Funding & Support

Part 2

Wednesday, 26 June 13

What was the UK Film Council?- The UK film council governs British films it was set up in 2000, it funds for films which are under influence of the UK’s background and economy. They are the Governments strategic agency for film within the UK. They create the UK to become a natural home for film within digital age, this helps within the competitors of film and the cultural aspects of film.

So what do they do?

The UK Film Council work within the Government and the film industry, they help with what can disrupt films and get in the way for example: economic and cultural issues can really affect film so the UK Film Council offer advice on ways to deal with these issues. and many others.

- The UK Film Council roughly distribute £27,000,000 by the government to support film production, script development, film export and distribution, short films, cinema and

educational film etc. They distribute £27,000,000 from the national lottery.

Overall the UK Film Council supports films that have British identity and aim to make the films a success and

promote UK films.

Wednesday, 26 June 13

What did it do to support short filmmakers and short film making?

The UK Film Council helped support short film makers and short film making by Direct fund for short films and feature. 

-There were three funds which offered nearly £17,000,000 for the production and development of the films.– The Development Fund : This funds  aim was to widen the quality, range and ambitions of films being produced in the UK. There was to separate funds within this The First Feature Film Development Programme which supported film makers and then there was The Feature Film Development Programme which was a funding programme for filmmakers and producers.

 - The New Cinema Fund: This fund was used to help and support film makers who were working outside the mainstream.  The schemes of this fund supported over 100 short films each year.

UK Film Council > regional screen agencies > national screen agencies > Digital Shorts Scheme

    - The Premiere Fund: This fund was where the lottery put in £8,000,000 funding which helped and influenced the idea of British talent which would create a wider and more of an international audience.

These three funds helped support short film making and filmmakers in many different ways.

-The UK Film Council also helped by trying to create a wider audience for non-mainstream films by using distribution and exhibition e.g. The Prints and Advertising Fund,The Cinema Access Programme,The Digital Fund for Non Theatrical Exhibition,The Digital Screen Network and Capital funding. All of the following helped and supported the film.

Wednesday, 26 June 13

What was the position and role of the BFI prior to the creation of the Film Council?

The 26th of July  2010 the Conservatives said that the Council was to be put an end to. The chief of the UK Film Council John Woodward stepped down and later the UK Film Council closed on the 31st March 2011 which then passed down to the British Film Institute (BFI).

In 1983 a Royal Charter was received. This was then brought up to date in 2000, also the newly-established UK Film Council took control for providing the BFI's annual grant-in-aid. As an independent registered charity, the BFI is regulated by the Charity Commission and the Privy Council. The BFI became the leader of the UK Film Council and took control some people lost jobs however not many.

How has the position and role of the BFI changed since the recent government decision to dismantle the UK Film Council?

The BFI was introduced in 1933 and was held responsible for funding etc, it had been around a lot longer than to when the UK Film council was introduced in 2000 by labour and took over funds which left the BFI responsible for the film archives, schedule for National Film,

education, Sight and Sound magazine and the museum of moving image theatre. This shows how the BFI did not handle funding anymore. Later on in 2011 the UK Film Council got

closed off and taken over by the BFI who received there original responsibility back. When the UK Film Council was in power they tried to make it more democratic and easier for

short films. They also thought that the BFI had made feature films to artistically developed. They both had different views of funding etc.

Wednesday, 26 June 13

What is the role and remit of the BFI?The transfer of responsibility from the UK Film Council in

2011 left the BFI’s role and responsibilities as:

The BFI has three different ways of income, one of the main one is through the publics money which gets passed through by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. During 2011-12 the funding by

the public made a total of £20,000,000.The next important way of income was commercial activity for example BFI London IMAX theatre

and the distribution of DVD’s.Finally another important way of income was funding grants, sponsorship and donation, the National

Lottery funded grants and private sponsors.A role and responsibility of the BFI is the distributor for all Lottery funds for film. The UKFC role was to try and “help make the UK a global hub for film in the digital age, with the world’s most imaginative, diverse and vibrant film culture, underpinned by a flourishing, competitive film industry,” whereas the

BFI’s role and responsibility is the production and development of the Film Fund. The BFI have £15,000,000 a year to invest in development, production and completion for feature films. The BFI responsibility is to support and assist film makers producing there film. In 2012 there was the BFI Shorts which was managed by Lighthouse which is now closed however currently in 2013 if you

wanted a fund for a short film you could turn to Creative England, Creative Scotland, Film Agency for Whales, Northern Ireland Screen or Film London.

Wednesday, 26 June 13

In what respects and to what extent does the UK Film Council continue to exist as an institutional and cultural film body?

