Indie films losing out to obsession with bankable stars, says Richard Eyre

British director whose career is being celebrated at the BFI says creative industry increasingly wants safe bets

The veteran British director Richard Eyre has said it is very hard" to get small-budget independent dramas made any more because studio bosses are obsessed with bankable" celebrity names.

Eyre, who has worked across film, theatre, TV and opera, winning five Olivier awards and a Bafta, also spoke of the importance of making drama that embraces social realism - especially in an era when the industry is increasingly reliant on superhero films and franchises to attract audiences.

Richard Eyre: Weapons of Understanding is at BFI Southbank from 1-29 December, including Sir Richard Eyre in Conversation on 8 December.