The Film Producers' Toolkit - Demystifying Film Financing

Building relationships with financiers and recognising trends in the market place is key to the role of an independent film producer. We will step you through finance strategies and plans for financing low budget feature films, looking at approaches as a majority producer alongside minority partner on a UK or international co-pro.

This two-day course is part of a series of six that make up The Film Producers' Toolkit, other courses in the series include creative producing, physical production, the business of producing, building your brand, and audience/market awareness.

Led by Ciara Barry and Rosie Crerar of Glasgow-based production company barry crerar, the courses are grounded in their experience of producing contemporary, critically acclaimed films from and about Scotland, combined with their distinct understanding of the Scottish, UK and international film landscape.

Participants have the option to apply for specific courses individually, or for a reduced price you can apply for all six courses here.

Packaging, pitching and financing strategies
Working with the UK public funds (BFI, Screen Scotland, NI Screen, Film Cymru)
Broadcasters
Private financiers
Pre-sales
Producers tax credit and cashflow options
Co-production

There are no formal entry requirements for this course, however it is expected that you have a good standard of written and spoken English and a passion for film & TV.

Each individual two-day course is priced as follows:

Freelance Rate: £350.00
Corporate Rate: £700.00

A saving of 15% is available if you apply for the full package of all six courses:

Freelance Rate: £1,785.00
Corporate Rate: £3,570.00

Bursaries, supported by Screen Scotland, to contribute to the costs of attending these courses may be available to those who are eligible. Please read the bursary guidelines which are published below first to check if you are eligible. If you are eligible, please indicate in your application whether you are also applying for a bursary or not.

Please apply as far in advance of the course date as possible to give yourself the best chance of securing a supported place, as we may not be able to accommodate all applications.

Your bursary application and supporting documents should be sent to scotland@nfts.co.uk after submitting this application form. Please submit your bursary application within 24 hours to ensure your course place is reserved while your bursary application is processed – otherwise we may be required to release it to another applicant. Your bursary documents are reviewed by a panel and we aim to be in touch as soon as possible with an outcome for you.

NFTS Scotland Bursary Guidelines

NFTS Scotland Bursary Application Form

Bursary Explainer Video

To apply for this two-day Demystifying Film Financing course, please use the button at the top of this page.

Application links for other courses in this series can be found here:

Course 1: Creative Producing
- Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th September 2026
Course 2: Physical Production
- Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th October 2026
Course 3: Demystifying Film Financing
- Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th November 2026
Course 4: Business of Producing
- Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th December 2026
Course 5: Building Your Brand
- Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th January 2027
Course 6: Audience & Market Awareness
- Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd February 2027

To complete ONE application form for all six courses, please apply via The Film Producers' Toolkit overview page.

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