Commentary on Sections Overview Overview Section 131: Meaning of “film” and related expressions
539.This section is based on section 43 of F(No 2)A 1992 and paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Films Act 1985.
540.Subsection (1) reproduces the definition of “film” in paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 1 to the Films Act 1985. This is based on the requirement in section 43(2) of F(No 2)A 1992 that references to a film in sections 41 and 42 of F(No 2)A 1992 are to be construed in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Films Act 1985.
541.Subsection (3) provides that a series of films in respect of which the Secretary of State has given a direction under paragraph 1(4) of Schedule 1 to the Films Act 1985 is treated as a single film for the purposes of this Chapter. For the purposes of Schedule 1 to the Films Act 1985 and of this section, “the Secretary of State” is the Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
542.Paragraph 1(4) of Schedule 1 to the Films Act 1985 provides as follows:
“(4)The Secretary of State may direct that a number of films shall be treated as a single film for the purposes of this Schedule if—(a)they form a series with not more than twenty-six parts;(b)the combined playing time is not more than twenty-six hours; and(c)in the opinion of the Secretary of State the series constitutes a self-contained work or is a series of documentaries with a common theme.”