Council step in to Edinburgh film unit row

City leader Andrew Burns has agreed to meet protest leaders angry that the dedicated team at Edinburgh Film Focus – whose work is worth around £5 million to the city’s economy – has been halved as part of cutbacks at the city’s marketing body.

Cllr Burns, who said he was fully aware of concerns about the decision, has been urged to help reverse the controversial move promptly before major productions are lost to the capital. Council officials had previously refused to get involved.

It was claimed yesterday that no-one from Marketing Edinburgh had met anyone from the film industry to discuss the move, which will take affect at the end of this month, unless a U-turn is ordered.

The local authority is the main funder of Marketing Edinburgh, which has been in disarray in recent months after senior councillors criticised its first major campaign and its chief executive, Lucy Bird, walked out on the job after only 18 months.

Cllr Burns was asked to intervene after around 100 film and TV industry figures warned the capital’s reputation as a leading location for productions would suffer as a result of the move to reduce the dedicated locations team.

Edinburgh Film Focus has been targeted despite a policy decision from the city council to protect funding for arts organisations and festivals in the next financial year.

Marketing Edinburgh, which receives more than £1 million a year from the council, was supposed to be operating from a budget of around £5 million by now, but the body failed to raise enough private finance under Ms Bird’s regime.

Former directors of the Edinburgh International Film Festival and film-makers involved in the likes of Cloud Atlas, One Day, The Railway Man, Hallam Foe and Rebus have attacked the decision to lay off one of two staff at the 23-year-old film unit.

The decision has also been criticised by national arts agency Creative Scotland, which announced last year that it had ringfenced £1 million for the country’s first major film studio.

Paul Edie, Lib Dem group leader on the council and a former board member of Edinburgh Film Focus, said: “There is a real urgency to get this decision reversed as soon as possible. Once this experience is lost to Edinburgh Film Focus, it will be very difficult to replace.

“I’m very pleased Cllr Burns has agreed to this meeting and hope it can be organised as soon as possible. A review of the decision after six months is no use.”

Cllr Burns said: “A meeting is being arranged with film industry representatives to hear their concerns.”

The industry claims it is a flawed decision to merge Edinburgh Film Focus with a body responsible for marketing the city around the world and has expressed concern about inexperienced staff handling inquiries from production companies.

Annie Griffin, director of hit TV show, The Book Group, and the film Festival, which was filmed at the height of the Fringe, said: “Marketing Edinburgh has made no effort whatsoever to get in touch with us, despite the number of people who have put their names to the open letters. I just don’t think Marketing Edinburgh understands the importance of film and TV productions in Edinburgh.

“As far as the industry is concerned, it shouldn’t have anything to do with Edinburgh Film Focus, which should be left to get on with the important work it does. The council was asked several weeks ago to intervene, but we were told by its head of economic development there was no need so we’re glad the council leader will meet us.”

Marketing Edinburgh claims it has had to make “difficult decision” to balance all aspects of its remit, which also includes helping to attract inward investment, securing conference business and tourism initiatives.