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FAQs
Transfer of responsibilities from the UK Film Council to
Film London and the BFI
Last updated: 1 April 2011
The government has charged Film London with developing and managing a national strategy to generate inward investment through film production via a public-private partnership with key industry bodies, following its decision in July 2010 to abolish the UK Film Council. The government has also awarded Lottery distribution for film in the UK to the BFI and strongly reaffirmed its commitment to the successful tax credit for feature film production.
For more information see the Frequently Asked Questions below, which outline the transfer of responsibilities from the UK Film Council to the BFI and Film London.
- General questions about the transferral
- Film funding
- Film tax relief
- Other funded activity
- Who should I contact?
- Film in the devolved nations and English regions
- Funded partners: Film London
- Funded partners: Skillset; First Light
- Other
Q1 What functions have transferred from the UK Film Council to the BFI?
A From 1 April 2011, the British Film Institute (BFI) has become the UK Government's lead body for film. Most of the UK Film Council's core functions have transferred to the BFI - including the distribution of National Lottery funding for the development and production of new British films, as well as audience development activity through supporting film distribution and exhibition.
The BFI also takes over responsibility for the certification of UK films (which enables filmmakers to access the UK film tax relief for film production); film education; the Research and Statistics Unit (contingent on alternative funding being found post July 2011); overseeing support for film in the English Regions; liaising with the National Screen Agencies in the devolved Nations; funding skills development for the film workforce in partnership with Skillset; and supporting First Light and MEDIA Desk UK. In addition, the work of the UK Film Council's Business Affairs, Monitoring, Strategic Development and UK Partnerships teams have moved over to the BFI.
The BFI is taking a partnership approach for promoting British film internationally, working with BBC Worldwide, BAFTA, Film London and, over time, others.
The responsibility for oversight of the BFI itself, previously held by the UK Film Council, has now transfered to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Q2 What functions have transfered from the UK Film Council to Film London?
A From 1 April 2011, the UK Film Council's role in encouraging inward investment into the UK has moved across to Film London in a public/private partnership with Warner Bros., Pinewood Studios Group, the Production Guild, UK Screen Association and others.
Q3 What UK Film Council activities have not transferred?
A Activities which are no longer being funded and which have therefore closed include Diversity as well as a range of support functions, but many of these are already embedded in the BFI's existing structure and activities.
Q4 What has happened to the UK Film Council employees who worked in areas not transferred?
A UK Film Council employees working in activities not transferred to the BFI or Film London have been made redundant.
Q5 What happens to the UK Film Council employees working in those areas which have been transferred?
A Posts where at least two-thirds of the work - day-to-day tasks and responsibilities within those areas of activity that will continue following the closure of the UK Film Council have transferred over to the two receiving organisations, BFI and Film London.
Q6 What has happened to UK Film Council employees?
A The process for transferring staff and assets from the UK Film Council to the BFI has now been completed. A total of 44 UK Film Council posts (including vacancies) transferred on 1 April to the BFI through a formal TUPE process (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006). The new staff are based at the BFI's central London location, moving from 1 April and over the following months. Among the posts that have moved across are those held by Tanya Seghatchian, the Head of the UK Film Council's Film Fund, Peter Buckingham, Head of Distribution and Exhibition, and Will Evans, Head of Business Affairs. Where areas of activity are no longer being funded, correspondingly, employees have been made redundant following a formal 30-day staff consultation process, and they are serving individual notice periods. The transfer of posts to Film London was completed on 1 April 2011.
Q7 When is the UK Film Council due to close?
A The UK Film Council is due to cease trading by the end of June 2011 - however many of its core functions and activities have already transferred and it has ceased to be the National Lottery distributor for film - this responsibility has now passed to the BFI.
Q8 I thought the UK Film Council was running until early 2012?
A The intention is to complete the full transition of UK Film Council-funded activities to the BFI and Film London as soon as possible, but it is inevitable that, even after the majority of functions have been transferred to the receiving organisations, there will still be a number of loose ends to tie up. In terms of applying for funding, however, from 1 April 2011 the BFI will has the statutory powers to be the Lottery distributor for film.
Film Funding
Q9 So does everything change from 1 April 2011 - are there new guidelines on what funding can be applied for?
