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Daily Record
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Donald Trump's 100% tariff on foreign films would 'annihilate' Scottish industry, says filmmaker
Bafta-nominated filmmaker Ryan Hendrick, from Glasgow, said the movie industry will fight back against the US president's shock proposal. Donald Trump's threat to impose a 100% tariff on foreign films would 'completely annihilate' the industry in Scotland, a filmmaker said yesterday. Bafta-nominated Ryan Hendrick said the US president's shock announcement would kill off movie deals like his but said it 'won't and can't' be allowed to happen, as powerful production companies and big-name stars fight back. Trump said this week he would hit all movies made outside the US with 100% tariffs - declaring Hollywood was 'dying a very fast death' as he sparked the latest in a string of trade disputes with nations around the world. The news sent shockwaves through the industry, with veteran Scots actor Brian Cox saying it would be an 'absolute disaster' for his upcoming film. Hendrick, who made Highland horror feature film Mercy Falls, said the industry will fight back against Trump's proposals and win. The director and producer, from Glasgow, said: 'It is worrying because if it did come into force the current, traditional financing structure for independent films, which is already broken anyway, would be completely annihilated. 'It's something Trump obviously wants, but he knows it will create a panic and he's playing political theatre. 'I don't know how you can enforce it or legislate it. It violates various international laws and there are so many people who would be apposing it. 'The real problem it would cause filmmakers in Scotland and the UK is the ability to recoup on their investment. North America and Canada is the main territory you aim for. If your film isn't tailored towards audience appetite in that territory your film isn't going to make money. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'If you look at the likes of Apple, Netflix, Amazon, Disney, HBO. All these companies have invested hugely in infrastructure around the world. They are investing too much money to allow it to happen. 'It won't and can't happen in my view. I think it's too complicated to make it work.' Much of the detail of the new tariff has yet to be confirmed. While Trump has relied on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act for his global tariff spree, legal experts have stated that the law includes specific allowances for the free flow of informational materials, including films. The White House followed Trump's statement with confirmation that 'no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made'. Trump himself later said that he was to 'meet with the industry', saying 'I want to make sure they're happy about it'. The Scottish Government has said it would do all it can to 'minimize the risk to the screen sector'. The MSP Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Angus Robertson, said there has to be a 'mutual interest' in supporting the screen sector in Scotland and the US.
The National
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Scottish director warns grassroots film losing out to Hollywood
Ryan Hendrick, known for films Lost At Christmas and Mercy Falls, wrote about his concerns about the film industry in Scotland being geared towards attracting Hollywood projects. In a letter to Angus Robertson, published exclusively in The National, Hendrick said the reluctance to support homegrown projects with commercial value is 'baffling'. He has taken aim at Screen Scotland, a national body set up to support Scotland's film and TV industry, as being 'indifferent' to the problem. READ MORE: Criticising the body's six-year plan, Hendrick wrote: 'It is clear the main goal is to attract Hollywood productions. 'History has shown us time and time again that Hollywood coming to Scotland is no more than a band-aid. 'You only have to look at the continuing wave of unemployment in the Scottish film and television industry following the last Hollywood boom that came in the form of the doomed Batgirl project.' The 67-page strategic plan, published in March last year, stated that: "Economic growth remains a strategic priority, delivering many of the opportunities talented people need to realise their potential here in Scotland." Hendrick added that the priority should be to support workers in the industry and that Screen Scotland should insist a minimum of 50% of the crew working on any productions are based in Scotland. (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) He also suggested a local film tax incentive for those productions who reach such a quota, but said he did not hold hopes that this 'would ever be entertained'. 'Screen Scotland's indifference to all of the above makes it clear it is part of the problem rather than part of the solution,' he wrote. 'I have been flying this flag for almost 20 years, nothing has improved, if anything the situation has gotten worse. READ MORE: No Other Land director says Oscar 'meant nothing' after Israeli attack 'Local indie filmmakers are continually cast aside and looked down upon. Producers with multiple commercial successes being turned away and labelled 'inexperienced' is a clear and present display of Screen Scotland's ignorance and discrimination toward domestic grassroots filmmakers.' Hendrick (below) then accused those who receive funding from Screen Scotland as being 'happily complicit' in pretending that everything in the industry is 'fine and dandy'. 'After all, protecting their slice of a tiny pie is far more important than actual success. Gotta keep churning out those loss-making films to justify the overheads of their plush vanity offices,' he wrote. (Image: Ryan Hendrick) The Scottish Government said the Culture Secretary would respond to Henrick in due course. 'Scotland's screen sector has experienced exceptional growth in recent years,' a spokesperson said. 'An estimated £617 million was spent on the production of film, TV and other audio-visual content in Scotland in 2021, up 55% compared to 2019, supporting nearly 11,000 full time equivalent jobs. 'We want to develop our creative economy further, creating job opportunities for all those that work in the sector in Scotland. 'That is why we have allocated an additional £2 million for Screen Scotland in this year's Budget. However, the decisions on funding of individual projects are rightly a matter for Screen Scotland and Scottish Ministers have no role in deciding how funds are disbursed, to protect the integrity of our creative industries.'
