Netflix Helps Set up COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund In the U.K.

Streaming giant donates £1m to BFI-promoted fund

A COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund has been established in the U.K. to provide financial relief for entertainment industry workers. The BFI and the Film and TV Charity have partnered on the fund to offer short-term assistance to artists and freelancers experiencing pandemic-related work stoppage.

According to Deadline, neither the BFI nor the Film and TV Charity are putting their own money into the fund. However, they hope their promotion of it will “trigger investment from third parties”. This is in addition to the Charity’s pre-existing hardship fund, which offers small grants for stop-gap support as well as mental health counseling.

“We’re entering a period of unprecedented isolation and worry for a workforce that we know from our research already suffers from poor mental health,” said Alex Pumfrey, the CEO of the Film and TV Charity. “The film and TV industry is now facing a huge threat.”

Streaming Help

One of those third parties is Netflix, who have already committed £1 million to the relief fund.

“We’re proud to be working with the BFI and The Film and TV Charity to support the hardest hit workers in TV and film production,” Anne Mensah, Vice President of Original Series at Netflix, said in a statement. “UK crews – from electricians to carpenters, hair and makeup artists to drivers – have always been vital to Netflix’s success and now we want to help those freelancers who most need support in these unprecedented times.”

“…I’m incredibly pleased that Netflix and the BFI are working with us to kick-start this new Covid-19 Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund to support workers across the UK’s film and TV industry,” Pumfrey added.

Netflix’s Commitment

Netflix’s contribution to the Emergency Relief Fund comes on the heels of their prior announcement to offer $100 million in relief for coronavirus-related cancellations. No specific details of the allocation have been announced yet, but Netflix hopes it will alleviate at least some of the pandemic’s financial burden. The streaming giant has also guaranteed two weeks’ pay to the crews of their suspended productions around the world.

The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to spread throughout the world. Keep abreast on our reporting of the outbreak as it pertains to the entertainment industry here. You can also watch IndieWire’s listing for more frequent updates.

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