The British Film Institute are spending £50million making 10,000 films available for free download on the internet.
As part of their ‘Film Forever’ drive to invigorate the British cinema industry, the BFI will be inviting members of the public to vote on which of films they should put onto the internet out of their massive vault of nearly half a million film reels.
Over the next five years, the BFI as a whole will be investing half a billion pounds in British filmmaking, education and film heritage.
BFI CEO Amanda Nevill said: “Film Forever is founded on a renewed commitment to the future – the future generation of audiences, the future generation of filmmakers and the opportunities presented by digital technologies.
“We are investing where we think we can most make a difference, where we see potential for creative excellence and where we can be the supportive catalyst for change, innovation, business growth and jobs.”
Supporting the British film industry also means supporting British actors, and more money will also be made available for nurturing home-grown talent.
Documentary makers and animators will also receive tax breaks in order to keep Britain at the forefront of those categories – following in the footsteps of Sir David Attenborough and also Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Parks.
Chairman of the BFI, Greg Dyke said: “With film industry growth currently outstripping the economy as a whole, we want to invest to ensure continued success.
“A central part of Film Forever is to nurture business growth and cultural vibrancy across the whole of the UK, with a particular emphasis outside London.
“This is a real moment for film and a bold long term vision for the sector and I look forward to us from today turning all the discussion into action.”