The actor and director Noel Clarke told the BBC “ I'm very sad that they're breaking down but the BFI is going to continue what they do." It shows how in some aspects the UK Film Council continues to exist as an institutional and cultural film body as all that has changed is the BFI have taken the role of the UKFC. Show that the UKFC still seize to exist.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/apr/01/uk-film-council-british-institute-bfi

Shows the overtake of the UK Film Council to the British Film Institute and how it is only new leadership and UKFC

exists still through the BFI.

When the BFI took control for funding, the staff from the UK Film Council transferred to the BFI which

shows us how they do still exist as the same employment for the jobs within the UKFC has been moved across to the BFI. This shows the BFI is run

the same way as the UKFC.

When the BFI took over Greg Dyke welcomed the governments plan that instals his organisation at the helm of the UK film policy. Shows the UKFC still exist as there policies are still existing within the BFI.

Ed Vaizey announced “ The BFI would take on the bulk of responsibilities previously handled by the outgoing UK Film Council. This shows that all the BFI was only a new leadership of control for funding, it shows by them taking on responsibilities already handled by the UKFC it is still

ran the same way and how the UKFC still exist. http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/nov/29/bfi-uk-film-council-dyke

The UKFC was responsible for distributing lottery money to film-makers based in the UK which the BFI have now taken responsibility for. It shows that the UKFC do exist its just been handed over to the

BFI. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12924307

Wednesday, 26 June 13

What were the Regional Screen Agencies (RSAs) that Film Council funding was delivered through?

The UK Film Council funded 9 regional screen agencies due to it’s Regional Investment Fund For England. These were...

1.EM Media - East Midlands2. Film London - London

3.Northern Film & Media - Newcastle 4. North West Vision & Media -

5. Screen East6. Screen South - Folkestone

7. Screen West Midlands8. Screen Yorkshire - Leeds

9. South West Screen

All of the following helped support and provide within production, training, screen commissions, cinema exhibition,

archives and education.

Examples of some films that were funded when the UK Film Council was in control...

Screen yorkshire:Film in 2008 - Boy

Directed by Joe Morris and produced by Gemma Ferguson and Alex Usborne.

Screen south: Film in 2008 - Curfew

Directed by Katie Aidley and produced by Mark Blaney and Jackie Sheppard.

Northern Film and Media: Film in 2008 - Bus Stop Boogaloo

Written and directed by Gus Hughes and produced by Siobhan Fenton.

2008-2009 Film slate, funding with digital shorts;

EM Media:Film in 2008 - Tandem

Written and directed by John and Tom Turrell and produced by Rachel Dargavel.

Film London:Film in 2008 - The Rain Horse

Written and directed by Sebastian Godwin andproduced by Hugo Godwin.

South west screen film in 2009 - September won the short film BAFTA

awardsmade by Esther May Campbell andproduced by Stuart Le Marechal

Screen East Film in 2009 - Shadows and dust

wtitten and directed by Jon Dunleavy and animated

no producer

Wednesday, 26 June 13

How is funding for shorts handled now by the BFI?It is handled by the Film Fund for shorts which is through the National Lottery funding. The film fund by the BFI supports filmmakers within the UK. They have £18,000,000 to invest through the development, production and completion of feature films. By having the support of the BFI it means you can have all the help you need with developing and creating your film.

In 2012 the BFI Shorts scheme was introduced, it is a scheme which helps and supports filmmakers by giving them the chance to create feature films and also gives them the chance to show off their talent and skills. The BFI Shorts is managed by the company Lighthouse.

Budgets of £25,000 - £50,000 in 2012 for live action fiction projects.

A few of the Short Films through the BFI Shorts 2012:1. The Beast2. Field Study3. Anthony4. Gutpunch5. Keeping Up with the Jonese6. L’Assenza7. Liam + Lenka8. Mohammed9. Orbit Ever After10. Sea View11. Sidney12. SLR13. The Line14. The Portrait15. To Leech

Wednesday, 26 June 13

Has funding and support for shorts altered since the government’s changes to the power structures of the national film agencies?

When the UKFC ran the funding, depending on where you live you would turn too...

EM Media - East Midlands Film London - London

Northern Film & Media - Newcastle North West Vision & Media

Screen EastScreen South - Folkestone

Screen West MidlandsScreen Yorkshire - Leeds

South West Screen

However when then the BFI took control funding became different by...

- There is an extreme difference in the ways of funding between the two. From going to the UKFC to the BFI’s way of funding. The BFI i use the management of Lighthouse which is based in Brighton for funding.

Screen South only talks about previous films they have helped and supported

nothing about currently helping Short films.

Wednesday, 26 June 13

As a short filmmaker, what funds could you yourself apply for?

There are 3 funds I could apply for…

- London Borough Film Fund Challenge – It is a challenge for short film makers, if successful the LBFFC provides production funding, a mentoring and training programme and help you develop new skills. It offers around £4,000 towards the production of a short film.

