Introduction to the Screen Growth Package
The British government has announced a financing package for the British film and TV industry, known as the "Screen growth package". This package is worth 75 million GBP and will be an important part of the government’s creative industry plan, which is set to be announced next week.
The British Global Screen Fund
The British Global Screen Fund (UKGSF) will receive an increase in funding to 18 million GBP per year from 2026-2029. This is a significant increase from the current 7 million GBP. The UKGSF was launched in 2021 to support the international development and sales opportunities for the independent screen sector in Great Britain, following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. Recent films that have been supported by the fund include Kneecap and The Salt Path.
Support for the Film and TV Industry
The package will also include support for the BFI London Film Festival and the British Film Commission, with specific financing details to be announced next week. Additionally, the National Film and Television School (NFTS) will receive 10 million GBP to expand its facilities in Beaconsfield. This expansion will be supported by industry and private investors, including the Walt Disney Company, the Dana and Albert R. Broccoli Foundation, and Sky.
Investing in New Technology
25 million GBP will be invested in five new Costar research and development laboratories, which will focus on the development of augmented reality and motion capture technology. These laboratories will also include two showcase rooms to demonstrate new innovations from the film, TV, and games industries to investors.
Opportunities for Young People
Next week, a financing package for an extended BFI film academy will be announced, which will offer courses, events, and resources for young people between the ages of 16 and 25. This funding is intended to provide opportunities for young people from underrepresented backgrounds to enter the industry.
Regional Support
A new growth creative fund worth 150 million GBP will be made available to six strategic mayor’s authorities in cities such as Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, and Sunderland. This funding will support the development of regional screen agencies and production facilities, with the aim of increasing film and television production across the country.
The Future of the Creative Industry
The full plan for the creative industry will be published next week as part of the Labor Government’s industrial strategy. The film and TV industry has been identified as a key area for growth, along with music, video games, and advertising. An industry task force, led by Shriti Vadera and Peter Bazalgette, has been working on the sector plan since the beginning of the year.
Government Support
British cultural secretary Lisa Nandy stated: "From Barbie to Eva Kill, and from Youth to Salt, Great Britain already has an outstanding track record in producing award-winning films and television that are enjoyed by millions at home and around the world. But I want us to go further and establish the UK as the best place on earth to make film and television, while we deliver our plan for growth. This pioneering sector plan puts the creative industry at the heart of our economic growth strategy and is key to making this ambition a reality."
