The BFI Diversity Standards are a framework designed to tackle under-representation and encourage equality of opportunity in the screen sectors.
Screen Scotland launched the BFI Diversity Standards – Screen Scotland Pilot in April 2022, initially as a 12 month pilot. The pilot has now been extended for a further 12 months until April 2024. This will allow time for a complete evaluation of the Pilot, ensuring that the final version of the BFI Diversity Standards – Screen Scotland best represents and delivers against our commitment to equalities, diversity and inclusion within the Scottish screen sector.
During the pilot, meeting the BFI Diversity Standards will be 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.
In this video, Julia Brown, the BFI's Diversity Standards Manager, provides some further information about the BFI Diversity Standards and the BFI and Screen Scotland partnership.
How to achieve the BFI Diversity Standards — Screen Scotland Pilot criteria
Film Development and Production Fund applicants:
-
Development funding applicants should meet at least one of the four Standards. At Development stage, this is typically Standard A.
-
Production funding applicants should meet at least two of the four Standards and one of these must be Standard C.
Film Festival and Screening Programme Fund applicants:
-
All applicants must meet the criteria of Standards C and D. They can also meet the other Standards if relevant and applicable.
The four Standards are as follows:
STANDARD A — On-screen representation, themes and narratives
STANDARD B — Creative Leadership and project team
STANDARD C* — Industry access and opportunities
STANDARD D** — Audience Development
*NB Standard C is compulsory for all Film Development and Production applicants with the exception of development applications. Concessions may also be made for projects with very small teams
**NB Standard D is compulsory for those applying to Screen Scotland’s Film Festival and Screening Programme Fund. It is also an additional category for productions that have a distributor attached.
Read the BFI Diversity Standards - Screen Scotland Pilot criteria in detail on pages 13 – 32 of the guidance document.
How to apply
During this pilot, 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:
-
STEP 1: Fill in questions related to your project within the BFI Diversity Standards – Screen Scotland on BFI portal
-
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 on page 10 of the guidance document.
Downloads
BFI Diversity Standards – Screen Scotland Pilot guidance document (PDF opens in new window)
Alternative formats
Large Print version: BFI Diversity Standards – Screen Scotland Pilot guidance document (PDF opens in new window)
Gaelic version: BFI Diversity Standards – Screen Scotland Pilot guidance document (PDF opens in new window)
Easy Read version: BFI Diversity Standards – Screen Scotland Pilot guidance document (PDF opens in new window)
Audio version:
BSL version:
Please note, we have Braille and large print versions of the Diversity Standards guidance document available in hard copy. The hard copy versions can be sent out on request. Please email our enquires team to arrnage 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
