U.K. backs new national film center

Brown agrees $73 million contribution to costs

By ALI JAAFAR

LONDON -- U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown will announce Friday the creation of a new state-of-the-art film center in London's South Bank, which the government has committed $73 million (£45 million) toward building by 2015.

The National Film Center has been in the works for a number of years under the auspices of the British Film Institute, but has been held up due to funding issues. The total cost of the center is expected to be $270 million with the London Development Agency contributing $8 million. The remaining coin is being raised by the British Film Institute through fundraising as well as an expected sale of its Stephen Street offices in central London. That sale is expected to raise as much as $30 million if it goes ahead.

The BFI National Film Center is expected to have five digital screens as well as a centerpiece auditorium capable of hosting special events such as the London Film Festival's opening night gala. The latter event traditionally takes place in London's Leicester Square.

The announcement Friday, and commitment of such substantial coin by the U.K. government, comes on the back of a larger conversation about the possible merging of the British Film Institute with public sector funding org the U.K. Film Council.

"Britain has achieved worldwide respect for its innovative and vibrant film industry, exceptional arts and rich cultural heritage. This project creates a new home for British film right at the heart of London's cultural center on the South Bank," said Gordon Brown in a statement. "These are challenging economic times but with backing from the public and private sector, the commitment to the new BFI National Film Center demonstrates the government's continuing support for the arts in Britain, and our determination to invest in leading creative industries as part of our economic recovery."

The news of the government's cash injection was greeted warmly by Brit film execs.

"This is a key milestone on the road toward the U.K. Film Council and the BFI's shared objective of transforming the cultural film offering to U.K. citizens in the digital age," commented U.K. Film Council chief exec John Woodward.

"This is excellent news," added veteran producer Duncan Kenworthy. "The National Film Center was championed by one of our great film directors, Anthony Minghella, who died last year, and it's very fitting that this project, which places film at the heart of the U.K.'s cultural aspirations, should form part of his legacy to the British public."