Funding
What was the UK Film Council?
Backed by the government, the UK Film Council ensures that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad.
What did it do to support short filmmakers and short film making?
The Short Film Completion Fund, part of the New Cinema Fund's programme, provided finance and support for short film makers who showed outstanding potential and talent but lacked the funds to finish or create the film. It's part of the New Cinema Fund's programme. In 2009-2010, the total fund available was £70,000. The Completion Fund has supported more than 70 films over the past 7 years.
What was the position and role of the BFI prior to the creation of the Film Council?
The BFI was first set up between 1929 - 1933. On 30 September, the BFI was eventually registered by the Board of Trade. The UK Film Council was set up later in 2000. In 2000, the Film Council became responsible for funding the BFI. Before the Film Council, the BFI already had their "Sight and Sound" magazine which was first published in 1991. They also had a "National Film Archive" which was set up in 1935.
How has the position and role of the BFI changed since the recent government decision to dismantle the UK Film Council?
In April 2011, the BFI officially took over the funding responsibilities of the UK Film Council. The Film Council was axed in July 2010 as part of a cost-cutting drive by the Governement's Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The Council's closure means the BFI are now responsible for distributing lottery money to film-makers based in the UK. Regional agency, Film London, have also taken on the role of promoting the UK as a film-making destination. The BFI have also taken over responsibility for the certification of UK films.
In what respects and to what extent does the UK Film Council continue to exist as an institutional and cultural film body?
Current UK Film Council funding initiatives include:
The world's first Digital Screen Network, which has invested in 240 digital screens in cinemas across the UK, increasing film choice, bringing the 3D experience to a wider audience, and ensuring the UK has more digital cinemas than any other European country.
They support over 200 film societies and independent regional film venues.
Working with "Skillset", the UK skills and training industry body for the creative industries, which enables almost 7,000 people to further their filmmaking careers and gives over 20,000 young people the opportunity to get involved in filmmaking through "First Light" and "Mediabox".
They fund and work with a number of different partners across the UK – including the regional and national screen agencies, the BFI, Skillset, First Light and FILMCLUB; Bringing "FILMCLUB" to thousands of schools, "introduced new generations of children to the best of British and international cinema".
What were the Regional Screen Agencies (RSAs) that Film Council funding was delivered through?
· EM Media
How have these been/will these be affected by recent changes in power structures?
The UK Film Council's role in encouraging inward investment into the UK was moved across to "Film London" in a public/private partnership with Warner Bros., Pinewood Studios Group, the Production Guild, UK Screen Association and others.
As a short filmmaker, what funds could you yourself apply for?
"First Light", one of the Uk Film Council's funding parnters, have a young persons grant:
First Light Movies provides grants to projects that enable young people to participate in all aspects of film productions. Since launching in 2001, First Light Movies have enabled over 12,000 young filmmakers to write, act, shoot, light, direct and produce over 800 films. The funding is available to organizations that work with young people aged between 5 and 18, such as:
• Schools;
• Youth services;
• Community;
• Voluntary groups, etc.
Grants are available through three funding streams. The Pilot Awards which provides grants of up to £5,000 for the production of a 5 minute film, the Studio Awards, which provides grants of up to £25,000 for films up to 10 minutes long and What’s the Big Idea Awards which provides grants of £3,000 to develop ideas and stories for films.
• Schools;
• Youth services;
• Community;
• Voluntary groups, etc.
Grants are available through three funding streams. The Pilot Awards which provides grants of up to £5,000 for the production of a 5 minute film, the Studio Awards, which provides grants of up to £25,000 for films up to 10 minutes long and What’s the Big Idea Awards which provides grants of £3,000 to develop ideas and stories for films.
