The Film Council

The Film Council used to be responsible

for the distribution of lottery money to
British film productions. It was disbanded in 2011
as part of a Government cost-cutting exercise. This
does not, however, mean that British films will no
longer be funded. Instead the funding responsibility has been
passed to other bodies:

From 1 April, the British Film Institute becomes the Lottery

distributor for film in the UK, with responsibility for funding film
development and production; training; distribution and exhibition;
supporting film UK-wide; film certification, the Cultural Test and co-
production; strategic development; industry research and statistics;
and the MEDIA Desk UK. The role of the British Film Commission in
encouraging inward investment work transfers to Film London.

The British Film Institute

“BFI is the British Film Institute. Our world-renowned

archive, cinemas, festivals, films, publications and learning
resources are here to inspire you”.

The British Film Institute (BFI) is a charitable organisation

established by Royal Charter to encourage the development of the
arts of film, television and the moving image throughout the United
Kingdom, to promote their use as a record of contemporary life and
manners, to promote education about film, television and the
moving image generally, and their impact on society, to promote
access to and appreciation of the widest possible range of British
and world cinema and to establish, care for and develop collections
reflecting the moving image history and heritage of the United
Kingdom. It was established in 1933 and owns the BFI complex on
the South Bank in London, which houses the National Film Theatre
and the National Film Archive.

Film London

Film London is the capital's film and media agency - sustaining,

promoting and developing London as a major international film-
making and film cultural capital. This includes all the screen
industries based in London - film, television, video, commercials and
new interactive media. It was founded in 2003, and receives major
funding from the Mayor of London, Arts Council of England and
Skillset.

Benefits and Drawbacks of the Disbanding of the Film

Council

Drawback:
- Abolition of centralised body overseeing all aspects of British
Film could have possible drawbacks for new filmmakers – with
 two different institutions looking after different parts of the
process this could potentially show down the rate of film
production because of the added bureaucracy;

Advantage:
- Responsibility now passes to two very experienced film
institutions, with a proven track record of success in the
British film industry. Their knowledge, connections and
experience could benefit film production.