British Film Institute creates film fund post

LONDON -- The British Film Institute has announced plans to appoint a single executive to run its production and distribution funds, with a combined annual budget of 21 million ($33 million). This follows the resignation of Tanya Seghatchian as head of the BFI's film fund in September, and the departure of Peter Buckingham as head of distribution and exhibition in November. These two jobs will be replaced by a newly-created role titled director of film fund, reporting to BFI chief executive Amanda Nevill. This marks a move toward a more integrated policy of development, production and distribution investment, in line with the expected recommendations of the U.K. government's Film Policy Review to be announced in January. According to a BFI statement, the new director of film fund will be responsible for leading the existing production and distribution teams, nurturing filmmaking talent from across the U.K., championing creative excellence and encouraging a boldness of approach. The BFI took over from the U.K. Film Council last April as the public body responsible for investing lottery coin into British film production and distribution. Both Seghatchian and Buckingham moved across from the UKFC to the BFI, but decided to leave once the transition was complete. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com