Services for journalists

London, 3 April 2008
3 April 2008 - UK Film Distributors to benefit from first short-course programme at film business academy.

The Film Business Academy at Cass Business School, London, today launches its first business education short-course programme for the UK film industry, entitled The Business of Film.

Commissioned by Film Distributors' Association (FDA), the programme comprises 12 three-hour modules tailored especially for UK film distributors. 14 participants from UK distribution have registered for the course, which begins today, with the first six modules taking place weekly before the Cannes Film Festival and the second six afterwards. The course finishes in July, after which participants will need to complete a film business project before receiving certificates at a reception in the autumn.

The 12 modules will include the economics of the film value chain, film finance and the global film market, aspects of finance for non-accountants and the challenges of running a creative business. There will also be sessions on consumer behaviour, analysing the latest research and data available at Cass Business School.

Terry Ilott, Director of the Film Business Academy, said: "This initiative brings together top-flight academics and expert practitioners from across the industry to deliver a stimulating course for film distributors. We're delighted to be helping to develop the UK's distribution talent through this rigorous and enriching programme of business education."

Mark Batey, FDA Chief Executive, said: "The impressive Business of Film curriculum brings a new dimension to the training and development opportunities available to UK distributors, and we're thrilled to have facilitated its delivery, thanks to the passionate team of specialists at the Film Business Academy."

Further information:

Mark Batey, FDA Ltd.
Tel 020 7437 4383
Email mbatey@fda.uk.net

Nicole Haroutunian, Press Officer, Cass Business School:
Tel 020 7040 5210
Email nicole.haroutunian@city.ac.uk

Notes to editors

• Film Distributors Association Ltd.
  Film Distributors' Association is the trade body representing the generic interests of UK theatrical distributors. Films released by its 21 member companies account for approximately 96% of UK cinema admissions. Website:www.launchingfilms.com.

• The Film Business Academy.
  The Film Business Academy is the world's first international centre dedicated to the business of film. It is based at Cass Business School, City University, London. The Film Business Academy has been selected by Skillset and the UK Film Council as the national "centre of excellence" for film business education. It has been supported with UK National Lottery funding as part of "A Bigger Future" - the UK Films Skills Strategy.

• The Film Business Academy is the world's first international centre dedicated to the business of film. It is based at Cass Business School, City University, London. The Film Business Academy has been selected by Skillset and the UK Film Council as the national "centre of excellence" for film business education. It has been supported with UK National Lottery funding as part of "A Bigger Future" - the UK Films Skills Strategy.
  Website:www.filmbusinessacademy.com.

• Cass Business School.
  Cass Business School, City University, delivers innovative, relevant and forward-looking education, training, consultancy and research. Located on the doorstep of one of the world's leading financial centres, Cass is perfectly positioned to be the intellectual hub of the City of London. Our dialogue with business shapes the structure and content of all our programmes of study, our executive education programmes and our research. Our MBA, Specialist Masters and Undergraduate programmes have a reputation for excellence in professional education. Our Executive MBA is ranked 18th in the world by the Financial Times.

• Cass is a place where students, academics, industry experts, business leaders and policy makers can enrich each other's thinking.
  Website:www.cass.city.ac.uk.