The Government’s principal support for the UK film industry is through the film tax relief which encourages the sustainable production of culturally British films. Figures from HM Revenue and Customs tell us this provided £104 million to the industry between January 2007 and March 2008.
The Government continue to support the British film industry through the UK Film Council. The Film Council is the Government’s strategic agency for film and invests grant in aid and lottery money in developing new filmmakers, in funding exciting new British films and in getting a wider choice of films to audiences throughout the UK. The Film Council also invests in training, promoting Britain as an international filmmaking location and in raising the profile of British films abroad.
We are in continual dialogue with the Film Council about potential new methods and ways to improve current schemes to support the industry and to help filmmakers deliver the box office and awards successes we have seen recently.
The Public Service Broadcasters, the BBC and Channel 4, also contribute support to the industry through their film divisions.