• Independent companies to benefit from grants for business development, co-production, and international distribution
• Funding welcomed by Jude Law, Gemma Arterton, David Parfitt and Barbara Broccoli

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:

The United Kingdom has an independent screen industry to be proud of. World renowned, our film, TV, video game and animation industries create jobs and growth the length and breadth of the UK.

The UK Global Screen Fund will export the extraordinary talent and creativity of the UK to audiences across the globe, supporting our talented filmmakers and screen businesses to compete and grow.

Actor and Producer Jude Law said:

There is enormous recognition and respect world-wide for British film and television. It’s a prominent breeding ground for great storytelling and creativity, pioneering opportunities internationally. This additional investment will assist in sparking new international partnerships for the UK industry, generating more jobs and taking our productions to new global audiences.

Actor and Producer Gemma Arterton said:

Whether in front of the camera, or behind, the joy of filmmaking is in the sharing of stories that simply resonate with people. This new fund will help more UK projects and more UK companies reach new international audiences and achieve success with the exciting, independent, boundary-pushing content that we are all so proud of.

Minister for Exports Graham Stuart MP said:

The UK’s creative industry is second to none, so it’s great to see that overseas markets will be able to experience British expertise, talent and innovation by way of our award-winning independent screen sector.

This fund will help to boost our economy and create jobs on both sides of the camera, not just for the acting stars of the future but for the tireless production staff who bring our world-class films to life

Film and television have kept the nation entertained throughout lockdown and we will continue to do everything we can to allow the sector, including animation and gaming, to thrive as we build back better from the pandemic.

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:

We are delighted with the success of The Father, which has now sold in multiple territories around the world. However, this new fund brings a business development element alongside distribution support which is particularly attractive to a company like ours. It would allow us to engage and compete on more equal terms with other global independent production companies, allowing us to take further risks and giving a welcome boost for international success.

Barbara Broccoli, Bond Producer and producer of independent films including Ear for Eye and Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, said:

I’m in constant awe of UK filmmaking – from the best writers, most skilled crafts people, extraordinary actors, innovative producers and visionary directors, our talent speaks to global audiences. And it starts with independent film – it’s the bedrock of all this creativity and an essential part of the ecosystem of film, it allows us to takes risks and be bold, nurture talent and build skills. This new fund will help support that creativity and allow audiences all over the world to enjoy it.

Ben Roberts, BFI CEO, said:

Today’s announcement of the £7m pilot UK Global Screen Fund will deliver a vital boost to the UK’s exceptional independent screen sector by stimulating international partnerships and generating new export opportunities. As we look to this weekend’s Oscars, and the incredible line up of UK nominees, it’s clear our screen industries continue to punch above their weight internationally, and contribute significantly to the UK economy. It’s vital we continue to build on the global impact of our diverse and brilliant independent screen content, enabling the creativity and success for which the UK is so renowned.

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.

The review will be wide-ranging in nature and will examine the potential for changes to ownership models, governance, how finance flows through the game and how to give supporters a greater say in the running of the game.

The launch of the fan-led review comes following a number of high profile collapses in recent years including Bury Football Club that went into administration last year after being expelled from the Football League in 2019. It also comes after six of the game’s leading clubs moved to initially support a proposed European Super League which was roundly condemned by supporters, the Football Association, the Premier League, UEFA and the Government.

Following the breakaway attempt, on Monday Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden announced he had “no choice” but to move quickly and launch the Government’s manifesto commitment of a fan-led review.

The review will seek to make recommendations on how the governance of the game can be improved, putting fans’ interest and experiences first. The review will engage with groups across the country to hear views of fans and what they think needs changing in football governance.

The Terms of Reference will look at the existing Ownership and Directors’ tests and whether they are fit for purpose and if there is further scope to extend the criteria. While foreign ownership has undoubtedly benefited the development of the game, the review will seek to test whether existing oversight is sufficient to protect the interests of the game.

In addition, the review will assess the need for an independent football regulator, charged with implementing regulation and compliance, and how that might work within the existing framework provided by the Football Association, Premier League and English Football League. It will also look at ownership models, including but not limited to the fan-owned model in Germany, and examine the merits of these.

The review will add to the recommendations of the English Football League’s Governance Review and the Government’s 2016 Expert Working Group on Football Supporter Ownership and Engagement. It will also look at football governance around the world and how models of ownership and dialogue structures can be integrated into the game to improve the fan experience.

The review will seek to:

• Assess existing scrutiny of club finances and administrative reporting
• Appraise financial flows through the whole football pyramid
• Examine geographical, historical and identity protections for clubs
• Examine club interests and league systems and how these interact within the pyramid

Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said:

Football begins and ends with fans and we have seen that passionately displayed this week. It must be a watershed moment in our national game.

We must capitalise on this momentum. Clubs are the beating heart of their local communities and this important review will help put football on a surer footing for the future where supporters voices are heard.

Tracey Crouch MP said:

Football means so much to so many people in this country and my review will be firmly focused on the fans.

It will look closely at the issues of governance, ownership and finance and take the necessary steps to retain the game’s integrity, competitiveness and, most importantly, the bond that clubs have with its supporters and the local community.

Ministers will work closely with the Chair to set out the next steps for the review in the coming days. The Chair will then meet regularly with the Minister for Sport to keep him informed of progress of the review.

The review will then make final recommendations on what steps can and should be taken, and how they should be implemented which could include both legislative and non-legislative means.

The report will then be presented to Minister for Sport and Tourism Nigel Huddleston, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Oliver Dowden, and The Football Association before being laid in Parliament.

ENDS

Read the Terms of Reference for the fan-led review of football.