As part of the BFI’s renewed commitment to the Film Audience Network (FAN), a new Film Hub North is established to support the North of England
The new Film Hub North will support members from Cheshire, County Durham, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Northumberland, North Lincolnshire, Tyne & Wear and Yorkshire.
Dave Moutrey, Director & Chief Executive, HOME, Manchester commented:
“We are delighted to be working with flagship venues Tyneside Cinema and the Showroom Cinema as part of this exciting partnership. The North has always been a place that inspires audiences, and we’ve long been known as excellent collaborators – we understand the importance of working together and supporting each other. There is a lot of talent in the North, and I am excited to see how much this will benefit in even further giving these voices a vital platform.”
In consultation with the membership from the former Film Hub North and Film Hub North West Central, BFI and key partners we developed a four-year plan which states that:
By 2022 the audiences for British and International film and collective cinema experience in the North of England will have grown, be more diverse, younger and open to a wider range of specialised films that celebrate the cultural richness of the world. Film Hub North will have played a critical and catalytic role in making this happen and be known for pioneering programming, audience engagement, putting our network at the front of technological and cultural change and engaging the world through cinema.
Ian Wild, Chief Executive of Showroom Cinema added:
“We are proud to be part of such a diverse network of venues, festivals and film clubs, from flagship independent cinemas to rural film societies that form part of the cultural fabric of their communities. Challenging film programming and risk-taking are of vital importance to the Film Exhibition sector and it is essential that these are supported, developed and championed and that audiences have access to exciting film content, regardless of location.”
As part of the BFI’s development of the Film Audience Network (FAN), the North of England is set to benefit from over half a million pounds per year until 2022.
Additionally, the National Lottery funding will see talent executives appointed to give greater support to new and emerging filmmaking talent in the North. This is part of an ongoing Film Hub North ambition to reflect the experiences and voices of the region, by ensuring all aspiring talent across Northern England can access support, as well as benefit from the full scope of funding and training opportunities available to develop careers across the screen industries.
Holli Keeble, Chief Executive of Tyneside Cinema, concluded:
“We are delighted to be part of the new collective leading Film Hub North alongside our partners in Manchester and Sheffield, developing audiences for independent film in a range of settings across our wider region. Tyneside Cinema is an important hub and resource for the region’s creative industries with a commitment to talent development. We know that by delivering a programme of rich and diverse content and fostering a spirit of openness in our approach, we attract local filmmaking talent, and we look forward to capitalising on that and proactively connecting with all those in our region with a passion for film. By locating the new talent executives in venues like ours, there is a huge opportunity to develop a network of spaces where creativity can truly flourish.”
Sally Folkard and Anna Kime will be responsible for the strategic management of Film Hub North working closely with Holli Keeble, Dave Moutrey and Ian Wild representing Tyneside, HOME and Showroom respectively. The full Hub team, including talent responsibility, is still being recruited.
DON’T MISS OUT
A brand new Film Hub North means a brand new mailing list. If you would like to receive news from the new Film Hub North including funding and training opportunities then you must
sign up here BEFORE 1 April 2018.In the meantime, the current mailing lists for the former Film Hub North and Film Hub North West Central will close.
Download the full press release below. Press contact: Nicky Harrison, Director of PR, Crystlsd for Film Hub North
nicky@crystlsd.com.
