James Bond, Mr Bean and Harry Potter Films Help Push Skillset Film Training Fund over £4m
The Skills Investment Fund (SIF) has hit the £4m mark thanks to contributions from Casino Royale (Sony Pictures), Bean 2 (Working Title) and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Warner Bros. Pictures), among others. All paid the maximum contribution of £39,500 into the training levy on theatrical film production which is collected by Skillset and funds skills and training initiatives across the production industry. 322 productions have now contributed to the SIF since its launch in 1999. It has helped pay for over 250 new entrant production trainees; more than 650 bursaries for film practitioners to access their chosen training; and provided subsidised courses, seminars and masterclasses attended by more than 3,500 people from across industry. The current voluntary levy is in the process of becoming mandatory.
Bond Producer Barbara Broccoli said:
"The UK film industry has a worldwide reputation for highly skilled crews. Commercially we benefit greatly from this well deserved reputation and to maintain it we must support the workforce and their continual development. The SIF levy is a vital way of doing that, with contributions being invested in the production talent that helps the UK compete globally."
The SIF supports initiatives through A Bigger Future, Skillset and UK Film Council's five year film skills strategy covering everyone working in film from development through to exhibition.
Contributions to the SIF are currently voluntary and following consultation with the film industry the levy is to become mandatory with the establishment of the Skillset Film Industry Training Board (SFITB). Skillset and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport are working together to establish the SFITB, which requires an Act of Parliament. It is expected the levy will become mandatory at the end of 2007.
-ENDS-
A full list of productions that have contributed to the SIF is available on request.
SKILLSET PRESS OFFICE:
Andrew Craske
0113 236 8247
andrewc@skillset.org
Eve Ragout
020 7520 5752
eve@skillset.org
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries covering Broadcast, Film, Video, Interactive Media and Photo Imaging. Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenge by sector. SSCs are independent, UK wide organisations developed by groups of influential employers in industry or business sectors of economic or strategic significance. SSCs are employer-led and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the sector. For more information visit: www.skillset.org
The Skills for Business network is made up of 25 Sector Skills Councils - each one is an employer-led, independent organisation. The Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) underpins the network and is responsible for funding, supporting and monitoring the SSCs.
The Skills Investment Fund (SIF) is made up of contributions from all productions due for theatrical release, and which are shooting in the UK or in receipt of UK public funding. It is supported by PACT, The UK Film Council, BECTU and the MPA. Productions are asked to, and those with public funding are required to, contribute 0.5% of the total production budget up to a maximum of £39,500. The SIF is managed by Skillset on behalf of the industry and monitored by DCMS.