Film Lottery Funds Approval
The joint UK film notification prepared and submitted to the European
Commission at the end of 2005 has now been approved. It has taken
almost two years to satisfy the Commission that the proposed schemes
meet the eligibility criteria of their Communication on Cinematographic
and Audiovisual Works.
The Commission has approved a number of UK Lottery-funded film
support schemes under EU state aid rules until 31 December 2012.
The schemes, which provide support of over £22 million annually for
films administered by the UK Film Council, Scottish Screen, Northern
Ireland Screen and the Film Agency for Wales, are aimed at supporting
the development, distribution and promotion of films considered
'culturally British' - a definition which must be satisfied to receive
support from these funding bodies.
In October 2008, the Commission announced the launch of a public
consultation to extend the State aid assessment criteria of its Cinema
Communication until 30 December 2012. The Commission has invited
interested parties to submit their comments by 30 November 2008.
