British Film Institute appoints Ben Roberts as director of BFI Film Fund

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/mar/19/british-film-institute-ben-roberts

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The British Film Institute has appointed Ben Roberts – current CEO of film sales and financing company Protagonist Pictures – as the new director of the BFI Film Fund.

Roberts will be responsible for deciding how an annual £21m of funding from the National Lottery will be used to bring new British films to the screen. He takes over from Tanya Seghatchian, who resigned from her post in September last year. Seghatchian oversaw the reorganisation of the UK Film Council into the Film Fund following the government's decision last year to close the council.

"This is a rare opportunity to make a difference in a really dynamic part of the film sector and I relish the chance to work across the industry," said Roberts, whose job will incorporate elements of development, production, distribution and exhibition. "This new role offers me the special opportunity to support talented British filmmakers in achieving their potential to make great and memorable films."

Protagonist Pictures' current roster includes popular family titles such as Horrid Henry: The Movie and the forthcoming Streetdance 2 3D, as well as critically acclaimed work such as Justin Kurzel's Snowtown and Paddy Considine's Tyrannosaur, which also received support from the BFI Film Fund.