CREATIVE Scotland today, Friday 17 October 2014, publishes its Film Strategy 2014-17, detailing priorities for the film sector over the next three years.
The Film Strategy explains how we will work with the sector and public partners within the context of the ambitions set out in our ten-year plan, Unlocking Potential, Embracing Ambition, in the context of film.
Natalie Usher, director of Film and Media, Creative Scotland, said:
“This is an ambitious strategy for film in Scotland. It sets out our aim to make Scotland home to a vibrant, culturally diverse and commercially-competitive film sector.
“It is motivated by a shared ambition to see a growth in the number and diversity of films and filmmakers; to establish an enviable reputation for excellence in filmmaking and cement Scotland’s position as a key destination for international productions. Scotland will be a nation that celebrates the importance of every aspect of its film culture.
“The strategy focuses on the five key areas of film education, talent and skills development, film development and production, inward investment and co-productions and distribution, exhibition and audiences.
“Our ambition is to generate the conditions necessary to position the film sector at the heart of Scotland’s economic and cultural life. We will concentrate our efforts on the priorities outlined in the strategy over the next three years so that Scotland is better equipped to compete on an equal footing with other countries.
“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this strategy and I look forward to working closely with all those who share this ambition and are dedicated to delivering an exciting future for the sector in Scotland.”
The strategy responds to the objectives and ambitions put forward in the Film Sector Review published in January 2014.
The strategy has been developed in consultation with a wide range of individuals and organisations, including those working in film and moving image education, further and higher education, film production, distribution, exhibition and audience development, as well as from representative industry bodies.
The strategy identifies the following key priorities:
- the establishment of a sustainable film studio
- increased incentives for film and television production which match – or better – the incentives of other territories
- greater support for writers and script development
- talent and skills development across the entire film value chain addressing skills gaps through specific targeted programmes
- support for and commitment to Scotland’s production community, in particular documentary-making and animation, through sourcing increased funding for production
- support for, and investment across, the distribution and exhibition sector creating better links from production through to distribution and exhibition together with a focus on audience development
- greater emphasis on film and moving image education with clearer, more co-ordinated routes from school to further education and on into industry, together with development of real professional opportunities and sustainable careers across the screen sector.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
* To read the full strategy document please visit: http://www.creativescotland.com/what-we-do/latest-news/archive/2014/10/film-strategy-2014-17-published
* The Film Strategy is the first of four sector strategies to be produced by Creative Scotland, with Arts, Creative Industries and International strategies to follow.
* The purpose of the Film Sector Review was to recognise areas of strength as well as gaps in provision and to use this information to identify opportunities and to help inform future funding policy and operations. The Review was conducted by BOP Consulting, in partnership with Whetstone Group and Jonathan Olsberg (Olsberg SPI). For Further details on the review please visit: http://tinyurl.com/m5twlfu
* The objectives and aspirations set out in the Film Sector Review were translated into a Draft Film Strategy that was published Creative Scotland’s website for consultation on 1 July 2014.
* Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We do this through funding, development, advocacy and influence and we distribute funding from the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. We want Scotland to be a country where excellence and experimentation across the arts, screen and creative industries is recognised and valued; everyone can access and enjoy artistic and creative experiences; places and quality of life are transformed through imagination, ambition and an understanding of the potential of creativity; ideas are brought to life by a diverse, skilled and connected leadership and workforce; Scotland is a distinctive creative nation connected to the world. For further information on Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland
Media Contact:
Wendy Grannon
Media Relations Manager
Creative Scotland
E: wendy.grannon@creativescotland.com
Direct Line: 0131 523 0016
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Contact: Wendy Grannon
Phone: 0131 523 0016
Email: wendy.grannon@creativescotland.com
Website: http://www.creativescotland.com
