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Getting everyone closer to film

Encouraging diversity, creating initiatives, discovering filmmakers and developing media literacy.

Bright Star
  • We're tackling the film industry's weak track record in encouraging diversity, both in the range of films made and the opportunities for people from different backgrounds to work in film.
  • We created new initiatives such as Breakthrough Brits (last year that scheme saw 13 of the brightest upcoming British black talent introduced to some of the industry's most influential executives in both the UK and LA), discovered award-winning new filmmakers such as Amma Asante with A Way of Life and Noel Clarke with Adulthood, and opened the door to job opportunities and training for many more.
  • Our support for National Schools Film Week provides the opportunity for school children throughout the UK to participate in film-linked educational activities to develop media literacy through film. The project reaches more than 200,000 schools;
  • We've funded FILMCLUB, an after school club which gives children free weekly access to thousands of classic and popular films. Being rolled out across the UK to 7,000 schools over the next three years;
  • BFI Southbank attracts more than 1.3 million visitors each year attracted by its film programme, special events and the London Film Festival – the UK's premiere festival – and the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. Elements of these festivals and other programmes tour the UK, providing opportunities for audiences outside London to enjoy film;
  • The UK Film Council has invested £2.7 million of National Lottery funding over two years to support programmes providing wider access to the UK's screen heritage (online, via public spaces and through community projects) and making sure that in the digital age archive content is available regardless of where it is held;
  • We've launched FindAnyFilm.com – a first of its kind search engine, enabling consumers to find out where, when and how a film is legally available in the UK. The site has already steered over 2million UK visitors towards places they can buy, rent, download or stream over 30,000 films legally.