UK Film Minister Arrives in Hollywood

Film Minister Ed Vaizey has arrived in LA to promote the UK to the US film industry with the hope of boosting inward investment.
Joined by Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission they will meet with senior representatives from LA's top studios and production companies over two days. The Film Minister will also be a special guest at the LA BAFTA's annual Britannia Awards.
With the recent announcement of the UK film tax relief being extended until at least 2015, the trip aims to boost inward investment, stimulate growth and further develop relationships between the US and UK to increase the number of American productions shooting in the UK.
Vaizey explained the trip was "an important opportunity to meet with the studios who invest over $1 billion a year in the British film industry." During his time in LA, Vaizey will also be able to personally observe the thriving US film industry ahead of the publication of a comprehensive film policy review, due shortly.
Wootton is in LA representing the BFC, the national body responsible for attracting, encouraging and supporting the production of international feature films in the UK.
He said: "LA is hugely important to us and it is fantastic Ed Vaizey is able to promote what the UK has to offer, from our excellent facilities to the unrivalled experience of our crew and of course, the tax relief which helps make the UK a cost effective option".
The UK is home to world-class talent, in front and behind the camera, state of the art facilities and fantastic locations. Productions which have recently shot in the UK with support from the BFC include Snow White and the Huntsman starring Charlize Theron, Bryan Singer's Jack the Giant Killer, Gravity starring George Clooney, Ridley Scott's Prometheus, World War Z starring Brad Pitt, while the 23rd Bond film, Skyfall, is currently in production.
(LB)