BFI invites people across the UK to help shape the next five years of British film

The BFI today launches a public consultation for BFI2022 to help shape its next five-year strategy for supporting and promoting film, TV and the moving image in the UK. The BFI is the UK’s lead organisation for film with a mission to ensure film, TV and the moving image are central to the cultural and creative lives of the British public, and to support the development and success of UK film at home and around the world.

Following last week’s Referendum result, the BFI will be using both nationwide roadshows and online consultation to listen to people’s views on how the BFI’s next five-year strategy can deliver the best possible outcome for Britain’s thriving film industry at home, in Europe and across the world.

Beginning in April 2017, the BFI’s five-year plan will build on the organisation’s work to date and the BFI is keen to hear views from as many people as possible about how to continue supporting success in UK film, TV and moving image. The BFI2022 consultation is live online and open to everyone, everywhere – from professionals who work in film, TV and the moving image to anyone who enjoys watching film and television.

The BFI is also hosting a series of nine roadshow events that are open to all, taking place across the UK starting in Belfast today, followed by Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, London, Birmingham, Bristol and finishing in Cardiff on 12 July. The BFI also outlined its consultation to delegates of the Edinburgh International Film Festival’s Industry Programme on 16 June.

Amanda Nevill, BFI CEO, said:

“Film, television and all moving image is thriving in the UK. In the light of the recent EU Referendum result, there couldn’t be a better moment for the BFI to be on the road, listening and learning to what our industry wants for the future. This will put the BFI in the strongest possible position to represent both our industry and audiences in all future negotiations.”

At the roadshows, the BFI will be outlining the achievements and progress made over the past four years in supporting British film. These include pioneering the introduction of Diversity Standards across BFI Lottery funding — to help address under-representation both on and off screen, building opportunities for audiences across the UK to see and access a broader range of film and the UK’s rich film heritage, and initiatives in education and skills which are inspiring and supporting the next generation of filmmakers and film viewers.

The roadshow discussions will also look to the future, inviting the audience to share their ideas and views on the challenges facing film, TV and the moving image, particularly in a rapidly evolving media landscape in which technological innovation is creating new opportunities for creators and audiences.

The online consultation closes on Thursday 8 September.

Experts from the BFI’s activities in filmmaking and talent development, film education and skills, audience development and film heritage will also be hosting workshop discussions at the roadshow events. Themes which have started to emerge during industry talks so far this year include:

Supporting moving image culture — what role, if any, should the BFI take in TV, video games, interactive media, virtual reality and online content?
Diversity is the heart of creativity — talent is everywhere, opportunity is not. Without diversity, the UK’s creative industries will not reach their full potential, so BFI activities and programmes must be open and accessible to all in order to capitalise on the UK’s rich talent pool.
Championing the cultural significance of film, television and the moving image — the culture and heritage of film and screen is as important as its economic potential, and is the real bedrock of creativity. How do we inspire people to engage more with film and the moving image?
Delivering across the UK — how do we ensure that the screen industries are central to the economic success of the UK’s nations and regions, and bring access to the UK’s film and TV collections, and opportunities for audiences to see the broadest range of films wherever they are?

The BFI2022 UK-wide consultation opens online at www.bfi.org.uk/2022 on Friday 24 June 2016 and will close on Thursday 8 September 2016. The BFI’s future five-year strategy for 2017-2022 will be launched in November 2016.

The BFI 2022 consultation roadshows will take place at the following locations:

Monday 27 June Belfast, Titanic Quarter (Queen’s Road, BT3 9DT)
Tuesday 28 June Manchester, HOME (2 Tony Wilson Place, M15 4FN)
Wednesday 29 June Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, Rose Bowl (Portland Crescent, LS1 3HB)
Thursday 30 June Newcastle, Tyneside Cinema (10 Pilgrim Street, NE1 6QG)
Tuesday 5 July London, BFI Southbank (Belvedere Road, SE1 8XT)
Thursday 7 July Birmingham, MAC (Cannon Hill Park, B12 9QH)
Monday 11 July Bristol, Watershed (1 Cannons Road, Harbourside, BS1 5TX)
Tuesday 12 July Cardiff, Chapter (40 Market Road, CF5 1QE)