Tom Dingle, director of ArtHouse Jersey, added that the Island lent itself ‘brilliantly’ to film and that the public should not let previous failed government investments in movies overshadow any potential new project.
It comes as Beast – a film directed by Jersey-born Michael Pearce, produced by Lauren Dark, and partly shot in the Island – won a BAFTA last week in the category of Outstanding Debut for a Writer, Director or Producer.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that a remake of hit 1980s crime drama, Bergerac, was in development.
Mr Dingle said: ‘Recently I was talking to a very senior television producer. In his view, Jersey’s best shot at success would be to invest in script development, supporting promising writers, and then selecting ideas that meet a strict “compelling reasons to be made in Jersey” criteria – namely, the production being set in Jersey, dealing with a Jersey story or involving a significant number of Jersey creatives and investors.
‘I think this is right. Beast and Bergerac are our evidence.’
However, the director stopped short of suggesting that a movie fund – similar to that of the British Film Institute which uses UK lottery proceeds to finance film development and production, and to increase audiences – should be set up.
‘On the one hand we have exceptional and varied scenery, rich heritage sites and a compact location, which mean Jersey would lend itself brilliantly to film.
‘On the other, we do not have the core infrastructure nor any formal film-financing structure or the investment incentives offered by other jurisdictions.
‘Of course, recent high-profile failed investments have made the public very sceptical about any taxpayer’s money being invested in film, but we should not forget that Jersey has had notable success on both television and the silver screen. To name two, Michael Pearce’s Beast, and, of course, Jim and his Triumph Roadster driving past Corbière and magically appearing in Gorey.’
Meanwhile, Deputy Montfort Tadier, Assistant Economic Development Minister, said ways of supporting film-makers were being discussed.
‘There are no immediate plans for a film fund to be set up, but we are in conversation about what support, direct or indirect, may be given to film-makers,’ he said.
‘I intend to discuss the matter further with officers and my ministerial colleagues in the department and ArtHouse Jersey.’
