skip

UK Trade & Investment Trade Access Programme (TAP)

Grants for UK Film Companies to Exhibit at Overseas Markets/Festivals

If you're a small or medium sized UK film company and are new to film export or haven't been exporting for more than 10 years, you may be entitled to a government grant. These grants are for film companies to exhibit at overseas tradeshows for export purposes. Export activities include:

  • Selling and acquiring films for distribution
  • Selling a film project or service
  • Creating business links with foreign film industry counterparts

UK Film Companies Receiving Grants in 2008-09

In the last financial year, the UK Film Council helped a total of 56 UK companies to access government grants, which allowed them to exhibit at the following international film markets:

  • Marché du Film (Cannes)
  • Asian Film Market (Pusan)
  • TIFFCOM (Tokyo)
  • American Film Market (Los Angeles)
  • European Film Market (Berlin)
  • Frames (Mumbai)
  • Filmart (Hong Kong)



What is the Grant Programme Called?

Trade Access Programme (TAP).

Who provides the TAP Grants?

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the Government organisation that helps UK-based companies to be competitive and to succeed in international markets.

What is the Role of the UK Film Council in the Programme?

Grants are normally given to companies attending tradeshows as part of a group of UK businesses. The group is led by an Accredited Trade Association (ATO), which co-ordinates applications for funding and organises participation of companies at tradeshows. The UK Film Council Export Development team and Film Export UK are both ATOs.

There are a number of advantages to exhibiting as part of an organised group, including access to:

  • An affordable exhibition space
  • Joint branding and promotional activities
  • Networking events

However, if there is no ATO for a tradeshow you wish to attend, UKTI do accommodate a smaller number of companies wishing to exhibit on an independent or "solo" basis. Find out more about Solo Participation.

How Much Money is Available?

Grants vary from £1,000 to £1,800, and £1,000 only for solo participation.

How to Qualify for a Grant

To be eligible for a grant, your company must be:

  • UK-based
  • A small or medium sized enterprise (SME)*
  • A new exporter* or have been exporting for fewer than 10 years

*as defined by UKTI in their Terms & Conditions.

Each company must also have an office with company branding at the event. However, this is facilitated by the UK Film Council which offers film companies an exhibition package, including space in an office and branding.

For full details of eligibility criteria, please read the UKTI Terms & Conditions. If you have any questions, email Corinne Ranaraja or call her on 020 7861 7861.

Grants Available for Tradeshows in 2009-10

The UK Film Council is acting as an ATO at the following events:

Film Export UK (FEUK) is acting as an ATO at the following events:

How to Apply

If you would like to attend one of the UK Film Council-led events listed above, please download a TAP Application Form and the Terms & Conditions, and then email Corinne Ranaraja.

If you would like to attend one of the FEUK-led events listed above, please email FEUK.

Application process

As an ATO, UK Film Council processes and administers the TAP grants. The grant process is as follows:

  • A company sends its completed application form to the UK Film Council
  • The UK Film Council checks it for UKTI and UK Film Council eligibility
  • If eligible, the UK Film Council submits the application to UKTI
  • A local UKTI advisor checks the application and (1) confirms its eligibility with the UK Film Council, or (2) declines the application

Confirming Applications

  • If an application is eligible, the UK Film Council sends it on to UKTI TAP headquarters and waits for official confirmation
  • UKTI TAP headquarters confirms eligibility with the UK Film Council
  • The UK Film Council informs the applicant of confirmation
  • The participant attends the event

Declining Applications

  • If an application is not eligible, the UK Film Council informs the applicant

Application Deadlines

All applications must be submitted at least eight weeks before the start of an event. Companies should find out within two weeks if their application has been successful.

UK Film Council Terms & Conditions

The UK Film Council must:

  • Receive payment (for the tradeshow package) in full prior to the event
  • Be given the applicant's full contact details and arrival and departure dates
  • Be able to contact the applicant easily before, during and after the event
  • Receive completed UK Film Council and UKTI feedback questionnaires

Payment of the TAP Grant

The UK Film Council pays all TAP grants after the event, upon receipt of a written request and the UKTI and UK Film Council feedback questionnaires.

If you have any queries about any of this information, please email Corinne Ranaraja.

Sales Agents Accessing TAP Grants, 2008-09

Altadena
Aspect Films
AV Pictures
Bankside
Celsius Entertainment
Ealing Studios International
Exclusive Film Distribution Ltd
Fiction Sales
Goldcrest
Handmade Films International
Hanway
Highpoint Media
Independent Film Company
Jinga Films
K5
Left Ltd
Meridiana Films
Moviehouse Entertainment
Odyssey
Protagonist Pictures
Salt
Velvet Octopus
Westend

Producers Accessing TAP Grants, 2008-09

Assassin Films
Banyan Films
Blueprint Pictures
Cyclops Vision
Dan Films
February Films
Film & Music Entertainment
Headline Pictures
How To Films
Origin Pictures
Screen West Midlands
Spring Pictures
Starfield Productions
Third Man Films
Tigerlily Films
Yaffle Films

Film Facilities and Service companies Accessing TAP Grants, 2008-09

Olsberg SPI
Lee & Thompson
Film Fixer
Sponsorship By Design