'Testing times ahead' for those using film software

Wed Jul 28 2010 11:52

One expert has slammed the government's decision to close down the UK Film Council.

Abolishing the UK Film Council is a bad decision that has been imposed without any consultation or evaluation.

That is the view of Tim Bevan, chairman of the organisation, who said the action has been driven "by short-term thinking".

He stated British film deserves better and claimed it is one of the country's more successful growth industries.

"Our immediate priority now is to press the Government to confirm the funding levels and core functions that are needed to underpin British film are locked-in," Mr Bevan added.

And he explained he will liaise with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport over the coming months to see how the continuation of British film can be maintained.

The news may not be welcomed by those who use film software, as the body was created to give film-makers access to public funding.

Last week, the UK Film Council launched its Annual Statistical Yearbook, which has been published as a searchable website for the first time and it revealed that in 2009 independent films had an 8.2 per cent market share.