BFI, ACE to Step Up Support for U.K. Animation Industry

LONDON -- The BFI and Arts Council England have responded to requests from Animation Alliance UK (AAUK) with a commitment and a plan to take action in order to further independent animation. AAUK wrote to Darren Henley (CEO, Arts Council England) and Amanda Nevill (CEO, British Film Institute), in July 2015, to ask for greater clarity regarding public policy and investment for independent animation. Henley and Nevill stated that urgent steps were needed to be taken to address the lack of support for the animation community and the need to help ensure British animation’s continued success.

In 2013, as part of a Public Value Partnership, ACE and BFI had agreed to a joint objective “to develop a policy position for animation in England and the UK, providing policy clarity and funding information to artists, filmmakers and producers working in animation.” They had planned “to undertake joint research and consultation to understand the animation ecology across film and arts and publish our policy position.” Subsequent to this announcement there were no further announcements with regards to these directives.

A small group of AAUK members were invited to ACE's headquarters in London on December 8, 2015, to meet with ACE and BFI representatives, including Peter Heslip (Director, Visual Arts & London, ACE) and Ben Roberts (Director, BFI Film Fund). Following the meeting, BFI and ACE have agreed that they will define their respective policies with regards to animation and both organizations will undertake further research in order to identify needs of the animation community and the role they will play.

BFI will consider its ongoing support for animation as part of its new five-year plan, Film Forever 2, and ACE will explore how they can support animation through their existing Grants for the arts program.

Source: BFI & Arts Council England