British Film Institute: Children’s Film Funding

Baroness Benjamin Excerpts

Monday 14th February 2011 Lords Chamber

Asked By

[Baroness Benjamin]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ensure that a proportion of the funding provided by the UK Film Council to the British Film Institute will be ring-fenced for the production of films whose target audience is children.

[Baroness Rawlings]

My Lords, following extensive consultation with the film industry, from April 2011 the British Film Institute will manage all lottery awards for films, including funding for film production. Lottery policy includes a requirement to encourage funded projects to inspire children and young people. That policy will remain in place while the Government conduct a review of film policy with the BFI later this year. The use of ring-fencing can be considered within that.

[Baroness Benjamin]

I thank my noble friend for that encouraging Answer. Does she agree that the decline not just in children’s television drama but also in children’s UK film production denies our talented writers, our actors and production teams a creative outlet? Would my noble friend encourage the BFI to adopt the Danish film institute’s model, so that there is a solution to this crisis? The Danes commit 25 per cent of their annual film budget to children’s film and animation productions, which attract co-production funds. I take this opportunity to congratulate “The King’s Speech” on its wonderful UK production.