Creative Skillset to deliver BFI’s Future Film Skills Programme

Francis Lee directing God’s Own Country (2017)

The BFI and Creative Skillset today announce that the UK’s industry skills body Creative Skillset will deliver the majority of the BFI’s Future Film Skills Programme, a key strategic priority of BFI2022, the five-year plan for UK film.

The award endorses Creative Skillset’s recent shift to concentrate entirely on skills across the UK’s screen-based creative industries. As part of this re-focus, Creative Skillset has new industry leadership including a newly appointed Chair, Richard Johnston, who is also CEO of Endemol Shine in the UK and a council member of PACT. 

The decision to award £19m of National Lottery funding to Creative Skillset followed a competitive call for applications, overseen by a panel of industry leaders, chaired by Barbara Broccoli. The panel was unanimous in its decision to appoint Creative Skillset and was impressed by its clear commitment to deliver a high quality and strategic new skills framework to create a trusted ladder of opportunity for all individuals to easily enter the UK’s booming screen industries.

Creative Industries Minister Matt Hancock said:

“I’m delighted Creative Skillset has been chosen to receive National Lottery funding to help the next generation of creative talent develop the skills they need for careers in areas including film, television and video games. Our creative industries are one of the UK’s fastest growing sectors, worth £92 billion to the economy every year, and we are determined to make sure this fantastic success continues.”

Barbara Broccoli, Producer, EON Productions and Chair of the UK Film Skills Task Force said:

“This plan represents a huge opportunity to help create a workforce that reflects our diverse society, and increase the number of people working in film to meet the needs of our thriving production industry. I’m confident that Creative Skillset with the support of industry, education and government, will be the most effective way of delivering this ambitious plan.”

Richard Johnston, Creative Skillset Chair and CEO of Endemol Shine:

“Creative Skillset has significantly changed its operational model in the past year to focus on where we can deliver the best value – working in close partnership with the screen-based industries. I’m delighted that the BFI has shown its confidence in our changed role by awarding us the contract to deliver its Future Film Skills Programme.”

Amanda Nevill, CEO BFI said:

“I am really excited about the energy behind this strategy, and the solid commitment and new approach from Creative Skillset, because I believe this programme is going to create opportunities for a new wave of individuals to find their way into careers within this extraordinary and booming industry.”

Seetha Kumar, CEO of Creative Skillset said:

“This is an ambitious programme to deliver the step change in skills and talent training set out by the BFI. By creating an industry-run programme which has the confidence and trust of everybody – whether they’re thinking about a career in the screen industries or at the top of their game – we will create the joined-up, professionalised, inclusive workforce that we need to stay globally competitive.”