The BFI has announced the appointment of Isabel Davis as director of the BFI National Lottery Filmmaking Funds, a “crucial role in the BFI’s mission to create conditions for a culturally vibrant, inclusive and economically successful UK independent film sector”.
Davis will provide “strategic leadership and vision” for the BFI National Lottery Filmmaking Funds and work with a range of UK and international partners and stakeholders to “identify interventions that strengthen the UK independent film ecosystem”.
Davis joins the BFI in October 2026 for a five-year fixed term after eight years as executive director of Screen Scotland, where she has “championed the Scottish screen industry and been central to its transformation and growth”, the BFI revealed.
“With a proven strategic track record of delivering tangible change, including securing additional funding for film, Davis brings a valuable UK wide perspective to the role.”
Davis takes over from Mia Bays, the outgoing director of the Filmmaking Fund, who has led the Fund since October 2021.
During this time, Bays has launched a reshaped BFI Filmmaking Fund as part of the BFI’s 10 year strategy BFI Screen Culture 2033.
She has also overseen BFI-backed features winning the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for two consecutive years (Kneecap in 2025 and My Father’s Shadow in 2026) and a BFI-backed short winning the 2026 BAFTA for Best British Short Animation (Two Black Boys in Paradise).
Davis said: “I’m honoured to be stepping into this role at a time when this public funding is critical to building a successful future for UK film and the public value it represents.
“It’s a challenging moment for UK independent film, economically and structurally. But audience appetite for great stories, and for the communal experience of cinema-going, is strikingly resurgent and our filmmaking talent continues to be among the world’s best.
“Enabling filmmakers to produce work that connects with a broad range of audiences across the UK – through ambition, inventiveness and heart – has to be at the core of our response. Daunting, yes, but exciting too.”
She added: “My excitement is tempered only by sadness at leaving Scotland, which I’ve been lucky enough to call home for much of my adult life including through the creative upswing of the past eight years.
“Huge thanks to my Screen Scotland teammates, whose talent, hard work and good nature serve our industry, audiences and young people to such positive effect, and to our colleagues at Creative Scotland for their support.
“I’ll bring my experience in Scotland to this role, and with it a truly UK-wide perspective on the BFI’s support of independent film. So Scotland hasn’t seen the last of me – nor indeed have Northern Ireland, Wales and the English regions.”
Ben Roberts, BFI CEO, added: “Isabel is tenacious when it comes to doing the right thing for UK independent film and filmmakers.
“This is such a huge job, a cornerstone of UK independent film, and Isabel brings experience, passion, and a national and a global outlook, and a firm commitment to fairness and public service. She will be an asset to the film community and the BFI.”
