UK Committee Urges 25% Print Advertising Tax Relief for Indie Films

The UK Parliament's Culture, Media and Sport Committee has urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to introduce a targeted 25% tax relief on the prints and advertising costs for independent British films, enhancing the existing Independent Film Tax Credit (IFTC). This proposal aims to address the challenge that many high-quality British films face in reaching audiences due to insufficient marketing and distribution support, despite the IFTC's success in boosting film production. Committee Chair Caroline Dinenage highlighted that cinemas require marketing investment to program films, and without this tax relief, the risk for distributors remains high, limiting audience access. The Film Distributors’ Association's analysis suggests the tax relief would generate over £7 in returns for every £1 spent, including a net positive impact for the Treasury, with a relatively small cost compared to overall film tax relief claims. This move aligns with the Government's industrial strategy recognizing film and TV as frontier industries with significant potential for economic growth and job creation. The committee emphasizes that such fiscal support could create a sustainable cycle of investment benefiting the independent British film sector.