BIFA Springboard: 2025-26 is proud to introduce 30 exciting writers, producers and directors working on their second fiction feature film. The programme offers a mixture of technical and professional training, mentoring, networking and access to resources, so that the participants will be better equipped to deal with the huge variety of challenges they face on a daily basis. In an industry where only a minority of first time writers, producers and directors go on to make a sophomore feature, Springboard’s goal is to support the next wave of British filmmakers to be ambitious, thinking towards long term, visionary careers with global impacts.
The 25/26 programme is primarily supported by Prime Video, as part of its Prime Video Pathway (PVP) initiative, with additional support from ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund and further industry support from Film Finances International. Taking place over nine months (June 2025 to February 2026), BIFA Springboard offers a combination of practical and training sessions from experienced industry bodies and filmmakers, a support network of similarly experienced writers, directors and producers, and networking initiatives aiming to make connections to develop your career. BIFA also connects each cohort member with a mentor specifically matched to their needs.
The talent in this year’s cohort have achieved considerable success with their first features, including BIFA and BAFTA wins and nominations, as well as recognition at festivals including BFI London Film Festival, Sundance, Toronto, Venice, Edinburgh, Locarno, Kinshasa, Raindance and more. Please click on the cohort’s names below for more details.
Kicking off this June, BIFA Springboard pairs each cohort member with a mentor specifically matched to their needs, as well as offering networking sessions with financiers and funders, HODs and programme speakers and partners. Taught sessions will be a mixture of facilitated workshops/training and panels and will cover a wide range of relevant topics to include financing; editing and rewriting; funding – traditional, non-traditional, co-production and international financing; sales, distribution and marketing; directing actors; working across formats; scaling up; legal aspects including managing contracts, employees and freelancers; and building confidence and honing your creative voice, including through pitch practice.
To find out more about BIFA Springboard please click here.