Need funding? What can you tolerate?

Funding is the killer of most projects. Today there are many more choices than a generation ago, and let's be thankful. However, take a look at what incentives are offered in other countries. Today, have a look at the UK.

I quote this post from Digital Arts for your convenience, and because it gives a good summary of what the UK Film Council offers. But please do visit the UK site for a refreshing lift.

I would be interested to hear how the efforts in the UK compare to the National Endowment for the Arts, or others' experiences with US funding sources.

From Digital Arts:

UK Film Council Sets Out Funding Plans

Friday 11 May 2007 - 09:20

The UK Film Council has published its new funding and policy priorities from April 2007 – March 2010.

The document, Film in the Digital Age, includes the creation of five new funding priorities to boost public access to film such as through film festivals and the nation’s film heritage.

The new priorities are:

UK Film Festivals Fund - £1.5 million per year – to create a thriving film festival scene in the UK giving the public better access to the rich world of cinema in all its diversity;

UK Digital Film Archives Fund - £1 million per year – to open up access to the nation’s unparalleled film heritage across the UK;

Partnership Challenge Fund - £1 million per year – bringing new funding partnerships together to widen public participation in film, initially with the following priorities: media literacy and film education; cinema capital funding; cinema access and inclusion initiatives; and London 2012 Olympic related film initiatives;

Digitisation and Marketing Fund – £2 million per year - building on the existing Prints and Advertising Fund with additional funding focusing on wider theatrical and online distribution of British and specialised film;

The UK Film Council will continue with all its existing funding priorities at the same financial level. In addition the Premiere Fund will consider applications for market testing / completion funding from non-UK Film Council funded films out of its existing budget.

John Woodward, chief executive officer of the UK Film Council said: “Our new activities are deliberately aimed at building the areas of activity which came through most strongly in the consultation exercise namely, more focus on audiences especially through digital distribution, and more impact by working more effectively with other funding partners.

“The resounding message was that digital advances will change the way the film industry works and that the UK Film Council must take a lead. We recognise this and will act upon it by ensuring our policies and funding measures encourage and support innovation.”

Digital Arts Staff