FILM IN ENGLAND - UK Film Council - British Film Institute

The consultation programme comprised four related strands:
■ A National seminar
■ Nine Regional seminars
■ Sector meetings
■ A call for written evidence.
The consultation programme was designed to be as inclusive as possible. It ran
from 1 April to 31 August but peaked in June and July when the regional seminars took
place. Those contributing to the consultation process welcomed the establishment of
the FILM COUNCIL and supported its two overarching aims. In total about 500 people
participated in the consultation programme, most of whom represented a wider
constituency or interest group.
3.1 National seminar
3.1.1 A National seminar was held in London at Sadler’s Wells Theatre on 14 June. The
aim of the seminar was:
■ To provide general information about the FILM COUNCIL to those with an
interest in film in the English regions
■ To explain the purpose and the format of the England-wide strategy review
■ To open up a dialogue between the FILM COUNCIL and the regions
■ To alert the FILM COUNCIL to issues of real concern to the regions.
3.1.2 The National seminar also aimed to set an open and transparent tone for the
review and to establish a framework within which detailed discussions could take
place at a later point. With over 90 delegates representing the full range of the
FILM COUNCIL’s interests, the seminar was fully subscribed.
3.1.3 An animated and frank discussion was prompted by presentations from FILM
COUNCIL Chief Executive Officer John Woodward and Board Director Parminder
Vir about the FILM COUNCIL; Terry Illot about film and media futures; Alan
Fountain about film in the English regions; and Jon Teckman about the bfi. It was
generally agreed that for any development strategy for film in the English regions
to be fully effective it was necessary to focus on the following four key headlines:
Diversity
The strategy would need:
■ To recognise the different history, character and legitimate aspirations for film
in the English regions
■ To acknowledge that some of the new and overlapping administrative
boundaries in the English regions do not easily foster, or reflect, a sense of
regional identity
Film in England
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Consultation