"We have a film industry in this country that, as its best, can really kick arse" says British film director Gurinder Chadha.
And when it comes to Brit flick The King's Speech - kick arse it certainly did - taking home a sackful of awards from the recent Oscars and Baftas. I don't know about you, but hearing all those British accents in the acceptance speeches made the awards season coverage a lot more satisfying this year.
However, going back to Chadha, the Bend it Like Beckham director recently expressed her disappointment at the government's move to axe the UK Film Council and cut the budget of the British Film Institute by 15%.
Chadha worries the many students studying film across the country will struggle to find work "in an industry that is shrinking before our very eyes".
So, if you aspire to work in the UK film industry, are you going to find it tough finding an entry-level role? What if you want to make your own films - what support is available? We've invited a panel of experts to share their industry insight and answer questions like these and more in a live Q&A - join them on 10 March at 1pm.
The discussion will take place in the comments below - advance questions are welcome.
Our panel:
Elliot Grove founded Raindance Film Festival and the British Independent Film Awards. Elliot has produced more than 150 short films and five feature films, has written eight scripts and also teaches writers and producers.
Paul Wilkes is currently training and recruitment director at visual effects and animation school Escape Studios. He runs the recruitment business within Escape as well as looking after the commercial side of the training business.
Lee Danskin is a tutor and training development director at Escape Studios. Lee joined Escape in 2006 and developed the academy's VFX courses. Lee has worked on high-profile projects for some of the UK's biggest visual effects studios.
Neil Peplow is director of film at Skillset, the sector skills council (SSC) for the creative industries. Neil has worked in the film industry for sixteen years, starting as a runner at Ealing Studios in 1993.
Annabelle Pangborn is a composer, sound designer and screenwriter. She has worked extensively in drama, animation and documentary and is currently head of editing, sound and music at the National Film and Television School (NFTS).
Allar Kaasik studied for a television production degree at the University of Bedfordshire. He has just completed a Digital Post Production MA at the NFTS.
James Fulcher is a Guild of Television Cameramen council member. James entered the industry via on-the-job training and has worked within camera crews across the globe, on documentaries, drama and adverts.
Katie Steed is the founder of Whirlygig Cinema, which hosts regular events screening the work of up-and-coming video artists and film-makers.
Anna Carrington is head lecturer of the digital film-making diploma course at SAE Institute Oxford. Anna starting work on films as a clapper loader, and then working her way up through the camera department until being re-trained in cinematography during the making of The Golden Compass in 2006.
James Mullighan is director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Helen Jack is director of operations at Shooting People, the world's largest network of independent film-makers.
