But he may be deflected from some of his aims by the BFI's own internal problems.
Tim Burton's black and white animation Frankenweenie is to open this year's BFI London Film Festival.
BBC: Tim Burton's Frankenweenie to open London Film Festival
The event, in a drizzly Leicester Square, marked the close of the BFI London Film Festival.
Firth is "optimistic" about state involvement in film investment and called the BFI's involvement "very positive".
Nonetheless, the BFI has acquired an articulate and charismatic figurehead whose personal commitment to cinema is unquestioned.
The BFI season is described as the largest retrospective of Dickens on film and television ever staged.
If we can get support from people like the BFI we could be poised to start that bigger journey.
As for the BFI - Minghella wants to give the organisation itself a higher profile and a stronger identity.
Ms Nevill appealed to advertising agencies to assist the BFI with the project.
BBC: NEWS | Entertainment | Archive saves film and TV adverts
But as a spokeswoman for the BFI told me yesterday it is a "worry" and could signal "a downward trend".
Nicholls, the author of hit novel One Day, was speaking at the launch of the BFI's Dickens on Screen season.
The lucky viewer will get a BFI bumper pack of film classics, guaranteed to turn anyone into an instant film buff.
The film was premiered at the BFI London Film Festival last year, where El Hosaini also won a best newcomer prize.
Cronenberg, known for films including The Fly, Crash and Eastern Promises, will be the first Canadian to receive the BFI's highest honour.
Previous recipients of the BFI Fellowship include Lord Attenborough, Sir Michael Caine, Clint Eastwood, Bernardo Bertolucci, Martin Scorsese and Dame Maggie Smith.
"We really hope that everyone continues to support arts and culture and through the BFI broaden the film base, " said Iain Canning.
Actor Ralph Fiennes and director David Cronenberg and are to receive BFI Fellowships at the 55th BFI London Film Festival (LFF) later this month.
The film funding arm of the UK Film Council is being kept on, with the existing team due to transfer to the BFI in April.
It has already received backing from Coca-Cola and its advertising agencies, who are providing funding and allowing the BFI to use their advertisements in the project.
BBC: NEWS | Entertainment | Archive saves film and TV adverts
"It's a great honour to be invited to be the BFI London Film Festival's closing night film, " said Newell, whose other films include Four Weddings and a Funeral.
He says there are plans to take the film to India and the Middle East and has already visited London to promote the movie at the 2012 BFI London Film Festival.
"It leaves a healthy dowry for the BFI to inherit, " agreed Gareth Unwin, who gave "a massive thank you to the UK Film Council" as he accepted the best picture Oscar with his colleagues.
The film premiered in London at the newly opened BFI Imax on the South Bank and is currently showing at Bradford's Imax as part of the Bradford Animation Festival and the Large Format Animation Conference.
If that was to be the case, it is likely questions would be raised regarding the government's decision to close the apparently successful and overtly commercial UK Film Council, and instead place the future of British film with the more cerebral BFI.
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