20/08/2009

The new Film Minister Siôn Simon has proposed a plan to merge the UK Film Council (UKFC) and the British Film Institute (BFI) into a single streamlined body.

Simon said, “The BFI is one of our great cultural institutions and cares for the world’s most significant archive of film and television. With audiences growing year by year, the BFI has proven the enormous public appetite for film heritage and world cinema in Britain.

“Supporting film to help the UK industry reach its international potential as an art form as well as a business remains a priority for Government. That’s why we want to look at how best to direct our support. A new, streamlined single body that represents the whole of the film sector will offer a better service both for filmmakers and film lovers.”

UKFC Chair Tim Bevan said, “We know that the climate for public funding is going to get much tougher, and it’s therefore sensible that we ask ourselves why there are two publicly funded film organisations in the UK. We need to look at the scope for savings across the board, to push as much money as we can into new film activity.”

BFI Chair Greg Dyke said, “The BFI is in good shape and having a very successful year, but we welcome this move if it enables us to further develop our potential to provide a better service to the public. The BFI is a much cherished organisation and has a vital and leading role to play in developing film culture and heritage in this country.”

A project board with equal representatives from the UKFC and BFI will evaluate the proposal and table its findings by the end of the year. Simons has assured Dyke that both the identity and critical cultural mandate of the British Film Institute will be paramount in this process.