LONDON: 2 June 2004 A new study, the first of its kind, to explore how independent film and TV companies led by minority ethnic professionals can further share in the success of the production sector as a whole was announced today.

The study will look at all independent film and TV companies to establish a benchmark of success in the sector. The data will be used to explore the opportunities and difficulties faced by production companies with minority ethnic professionals at the helm.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that companies led by minority ethnic professionals encounter additional barriers to those experienced by other small production companies. In 2001 a report entitled 'Pitch Black' (Paula Watson, Nesta) identified a perceived 'ghettoisation' for minority ethnic-led companies which meant they were largely seen as only making certain narrow types of production.

However, there are currently no hard facts or figures which quantify the number of independent film and TV companies led by minority ethnic professionals or compare their success to others in the sector. Funded by the UK Film Council and Pact, this study will help to fill a huge knowledge gap in this area and point the way towards solutions.

Improving diversity is widely recognised as making sound business sense. Sectors made up of mixed ethnic groups, backgrounds and gender are likely to be more creative than those which are not. The 2002 Schneider-Ross study of 140 major businesses and organisations discovered that 80% of businesses saw a direct link between good diversity policies and improved performance.

Commenting on the new study, John Woodward Chief Executive Officer of the UK Film Council said, "Breaking down barriers is vital for the health of our film industry. People from all sections of society must have the opportunity to build and sustain successful businesses."

John McVay, Chief Executive of Pact said, "Pact is committed to pursuing a meritocracy in the market in programme supply, and this important research is being driven by Pact's Diversity Policy Group and the UK Film Council to establish what specific barriers are faced by minority ethnic-led companies."

The study is being undertaken by the Institute for Employment Studies and a key part will be a survey of all independent production companies in the industry. This will be launched over the next month and all companies are urged to participate.

For media inquiries please contact:

Caroline Nagle/Ian Thomson Sarah Walker

UK Film Council Press Office PACT

T: +44 (0)20 7861 7884 T: +44 (0)20 7331 6040

E: press@ukfilmcouncil.org.uk M: +44 (0)7787 523 941

E: sarah@pact.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. This study aims to:

· agree a definition for minority ethnic-led independent production companies;

· use this definition to identify minority ethnic-led independent film and television production companies and the scale of their operations;

· provide, where possible, a survey of the fortunes of such companies;

· compare their experiences with the independent sector as a whole;

· find out where successes have happened and to evaluate them;

· compare minority ethnic-led companies with other companies in the sector of similar age, size and output; and

· establish whether or not there are specific barriers to progress for minority ethnic-led companies.

2. The UK Film Council is the lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad. We invest Government grant-in-aid and Lottery money in film development and production; training; international development and export promotion; distribution and exhibition; and education. Our aim is to deliver lasting benefits to the industry and the public alike through:

· creativity - encouraging the development of new talent, skills, and creative and technological innovation in UK film and assisting new and established filmmakers to produce successful and distinctive British films;

· enterprise - supporting the creation and growth of sustainable businesses in the film sector, providing access to finance and helping the UK film industry compete successfully in the domestic and global marketplace;

· imagination - promoting education and an appreciation and enjoyment of cinema by giving UK audiences access to the widest range of UK and international cinema, and by supporting film culture and heritage.

In December 2003 the UK Film Council unveiled a series of new proposals to increase diversity within the UK film industry workforce, and ensure that talent from all sections of the community is able to flourish. The UK Film Council wants to address the diversity challenge on three fronts:

to help the industry achieve a more diverse workforce behind and in front of the camera' across the film industry value chain;

to ensure that equality and diversity commitments are fully integrated into every aspect of all core UK Film Council activities including the programmes of all the organisations it funds; and

to enable all sections of the community to participate in and enjoy film culture as audiences and learners.

3. Pact is the UK trade association that represents the commercial interests of independent feature film, television, animation and interactive media companies. Pact has around 1,000 members, making it the largest representative group of screen-based content producers in the UK and the largest trade association in the film, television and interactive media sectors. Pact is highly active in working to ensure that all members of society are in a position to contribute to the production industry including:

playing an active part in the work of both the Cultural Diversity Network (CDN) and the Broadcasting and Creative Industries Disability Network (BCIDN)
forming its own Diversity Policy Group, made up of a range of member companies
recently adopting a Mission Statement at Pact Council (the trade association board) regarding the organisation's approach to addressing diversity issues, the research announced today being one element of this.

4. IES is an independent, apolitical, international centre of research and consultancy in HR issues. It works closely with employers in all sectors, government departments, agencies, professional bodies and associations; and has experience of working in the creative industries. IES is a focus of knowledge and practical experience in employment and training policy, the operation of labour markets and HR planning and development. IES is a not-for-profit organisation.

Contact details for the study:

Tim Wilson

PACT

T: +44 (0) 20 7331 6000

E: tim@pact.co.uk

Marcia Williams

UK Film Council

T: +44 (0) 20 7861 7897

E: marcia.williams@ukfilmcouncil.org.uk