A The commitments to the Film Fund, the Distribution and Exhibition Fund, skills development and other areas that have transferred to the BFI will continue as set out by the UK Film Council in its three year plan (UK Film: Digital innovation and creative excellence, April 2010-March 2013) until 31 March 2012. After that the BFI, in consultation with the Government, the film sector and other stakeholders, will decide on future film policy and funding priorities.
Q10 Where do I apply for funding?
A Applications for film development, production, distribution and exhibition Lottery funding should be made online at www.bfi.org.uk/about/funding. Commitments made by the UK Film Council up to and including 31 March 2011 will be honoured.
Q11 Will the BFI honour all current Lottery funding commitments?
A Yes, the BFI will honour all Lottery award commitments made by the UK Film Council up to and including 31 March 2011 through its Film Fund and Distribution and Exhibition Department and other live Lottery awards.
Q12 I received a Lottery award from the UK Film Council which I have not yet fully spent - what do I need to do?
A You don't need to do anything. Lottery awards as confirmed in written offers will continue to stand after the Grant-in-aid and Lottery responsibility passes to the BFI.
Q13 Have the policy and funding priorities set out in the UK Film Council's three year plan (UK Film: Digital Innovation and Creative Excellence, April 2010-March 2013) changed? If so, how have they changed, when will the new consultation begin and who will be consulted?
A During 2011 the intention is for the DCMS and the BFI to undertake a major new consultation about future policy priorities and about how Lottery and Grant-in-aid funding should be spent. The timeline and process for the consultation will be published in due course.
Q14 Now that the Film Fund has moved to the BFI, have the objectives and priorities of the Film Fund changed? If so, how?
A The Film Fund and Distribution and Exhibition funding commitments as set out by the UK Film Council in its three year plan (UK Film: Digital innovation and creative excellence, April 2010-March 2013) will continue until 31 March 2012. After that the BFI will, in consultation with the Government, the film sector and other stakeholders, decide on its future policy and funding priorities.
Q15 Will the Film Fund still have a ring-fenced sum of money for film development activity?
A Yes, funding film development will continue to be a priority - although, as is currently the case, there is no automatic assumption that projects developed will become films that the fund would then invest in at the production stage.
Q16 Who is now in charge of making funding decisions for film?
A The Film Fund and the Prints and Advertising Fund continue to accept and assess applications for funding with the respective Heads of the funds continuing to greenlight awards to films in development, production and distribution.
Any changes to any of the processes for the funds will be communicated to the industry and published on the BFI website.
Q17 What is going to happen to the International Festivals Fund: Sales Support (IFFSS) scheme?
A There is no provision for funding UK film exports activity in the transition plan for activities moving from the UK Film Council to the BFI or Film London and therefore currently there is no plan to continue the IFFSS from 1 April 2011.
During 2011 the DCMS and the BFI intend to undertake a major new consultation about how Lottery funding should be spent. The timeline and process for that consultation will be published in due course.
Q18 Is the Prints and Advertising Fund still open for business? If so, how do I now apply for funding?
A With the exception of the Innovation Fund, the BFI will honour the agreed Lottery funding priorities for distribution and exhibition as outlined in the UK Film Council's three year plan until 31 March 2012, so the Prints and Advertising Fund will remain open for applications until that date.
To apply to the fund visit www.bfi.org.uk/about/funding. Any changes to the process for application or the timeline will be announced to the industry by direct communication to distributors, on the BFI website and, if appropriate, via the trade press.
During 2011 the intention is for the DCMS and the BFI to undertake a major new consultation about how Lottery funding should be spent. The timeline and process for that consultation will be published in due course.
Q19 How much Lottery money will now be available for film development and production?
A The Film Fund for film development and production as stated in UK Film: Digital innovation and creative excellence, April 2010-March 2013 is currently £15 million a year, excluding recoupment (all of which, as is currently the case, will top up the Film Fund's annual budget and will be reinvested into making more British films).
The BFI has increased the Lottery fund for film by 20% from £15 million to £18 million in 2011/12.
Q20 How will the recoupment process now work?
A The Film Fund and the Prints & Advertising Fund will continue to work to the agreed strategy as set out in UK Film Council's three year plan (UK Film: Digital innovation and creative excellence, April 2010-March 2013) until 31 March 2012.
