The British Film Institute (BFI) reveals recipients of the International Business Development (IBD) awards and introduces a new funding initiative aimed at UK developers

The British Film Institute (BFI) has revealed the winners of its International Business Development (IBD) awards, along with announcing a new funding initiative aimed at assisting the marketing of video games.

This follows a substantial increase in the budget for the UK Global Screen Fund (UKGSF), as provided by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which has jumped from £7 million to over £18 million for its 2026–2029 plan.

The recent round of IBD grants amounts to £2.07 million, distributed across the screen industries, which includes funding for five independent gaming firms in the UK.

These awards, which do not require repayment, range from £50,000 up to £200,000 and are designed to support strategies that foster international growth and the creation of new intellectual properties.

The studios benefiting from the IBD grants are:

• Dlala Studios: Plans to hire a quality assurance leader, increase its production capabilities, and work on original intellectual property games.
• Draknek & Friends: Intends to bring on a publishing manager and amplify marketing efforts, with the goal of expanding as a publisher for puzzle games.
• Friday Sundae: Aims to recruit an international marketing manager, community manager, and a localization producer to bolster its global presence and focus on original narrative games.
• INCISIV: The female-led studio from Ireland aims to hire a marketing assistant to enhance influencer relations and boost international sales for its immersive projects.
• Newfangled Games: Will use the funds to employ a business development lead to grow international sales and foster partnerships.

Alongside these grants, the UKGSF has introduced the Video Games Release funding stream, designed to assist UK developers with costs related to marketing, promotion, and localization for game releases.

Funding is available up to £50,000, with the application process ongoing and assessments conducted regularly.

Additionally, the Challenger Award, launched in April, offers £50,000 plus an optional mentorship for early-stage screen companies.

Denitsa Yordanova, director of UGSF and International Funds at BFI, remarked, "This latest round of awards highlights the excellence and variety within our extraordinary independent screen sector—spanning film, TV, animation, and games across the UK. The ambition of these companies to craft robust global growth plans and to target new international audiences is inspiring. It is crucial that we continue investing to help the screen industry achieve its full potential in the global content market."