The BFI Diversity Standards are a framework designed to tackle under-representation and encourage equality of opportunity in the screen sectors.
Meeting the BFI Diversity Standards is a requirement for applications to Screen Scotland’s Film Development and Production Fund and Film Festival and Screening Programme Fund.
Working together, the BFI and Screen Scotland have incorporated some Scotland-specific criteria to help make projects more representative of the Scottish population.
How to achieve the BFI Diversity Standards - Screen Scotland criteria
For Film Development and Production Fund applicants:
- Development funding applicants must meet at least one of the five Standards. At Development stage, this is typically Standard A.
- Production funding applicants must meet at least three of the five Standards. Applicants must meet Standard C and Standard E, and at least one other Standard.
For Film Festival and Screening Programme Fund applicants:
- All applicants must meet three of the five Standards. Standards C, D, and E are mandatory. They can also meet the other Standards if relevant and applicable.
The five Standards are:
- Standard A: On-screen representation, themes and narratives
- Standard B: Creative leadership and project team
- Standard C: Industry access and opportunities
- Compulsory for Film Festival and Screening Programme Fund applications.
- Compulsory for Production applications. Concessions may be made for projects with very small teams.
- Standard D: Audience Development
- Compulsory for Film Festival and Screening Programme Fund applications.
- Optional for Production applications with a distributor attached.
- Standard E: Accessibility
- Compulsory for Film Festival and Screening Programme Fund applications.
- Compulsory for Production applications.
Read more about the criteria in the guidance for applicants.
How to apply
The BFI Diversity Standards are a part of the eligibility criteria for all applications to Screen Scotland’s Film Development and Production Fund and the Film Festivals Fund.
There will be two separate steps to follow for applications to either Screen Scotland fund from 1 April:
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Step 1: Fill in questions related to your project within the BFI Diversity Standards – Screen Scotland on the BFI portal
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Step 2: Once you have completed Step 1, you can submit the Screen Scotland application form for the relevant fund for your project (Film Development and Production Fund or Film Festival and Screening Programme Fund). You don’t need to wait for the BFI response to your submission to apply to Screen Scotland – but you do need to apply to the BFI first.
More information about applying can be found in the guidance for applicants.
Downloads
Screen Scotland - BFI Diversity Standards - BSL Version
Please note, we have Braille and large print versions of the Diversity Standards guidance available in hard copy. The hard copy versions can be sent out on request.
Please email our enquires team to arrange distribution: [email protected]
For questions and access support
If you have any specific questions or require support, further information or assistance with filling in BFI Diversity Standards – Screen Scotland questions please contact BFI. You can do this by email or by telephone.
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0207 173 3273
Please contact Screen Scotland if you have any other enquiries about Screen Scotland Film Production and Development Fund or Film Festivals Fund or if you require any other general support or further information. You can do this by email, through our website or social media.
Email: [email protected]
If you are a Deaf BSL user, you can access our services with the Contact Scotland-BSL programme. Go to contactscotland-bsl.org/deaf-bsl-users for more information.
Header image: Still from GIRL, courtesy of barry crerar