- The Shorts Support Scheme – Is a fund for short filmmakers to represent to audiences all over the world the UK talent. It also helps and support filmmakers.

- BFI Lighthouse Shorts – It helps and supports filmmakers by giving them the chance to create feature films and also gives them the chance to show off their talent and skills.

Wednesday, 26 June 13

Different schemes for funding of shorts:

1.Virgin Media Shorts - Provides services to become ‘a better film maker’ by 5 sessions:The writer / director dynamic, From Script to Screen, Making your film successful, Case Study: Virgin Media Shorts winner Luke Snellin and Beyond Shorts : from Short Film to feature.

2.The Shorts Support Scheme ( British Council) - Presents UK film talent to audiences around the world. It includes the promotion of the high standard shorts within there programming contacts. Work with the British Council offices in 110 countries to make easy access for screenings to make the UK short films an international audience. It offers a Travel grant Fund so short film makers can represent there work internationally.

3.London Borough Film Fund Challenge - It is linked with the BFI however is a borough film fund within Redbridge, Haringey and Islington, Lambeth and Southwark and finally Wandsworth and Kensington and Chelsea. Its aim is to recognise short film talent and help support the shorts. It is a fund which is open to the whole of London which provides production funding and a mentoring and training programme.

Part 3Outside of the BFI, are there any other schemes that exist to help fund short films?

Wednesday, 26 June 13

Part 4FestivalsBackground information about the kind of festivals that short filmmakers can apply

to:

- Edinburgh International Film Festival (Scotland, UK)-Camberidge Film Festival (UK)

- The Times BFI London Film Festival (UK)- Encounters Short Film Festival (Bristol, UK)

- Seagate Foyle Film Festival (Derry, UK)- The Birds Eye View Festival (UK)

- Britdoc (Oxford, UK)- Camberidge International Super 8 Festival (UK)

- London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (UK)- onedotzero (London, UK)- Sheffield Doc/Fest (UK)

- Raindance Film Festival (UK)- London Short Film Festival (UK)

- Manchester International Film Festival (UK)- Leeds International Film Festival (UK)

- Soho Shorts (UK)

- The festivals recognise talent of Short film makers.

- Some of the short film festivals are for a particular genre so your film has to fit into what

the festival applies. - The Britdoc festival is only for documentaries, this shows the different genres film makers can apply to but also the audience for this festival is likely to be for people interested in social events

etc.- The Birds Eye View Festival audience was

68% female aimed at women film makers, which shows a film maker entering there film needs to recognise the audience of the festival they are selecting as it will either increase/decrease your

chance of making it through to the festival.

Wednesday, 26 June 13

Which are feature film festivals that have important shorts sections?

The Leeds film festival is a feature film festival but shows an interest

to short films.

The London Film Festival is a feature film festival but also has a section for short

films.

1.

2.

3.

The Edinburgh international film festival is a feature one however

has a shorts section.

Wednesday, 26 June 13

How do the festivals market and promote themselves?These 3 festivals market and promote themselves with logos:

The Leeds film festival use the simple colours black and white, the logo aims its market at middle aged people and above. The logo doesn’t use vivid or primary colours which we no young people appeal to. The logo represents clarity and is aimed

for a sophisticated audience.

They use Twitter and Facebook pages to promote

and market the festival.

They use

The Edinburgh film festival use the sophisticated colour black however

use the colour red which represents energy, warmth and excitement. They market there festival to a wider and broad

audience as they use a vivid colour which attracts a younger audience as well as black which attracts a

sophisticated audience.

The BFI London Film Festival is marketed and

promoted at an intellectual and refined audience, this is shown through the logo, the

colours black and white show a worldly and cultural audience. It is not aimed at a

young audience.

They use Youtube, Facebook and Twitter to promote an market there

festival.

Wednesday, 26 June 13

Why is it important to be screened at one?The International Federation of Film Producers Associations picked the following

festivals as the ‘big ones’:

- Cannes Film Festival- Venice Film Festival

- Berlinale Film Festival- Toronto International Film Festival

- The Sundance Film Festival - Locarno International Film Festival

- Karlovy Vary International Film Festival- Melbourne International Film Festival- Edinburgh International Film Festival

These festivals are very big so if your film got screened it is very important as producers could see your film and notice talent and want to work with

you in the future, critics could be there and they can write a review into a magazine and if its a good review people will recognise your film however if not could

affect your film. There are a panel of judges there who can reward the films so it is important as if you won it

can lead to a success of future events.

Who attends them?- Panel of Judges

- Producers looking for talent- Critics

- The press- The public

Wednesday, 26 June 13

How are they supported?BFI London Film Festival are supported by...

