Film Policy Review ‘acknowledged the value of the UK’s film animation sector’

Animation Alliance UK welcomes recommendations in the Film Policy Review report – A Future for British Film – that could greatly benefit the independent animation sector, particularly that of ‘an increased focus on the animation sector’ by the BFI.

The Review recommends that the BFI ‘makes allowance for development funding that recognises the unique challenges of animation development’. The acknowledgement that animation requires a longer development cycle and that this should be a consideration when funding work is significant. The report also suggests that the BFI could play an active role in helping to foster relationships with distributors and sales agents.

We are, however, wary that the report considers animation alongside another under-represented area, films for children, with the potential to compound historic notions that animation equates to cartoons, and with the report’s focus on the commercial success of animated features, including independent films such as The Illusionist and Jackboots on Whitehall, but also a raft of summer blockbusters for family audiences – Toy Story 3, Shrek Forever After and Despicable Me.

Whilst the report concentrates on feature films, and there is little mention of support for short film, it is nevertheless strongly behind career progression support for filmmakers and recommends that the BFI builds a strategy for revitalising low-budget filmmaking. It cites the success of short film production schemes from the nations, with an emphasis developing a greater diversity of talent across the UK as a starting point for discussion, and schemes such as Northern Ireland’s Short Steps, It’s My Shout in Wales, and Scotland’s Short Film scheme are referred to as exemplary projects. Comparable schemes to support the development of independent animators at the early stages of their careers is key for the development of the animation sector.

The panel recognised that in the digital age the animation sector stands out as an exemplar and an innovator in its use of digital technology, and noted the crossover potential there is with other UK creative industries – post-production, VFX and games sectors.

This review is positive and offers real potential for the independent animation sector. At the launch of the report, Animation Alliance UK asked Panel chair Lord Smith of Finsbury how animation and short film were supported by the review, and he assured us that the report’s recommendation that ‘the BFI makes allowance for development funding that recognises the unique challenges of animation development’ was intended to encompass independent, short animation.

He encouraged the Alliance to seek involvement in round table talks at the BFI as they write their Forward Plan, and to flesh out just what ‘an increased focus on the animation sector’ could mean.