MUMBAI: Thirty one companies have signed up to join a new trade association – Film Export UK, that has been created to represent the interests of companies with international film sales operations in the UK.
The initiative is chaired by, Ralph Kamp of Odyssey Entertainment, who made the announcement during the London UK Film Focus (LUFF) British talent reception at the House Of Lords on 26 June 07.
Film Export UK’s aim, according to Kamp, is to give the sales companies a powerful voice in the industry and to champion their interests with government and public bodies in the UK and Europe; represent the collective view of the sector to the rest of the industry on key issues such as new media in the digital world; encourage new talent to join the sector by developing targeted training schemes – discussions have already begun with The Film Business Academy and Skillset; raise awareness of member companies, their activities and their films at home and in the international marketplace; and to provide a platform to share best practice.
The members of Film Export UK are : AV Pictures, Bankside Films, Carnaby International, Capitol Films, Centre Media, ContentFilm International, Channel 4 International, Ealing Studios, EastWest Filmdistribution, Focus Features International, Fortissimo Films, GoalPost Film, Dreamachine, High Point Film & TV, HandMade Films International, Hollywood Classics, IM Global, Intandem Films, Independent, K5 International, Lumina Films, Moviehouse Entertainment, MovieVentures, Odyssey Entertainment, Omega Entertainment, Park Entertainment, Pathé Pictures International, Reliant Pictures International, Velvet Octopus Film Sales, Visual Factory and The Works International.
The body also aims to recruit other organisations and professional firms in associate membership categories and to attract sponsors to some of its activities.
The board comprises Ralph Kamp, Hilary Davis of Bankside Films, Samantha Horley of Lumina Films, Nicole Mackey of Fortissimo Films UK and Mark Vennis of Moviehouse Entertainment. Charlie Bloye, who has worked for several months signing up members, has been appointed Chief Executive.
Kamp also announced that agreement in principle has been reached for a ground-breaking partnership between the new association and the government body, UK Trade and Investment. This will see Film Export UK take a lead role delivering the UKTI Creative and Media Export Unit’s objectives for the export of UK films.
