BFI Issues First Tax Credit Guarantees

LONDON: The British Film Institute (BFI) has announced the first projects that will be able to take advantage of the tax credits launched earlier this year for animation and high-end TV projects.

Among the first projects to receive certificates is a pair of CBeebies series. Calamity Island comes from Famous Flying Films and Mackinnon & Saunders. Sarah and Duck is from Karrot Entertainment.

A trio of BBC One shows were awarded certificates for high-end productions. This includes the Origin Pictures’ three-parter Death Comes to Pemberley and Red Planet Pictures’ six-part crime drama By Any Means. Also receiving the certificate is Mammoth Screen’s three-part mystery Remember Me.

These applicants can now apply for tax relief on production spend incurred since April 1.

Alex Jones, production executive at Red Planet Pictures, said: “TV producers are keen to create shows that can compete in the international market and rival films in terms of production values, talent and storytelling. The tax credits are an important step towards helping ambitious independent production companies like Red Planet close the finance on projects here in Britain without having to leave the country to save money. The BFI have been instrumental in helping us access the high end tax credits for our latest production, By Any Means, enabling us to deliver a show we are immensely proud of."

Anna Mansi, the head of the BFI’s certification unit, commented: “It’s been fantastic to see the first certificates issued this week for a host of exciting new UK projects. We want to let producers working across animation and high end television to know the U.K. is open for business and the BFI’s highly expert team is ready and waiting to take your call.”

Exchequer secretary to the treasury, David Gauke, said: “The U.K.’s creative industries are leading the world in TV and animation production, and the Government wants to provide the support necessary to maintain this position. These tax reliefs will allow further technological innovation in these creative sectors so that their work continues to contribute to economic growth and British culture.”

Creative industries Minister, Ed Vaizey, said: “I’m delighted that the first certificates have been issued for culturally British high-end television and animation programs. This is another landmark in the Government’s continued commitment to supporting the creative industries, a sector that continues to make an important contribution to economic growth and help bolster our position in the global race.”