A new approach to film education in British schools and financial incentives to encourage early collaboration between producers and distributors were among the recommendations of a recently published report: ‘A Future for British Film - it begins with the audience’. å“British film is going through a golden period,” said Lord Chris Smith, who chaired the independent review panel behind the report. “A run of British-made and British-based movies has been taking audiences around the world by storm. But we cannot be complacent.”
The review was commissioned last year by UK Culture Minister Ed Vaizey and looked at how to ensure film is a sector which plays a full role in driving growth. The audience was been placed at the heart of the review, and the report’s recommendations aim to maximize audience access to films of every kind.
“This review highlights the things that the BFI, Government and industry can do to ensure that we continue to build on recent successes,” said Lord Smith. “British film is in prime position to make a major contribution to the growth of the UK’s economy, to the development of attractive and fulfilling careers for young people, and to the creation of job opportunities across the country.”
Lavinia Carey, Director General of the British Video Association (BVA), responds to the report by saying: “The Review is an important first step in assuring the future of the British film industry. If the industry is to continue to play its role in the country’s cultural life it is essential that the Government acts to create the right conditions such as encouraging the roll out of superfast broadband and investing in British skills.
“Most importantly, it is imperative that the Government’s current review of copyright does not weaken copyright law and inadvertently introduce uncertainty in a market where raising investment for British productions is already a challenge for independent film makers by reducing the value of video entertainment – so important to the financial eco-system of our film industry.
“British films dominated the UK video entertainment chart in 2011. Without being able to rely on this income, those films would not have been made. BVA research shows that on average 47% of the revenue generated for film in the UK comes from video entertainment. We therefore welcome Lord Smith’s recommendations to ensure the sustainability of the UK’s film industry.”
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