The effect of Brexit on the UK film industry

One of the biggest uncertainties facing artists in the UK at the moment is the effect of leaving the European Union on the creative industries. UK based producer, writer, researcher and statistician Stephen Follows speculates about this in a report about the effect of leaving the EU on the UK film industry. His findings are based on the British Film Institute document Impacts of leaving the EU on the UK’s screen sector  (made available last week thanks to a freedom of information request), a House of Lords report titled Leaving the European Union: Impact on the Creative Industries, and a panel he hosted at the Royal Institution.  Despite admitting that it’s difficult to predict the exact impact of Brexit while negotiations are in their infancy, Stephen summaries four positives and four negatives that are plausible based on our understanding of the current situation:

Positives

• The weaker pound means that foreign studios and producers get better value when spending in the UK.
• The UK will be free to negotiate new free trade deals with other countries
• Make the Film Tax Relief simpler and more focused
• Avoid EU regulations on cross-border copyright

Negatives

• Loss of freedom of movement within the labour market
• Loss of the money and support from Creative Europe
• Loss of support and training funds
• Removal of co-production financing and support

These points are discussed in more detail on Stephen’s blog, in addition to the two official reports mentioned above.