National Film Finance Corporation
Encyclopedia
The National Film Finance Corporation (NFFC) was a film funding agency in the United Kingdom
which operated from 1949 until it was wound up in 1985. The NFFC was established by the Cinematograph Film Production (Special Loans) Act 1949, and further enhanced by the Cinematograph Film Production (Special Loans) Act 1952, which gave the NNFC the power to borrow from sources other than the Board of Trade
. The NFFC was abolished by the 1985 Films Act.
The lawyer Sir John Terry
served as the NFFC's manager for 20 years from 1958 to 1978. During that time he helped to secure the backing for hundreds of films and which launched the careers of several prominent film directors, including Ridley Scott
and David Puttnam
.
John Terry was succeeded in 1979 by Film maker Mamoun Hassan who changed the direction of the NFFC: "Hassan is the nearest thing to a whizz-kid that this country's film Establishment has yet produced. (Indeed, to be strictly technical, it did not produce him, since Hassan is Saudi Arabian and has had an independent and international career as a film-maker.) Hassan has replied to early salvoes aimed at his policies by firing back at his detractors with more spirit than one has ever known from the NFFC before, in its generation-long history." [Andrews, Nigel (2 June 1979). "New Direction for Film-makers". London: Financial Times.].
Prior to leaving the NFFC, David Robinson of The Times commented "... Certainly Hassan's five and a half years at the Corporation have been characterized by independence and vim. His enthusiasm, pugnacity, taste and passionate championing of an indigenous cinema have made him a significant figure in the progressive areas of British cinema...."
Hassan left the NFFC in 1984 to return to Film Production.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
which operated from 1949 until it was wound up in 1985. The NFFC was established by the Cinematograph Film Production (Special Loans) Act 1949, and further enhanced by the Cinematograph Film Production (Special Loans) Act 1952, which gave the NNFC the power to borrow from sources other than the Board of Trade
Board of Trade
The Board of Trade is a committee of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, originating as a committee of inquiry in the 17th century and evolving gradually into a government department with a diverse range of functions...
. The NFFC was abolished by the 1985 Films Act.
The lawyer Sir John Terry
John Terry (film financier)
Sir John Elliott Terry was a British film financier and lawyer who helped to found the National Film School and served as manager of the National Film Finance Corporation for over 20 years....
served as the NFFC's manager for 20 years from 1958 to 1978. During that time he helped to secure the backing for hundreds of films and which launched the careers of several prominent film directors, including Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott
Sir Ridley Scott is an English film director and producer. His most famous films include The Duellists , Alien , Blade Runner , Legend , Thelma & Louise , G. I...
and David Puttnam
David Puttnam
David Terence Puttnam, Baron Puttnam, CBE, FRSA is a British film producer. He sits on the Labour benches in the House of Lords, although he is not principally a politician.-Early life:...
.
John Terry was succeeded in 1979 by Film maker Mamoun Hassan who changed the direction of the NFFC: "Hassan is the nearest thing to a whizz-kid that this country's film Establishment has yet produced. (Indeed, to be strictly technical, it did not produce him, since Hassan is Saudi Arabian and has had an independent and international career as a film-maker.) Hassan has replied to early salvoes aimed at his policies by firing back at his detractors with more spirit than one has ever known from the NFFC before, in its generation-long history." [Andrews, Nigel (2 June 1979). "New Direction for Film-makers". London: Financial Times.].
Prior to leaving the NFFC, David Robinson of The Times commented "... Certainly Hassan's five and a half years at the Corporation have been characterized by independence and vim. His enthusiasm, pugnacity, taste and passionate championing of an indigenous cinema have made him a significant figure in the progressive areas of British cinema...."
Hassan left the NFFC in 1984 to return to Film Production.
External links
- Finance legislation from the BFIBritish Film InstituteThe British Film Institute is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to:-Cinemas:The BFI runs the BFI Southbank and IMAX theatre, both located on the south bank of the River Thames in London...