During 2011 the intention is for the DCMS and the BFI to undertake a major new consultation about how Lottery and Grant-in-aid funding should be spent. The timeline and process for that consultation will be published in due course.
Recoupment arrangements will be reviewed as the BFI develops its strategy for film with government and with the industry.
Q21 How do I get advice on applying to the EU MEDIA Programme and other EU schemes?
A MEDIA Desk UK has transferred to the BFI and will continue to operate and offer advice to UK companies about applying to the MEDIA Programme and other EU funding schemes.
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Film Tax Relief
Q22 Who is undertaking the certification of culturally British films and has the certification process changed in any way?
A From 1 April 2011 the Certification Unit is the responsibility of the BFI and the team has moved across accordingly. There are no plans to change the certification process which supports the UK film tax relief and the Government has continued to pledge its commitment to maintaining the film tax relief.
Q23 Is the Film Tax Relief in any way under threat?
A No it is not. The Government has repeatedly stated its commitment both to Lottery funding and the film tax relief.
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Other funded activity
Q24 Who will promote the UK as an inward investment destination and where does the Office of the British Film Commissioner sit?
A Responsibility for inward investment has transferred to Film London, funded through the BFI. All the core functions of the British Film Commission have been retained and have transitioned seamlessly to Film London. Further details regarding the UK's inward investment strategy will be announced in due course by Film London.
Q25 Is the Innovation Fund not going to open for business? If so, what will happen to the £5m of annual Lottery funding allocated to that Fund by the UK Film Council?
A The launch of the £5m pa Innovation Fund was one of the initiatives announced in the UK Film Council's three year plan, UK Film: Digital innovation and creative excellence, April 2010-March 2013. But the announcement to abolish the UK Film Council was made before the Innovation Fund was launched and, as a consequence, the decision was made to freeze the Fund until such time as future funding streams, responsibilities and priorities for UK film became clear. The responsibility for future Lottery-funded film activity and funding priorities has now passed to the BFI. During 2011 the DCMS and the BFI intend to undertake a major new consultation about how Lottery funding should be spent. The timeline and process for that consultation will be published in due course.
Q26 Will the Film Education strategy continue to be supported?
A The Film Education Strategy was awarded £750,000 of Lottery funding for a 3-year period. The three years will come to an end in December 2011. The BFI will discuss future arrangements beyond that date once the transition has taken place.
Q27 In light of the closure of the UK Film Council's Diversity Unit, how will the BFI and Film London ensure that diversity remains a key priority?
A The BFI has a very strong commitment to diversity, both in the workplace and in its cultural programme. Although diversity sponsorship funds previously supported by the UK Film Council will no longer be available from April 1 2011, the funding departments moving to the BFI from the UK Film Council have clear commitments to diversity and their strategies as set out in the UK Film Council's three year plan will continue until March 31 2012.
No discrete diversity office will be created, but the BFI has integrated and embedded diversity into its functions. Going forward it will be looking at partnership working where possible. Film London has a very strong commitment to diversity, both in the workplace and how it promotes its funds and schemes.
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Who should I contact?
Q28 Who is now in charge of making funding decisions for film?
A The Film Fund and the Prints and Advertising Fund continue to accept and assess applications for funding. The respective Heads of the funds have now transferred across to the BFI and will continue to greenlight awards to films in development, production and distribution throughout the transfer process. Any changes to the processes for the funds will be communicated to the industry and published on the BFI website.
Q29 Who should I contact about co-production treaties?
A The Government through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport negotiates co-production treaties between the UK and other countries.
Q30 Who should I contact about film sponsorship funding and opportunities?
A The programme of sponsorship which has supported specific film projects and film organisations through the UK Film Council ceased on 31 March 2011. All enquiries regarding sponsorship opportunities should be made to the BFI.
Q31 Who should I contact if I want to submit a Freedom of Information request?
A The Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the BFI are subject to the Freedom of Information Act (2000). In the first instance contact Paul Crake, Board Secretary, on: paul.crake@bfi.org.uk
Film London makes a wide range of information publicly available and is subject to the Freedom of Information Act only in terms of its lottery delegation responsibilities. In the first instance contact: Daniela Kirchner, Head of Strategy & Resources, on 020 7613 7676 or email daniela.kirchner@filmlondon.org.uk
Q32 Who should I contact about film exports and supporting UK film product, talent, services and skills in international markets?
