The HELP TO ROLL Fund

On our 13th edition we launched the Help to Roll Fund, and we are determined to keep it rolling.

Who is this for?

The Help To Roll Fund is for anyone who needs a little help to “roll” forward in their creative career. It’s open to filmmakers looking for that extra support to kickstart or complete a project, but it can also help actors who need funds to attend an important event or pay for a platform subscription, or make-up artists who need to invest in new products to expand their opportunities.

We know how challenging it can be to stay afloat in this industry. While we would love to support everyone, we can’t guarantee that all submissions will be successful. However, we’ll do our best to keep this fund rolling, so you can too.

How to get funding for your project?

Craft and submit your pitch via FilmFreeway. All applications will be evaluated. The winner (or winners), selected based on creativity, feasibility, and impact, will be announced at the award ceremony.

Help To Roll Fund – Terms & Conditions

Purpose of the Fund

The Help To Roll Fund aims to support emerging and independent creatives working in the screen and creative industries by providing small but meaningful financial or practical support that can help move a project or career forward. The fund is designed to offer a boost at key moments—whether to start, develop, complete, or advance a creative idea or professional opportunity.

Eligibility

The Help To Roll Fund is open to all applicants, with no restrictions on age, residency, or professional background.

Applications may support film projects or other creative or professional development needs within the screen and creative industries, including but not limited to project development, training opportunities, equipment purchases, festival or market attendance, or platform subscriptions.

Submission Requirements

Applications must be submitted through FilmFreeway.

All submissions must be received by 15 August 2026.

Applicants must provide clear information about the proposed project or activity and how the requested support will help advance their work or career.

Intellectual Property Rights

All intellectual property rights for submitted pitches and materials remain with the creators.

By submitting an application, applicants grant the London Rolling Film Festival the right to share their submission with a panel of industry professionals for evaluation purposes.

Judging and Evaluation

All applications will be reviewed by a panel appointed by the London Rolling Film Festival.

Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Creativity and originality

  • Feasibility and clarity of the proposed use of funds

  • Potential impact on the applicant’s creative or professional development

  • Alignment with the spirit of the Help To Roll Fund

Due to the subjective nature of creative evaluation and the limited resources available, not all deserving applications can be supported.

The panel’s decisions are final and not subject to appeal. The festival is not obligated to provide individual feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Award and Funding

The total fund amount available each year will depend on the festival’s revenue from submissions and any additional sponsorship or support received.

Funding may be awarded to one or more applicants, depending on the strength of submissions and the resources available.

Past grants have ranged between £100 and £2000, although award amounts may vary.

Support may include:

  • monetary awards

  • production or professional resources (such as equipment hire credits, post-production services, training, or subscriptions)

  • or a combination of the above, depending on the needs of the selected recipient(s).

Details of funding disbursement will be agreed with the recipient(s) and outlined in a separate funding agreement where applicable.

Use of Funds

Recipients agree to use the awarded funds or resources solely for the purpose outlined in their application, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the London Rolling Film Festival.

The festival reserves the right to request a brief update on how the funds were used and the progress of the supported project or activity.

If the proposed use of funds changes significantly, recipients must notify the festival and obtain approval for the revised use.

Project or Activity Timeline

Recipients are expected to begin the proposed project or activity within one year of receiving the award and complete it within two years, unless otherwise agreed with the festival.

Acknowledgment and Credit

Recipients agree to acknowledge the support of the London Rolling Film Festival – Help To Roll Fund in any relevant project credits, promotional materials, or public communications related to the supported project or activity, where applicable.

The festival may also reference supported projects or recipients in its website, communications, and promotional materials for the purpose of promoting the fund and the festival.

Data Protection

Personal information collected from applicants will be used solely for the administration of the Help To Roll Fund and handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

Amendments and Cancellation

The London Rolling Film Festival reserves the right to amend these Terms & Conditions or cancel the fund if necessary. Applicants will be notified of any significant changes.

Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from the Help To Roll Fund will first be addressed through good-faith negotiation. If a resolution cannot be reached, disputes will be subject to the jurisdiction of the laws of England and Wales.

Limitation of Liability

The London Rolling Film Festival shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or costs incurred by participants as a result of changes to the fund, delays, cancellation, or circumstances beyond the festival’s reasonable control.