The British Film Industry LO: To revise key issues within the British Film

industryLO: To identify why the British Film industry is popular

with UK and US audiences

Thursday 7th May 2009

How do British films attract mainstream audiences?

Have you seen any of these films?

Why would you want to go and see these films?

Who does what in the British Film Industry?

Aims to support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image

An independent, non-governmental body which classifies and censors film, video as well as computer and console-based games released in the UK.

The official UK agency for international cultural relations. Its Film Department promotes new British films (features and shorts), internationally principally through festivals and showcases. Portal site britfilms.com

Promotes understanding and appreciation of Britain's rich film and television heritage and culture.

Government backed lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad.

Main British Production Companies

Can you name films by these production companies?

• HOW TO DEFINE A BRITISH FILM

• To qualify as a British film, it needs to meet three of the following six criteria:

• A British Director • A British Producer • A predominantly British cast • A British production company • A subject matter that informs on the British experience • British identity defined by the BFI in 'Sight and Sound' (

www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/)

• Co-productions with British input count as British films.

Cinema types uncovered were as follows:

Mainstream: unlikely ever to view anything other than major ‘Hollywood’ style blockbusters.

Mainstream plus: generally mainstream, but apt to see less mainstream films on a few occasions.

Aficionados: tend to view a mix of films, including major foreign language titles, and can be encouraged to become even more adventurous in their viewing choices.

Film Buffs1: eschew mainstream films in favour of more extreme, esoteric, challenging and difficult subject matter (specialised) films.

AUDIENCE TYPES