John Woodward, CEO of the UK Film Council, announced on Monday morning that his organisation is to be scrapped as part of government cutbacks aimed at reducing the national debt. The official announcement was made in the House of Commons that afternoon by Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt.
The UK film council provides support to filmmakers through the allocation of grants for everything from script development to production, as well as running numerous cultural and educational programmes and helping to support the country's independent cinemas. It also helps to promote British films at international festivals, and it supports the distribution of independent films, playing a key role in making sure that there's more choice available when you're planning a night out at the movies. It is at present unclear who, if anyone, will take over these duties in its absence.
“Abolishing the most successful film support organisation the UK has ever had is a bad decision, imposed without any consultation or evaluation," said UK Film Council chairman Tim Bevan CBE. "People will rightly look back on today’s announcement and say it was a big mistake, driven by short-term thinking and political expediency. British film, which is one of the UK’s more successful growth industries, deserves better."
Film funding in Scotland is a devolved matter so will not be affected by the changes. "We echo Tim Bevan’s comments that the priority is to ensure the UK government confirms its commitment to the UK film industry and guarantees that the necessary support structures and investment available for film in the UK continue long-term," a spokesperson for Creative Scotland told Eye For Film.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport said in a statement that it expects the National Lottery fund to continue to support independent film in the UK, and that the government hopes to establish a more direct relationship with the BFI (British Film Institute). It argues that this "would support front-line services while ensuring greater value for money." Details of the changes would be finalised over the summer and the final changes made in the Public Bodies Bill due to be introduced when Parliament reconvenes in the Autumn.
"The changes I have proposed today would help us deliver fantastic culture, media and sport, while ensuring value for money for the public and transparency about where taxpayers’ money is spent," said Jeremy Hunt. A recent study by Oxford University concluded that the British film industry contributes approximately £4.5bn annually to the economy.
