§ 11. Dr. Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes, South-West)How his Department defines a British film for the purposes of funding. [50777]
§ The Minister for Film and Tourism (Mr. Tom Clarke)The current statutory criteria are set out in schedule 1 to the Films Act 1985. The film policy review group report recommended the redefinition of a qualifying film for tax benefits and also proposed the definition of a culturally British film for monitoring and marketing performance.
§ Dr. StarkeyAs a great fan of cinema, I welcome the increasing emphasis on the film industry as part of cultural industries. As my right hon. Friend is aware, film animation companies, such as Triffic Films in Milton Keynes, play a key role in British film production. Will he assure me that any changes in the definition of British film will enhance the role of film animation?
§ Mr. ClarkeI am happy to say that the answer is yes. I have had the opportunity to visit the Cardiff international animation festival, and I remind the House that one of the Oscars that we won this year, notwithstanding "Titanic", was for "Geri's Game", which was a great tribute to British animation. My hon. Friend's local animation group, Triffic, is mentioned in the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union's "Animation UK", and she can be absolutely certain that animation is taken as seriously by the Government as it should be.