Ffilm Cymru Wales Development Fund

Deadlines & fees

• October reviewNext deadline
  2 Oct 2026Europe/LondonFreeGoogle·.ics

Dates and fees checked against the official site 23 Sept 2026.

Key facts

Formats

Feature

Eligibility

UK residents18+Wales only

Open to

United Kingdom

Required materials

Application form · CVs for the core team · A story outline, treatment or script depending on project stage (small awards need a story outline of roughly 2,000 to 3,000 words plus a full-length writing sample from the writer) · Optional pitch deck, mood board or rip reel · An active viewing link for full-length sample work where a director is attached · Details of option or underlying rights agreements if applicable · Companies also supply sustainability, code of conduct and diversity policies

At least one lead role, writer, producer or director, must be filled by talent born in Wales or primarily based there. Ffilm Cymru defines a base as a primary residence rather than a second home or a family member's home and may ask for evidence; someone resident in Wales for most of their childhood also qualifies. Note this is a test of the person, not the project: your film does not need to be set in Wales, and depicting Wales is a funding priority rather than a gate. A lone writer genuinely can apply, though Ffilm Cymru says you are unlikely to receive the maximum award without a producer attached; no director is required either, and if a producer is attached they must be a different person from the lead writer and director. Everyone named must be over 18 and not in full-time education, must own or be obtaining the rights including underlying rights, and must evidence a strong creative track record in their role. The film must be an original feature intended for cinema release, capable of qualifying as British and of obtaining a BBFC certificate no more restrictive than 18. Shorts, films under 70 minutes, filmed theatre, installation work and anything primarily for broadcast television are excluded. Large awards additionally require a company registered and centrally managed in the UK.

Prizes

Up to 10,000 pounds for a small award or up to 24,999 for a large one, paid against an agreed cashflow tied to development targets, with around 20 awards made a year. IMPORTANT: this is recoupable, not a gift. The funding is repaid out of the production budget on the first day of principal photography or animation. If the lead writer, director and producer have all previously led a commercially distributed feature, it is recoupable with a 50 per cent premium; otherwise a first award is recoupable without a premium and any subsequent award carries the 50 per cent premium. There are further ongoing obligations: Ffilm Cymru takes a share of rights including copyright if another financier does, takes 2 per cent of the producer's net profits from any film or television programme based on the project, holds approval over your chain of title, the main elements, third party finance and any transfer of rights, retains a 5 per cent holdback until delivery, and requires a development credit and logos. Selected producers may separately be invited to apply for Sustainability Funding of up to 10,000 pounds as a non-repayable grant, though development-stage requests are more likely to receive around 2,000.

Judging

Every application is assessed by at least two members of the production department, sometimes with external consultants, none of whom are named. Decisions come roughly twelve weeks after the review date. Unsuccessful applicants receive a brief explanation by email, though Ffilm Cymru says it cannot enter into further dialogue with every project given the volume.

Frequently asked questions