Jay Hunt, who chairs the BFI, urged the British film and TV industry not to be complacent and expressed concern about "very protectionist language regarding Hollywood" from the new Donald Trump administration.
In a passionate plea for sustained funding in the sector, Hunt shared her "biggest concern", that the £4.2 billion ($5.2 billion) domestic industry could potentially start thinking it has hit a "peak" from which it cannot fall.
She said during the UK parliamentary inquiry into high-end TV and film, "We jeopardize believing this is the final condition of the industry. Seeing the bad regulatory environment in Europe and the protectionist talk coming from the new U.S. government about Hollywood, I think the BFI has a key role in showing these problems. It's important to note that without money and help for the sector, the growth path will not last.
She was talking about the matter as British broadcasters say that American co-pro funding has all but dried up in the market, something which has been going on for some time and predates Trump. Trump has voiced his intentions to levy tariffs on countries that trade in the U.S. He met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier this week, though reports have not indicated that the tariff issue was discussed.
Hunt took on the voluntary chair position at the BFI last year. She remains the only UK executive to have run three separate networks and is currently chief at Apple TV+ in Europe, with large productions such as Bad Sisters and Slow Horses credited to her.
As major challenges were faced by British broadcasters and around 15 scripted projects were reportedly caught in delays of funding, Hunt wanted to dispel the idea that only British networks produce 'television that resonates with British viewers.
"Great shows are always made by the PSBs, but they’re also coming from their own money,” she said. “Think of titles like Slow Horses, Rivals, Baby Reindeer, or even Amazon's non-scripted efforts like Clarkson's Farm. From the BFI view, success means building a full system.
"Seeing the problem clearly
Getting back to the movie part, Hunt said that the UK is "dealing with a trouble that’s hitting the theaters.
She pointed out that by the end of this year it is estimated that 45% of cinemas in Britain will be operating at a loss and she referenced the local Film Distributor's Association which called it "dire".
In response to the challenge, the BFI is speaking directly to the UK government about cash injection into the cinemas, as Hunt revealed that "many are in decline," and also looking for grant funding to secure sustainability and business growth.
This art form is particularly prevalent among lower socioeconomic groups, noted Hunt. In various regions of the country, it serves as a key cultural resource — making its protection essential.
During the talk, BFI head Ben Roberts said he liked the "big change" and "smart timing" of the 40% help for indie films that started last year. But, he pointed out this help might not fix the current movie house problems. He said there has been more curiosity about BFI money since the help began, and companies have seen a larger number of indie films trying to keep their spaces. As an example, he mentioned that the boxing movie Giant with Pierce Brosnan just shifted its making from Malta to Leeds to get benefits from the new credit.
"About time," Roberts said, pointing out that British films now share only 9% of the local market and that or considerably higher than France at 40% and Italy at 25%. "We need to find a way to get back to a more appropriate market share, similar to what was seen during The Inbetweeners Movie and The King's Speech, which were closer to 20%."
Roberts said the BFI is "planning on showcasing a moment of British film" as as it gets closer to its 100th birthday. He went on to add, "We want to remind not only the UK public but also international audiences about the incredible nature of our film heritage and the huge diversity that exists within our cinematic history. Roberts blasted "stories in the media.
Roberts said that though help is needed by exhibitors he thinks the 'narratives in the press' are too negative about British Box Office, which got to £1 billion last year— the first time since after the pandemic's start.
He said, "I find the stories in the media quite frustrating. One week, I read in the Financial Times that cinemas are failing; and the following week, they report a strong comeback. This back-and-forth narrative is tiring and shakes everyone's confidence."
Hunt and Roberts replied to the inquiry which was related to high-end television and film. Last year, a few big names in UK television, including Gurinder Chadha, Jane Tranter, and Slow Horses director James Hawes, took part in this inquiry, too. It was halted during the general election period but has recently been taken up by the newly formed Culture, Media & Sport Committee just a couple of weeks ago.
