BFI and DCMS support 24 more companies through UK Global Screen Fund

The BFI has made 24 new awards through its UK Global Screen Fund, supporting international opportunities for the UK’s independent screen sector. Financed through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the awards see a further £2,148,688 being allocated through the £7m per year fund’s International Business Development strand.

Financial support will provide 24 companies from all over the UK with funding via one of two tracks:

• Film Transformation, for internationally-focused transformational business strategies related to independent UK films, with strategies spanning three to five years
• General, for business strategies to create, acquire and/or exploit intellectual property (IP) across film, TV, animation, documentary and interactive narrative video games, with strategies spanning three years

The funding, awarded in the form of non-repayable grants and ranging between £50,000 and £144,000 in total over the three to five year period, is focused on helping companies achieve new international business partnerships, enhance their profile and reach in the global marketplace, and increase revenue generation through export and international expansion.

“Our immensely talented independent film, TV and video game companies have made a huge contribution towards British screen industries’ success on the global stage,” said Creative Industries Minister John Whittingdale. “Through this funding we are helping them grow their businesses, create jobs and export their creativity around the world – for the enjoyment of audiences and the benefit of the UK economy.”  

“This latest round of awards demonstrates the quality and diversity of our incredible independent screen sector, spanning film, TV, animation and games, across the UK,” added Denitsa Yordanova. “The ambition of these companies in developing truly global growth strategies, and in striving to reach new international audiences, is so exciting to see, demonstrating opportunities for further growth. It is so important that we continue to build on the UK’s strength in the global content marketplace, investing to support the screen sector in reaching its full potential.”  

“We at Wild Child are delighted to be a named as a recipient of the UK Global Screen Fund’s international business development awards,” commented Ken Anderson of Wild Child Animation. “The support will be a significant boost to our plans for the next three years, accelerating and underpinning critical expansion into the US and Global markets both as a premium animation service provider and as a producer of original content. We will be making some announcements in the coming months with regards to key roles within the business, now made possible thanks to the support of this crucial funding.”

“The UK Global Screen Fund allows us to self-publish The Pirate Queen and bring an important and powerful story of one of history’s forgotten legends to life,” said Eloise Singer of Singer Studios. “We are immensely grateful for the support and look forward to continuing to grow as a company, developing innovative and enlightening experiences to share with audiences around the world.”

UK Global Screen Fund applications are now open for:

• International Business Development, closing on 6 July
• International Distribution Festival Launch Support, assessed on a rolling basis
• International Distribution Film Sales Support, assessed on a rolling basis

The next round of UK Global Screen Fund international co-production funding will open on 3 August.

Companies to receive UK Global Screen Fund International Business Development awards, via the Film Transformation track, are: 

Barry Crerar Ltd ( barry crerar )

Support towards a key hire to identify international talent and IP opportunities, together with some early development costs. The Glasgow-based film production company is committed to producing underseen stories that inspire, provoke and entertain, prioritising female and under-represented voices both in front and behind the camera. Credits include Girl, Nobody Has to Know & Run. 

Cornerstone Films  

Support towards the company’s new film production joint venture, Genstone, to build out a feature film slate with international appeal. The leading UK film sales agent aims to transform its business model, acquiring and developing IP with a focus on high concept stories with universal themes and marketable elements that reflect minority experiences and traditional underdog stories.

It’s A Lot Limited 

Support towards the development of an online platform for the marketing and distribution of own titles, targeting under-represented film audiences internationally, with a focus on youth and global majority audiences. The company, trading as Fan Studios, shines a light on subcultural movements in London’s music, fashion and art scenes and has produced titles including It’s A Lot, The Intent, The Intent 2: The Come Up, Against All Odds and Trapping.

Together Films 

Support towards the company’s new sales arm, focused on acquiring international sales rights to films (both scripted & documentary) with urgent and relevant social impact themes, as well as attendance at key international markets. Recent credits include impact strategy and campaigns for Battleground (2022, Tribeca), Fashion Reimagined (2022, Tribeca), To The End (2022, Sundance), Unrest (2017, Sundance), The Tale (2018, Sundance), and upcoming In Camera, selected for this year’s Great 8 showcase at Cannes.

We Are Parable 

Support towards key hires to help develop the company’s international film distribution strategy for films made by Black British talent in international markets including Jamaica, Kenya, Trinidad and Tobago and North America, as well as some travel to international film markets. The company’s central focus is on nationwide and international film exhibition and it provides unique opportunities for global majority audiences worldwide to experience and engage with cinema creators in culturally relevant ways.

Companies to receive UK Global Screen Fund International Business Development awards, via the General track, are: 

ALT Animation  

Support towards a key hire to build out the company’s development slate, as well as the research and development of innovative production pipelines and staff training to further enhance their international competitiveness. The Northern Irish animation studio, focused on delivering exciting and engaging animated content for audiences of all ages, is currently developing its reputation in the global market as a reliable co-production partner whilst continuing to develop its own slate of animated projects for both TV and cinema. Recent credits include Mimi’s World for Milkshake! in the UK and the Irish co-production Sullivan Sails for RTE and De Agostini.

Brightrock Games  

Support towards marketing and localisation costs for the release of the company’s new game, Galacticare, in a number of key international markets identified as having the highest potential to make the biggest impact in boosting sales. The UK independent game studio based in Brighton, has a multinational core team of 16 people. Initially a small gathering of modders, enthusiasts and gamers, the group first set their sights on debuting their first game, War for the Overworld, on PC, Mac and Linux in April 2015.

