In February 2005 Screen International reported that  the UK Film Council’s John Woodward had awarded “£11.5 million to Arts Alliance to manage UK digital Screen network”. The article is not online sadly, but it goes on to explain:

“Taking a huge step in creating the western world’s biggest digital cinema network, Government-backed support body UK Film Council has selected an offshoot of venture capitalist Arts Alliance to install a nationwide digital circuit of 250 screens. Under the £11.5m contract, Arts Alliance is to spearhead the installation, training, servicing and upgrades over an 18-month roll-out period and for a further four years.”

The British taxpayer paid the Arts Alliance’s set up and running costs and yet will see none of the profit. However it seems the Alliance are being generous in rewarding those that made the deal happen. Not the taxpayer, but instead former UK Film Council chief John Woodward. The man who negotiated and signed off the deal with the Arts Alliance has been given a job as their managing director now that the future of the UK Film Council is looking grim. A coincidence no doubt…