Written by on Mar 2, 2015. Posted in On Location

Film London familiarisation trip promotes UK animation industry to US delegation

A three-day familiarisation (fam) trip organised by screen agency Film London is to showcase the UK’s animation industry to a US delegation. The UK offers a production tax credit of up to 25% on eligible animation work.

Executives from Tricon Kids, Marvel Television, FreemantleMedia Enterprises, PBS and Cinema Management Group will visit animation companies in London and will hear project pitches.

Film London hosts several fam trips each year to reach out to countries around the world and promote the UK’s screen industries.

“With the industry developing at such a rapid pace the 2014 familiarisation trip was invaluable in offering an intensive, expertly-curated overview of what London has to offer,” said Warren Franklin, CEO of Eaglecliff Entertainment and one of 2014’s fam trip attendees.

“It introduced us to some brilliant creative talent and led to some strong partnerships that just wouldn’t have happened without Film London’s support.”

In April the UK is set to launch a new filming incentive specifically designed to boost production of live-action children’s television in Britain.

“The advent of the animation tax credit turned the animation industry around completely,” said Valerie Ames, Director of Production for the British children's production company Kindle Entertainment, when the new filming incentive was first announced.

“A live-action tax break will similarly make it possible to continue producing our world-renowned British children’s programmes.”

Traditional animation techniques are increasingly being blended with visual effects and can become major showcases for regional production industries. The Lego Movie, for example, was made by Animal Logic in Sydney and qualified for visual effects incentives because of its use of innovative CGI. The movie was a huge international hit and is set to spawn a series of sequels and spinoffs.