ICO News
- We’ve recently announced details of a hugely exciting new project, the Film Exhibition, Distribution & Sales Trainee Scheme, which aims to give 12 ambitious trainees a way into the industry. It prioritises candidates from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse backgrounds, women, and those who consider themselves disabled, in an effort to encourage diversity in the industry. Trainees will gain placements in film distribution, independent exhibition or international sales companies. If you’re passionate about film, have excellent communication skills, basic IT stills, the desire to learn and the ability to work as part of a team, read more about this fantastic project. The deadline is very soon: next Monday 1st December at 8am.
- The deadline’s also approaching for Bespoke Business Planning and Financial Advice for Independent Exhibitors. You’ll be matched with a specialist advisor to gain affordable in-depth consultancy for your venue. Sounds good? That’s because it is. Apply! Deadline: this Friday 28th November.
- We’re looking forward to Screening Days South East this Thursday & Friday! The films line-up – including A Most Violent Year (pictured above), The Duke of Burgundy, The Tribe and more – is superb. If you’re coming along, have you signed up for the Neighbourhood Cinema training event yet? We’re offering this for free on Friday afternoon, and will be welcoming speakers from the BFI, Filmbank and Cinegi to discuss new ways of accessing film content, what the BFI Neighbourhood scheme can offer your venue, and best practice tips for film programming.
More exhibitor opportunities
- Film Hubs North, North West Central and Scotland have joined forces to put on This Way Up: Exhibition Innovation, a two-day regional conference for film exhibitors running at Tyneside Cinema over Tuesday 2 & Wednesday 3 December 2014. Aiming to provide a platform for new ideas, developing collaborations and opening up discussion about the future of the sector, they’ve got a great list of speakers including Gabi Jenks from Abandon Normal Devices, Michael Pierce from Cinema Nation, Sam Meech from Screening Film and one of our programmers (and creator of Club Des Femmes) Selina Robertson. Read more.
- Film Hub Wales has just issued a new call for audience development projects; if you’re based in Wales, are a Hub member organisation and can evidence a year round commitment to independent films, you’re eligible to apply. Deadline: Friday 9th January 2015.
- And the deadline for Bird’s Eye View Film Festival‘s Filmonomics, their acclaimed filmmaker training programme is coming up next Weds 5th December.
Calls for submissions
- Young screenwriters and animators (aged 16-19): you’ve until next Monday 1st December to apply for the BFI Film Academy‘s Screenwriting Programme and Animation Camp.
- Sheffield Doc/Fest is looking for your documentary films (shot in any style) or interactive projects for its 2015 edition.
- An interesting brief: FOURWALLS Short Film Project, in partnership with London Short Film Festival, is looking for Londoners to submit films expressing their views on the capital’s housing; for judging by a panel including architects, filmmakers and chaired by MP David Lammy. The top prize is 1,000; watch the video pitch here.
- Are you a member of the Century Club? Because they need your short films.
- Scottish filmmakers, a great opportunity: apply to Scottish Shorts 2015 to receive support for your project.
Read this…
- An interesting Australian article mooting the possibility of supporting their national cinema by charging less for tickets to see Australian-made films.
- The list of nominees for the British Independent Film Awards.
- London Short Film Festival programmer Philip Ilson blogs on the selection process for their January edition.
- The wonderful FACT blog has been nominated for the UK Blog Awards! Show your support by voting here for Best Arts & Culture blog and here for Most Innovative Blog.
- After watching the superb Citizenfour, read this interview on the Frieze blog with director Laura Poitra’s on the making of the film and what she’ll do next.
- Poor Christian…