Channel 4 Calls Time On Film Production Arm

Channel 4 is folding its film production arm FilmFour LTD back into its parent company with the loss of up to 60 jobs.

The move will see the closure of FilmFour’s UK distribution and international sales arm and the reintegration of its production division back into the core Channel 4 business. Commenting on the decision, Channel 4, chief executive, Mark Thompson, said: “We must balance our remit commitment to supporting British film against the need to maintain investment in the Channel 4 schedule.”

He added: “We are moving away from our recent focus on larger-budget, international projects and towards producing the kind of cutting-edge British films that have been part of Channel 4’s cultural and creative success over the last 30 years.”

The channel’s annual programming budget will receive a £10m boost as a result of the decision to produce films in house and a new head of film is currently being sought to oversee the commissioning process.

Rob Woodward, managing director of 4 Ventures, emphasised that the FilmFour channels would be unaffected by the move and insisted that Channel 4 remains committed to honouring the existing production commitments of FilmFour, which include Motor Cycle Diaries and Edgardo Mortara.

The decision to close certain aspects of the FilmFour business follows yesterday’s announcement of wider job cuts at the channel (see

Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com

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