The Skills Investment Fund (SIF) is built through contributions from all films in production in the UK.

Anyone involved in putting together budgets or crews for UK feature films is required to contribute 0.5% of their total production budget (with a ceiling of up to £39,500). For those UK productions in receipt of UK public or lottery funding, the contributions are mandatory.

SIF money gets invested back into the UK Film industry. Contributions to this fund are used jointly with the delegated National Lottery funding to form the Film Skills Fund, the fund awards grants to organisations to create, deliver or facilitate film specific training.  Individuals can benefit directly through screen bursaries and subsidised courses.

The fund was established to support the delivery of A Bigger Future - the UK Film Skills Strategy.

So far the SIF has successfully generated an investment of over £5 million. It is administered by Skillset on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the SIF industry partners, including the UK Film Council, PACT, the MPA and BECTU.

Producers should contact Kristen Platt, SIF Co-ordinator, at kristenp@skillset.org with their production details.

Industry practitioners are consulted and encouraged to give their invaluable feedback on the initiatives and the specific needs of the industry. Please contact Kristen to give feedback or receive advice on the latest developments within the Skills Investment Fund.