Goal is to grow inward investment in film and also to boost high end TV work in the UK.

UK Trade & Investment is forming a new strategic partnership with the British Film Commission, with UKTI boosting the BFC’s budget with an additional £400,000 over two years.

The collaboration will seek to boost the BFC by tapping into the “wide international coverage offered by the UKTI network,” not just concentrating on US projects being lured to the UK. 

The goal is to grow inward investment in film (the BFC’s main work currently) and also to boost high end TV work in the UK, if the proposed TV tax credit goes ahead in April 2013.

Culture Minister Ed Vaizey announced the news, and is speaking today at a Creative Content Summit at the British Business Embassy, which UKTI timed during the Olympics.

Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of the British Film Commission and Film London, said: “This is fantastic news for the British film industry and the UK economy. We have seen huge investment from the US studios, which is in part thanks to the BFC having a dedicated team working directly with producers and decision makers in North America. This partnership will allow us to extend that remit, driving new investment in the UK. We have the facilities and the talent in the UK to welcome additional film and high end TV production. Following our work with key national public and private industry partners laying the groundwork for the potential TV tax credit, we are delighted to be working with UKTI to exploit that, grow our commercial activity and forge new networks in the emerging markets.”

Trade and Investment Minister Lord Green added: “The UK has one of the strongest creative content sectors in the world and I am delighted thatthis partnership with Film London and the British Film Commission has been forged to increase investment in the UK film industry. With the world’s spotlight on the UK this summer we are working hard through the British Business Embassy programme to enable companies to capitalise on the unique opportunity we have in 2012 to secure new trade and investment.”

The BFC became part of Film London after the UK Film Council was shuttered.

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