Could the political situation impact UK Film-Making?

Stealth Media Group were interested to read this week about how politics can sometimes have an impact on film production. As the industry bible Variety reported, the rise of UKIP in the UK may have a direct impact on the UK film industry.  UKIP wants an exit from the European Union and they were heavily supported in the European Union election last week.

UKIP grabbed 27.5% of the votes cast, this compares with 25.4% for Labour and 23.9% for the Conservatives.  It was the first time for over 100 years that a party other than Labour or Conservative came first in a national election.

But what will an exit from Europe mean for the UK film industry?

In the last seven years alone the EU’s Media Program granted over 100 million Euros to UK film companies and UK film production. In Cannes this year, two British films Ken Loach’s “Jimmy Hall” and Mike Leigh’s “Mr. Turner” both received funds from the EU programme.

Funds from the EU also help UK productions with distribution and often help with theatrically released films which have in the past included such hits as “Slumdog Millionaire” and “The King’s Speech”.

Funding for education

EU initiatives also give funding in some forms to various film and media education institutes, these include; London Film School and the National Film and Television School. The acclaimed Sheffield Doc/Fest also receives an amount of funding via European initiatives.

These sources of funding play a vital role in the UK and the chance this ending will be causing many headaches across the UK film industry.

Creative Europe

Moving forward, the EU’s Creative Europe scheme has a budget of $1.99 billion over the next seven years. An exit from Europe would deprive the UK of access to these funds. 

Even if UKIP don’t win and the Conservatives gain office, they themselves have committed to a referendum on Europe. Based on the current mood this could still mean that the UK could exit the EU.

Funding for all kinds of film

Film funding can come from all kinds of sources and politics has impacted film funding in the recent past. Government schemes and sources of money can always come and go under different political ideologies.

Stealth Media Film Investments doesn’t just work with funding from Europe, our films our financed from a variety of sources from all over the world. If you’re interested in finding out more please contact Stealth Media Group now.