BFC gets new backing from BFI

The UK’s promotional agency for film The British Film Commission is to get an additional £100,000 from the BFI.

Disney, Framestore, Harbottle & Lewis, Pinewood Studios Group, RSM Tenon and Warner Bros. UK have been named as the BFC’s founding commercial sponsors.

The six new private sponsors formalise the public/private partnership announced by Minster Ed Vaizey when he transferred the management of BFC to Film London. The BFC is also funded by the DCMS through the BFI.

Minster Vaizey said: “This fantastic new partnership between international film companies and the BFC cements the UK’s position on the global stage as a prime destination for film production. This innovative approach will assist the BFC in attracting inward investment and developing collaborative partnerships, as well as celebrating our rich cultural heritage worldwide through increased film export opportunities.”

Adrian Wootton, chief executive of the British Film Commission said: “What better endorsement of the BFC than an uplift in funding from our core funders and sponsorship from our commercial partners. The additional funds, along with the launch of this public/private partnership with a broad range of world-class companies from across the film industry, is fantastic news and allows the BFC to continue attracting international business, building on the success we’ve already achieved.”

Iain Smith, chair of the British Film Commission, said: “In working to improve and maintain the quality of the UK’s production infrastructure and talent, the BFC works very closely with the industry’s commercial companies. This public/private partnership not only formalises some of those fantastic relationships, but also indicates how much the UK’s film companies value the role of the BFC.”

Amanda Nevill, chief executive of the BFI, said: “This buy-in from the BFC’s commercial partners is a ringing endorsement of its important work in attracting feature films to shoot in the UK, boosting inward investment and creating jobs for our highly skilled film workforce. We’re delighted that, alongside enhanced support from the BFI, this additional sponsorship will help the BFC deliver valuable services on behalf of UK film.”