Screen your films as part of Hello Digital 2010

Do you have a film that you would like screened in Birmingham as part of Hello Digital 2010?

We have a space at The Custard Factory Theatre, which seats up to 100 people on 21st and 22nd October from noon – 18:30.

If you would like your film to be considered please email Rebecca on info@producersforum.org.uk with the following information:

Name:
Company:
Email:
Address:
Contact number:

Film Title:
Year:
Duration:
Short synopsis (Max 4 lines):
Other festivals the film has screened at:
Awards the film has won:

All films must be of broadcast quality and available on DVD format.

Deadline to register interest – Monday 4th October 5pm. We will contact those who are through to the next round by 8th October. Successful films will need to be available on DVD by 8th October.

www.producersforum.org.uk : 0121 265 7145 : @producersforum

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Film Forum WM awarded funding by Screen WM

Film Forum WM have been awarded funding by Screen WM.

This is obviously great news for all the grassroots filmmakers who attend our regular meet-ups. The prospect of making FFWM something of value and importance is more palpable than ever, so from now on we’re going to take FFWM up a notch, considerably.

We thought it essential to inform you all on our proposed ideas. Below is a mere list of those ideas we have in the pipeline for improving FFWM, but by no means is this an accurate reflection of how exhaustive the ideas actually are (but of course, in a good way):

  • Most importantly, we aim to improve our bi-monthly meet-ups, but still ensure we maintain the casual, informal charm of the evening.
  • Bring the ‘industry’ *shudder, horrible term* to FFWM’s avid film community. Guest speakers may include potential employers, collaborators, producers, filmmakers who have made an impact…
  • Maintain regular updates on FFWM website with all the latest news and events for our film community.



As stated, these are but a few ideas we’re working on, so it would be appreciated if you kept your eyes peeled over the coming months.

We honestly look forward to seeing you all at our next meet-up on Tuesday (24th Aug). Any ideas of your own is obviously encouraged and welcomed.

Thank you.

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Call For Film Submissions!

ArtsFest 2010 (10 – 12 September 2010)

ArtsFest is open for film submissions. ArtsFest is the UK’s largest free arts festival and takes place in the heart of the country, Birmingham.

Last year ArtsFest featured over 80 different shorts (and a few feature films) ranging from music videos to animated comedies to live action dramas.  The films were shown in one of Birmingham’s premier venues located in the centre of the city, The Crescent Theatre.  This is to be the venue again for the film strand in September 2010.

Films should be submitted on a playable DVD and sent to:

ArtsFest, Sam Groves, 129 Northfield Rd, Kings Norton, Birmingham, B30 1EA

Eligibility Guidelines

The film needs to have some connection to the West Midlands; this can come from a variety of avenues. For example, the filmmakers/actors etc may come from the region or have family that are/were based in the region. The filmmakers/actors etc may have studied in the region. The film may have been shot within the West Midlands. The film may have been shown in the West Midlands over the last 12 months. If you are unsure as to the strength of your connection to the West Midlands, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Sam Groves (contact details below).

The film can be of any length and of any genre.

Deadline:

Saturday 17th July 2010

For more information contact:

Sam Groves, ArtsFest Film Strand Co-Ordinator

Sam.groves@hotmail.co.uk

07779 255 779

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134364893257446&v=info&ref=ts

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Micro Budget, Massive Sucess

MICRO BUDGET, MASSIVE SUCCESS – Professionally Handling Constraints Of Microbudget Filmmaking To Achieve Maximum Success

DATE: Monday 28th June 2010

TIME: 09:30-17:00

LOCATION: Light House, Wolverhampton, WV1 1HT

INFO: A few break through films are resurrecting the microbudget spectrum of the market. With filmmakers facing tougher times and the inability to compete with studio films at the box office, how does a small film find its way to an audience via sales agents and distributors.

