A letter from the multiple Oscar winner is the latest salvo in a high-profile campaign by the stars to save a group which lobbies on behalf of the British film industry and invests 15 million pounds ($24 million) a year in local features. "The UKFC was instrumental in providing to us the crucial, detailed information we needed to make our decision to ultimately shoot in the UK," Eastwood wrote, referring to the making of his latest movie "Hereafter," starring Matt Damon. In a letter addressed to Osborne and co-signed by producer Robert Lorenz, the director said the council advised on issues including Britain's tax credit system and the availability of crews. "Without such assistance during the early stages of pre-production... the likelihood of a London shoot would have been greatly diminished."