The BFI is the cornerstone public funder within the UK film industry and the role they play in equity, diversity and inclusion can not be overstated as they build and shape the talent pipeline that flows out towards the wider industry - the failure to be inclusive at this level is only amplified later.

Disrupt the Narrative is the first study of its kind to examine BFI data, taken from 2019-2020 specifically, as a recent and typical year pre-pandemic, observing across the characteristics of gender, race, disability and class.

Historically it is well documented that most research focuses on successful funding awards and this study aims to address the deficit of research in understanding the make-up of applicants who submit to the film fund as well as the make-up of applicants who succeed. Subsequently this study is able to make an assessment on the success rates of different diversity characteristics.

The results of our research was able to perform a granular analysis of the results, and our findings highlight the issues of the continued use of ‘catch all’ terms such as BAME which homogenise the experience of diverse communities as well as serious challenges faced by the disability community and working class community - all of which need urgent attention.

The full report can be read here and an abridged version which was published in Representology can be read here.

Disrupt the Narrative is a study and report co-authored by Chi Thai, Josh Cockcroft and Delphine Lievens.

This study and report was made possible by the Paul Hamlyn Trust and Sir Lenny Henry Centre of Media Diversity. With special thanks to Diane Kemp and Rachel-Ann Charles.