The National Lottery:

DCMS:

Explores partnerships with broadcast partners within the BFI. Raise broadcasters

for the BFI.

Control fundings for the BFI for the UK filmmakers. The fund is for development,

production and completion of feature films.

Leeds International Film Festival are supported by...

Wednesday, 26 June 13

What have you noticed about the structure/style of the sites? The style of the layout of the BFI London Film

Festival is very organised. Using the main colour black creates a sophisticated and

professional look. The structure used is very clear, most of the festivals i have looked at straight away go to the home page of the festival as shown within this festival site.

At the top of the site it has all the different options you can click on which gives you

information of previous and future events and is the main information you need to know.

The style of the layout of the Leeds International Film Festival shows a professional, educated site. It shows the audience created for this site have a high knowledge about film as straight away on

the home page there is knowledge shown. The style of using white, black and red colours creates an intellectual audience. The style clearly represents the audience is middle aged and above as does not have a style which appeals to a younger audience. The structure is very clear and has all the information you need to

know about the festival. Compared to the BFI London Film Festival shown above it has a variety of things going on within the

home page.

Wednesday, 26 June 13

What are the other key national festivals for short films?- Edinburgh International Film Festival (Scotland, UK)

-Camberidge Film Festival (UK)- The Times BFI London Film Festival (UK)

- Encounters Short Film Festival (Bristol, UK)- Seagate Foyle Film Festival (Derry, UK)

- The Birds Eye View Festival (UK)- Britdoc (Oxford, UK)

- Camberidge International Super 8 Festival (UK)- London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (UK)

- onedotzero (London, UK)- Sheffield Doc/Fest (UK)

- Raindance Film Festival (UK)- London Short Film Festival (UK)

- Manchester International Film Festival (UK)- Leeds International Film Festival (UK)

Wednesday, 26 June 13

What are the key international festivals for short films?- Clermont-Ferrand International Short Fil Festival - (France)

- Sundance Film Festival - (USA)- Palm Springs International Film Festival - (USA)

- International Film Festival Rotterdam - (Netherlands)- Berlinale International Film Festival - (Germany)

- Tampere International Short Film Festival - (Finland)- Tribeca Film Festival - (USA)

- Cannes International Film Festival - (France)- Oberhausen International Short Film Festival - (Germany)

- International Short Film Festival Hamburg (Germany)- Annecy International Animated Film Festival (France)

- Capalbio Cinema Short Film Festival (Italy)- Vila do Conde International Short Film Festival (Portugal)- Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Czech Republic)

- Melbourne International Film Festival (Australia)- International Animation Festival (Japan)

- Venice Film Festival (Italy)- Toronto International Film Festival (Canada)

- Festival do Rio - Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival (Brazil)- New York Film Festival (USA)

- Corona Cork Film Festival (Ireland)- Zagreb Film Festival (Croatia)

- Rio de Janeiro International Short Film Festival (Brazil)

Wednesday, 26 June 13

Find out about any national or international student film festivals:

- No Limits Student Film Festival (UK)- Watersprite - The Cambridge International Student Film Festival (UK)

- ISEFF International Student Ethnographic Film Festival (UK)- British Student Film Festival (UK)

- No Student Film Festival Awards (UK)- International Student Film Festival Hollywood (America, Hollywood)

- First Step Film Festival (Albania)- Lola Kenya Screen (Africa, Kenya)

- African Student Film Festival ( Africa, Nigeria)- International students Film Festival (Argentina)

- Melbourne International Film Festival (Australia)- SPEAK UP! International Student Film Festival (Cananda)

- Youngcuts Film Festival (Canada)- Faludi International Youth Film Festival and Photo Competition (Hungary)

Wednesday, 26 June 13

In recent years there has been exponential growth in the number of online short film festivals. Find and investigate some (using the above criteria). What advantages/disadvantages do such festivals have when compared to their traditional theatrical counterparts?

- nsi short online film festival (Canada)- Tribeca online Festival (USA)- Schweppes online film festival (Australia)- SikhNet Youth Online Film Festival (USA)

Online Short Film Festivals: Traditional Theatrical Festivals:

One advantage the online festivals have is that all you have to do is enter online if you have accessibly to a computer which is an easier way than to travel to a festival in Leeds etc.

Another advantage is there is usually no submission fee for online festivals.

A disadvantage of an online festival is you don't get the exciting feeling of being at the festival with the big screens etc. The environment is completely different to actually going to a festival. Another disadvantage is that the internet can go down while your in the middle of a film but also that not

everyone has easy access to a computer.

-Camberidge Film Festival (UK)- The Times BFI London Film Festival (UK)

- Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Czech Republic)

- Melbourne International Film Festival (Australia)

Wednesday, 26 June 13