BFI Innovation Challenge Fund invests in guidance for working with emerging technology for the independent film sector

The BFI today announces investment in two programmes to support UK independent creatives to confidently, ethically and safely utilise developing technologies. Over two years, the National Film and Television School (NFTS) and Falmouth University will each deliver a project responding to the sixth BFI National Lottery Innovation Challenge call, In Our Hands.

These two complimentary projects aim to reduce barriers UK independent creatives face in accessing, experimenting with and safely using AI, virtual production and new capture technologies. Seeking to ensure the UK independent sector remains at the forefront of the global industry.

NFTS is awarded £400k to deliver the NFTS x BFI Innovators Programme which will combine sector consultation and research, skills development and funded creative R&D projects. It is designed as a broad ‘innovation pipeline’, reaching a large number of creatives before supporting a cohort of 10 practitioners to develop proof-of-concept projects.

Falmouth University is awarded almost £250,000 for Lab to Slate: Unlocking Safe and Responsible AI for the UK’s Independent Screen Sector, focused specifically on the practical application of AI within screen production.