About the fund
The Small Indie Fund ring-fences Β£1million a year to back talented small independent production companies with turnovers of less than Β£10million, with a special focus on diverse-led companies and those based in the Nations and English regions.
The fund is available to companies working across factual, entertainment, comedy, children’s, drama, daytime and film. Support is granted on a company by company basis - based on the strength of creative potential and the ability to deliver to our strategy. Successful indies receive investment to help them develop along with commissioning mentors.
The latest cohort of 57 small companies includes 44 with at least two individuals from underrepresented groups in leadership roles and 38 based outside of London. Read the press release for a full list of the 2024 companies.
In 2022/23 the fund supported 48 small companies. Over half of these had diverse leadership and 79% were based in the Nations and English regions, with a significant increase in support for companies based in the North East and Midlands. So far commissions from this cohort include Dreaming Whilst Black from Big Deal Films, 24/7 Pet Hospital from Twenty Six 03 North East and (w/t) from The Slate Works. Find a full list of the companies supported on the press release.
In 2021/22 the fund supported 50 companies. Three quarters of the indies were based in the Nations and English regions and half had diverse leadership. Commissions from this cohort include: Clive Myrie's Italian Road Trip from Derry-based indie Alleycats for daytime and early peak, a script commission for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ drama from Brock Media focused on developing female East Asian talent, and North Wales based Darlun TV made the six-part Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two factual series Reunion Hotel.
In 2020 the fund was doubled to Β£2million in response to the impact of Covid-19, supporting 96 companies. Commissions from the cohort included The Fast and the Farmer-ish from Alleycats, Tan France: Beauty and the Bleach from Cardiff Productions, from Duck Soup, Murder Trial from Firecrest, PRU from Fully Focused, The Pact from Little Door and Made Up in Belfast and B&B By the Sea from Afro-mic.
Applying to the fund
Access to the fund is managed via an annual application process. The last application window closed on 3 November 2023. Companies are encouraged to speak to their usual commissioning contact or genre head of business for further details.
Further advice and support
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Named business leads
Business advice per genre for companies with ideas in play -
Indies outside London
Advice and commissioning leads for each Nation and region -
Small or new indies
Our tailored support packages and advice -
Diverse-led indies
Our investment, commitments and contacts
Explore the site
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Briefs and contacts
Commissioners and ideas -
Supporting indies
How we commission and work -
Skills and training
Industry training and skills development