§ Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what steps she is taking to secure the financial future of the British Federation of Film Societies; [163381]
(2) what representations she has received from film societies concerning their funding from the UK Film Council; [163382]
(3) what steps she is taking to ensure that the British Film Institute actively supports the work of the British Federation of Film Societies and its constituent members; [163384]
(4) what discussions she has had with (a) the British Film Institute and (b) the British Federation of Film Societies concerning the Annual Films Viewing Weekend and its continuation on a financial basis that supports local film societies. [163385]
§ Estelle Morris: The UK Film Council, the Government's strategic adviser for film, has recently completed an extensive consultation on its funding and policy priorities for April 2004 to March 2007. The consultation document "Three Years On" proposes that the UK Film Council should continue to fund the British Federation of Film Societies (BFFS) at £100,000 per annum until 2006–07. This funding would form part of the council's substantial budget for its Distribution and Exhibition fund, which aims to promote accessibility to film across the country. This proposal is supported by the British Film Institute. The BFFS would be required to demonstrate the impact of its work in developing the diversity and range of cinema distribution and appreciation. Beyond continuation of funding, the UK Film Council has outlined plans for a fund for digital equipment for film societies, of direct benefit to constituent members of the BFFS.
The DCMS has received no representations from film societies within the last year, concerning funding from the UK Film Council. The UK Film Council has received one letter from BFFS, and will shortly meet the BFFS to discuss the issues raised.
Support for film societies, and thus the BFFS, has been a key consideration in the recent BFI Strategic Review, and is being addressed as part of broader plans to improve access to resources and collections. Stakeholders including the BFFS have been extensively 1120W consulted during this process, and the BFI is firmly committed to working more strategically with national bodies such as the BFFS in their advocacy of specialised film culture.
The UK Film Council and BFI will provide ongoing financial support for the Annual Films Viewing Weekend via a heavily subsidised rate for the use of the National Film Theatre (NFT), the event's venue. DCMS has not been involved in the discussions.