A Film Exports is one of the UK Film Council activities for which there has been no funding provision made beyond 31 March 2011. However, as part of the BFI's new remit it will be providing a clear focus for film internationally and it will be working closely with partners such as BAFTA, BBC Worldwide and Film London to ensure that British film can be promoted internationally. Film London will continue to support the export of British film through the successful London UK Film Focus (LUFF), returning in 2011 for its 8th year.
Inward investment aspects of the UK's work - notably promoting the UK's production service and skills, which is currently undertaken by the UK Film Council's Office of the British Film Commissioner has transferred to Film London.
Q33 Who should I contact for information, statistics and market intelligence?
A It has been agreed that the Statistical Yearbook 2010/11 will be published as planned in July 2011. Thereafter the BFI will be working with the Government and the industry to seek new options for funding the Research & Statistics Unit.
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Film in the devolved nations and English regions
Q34 Who will provide funding support for film across the English regions?
A The Government has pledged to support film across the English regions. The responsibility now falls to the BFI to develop a new strategy for film with regional partners including Creative England. Lottery and Grant-in-aid funding to the English regions is provided via the BFI.
Q35 What is Creative England?
A Creative England is a new body that unites the English Regional Screen Agencies outside London into a simple, efficient structure to support the creative industries as a whole across England. It will ensure an England-wide delivery network for film, whilst laying the foundations for a longer-term solution, connecting creative and digital SMEs with national and international markets, public and private funding. Its proposed structure is a new nationwide network based on three key hubs; Creative North, Creative Central and Creative South. These three hubs will work with local business networks and sector organisations, to deliver cultural and business-development objectives. For more information, see here: www.creativeengland.co.uk/faqs
Q36 What happens to support for the National Screen Agencies?
A The BFI has confirmed with those agencies the level of support they will receive from 1 April 2011
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Funded partners: Film London
Q37 With Film London managing the national function, will the emphasis be on bringing investment to the capital only?
A No, the inward investment function will service the whole of the UK and has been nationally branded. Film London will have strong connections and partnerships with organisations, studios and companies throughout the UK. It will also work closely with Creative England and the nations to ensure the entire country, as well as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, is promoted internationally.
Q38 How will the public/private partnership work?
A Private partners will invest in the national inward investment function to ensure the UK, its facilities and talent are promoted successfully all over the world. In addition, Film London will employ the knowledge and expertise of an advisory board, which will be drawn from industry partners and stakeholders from the regions and nations.
Q39 How are Film London recruiting their partners and advisory board?
A The chair of the Advisory Board has been announced as Iain Smith. Initially joining Iain on the Board are representatives from Warner Bros., the National Screen Agencies for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, BFI Director, Amanda Nevill, PACT CEO John McVay and Creative England Chair John Newbigin, alongside the Film London Chair David Parfitt.
Q40 How will Film London work with Creative England?
A Film London is developing a Memorandum of Understanding with Creative England which will outline exactly how the two organisations will work together to promote the whole of the UK internationally. This will be available in due course.
Funded partners: Skillset; First Light
Q41 Will Skillset now become the BFI's partner on skills development and training in film? If so, do I apply in the usual way?
A Existing arrangements for Lottery distribution to Skillset remain in place until March 31 2012. The BFI will discuss future arrangements beyond that date once the transition has taken place.
Q42 Will First Light continue to receive Lottery Funding?
A Existing arrangements for Lottery distribution to First Light remain in place until 31 March 2012. The BFI will discuss future arrangements beyond that date once the transition has taken place.
Other
Q43 What's happening to the Screen Heritage strategy?
A The Screen Heritage UK (SHUK) strategy will continue and remains on course to deliver its agreed aims and objectives. Governance of the SHUK strategy is the responsibility of the BFI.
Q44 What is going to happen to the films that the UK Film Council inherited from British Screen and Arts Council England and the revenue earned by those films?
A The British Screen Group and Arts Council England portfolios of around 1,500 films in total - many of which continue to have market value - have become the responsibility of the BFI. A smooth handover of these assets and the relevant management systems is being planned as part of the transition process so that, from the industry's point of view, it will be business as usual.
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