2011 Statistical Yearbook Published by BFI
05/08/2011The ninth edition of the Statistical Yearbook was published by the BFI this week, being the most authoritative and complete snapshot of the film landscape in the UK. Of particular note was that more people are watching films across a higher number of platforms, inward investment is at its highest ever level, the UK is the third largest film entertainment market in the world and that British stories make up half of the decade's 20 highest grossing films.
However concern regarding the drop in number of UK productions was highlighted in a report by The Guardian, which can be read in full here. Although UK production activity grew by 7% in 2010, to £1,165 million, from £1,088 million in 2009 the number of productions in the UK fell with 79 UK domestic features (87 in 2009) and
21 co-productions (27 in 2009).
The UK spend associated with inward investment features was £935 million, the highest yet recorded, up 13% from £826 million in 2009. Some of the big budget films contributing to this figure were Captain America: The First Avenger, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, John Carter of Mars, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Sherlock Holmes 2, War Horse and X-Men: First Class.
However the overall production value of UK domestic features was £175.8 million which was 22% down from the 2009 figure. Domestic UK titles in 2010 included Attack the Block, The Deep Blue Sea, Horrid Henry: The Movie, Jane Eyre, Johnny English Reborn, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.
It is however worth noting that although the number of co-productions declined to 21, their UK spend increased from £36 million to £54 million. Co-productions in 2010 included Africa United, The Lady, Singularity, The Three Musketeers and Will.
The statics on the top 20 grossing UK films of 2010 also confirmed a fantastic year for the effectiveness of PG Members across the UK industry with every single one of the top 20 films having PG representation in over 200 positions.
Commenting on the findings of the yearbook, BFI Chief Executive Amanda Nevill stated, "Although the wider economic environment remains testing, the outlook for film is still generally positive with much to be optimistic about, particularly in terms of Britain's wealth of talent and creativity in filmmaking and people's appetite to watch both new and classic films on the big and the small screen."
She also noted that the BFI will be looking for new partners to keep the Statistical Yearbook alive as funding moves away from The UK Film Council commenting, "We are in no doubt about the tremendous value and importance of the work of the Research and Statistics Unit, and working with industry partners we are committed
to help ensure it can carry on its great work."
The full BFI Statistical Yearbook 2011 can be downloaded by clicking here.