adminBFI game funding is expanding, with five independent studios among the latest recipients of International Business Development (IBD) awards and a new grant stream for game release campaigns. The measures are part of wider support for UK companies seeking to grow internationally and reach new audiences.
Image credit: Dlala Studios
What the BFI game funding includes
The British Film Institute (BFI) has awarded a total of £2.07 million through the latest IBD round across the screen sector. Five UK independent games companies are included. The non-recoupable grants range from £50,000 to £200,000 and are intended to support business strategies, international growth and intellectual property development.
For studios planning to apply for similar support, it is useful to set out how proposed spending connects to a clear business goal, such as developing original IP, building publishing capacity or reaching overseas markets.
Games companies receiving IBD awards
- Dlala Studios: Plans to hire a head of quality assurance, broaden its development pipeline and concentrate on original IP games.
- Draknek & Friends: Will recruit a publishing manager and increase marketing activity as it grows its puzzle-game publishing business.
- Friday Sundae: Intends to hire an international marketing manager, a community manager and a localisation producer. The appointments will support international expansion and original narrative games.
- INCISIV: The Irish-based, female-founded studio plans to hire a marketing assistant to manage influencer relationships and support international sales of its immersive titles.
- Newfangled Games: Will use its award to hire a business development lead, with a focus on international sales and partnerships.
The planned roles show how funding can support more than game production alone. Business development, localisation, community management and quality assurance can all contribute to a studio’s ability to prepare for wider markets.
New Video Games Release funding stream
Alongside the IBD awards, the UK Global Screen Fund (UKGSF) has opened the Video Games Release funding stream. It is designed to help UK game developers with marketing, promotion and localisation costs linked to a release campaign. Grants of up to £50,000 are available, and applications are open and assessed on a rolling basis.
Because applications are considered on a rolling basis, developers may want to plan their release schedule and identify relevant campaign costs early. Check the fund’s current guidance for application requirements and eligibility before preparing a submission.
Wider UK Global Screen Fund support
The UKGSF is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Its annual budget is rising from £7 million to more than £18 million under the 2026–2029 strategic plan. In April, the fund also introduced the Challenger award, offering £50,000 and an optional mentorship component for earlier-stage screen companies.
BFI director of UK Global Screen Fund and International Funds Denitsa Yordanova said the awards reflect the range and quality of the UK’s independent screen sector, including games. She also highlighted recipients’ ambitions to develop global growth strategies and connect with international audiences.
What the announcements mean for developers
The IBD awards support longer-term business development, while the Video Games Release stream targets costs associated with bringing a game to market. Studios considering BFI game funding should distinguish between these needs when reviewing the available support and explain how the proposed investment fits their plans for growth, release and international reach.
