A closing discussion drew together the day’s themes, looking at how the UK’s post and VFX sectors can reframe their value around expertise, trust and community, and why that will take a collective effort
INsight’26 closed with a short wrap-up session chaired by Rowan Bray, MD of Clear Cut Pictures and Chair of UK Screen Alliance Facilities Council, with UK Screen Alliance CEO Neil Hatton and Gareth Kirkman, UK Business and Industry Development Manager at the British Film Commission. Hatton also invited delegates to respond to the feedback email, both on what they would like to see at next year’s conference and on the issues keeping members up at night.
A premium offer, not a cheap one
Kirkman reported that a VFX and post-production familiarisation trip held the previous week, taking US executives around UK facilities, had been encouraging. The visitors were enthusiastic about working in the UK, and what stood out was creativity, talent, efficiency and innovation rather than cost. He suggested the real question is whether cheapness matters, and that the obstacle for many productions is an assumption that the UK is out of reach financially. Educating clients about the inclusive tax credit and access to talent in the regions and nations can show that the obstacle is smaller than it appears.
Hatton agreed, noting that the UK’s credit has no sunset date and no budget cap, and grows automatically as work comes in, so there is no need to return to legislators for more funding. Members have raised possible improvements, such as making it easier to qualify, and those conversations will continue. He was candid that this has not been a year for creative industries wins in government, but expected to step up engagement next year. Data will be central to that effort, citing the VFX uplift, which was secured by showing the government that the work it generates and the tax receipts from it cover its cost. Hatton urged members to respond to future calls for data, noting that the insights shared during the day, including the Nordicity research, strengthen the case.
Reframing the value proposition
Hatton described the challenge set by the day as moving perceptions of where the value lies, shifting attention from price to the experience of the people doing creative and logistical work. Bray noted that facilities have invested in AI, sustainability and security despite challenging conditions, and that AI has worked best when allowed to grow organically within a business and solve everyday problems. Any individual facility that tries to present its quotes differently risks losing the call-back, so the change will need to come together, with production teams and broadcasters, alongside education on what the post-production process involves.
Because collective action raises competition law questions, Hatton explained that UK Screen sought specialist legal advice before engaging with members on the subject, and described the approach as a modernisation issue, citing the DPP’s move to file-based delivery, which the industry adopted together because it was the right thing to do. Bray added that production budgeting software will need to change so that new cost lines are covered when budgets are first set. Kirkman suggested a UK Screen-formatted quote template could help, in the same way as the COVID guidance let facilities point to their trade body’s position rather than being picked off individually by clients.
Community as a differentiator
Kirkman argued that the collegiate nature of the UK VFX and post community is something clients notice. Facilities may be competitors, but they also work as a community, which makes it easier to present a joined-up premium offer. Bray and Hatton summed up the aspiration for post-production budgeting to be as effective as the tax breaks, and for the UK to be seen as both green and secure.
Final priorities
Asked for any outstanding issues, Hatton highlighted the burden of repeated studio security audits and the need to align them through the TPN so that facilities are not asked for the same information several times. Delegates were reminded that feedback will help shape both UK Screen’s agenda and INsight’27.
