Better co-ordinated support for film and more funding reaching frontline projects should result from a proposed merger of the British Film Institute (BFI) and the UK Film Council (UKFC), according to Film Minister Siôn Simon. The move would unite the cultural and the economic aspects represented by the two organisations, and create “a streamlined organisation, which can spend more of its money on film and services and less on infrastructure” without reducing the remit they currently cover. The Chairs of both organisations have welcomed the idea. Tim Bevan CBE, who chairs the UKFC, said that an “artificial separation” had occurred between the functions of the two bodies, and that “it can’t be right for them to remain disconnected”. He also pointed to the practical and financial benefits of a merger in the UK’s current difficult economic circumstances. “We need to look at the scope for savings across the board, to push as much money as we can into new film activity,” he said. BFI Chair Greg Dyke called it “an opportunity to build on the strengths and successes of our work in recent years”. In a statement, the BFI said that “The new Film Minister has assured BFI chairman... that both the identity and critical cultural mandate of the British Film Institute will be paramount in this process.”
Responses from the sector have also been positive. Ruth Pitt, the recently appointed Executive Director of Screen England, the umbrella body for national and regional screen agencies, said that the merger plans would mirror “what the screen agencies already do with great success at a local and regional level”. She added that Screen England would welcome “any move that brings the commercial and cultural aspects of public support together”. Chris Chandler, the Interim Joint Chief Executive of Screen South, said that he sees “the prospect for a more integrated strategy for education, film culture and film heritage…[and] potentially a lot of benefit for our partners and clients”. A project board, chaired by the DCMS and with equal representation from the BFI and UKFC, will examine the proposal to develop a possible model and governance structure, and assess legal and practical issues. It is expected to report back before the end of the year.