EU clears lottery funds for British film-making

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Britain's film industry won clearance from the European Commission on Tuesday to receive more than 22 million pounds a year in funding from the country's national lottery.

"Many of us are touched in some way by the films we watch..., said European Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes.

"Therefore, I am pleased to be in a position to approve the UK support schemes for films showing aspects of European culture, as they are in line with EU state aid rules."

The schemes are administered by the UK Film Council, Scottish Screen, Northern Ireland Screen and the Film Agency for Wales and seek to promote "culturally British films," the statement said. The approval period lasts until December 31 2012.

(Reporting by William Schomberg; editing by Mark John)