Yesterday’s budget announcement revealed the British Film Commission (BFC) is to receive £4.8 million over three years to expand its work promoting the UK as a destination of choice for studio space investment. The British Film Commission will act as a one-stop-shop for expert advice to investors and developers and provide targeted support to facilitate increased provision of studio facilities across the UK. The investment will also further enhance the BFC’s work maximising and supporting the production of major international feature film and high-end television throughout the UK’s regions and nations.

Record-breaking figures released earlier this year highlight the ongoing strength and creativity of the UK’s screen industries, with inward investment spend from major international productions topping £3.04 billion as demand continues to grow from productions looking to capitalise on all the UK has to offer.

Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of the British Film Commission, said: “We are delighted by today’s budget announcement and the recognition by government of the immense value of film and TV to the UK economy. This major boost from the Treasury is a real public vote of confidence and will enable us to further attract and support international production, working alongside our partners and friends in the nations and regions. This is really fantastic news not just for the BFC but for the industry and indeed for UK PLC as a whole.”

Ben Roberts, Chief Executive of the BFI, said: “We welcome the Government’s continued support of the UK’s screen industries. We are one of the most popular and most creative production centres in the world, and the Chancellor’s announcement recognises our significant contribution to the UK’s culture and economy. This additional funding for the British Film Commission, specifically to unlock the huge potential in creating new production spaces, will benefit the entire industry and create opportunities across the UK.”

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: “The UK’s screen industries make a massive contribution to the national economy and help shape the way Britain is viewed around the world.”

“Our £4.8 million funding will help drive inward investment and grow our talented sector. With demand for our skills and services growing, the British Film Commission will become a one stop shop of expert advice for investors and developers to promote the UK as a destination for film and television production.”

Throughout 2019 the British Film Commission provided support to projects/companies in a variety of ways including troubleshooting, familiarisation trips and business development initiative UK Film and TV Week – showcasing the UK-wide offer to the TV and film industry in Los Angeles in partnership with Creative England, Welsh Government, Film London, Northern Ireland Screen and Screen Scotland.

–ENDS–

For further press information, please contact:

Haylie Read, Senior Press & Communications Manager
T: 020 7613 7682
M: 07787 254 250
E: Haylie.read@britishfilmcommission.org.uk

Notes to Editors

About the British Film Commission
The British Film Commission (BFC) is the UK Government’s national organisation responsible for international film and television production in the UK. Funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for International Trade and the BFI, the BFC leads on:
• Maximising and supporting the production of major international feature film and high-end television in the UK;
• Strengthening and promoting the UK’s film and television infrastructure;
• Liaising between the Government and the film and television industry on policy issues that impact on production.

The BFC has industry sponsors who form the membership of the agency’s innovative public/private partnership: Angels, Disney, Harbottle & Lewis, HBO, Movie Makers, Netflix, Pinewood Studios, Saffery Champness, Warner Bros, 3 Mills, BBC Studios, Double Negative, Elstree Studios, Framestore, MPC, The Bottle Yard and Working Title.

The BFC is the national division of Film London.

www.britishfilmcommission.org.uk
www.filmlondon.org.uk
@FilmInUK_BFC

About the BFI
The BFI is the UK’s lead organisation for film, television and the moving image. It is a distributor of National Lottery funding and a cultural charity that:
• Curates and presents the greatest international public programme of world cinema for audiences; in cinemas, at festivals and online
• Cares for the BFI National Archive – the most significant film and television archive in the world
• Actively seeks out and supports the next generation of filmmakers
• Works with Government and industry to make the UK the most creatively exciting and prosperous place to make film internationally
Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter. The BFI Board of Governors is chaired by Josh Berger CBE.

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