Film policy review

25 May 2011
Posted in Film

The Government has announced a review of film policy, to be led by former Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lord Chris Smith.

He will chair an eight-strong independent panel of film industry experts, including writer Julian Fellowes and representatives from the new Board of the British Film Institute (BFI), which recently became the lead body for the delivery of film policy in the UK. 

Lord Smith and the panel are expected to issue a call for evidence next month and produce their report by the end of the year. They will look across the UK film industry considering film development and production, distribution and exhibition, and inward investment.

Creative Industries Minister Ed Vaizey said: 'Through this review Chris Smith will bring the different branches of the industry together to identify what the key problems are and then look at how these can be tackled. We need to work hand-in-hand with the recently strengthened BFI and the industry to find solutions and make sure that the Government has a framework of policies that support successful business models, nurture our celebrated film talent, contribute to economic growth and create a flourishing film culture across the whole of the UK.'

The panel will help set the  Government’s strategic direction for how the UK film industry can best be supported to develop successful business models that allow them to contribute to economic growth whilst nurturing our celebrated film talent and engaging with UK audiences. 

Chris Smith said: 'We want to hear from the industry, from film-makers, from experts, from audiences, and from all who have a contribution to make to the debate. Getting the right framework of policy in place for supporting British film is the challenge we are aiming to address.' 

The review panel will comprise:

• Will Clarke – Independent Cinema Distributor, founder and former CEO of Optimum Releasing
• Lord Julian Fellowes, Oscar-winning writer and actor 
• Matthew Justice, UK Film Producer and MD of Big Talk Productions
• Michael Lynton, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment
• Tim Richards, Chief Executive of Vue entertainment
• Tessa Ross, Channel 4 Controller of Film and Drama
• Libby Savill, Head of Film and Television at Olswang
• Iain Smith, film producer and Chair of the British Film Commission Advisory Board