Hafad 2008

NORTHWEST FILM FANS TO GET EVEN MORE CHOICE

WITH UK cinema-goers becoming more adventurous in their cinema tastes, according to latest box office statistics, the region’s screen agency, Northwest Vision and Media, is to offer audiences an even greater choice.

Vision and Media has pledged over £300,000 in funding to give Northwest film fans even greater choice when they go to the cinema.

According to the UK Film Council, people are now craving foreign language films and specialized movies.

So that’s why Vision and Media’s annual Heritage, Access to Film and Audience Development (HAFAD) programme is now looking for new, diverse organisations to help deliver the sort of films Northwest audiences now demand.

"As a regional screen agency we’re well known for the work we do supporting the Northwest’s production industry, but we also work tirelessly to try and give the region’s audiences more choice,” explains Alice Morrison, Chief Executive of Vision and Media, which works on behalf of the region’s TV, film, radio and digital content industries.

“Every year we plough hundreds of thousands of pounds into projects which give Northwest audiences an even greater choice of what to watch when they decide to go to the cinema.

“Perhaps they might want to watch a film made 100 years ago – which has been preserved through the film archive projects we support.

“Or it might mean we get more children to love cinema, through the film eduation work we fund,” adds Alice.

Vision and Media also fund numerous training schemes for people hoping to work in the film industry. “There are training programmes held throughout the year, specifically designed to help people get a foot in the door,” explains Alice.

“It’s through our HAFAD fund that we’re continuously developing and supporting creativity and skills across the industry, as well as encouraging public participation in film.”

In recent months, HAFAD funding has helped to deliver a host of exceptional films to Northwest audiences, to which people wouldn’t usually have access. The Oscar winner The Last King Of Scotland and Cannes Palme d'or winner, The Wind that Shakes the Barley, were among some of he films shown in the Northwest this year, together with new releases such as Tell No One and Shane Meadows' This is England.

“Our aim has always been to develop wider audiences, increase access and promote the Northwest as a centre of excellence for film, television and digital content that is not only culturally diverse, but educational and inclusive, too,” says Alice.

Last year, over £300,000 in funding was distributed to a range of projects. This year, three core areas of activity are being encouraged: Heritage, Access to Film and Audience Development Projects.

Cinemas that run a year-round, culturally diverse film programme will be eligible to apply for funding of between £5,000 and £110,000, money which will contribute to programmes that include specialised screenings, festivals activity and film education initiatives.

Film Festivals are also offered support through HAFAD, with Vision and Media helping to develop a sustainable and innovative program of unique festival events within the region.

“Through the Audience Development part of HAFAD we help to produce a sustainable and innovative year-round program of events across the region,” explains Alice.

Within the Heritage category of the fund, awards will be made with attention given to finding locations (or a centralised location) in the region for the presentation, storage and exhibition of archived film.

The Access To Film strand of HAFAD aims to help people from previously disadvantaged communities who have not previously had access to filmmaking to create work of the highest quality. Organisations will be eligible for awards of between £5,000 to £20,000, with Vision and Media particularly looking for work that will encourage individuals with distinct, new voices.

· The deadline for 2008/2009 applications is 1pm Monday 3rd December 2007
· Applications are eligible from legally constituted organisations operating within Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside.
· For further information, please email jennyh@visionandmedia.co.uk or click here