UK film industry worth a billion dollars in 2003

The top 10 UK films at the international box office scooped more than a billion dollars between them last year, according to a UK Film Council report published today.

The 2003 annual report, compiled by the UK Film Council’s Research and Statistics Unit, also found that the UK film industry boasted record levels of film production - including a 14% increase in workforce.

Commenting on the findings of the report, UK Film Council Chief Executive Officer, John Woodward, said: “This report highlights the important contribution which the UK film industry makes to both our culture and our economy.

“The UK continues to be recognised by international filmmakers as one of the best places in the world to make a film thanks to our filmmaking expertise and film friendly environment," he said.

"We have some of the world’s most highly qualified and skilled talent both in front of and behind the camera, as well as outstanding studios and facilities. Those advantages paid major dividends for our industry and our economy in 2003.”

Mr Woodward went on to warn against industry complacency, adding: “Despite the continued popularity of cinema-going in the UK, and our position as one of the centres of global film production, we have to tackle the challenges of improving the distribution of new UK films, increasing the involvement of broadcasters in the film industry, ensuring that we continue to have a highly skilled workforce to make British films and to attract filmmakers from overseas, and tackling the threat of piracy which hangs over the industry.”

(GB)