Industry veterans Ben Roberts and Tim Bevan hail UK tax credit boost

BFI CEO and Working Title Producer Praise Independent Film Tax Credit Confirmation

The BFI London Film Festival (LFF) opened with the world premiere of Steve McQueen’s Second World War drama, Blitz, produced by Apple Studios and Bevan and Eric Fellner’s Working Title Films with New Regency.

Key Quotes

• "It’s really brilliant news that this morning the government confirmed a game-changing new tax initiative to support British films, which will create so many opportunities for filmmaking and developing talent," said BFI CEO Ben Roberts.
• "A strong and diverse film culture, including this film festival, needs all the support it can get," added Roberts.

Festival Highlights

The festival opened with a broadcast across nine cinemas in nine UK cities, the 60 events in the LFF Free programme, and surprised the audience with free copies of BFI magazine Sight & Sound under 300 of the seats in the Royal Festival Hall venue.

Blitz Underway

Opening her second LFF as festival director, Kristy Matheson thanked Apple for opening Blitz in London, saying it was "beyond anything I could have hoped for."

Cast and Crew

The film was joined on stage by director Steve McQueen, newcomer Elliott Heffernan, and Saoirse Ronan. Ronan said her goal was to make the working space "as safe and comfortable as possible so [Elliot] can do the work." Heffernan noted craft services as his favorite part of his first film experience.

Tax Credit Confirmation

BFI CEO Ben Roberts and Working Title producer Tim Bevan praised the confirmation of the Independent Film Tax Credit (ITC), which will encourage British stories and British films.

Conclusion

The BFI London Film Festival runs until Sunday, October 20.

FAQs

• What is the Independent Film Tax Credit (ITC)?
  The ITC is a new tax initiative announced by the UK government to support British films and encourage international production.
• How will the ITC benefit the film industry?
  The ITC will create new opportunities for filmmaking and developing talent, encourage British stories and British films, and promote a diverse and thriving film culture in the UK.
• When will Blitz be released?
  Blitz will be released in a limited number of UK-Ireland cinemas on November 1, expanding to more cinemas on November 8, and then on the Apple TV+ streaming platform on November 22.