SUBMISSION 43
Memorandum submitted by British Trade
International
SUMMARY
1. British Trade International (BTI) actively
supports British film exports through a range of schemes. In FY
2003-04 BTI expects to grant over £650,000 to 313 companies
attending 10 exhibitions abroad (a significant increase over FYs
2001-02 and 2002-03). In FY 2003-04 BTI expects to grant over
£50,000 to 90 companies on six outward missions to film events.
The industry gives consistent welcome to this support.
INTRODUCTION
2. British Trade International (BTI), established
in May 1999, brings together the work of the Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
on trade development and promotion of inward investment. BTI has
a global team of over 2,500 staff deployed at over 200 posts overseas,
in UK Headquarters (in London and Glasgow) and in the English
regions. It delivers services through its two operating arms,
Trade Partners UK (TPUK) and Invest UK. As part of its inquiry,
the Committee has indicated that it wishes to consider the export
of British films and the support given to the industry. Trade
policy issues relevant to the export of British films are the
responsibility of the European and World Trade Policy Directorate
at the DTI and are not addressed in this document.
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES—FILM
3. The creative industries in the UK generate
revenues of around £76.6 billion and employs some 1.9 million
people. Exports contribute about £8.7 billion to the balance
of trade.
(DCMS Creative Industries economic estimates
July 2002)
4. TPUK is committed to supporting the creative
industries and recognises the important contribution they make
to the UK economy. We have adopted DCMS's definition of creative
industries covering 13 separate industries including film, music,
publishing, computer games and design etc.
5. "Film and (video) products include
feature films, adverts as well as training, education, promotion
and other videos. The key ways in which these products reach the
public are through cinema, video, DVD and television, linking
production, exhibition and distribution".
(DCMS Creative Industries mapping document
2001)
6. TPUK is also exploring with the UK Film
Council, how best to further the agenda relating to supporting
infrastructure. The UK has a wealth of small innovative companies
in postproduction activity, eg graphics, sound, digital editing,
animation etc.
FILM EXPORTS
7. In 2001 film exports were valued at £700
million, of which £468 million came from royalties and £232
million from film production services. Over the period 1995 to
2001, film exports have fluctuated between £650 million and
£888 million.
(Film Council Year book 2002)
CREATIVE AND
MEDIA EXPORT
UNIT
8. In line with British Trade International's
Strategy 2006 to target resources better to achieve our PSA targets,
TPUK Creative and Media Export Unit was established in April 2003
with a team of 12 (running cost of £390,000), of which the
equivalent of nearly two full time staff (cost of £55,000),
are dedicated to supporting the film industry.
9. The unit is:
— Guided by British Trade International's
Corporate Plan and its focus on enhancing competitiveness by helping
SME's, new exporters and existing exporters to new markets.
— Implementing an agreed export strategy
with stakeholders. BTI contributed to the paper submitted in March
highlighting the work of the Film Export Group—"Is
there a British Film Industry?" The Group is currently in
the final stages of completing its export strategy. TPUK is a
committed member and keen to provide support in line with the
strategy.
— Working closely with DTI, DCMS, FCO
and the British Council to provide a co-coordinated and comprehensive
export service to support the creative industries, including the
film industries.
10. The unit is already making good progress
in understanding the needs of the film industry. Two members of
the team recently visited the Film Market, which took place alongside
the Cannes Film Festival (at the invitation of the key trade associations
exhibiting at the fair). This gave them an opportunity to see
first-hand the commercial benefits of having a UK presence at
this key market. The visit enabled the team to compare the UK
Government support at the event to the support given by foreign
governments. In addition, the team is setting up briefing visits
to the UK Film Council and the DCMS Film Department as well as
undertaking visits to companies and other stakeholders such as
PACT, BAFTA and regional screen agencies.
11. The Unit is also working to ensure that
the regional strategies driven by TPUK's International Trade Directors
based in the English regions, complement the national export strategy.
SUPPORT OFFERED
BY TPUK
12. Services offered to UK companies to
help them export and become more competitive (industry-wide, not
just for film and film products)
— tailored market research for a product/service
in a particular market;
— assistance in locating suitable agents/distributors—(3,085
reports produced last year);
— new product from Britain stories—commercial
publicity;
— travel grant for companies taking
part in outward missions;
— grant of up to £2,300 for the
costs of exhibiting at key trade fairs/exhibitions overseas;
— (8,000 exhibitors at 400 trade fairs
supported last year); and
— staging seminars overseas, highlighting
the wealth of what the UK can offer to potential customers overseas.
SUPPORT GIVEN
SPECIFICALLY TO
THE CREATIVE
INDUSTRIES
13. TPUK view the creative industries as
one of 34 specialist sectors of UK industry. Using the mapping
document produced by DCMS in 2001 it looks at the sector strategically,
and at its 13 sub-sectors, one of which is film. For 2003-04 TPUK
will be supporting a total of 52 events under its Support for
Exhibitions and Seminars Programme (SESA). Estimated budget of
£2.2 million. TPUK have also allocated £345,000 to support
31 creative industries related outward missions, for the period
2003-04.
14. TPUK are already supporting the key
events highlighted by the Film Export Group as important to the
UK film industry in building its international business.
15. Outward missions to be supported during
2003-04
Toronto Film Festival
FRAMES—Global Convention on the business
of Entertainment, held in Mumbai.
Mumbai Film Festival.
Malaysia and Singapore (Film and TV focus).
India (Film, animation and computer games focus).
