Film Data Initiative Pilot

A two-year project delivered by British Screen Forum in partnership with University of Exeter and Goldsmiths, University of London, supported by the BFI Innovation Challenge Fund, awarding National Lottery funding.

Overview

Geared at stimulating investment and increasing profitability in the UK independent film sector, the project’s focus is to address longstanding gaps in the provision of data that prevents potential investors evaluating UK independent films as an asset class, and which can act as an impediment to maximising profitability. It will do this by acting as a trusted third-party facilitator – exploring innovative ways to make available data on films and film companies through original research and new partnerships with data owners that respect data privacy rules, protect commercial sensitivities and support commercial data providers’ business models.

The pilot comprises two case studies, different in nature, that are intended to provide proof of concept of the kinds of work that a full Film Data Initiative would do. Case Study 1 will help give a better understanding of audience preferences and draw on distribution and marketing data. Case Study 2 will draw on lifetime commercial performance data for films, analysis of which should help identify revenue-maximising paths and provide investors with a clearer picture of value in the sector.

The pilot project runs for two years from 1st May 2026.

Details of reports and events related to the project will be published below.