The Chair of the British Film Institute, Jay Hunt, has expressed worries about the “rather protectionist tone coming from Hollywood” following Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
During a U.K. parliamentary hearing focusing on premium television and cinema on Tuesday, Hunt expressed her request for ongoing government investment in this field, stating that the £4.2 billion ($5.2 billion) annual production expenditure is the level at which she fears the industry might stabilize.
Or more concisely:
At a U.K. parliamentary hearing on premium TV and film on Tuesday, Hunt asked ministers for continued investment in the sector, expressing concern that the £4.2 billion ($5.2 billion) annual production spend could become the industry’s new norm.
Hunt expressed his main worry: “We might become too comfortable with our current success level.” He then pointed out a difficult regulatory environment in Europe and potential protectionist language from the new U.S. administration regarding Hollywood. In his opinion, the British Film Institute (BFI) has an essential role to highlight these challenges and emphasize that the sector’s growth will not persist without continued investment and support.
An Australian expat, residing in London for some time, shared views with the BFI Chief Executive Ben Roberts. Their points were supported by recent U.K. reports suggesting a decline in U.S. co-production funding (It’s worth noting that Trump had a meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer this week, but no information was disclosed about whether they discussed the potential imposition of tariffs on goods imported to the U.S.).
Just recently, the BBC issued a warning about several of their scripted projects being held up due to funding uncertainties. At the hearing, Hunt sought to counter the growing belief that only public broadcasting services are producing TV content resonating with British viewers.
Programming of exceptional quality consistently emerges from Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs), and it’s not just that, it’s also the result of self-funding,” she asserted. “Consider shows like ‘Slow Horses’, ‘Rivals’, ‘Baby Reindeer’, or even Amazon’s ‘Clarkson’s Farm’. From the British Film Institute’s perspective, success lies in fostering an entire supportive environment.
Hunt emphasized the importance of maintaining our valuable ecosystem. He pointed out that in terms of international production, we’re twice as large as the second largest sector in Europe, which is Spain. This puts us in a strong position, but to keep it that way, we must comprehend the intricacies of this market and aid others in maneuvering through it.
hunt emphasized that public service broadcasters are not to be undervalued. She went on to say that such a system is a rarity in today’s market. From the British Film Institute’s perspective, a robust public service broadcasting ecosystem is highly valuable because it is admired globally.
The pair additionally delved into the potential fate of UK cinemas and why they are currently facing a critical situation. Hunt stated that approximately 45% of them might end up operating at a loss by year’s end, prompting the BFI to seek a solution from the government in the form of financial investment in movie theaters. “Many are in a state of decline,” she said. “This is an art form that disproportionately caters to lower socioeconomic groups. In some areas of the country, this is the primary cultural offering, making its preservation crucial.
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2025-01-28 15:54