Interview: Justin Johnson, British Film Institute
How many children’s films could you watch in one year? As Project Advisor for Young Audiences at the British Film Institute, Justin Johnson watches up to 300. From his office space at the Southbank – adorned with signed posters and action figures – he dedicates his time to promoting great British family films and finding ways to engage young people with cinema.
It’s a job that appears to be getting easier due to a renaissance in children’s programming in Britain, but it wasn’t always so. “Even five years ago, it was embarrassing when I travelled to film festivals abroad, because Britain would have very little to offer foreign audiences.”
According to Johnson, it’s a great time for films aimed at young audiences in Britain. BFI funds have helped promote British films like Get Santa, Bill, Swallows and Amazons, and Ethel and Ernest – but Johnson feels we should be doing more.
“We need to put our money where our mouth is if we really want to compete on the world stage. We’ve had some hit family films recently, like Paddington and Shaun the Sheep and we’re beginning to be in a good place. Today there are some great straight up kids’ films being made – Who Killed Nelson Nutmeg was filmed in Dorset for a fraction of the price some of family blockbusters cost to make.”
Part of the BFI for 16 years, Justin initially started out as a film reviewer. Today his work revolves around creating a platform for smaller film studios across the world and keeping up with global trends.
“Nordic countries are really flying the flag for films for young people at the moment – they have schemes that subsidise the making of family films so their production rate is enviably high. The Netherlands and Germany are doing great things too, and of course, Japan and France are still the world leaders in 2D animation – torch bearers for hand drawn films. “
Johnson seems a laid back guy – I guess you’d have to be in his job – but he’s not impressed by old-fashioned attitudes that paint children’s films as somehow an inferior genre.
“The industry can be sniffy about family films, as though other genres are somehow superior. Film schools often teach students to be auteurs, and to take themselves quite seriously. But, in many ways, kids are more difficult to crack as an audience – editing is so important. It’s not ‘easy’ to make films for younger audiences. Lifelong learning starts with kids so it’s important to get it right.”
Justin Johnson works for the British Film Institute, selecting animations and films for younger audiences at BFI Southbank and the London Film Festival. He’s a regular contributor to radio and TV on children’s films, animation and cinema in general.
This article first appeared in Espress Magazine, produced by Benugo and designed by ico Design.
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