuson
[email protected]’dlovetohearfromyou!
Resubmission
ResubmissionscanbemadetotheFundforprojectsthatithaspreviouslydeclined,butyour
projectwillhaveagreaterchanceofacceptancethesecondtimeroundif:
• Thereisasubstantialandsignificantchangeinelements,or
• Wehavedirectlyrecommendedfurtherdevelopmentontheproject.Ifyoumeetoneoftheabovecriteriaandsubmitanewapplicationforthesameproject,pleaseensure
thatyouclearlyidentifytherevisedelementsoftheprojectinthenewapplication.
6.Successfulapplications
Ifyourapplicationissuccessful,youwillbemadeanofferoffunding.
AsthefundingisaninvestmentofNationalLotteryfunds,thereareanumberoftermsand
conditionswhichwillautomaticallyapplyandwillbereflectedinafundingagreementthat
youwillberequiredtoenterintowithus.Thesetermsandconditionswillincludethe
following:
1. WewillpaythefundingonlytoalimitedcompanyregisteredintheUK(eitherasa
companyincorporatedintheUKorincorporatedintheEuropeanUnionorEuropean
EconomicAreaandregisteredasabranchintheUK).
2. Thefundingwillberecoupableandanysuchrecoupmentwillbepaiddirectlytothe
BFI.
3. TheBFICorridorwillapplytothefunding.Thisisa25%shareoftheamountofthe
fundingrecoupedbytheBFIuntiltheBFIhasrecouped50%ofthefunding,risingto
50%oftheamountofthefundingrecoupedbytheBFIuntiltheBFIhasrecouped100%
ofthefunding.ThiscorridorofrevenuesispayableintoaLockedBoxbankaccountheld
bytheBFIforthebenefitoftheUKproductioncompany,writer(ifapplicable)and
directorofthefilmwhomaydraw---downthosefundsandspendthemondevelopment
orproductionoffilmprojects,oronstaffskillstraining,subjecttocertainconditions.
4. TheBFIsupportstheUKproductioncompanybeingentitledtorecoupanamountequal
totheUKTaxCreditadvanceincludedinthefinalfinanceplanforthefilm(subjecttoa
capoftheactualamountoftheUKTaxCreditproceeds,iflower).Thisisknownasthe
UKTaxCreditEntitlement,anditwillonlybeavailabletotheUKproductioncompanyif
theotherrecoupingfinanciersofthefilmagree.Ifavailable,theUKTaxCredit
Entitlementwillbepayable,eitheralongsideor(ifrequiredbytheotherrecouping
financiersofthefilm)aftertheBFI’srecoupmentofthefunding,intotheLockedBoxfor
thesolebenefitoftheUKproductioncompany,whomaydraw---downthosefundsfor
futuredevelopmentorproductionactivity,oronstaffskillstraining,subjectto
conditions.
FurtherinformationontheBFI’sLockedBoxschemeisavailableontheBFIwebsiteat:
http://www.bfi.org.uk/supporting---uk---film/production---development---
funding/filmmaker---benefits---bfi---locked---box.InordertoaccessanymoniesheldinaBFI
LockedBoxinrespectofyourproject,thefilmmakerswillberequiredtoenterintoa
standardformentitlementagreementwiththeBFI.
5. AproportionateshareoffinanciernetprofitswillalsobepayabletotheBFIinrespect
ofthefunding.
6. Youwillberequiredtoincludeourstandardanimatedorstatic(atourdiscretion)logos
andpresentationcreditsatthestartofthefilm,aswellascertainclosingcreditsand
logosattheendofthefilm,whichwillincludespecificreferencetotheNational
Lottery.TheFundmayrequestanExecutiveProducercreditattheproducer’s
discretion.
7. Youwillberequiredtoclearworldwiderightsinallmediainperpetuityfromall
individualsororganisationswhoarecontributingto,orwhosematerialistobe
featuredin,thefilm(saveonlyformusicpublicperformancerights).
8. TheFundmaywithdrawanyofferoffundingifithasreasonableconcernsrelatingto
thetermsofanythirdpartyfinance.
9. YouwillberequiredtopaytheSIFlevyof0.5%ofthefilm’sUKcoreexpenditure
(subjecttotheSIFcap).
10. Youwillbeexpectedtoputinplaceallcustomaryproductioninsurances(including
errorsandomissionsinsurance)onwhichDocSocietymustbeanamedinsuredandthe
BFImustbeanadditionalinsured.
