Who is eligible?

All applicants must be a UK resident. Applicants must be a director (as outlined below).  

For Directors Support Scheme only – Dependents of a deceased directors can also apply (as defined below).  There is a one year limitation on re-applying. Whether or not you are awarded a grant, you are welcome to re-apply one year after your last application.

For Directors Therapy Support  only – Successful applicants will receive up to 3 sessions of free online therapy with our therapy providers, Solas Mind. This offer should be redeemed within three months.

Applicable genres:

• Screen directors must have at least one UK broadcast credit as principal director.

• Film directors must have at least one UK cinema or major UK festival exhibition (as per Directors UK rules) credit as principal director.

• VR and video game directors must have a recent verifiable credit on ether IMDb, an appropriate website or a public showreel.

• Commercials and music video directors must demonstrate a body of work with a minimum of several credits via IMDb, an appropriate website or a public showreel.

• A dependent means a person who depends on another person for support, aid or sustenance, especially financial support.

• Stage directors - Our dedicated funds to support stage directors have unfortunately been exhausted and we are unable to accept any application after the 14th December 2023. We are, of course, urgently looking for new funding for stage directors and will let the industry know as soon as we are able to resume supporting stage directors.

In exceptional circumstances, we will consider other categories of eligibility, i.e. directors working with marginalised communities or working in unconventional settings. The grant does not cover Dance, Circus or Comedy.

The DCF reserve the right to request supporting documentation when considering larger awards.

How do I apply?

Applications should be made via the online form, including a simple statement outlining, succinctly, the specific need or circumstances for which financial and/or mental health support is being sought.

Applicants are also prompted to give details of any alternative sources of funds being sought, such as other charitable bodies, government schemes, insurance companies, etc.  Please give clear indication if anyone else from your household is applying for, or has applied for support from us in the past.

Applications should be accompanied by a professional CV, uploaded as a PDF file, detailing the main directing credits of the applicant or of the director on whom you were dependent.            

Applications can apply for financial support or the mental health scheme, or both.

How much can I apply for?

Applicants for Directors Therapy Support  will be able to get up to 3 free online therapy sessions.  The Directors Support Scheme will provide grants from £100 to £1000.  Simply indicate on the form which you are applying for.

How are applications assessed?

Every year the DCF Board appoints a small group of Trustees to act as an Assessing Panel. All applications are initially scrutinised by the DCF administrator to ascertain eligibility. Eligible applications are then assessed by the Panel, who report to the DCF Board.

Applications are being assessed as quickly as possible and we are aiming to respond within 21 days.  In the case of emergencies, we will endeavour to respond more rapidly.

All applications are treated in the strictest confidence and are only viewed by the Administrator and the assessors. We regret that we cannot enter into correspondence with individual applicants.

Examples of previous DSS awards include: