Today, we have launched MADE in the Nations and Regions, our series of six short films showcasing the great film and TV work going on across the UK.
The purpose of the films, which were produced by Norwich-based Eye Film, is to celebrate producers across the UK and highlight the benefits that direct public funding can bring to production in the nations and regions (and the opportunity loss that exists without it).
There is fantastic work happening all over the UK but it is crucial that the cultural and economic value it brings is not taken for granted.
The films cover Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, The North (encompassing the North East, North West and Yorkshire), West Midlands and South West, and the South and East (outside of London).
The Importance of
Direct Public Funding
To coincide with the launch of the films, we have published a report prepared for Pact by Alma Economics, looking at the importance of direct public funding to film and TV productions, local economies and the UK economy as a whole.
As producers, you know that direct public funding can be vital to unlocking subsequent funding from other sources, giving other financiers – such as broadcasters and distributors – the confidence to invest.
The report found that every £1 of direct public funding supports around £4.60 of total Gross Value Added (GVA) across the film and television full value chain. Additionally, of £258m of supported film and television spend, around £190m - 74% - is estimated to remain in the UK.
But support is not distributed evenly across the UK. Northern Ireland was found to be an outlier, investing the most of any nation in direct public funding, equating to over £13.60 invested per capita, compared to England which invested £0.10 per capita. In the South and East of England there is no direct public funding available at all.
The report provides a thorough evidence base of what direct public funding is available across the UK and highlights the postcode lottery that exists. That is bad for Pact members, bad for opportunities and bad for economic growth across the UK. Without this funding, it will be much more difficult to produce sustainable productions around the UK.
What
Next
As part of our impact work around the MADE series, we are currently engaging with screen agencies to help with the development of funds across the country and calling on policymakers to develop:
Help Us
Spread the Word
Help us spread the word and raise awareness about the value of film and TV production in your area, and what more broadcasters, screen agencies and policymakers could be doing to support the sector where you are.
We have prepared a simple media kit with images and some suggested wording which you can send to your local politicians and share across your social media channels and other networks.
It’s crucial that the screen agencies provide effective and targeted support to facilitate strategic growth and build the talent pipeline. This will enable companies to develop and produce returnable high quality productions, and allow people to forge careers and prosper in the nations and regions of the UK.
Thank
You
On behalf of Pact, I would like to say a huge thank you to Charlie Gauvain, Eve Hill and the whole team at Eye Film for producing such a brilliant series of films which do our industry proud, and to all of the Pact members who have contributed so much through interviews and production clips.
If you would like any more information about the series or direct public funding in your area, please do not hesitate to contact me: [email protected].