Liz Smith MSP, Scottish Conservative Culture Spokesman has called on the SNP Scottish Government to develop a more coherent strategy to promote the Scottish film industry.
The Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee will hear evidence from key players in the industry early in the new year following an 18-month campaign to persuade the national arts agency, Creative Scotland, and the Scottish Government to provide better backing.
Scotland has been the setting for some major box office hits, including Local Hero, Train Spotting and more recently Sunshine of Leith.
Liz Smith MSP, Scottish Conservative Culture Spokesman said:
“Everyone knows that Scotland has the potential to be a top destination as a location for film, which could not only boost the local economy but also help to promote tourism to audiences across the world.
“With the extension of film tax relief, the UK Government has done its bit to assist the UK film industry, including Scotland, with targeted tax breaks until the end of December 2015. That industry in the UK is now worth £4.2bn.
“However, it is very clear that many experts believe that the SNP Scottish Government should also be doing much more to support the industry and to promote Scotland as a destination for filming. This follows criticism from many in the film industry that only £4m out of Creative Scotland's £92 million spending plans for the next year has been set aside for film and television productions.
“The key issue is to ensure that there is a much better link between film and broadcasting since most actors, writers, directors and producers all make their living in television broadcasting and go on to succeed in film when they have been successful in television broadcasting. That is a serious issue for Scotland to address and it will only come about with a more coherent strategy across the board.”