Welcome to Film Export UK

We are the trade body for UK companies that sell independent feature films internationally

Established in 2007, Film Export UK association members handle the licensing and international distribution of UK and non-UK produced and co-produced feature films and other audio-visual content across all genres, media and formats.

Film Export UK runs “umbrella” spaces at festivals such as the Toronto International Film Festival, and markets such as the European Film Market in Berlin and Filmart in Hong Kong, as well as compiling listings of UK films and companies to be found at the Cannes Film Festival’s Marché du Film.

Welcome to

Film Export UK

We are the trade body for UK companies that sell independent feature films internationally.

Film Export UK association members handle the licensing and international distribution of UK and non-UK produced and co-produced feature films and other audio-visual content across all genres, media and formats, along with running “umbrella” spaces at international film festivals for UK Sales Agents.

Each year we compile listings of UK films and companies to be found at the Cannes Film Festival’s Marché du Film.

Film Export UK is the trade body for companies with UK offices selling, marketing & distributing independent feature films around the world.

The association performs a wide range of functions to support and sustain the export of British independent films from UK companies. From operating umbrella stands at key international film festivals and markets to lobbying government on UK film policy, Film Export UK positions itself at the forefront of the international film industry ensuring that its members’ interests are represented at the highest level and we strive for the value of their contribution to the UK, both culturally and economically, to be recognised.

The Latest Industry News from Film Export UK

See all our News here >>

See our News >>

February 10, 2026

UK sales agents gear up for busy European Film Market

February 9, 2026

Screen UK Features Catalogue

December 23, 2025

Festival Dates for the year ahead

Film Export UK members include a wide cross section of the UK film sales industry.

Export Support

Independent feature films have to battle hard for attention in the global entertainment landscape. UK policy makers have long accepted that there is a strong case for public support to help films to cross national borders and find new audiences. Support may be directed to the exporting company to permit it to attend an international event or to the promotion of a film that has been invited to a prestigious festival. It may be directed to the company releasing a film within a country or towards a wider intervention that develops audience tastes or helps the commercial landscape to evolve.

The British Film Institute

The British Film Institute (BFI) grants of National Lottery funds support our international umbrella stands, and the companies exhibiting on them, via the UK Focus Fund. Other UK screen industry professionals can benefit from the International Connections Fund by joining BFI delegations to events identified as key opportunities to build mutually beneficial creative relationships, discover new funding and new distribution opportunities.

UKGSF

The UKGSF (based within BFI) targets support across the screen sector, including film, TV, documentary, animation and interactive narrative games content. In addition to supporting International Business Development and International Co-production, it helps International Distribution through support for sales, festival launches and distribution in international territories.

British Council

The British Council’s Film department screens new films to selectors from the world’s major international film festivals. It has recently partnered with BFI to offer a Travel Grant Fund to get filmmakers and XR creatives to selected international festivals and showcase events, labs, and co production forums.

Dept for Business & Trade

Under the banner of the GREAT campaign, the Dept for Business & Trade (DBT) support some carefully selected events and activities to support UK exporters at film events. We await the findings of an evaluation study DBT has made to decide whether to reboot a Trade Show Access Program to help exporters in all industries to exhibit abroad.

Film London

The agency that supports film, television, animation and games in the capital holds two events of great benefit to exporters. The London Screenings in June is an invitation-only event for international buyers to screen new British films and meet UK sales companies. and the Production Finance Market (PFM) in October helps filmmakers and financiers from across the globe navigate potential business partnerships and investment.

Screen UK

Replacing the longstanding We Are UK Film branding that has identified UK pavilions and umbrella stands at international events for many years, Screen UK additionally embraces other screen media. Online, it is the Industry version of a consumer-facing site that encourages audiences abroad to discover UK creative products.

Umbrella Stands at Markets

Film Export UK provides UK pavilions at many international trade shows, film markets and festivals.

In addition to the umbrella stands there is also direct funding support for companies and individuals wishing to attend markets and festivals. Links to these can be found HERE

The next ScreenUK Industry stand will be at the European Film Market (EFM 26) held in Berlin in February 2026.