The Comcast-owned European pay-TV giant Sky has pledged a donation of £500,000 ($624,000) to the COVID-19 Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund set up by the BFI and the United Kingdom’s Film and TV Charity.

This announcement follows similar donations from other major groups like BBC, Netflix, the BFI and Warner Media to this fund, which provides grants of up to £2,500 to workers and freelancers of the film and television industry that have been directly affected by the pandemic. Numerous productions have been closed across the UK as a result of the unprecedented spread of the coronavirus.

The donation will raise the fund’s value to over £3M, and applications for these grants opened last week. People can apply on the Film and TV Charity’s website, with submissions ending at 6pm on 22^nd April. The Film and TV Charity is administering the initiative, additionally supported by the BFI.

GARY DAVEY, SKY STUDIOS CEO, ©WOLF HEIDER-SAWALL

‘Those who work behind the scenes are the backbone of TV and film production in the UK. At this incredibly difficult time, it’s important that we do all we can to support our most needy freelance colleagues and we hope that this donation will help to alleviate some of the immediate financial challenges many of them are facing over the coming weeks and months’, said Gary Davey, Sky Studios CEO.

CEO of the Film and TV Charity Alex Pumfrey added: ‘Sky’s support is a fantastic boost to the Emergency Relief Fund that will make a huge difference to many, and Sky’s support of our long-term mental health strategy the Whole Picture Programme means that we’ll be working together to support the workforce through and beyond this crisis.’

The COVID-19 Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund created by The Film and TV Charity in partnership with the BFI is now open for applications until 22 April.

The initiative was established recently in a bid to help ease the concerning impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on the industry. After receiving generous donations amassing a total of £2.5 million from the likes of Netflix, BBC Studios, BBC Content, the National Lottery, Warner Media, as well as a few private donors, they are now ready to offer one-off grants from £500 to £2,500 to freelancers working in film, TV and cinema that have been financially affected by the crisis.

Research conducted by The Film and TV Charity shows that 93% of industry freelancers no longer working due to the crisis, and three thirds (74%) are not expected to receive any support since they are either ineligible for the government’s Self-employment Income Support Scheme or have not been furloughed as PAYE freelancers under the Job Retention Scheme.

Alex Pumfrey, CEO of The Film & TV Charity, said, ‘Unprecedented times call for an exceptional response. The Covid-19 Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund is unique, time-limited and designed to provide financial support where the need is most acute. Our systems will highlight applicants who are experiencing particular distress and our experienced team will respond to those red flags with personal follow-up calls.’

Ben Roberts, chief executive of the BFI, added, ‘We know a huge number of freelance professionals in our community have been some of the hardest hit during the coronavirus crisis, so we are delighted that the fund is now open for applications. We are also incredibly thankful for the generosity shown by industry partners and individuals who have stepped in so far to support their colleagues.’

The applications will be carefully assessed based on need, and not on a first-come, first-served basis.

Applications will close: 6pm Wednesday 22nd April 2020

For details on eligibility and how to apply head over to The Film and TV Charity’s website.

The British Film Institute (BFI) and The Film and TV Charity have partnered to create a new industry-backed COVID-19 Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund to help support the creative community, which like many industries, has been gravely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The initiative was set up to to provide emergency short-term relief to the many thousands of active workers and freelancers who have been directly affected by the closure of productions across the UK.

Established with a £1m donation from Netflix, the new COVID-19 Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund will be administered by The Film and TV Charity with support from the BFI. Netflix’s donation is part of a broader announcement last week to set up a $100m fund for creatives whose jobs have been affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Alex Pumfrey, CEO of The Film and TV Charity, said: ‘The film and TV industry is now facing a huge threat. Many freelancers have seen their livelihoods disappear overnight. We’re entering a period of unprecedented isolation and worry for a workforce that we know from our research already suffers from poor mental health. Which is why I’m incredibly pleased that Netflix and the BFI are working with us to kick-start this new COVID-19 Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund to support workers across the UK’s film and TV industry.’

PHOTO BY LEVI STUTE ON UNSPLASH

Ben Roberts, BFI Chief Executive, said: ‘‘Freelance professionals are the backbone of our film and television industries, and we hope that everyone will work together to support those who have been hardest hit at this extraordinary time of need. Netflix’s early commitment to this fund is hugely welcomed and we are asking other commercial industry partners to contribute, if they are able, and play their part in helping those most in need get through this crisis.”

Anne Mensah, Vice President, Original Series at Netflix, said: ‘We’re proud to be working with the BFI and The Film and TV Charity to support the hardest hit workers in TV and film production. From electricians to carpenters, hair and makeup artists to drivers – and many more, UK crews have always been vital to Netflix’s success and now we want to help those freelancers who most need support in these unprecedented times.’

The Film and TV Charity is currently working on the precise eligibility criteria and level of individual funding but the fund will be open to those working in production, distribution and exhibition. To stay up to date, applicants are welcome to register for the charity’s mailing lists.

The Film and TV Charity was founded in the early days of cinema in 1924 and has supported people working behind the scenes in the film and TV industry for almost 100 years. They are now developing new advice specifically tailored for the industry on how to stay mentally well at home and creating a new supportive community forum for freelancers. The Film and TV Charity already provides 24/7 mental health support to the industry, including counselling and legal advice, via the Film and TV Support Line on 0800 054 00 00.

The BFI is leading an industry wide Screen Sector Task Force that is looking at the wide-ranging impacts of COVID-19 on the whole industry and its workforce. Those in immediate and urgent need should apply for support via The Film and TV Charity’s existing hardship fund, offering grants of up to £500 to provide stop-gap support. This hardship fund will sit alongside the new Film and TV COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. Click here for details on eligibility and how to apply.