The BFI was founded in 1933. It is a charity governed by a Royal Charter. The BFI combines cultural, creative and industrial roles, bringing together the BFI National Archive and BFI Reuben Library, film distribution, exhibition and education at BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX, publishing and festivalsTT
The BFI awards Lottery funding to film production, distribution, education, audience development and market intelligence and research.