During the summer it was announced that one of Britain’s leading film funding and educational bodies, the UK Film Council, was to be shutdown by the brand spanking new Tory-LibDem coalition.
Now four months later the government has finally let their plans be known about the shaky state of Britain’s film industry. They plan to hand over all duties and funding that the UK Film Council were in charge of and give it over to the BFI, Britain’s other leading film funding institute. But that’s not all the lottery funding that fueled the Film Council has been up’d from £27 million to £43 million. There is also plans to unify the eight regional funding bodies across the country into one organisation termed Creative England.
The government will continue to keep its tax credit on on filming in the country which has helped to attract well over a billion pounds from outside films shooting in the UK including the BATMAN franchise has well as others. Also they will foster stronger bonds with Film London making sure they have close relations with Creative England.
Its no surprise that the power and money of the UK Film Council has been transferred to the BFI but it is surprising in the funding bump and the wish to unify the other English funding bodies. It shows how important as a business and industry the UK film has become over the years and how serious the government are taking it.
Lucy
Nov 29, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Outrageous spelling mistake in headline.
Producers Forum
Nov 29, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Success in industries like film and digital content production relies upon producers having the chance to develop professionally throughout their careers, to access opportunities on a local, national and international level, and feel part of a community in their region. As one of the few member-led professional organisations for content producers delivering these things, we have seen a growing space for our approach across England. Our members’ growth in productivity and award-winning work is testament to this.
Whilst it’s important not to forget the importance of accessibility at a local level, I welcome the government’s proposals to salvage what’s worked best from the last ten years in British screen industry and apply it across the board during a time of austerity.
Steffan Aquarone, The Producers’ Forum, West Midlands