The Statistical Yearbook 09 produced annually by the UK Film Council is a rich source of industry data and analysis, drawn from a range of reputable suppliers and detailing the full value chain for film.
Highlights:
Admissions surged at the end of 2008, boosted by films like High School Musical 3 and Quantum of Solace and revenues for film on DVD and television also grew, confirming evidence that film revenues are recession-resistant. The box office for summer 2008 was the best since 1969, led by The Dark Knight, Hancock and Mamma Mia!, the highest grossing film of all time at the UK box office.
The UK box office grew to a record £850 million. UK films took 31% of the UK box office and internationally UK films accounted for 15% of the global box office. The upward trend in the performance of UK film in the global market was reflected in the 2007 export figures, which saw UK film exports reaching a record £1,050 million. This figure captures the exports of production services and income from royalties, underlining the UK’s international competitiveness.
The UK took 32 major awards, 15% of the top awards presented in the course of the year. Both anticipating and reflecting the strong box office performance, the number of cinema screens in the UK grew by 96, on top of growth in 2006 and 2007, to take the total to 3,610 screens. Among these, 310 screens were digital, with the UK having the highest number of digital screens in Europe. At the same time, there was massive international growth in digital screens, particularly in North America, with the global total rising to 8,797 from only 848 in 2005.
Last year also saw increased interest in 3D, with 69 UK screens with 3D-capability with more on the way. Cinemas are finding they get better screen averages from 3D cinema (more people per screen), an effect which also applies to alternative content, such as live streaming of opera and popular music concerts to digital screens, which supports a much higher ticket price.
The yearbook is available for downloading from the UK Film Council’s website
Photo from Creative Commons: Flickr: Hector Milla
