The prospects are looking good for a national animation fund in the U.K., according to Jonathan Peel, chair of Millimages UK and chair of the animation policy group of the British producers association PACT.
Speaking in London at the first edition of a new conference -- the Kids TV Forum -- Peel said the project had picked up cross-party support across the political spectrum. The impending general election means little progress is likely over the next few months but the prospects look good beyond that whoever forms the next British government.
If this does happen it will have a very positive effect on the animation industry in the U.K., said Peel.
Meanwhile, Robin Lyons, managing director of Siriol Prods. and a fellow member of the PACT committee, revealed that a separate fund has already been agreed for all producers and other rights holders within Wales. A fund of £2 to 3 million a year will be available from the Welsh Assembly in April, initially for three years.
"I am hopeful that animation will be able to take a reasonable chunk of this," said Lyons.
Staged on Feb. 24 by trade paper BROADCAST, the first Kids TV Forum brought together broadcasters, producers and distributors from across the childrens television sector in the U.K. to discuss developments in the regulatory and commercial landscape.
