Lights, Camera, Economics: Independent Film in the UK
Thrilling. Groundbreaking. Diverse. Independent film has long been a vital force shaping British culture, providing an essential platform for new talent, innovative storytelling, and marginalised voices. But a revolution is now underway in the film industry. New technologies and digital platforms have upended traditional models for how films are produced, distributed, and consumed.
The British Film Institute (BFI), recognising the importance of these changes, commissioned Alma Economics to investigate the economics and viability of the UK’s independent film industry in the face of the changing landscape.
The resulting report, An Economic Review of UK Independent Film, provides an in-depth analysis of the challenges the UK independent filmmaking faces, and proposes an ambitious package of measures to secure its future. Published last summer, it received coverage by leading outlets including the Guardian, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, Screen Daily, and Deadline.
Now, Alma Economics has produced Lights, Camera, Economics, a short documentary presenting the main findings of the research wrapped in a love letter to British independent film.
Featuring footage from past independent UK productions and original infographics developed by the team at Alma, the film explores the true value of UK independent film, casting an eye back to small, independent productions that made big waves and launched many careers. It then lays out how films make money and how this has changed, providing a look at the current tough economic realities of independent filmmaking. Finally, it highlights the ways in which independent film can be supported within the changing landscape.
Of the research, Alma Economics’ Managing Director Nick Spyropoulos said, "'Lights, Camera, Economics' is a film takes that takes deep, complex research and presents its key findings in an engaging format to the general public. It explores not only why UK independent film is on increasingly unsteady ground in economic terms, but also a more fundamental question: what is its true value?"