A number of experts in the film industry have responded sharply to those who claim that the industry is going to suffer as a direct result of Brexit.
Certain people within the industry have expressed concern that Britain’s exit from the European Union could mean bad things for British filmmaking due to a lack of funding from Europeans.
British film industry sceptics cite the fact that between 2007 and 2015, the EU Media Programme put €130 million into a number of different UK film, TV and gaming projects.
However, the founder of a major UK film production company says that Article 50 could actually be a good thing for the British film industry as a whole.
Gary Collins is the CEO of Red Rock Entertainment and he has stated that the UK film industry received €1.5 billion in funding just from the United States.
Collins said that, as long as tax credits are not changed after Brexit, he doesn’t expect US investment to begin to shrink at all. He went on to say that those who are very vocal about this are creating fear for no reason whatsoever.
He was quoted as saying: “The UK film studios are the best in the world, and our crews are highly trained, and regarded amongst the very best.” Collins also said that filmmakers are still going to come and invest in films regardless of the vote to leave.
Mr. Collins has made no secret about his belief that the government will set aside additional funds for the industry from some of the money that was saved from leaving the EU. He’s also said that the worst effect that Brexit has had on this industry is that independent filmmakers of co-productions made with other EU companies could suffer.
He went on to say that, while there aren’t quite as many different UK movies being made post-Brexit, this is not necessary a negative thing. “At the moment it is buyers’ market, and I personally believe there are too many movies being made.”
