After a decade as head of BBC Films, the 'great survivor' David Thompson is to move on.
Thompson will be standing down as BBC Films boss in four weeks' time to start up his own independent production company.
The move comes following the summer announcement that BBC Films is to leave its standalone West End premises and head back to BBC Television Centre, where it will come under the control of Head of Fiction Jane Tranter (who oversees Drama Commissioning, Comedy Commissioning, Programme Acquisitions and BBC Films).
However, Thompson will retain intimate links with BBC Films. He is to continue to executive produce for BBC Films a slate of existing projects from development through to completion over the coming years.
His new company will focus on film and television drama and will launch in 2008 with a first look deal with BBC Fiction.
News leaves larger questions about BBC Film policy unanswered. Tranter has emphasised the Corporation's continuing commitment toward film.
She told Screen earlier in the summer that 'there is absolutely no sense of anything other than an eventual increase' on BBC spending on its film-related activities.
A BBC spokesperson said there would be further announcements regarding the 'size and shape of the editorial team' within the next fortnight. No direct replacement will be appointed in Thompson's stead.
The future funding of BBC Films is tied in with the licence fee settlement for the BBC, which was less generous than had been expected. The spokesperson suggested that details of how much money will be available to BBC Films should be confirmed by Christmas.
In his decade at the helm of BBC Films, Thompson has been associated with such notable British films as Billy Elliot, Dirty Pretty Things, Notes On A Scandal, History Boys, My Summer Of Love, Red Road and David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises (which opens this year's London Film Festival following its enthusiastic response in Toronto.)
'I feel really privileged to have had the chance to work for BBC Films for many years and the opportunity to work with such an amazing array of talent both new and established,' saidThompsont.
'I am delighted that my new arrangement with the BBC will enable me to build on these relationships in the years to come. I have also been lucky enough to work with a brilliant team at BBC Films to whom I am greatly indebted. I am particularly proud of the current slate of films in development and production which is our strongest to date. The experience of running BBC Films for a long time - both the creative and the commercial side - gives me confidence in this new venture!'
Thompson's colleagues queued up to pay tribute to his record. Alan Yentob,
Creative Director of the BBC, commented 'Under David Thompson BBC Films has been responsible for some remarkable British movies and television drama and has consolidated his position at the forefront of British independent filmmaking working in partnership with all the major studios - with BBC Films gathering acclaim internationally.'
Jane Tranter, Controller, BBC Fiction, said: 'After an amazing 32 years at the BBC, 10 years of those as head of films, David Thompson leaves BBC Films with an impressive slate of international and domestic successes and a truly awesome contribution to the film and drama creative community in the UK.
However, despite leaving the Corporation to set up his new venture I am delighted the BBC will continue to benefit not only from his unrivalled years of expertise and experience, but from his infamous tenacity, impeccable taste and sharp wit.'
Thompson will be standing down as BBC Films boss in four weeks' time to start up his own independent production company.
The move comes following the summer announcement that BBC Films is to leave its standalone West End premises and head back to BBC Television Centre, where it will come under the control of Head of Fiction Jane Tranter (who oversees Drama Commissioning, Comedy Commissioning, Programme Acquisitions and BBC Films).
However, Thompson will retain intimate links with BBC Films. He is to continue to executive produce for BBC Films a slate of existing projects from development through to completion over the coming years.
His new company will focus on film and television drama and will launch in 2008 with a first look deal with BBC Fiction.
News leaves larger questions about BBC Film policy unanswered. Tranter has emphasised the Corporation's continuing commitment toward film.
She told Screen earlier in the summer that 'there is absolutely no sense of anything other than an eventual increase' on BBC spending on its film-related activities.
A BBC spokesperson said there would be further announcements regarding the 'size and shape of the editorial team' within the next fortnight. No direct replacement will be appointed in Thompson's stead.
The future funding of BBC Films is tied in with the licence fee settlement for the BBC, which was less generous than had been expected. The spokesperson suggested that details of how much money will be available to BBC Films should be confirmed by Christmas.
In his decade at the helm of BBC Films, Thompson has been associated with such notable British films as Billy Elliot, Dirty Pretty Things, Notes On A Scandal, History Boys, My Summer Of Love, Red Road and David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises (which opens this year's London Film Festival following its enthusiastic response in Toronto.)
'I feel really privileged to have had the chance to work for BBC Films for many years and the opportunity to work with such an amazing array of talent both new and established,' saidThompsont.
'I am delighted that my new arrangement with the BBC will enable me to build on these relationships in the years to come. I have also been lucky enough to work with a brilliant team at BBC Films to whom I am greatly indebted. I am particularly proud of the current slate of films in development and production which is our strongest to date. The experience of running BBC Films for a long time - both the creative and the commercial side - gives me confidence in this new venture!'
Thompson's colleagues queued up to pay tribute to his record. Alan Yentob,
Creative Director of the BBC, commented 'Under David Thompson BBC Films has been responsible for some remarkable British movies and television drama and has consolidated his position at the forefront of British independent filmmaking working in partnership with all the major studios - with BBC Films gathering acclaim internationally.'
Jane Tranter, Controller, BBC Fiction, said: 'After an amazing 32 years at the BBC, 10 years of those as head of films, David Thompson leaves BBC Films with an impressive slate of international and domestic successes and a truly awesome contribution to the film and drama creative community in the UK.
However, despite leaving the Corporation to set up his new venture I am delighted the BBC will continue to benefit not only from his unrivalled years of expertise and experience, but from his infamous tenacity, impeccable taste and sharp wit.'
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