BBC to seek more British movie hits with £100m film investment

by Sam Matthews, Brand Republic 22-Feb-06, 11:30

LONDON – The BBC is upping its film budget from £10m to £15m a year, in an attempt to help make more British films like the Keira Knightley-starring 'Pride and Prejudice', as it teams up with the UK Film Council.

The BBC will boost its film budget from £10m to £15m, with a total of up to £100m over the next 10 years, dependent on the outcome of the forthcoming licence-fee settlement, meaning between £6m and £11m could be spent on acquiring British films for television from 2007.

Under the new partnership, the BBC will support British films with a strategy and commitment to launching new talent on BBC Three, as well as increasing feature film productions like 'Pride and Prejudice', which was made by the UK-based production company, Working Title.

In addition, the BBC and UK Film Council will work together on a range of projects designed to give audiences more choice, develop and support creativity and skills across the industry and encourage the UK to get behind its film industry.

Alan Yentob, creative director of the BBC, said: "BBC Films has a unique place in the UK film industry as a supporter of projects, which would otherwise not make it onto the big screen."

Yentob cited films such as the recent 'A Cock & Bull Story', Woody Allen's 'Match Point' and the Judi Dench-starring, Oscar-nominated 'Mrs Henderson Presents' as examples of successful BBC investments.

He added: "Increased investment will broaden the portfolio of films we can bring to the screen, enhancing the BBC's contribution to the UK film industry."

The news comes a week after it was revealed television channels in the UK could be forced to plough more money into British movies to ensure the future of the British film industry.

Two Labour backbenchers put forward an amendment to the new Communications Bill, which would give broadcasters a legal obligation to support the film industry.

The number of British films made in the UK fell from 51 in 2001 to 42 last year.

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