UK's Film Policy Review panel gets 300 responses to survey

More than 300 responses have been received to the Film Policy Review panel’s public survey which asked film industry experts and audiences how the UK government can best support the film sector.

As reported in May, Creative Industries minister Ed Vaizey appointed former Culture Secretary Lord Chris Smith to chair an eight-member panel - made up of former Optimum Releasing CEO Will Clarke, Big Talk producer Matthew Justice, Lord Julian Fellowes, Sony Pictures CEO Michael Lynton, Vue CEO Tim Richards, Channel 4 Controller of Film Tessa Ross, Olswang media lawyer Libby Savill and producer and chair of the British Film Commmission Iain Smith - to conduct an independent review of Government film policy.

The panel has conducted more than 70 face-to-face meetings with key industry groups and individuals as part of the survey, with building a stronger British film industry and establishing ways to develop and retain UK talent identified emerging as the top priorities of those surveyed.

Other issues identified from the survey include piracy, new models for film distribution and exhibition (including digital platforms) and a more coherent international strategy for UK film.

The review will also consider how a 60% increase in lottery funding for the film industry should be spent following the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The panel is now considering the submissions and will report back the findings to Ed Vaizey by the end of the year.