BFI and CNC Sign Strategic Film Cooperation Agreement to Strengthen UK-France Industry Ties
The British Film Institute (BFI) and France’s National Cinema Centre (CNC) have officially signed a Moving Image Co-operation Agreement, aiming to foster stronger collaboration between the UK and French film industries.
This agreement was sealed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s symbolic visit to London, marking the first state visit by a European leader to the UK since Brexit.
Despite long-standing cultural and business ties between the two nations, collaboration has often been challenging due to differences in financing systems and legal frameworks. Furthermore, Brexit—which resulted in the UK’s withdrawal from both the European Union and Creative Europe—has made cooperation even more complex.
The new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by BFI Chief Executive Ben Roberts and CNC President Gaëtan Bruel, in the presence of French Culture Minister Rachida Dati and UK Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism Chris Bryant.
While the tangible outcomes of the MoU remain to be seen, its purpose is clear: to enable both organizations—founding members of EFAD (European Film Agency Directors Association)—to implement a strategic co-operation policy. This initiative aims to promote cultural diversity, expand audiences, and strengthen both national film industries.
Key areas of collaboration include:
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Public policy to support the film, audiovisual, and moving image sectors.
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Education, with a focus on young audiences and moving image literacy.
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Heritage, such as restoration, preservation, and joint projects.
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Events designed to enhance business and professional relationships, particularly in co-production between UK and French companies.
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The agreement also promotes knowledge sharing through an employee exchange programme, along with support for cinemas, festivals, and national online platforms. One core goal is to build UK audiences for French films, and French audiences for UK productions.
“France and the United Kingdom are two great film nations, with strong institutions, a global cinematic vision, and a shared commitment to independent creativity,” said French Culture Minister Rachida Dati.
She emphasized that cultural sovereignty is now at the heart of such cooperation and expressed confidence in developing productive exchanges with the UK.
Echoing her sentiments, Ben Roberts, Chief Executive of BFI, noted that the UK and France are “two of Europe’s most dynamic filmmaking nations,” highlighting a legacy of co-production, film distribution, and exhibition across all platforms.
Roberts added that co-production remains one of the most effective means to sustain this partnership. The UK Global Screen Fund and Audio-Visual Expenditure Credits—including the new 40% Independent Film Tax Credit—create favorable conditions for such international cooperation.
This new UK-France MoU follows similar partnership agreements between the British Film Commission and other European nations such as Spain, Italy, Austria, Norway, Malta, and the Netherlands.
Recent film and high-end TV productions that utilized both UK and French territories for filming or VFX work include:
The Amateur, Prime Target, Heads of State, Damsel, and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – Season 2.
