Written evidence submitted by Michael Kuhn

FUTURE OF FILM IN THE UK

• My name is Michael Kuhn. I am an independent film producer and Chair of Qwerty Films Limited which has produced over its 20 year existence such films as “Suite Francaise” “The Duchess “ “Florence Foster Jenkins” and the soon to be released “Golda”
• Before that I set up and run one of few integrated British based film Studios (Polygram Filmed Entertainment) which earned over 14 Oscars and produced films such as “Four Weddings and a Funeral “”Fargo” “Barton Fink” ”Being John Malkovich” “Notting Hill “ and about 120 other films
• In addition I have served on the Board of Northern Ireland Screen and been Chair of the National Film and Television School

MY SUBMISSION

• In summary my submission is that the BFI and other UK film bodies have never been interested in creating a healthy stand alone Independent Film Sector, but have focussed on inward investment in the UK film sector by streamers and Hollywood studios with the result that the independent film sector is almost dead, and the UK studio sector is hostage to the fortunes of (mainly) US based entities . AS I write this the SAG and WGA strikes in the USA have devastated the inward investment business of the studios and the exhibition sector is in a death spiral because of the strategic decision of the studios to favour streaming over the interests of theatrical release
• In Europe , Screen sector bodies try to ensure that home based independent producers are favoured by grants and investment which encourages the independent production companies to build up strong balance sheets, and favours tax breaks in their favour as opposed to mainly favouring Studio/Streamer entities. This should change
• The woke aspect of the industry is now out of hand and having a deleterious effect on enterprise in the sector. Everyone is in favour of diversity and inclusion but the industry is being put in a straightjacket of wokeness that is strangling enterprise and creativity

Suggested Strategic Changes

10 WAYS TO MAKE THING BETTER

• Mandate BFI to create a viable independent film sector by widening the types of film, types of Producers and directors they back
• Simplify the application procedure so that it is less bureaucratic, more user friendly and quicker to get a response
• Leverage up the available funds by borrowing
• Create an in- house Completion bond company
• Create a small -scale US distribution business for UK film makers
• Prune the oppressive number of woke rules now being laid on the independent film sector
• Weight tax breaks in favour of UK independent producers
• Ensure that grants to UK producers are used to ensure that future income streams generated from films produced go to strengthen the balance sheets of the independent sector
• Create an ECGD type initiative to shield independent producers from Currency risks
• Instead of charging levies on independent UK films ensure that trainees are supplied free of charge to those films

Rather than detail these initiatives here I would be happy to explain more in writing or in person

MICHAEL KUHN

23 July 2023