As an Italian- UK filmmaker, I have been working on several co-productions with the US and Europe in the past few years.
These co-productions have been beneficial for both sides, as they have allowed us to share resources, expertise, talent and markets. They have also enabled us to tell stories that transcend national boundaries and appeal to global audiences.
However, the recent events of 2023 have posed some challenges and uncertainties for the UK film industry. The Covid pandemic, the Hollywood strikes, and the Brexit transition have all affected the production, distribution and funding of UK films. Many UK film and TV workers have faced financial difficulties and job losses, while some UK producers have struggled to secure co-production deals and public funds.
As a UK filmmaker, I wonder what the future holds for us in this uncertain and challenging time. Will we be able to resume our collaborations and co-productions with the US and Europe now that the situation has improved? Will we be able to access the UK’s film tax relief and the UK Global Screen Fund, which aim to boost the international competitiveness of UK content? Will we be able to find and nurture new talent and stories that reflect the diversity and creativity of the UK?
I hope that the answer to these questions is yes. I hope that the UK film industry will emerge stronger and more resilient from this crisis and that we will continue to make films that inspire and entertain audiences around the world. I hope that we will engage and collaborate with our partners across the pond and the channel, not as rivals or dependents, but as equals and allies. I hope that we will celebrate our differences, not by denying or erasing them, but by embracing and learning from them.
That is the kind of film industry that I want to be part of.
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I love the spirit and energy in your post, Alessio Bergamo, and wish for the same result. What are you working on these days that you're excited about?
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hi Alessio, as a producer my self (from Morocco) I feel the same way. we had a hard time here but somehow for the good ! it has pushed the gouvernement to invest more in cinema and many changes are about to come. Already the tax rebate got from 20 to 30%, an easier administration process and more.. In the future I seems that we will be more independent and finally have the chance to tell our own stories
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Very cool post Alessio Bergamo thanks for sharing
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Alessio Bergamo thanks for posting this, Alessio. My feeling is that we have to wean ourselves off Government finance. Like you, I long for those cross-channel/cross-ocean co-productions to bring our stories to the world.
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hey Sam Sokolow , I'm going back to my roots and developing my second feature in the south of Italy, where I'm from.
On other people's projects, I have 2 feature films that I'm waiting to be green lit to work on as production manager. we're still feeling the effects of the SAG-Aftra Actor's strike in the UK, so the industry is restarting slowly, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel...
what about you?
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Geoff Hall it's always a combination of different sources of funding, at least in my experience, that helps the projects get done.
America is at the top, but we have Europe literally down the road to us.
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Rita Lamotte thanks, I agree with you and every incentive should be welcomed. but In the case of Tax credits and tax rebates, you need to spend the money first or find a company that can cash flow that at the beginning, which, can be tricky and difficult when you are just starting up.
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Mark Deuce I do already. here's the trailer of my indie Thriller film I produced in 2021 and its releasing this year
Sparrow's Call
https://youtu.be/bZ4UtivIj28?feature=shared
the thing is that I want to do more, way more but the place where I'm living (UK) has really halved all the possibility for us, indie producers, to have a Normal career as our European colleagues.
but hey, per aspera ad astra, that's what they say init :)
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Leigh Ariana Trifari, our UK/EU Director for the independent Producers Guild has been working with a number of co-productions between the UK and US. She's American but lives in UK and has 30 years in the industry. A very competent producer who can talk both modes and cultures of English (ie. American and British). She is speaking specifically on how the recent advancements in so-called "AI" impact independent producers and talent, in a free live streamed seminar on January 27, 5pm London time (9am pacific). Anyone interested should sign up at https://producersportal.com/seminar-calendar
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thank Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg , I was looking at the website and at Film pods and MRT.
is this the future?
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Great trailer, Alessio Bergamo!
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Very fine trailer Alessio Bergamo.
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Alessio Bergamo Sorry for the late delay. Yes, the IPG believes this is at least ONE of the futures for independent filmmakers. I look forward to seeing you at the information meets.