|
The board comprises Ralph Kamp, Hilary
Davis of Bankside Films, Samantha Horley
of Lumina Films, Nicole Mackey of
Fortissimo Films UK and Mark Vennis of
Moviehouse Entertainment. Charlie Bloye,
who has worked for several months
signing up members, has been appointed
Chief Executive.
The UK sales agent community had met
informally for many years under the
banner “FEUK” and the group combined
with the UK Film Council to commission
the UK Film Sales Sector Study in 2006.
This report found that the sales sector,
although central to the financing and
distribution of films, is frequently
both under-valued and misunderstood. It
recommended the creation of a formally
constituted trade association. In his
speech, Ralph Kamp thanked Jonathan
Olsberg of Olsberg|SPI for his work on
that and a subsequent report.
Kamp also announced that agreement in
principle has been reached for a
ground-breaking partnership between the
new association and the government body,
UK Trade & Investment. This will see
Film Export UK take a lead role
delivering the UKTI Creative & Media
Export Unit’s objectives for the export
of UK films. Andrew Cahn, Chief
Executive Officer of UK Trade &
Investment said: "Independent films like
The Queen showcase the very best of the
UK's creative industry to a world
audience. It is therefore crucial that
we support sales companies which help
independent films get recognised. Film
Export UK brings UKTI closer to
exporters on the ground enabling us to
work more effectively with the
industry."
The UK Film Council’s International
Department provided seed funding to
sustain the preparations for
formalisation of the association and its
Chief Executive Officer, John Woodward,
welcomed the announcement: "I am
absolutely delighted that Film Export UK
has officially formed to give the sales
sector a powerful voice across the
industry. Sales companies play a
critical role in the film industry and
ensure that British films are seen
across the world. There's definitely
strength in numbers and I wish the
association every success in
communicating, representing and
developing the interests of the sales
sector."
BACK TO PAGE ONE
|