The government's plans to close the UK Film Council raises questions as to who or what will take on its film funding role..BBC News - Who will fill the UK Film Councils shoes? British Broadcasting CorporationHome Accessibility links Mobile Skip to content Skip to local navigation Skip to bbc.co.uk navigation Skip to bbc.co.uk search Help Accessibility Help Entertainment Home UK Africa Asia-Pac Europe Latin America Mid-East South Asia US Canada Business Health Sci/Environment Tech Entertainment Video 27 July 2010 Last updated at 13:29 GMT Share this page Delicious Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Email Print Who will fill the UK Film Councils shoes? By Neil Smith Entertainment reporter, BBC News Where will the next Streetdance go to get public funding? The coalition governments decision to axe the UK Film Council has sent shock waves through the British film industry. Since its foundation in 2000, the body had established itself as the primary means for film-makers to obtain public funding for their projects. Not everyone will mourn the passing of a Labour-founded quango that many felt had become large, unwieldy and costly to run. Some also expressed disquiet at its intention, outlined by original chairman Sir Alan Parker, to pursue more commercial films. The Film Council had some success in that department, and its fair share of disappointments as well. What remains unclear, however, is who or what will distribute lottery money after its proposed closure in 2012. The British Film Institute, the organisation charged with preserving and promoting the nations film and television heritage, would seem the most likely candidate. The body is directly funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and was mentioned by Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt as he made Mondays announcement. Last year it was reported the BFI and UK Film Council might merge in order to create what the DCMS called a streamlined organisation. Will the British Film Institute assume the UK Film Councils role? Some at the BFI were said...
