Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has announced an increase of funding for the London Film Festival (LFF), held this year between Oct 22 and Nov 6.

Working with the London Development Agency, the mayor's funding will begin next year, and will be channelled through Film London, which provides dedicated support, promotion and development for the film industry in the city.

The amount has yet to be finalised, but initial funding is understood to be in the region of £100,000.

"Film is a key contributor to the economy, generating around £700m each year, with 85% of film production based in the capital and 70% of the workforce in London and the south east," said Livingstone, who played a key role in the establishment of Film London. "Film in London must be able to thrive as a cultural asset and key creative industry."

The LFF, this year with new headline sponsorship from UK newspaper The Times, opened last night (Oct 23) with Jane Campion's In The Cut. Both Campion and star Meg Ryan were in attendance (see separate story)