MPs to have a look at challenges confronted by British movie trade
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Ps might be taking a look at “financial problems” in British cinema chains following the restructure of Cineworld Group and a few Empire Cinemas closing down.
The Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee has introduced a brand new inquiry that may scrutinise challenges confronted by the British movie and high-end tv trade.
This assessment features a take a look at how the sector can adapt to the rise of synthetic intelligence, and points round expertise and retention within the trade may also be examined.
Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the CMS Committee, highlighted the brand new Barbie movie starring Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie because the British movie trade’s “latest success” story, because the doll’s dwelling Barbieland was filmed at Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden, Hertfordshire.
Dame Caroline mentioned: “We will be looking at how to maintain the attractiveness of the UK as a global destination for production while ensuring independent films, similar to recent hits Rye Lane and Aftersun, can be made and seen.”
Family drama Aftersun noticed Paul Mescal nominated for each an Oscar and a Bafta this yr, whereas romantic comedy Rye Lane, launched in 2023, has acquired important acclaim.
Dame Caroline additionally mentioned: “The financial problems encountered by big name cinema chains have highlighted the importance of protecting and promoting the UK’s screen heritage.”
Cineworld’s UK operations are being positioned in administration this month as a part of its restructuring, although its cinemas stay open as typical.
The Empire Cinemas chain collapsed into administration earlier this month after seeing dwindling numbers of film-goers, with six websites being closed with fast impact.
Dame Caroline additionally highlighted the necessity for the trade to get forward of “adapting skills and responding to the challenges of artificial intelligence” as Hollywood actors and writers stay on strike over these points.
She added: “The challenge now is to make sure the industry and Government are thinking of the future to maintain and enhance an industry that is hugely important both to the economy and to the culture of the UK and its power on the world stage.”
The MPs additionally highlighted the thousands and thousands of kilos introduced in by massive scripted tv initiatives akin to Netflix interval drama Bridgerton, BBC crime collection Happy Valley and fantasy Amazon collection The Lord Of The Rings: Rings Of Power, which have been filmed within the UK.
The assessment additionally considers how the impartial movie manufacturing sector will be helped and tips on how to keep and construct up the UK as a world vacation spot for filming.
A earlier report by the committee concerning the British movie trade, 20 years in the past, made suggestions round coaching and growth of these within the sector together with tips on how to change the tax regime.
Written submissions have to be made to the committee by September 19.