14/10/2010

On the first day of the BFI London film Festival on Wednesday, Channel 4 has increased the budget of its film financing unit Film4 by 50% from £10 m to £15 m with a view to encouraging local British talent. This follows a 20% budget increase in May 2010.

The increase is in order to reflect its deepening commitment to film as part of a creative renewal process launched by the company earlier this year.

The Festival has several Film4-backed films in selection including opening and closing films Mark Romanek’s Never Let Me Go and Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours, besides Richard Ayoade’s Submarine, Mike Leigh’s Another Year [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Mike Leigh
film profile] and Peter Mullan’s Neds [+see also:
trailer
film profile].

Channel 4 CEO David Abraham said, “From the opening night film on Channel 4 in 1982, Walter, to tonight's opening night movie at the London Film Festival, Never Let Me Go, Film4 has played a central role in supporting the British film industry and the current team, led by Tessa Ross, has an unrivalled track record of success in developing and supporting British film making.”

“Film has a special and unique role in UK culture, promoting a wealth of extraordinary British talent from storytellers and producers to directors and actors. I have been determined during the current process of creative renewal to ensure that it plays a commensurate part in Channel 4's public service delivery,” he added.

Tessa Ross, controller of Film4 said, “It’s wonderful to be able to deliver some good news to our industry, most importantly because we believe that there is a wealth of great talent here in the UK that this extra money will allow us to support. At a time when funding is increasingly difficult to access it will allow us to extend our reach further towards new voices and new audiences.”