The UK government has recently launched its Creative Industries Sector Plan, committing £380 million (approximately €445.6 million) to support innovation, R&D, skills, regional growth and access to finance. Announced by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy MP, the plan aims to nearly double creative industry investment to £31 billion (€36.8 billion) by 2035, and deliver 2,000 new film and TV apprenticeships. Funding will also expand the UK Global Screen Fund, support the National Film & TV School (NFTS) and extend British Film Commission (BFC) funding from April 2026.

Nandy commented on the plan: “From Barbie and Killing Eve to Adolescence and Saltburn [+lire aussi :
critique
fiche film], the UK already has a stellar track record of producing award-winning films and cutting-edge TV, which are enjoyed by millions at home and around the world. But I want us to go further and to cement the UK as the best place on Earth to make film and television, as we deliver our Plan for Change. This landmark Sector Plan puts the creative industries at the heart of our economic growth strategy and is key to making that ambition a reality.”

The plan also acknowledges AI’s growing impact, emphasising that human creativity will be even more crucial as synthetic content increases. The government is still reviewing responses to its consultation on AI and copyright, with “all options” on the table. The BFI recently urged swift action in this area, after revealing that over 100,000 scripts had already been used to train AI tools.

BFC CEO Adrian Wootton OBE welcomed the support, saying it positions the UK to remain competitive globally, especially with enhanced tax credits. Inward investment from film and high-end TV rose to £4.7 billion (€5.58 billion) in 2024 (up 43% from 2023) despite the disruption caused by the 2023 US strikes. The BFC supported productions responsible for 91% of US inward investment in high-end TV and 94% in feature films, including titles like House of the Dragon season 3, Peaky Blinders: War and The Conjuring: Last Rites.

UK union Bectu praised the plan, particularly the appointment of a “freelance champion”. Head Philippa Childs stressed the need for stronger support for freelancers, who have been especially vulnerable to economic shocks and industry instability. Creative UK also called the recognition of the sector as high-growth “a landmark moment”, although like Bectu and the BFC, it did not comment specifically on the government’s AI policy.

The BFI has enthusiastically welcomed the £75 million (€89 million) from the Screen Growth Package, part of the broader £380 million plan. The package includes a major boost to key BFI programmes over three years, notably expanding the UK Global Screen Fund to £18 million (€21.4 million) annually (2026-2029). It also invests in skills development via the enhanced BFI Film Academy, offering hands-on training for young people, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.

The funding supports key cultural events like the BFI London Film Festival and invests in five new CoSTAR R&D labs and two tech showcase spaces to boost innovation in film, TV and gaming. A £150 million (€178 million) Creative Places Growth Fund will support regional screen agencies via six mayoral authorities, helping grow local film economies. The package also includes £10 million (€11.9 million) for modernising the NFTS campus, enabling the training of 2,000 new apprentices over the next decade.

Ben Roberts, BFI chief executive, said: “We’re pleased that the government recognises that our world-class screen industries drive regional growth and add billions to the UK economy – and that the BFI plays an important part in that success. Through the BFI Film Academy, we open doors for young people from underrepresented backgrounds.”

Finally, Denitsa Yordanova, head of International Funds and the UK Global Screen Fund, stated: “This increased backing of the UK's independent screen sector will allow us to further boost international development, co-production, promotion and distribution opportunities for film, TV, animation, documentary and video games companies right across the UK, showcasing our unique creative talent in the global marketplace and accelerating export growth. We very much look forward to working with the government and consulting with industry to formulate and take forward plans for the future of the UK Global Screen Fund.”