Industry Update - July 2022

In line with the Government's Living with COVID19 plan, legal restrictions have been removed in relation to COVID19 and the workplace. The UK working safely during COVID19 guides continue to exist to provide high level guidance to manage COVID19 specific risk in film and TV production. They are referenced in the Production section below accordingly:

Film London's COVID-19 Guidance for Location Filming in London is now considered to be superfluous to industry needs and is therefore withdrawn from the Filming in London Code of Practice. Film London recommend that productions take a risk based approach to assessing and mitigating the effect of COVID on production. The baseline expectation is to follow the production’s own COVID19 protocols and production-specific risk assessment, alongside the following government guidance - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/reducing-the-spread-of-respiratory-infections-including-covid-19-in-the-workplace )

More information on conducting risk assessments and control measures can be found on the HSE website - https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/#advice

Any further amendments to guidelines will be highlighted on this section of the Film London website, so please check regularly for updates.

Production

Current industry guides:

British Film Commission – Working Safely During COVID-19 in Film and High-end TV Drama Production

PACT – TV Production Guidance: Managing the Risk of COVID-19 in Production Making

APA – COVID-19 Shooting Guidelines

Additional resources to assist productions during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 Filming Resource List provides details of companies who offer COVID-19 specific services to film and TV productions including health and safety advisors, medical advisors, COVID-19 equipment and resources and cleaning companies. It also lists organisations currently providing COVID-19 training.

ScreenSkills is the industry-led skills and training body for the UK’s screen industries. It has launched free online training in basic coronavirus awareness to support the BFC and TV production guidance. To take the training, go to: Coronavirus basic awareness on production training

Exhibition

In light of the government's announcement of national lockdown on the 4th January, cinemas will be required to remain closed ceasing all in venue activity until 17th May at the earliest. You can find further information on the UK Government website. For the latest updates and guidance regarding the COVID-19 outbreak for exhibitors and venues please read here.

The second round of the Culture Recovery Fund for Independent Cinemas in England administered by the BFI closed on 1st February 2021. Further information is available on the BFI website.

More than 200 independent cinemas from Penzance to Penrith have already been awarded £16m through the first £30m round of the Fund, with further awards in progress.

Film Hub London is a vibrant, diverse network of exhibitors, including over 50 cinemas. Even while cinemas remain closed there are still lots of ways to support your local cinema. We've created a resource to help you help our members. Click here to find out ways you can support.

If you work in cinema, the current situation may be making you feel anxious. But it’s important to remember that you’re part of a creative community, and support is available. The Film & TV charity have created an important resource which centres on wellbeing for cinema workers. Speak to your employer about guidance and resources they might be able to offer. To access the resource and more information on support click here.

For when cinema’s reopen - Keeping workers and customers safe

Cinemas – keeping workers and customers safe during COVID-19, has been produced by the UK Cinema Association in consultation with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with input from the BFI, the Independent Cinema Office and BECTU, and in consultation with Public Health England and the Health and Safety Executive. The guidelines have been developed to provide a starting point for cinemas across the UK in ensuring the continued safety of both audiences and staff in relation to COVID-19.

What's on at the virtual cinema

Although many venues across the country remain closed, there are plenty of ways to keep watching quality independent films from the comfort of your own home.

You can explore and watch the capital's archive film through London’s Screen Archives' extensive collection of footage - and be sure to check the Film London Twitter account every Thursday when the team pick out a ‘Film Of The Week’ to enjoy.

If you'd like to remain in contact with your local cinema, film society, film festival or programming collective, check their website and social media to see if they're hosting online viewing parties, watch-a-longs or discussions. You can also sign-up to our bi-weekly 'Film Events in London’ newsletter listing screening events that are now happening online.

Industry news and opportunities

Whilst the Film London office is closed we remain fully operational, continuing to deliver for the industry operating a home-working policy for all staff.

From screenings and events and filmmaking opportunities to archive news and the latest in the artist moving image world, the Film London newsletter has something for everyone. Subscribe to Film London newsletters for the latest updates.

For additional industry advice and guidance on COVID-19, please visit: www.bfi.org.uk/supporting-uk-film/covid-19-update