By: Film Industry Watch

Film Industry Watch — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 22:23:36 +0000

“Thank you for your excellent article on BFI backed films dominating LFF.
Another element that needs to be highlighted is BFI does not support any British indie films looking for completion funds or promotion to LFF if they haven’t been produced by them.
They even refuse to watch them as if they are not up to their standards.
There is an inherent bias against everything in the UK that is not funded by BFI, BBC etc.
Yet those bodies don’t seem to fund two types of artists :a) naturalized Brits ( those that have been British for decades but still have a foreign accent) and b) women over 55.
In all my attempts at funding and even sending videos I can tell they were not watched.
This is ageist and slightly foreign phobic. Women after 55 are at the peak of their creativity and have a lot to give.
Our section is completely overlooked.
We know that there’s no point applying to LFF because the festival selects by word of mouth , the people they know, and those who’ve been there before. Any truly a British independent gem will be overlooked if it’s been made away from the radar of the industry. How’s that fair ? Artists sweat to make their film, put everything on the line, use up their savings, remortgage, borrow, fundraise, to find a team to tell their unique story. Why is that not good enough for BFI just because it’s not been developed by the small selection team? This is such a damaging and myopic attitude that stifles creativity.
More people need to come out and demand justice and transparency. Nepotism is thriving in the British Film Industry and despite the written promises to be inclusive and fair, in practice things remain the same.

Comments on: London Film Festival Conflicts of Interest, BFI as a Monopoly

By: Film Industry Watch