Caledonia TV Productions 

Support towards the hire of key resources to help boost the company’s international growth strategy, with a focus on increasing its slate’s international appeal, particularly in the Asian market. The independent Scottish company has produced and co-produced hundreds of hours of award winning factual programming for UK channels and international broadcasters, with credits including After Braveheart, Waterloo’s Warriors and The Father of Australia.

Candour Productions

Support towards a key hire dedicated to growing the company’s international slate and profile, establishing a presence in the international marketplace, building new business partnerships and revenue streams, and exploiting new global opportunities. The Leeds-based, female-led company, develops quality UK projects for global audiences with credits including Catching a Killer, Cause of Death and Libby Are You Home Yet?, BAFTA nominated for Best Factual Series in this year’s awards.

Coffee Box Games, trading as Bellular Studios

Support towards a key hire alongside investment into audio hardware to allow the company to further develop its YouTube marketing strategy for original IP games, such as The Pale Beyond. The Northern Irish company originally developed the World of Warcraft mod ‘Wow Tales’, before moving on to own IP game development work.

Firecrest Films  

Support towards a growth strategy to boost the company’s slate of premium factual content, developing internationally-compelling content and building relationships with international broadcasters and talent. The Scottish company won a major three-part Amazon series commission last year, Three Mothers, Two Babies and a Scandal, which debuted in November to critical acclaim, and is also behind ob doc series Rescue: Extreme Medics which returns to Channel 4 from Monday 15 May.

Huey Games  

Support towards a key hire to help the company boost their current and upcoming slate with an internationally appealing art style, raising further funding for their own IP games and increasing international sales. The award-winning video game developer, based in the North West, recently started developing games using their own IP in-house on all major platforms, working on titles including Wreck Out, Hyper Sentinel and Mechinus.

Kaizen Game Works  

Support towards the localisation of game content for international markets, business development and IP development, as well as key marketing materials for the release of upcoming games in international markets. The company’s first game, Paradise Killer, was released in September 2020, winning several high-profile gaming awards, including the PC Gamer Best Adventure Game of 2020 and nominations for the IGF Grand Prize 2020.

Good Gate Media 

Support towards the development of a new software and production pipeline for the company’s games to increase its international attractiveness and competitiveness as a studio. The Cardiff-based company has to date specialised in full-motion video (FMV) games, including The Complex and Five Dates, and with this support is migrating into the wider story-game market.

Italic Pig 

Support towards the development of internationally-focused own IP games alongside strategic consultancy to attract additional funding and boost the company’s international sales and profile. The game development company, based in Northern Ireland, will release Paleo Pines with Modus Games later this year.

Last Conker 

Support towards a key hire to help bolster the company’s slate and its international appeal. The independent film and television company, producing long-form projects with under-represented talent, is helmed by BFI Vision Award producer and Screen International Star of Tomorrow Chi Thai who has credits including Little Miss Sumo, The Promise and most recently, Raging Grace (written and directed by Paris Zarcilla) which was awarded the top honours of the Narrative Grand Jury Prizes for Best Film in Competition and Best Debut at SXSW this year.

Paradox House   

Support towards a key hire in addition to early development costs, increasing the company’s capacity to generate new IP aimed at international audiences. Upcoming film and TV content produced by the company over the last twelve months is being distributed by Amazon, BBC and Universal.

Plug-In Media 

Support towards key roles in content development and production, as well as translation and dubs to localise the company’s successful original IP, Tee and Mo, into three languages. The production company, which creates interactive entertainment and linear TV content for children and families, first launched Tee and Mo as web games in 2014 and has since expanded the IP across multiple platforms, including two apps, an album of music, nine animated shorts (including the BAFTA-winning Help Our Little World),  a successful Youtube channel, and two animated TV series for CBeebies and TVO.

Singer Interactive  

Support towards two key hires to develop the publishing arm of the company and to design and execute marketing, publishing and showcasing strategies for the company’s games. The female-led production company and creative studio has achieved critical acclaim with its debut VR game, The Pirate Queen, which won Raindance Film Festival’s Discovery Award: Best Debut and was nominated for Best Immersive Game. Their second title, Mrs. Benz, premiered at the Venice Film Festival and was nominated for The Three Lions award. The next instalment of The Pirate Queen has been commissioned into an AAA title by Meta and will have its world premiere at Tribeca in June.

Slug Disco Studios  

Support towards key community management hires, alongside localisation and promotion related to the release of the company’s current game Empires of the Undergrowth in East and Southeast Asia, as well as future games releases in the region.

Snafu Pictures 

Support towards a key hire to oversee a project slate for international sales, as well as some travel to international markets and marketing materials. The production company, which specialises in developing and producing animated series and feature films, has secured development and commission for Bad Dinosaurs, a Netflix animated series due to launch in Spring 2024.

The Bureau 

Support towards a key hire and towards optioning IP to grow the company’s independent, internationally-focused premium IP slate, allowing the company to grow its international film sales and reputation in the High End TV space. Credits include The Warrior, 45 Years, After Love, Supernova and, most recently, The Strays for Netflix. 

Vertigo Releasing  

Support towards a key hire and distribution costs related to expanding Vertigo’s successful distribution of UK films in the US market. The company, whose business strategy has been focused on embracing digital technology and the growth of digital platforms, has a reputation for creating strong theatrical-led campaigns that focus on UK content, including Benediction, Boiling Point and Censor.

Wild Child Animation   

Support towards key hires to raise the company’s profile and network in the US and to develop its slate, pitching projects with international potential to worldwide partners. The Scottish animation company currently has a slate of eight animated TV projects to develop and produce, ranging from preschool through to 6-12 years and up to young adult. Credits include multi-award winning series’ The Brilliant World of Tom Gates and Hushabye Lullaby, and Toad & Friends, now airing on Cartoonito in South Africa.