Department for Culture Media and Sport
film policy
DCMS policy for the film industry is delivered by its strategic agency the UK Film Council.
The UK Film Council
The majority of DCMS funding for film is channelled through the UK Film Council which was launched by the Department in April 2000.
The UK Film Council promotes UK film and as a Lottery distributor it helps fund the industry too.
The UK Film Council has three production funds; the Film Development Fund, the New Cinema Fund and the Premiere Production Fund.
Visit the Film Council website for further information on funding.
The Film Council’s overreaching objectives are to:
- Develop a sustainable UK film industry
- Develop film culture in the UK by improving access to, and education about, the moving image
The UK Film Council International Department and British Film Office, Los Angeles, provide an information and support service for makers of feature films, television programmes and commercials interested in bringing their project to the UK.
We also task the UK Film Council with overseeing the work of its funded partners:
- The British Film Institute (bfi)
The British Film Institute promotes knowledge, understanding and development of the art of film and TV in the UK. It plays a key role in achieving the UK Film Council's goals nd fostering public appreciation of film through improved access to cinema, film heritage and educational provision.
- Skillset and the Skills Investment Fund
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries (broadcast, film, video, interactive media and photo imaging). It is the UK Film Council’s partner on skills development and training in film.
In 2003 Skillset and the UK Film Council launched the first ever comprehensive training strategy "A Bigger Future" for the British film industry. A package of measures is being rolled out which aim to build a bigger and better future for the film industry in the UK.
Skillset also administers the Skills Investment Fund, which was set up by DCMS to act as a national training strategy. It is funded by voluntary contributions from film productions.
Visit the Skillset website to find out more.
- The Regional Screen Agencies
The UK Film Council invests £7.5 million a year into regional film activities through the Regional Investment Fund for England (RIFE). RIFE supports the nine Regional Screen Agencies in England, providing a variety of resources aimed at developing public access to, and education about, film and the moving image at a local level. Visit the UK Film Council website for more information
First Light funds and inspires the making of short films by young people aged between five and eighteen to write, act, shoot and produce films. The UK Film Council awards £1.1million of Lottery money every year to enable First Light to work with filmmakers and organisations to give young people first hand experience of filmmaking.
The MEDIA programme offers a wide variety of funding for film and television, covering areas from training through development and distribution to markets, events and festivals. The UK MEDIA Desk offers support and advice for UK applicants. Visit the MediaDesk website to find out more.
In addition to funding Skillset through the UK Film Council, the DCMS also directly supports the National Film and Television School.
- National Film and Television School
The National Film and Television School is the leading centre for graduates who want to work in film and television production. It is joint-funded by DCMS, and the film, TV and video industries.
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