David Cameron cheered up the UK movie industry this week by extending film tax relief until at least 2015. The news was welcomed by the British Film Commission; a division of Film London and the body responsible for attracting, encouraging and supporting the production of international feature films in the UK.

Responding to the announcement, Iain Smith, BFC Chair, said: “Not only does it demonstrate the Government understands the vital role that the art and business of film-making plays in our economic and cultural landscape, but it also ensures the UK can maintain its global competitiveness. It puts a level of stability in place which allows us as the BFC, with our international partners, to continue to drive the industry forward and grow and develop film in this country.”



According to the BFC, film tax relief provided around £95 million of support to the British film industry in 2009/2010, supporting over £1 billion worth of investment in 208 feature films.

Recent productions which have been certified as British (and thus are eligible for relief) include The King’;s Speech, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Attack the Block, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Brad Pitt’;s World War Z, Ridley Scott’;s Prometheus and Snow White and the Huntsman, starring Charlize Theron, are titles which have recently shot in the UK. The 23rd Bond film, Skyfall, has just started shooting in the UK this month.

Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission, also commented: “The renewal of film tax relief is a crucial element of the UK’;s offer to the international industry. This support from the Government gives us continuity and a fantastic foundation, which in turn allows us to market our world-class talent, facilities and locations across the globe.”