11. Youwillberequiredtoprovidecertaindeliverymaterials,includingspecificdisability
accessmaterials,totheBFI,thecostsofwhichmustbeincludedinthebudgetofthe
film.Theusualcostofcreatingtherequireddisabilityaccessmaterialsis
approximately£4,000.
12. Allrevenuesforthefilmmustbecollectedbyanindependentcollectionagent,andthe
productionand/orthesalesagentforthefilm(asapplicable)willberequiredtodirect
alldistributorsanddirectexhibitorsofthefilmtopayallsumsderivedfromthe
exploitationofthefilm(including,withoutlimitation,allminimumguaranteesand
overages)directlytothecollectionaccountestablishedbythecollectionagent.
13. TheFundwillrequirecertainconsultationandapprovalrightsoveryourfilm,which
maycover(dependingonwhatstagesoftheprojectthatwefund)thetermsofall
otherfinance,theidentityandtermsofappointmentofthesalesagentand
distributors,andallkeyproductionandfinancialdocumentsrelatingtothefilm.
14. Youwillneedtoestablishcleartitletoyourprojecti.e.demonstrateyouhaveorcan
acquirealltherightsnecessarytoproduceandexploitthefilm.
15. IfyoudeliveryourfilmwithinbudgettheFundwillsupportyouinbeingabletoreceive
upto50%ofanyproductionunderspendafterpaymenttoanyUKTaxCreditfunderof
anamountequaltothereductionintheUKTaxCreditasaresultoftheunderspend.
16. Youwillberequiredtoensurethatyourfilmisproducedinaccordancewiththe
requirementsofallunionsandguildshavingjurisdictionandwithallapplicablelaws
andstatutes.
17. Youwillberequiredtoensurethatanyagreementforthedistributionofyourfilmin
theUKprovidesfortheavailabilityofsoft---subtitlingandaudio---descriptionmaterialsin
cinemasandonanyvideo---on---demand,DVDorBlu---raydiscreleaseofthefilm.
18. TheFundwillnotreleaseanyfundinguntilitissatisfiedthatyouhavecompliedwith
certainconditionsassetoutintheagreement.
19. TheFundmayholdback10%ofitsfundinguntildeliverytoDocSocietyand,where
applicable,theBFIofspecifieddeliverymaterials.Inthecaseoffinalstagefunding,
thesewillincludedisabilityaccessmaterials(andaletterfromtheUKdistributoror
salesagent(ifattached)confirmingreceiptofthesame),anEqualityMonitoringReport
(whichhelpsDocSocietytomeasureagainsttheBFIDiversityStandardsformthatyou
submitted),aBAFTAalbertreportandcarboncalculatorandafinalauditedcostreport
certifiedbyanindependentauditor.
20. Ourfundingmustbepaidintoaseparatededicatedproductionaccountinthenameof
theproductionentity.
21. TheFundwillexpecttobeprovidedwithinformationabouttheprogressofthe
production.
22. TheFundwillhaveconsultationrightsovertheassemblyandallcutsofthefilm.
23. Youwillberequiredtodeliveragainsttheundertakingsmadebyyouinrelationtothe
BFIDiversityStandards.Failuretodeliveragainstthoseundertakingswithoutgood
causemayaffectyourabilitytoreceivefutureprojectfundingfromtheFund.
24. Thefundingagreementwillincludestandardterminationprovisions.
7. Ourcommitmenttoyou
Whenwefundyourfilmwecomeonboardascollaborators,partnersandyourbiggest
champion.Weseeourroleasthe“friendofthefilmmaker”andtheteamherebeingat
yourservice;whetheryouneedhelpnegotiatingwithotherfunders,workonyourbudget,
connectingtofestivalsandsalesagentsorhelpcraftingyouroutreachstrategy.
OurgoalfortheFundwillbetoensurestrongrepresentationofUKdocumentary
internationally,enablingandempoweringadiverserangeofBritishfilmmakerstodeliver
thebestandmostcreativenon---fictionfilmsandgettheminfrontofaudiencesglobally.
Allofthisisincludedaspartofourinvestment,aswellasfirstclasscreativeinputand
editorialfeedback.
ThisapproachensuresthateverysingleBFIDocSocietyFundsupportedprojecthasthebest
possibleopportunitytoaggregatesufficientresourcesandfindaudiencesbothathomeand
abroad.
8. NationalLotteryFundingGeneralConditions
1. Theinformationintheseguidelinescanchange.ThelawandGovernmentregulations
ondistributingNationalLotteryfundsmayalsochange.DocSocietythereforereserves
therighttoreviewthisfundingschemeand/orchangeitspolicies,proceduresand
assessmentcriteria.
