Jowell praises UK film at Cannes

British films have doubled their share of the global box office in the last two years, according to new figures.

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell,in Cannes for the annual film festival, said this was a "fantastic success story" for the industry.

In 2005, the 10 best-performing British films grossed $2,599m.

Also at the festival, director Nanni Moretti has defended his decision to release controversial film Il Caimano ahead of the recent Italian elections.

The Film Council figures show that UK films, with US co-production status, enjoyed a 15.8% market share in the US.


TOP 10 UK FILMS WORLDWIDE
1. Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire
2. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
3. Batman Begins
4. Kingdom of Heaven
5. Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
6. Sahara
7.The Corpse Bride
8. The Phantom of the Opera
9. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
10. The Brothers Grimm

However, UK projects made without US involvement had just a 0.8% share of that market.

Only one of the top 20 biggest-earning UK films of 2005 - The Constant Gardener - was funded without any money from the US.

The most successful UK film of 2005 was Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which earned $808m (£431m) worldwide.

"This is, by general consent, the result of combined efforts of favourable tax regime, but also the broader efforts to promote British culture through film," said Ms Jowell.

She said she believed a "simplified" tax credit system, due to be passed into law later this year, would lead to further growth in investment in the UK in future years.

Ms Jowell would not be drawn on calls for the UK government to respond to issues raised by Palme D'Or contender The Wind That Shakes The Barley.