CREATIVE INDUSTRIES MINISTER PRAISES BIRMINGHAM'S COMMITMENT TO FILM

 Birmingham's future as a leading location for international film festivals has gathered further support today, at a FILM Birmingham forum attended by Shaun Woodward MP, Minister for the Creative Industries and Tourism.

The debate, part of Urban Fusion's Big Picture Strand, was designed to look at the future of film festivals and events in the city, was led by key figures from the national and international film and television industry including Pete Buckingham, Head of the Development and Exhibition Fund, UK Film Council, Sandra Hebron, Artistic Director bfi Film Festivals and George Delmotte, CEO European Federation of Film Festivals.

Shaun Woodward MP, Minister for the Creative Industries and Tourism, praised Birmingham 's commitment to film and commented that the city was an ideal location for film festivals and events. He said:

" Birmingham 's film and television industries are riding high on the back of a period of much wider cultural regeneration in the region. A festival will give the city an opportunity to invite the people of Birmingham to celebrate this success.

" Birmingham is clearly committed to making the most of Film and TV. The establishment of Film Birmingham demonstrates this commitment. I hope this will give Birmingham a focal point for the city's media industry. Not only will it provide practical support for film makers, and develop and retain the industry's skills base. It will also oversee festivals and events for everyone to enjoy and help promote Birmingham as an international destination for film."

In addition, Mr Woodward announced a new investment in digital film to benefit audiences and filmmakers across the region.  He said:

 "From July, film fans in the West Midlands will get more choice at the box office creating an even more vibrant market where film fans and filmmakers of all hues will be the winners. Six cinemas across the region will be equipped with the facilities to show films digitally as part of the £12 million Digital Screen Network scheme. The scheme, funded by the National Lottery through the UK Film Council, will see 240 screens in 210 cinemas across the UK go digital. This is more screens per head than any other country in the world."

Suzie Ralph, Director of FILM Birmingham , said:

" Birmingham is enjoying unprecedented growth in its film and television industry and our strong network of award-winning film and production companies places the city in a strong position to rival established festivals such as Edinburgh and London ."

Neil Rami, CEO, Marketing Birmingham said:

" Birmingham is the UK 's leading city for hosting festivals and events, with this sector accounting for 10% (£1.3bn) of Birmingham 's economy. As a city we are constantly looking at new approaches to festivals and today's FILM Birmingham debate is another example of this."

FILM Birmingham is delivering The Big Picture programme for Urban Fusion, a Birmingham City Council initiative bringing together over 60 of the city's leading lights in art and culture. Big Picture has hosted a number of film festivals including the 7 Inch Cinema Flat Pack Film Festival and the Fierce! Mirage Film Festival. A diverse range of projects are planned for 2006 to develop regional, national and international links with Birmingham .