BFI and CNC sign major pact to work together to enhance the UK and French screen industries

The British Film Institute (BFI) and the French CNC have today officially formed a pioneering partnership to support the independent film industry and work together to support the screen cultures of each country.

The Mobile Image Cooperation Agreement was signed by BFI Ben Roberts and CNC president Gaetan Brulin today in front of French Ministers of Culture Lachida Daty and Chris Bryant at BFI Southbank. Minister of Arts and Tourism, UK Creative Industry.

The delegation was in London as part of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the state, and was the first visit by European heads of state since the UK withdrew from the European Union.

This contract is the first of its kind that BFI has along with European countries. (There’s one more along with Uruguay).

The interagency framework aims to enable BFIs and CNCs to “establish policies of strategic cooperation to enhance cultural diversity, expand audiences and strengthen their respective industries.”

“The UK and France are two of Europe’s most dynamic film-making countries,” Roberts said. “We have a long history of collaboration, including co-production and distributing and displaying each other’s films across all platforms. We share our mutual values and commitment to cultural diversity, including creativity and storytelling and appreciation for filmmakers.”

According to BFI, the areas where contracts will focus are:

• Promotion and exhibition of diverse works such as public policy, artificial intelligence, environmental sustainability, intellectual property, equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) on measures to support the image sector of film, audiovisual, and mobility, including topics such as independence, local production, distribution, promotion and exhibition of various works.
• It focuses on education, providing an emotional culture of imagery for young audiences
• Heritage including repair, preservation and collaboration of specific projects
• Events to promote business and professional relationships between UK and French companies focus on, but are not limited to, collaborative production.
• Mutual knowledge sharing between BFI and CNC through employee exchange programs.
• Viewer development and support measures for films, festivals and online platforms across the country focus on encouraging UK audiences for French cinemas and vice versa.

A series of warm speeches repeatedly highlighted the close relationships that existed between Britain and France.

“France and Britain are two great cinema countries, and there are strong institutions that want to support the global vision of film and independent creativity,” says Dati. “Today, this issue is directly linked to cultural sovereignty. We are confident that we can work with the UK to develop fruitful interactions that support independent creativity. ”

Roberts and CNC’s Bruell said it would help the shared officials gather British and French producers.

“Co-production is one of the most meaningful ways in which this shared exchange can continue, and this knowledge building and collaboration initiative is built in that spirit,” Roberts said. The UK has created conditions to promote this through the UK Global Screen Fund and carefully designed audiovisual spending credits, including a new, independent film tax credit of 40%. ”

Bruell hinted at further moves to encourage country producers to work together further.

“This deal is good news for our industry and for our experts,” he said. “We have already held several joint production meetings to strengthen the links and collaboration between France and the UK. But we want to do more. By exchanging ideas between real partners on the common challenges our industry faces, we can do more about the revival of our audience and European independence in front of the Giants, a global competition.”

Bryant added: “We may be very different in many ways, but the UK and France certainly know how to make great films that inspire, entertain and challenge us.

BFC and Film France

As part of the new agreement, the British Film Commission (BFC) and the Film France CNC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote collaboration between the screen industries of the country and encourage further introverted investment.

With the MOU, both film committees aim to boost greater economic, cultural and creative exchanges between the two countries.

Recent projects that have filmed or performed VFX and post-production work in both regions amateur, head of state, damsel Season 2 of Lord of the Rings: Ring of Power.

In the UK, introverted investments in films and luxury television production in 2024 reached £4.7 billion.

“The purpose of this MOU is to work closer together with CNC (part of Film France) to support the frictionless service of extraordinary productions, allowing both countries to take advantage of the economic and creative possibilities of introverted investment films and high-end television production,” Wootton said.

Bruel added: “This agreement marks a new chapter in the longstanding creative partnership between France and the UK, and through this MOU it not only reaffirms its common commitment to supporting the production of world-class film and television, but also strengthens the dynamic ecosystem for cultural and economic exchange.

“Together, both of our countries offer an exceptional combination of assets: rich diversity in natural places – rich experts with their own unique identity, robust infrastructure, world-leading VFX and post-production ecosystem. Partners.”

The agreement follows previous Mous, signed between the BFC and European counterparts, including Spain, Italy, Austria, Norway, Malta and the Netherlands.