Film4’s annual budget has dropped from £25 million to £22.5 Million for 2024.
The Poor Things backer confirmed the reduction with us, adding that the figure was “in line with recent years.”
“Film4 is the largest PSB funder of independent film in the UK. Our budget is set annually, in line with Channel 4’s financials, to ensure we can best deliver sustainable, long-term support to the industry,” a spokesperson said.
“We have recently had some of our most prolific and successful years, and we are committed to maintaining a similar level of support in the future, backing around 10-12 films per year, maintaining our cultural impact and continuing to champion the most distinctive and innovative filmmaking talent.”
Film4’s reduced budget is still higher than BBC Film, which has remained at around £11M (including overhead) for the best part of a decade, and the BFI Filmmaking Fund, which sits at around £18m a year.
The reduction comes as Channel 4 laid off hundreds of staff members as part of plans to merge several commissioning departments, including TV drama and film. Caroline Hollick’s TV drama department is now linked with new Film4 boss Ollie Madden’s team. Meanwhile, documentaries and factual entertainment, which make the likes of 24 Hours in Custody and Gogglebox, are coming together, as are entertainment and reality – commissioners of Married at First Sight and The Last Leg. Portfolio channel E4 is also restructuring, with commissions at E4 going through relevant genres and digital reporting straight to Ian Katz.
Film4’s recent credits include 2023 awards hitters like Poor Things, The Zone Of Interest, and All Of Us Strangers.
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