We were commissioned by the British Film Institute (BFI) to conduct an independent evaluation of the BFI National Lottery Film Fund (“the Film Fund”) covering the period 2012-2022.

Our findings informed the new five-year strategic plan of the BFI, and our report will be used as a reference for future evaluations.

The evaluation assessed the extent to which the Film Fund achieved its objectives, and how it has contributed to the independent film sector. Its role in the value chain and in the wider UK screen sector ecosystem was also examined. To this end, we designed an evaluation to assess the effectiveness of key processes and measured the costs and benefits generated by the Film Fund in key areas of impact – including industry and cultural and economic outcomes.

We used a mixed-methods approach, allowing us to generate qualitative and quantitative insights. The key stages in our approach included: (i) collecting and analysing Film Fund monitoring data, (ii) desk-based research, (iii) interviews with Film Fund personnel and key stakeholders, (iv) development of a logic model for the Film Fund, (v) an online survey of past applicants, and (vi) economic impact modelling.

➥ Find out more about our research here.