Local Film Culture, Global Exchange

events | :The Independent Film Parliament presents ‘Local Film Culture, Global Exchange' on Wednesday 30th November 2005 at Institut Français, London. A one-day event on policy for a thriving, diverse film culture.

A government review of film policy is currently underway in the UK. Globally, UNESCO has launched a unique initiative to sustain diversity in the marketplace. This day offers the chance to debate what policy can deliver, and to offer independent feedback to the government review.

National and international speakers, active in filmmaking and policy, will lead the debate. Panellists will include Québécois actor, Pierre Curzi; cultural analyst Baroness Lola Young; author of “Blockbusters and Trade Wars ”, Peter S. Grant; the director of the National Film and Television School and Acting Chairman of The European Film Academy Nik Powell; Head of bfi Education, Cary Bazalgette and Director of Dochouse, Elizabeth Wood.

What policies do we need to keep our film culture diverse and thriving?……Should festivals be the best chance to see the range of international cinema?…..Is there enough support for productions below the tax-break line?…..What role for broadcasters in a pay-to-view era?…..

Will international policy keep faith with tomorrow ’s viewers? What can the moving image offer as an architect of ideas and understanding in our diverse society?

REGISTRATION: please email or contact the IFP office on (44) 207 690 0124. On-line registration available mid-October.

Ticket prices: £40 (Individuals), £75 (institutions), Concessions available.

IFP MAILING LIST: to add your name email: development@filmparliament.org.uk   

Supporting organisations: BAFTA; PACT; PAL, Performing Arts Lab; CRA, Creators Rights Alliance; AIM, Association of Independent Music; Directors Guild of Great Britain

The Programme

9 - 9.30 Registration/Refreshment

9.45  Welcome and Introduction, Nik Powell

Opening Addresses

10-10.30 Wanted! British Film Culture, Diverse and Alive, Mike Figgis (tbc)

  10.30–11.15 Sustaining Local culture in a Global Marketplace, Pierre Curzi

11.15—11.45 Break 

11.45—1.30  SESSION 1: A Global Policy for Cultural Diversity

Government strategy for a diverse, audiovisual culture. James Purnell MP (tbc)

How will the UNESCO Convention work? Peter Grant

What role for regulation in the audiovisual arena? Ruth Hieronymi MEP

Global exchange through national culture. Baroness Lola Young

Moderator: Nik Powell

1.30—2.30 Lunch Break 

2.30—4.00 SESSION 2: Policy in Action –UK

Sustaining a diverse film culture. John Woodward (tbc)

Bringing worlds on screen: digital and exhibition strategy. Linda Pariser

Surviving as a low budget producer. Gillian Berrie (tbc)

Building film culture in the regions. Jay Arnold

Moderator: Francine Stock

4.00—4.30 Tea 

4.30—5.45 SESSION 3: Policy with LongtermVision

Moving with the times: images and global exchange. Chris Auty (tbc)

Past in future tense: documentary in focus. Elizabeth Wood

Evolving, digital perspectives. Liz Rosenthal

Keeping faith with the audience: the role of education. Cary Bazalgette

Moderator: Holly Aylett (tbc)

Summing Up, Carole Tongue

7.30 Screening: Maelstrom, dir by Denis Villeneuve 

NOTES:

1. The Independent Film Parliament

'This Parliament is an excellent initiative. We need more debate to achieve a sustainable, independently-minded cinema; to focus support for home-grown production, and to promote maximum collaboration with European partners and initiatives.'

Nik Powell, Deputy Chairman of the European Academy and Director of the National Film and Television School

'The IFP is a consultative forum for our most innovative, independently-minded film practitioners to feed back on policy affecting film. It launched at the Cambridge Film Festival in 2003 and focuses especially on the needs of the so-called specialist/cultural film sector. This sector includes experimental film, artists film and video, animation, documentary, cross-over feature, and films whose budgets generally fall below the taxbreak line.'

Patrons: Baroness Lola Young; Tilda Swinton; Sally Potter; Michael Nyman; Alex Cox

Principal Aims:

to be a consultation partner in audiovisual matters covering film & broadcasting alongside other organisations such as The UK Film Council, The British Screen Advisory Council, The Creators ’ Rights Alliance, PACT, The Director ’s Guild of Great Britain, BECTU …..

to serve the specialist/cultural film sector, addressing a wide range of film forms including artists ’ film and video, documentary, student production, animation and feature film

to feedback from different areas of the specialist/cultural sector including education & training, development & production, exhibition & distribution

to include regional, cultural, and ethnic issues of diversity

to archive documentation & keep debate open on future policy options with regard to UK, Europe & beyond

Organisation

The IFP is a charity led by its steering committee of industry professionals & 4 trustees:

Holly Aylett: Holly Aylett—Managing Editor, Vertigo Magazine, Senior Lecturer in Film Studies at London Metropolitan University

Ian Christie: Ian Christie—Vice President, Europa Cinemas; Professor at Birkbeck College, University of London, film historian

David Kelly: Producer and director of The European Co-Production Bureau

Dr Carole Tongue: Former MEP, President of Cities and Cinemas European Network, visiting Professor at London Institute and consultant on European audio-visual policy

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2. The UNESCO Convention on Cultural Diversity

This convention aims to provide a framework for nation states to develop independent cultural policies

to establish cultural works as distinct from ordinary merchandise as vectors of meaning and national identity

to claim equal status for the convention in relation to trade agreements including those under discussion by the WTO

Background:

Oct 16th 2003: Project adopted by conference of UNESCO: “the desirability of drawing up an international standard-setting instrument on cultural diversity ”

June 2005: Draft for convention passed by 2/3 majority. United States and Japan are largest countries voting against.

Aug 11th 2005:Preliminary Draft for Convention on the Protection of the Diversity of Cultural Contents and Artistic Expressions passed by Executive. Proposed that should be presented to 33rd session of General Conference in Paris, October 2005. 52 out of 53 states in favour. United States votes against. Australia abstains. Ukraine, Pakistan and Cap Verde absent.

October 15-18 2005: Scheduled days for draft Convention to be adopted at 33rd general assembly of UNESCO

3. Film Policy Review

Called for by Minister for the Creative Industries, James Purnell, in speech to Institute of Public Policy Research, London 16.06.2005

Calling for review of film policy addressing four key issues— “How do we attract big budget films to the UK? How do we support UK production? How do we improve distribution? Should we do more for cultural film? ”

4. Statistics of concern to those interested in pluralism for UK film culture

Only 6% of screens are dedicated to non-mainstream programming

Under 5% of screens are in rural locations

Foreign language films represent 4.6% of UK box office (gross)

97.3% of films in distribution and exhibition (UK & Ireland) are North American or North American co-productions, apart from the few UK and Irish productions

UK feature production fell from 44 to 27

Almost 70% of film sales to the industry come from London

In 2004, UK ’s most popular films at the European box office were Harry Potter and The Philosopher ’s Stone, Troy, and Bridget Jones ’s Diary

Source: UK Film Council Statistical Yearbook / Annual Review 2004-2005

DATELINE: 24 January, 2010

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