Jude Law, Gemma Arterton Welcome £7m Global Film Fund

Actors Jude Law and Gemma Arterton have welcomed a new £7m fund that will help UK films reach international audiences.

The UK Global Screen Fund has been developed by the DCMS in partnership with the British Film Institute (BFI).

The one-year pilot scheme will help the UK’s independent screen sector export content to markets around the world.

Law said the funding would “assist in sparking partnerships”, while Arterton said it would help the UK’s “boundary-pushing” content to travel overseas.

“There is enormous recognition and respect worldwide for British film and television,” said Law, star of such films as The Talented Mr Ripley. “It’s a prominent breeding ground for great storytelling and creativity, pioneering opportunities internationally.

“This additional investment will assist in sparking new international partnerships for the UK industry, generating more jobs and taking our productions to new global audiences.”

“Whether in front of the camera, or behind, the joy of film-making is in the sharing of stories that simply resonate with people,” said Arterton.

“This new fund will help more UK projects and more UK companies reach new international audiences and achieve success with the exciting, independent, boundary-pushing content that we are all so proud of.”

Other supporters include Barbara Broccoli, co-producer of the long-running James Bond film series, who called independent film the “bedrock” of the country’s creativity.

“This new fund will help support that creativity and allow audiences all over the world to enjoy it,” said Broccoli.