Isabel Davis has been named Director of the BFI Filmmaking Fund, taking up the post in October 2026 on a five-year fixed term and succeeding Mia Bays, who has led the fund since October 2021. The appointment places Davis in charge of a cornerstone UK public funding body at what BFI figures describe as a financially and structurally difficult time for independent British film, even as cinema-going audiences and homegrown filmmaking talent remain strong.

Davis returns to the BFI after eight years as Executive Director of Screen Scotland, having previously held roles there including Head of International. BFI chief executive Ben Roberts, who ran the recruitment with deputy chief executive Harriet Finney and an external panel of producers Elizabeth Karlsen, Hakan Kousetta and Nicky Bentham, praised her tenacity and UK-wide outlook. Under Bays, the fund backed titles including Kneecap, My Father's Shadow and the BAFTA-winning short Two Black Boys in Paradise, while this year's supported films include Our Share of Sand (Venice), Stuffed (Toronto, starring Jodie Comer and Harry Melling) and Cannes prizewinner I See Building Fall Like Lightning. Davis said she intends to bring a "truly UK-wide perspective," including continued focus on Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and the English regions.