£7 million fund will support independent film and screen content made in every corner of the UK to export to markets around the world
More British film and screen content will reach an international stage thanks to a £7 million UK Global Screen Fund launched today by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.
Developed in partnership with the British Film Institute (BFI), the fund will support the UK independent screen sector to export their productions to markets around the world, helping them to compete globally and bringing further recognition to the world-renowned British film industry.
With this support, even more independent UK-based productions will join mainstream global hits, such as The King’s Speech, The Favourite and Paddington, developing new talent and creating even more jobs.
The UK screen sector has a strong and vibrant history and huge international potential for further growth. Prior to Covid-19, UK independent film spent over £200 million on production and provided a launchpad for global stars such as Jude Law, Riz Ahmed, Carey Mulligan, and Olivia Colman.
While the fund will focus on independent film, it will also support a range of other screen content, including animation, documentary, television and interactive narrative games -promoting the best stories and content from every corner of the UK.
It will help UK content to become more competitive internationally by funding business development and co-production, as well as supporting promotion of screen productions and distribution to help reach larger global audiences and drive revenue.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:
Actor and Producer Jude Law said:
Actor and Producer Gemma Arterton said:
Minister for Exports Graham Stuart MP said:
Later this week, following its two wins and six in-total nominations at the BAFTAs, UK-based independent production The Father will find out if it has been successful in its six Oscar nominations. With support from the UK Global Screen Fund, even more UK independent productions will have the opportunity to achieve the same global recognition.
David Parfitt, Oscar-winning producer and founder of Trademark Films, said:
Barbara Broccoli, Bond Producer and producer of independent films including Ear for Eye and Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, said:
Ben Roberts, BFI CEO, said:
The fund will also provide networking and development opportunities across the sector, improving access particularly for those in the nations and regions less historically able to export content internationally.
The UK Global Screen Fund will support independent companies across the UK, ensuring a UK-wide benefit and addressing geographic imbalance within the industry. The Fund will consider where companies are based, where projects are made and how projects reflect the culture and talent of Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the English regions outside Greater London.
The screen content eligible for the fund includes feature-length and episodic fiction, documentary and animated content for film and television as well as interactive digital projects with narrative content (‘interactive narrative games’), for distribution via digital platforms.
This pilot follows the government’s announcement that over 350 productions have registered for the government’s £500 million Film and TV Production Restart Scheme which has protected over 35,000 jobs across the sector.
In addition to this, the screen industry is to benefit from more support to independent cinemas through Round 3 of the Culture Recovery Fund, which will allocate a further £300 million to help culturally significant organisations recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
More than £20 million has so far been allocated to support more than 200 independent cinemas - reaching over 80% of the independent cinema sector and ensuring their survival throughout the pandemic.
Notes to Editors
The UK Global Screen Fund will boost the international competitiveness of UK content by funding business development, co-production, and international distribution activities in order to increase global reach and revenues. It will drive screen sector business growth and UK exports by focusing on territories with untapped demand and amplifying impact by linking support across the value chain. The Fund will allocate funding to three open access contestable strands:
International distribution funding: Support for sales and distribution of one or more UK feature films (drama, documentary, animation) in international territories.
International business development: Financial support for business strategies that drive international growth and IP development for companies working in film, TV (animation, drama and documentary) and interactive narrative gaming.
Co-Production investment: Support for UK companies to be partners in international productions, sharing IP and revenue on film and TV animation and documentary projects with audience potential.
More information on funding available will be published in due course.