As part of a refreshed strand of debates on issues of importance to the UK film, television and games industries, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) will host a discussion on the DCMS’ Film Policy Review, The Future of Film: It Begins with an Audience.
The event aims to offer a neutral forum for the industry to interrogate and better understand the proposals.
With the government set to publish its response to the document in late March and the BFI due to start consultation on its five year strategy in April, key industry figures will gather at BAFTA headquarters to debate a number of issues of importance to filmmakers and explore ways the wider industry can come together to deliver the best results. Discussion points include: should broadcasters be required to acquire more British film and contribute to indigenous film production; how robust should provisions be to protect talent development and production outside of London; is there significant emphasis on the importance of international sales for British films; how feasible and desirable are the suggestions for increasing parity and revenue sharing between writers, directors, producers; and how might the industry better develop a diverse workforce and talent pool?
The session will be chaired by Mike Goodridge (Editor, Screen International), with a panel including Matthew Justice (MD, Big Talk Productions and also part of Lord Smith’s review panel), Caroline Norbury (CEO, Creative England), Robin Gutch (MD, Warp Films), Stephen Kelliher (Head of Sales and Marketing, Bankside Films and Chair of Film Export UK) and Iain Softley (Director, K-Pax, Backbeat and Film Chair, Directors UK).
BAFTA Chairman Tim Corrie says: “Lord Smith’s Film Policy Review has been rightly welcomed across the industry. It’s a document that represents countless hours of thoughtful consultation with numerous stakeholders in film – from audiences through to filmmakers, distributors and exhibitors. At its heart, it makes a compelling and persuasive argument for greater industry-wide co-operation and collaboration behind the BFI’s leadership, and reasons that it’s mutually beneficial for us all to invest together in the future health of the UK industry. This debate is not designed to tear down the enthusiasm that exists to collaborate, but rather BAFTA wants to offer a supportive public space for open debate and discussion. A good, old-fashioned, town hall meeting.”
BAFTA’s Head of Learning and Events Tim Hunter says: “The Debate Strand will become an increasingly important one for us at BAFTA as we develop the Academy as a neutral space for dialogue about the important issues to the creative industries. BAFTA’s Television Committee has really led the way in developing this strand with recent debates My BBC in 10 Years’ Time and Investigating the Investigators: the Ethical Dilemma in TV Journalism. Our recent BAFTA Games Question Time was livecast through our new learning site BAFTA Guru, which was a triumph. Upcoming BAFTA Debates include Is Structured Reality Corrupting the Documentary? in April and Video on Demand Platform Wars: Can Everyone be a Winner In the Race to Deliver Films to Audiences?, scheduled later this Spring.”
Tickets
The Fine Print: Reviewing the Film Policy Review will take place on Thursday 1 March, 6:15-8pm at BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly. Tickets are free, subject to availability at via the What's On Calendar. On the day, there will also be a number of tickets available on the door.
Contact
For further information, please contact EM Foundation:
Olivia Jarvis
T 020 7247 4171
E [email protected]
About BAFTA
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is an independent charity that supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. In addition to its Awards ceremonies, BAFTA has a year-round Learning & Events programme that offers unique access to some of the world’s most inspiring talent through workshops, master classes, lectures and mentoring schemes, connecting with audiences of all ages and backgrounds across the UK, Los Angeles and New York. BAFTA relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing outreach work. For further information, visit www.bafta.org / www.bafta.org/guru.
