The British Film Institute (BFI) has responded strongly to newspaper claims that is had shelved plans for a flagship national film centre in London.

Reports had stated that plans for the BFI’s £35m new centre to be on the South Bank, next to the Tate Modern, had been indefinitely put on hold while a full review of the institute is conducted by its director and chair.

The Southbank plan, which had been championed by former BFI chair Joan Bakewell with a 2007 completion date had been intended to include the National Film Theatre while replacing the Museum of the Moving Image (MOMI) which closed in 1999.

However, it is understood that the BFI is now negotiating, amongst others, with the South Bank Centre.

Responding to the recent reports, BFI director Amanda Nevill said: “The BFI remains committed to creating a world class flagship Film Centre in London.

“We have not shelved or torn up any plans. We continue to explore all the options open to us, including those involving the Tate. The Film Centre will be unlike anything currently in the UK.

“One thing it will not be is a successor to MOMI. We have no plans to re-open MOMI but as part of the current review of our activities we are looking at the best ways to ensure greater access to our collections impacting across the country.”

She finished: “The BFI remains committed to the creation of a flagship Film centre for Britain and in due course we will make public those plans in tandem with major initiatives which will impact across the UK.” Details: www.bfi.org.uk