BFI CEO Ben Roberts Gives Keynote Address At Inaugural UK Film Conference: “The Missing Piece, For Me, Is Having Film Firmly In The Classroom” – Edinburgh Film Festival
BFI chief executive Ben Roberts used the inaugural UK Film Conference at the Edinburgh Film Festival to argue for a broader, joined-up approach to supporting British cinema. He said the BFI’s role extends beyond financing films to helping the conditions for production, distribution, exhibition, archives, festivals and education, with greater film education in schools the “missing piece”.
Roberts acknowledged that the BFI’s public funding decisions can frustrate applicants, as most projects must be refused, but defended its formal application processes because it distributes National Lottery money. He said the organisation provides about £150 million over a three-year cycle and should support projects that may not attract commercial investment while still applying qualitative judgement.
- Roberts called for film to be firmly embedded in classrooms.
- The BFI supports the full British film ecosystem.
- Lottery funding requires open, formal application processes.
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The British Film Institute (BFI) is a publicly funded organisation that supports film and preserves the UK’s film heritage. Its work includes funding projects and helping with areas such as distribution, cinemas, festivals and archives.
Ben Roberts is the BFI’s chief executive. The organisation distributes National Lottery funding, so it uses formal application processes and must turn down many requests; it aims to back work that may struggle to attract commercial investment.
Film education is part of the wider discussion about how British cinema is supported. Teaching film in schools can help young people understand and make films, alongside the funding and industry structures that bring films to audiences.