Morning:
8°c
Lights, camera, funding £166m for new film centre on South Bank
Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent16 Oct 2009
London is to get a £166million state-of-the-art film centre, Gordon Brown said today.
More than a decade of planning and lobbying today finally secured £45million government funding for the British Film Institute towards plans for a "new home" for British cinema, the National Film Centre, on the South Bank.
Architects can now be appointed and plans drawn up while fundraisers use the investment to attract private support.
The Prime Minister's pledge is part of a cultural package which also promises to honour all agreed funding for major extensions to Tate Modern and the British Museum.
Both were threatened with losing capital grants from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport because of Treasury attempts to claw back money to tackle the economic crisis.
But Mr Brown said the provision of cash for the film centre showed the Government was backing talent.
"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 centre on the South Bank," he said.
Gallery: The Men Who Stare At Goats premiere
"These are challenging economic times but with backing from the public and private sector the commitment to the new National Film Centre 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 announcement was a relief to the British Film Institute, which has long cherished hopes of a tailor-made building to replace its crumbling base under Waterloo Bridge. Earlier plans, costed at £200million, were ruled "not viable" by the Government last year. The then culture secretary Andy Burnham demanded a more robust business plan before committing to the scheme, which mooted a possible opening in 2012.
A BFI spokesman said: "We're absolutely delighted that we can start to move forward and realise our long-term strategy. Film is up there with other art forms such as dance and opera and the visual arts. It is high time that film got a centre worthy of the form."
The Government's pledge means Mayor Boris Johnson's agreement to contribute £5million will be realised, and more money will come from the sale of the BFI's headquarters in Stephen Street off Tottenham Court Road. The new centre could have as many as five screens and would be designed to host events such as London Film Festival premieres. But the decision comes at the same time as ministers are considering merging the BFI with the UK Film Council in an attempt to cut costs.
Today's cultural package is being billed as part of the economic recovery programme, designed to safeguard jobs in an area important for tourism. The Tate and British Museum had looked likely to fall victim to an alleged black hole in DCMS finances.
The Tate Modern scheme has a £50million promise while the British Museum extension, in dispute with planners, has already received two-thirds of a £22.5million pledge.
Reader views (3)
the bfi southbank was previously the national film theatre(or nft) and was re-branded 2 years ago as the bfi southbank. however, it has been in use for over 50 years so building a new film centre can only be good news
- Ross, london, 16/10/2009 13:50
Report abuse
this is great news, but am confused - so what is the new BFI Southbank? okay still under the arches but brand new ~(2 years old max)
- Jc, se1, 16/10/2009 13:21
Report abuse
Great news.
- Dave, London, 16/10/2009 11:08
Report abuse
