The British Film Institute
Notable UK charityAlso known as: Bfi
The BFI is the lead organisation for film in the UK. Our mission is to ensure that film is central to our cultural life, in particular by supporting and nurturing the next generation of filmmakers and audiences.
Activities & Mission
The BFI is the lead organisation for film in the UK. Our mission is to ensure that film is central to our cultural life, in particular by supporting and nurturing the next generation of filmmakers and audiences.
Grants
The British Film Institute is a grant-making charity: making grants is its main activity.
- Gives grants to
- organisations
- Total spending (2025)
- £117,799,000
- Only charities with income over £500,000 file a separate grants figure.
- Who it helps
- the general public
- What it supports
- education and training and arts, culture, heritage, or science
As recorded with the Charity Commission. To ask about applying, use the contact details and check the trustees and latest accounts below.
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Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.
Country
Region
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 49% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M (sample: 77). How is this calculated?
Higher than 74% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 61% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £128,072,000 | £117,799,000 | £114,933,000 | £140,927,000 | £8,031,000 | 638 / 0 |
| 2024 | £125,995,000 | £108,811,000 | £106,692,000 | £137,342,000 | £8,905,000 | 595 / 0 |
| 2023 | £127,827,000 | £166,981,000 | £165,006,000 | £108,846,000 | £5,702,000 | 599 / 0 |
| 2022 | £132,333,000 | £134,272,000 | £132,408,000 | £63,382,000 | £2,053,000 | 547 / 0 |
| 2021 | £145,628,000 | £156,611,000 | £154,752,000 | £17,096,000 | £883,000 | 497 / 0 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about The British Film Institute
What does The British Film Institute do?
The BFI is the lead organisation for film in the UK. Our mission is to ensure that film is central to our cultural life, in particular by supporting and nurturing the next generation of filmmakers and audiences.
How much income did The British Film Institute report in 2025?
The British Film Institute reported total income of £128.07m and reported expenditure of £117.80m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is The British Film Institute?
The British Film Institute has a program ratio of 89.7%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 49% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M (sample of 77 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was The British Film Institute registered as a charity?
The British Film Institute was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 7 September 1983 as charity number 287780. It has been registered for 43 years.
Who runs The British Film Institute?
The British Film Institute is governed by a board of 14 trustees. The chair of trustees is Jay Hunt. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does The British Film Institute operate?
The British Film Institute operates across 3 areas: Northern Ireland, Scotland and England And Wales.
Is The British Film Institute a registered charity?
Yes — The British Film Institute is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 287780.
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Registry Information
Other notable Arts charities
Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.
Trustees
Sectors & Classifications
Also Known As
- Bfi
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 19 October 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated