POSTPONED Where do we go from here? – The closure of the UK Film Council

On July 26th culture secretary Jeremy Hunt announced the abolition of the UK Film Council.

Created in 2000 the UKFC has invested more than £160 million of Lottery money in over 900 films. Receiving £30 million a year from the Lottery and around £25.5 million from the Government the council has seen successes such as Bend it Like Beckham, Gosford Park and Vera Drake.

Film producer Tim Bevan, and chair of the council, has said: "Abolishing the most successful film support organisation the UK has ever had is a bad decision, imposed without any consultation or evaluation. People will rightly look back on today’s announcement and say it was a big mistake, driven by short-term thinking and political expediency. British film, which is one of the UK’s more successful growth industries, deserves better."

Hunt has said that the £3 million the UKFC spent in administration will be better spent going directly to filmmakers, but how will this be facilitated?

Please join us at the Frontline Club for an open discussion on the repercussions of the abolition and where the industry stands.

Moderated by Dave Calhoun, Time Out Film Editor. Dave’s article about the closure for Time Out is here

Panellists:
Chris Atkins – Director of Taking Liberties and Starsuckers. Chris’ article about the UKFC for the Times here
Charlie Phillips – Marketplace Director, Sheffield Documentary Film Festival. Charlie’s article for the Doc/Fest site here
Jamie King – Director of Steal This Film and founder of Vodo.
Others tbc