Nominations open for Reel Impact Award in the UK

Award Themes

• Applicants can only submit one application per round under one of the following themes:
  • If you are an individual you can apply under Theme 1a: Personal Development.
  • If you are an organisation you can apply under Theme 1b: Business Development or
  • Theme 2: Advancing Equity

Funding Information

• Applicants can apply for:
  • Awards of up to £10,000 for individuals
  • Awards of up to £25,000 for organisations

What can be considered for funding?

• Theme 1a:
  • They are looking to offer resources to support your career development, not to fund the development or production of creative projects
  • The following activities are a guide to the sort of activities Reel Impact is keen to support but you will know what works best for you and your career:
    • Leadership development training for you
    • Purchasing equipment to increase your commercial viability
    • Developing skills to enhance your capabilities
    • Financial assistance to create a new business idea or opportunity
    • Building your industry networks
    • Building your personal brand
    • Purchasing consultancy support which builds your capacity
• Theme 1b: Business Development (for organisations)
  • They recognise that systemic racism and institutional bias can create barriers that hold back Black and Global Majority led organisations within the industry. As part of our commitment to equity and inclusion, they are actively working to create an environment that addresses these challenges. They encourage applications from organisations who want to develop their business and contribute to building a more inclusive and equitable industry.
  • Theme 1b: What can be considered for funding?
    • They are looking to offer resources to support the development of your organisation, not to directly fund development or production of creative projects.
    • The following activities are a guide to the sort of activities Reel Impact is keen to support but you will know what works best for you and your business:
      • Expanding staff resources to build your business
      • Purchasing equipment to increase your commercial viability
      • Building your business contacts in the industry
      • Building your organisation’s brand
      • Purchasing consultancy support which builds your organisation’s capacity
      • Building leadership capacity in the organisation
      • Revenue and income diversification for the organisation
• Theme 2: Empowering organisations who want to advance race equity in film, TV and cinema
  • Reel Impact recognises the importance of ensuring diverse voices are heard and have the resources to influence meaningful change and progress in an industry that is experiencing barriers to success. Theme 2 is about investing in initiatives, especially new innovative approaches, which directly seek to drive equity and impact systemic racism in the industry.
  • Applications need to:
    • Be clear about the systemic impact on racial equity rather than the impact on an organisation or individual.
    • Demonstrate the benefit to Black and Global Majority people, organisations and the wider industry
    • Clearly articulate the need for the project

Eligibility Criteria

• They welcome applications from individuals and Black and Global Majority owned or led production companies or organisations with significant experience of working behind the scenes in film, TV or cinema or in advancing race equity.
• Eligibility for Individuals applying for Personal Development – Theme 1a
  • You identify as being of Black and Global Majority heritage
  • You have at least five years’ experience of working in the UK film, TV or cinema industry – you will need to demonstrate your experience in the application form
  • You live and work in the UK. They particularly encourage applications from outside of London.
  • The funding you are applying for will benefit your career progression.
• Eligibility criteria for organisations applying for Organisation Development – Theme 1b
  • You are applying on behalf of a UK registered company or not for profit organisation
  • You live and work in the UK. They particularly encourage applications from outside of London.
  • Your leadership has at least five years’ experience of working in the UK film, TV or cinema industry – you will need to demonstrate your experience in the application form
  • Your organisation is Black and Global Majority owned or led and has at least 50% of leadership and governance roles occupied by people from Black and Global Majority.
  • You can provide evidence of ownership or leadership of the organisation.
• Eligibility criteria for organisations applying for an Advancing Race Equity Award – Theme 2
  • You are applying on behalf of a UK registered company or not for profit organisation
  • You live and work in the UK. They particularly encourage applications from outside of London.
  • Your organisation is Black and Global Majority owned or led and has at least 50% of leadership and governance roles occupied by people from Black and Global Majority.
  • You can provide evidence of ownership or leadership of the organisation.

Ineligibility Criteria

• They cannot fund the following under any of the themes:
  • Costs relating to the development or production of creative projects or initiatives
  • Projects that do not benefit Black and Global Majority people
  • Moving image, animation made for non-entertainment purposes. This includes corporate videography, commercials, music videos, community/campaigning filmmaking, and education training
  • Initiatives which promote political or religious activities
  • Legal costs
  • Projects which benefit people outside the UK
  • One-off events (unless linked to a longer-term outcome)

For more information, visit The Film and TV Charity.