# The Independent Film Trust

- Type: Trust / foundation
- Charity number: 1105749 (https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1105749)
- Company number: 05159589
- Website: https://www.independentfilmtrust.org.uk
- Latest income: £5,550; spending £11.8k
- What it funds: Arts / culture / heritage / science
- Who it helps: Other charities or voluntary bodies, The general public
- How it gives: Makes grants to organisations, Provides human resources, Provides services, Provides advocacy / advice / information, Other charitable activities
- Area of operation: Throughout England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
- Trustees: 2
- Last verified: 2026-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Canonical URL: https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/independent-film-trust

The IFT acts to advance the cause of independent filmmaking, for instance by encouraging emerging talent through the provision of training scholarships, and by helping the disadvantaged through training in various aspects of filmmaking.

## Open and forthcoming schemes (0)

None in OpenGrant's sources right now.

## Finances by year (Charity Commission)

| Year ending | Income | Spending | Grants to organisations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Sept 2024 | £5,550 | £11.8k | not filed |
| 30 Sept 2023 | £57.2k | £73.7k | not filed |
| 30 Sept 2022 | £238k | £214k | not filed |
| 30 Sept 2021 | £256k | £266k | not filed |

## Charitable objects

> To promote and advance education in the cinematographic arts for the public benefit and in particular to promote original and creative work of cultural merit in the field of Film production in the United Kingdom.

## What it funds

The Independent Film Trust is registered under the Charity Commission purposes arts / culture / heritage / science for other charities or voluntary bodies; the register records that it makes grants to organisations, provides human resources, provides services and provides advocacy / advice / information. In its latest reported year The Independent Film Trust reported income of £5,550 and spending of £11.8k. Over its last 4 reported years, to 30 Sept 2024, it spent £566k in total.

The Charity Commission register lists its area of operation as England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

## How to apply

OpenGrant has not found an open scheme from The Independent Film Trust in its sources (last checked 4 Nov 2026). Its website (independentfilmtrust.org.uk) may list programmes that are not yet open or are by invitation only. OpenGrant does not take applications; always check the funder's own guidance.

## Questions

### Is The Independent Film Trust open for applications now?

Not in OpenGrant's sources as of 4 Nov 2026: no open or forthcoming scheme from The Independent Film Trust is listed. Check the funder's website for programmes that are not yet open or that it does not advertise.

### Where does The Independent Film Trust fund?

The Charity Commission register lists its area of operation as England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

### Does The Independent Film Trust give grants to individuals?

The Charity Commission register records that The Independent Film Trust makes grants to organisations, not that it makes grants to individuals.

### How much does The Independent Film Trust give each year?

The register does not break out The Independent Film Trust's grants for its latest year (only charities with income over £500,000 file that detail). Its total spending in the year to 30 Sept 2024 was £11.8k. Over its last 4 reported years its spending averaged £142k a year.

### How large is The Independent Film Trust?

In its latest reported year The Independent Film Trust reported income of £5,550 and spending of £11.8k.


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## Guides

- [Arts and heritage grants in Scotland: what is open now and who funds it](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/arts-and-heritage-grants-in-scotland)
- [How to apply to the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation: who it funds, typical awards and timescales](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/how-to-apply-to-esmee-fairbairn-foundation)
- [How to apply to the Gannochy Trust: who it funds, typical awards and deadlines](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/how-to-apply-to-gannochy-trust)