The UKFC

The United Kingdom Film Council is a goverment-backed lead agency for UK films, ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented both at home and abroad.

It was created in 2000, and it is funded by the National Lottery and also by the tax payer. So far they have backed over 900 films; and have generated over £700 million for the box office world wide.

The UKFC funds and works with the 'Regional and National Screens Agencies', 'The BFI', 'Skillset', 'First Light' and 'Film Club'. The money they provide goes towards supporting new film makers, funding exciting new British films and to make a wider variety of films for the UK. Also for training and promoting British films abroad.

They work to make films more accessible in 3 ways:
Improving access - 240 digital screens have been placed around the UK

Raising awareness - their 'prints and advertising' funds provide over £2 million per year to help the distributers promote niche films.

Increasing information - They have a website to watch, buy and download films.

Digital Screening cuts the cost of releasing films (a digital copy costs around 1/10th of a 35mm print). The Digital Screen Network (created by the UKFC and Arts Council England) have a £12 million investment to equip 240 screens with 210 cinemas in the UK, to give the audience a greater choice of films.