Sithengi—(Film and TV) held in South Africa.
SUPPORT PROVIDED
SPECIFICALLY TO
THE FILM
INDUSTRY
Support for Exhibitions and Seminars abroad
(SESA)
| SESA Supported Film Events
| FY 2001-02 |
FY 2002-03 | FY 2003-04
|
| Number of Events | 5
| 7 | 10
|
| Companies/Speakers supported | 167
| 197 | 313
|
| Grant Estimated |
| | £661,540
|
| Grant Awarded | £336,333
| £487,678 |
|
| Total for Creative Industries | £1,722,750
| £2,800,000 |
£2,200,000 |
Outward Mission Scheme (OMS)
| OMS Film Events | FY 2001-02
| FY 2002-03 |
FY 2003-04 |
| Number of Events | 2
| 6 | 6
|
| Companies supported | 36
| 112 | 90
|
| Grant Estimated |
| | £52,200
|
| Grant Awarded | £14,000
| £62,200 |
|
| Total for Creative Industries | £115,100
| £323,000 |
£345,000 |
SUPPORT FOR
EXHIBITIONS AND
SEMINARS ABROAD
DURING 2003-04
16. Exhibitions
Cannes Film Festival and Market.
MIPCOM, Cannes.
FRAMES—Global Convention on the business of Entertainment,
held in Mumbai.
BROADCAST ASIA, Singapore.
NAB, Las Vegas.
Showbiz/Cine Gear Expo (Film and TV production & services),
Los Angeles.
National Association of Television Programme Executives (NAPTE),
New Orleans.
American Film Market (AFM), Santa Monica.
17. Seminars
Cannes Film Festival and Market.
FRAMES,—Global Convention on the business of Entertainment,
held in Mumbai.
18. TPUK work with Accredited Sponsors who are representatives
of industries, such as Chambers of Commerce and Trade Associations.
Sponsors for the Film Industry include:
— UK Film Council/UK Film Council International.
— Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT).
— Electronic Exporters Group.
— Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.
— Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.
— London Chamber of Commerce.
BRITISH FILM
OFFICE IN
LOS ANGELES
19. TPUK was one of a number of original funding partners
for the office. Our seed corn funding included:
20. In 2001, TPUK also contributed £10,000 towards
a marketing budget to set up the office and aid with the building
of key contacts, bringing our total contribution to £90,000.
21. The office is now fully funded by the UK Film Council.
22. The main focus of the office has been to encourage
US film production companies and studios to shoot on location
in the UK and to take advantage of our post- production facilities
and talent.
23. The office has already had a number of successes
in this area and has secured 84 projects for the UK between 2000-2002,
including The Hours, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead and
Inspector Gadget. Its focus is now also turning to developing
resources to assist the distribution of UK films into the US.
SUCCESS STORIES
24. BTI considers its work in helping the British film
industry to export its product and services has been successful.
The Committee may wish to note the following examples of where
BTI has added value:
OUTWARD MISSIONS
25. Following a visit to India as a member of a TPUK
Trade mission, led by the Mid-Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce in
November 2002.
26. Michael Fox from the Commonwealth Film Festival said:
"Without the support from TPUK I would not have got off
the ground. I met an enormous amount of people—the movers
and shakers in the industry thanks to the excellent work of the
commercial team at the BHC Mumbai"
27. India is currently highlighted as an emerging market
for the UK film Industry. Mid-Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce who
led a film-focused trade mission to India, are now working closely
with the Film Export Group and in particular the UK Film Council.
This partnership has been a direct result of TPUK bringing the
two organisations together.
EXHIBITIONS
American Film Market (AFM)—25 March-3 March 2003
28. Six companies who exhibited with the assistance from
TPUK have already indicated that they have secured business worth
US$ 11.3 million. Two of the companies were exhibiting at AFM
for the first time.
Cannes Film Festival—14-25 May 2003
29. Early feedback from companies supported indicates
that they regard the market as important selling market, which
they might not be able to exhibit without the support available
from TPUK. A number of companies supported were exhibiting for
the first time. A number of deals were secured, but too early
to provide figures.
SEMINARS
30. UK Film Industry services seminar, arranged by the
British Council, on behalf of TPUK—November 2002. Held in
Chenni and Mumbai.
31. Four speakers from the UK took part in the seminar:
— Leslie Udwin, Producer of East is East
and The one and Only.
— Asif Kapadia , Director of The Warrior,
who recently won two BAFTAS for his debut features.
— Ben Hopkins, Director of Simon Magus and
Second Generation.
— Anita Lewton, Producer of Lemon Crush and
Second Generation.
32. Anita Lewton commented
"In developing any film market, it is fundamental that
the creative ideas, context and practical difficulties are underpinned
by solid creative partnerships. Success never comes with financial
gain as a first priority. I would like to take this opportunity
to thank the British Council and Trade Partners UK for the fantastic
experience afforded to us by the seminar and the whole heartedly
support and reiterate what you are doing in this area"
33. Ben Hopkins
"I have an Indian project which I wanted to push forward,
and this event provided a great opportunity to make contacts and
make myself known in the country. I am a freelance director in
the art-side of cinema, I couldn't possibly have afforded the
visit without this funding"
34. Leslee Udwin
"I will undoubtedly return to India within three years
or so to make a film. The contacts I have made within the industry
will no doubt be fruitful in a very concrete sense. I have also
had a privileged first-hand insight into the strengths and weaknesses
of the industry there and will be prepared to mitigate and maximize
these.
5 June 2003
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