2. TheapplicationformdoesnotnecessarilycoveralltheinformationtheDocSociety
usestodecidewhichapplicationstofund.DocSocietycanaskapplicantsforextra
information.
3. Allapplicationsaremadeattheapplicant’sownrisk.DocSocietywillnotbeliablefor
loss,damageorcostsarisingdirectlyorindirectlyfrom:
• theapplicationprocess;
• DocSociety’sdecisionnottoprovideanawardtoanapplicant;or
• dealingwiththeapplication.
4. Pleasecheckyourapplicationformcarefully.DocSocietywillnotprocessapplications
whichareincompleteorwhichdonotcomplywiththeseguidelines.
5. DocSociety’sdecisionsonapplicationsarefinal.
6. DocSocietywillnotpayanyfundinguntilithasreceivedafullyexecutedcopyofthe
fundingagreementandanyconditionsprecedenttothatagreementhavebeen
satisfiedorwaivedbyDocSociety.
7. DocSocietywillpubliciseinformationonthenumberofapplicationsitreceivesand
theawardsmade.Thisinformationwillincludethenameofthesuccessfulapplicant,
awardamount,projectnameandprojectdetails.
8. TheFreedomofInformationAct2000givesmembersofthepublictherighttorequest
certaininformationheldbyDocSociety.Thisincludesinformationheldinrelationto
applicationstoDocSociety’sNationalLotteryfundingprogrammesorschemes.
ThereforeifyouchoosetoapplytoDocSocietyyoushouldbeawarethatthe
informationyousupply,eitherinwholeorinpart,maybedisclosedunderthe
FreedomofInformationAct.
9. AconflictofinterestariseswhereaboardmemberoremployeeofanyDocSociety
entity(DocSociety,DocSocietyCharitableTrust,DocSocietyInc.),orpersons
connectedtoanyofthese,orfamilymembersofanyofthese,maystandtobenefit
financiallyifanapplicationtotheFundsucceeds.Thisinteresthastobedeclaredin
applicationsfromsuchapplicants.TherelevantBoardmemberoremployeewillnot
beinvolvedinassessingtheapplicationorthedecisiontomakeanaward,andDoc
SocietywillnotifytheBFIofanysuchconflictofinterest.Applicantsareadvisednotto
trytoinfluencethesuccessoftheirapplicationbyapproachingaboardmemberor
employee.
10. Itisimportantthatapplicantscarefullychecktheinformationgivenintheapplication
form.DocSocietywillbeentitledtowithholdorreclaimanawardinthefollowing
circumstances:
• iftheapplicationwasfilledindishonestlyorwithincorrectormisleading
informationabouttheorganisationortheprojectwhetherdeliberatelyor
accidentally;and
• iftheawardrecipientactsdishonestlyornegligentlytothedisadvantageofthe
project.
DocSocietywillfollowupcasesofsuspectedfraudandwillpassinformationtothe
police.
11. DocSocietyrequiresthatanymeasurestakenbyapplicantstoaddress
underrepresentationarefullyincompliancewiththeEqualityAct2010–seemoreat
www.equalityhumanrights.com.
12. ComplaintsandAppeals:DocSociety’sdecisionisfinal.Inevitablyapplicationswillbe
turneddownandapplicantsmaybedisappointedbythisresult.Formalappeals
againstthefinaldecisionwillnotbeconsideredunlesstheapplicanthasgoodcauseto
believethattheproceduresforprocessingtheapplicationswerenotadheredto,or
appliedinsuchawayastoprejudicetheoutcomeoftheapplication.AcopyofDoc
Society’sComplaintsandAppealsprocedurecanbeobtainedonrequestbyemailing
[email protected]“Complaint”.
RecognitionoftheNationalLottery:
TheFunddistributes‘goodcause’NationalLotteryFunding.Weaskallofourpartnersand
awardrecipientstoincreasethevisibilityoftheNationalLotteryby:
• PromotingandproudlydisplayingtheNationalLotterylogo;and
• Warmlyandenergeticallyfindingwaystogetallbeneficiariestospreadtheword.
Itisthereforeanimportantconditionofthisfundingthatthesourceofthefunding(being
theNationalLottery)isprominentlyacknowledgedthroughconspicuoususeoftheFund
logos,whichincludereferencetotheNationalLotteryandthroughagreedverbaland
writtenacknowledgement.Alsothatpartnersandbeneficiariestakefrequentopportunities
tohighlightnotjustthefactofthefundingbutwhyitisfundedandthereforethegoodwork
thatispossiblethroughtheNationalLottery.
