Lack of funding, particularly for independent producers, is a major factor in Britain’s lagging independent film industry. Writers cannot merely focus on the script but also need to have strong business acumen. After years of work most films fail at the funding stage, so why is their so little interest in real British Cinema?

Most countries protect their national culture; Canada reserves 65% of radio airtime for French language music. Australia has cultural protection laws to defend its film and television industry. Oliver Gough is a budding British filmmaker and has been working on his film ‘Inside Out’ for two years, putting together and editing the script with Australian director Vincent Gallo was only the beginning. Securing the funding has proven to be extremely difficult.

Oliver notes that, “With a script there are actually very few options, either you secure funding and produce the film yourself or you sell the script to a big production house. There are certain Tax breaks for investors in British film, which writers can use to attract interest but these have been cut back by the government in recent years and are incomparable to the opportunities available to foreign independent film producers from their own governments”.

Oliver has chosen to go the longer route to retain creative influence by aiming to secure investment. However, because of lack of availability of funding Oliver believes it is important to remain innovative:

“Many companies state very quickly that they can secure the funding but in order to stand out from the crowd and actually make it happen you need a lot of creativity. ‘Inside Out’ has a full film crew and Philharmonic Orchestra signed up for the score. Nino Martinetti has agreed to take care of the cinematography, so were in a strong position and yet funding is still an issue.”

Accountants have put a full investment package together, which explains the income and inheritance tax breaks available to investors through the Enterprise Investment Scheme (E.I.S.). Inside out is an EIS qualifying film, meaning that their investment would have up to a 60% relief, 40% risk, which when compared to the 40% inheritance tax avoidable is very little risk indeed.

But when it’s not attractive to big investors to support British film few writers have a chance. Exciting ideas can attract more attention to a film, especially when you take the risk away and include some very interesting prizes. The film’s website, www.insideoutindie.com provides the opportunity for as little as two pounds to win a role in the film.

Oliver has just signed a major distribution deal with Pandoras Box that took over five months of negations and now believes they are in an even stronger position. 

For inside out and other independent film, remaining creative with the funding as well as the writing and directing is the only way to survive. Who wouldn’t want a chance to be in a new British film for the cost of a couple of lottery tickets?