The British Film Institute (BFI) is assembling its Screen Sector Taskforce to cope with the “unprecedented challenge” the coronavirus has presented the film industry. According to Variety, BFI chief executive Ben Roberts penned a letter to the biz, saying the org is “keenly aware that the wide-ranging and damaging impact of the virus is being felt across the entire industry and at every possible level.”
The letter was sent following the U.K. government’s recommendation that the public not go to movie theaters, and the suspension of many film and TV productions in response to COVID-19. The Screen Sector Taskforce, which counts representatives from across the entertainment business among its ranks, “will coordinate conversation with government and discuss potential mitigations.”
“We are focused on ensuring the resilience of the industry and on tackling the huge range of short to mid-term financial, cultural, and societal challenges — not least to the exhibition and freelance sectors who are likely to be hit hardest most immediately by the crisis,” Roberts said. “As a funder, we will be as supportive and flexible as possible across existing funding arrangements, including the ability of those organizations and projects to meet contractual requirements.” He added, “As a production financier, we are obviously supporting our filmmakers with advice on a case-by-case basis. They are all different projects, each case is different and complex with completely different variables, so there isn’t one-size-fits-all guidance, and we are advising them through these very particular challenges as best we can.”
The film industry has been hit hard in the past few days and weeks, as the virus gains momentum and medical professionals urge citizens to avoid public gatherings and to practice social distancing. Several high-profile films, such as “Mulan” and “Black Widow,” have had their releases postponed, and other studio films are launching on VOD much earlier than planned. “Emma.,” “The Invisible Woman,” and “The Hunt” are expected to be available for digital purchase Friday, March 20, while “Birds of Prey” will be available March 24. In lieu of its original U.K. release on March 27, Haifaa Al Mansour’s “The Perfect Candidate” will be released on VOD via BFI Player, Curzon Home Cinema, and Modern Films’ website that day.
If you have a question or concern regarding coronavirus you’d like to broach with the BFI, please email covid-19.queries@bfi.org.uk.
