The 14 year-old British Short Film festival is to close after the event's title sponsor, BBC Television, withdrew funding.

The move comes as recently-installed BBC director general Greg Dyke is under pressure to cut costs from the government. The BBC has backed the annual event since it launched in 1987.

Festival director Amanda Casson said replacing the BBC at short notice was "impossible". Casson predicts short films having a tough time securing theatrical exhibition without the platform of the festival.

"Funding is now primarily channelled into short film development and production, but there are scant opportunities for short films to be screened on completion," she said in a statement.