“Vote of confidence in growth potential of UK Inward Investment Film and TV sector” as Government confirms multi-year funding support for the British Film Commission
- Three-year funding support for British Film Commission announced as part of the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy
- Investment in NFTS, the UK Global Screen Fund and wider measures to support the sector welcomed
As part of its Industrial Strategy and accompanying Creative Industries Sector Plan published today (Monday 23 June, London), the UK Government has committed to three-year funding support for the British Film Commission from April 2026.
Responding to the announcement, Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of the British Film Commission, said:
“This commitment to a further three years’ funding for the British Film Commission is not only a show of support but of confidence in the strength and growth potential of the UK’s inward investment film and TV production sector.
“The British Film Commission works tirelessly to promote our incredible UK film and TV production industry internationally, and to support production in all four nations of the UK, so we’re delighted that today’s announcement of longer-term funding for the British Film Commission allows us to continue that work.
“While the global industry is still in a state of change and yet to reach a ‘new normal’, this strong support from Government, coupled with our compelling package of tax credits – including an increased VFX tax credit and new credit for limited-budget films – will ensure the UK remains well-placed to see a competitive share of the global production spend.”
On the broader investment announced as part of the Creative Industries Sector Plan:
“We also welcome the broader commitment to our screen sector in the Creative Industries Sector Plan. This includes the investment in the National Film & TV School, supporting future generations of film and TV talent, and the enlarged UK Global Screen Fund. All these measures send a message globally of confidence in our sector, without complacency.”
In 2024, the British Film Commission (BFC)’s bespoke support facilitated major film and HETV projects by assisting international companies in all areas of production. This included guidance on UK-wide stage space and crew availability, sourcing locations via our network of partners throughout the nations and regions, visa troubleshooting and UK tax relief.
The BFC additionally continued to support and promote infrastructure in all four nations of the UK. Since 2020, and in addition to its core remit, the BFC has assisted the delivery of over 3 million sq. ft. of new stage space throughout the UK, doubling the UK’s studio space footprint to 6 million sq. ft.
The BFC also continues to work closely with Government to ensure the development, continuation or enhancement of the UK’s ‘film-friendly’ policies.
Recovering from the global impact of 2023’s US SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, inward investment spend in the UK generated by film and HETV production during 2024 reached £4.7 billion, up 43% from 2023’s figures. The British Film Commission provided production support to productions and companies responsible for 91% of the total US inward investment HETV spend, and 94% of total US inward investment feature film spend in 2024. This included bespoke support to companies responsible for major film and HETV titles such as The Conjuring: Last Rites (Warner Bros./New Line), House of the Dragon season 3 (HBO), Black Bag (Focus Features), The Running Man (Paramount), Bugonia(Square Peg UK/Element Pictures), Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (Netflix), Citadel season 2 (Amazon), Slow Horses season 5 (Apple TV+).
For further press information please contact:
Lauren Preteceille, Head of Communications and Public Affairs, British Film Commission