BIFA was the inspired idea of Suzanne Ballantyne and Elliot Grove. The catalyst was Annabel Hickox; she donated the interest that the Douglas Hickox Memorial Trust Fund had accumulated and that money became the Douglas Hickox prize, to be awarded to a new director. With the prize on board, Elliot and Suzanne sought the advice and help of a small group of committed founding members. The first planning meeting was held in June 1998 and attended by Michiyo Yoshizaki, Norma Heyman, Martin Myers, Steve Kenis and the event's first producer Fred Hogge. The first BIFA happened a mere 13 weeks later at the Café Royal in London's West End.