<p>The Government recognises the significant cultural and economic value of cinemas, and the important role that festivals play in bringing communities and filmmakers together. Public support for UK film festivals is provided through a number of funding mechanisms, including the British Film Institute, the Government’s lead body for film and the moving image, and Local Authorities. For this reason, we have not made our own assessment of the potential merits of allocating financial support to the Romford Film Festival.</p><p>The BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund provides support to ambitious, audience-facing independent UK and international film and broader screen activity of national scale. The fund supports film exhibitors, distributors, and other organisations delivering audience development activity with multi-year and short-term projects as well as research and development. Applications to the fund are accepted all year round but must be received 16 weeks before the activity is due to start. Information including the funds eligibility criteria can be found on the <a href="https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/bring-film-wider-audience/bfi-national-lottery-audience-projects-fund" target="_blank">BFI’s website</a>:</p><p>The organisers of Romford Film Festival may also wish to engage with <a href="https://filmlondon.org.uk/film-hub-london/join-film-hub-london" target="_blank">Film Hub London</a> to understand what relevant support is available. Film Hub London is part of the<a href="http://www.bfi.org.uk/film-audience-network" target="_blank"> BFI Film Audience Network</a> (BFI FAN), a nationwide network of exhibitors taking cultural cinema to their communities. The Network is aimed at boosting film audiences across the UK, particularly for specialised and independent British film.</p>