British Film Commissioner Colin Brown Steps Down

British Film Commissioner Colin Brown has announced that he is stepping down from his post during an event in LA this week.
Hosted by the British Consul-General Dame Barbara Hay, the farewell event was attended by key players of the US industry.
Speaking at the event, Colin Brown said: "This will be my last trip to Los Angeles as British Film Commissioner. I have been in that post for four happy years and have now decided to leave in order to do other things in the film business. The pleasure of serving in such a great job has been enhanced by the successes. Last year alone we broke the record for inward investment in the UK with almost $1.5 billion production spend. And, of course, out of this activity very tangible financial and creative benefits accrue to all partners. That's what I think we have all become, real partners in film production and the strength of that partnership should continue to grow as the service and benefits of the British Film Commission remain in place and the UK infrastructure continued to deliver great results. I leave behind a fantastic team in the safe hands of Adrian and Film London and I know that their joint efforts will continue to provider the highest level of service."
The work of the British Film Commissioner will continue through the recently rebranded British Film Commission (BFC) operating under the management of Film London and with the existing team in the UK and LA plus an Advisory Board, chaired by Producer Iain Smith (The A-Team, Children of Men).
Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission, said: "Colin's contribution to UK inward investment has been fantastic and he has made such a positive impact as the British Film Commissioner. Although we are extremely sad to see him go, I am very confident that the British Film Commission and its new Advisory Board has the talent and expertise to continue building on the unit's recent success and 2010's record-breaking year."
Iain Smith, Chair of the BFC, said: "I want to congratulate Colin on his achievements over the last four years, and to thank him for making the handover to Adrian and Film London as seamless as possible. Adrian and the team will be carrying on Colin's excellent work by continuing to improve the UK's inward investment strategy, to ensure that we remain one of the most attractive countries in which to make international feature films."
As of April 1 2011, the BFC team, formerly part of the UK Film Council, now sits within Film London - as a new national division. Following a seamless transition, offices in both central London and the US are maintained. Andy Weltman, the BFC's Executive Vice President, US Production, will continue to head up the US office in LA while Samantha Perahia, Senior Production Executive, will be first point of contact in the UK.
The BFC is responsible for promoting the UK as the best place to produce feature films and through the BFC Advisory Board, will set the strategy, polecat and delivery objectives of the BFC to bring vital investment to the UK. The UK is the world's busiest film production centre outside of North America. 2010 was a record year for inward investment features shooting in the UK, generating almost $1.5 billion, up 15% on the previous year.
The BFC will be delivered through an innovative public/private partnership with key film industry bodies. In addition to commercial sponsorship it will receive funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), via the BFI.
Joining Iain Smith on the Advisory Board are senior film industry executives representing the full breadth of the industry, including national agencies in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to successfully promote the whole UK package.
(KMcA)