Interim Action Committee on the Film Industry
Encyclopedia
British prime minister Harold Wilson
set up a working party in August 1975 to report on 'the requirements of a viable and prosperous British film industry over the next decade'. Chaired by John Terry, the managing director of the National Film Finance Corporation
(NFFC), it reported in January 1976, principally recommending the establishment of a British Film Authority to bring together the NFFC, British Film Fund Agency and the film activities of the Department of Education and Science
and the Department of Trade. However, before action could be taken, Wilson resigned as prime minister. His successor, James Callaghan
appointed an Interim Action Committee on the Film Industry (IAC), with Wilson as chairman, with a view to paving the way for a British Film Authority.
The committee met under the auspices of the Department of Trade and Industry, which provided the secretariat and facilities. Following the election of the Thatcher
government in 1979 it became evident that the idea of a British Film Authority was being dropped, although the IAC was retained as a forum for advice about film-related matters. In the 1984 White Paper on Film Policy, which set about removing the mechanisms of state support for the film industry, it was proposed that the IAC should subsume the role of the Cinematograph Films Council
. In 1985 the Interim Action Committee was replaced by The British Screen Advisory Council
.
Harold Wilson
James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, FSS, PC was a British Labour Member of Parliament, Leader of the Labour Party. He was twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s, winning four general elections, including a minority government after the...
set up a working party in August 1975 to report on 'the requirements of a viable and prosperous British film industry over the next decade'. Chaired by John Terry, the managing director of the National Film Finance Corporation
National Film Finance Corporation
The National Film Finance Corporation was a film funding agency in the United Kingdom which operated from 1949 until it was wound up in 1985...
(NFFC), it reported in January 1976, principally recommending the establishment of a British Film Authority to bring together the NFFC, British Film Fund Agency and the film activities of the Department of Education and Science
Department of Education and Science
The phrase Department of Education and Science refers to government departments in the UK or Ireland* For the former Irish government department, see Department of Education and Skills...
and the Department of Trade. However, before action could be taken, Wilson resigned as prime minister. His successor, James Callaghan
James Callaghan
Leonard James Callaghan, Baron Callaghan of Cardiff, KG, PC , was a British Labour politician, who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1976 to 1979 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1976 to 1980...
appointed an Interim Action Committee on the Film Industry (IAC), with Wilson as chairman, with a view to paving the way for a British Film Authority.
The committee met under the auspices of the Department of Trade and Industry, which provided the secretariat and facilities. Following the election of the Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
government in 1979 it became evident that the idea of a British Film Authority was being dropped, although the IAC was retained as a forum for advice about film-related matters. In the 1984 White Paper on Film Policy, which set about removing the mechanisms of state support for the film industry, it was proposed that the IAC should subsume the role of the Cinematograph Films Council
Cinematograph Films Council
The Cinematograph Films Council was established by the Cinematograph Films Act 1938 as a result of a Board of Trade report by a committee chaired by Lord Moyne, which recommended that such a statutory body should be created to advise the UK government on matters relating to the film industry...
. In 1985 the Interim Action Committee was replaced by The British Screen Advisory Council
The British Screen Advisory Council
The British Screen Advisory Council was established in 1985 to succeed the Interim Action Committee on the Film Industry.-Aim:Its principal objective was to 'foster good relations between Government and Parliament on the one hand and the film, television and video industries in UK on the...
.
Reports
The IAC produced five reports.- Proposals for the Setting up of a British Film Authority (Cmnd 7071), 1978.
- The Financing of the British Film Industry (Cmnd 7597), Second Report of the Interim Action Committee, 1979.
- Film industry: statistics, technological developments and cable television (Cmnd 7855) Third Report of the Interim Action Committee on the Film Industry, 1980.
- Film and television co-operation (Cmnd 8227) Fourth report of the Interim Action Committee on the Film Industry, January 1981.
- Distribution of films for exhibition in cinemas and by other means (Cmnd 8530) Fifth report of the Interim Action Committee on the Film Industry, January 1981.