Independent Cinema Office
Could Independent Cinema Office fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £3,000 – £7,500
- Where they fund
- South East
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Email application
- Decisions
- Rolling (no fixed deadline)
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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independentcinemaoffice.org.ukAbout Independent Cinema Office
The Independent Cinema Office (ICO) runs Film Hub South East, a regional network that provides funding and support to member organisations. The Hub aims to create opportunities for children and young people to experience a broader screen culture, support public access to a wider choice of film and moving image including stories that reflect their lives, and tackle social, economic and geographic barriers for audiences. Its funding character is shaped by a membership model, focusing on broadening screen culture for underserved audiences across the South East region.
What Independent Cinema Office funds
The Film Exhibition Fund supports film festivals, independent cinemas, cultural venues and community groups that are Film Hub South East members. Grants can be used for programming, marketing, audience development, accessibility and associated expenses. Work must take place within the South East region and benefit children, young people and the general public. The Fund prioritises creating opportunities for children and young people to experience a broader screen culture, supporting public access to a wider choice of film and moving image including stories that reflect their lives, and tackling social, economic and geographic barriers for audiences. Online and hybrid events are only supported in exceptional circumstances.
Who can apply
Organisations must be Film Hub South East members to access funding opportunities. Eligible applicants include film festivals, independent cinemas, cultural venues and community groups. The Fund prioritises work that benefits children, young people and the general public, with a focus on underserved audiences. There is no religious restriction.
What Independent Cinema Office doesn't fund
Online and hybrid events are only supported in exceptional circumstances. The Fund does not support activities outside the South East region or that do not benefit the priority groups.
How they like to fund
The Fund provides grants for project delivery and events, supporting both one-off and multi-year activities. It welcomes unsolicited applications from members. Funding covers programming, marketing, audience development, accessibility and associated expenses.
How much does Independent Cinema Office give?
Independent Cinema Office runs 4 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 27 sourced facts
- Online application form
- Multi-year funding
- Online application form
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
What Independent Cinema Office funds — and what they won't
To create opportunities for children and young people to experience a broader screen culture; To support public access to a wider choice of film and moving image, including stories that reflect their lives; To tackle social, economic and geographic barriers for audiences engaging in a broad and diverse screen culture.
The full exclusions list (1)
- Online and hybrid events only in exceptional circumstances
Good to know
How to apply to Independent Cinema Office
Independent Cinema Office takes applications via email application.
- Published programme route: online application form.
- Decisions are typically rolling (no fixed deadline).
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Independent Cinema Office could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Independent Cinema Office provide?
Independent Cinema Office runs 4 grant programmes — Film Exhibition Fund: over £3k: £3,000+ · Film Exhibition Fund: under £3k: Up to £3,000.
Where does Independent Cinema Office fund charities?
Independent Cinema Office funds charities operating in South East.
Does Independent Cinema Office accept unsolicited applications?
Independent Cinema Office accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does Independent Cinema Office not fund?
Their published exclusions include: Online and hybrid events only in exceptional circumstances. The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from Independent Cinema Office?
Independent Cinema Office takes applications via email application. Published programme route: online application form.
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Could Independent Cinema Office be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.