Government pumps £21m into indie film, movies and video games

The government have confirmed a £21m investment in indie film, TV and video games this morning in a quest to develop new talent and target fresh audiences around the world.

The independent sector has launched the careers of Daniel Craig and Florence Pugh and produced commercial and critical hits such as Belfast and Saint Maud. Globally successful video games include OlliOlli World and Lost Words: Beyond The Page.

The creative industries as a whole exported £41.4bn in services in 2020 and currently employs more than 200,000 people around the world.

The government confirmed this morning that the UK Global Screen Fund will be extended for three years with additional funding of £21m, which will support the industry to continue growing the economy and providing high wage, high skilled jobs for people in the UK.

This follows a successful £7m trial, which supported more than 65 independent productions including Living, The Miracle Club, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande and Enys Men, which will soon premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.

The funding will be used to increase exports of UK film, TV and video games to new territories. It will fund the distribution and marketing of content abroad, help productions promote their work at events such as film festivals, and support companies to hire and work with new staff with specialist skills to increase global audiences. It will also help UK producers collaborate on content with international partners.

Creative Industries Minister Julia Lopez said:

There is huge global demand for the UK’s world-class screen content and this new funding will help even more films, TV programmes and video games achieve international success.

By supporting producers to export their fantastic content we will create jobs and revenue at home and help project the UK’s culture, values and creativity abroad.

Edgar Wright, director and producer of independent films including Last Night in Soho, Shaun of the Dead and Baby Driver, said:

Independent film and television is essential to the vitality of our wonderful industry. It allows endless creativity, bold storytelling and the chance to take risks in producing truly original content for which the UK is renowned.

It is wonderful to see this further support for independent producers providing opportunities to help our films and TV shows achieve international success so that audiences around the world can enjoy the extraordinary talent and unique tales we have to share.