Director Peter Webber made his movie debut with an acclaimed adaptation of Girl With A Pearl Earring. He talks here about the British film industry and his favourite British movies...

How did you get into movies?

I started with a one-year Postgraduate Film and TV course at Bristol University, followed by five years working as an editor, mostly in TV. Then there were five years as a director of television documentaries and five years as director of TV drama. Finally, there was one year turning down work and almost going bankrupt as I waited for the green light for Pearl Earring.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to work in the British film industry?

We have a thriving TV industry but a very small and precarious film industry in this country. Most of the British movie directors I know started out in TV, and once they had some experience they found a way to break in. But there are no hard and fast rules and the advent of digital video might change things. Just remember that everyone wants to be a director - so you might do better coming in by another path as I did - I started as an editor.

Why did you shoot Girl With A Pearl Earring in Luxembourg and not the UK?

A number of reasons - tax incentives made our budget stretch further. They have some great sound stages there, and they had a backlot set with a canal structure which we built our version of Delft around.

What's the hardest thing about making movies in the UK?

Getting money for interesting ideas. It's a business, and if you forget that there is always the person holding the purse strings to remind you of it. If you don't want to make a romantic comedy or a period film, then it is hard.

If you could change one thing about the British film industry, what would it be?

I wish we made more films - and more good films!

Is there a particular location in Britain where you'd love to shoot?

The Hebrides, where I spent all my summers as a child.

What's the best British movie ever made?

Hitchcock - so many great films and his career lasted forever. But more recently I love the way Stephen Frears mixes his work between small interesting British films and larger American ones. And I admire Michael Winterbottom, one of the few true auteurs we have.

Who's the hottest young property in British film?

Samantha Morton is a genius.

What percentage chance is there of you going to make a film in Hollywood?

100%.

Why are you 100% certain?

Because since Pearl Earring I have been inundated with offers, and finally I have found an American script that excites me.

Girl With A Pearl Earring is out now on DVD.