In the news this week, Lisa Nandy MP criticises the UK TV industry for being “centralised” and “exclusive”, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos affirms that “Britain remains one of the best places for TV and film”, and British Screen Forum suggests interventions to help revive the indie UK film sector.
Read all about it in this week’s digest.
News
• Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy MP criticised the UK TV industry for being “centralised” and “exclusive”, during her speech at the annual Royal Television Society conference. Nandy said: “For all of the efforts made by many of you in this room, it should shame us all that television is one of the most centralised and exclusive industries in the U.K. Because who tells the story determines the story that is told.” (Variety)
• Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos used his keynote address at the same conference to affirm that “Britain remains one of the best places for TV and film”. Fool Me Once, Baby Reindeer, Bridgerton, and The Gentlemen are the streamer's top four performing shows according to their most recent audience engagement report. (Televisual)
• Bafta Elevate has launched a new talent programme focusing on documentary and specialist factual, aiming to support up to 20 mid-senior creatives from underrepresented backgrounds. (Broadcast) You can find out more about the scheme, and how to apply, here.
• A new report from the British Screen Forum has suggested five key interventions to help revive the indie UK film sector. They include: the development of “media management” skills; fostering corporate partnerships for diversification; increased private equity investment; and enhancing the quality of and access to film finance data. (Screen)
• The Archival Producers Alliance (APA), a volunteer group of more than 300 documentary producers and researchers, have published a set of ethical guidelines to help producers, film-makers, studios, broadcasters and streamers address questions over use of AI technology. (Guardian)
• California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law two bills supported by SAG-AFTRA granting individuals greater control over the use of their voice and likeness. The law is intended to give actors greater protections against the rise of AI, and is the first law of its kind in the United States. (Screen)
Director Interviews
• “Nothing thrills me more than the director trusting me as an audience member, that, ‘Don’t worry, you’re going to figure out why I made this.’” — Jason Reitman speaks to IndieWire about his upcoming film Saturday Night. (IndieWire)
Awards
• The 2024 Emmy Awards took place this week. Shōgun took home a total of 18 awards, with The Bear winning in 11 categories. Read the full list of winners here. (Variety)
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