Contribute to the Film Skills Fund

The fund is dedicated to supporting new entrants as well as helping professionals acquire more experience, either to specialise further in their fields or to step up to the next level. We support freelancers working in craft, technical, production, post production and visual effects (VFX) departments at all stages of their careers.

Contributions from productions have enabled the wider UK film industry to mobilise and provide vital access, education and skills training, responding quickly and effectively to the professional requirements of the UK film production sector. 

We are proud that more than 1,100 features from studios to independents contributed to the Skills Fund. Recent features include: Barbie, We Live in Time, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, The Outrun, Venom: The Last Dance, 2073 and many more.

By contributing, each UK film production is investing in the long-term sustainability of the industry and helping to create a more skilled, diverse and better-equipped workforce. Paying into the fund is one of many ways in which industry helps widen the talent pool and create a workforce fit for the challenges of the 21st century.

What is the fund used for?

Contributions to the Skills Fund are invested across the UK in in training to develop skills in shortage areas and for in demand roles needed by the sector.  All investment decisions are informed by industry research, our Film Skills Council and finance committee.

How are contributions to the fund calculated?

Studios and production companies producing films in the UK are encouraged to contribute 0.5% of their core UK expenditure up to a cap of £76,200 per production for budgets over £15.24m.

Projects receiving public funding are required to pay into the fund as a condition of access to their investment. To find out more about contributing to the Film Skills Fund and supporting industry, please email Film Production Coordinator Matt Brothers.

What Films Skills Council members say about this work

Anita Overland, producer and chair Film Skills Council, says: “I’m really pleased to be part of an industry-led body that supports the film workforce. With the industry so busy, ScreenSkills plays a vital role in helping address skills shortages and improving inclusion."

Nigel Bennett, managing director, Molinare, says: "The industry is always evolving and innovating which means ScreenSkills has to consider future as well as current skills needs. It is fantastic to support the Film Skills Council as it addresses these challenges.”

Support at every career stage

The Film Skills Fund programmes support industry identified skills gaps and shortages:

• Trainee Finder: a year-long paid placement scheme for new entrants matching trainees with Film Skills Fund-contributing productions to offer on-the-job experience
• Make a Move: encouraging on-the-job training for crew members identified by industry colleagues, ready to move up to a more senior role
• Film Forward: a career progression programme designed to help experienced minority ethnic professionals advance into more senior roles
• Continuing professional development: training courses and follow-on placements to enable professionals to develop their skills throughout their career
• E-Learning modules: including the Work Well Series, Getting Into the Screen Industries,Diversity, Equality & Inclusion for the Screen Industries and more
• Bursaries: up to £3,000 of funding to support freelancers to take courses in priority skills areas

For more information about the Film Skills Fund or development and training opportunities it supports please email: film@screenskills.com.