Ever wondered what the future of storytelling looks like? Get ready for a major leap! The BFI Doc Society Fund is pouring £300,000 into incredible immersive non-fiction projects, pushing the boundaries of film and experience. Imagine stepping directly into a story. What kind of immersive tales would you love to explore?
The British Film Institute (BFI) Doc Society Fund has announced a significant new commitment, dedicating an additional £300,000 to foster the development of groundbreaking immersive non-fiction projects across the United Kingdom. This crucial injection of capital underscores a growing recognition of the artistic and cultural potential within the burgeoning field of immersive storytelling, promising to expand the horizons of documentary filmmaking.
Made possible through vital National Lottery funding, this initiative is actively seeking applications from bold, independent creators who are eager to explore innovative narrative forms. Eligible teams can secure up to £150,000 per project, provided they are led by production companies with demonstrable experience in pioneering technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Extended Reality (XR), and comprehensive 360-degree experiences, ensuring high-quality outputs that will captivate audiences both domestically and internationally.
This major funding announcement strategically aligns with the UK’s prominent position as a country in focus at this year’s prestigious Venice Production Bridge. The event will feature a dedicated panel discussion titled “UK Immersive: Where Are We Now?,” scheduled for Friday, August 29, on the Venice Immersive Island. Moderated by Ben Luxford, the BFI’s Director of Audiences, the panel will bring together industry luminaries to discuss the evolving landscape of immersive media.
A highlight of the BFI Doc Society Fund’s current productions is ‘Built by Sound,’ an eagerly anticipated mixed-reality experience slated to premiere as a central feature of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture in November 2025. This project delves into the vibrant history of British South Asian communities during the 1970s and ‘80s, exploring their resilience, the joy found in defiance, and the unifying power of music within their communities, promising a deeply resonant cultural exploration.
‘Built by Sound’ is a collaborative co-production involving No Ghost, Dialled In, and Bradford 2025 City of Culture. Its development is further supported by significant contributions from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside the BFI Doc Society Fund, both of which are sustained by National Lottery funding. Further intricate details surrounding this ambitious immersive project are expected to be unveiled in early September.
Mia Bays, Director of the BFI Filmmaking Fund, emphasized the impetus behind this swift allocation of funds, stating, “In response to significant demand to fund documentary immersive projects, we have worked with Doc Society to make this additional funding available speedily.” She expressed confidence that the supported filmmakers will continue to push creative boundaries and engage new audiences with their innovative approaches to the form.
Luke W Moody, Head of the Doc Society Fund, articulated the profound impact of immersive non-fiction, remarking, “Whether sharing radical histories, speculative futures or powerful presence, immersive non-fiction allows us to encounter and re-imagine our realities together.” He conveyed excitement for supporting new immersive experiences that reflect the rich plurality of what story world building can achieve in contemporary media.
Beyond these newly announced initiatives, applications for the Doc Society Features Fund and the Fund for early development continue to be accepted on a rolling basis. All support for these vital programs is made possible through the continued commitment and generosity of National Lottery funding, solidifying the UK’s position at the forefront of creative and technological innovation in documentary storytelling.
