With the UK film industry going through a reduction, Film4 has revealed its annual budget has been reduced from £25 million to £22.5 million in 2024.

Film4 has worked with Disney’s Searchlight Pictures on funding many movies made in the United Kingdom, including recent hits, “Poor Things” and “All Of Us Strangers”, both of which are available to stream now on Disney+.   The two companies have also worked together on many other recent hits, including “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”, “The Favourite”, and “The Banshees of Inisherin”.

A spokesperson explained to Deadline why there has been a reduction:

“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. 

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.”

Channel 4 has been going through a major cost-cutting vindictive, which has seen hundreds of members of staff laid off, and they are drastically reducing how much original programming they are making, especially as they move from linear channels to streaming, as audiences have changed viewing habits.

Other British outlets, including the BBC, have also been cutting their film budgets due to less funding. Disney is also reducing the number of films it makes, but Searchlight Pictures is one of the studios focusing on new original films. While we might see fewer films being created, hopefully, Disney and Film4 can continue to work together on more British movies, especially after the success of their recent titles.

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Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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