London Mayor Boris Johnson today announced £5m funding for the proposed new BFI National Film Centre in the capital. He also welcomed the Government’s pledge of support to the project.

The Mayor said: ‘The BFI is a one of the jewels in the crown for cinema, for the country, and across the whole world. It offers an unparalleled variety of films, old and new, and its archive, library and burgeoning digital activities are second to none.

“It is vitally important to continue funding the arts industry during this challenging economic climate. We will be providing £5 million towards the development of this long-needed centre, which will not only serve current film buffs, but will ensure the BFI is equipped to remain at the vanguard of film, past, present and into the future.’

…will not only serve current film buffs: Johnson

Peter Bishop, Group Director for Design, Development and Environment at the London Development Agency said: ‘The London Development Agency welcomes the news that this project will be going forward. We have been a strong supporter of the BFI’s vision for a new film centre, which is at the heart of our plans for the rejuvenation of the Southbank. This investment reinforces our commitment to the creative industries and London’s public realm, with a further £5 million worth of investment.’

The Mayor is also backing The Times BFI 53rd London Film Festival and will attend the UK premiere of ‘Bright Star’ on Monday 19 October. Directed by Jane Campion and starring Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish, Bright Star tells the story of romantic poet John Keats’ love for Fanny Brawne. The new film was shot in the capital and is showing as the Centrepiece Gala presented by the Mayor of London, one of several initiatives that the Mayor is backing at this year’s festival, working with Film London and the London Development Agency.

The Mayor continued: ‘With over 300 films in 16 days, the London Film Festival is a cornucopia of moviemaking from around the world. I am delighted to support this brilliant festival again and immensely proud that British film talent is so well represented.”

London is one of the top three filmmaking cities in the world, with 75% of the UK’s filmmaking activity based here. The city’s production industries contribute an estimated £13.6bn annually to the capital’s economy.

As well as the Centrepiece Gala, the Mayor is working with Film London to bring the festival experience to more Londoners. Screenings are taking place in a range of venues around the capital, such as Croydon, Greenwich and Brentford. Film London is also supporting activities to support the industry, including the Production Finance Market. Trafalgar Square is hosting ‘London Moves Me’ on 22 October, a free event with more than 20 films providing a whistle-stop tour of the city from 1896 to 2009.

With funding from the Mayor and the LDA, Film London also offers innovative and groundbreaking production schemes aimed at discovering and nurturing the next generation of filmmakers in the capital. These include London Borough Film Fund Challenge, which is already working with 24 boroughs to help develop grassroots talents around the city.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London, said: ‘I am delighted that today’s announcement will see the BFI develop their Film Centre on the South Bank. This will be the home of film for the UK and being in the heart of the city only reaffirms London is the centre for film in the UK and dare I say, possibly Europe. I look forward to working with the BFI on future London Film Festivals and also numerous potential projects through the new Film Centre, which will bring the wonder of film to as many people as possible.

‘Despite the economic climate, 2009 has been and great year for film in many ways. This year we have seen some of the world’s greatest filmmakers shooting in the capital and I look forward to watching the fruits of their labour in future festivals. The LFF is very much about bringing the best of world cinema in London but to my mind, there is also something very special about unveiling Bright Star, a London film from one of world’s greatest filmmakers, in the city it was made.’