The UK Film Council (UKFC) has published figures revealing a year of mixed fortunes for the British film industry in 2009.
In its report, the UKFC said that in 2009 the British film industry continued to weather the global recession well, with:
- The second best production year on record (total spend of £956.9m, 56% higher than 2008)
- Highest ever level of inward investment (£752.7m, which has more than doubled year on year and increased by £20m on the record 2003 figures)
- Level of independent film production culturally specific to the UK continued at a fairly consistent level compared to recent years, with 71 films made in 2009 (down slightly from 77 films in 2008), spending a total £169.2m
- UK cinema admissions at their highest level since 2002 (173.5m and the UK / Ireland box office exceeding £1bn for the first time)
- Independent UK films took their largest market share in a decade (8.5% of UK box office).
The number of co-productions remained stable at 22, but this figure remained significantly lower than the high of 106 in 2003. This is largely a function of the one flaw in the otherwise excellent film tax credit, which disincentivises UK participation in co-productions by focusing tax relief on production spend made on the ground in the UK.
The overall market share of UK films (which includes both UK independent and UK films produced with US backing) was 16.5% in 2009, with independent UK films taking an 8.5% share, which is the highest figure of the decade, and comes on the back of successful titles such as Slumdog Millionaire and In the Loop.
John Woodward, Chief Executive Officer of the UK Film Council, said that these figures show a robust UK film industry: “Taken together, these box office and inward investment numbers show how film in the UK has moved from the margins back to the mainstream, helping sustain jobs and promote the UK’s place on the international stage.
“British cinema-goers are voting with their feet - they want to see big event movies, many of which depend on outstanding British talent and are made in the UK thanks to our reliable film tax credit. In addition, what is particularly encouraging is that the public appetite for low budget independently-produced British films is rising once again despite the blockbuster phenomenon.
“So at a time when film budgets are being squeezed and production finance is very hard to raise, it’s important to realise that many of these films are supported through public subsidy from the UK Film Council, BBC Films and Film4. The case for continued public support for film has therefore never been stronger.”
