The BFI National Lottery Innovation Challenge Fund has awarded £200,000 to the British Screen Forum, in partnership with the University of Exeter and Goldsmiths, University of London, to develop sustainable solutions addressing persistent data gaps in the UK independent film sector. The project aims to provide more robust insights into the industry, ultimately boosting investment and profitability for UK film companies.
Through this initiative, the British Screen Forum will establish partnerships and systems to explore innovative ways of sharing and reporting film and company data while respecting privacy, commercial sensitivities, and business models. The project will deliver two pilot case studies. The first will focus on data sharing between distributors and exhibitors, offering new insights on films and audiences to improve targeting and optimise marketing strategies.
The second pilot will develop a new database capturing commercial film performance, balancing privacy and sensitivity with useful detail. This database aims to identify revenue-maximising strategies and clarify sector value for financiers and investors, helping producers and companies make informed decisions.
Rishi Coupland, BFI Executive Director of Industry Development & Innovation, highlighted that independent film remains a vital part of UK culture. With changing audience behaviours and diverse viewing motivations, the BFI is committed to supporting both production and research. This project builds on that commitment, exploring how new data can help UK film companies find audiences and secure investment.
Pete Johnson, Chief Executive of British Screen Forum, emphasized that lack of access to data has long hindered investment and profit in the sector. The pilot project, guided by experts from the partner universities, seeks to unlock data insights that can stimulate equity investment and increase revenues throughout the film value chain.
The BFI National Lottery Innovation Challenge Fund, part of the BFI’s 2023-2026 National Lottery Funding Plan, supports innovative solutions to critical challenges in the UK screen sector. Between 2024 and 2026, up to £1.8 million will be distributed across up to five challenges to help not-for-profit organisations innovate and share insights across the sector. The first calls have focused on video games, AI for screen archives, and EDI data collection for film production, with £2.55 million available for multiple challenges under the 2026-2029 funding plan.
