04/04/2011

The British Film Institute (BFI) officially became the lead body for film in the UK on April 1 and immediately increased its film fund from £15m to £18m.

BFI Chair Greg Dyke also announced the appointment of five new Governors – Josh Berger, President and Managing Director, Warner Bros. Entertainment UK, Ireland and Spain; former MP and Cabinet Minister Rt. Hon James Purnell; Director Beeban Kidron (Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit); Lisbeth Savill, Head of Film and Television Practice at law firm Olswang; and Matthew Justice, Film and TV producer and MD of Big Talk (the production company behind Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz).

Dyke said, “We are about to see the biggest change to the film landscape in the past ten years and these new board members have each been chosen for the individual skills, wisdom and strengths they will bring to the BFI so that it can lead on delivering a dynamic new plan for film in the UK.’’

Amanda Nevill, Director BFI said, “Building on the experience and expertise of both the BFI and the UKFC, we now have an historic opportunity to create a single voice and cohesive vision for film. The new era isn’t about an organisation, it’s about film, film makers and audiences, and that will be our focus.”

Minister for the Creative Industries, Ed Vaizey said, “The BFI is now the lead agency for film. The transfer of UKFC activities has been concluded with no disruption to filmmakers. In retaining key industry expertise and building on the wealth of knowledge already in the BFI I am confident that the future of British film is in safe hands.”