The Producers’ Forum in association with The Light House Media Centre & Women in Film and TV presents a panel event with highly regarded indie filmmakers Elaine Wickham and Jan Dunn. With their company Maeve Films, they are now veterans of 3 theatrically released, award-winning feature films which they refer to as their Microbudget Trilogy. They created this term in the hope that they can finally draw a line under their self enforced restraints having proved themselves in a volatile and closed-door industry. They will discuss how best to make films that could put you on the national, if not international, map and allow at least a dip of a toe into the water of the British Film Industry. They will conclude the discussion with a case by case study of each of their films.

SCHEDULE:
09:30 Arrival and coffee
09:45 THE CALLING screening
11:35 Break
11:50 Q&A with Jan Dunn and Elaine Wickham
13:00 Lunch Break
13:45 Afternoon Case Studies and workshop
16:15 Break
16:30 HD Presentation by The Light House
17:00 Close

COST:
Full member: both sessions £0
Associate member/WFTV Member/Light House: morning session £0
Associate member/WFTV Member/Light House: both sessions £25
Non-member: morning session only £50
Non-member: afternoon session only £50
Non-member: both sessions £80
(Prices exclude VAT)

REGISTRATION:
Spaces on this event are limited. To reserve a place please email Rebecca on info@producersforum.org.uk or call 0121 265 7145

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Seeking Film & Cinema Experts


Paid Opportunity: £15 – £20 per hour

mac, Britain’s liveliest arts centre re-opened its doors in May 2010 following a £15m makeover. We have welcomed people back into our much loved, newly refurbished cinema, showing major releases and the best in independent film programming.

As part of our creative learning programme we are looking to recruit experienced Artist Tutors for a number of subject areas, including Cinema Studies, to teach Film Theory and are seeking a leader for mac’s Film Club.

Applicants should have a minimum of two years experience in delivering creative participatory activities to the public in either arts, community or educational settings and be able to provide a stimulating learning experience that enables participants to achieve their creative potential.  Deadline for applications is 28th May.

For full details and how to apply please visit the job opportunities page of our website: www.macarts.co.uk


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Film Forum WM April Meet Up

Hello fellow filmmakers!

Film Forum’s next meet up will be on Thursday 29th April @ The Victoria Pub from 7pm.

The idea of these meet ups is to give filmmakers a networking platform from which they can meet people involved in different aspects of filmmaking from directors to actors to editors in order to source equipment, make contacts and flourish.

The entire evening is very INFORMAL so therefore it is really up to you if you approach it as a casual drink or an opportunity to network and get projects off the ground.

Address: The Victoria Pub, 48 John Bright St, Birmingham, B1 1BN

Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=117517881598352

We have tables reserved in the backroom near the bar.

See you there.

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Filming & performance opportunity in Shanghai

National Youth Theatre and IdeasTap are offering 10 young filmmakers/performers the chance to become part of a film and performance group who will stage a ground breaking production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream to be performed in London and Shanghai, in the summer of 2010.

The challenge is to create a site-specific production for multi-lingual audiences while retaining some of Shakespeare’s original text. The productions need to be interactive and to work together, so we’re looking for 10 people aged between 16-25 who are comfortable and skilled in front of the camera as well as behind it.

To apply for ‘Living the Dream’ or for more information about the project, please visit www.ideastap.com.

Applications close on Monday 5th April 2010.



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Volunteering For Flatpack Festival

Fancy helping out at Flatpack? This year’s festival runs from 23-28 March in venues all over Birmingham, and the whole thing wouldn’t be possible without hordes of dedicated volunteers. (See a nice writeup from one of last year’s team here.) Responsibilities will include front-of-house, venue installation, technical support, marketing and bar work, and all volunteers will have the opportunity to make good use of their festival passes.

If you’d like to get involved, please drop us a line at info@7inch.org.uk with your contact details before 22nd February.

Also keep in mind that our briefing meetup will be on Weds 3rd March, from 6:30pm.

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28 Days Later Feature Film Challenge

REGISTRATION: 21ST JAN (Website)

DATE OF EVENT: Feb 1st 2010 (UK) ONLINE – 28TH Feb 2010

DETAILS: Teams will pick a random theme & title which they must turn into a 70min B movie in 28 days!!

VENUE: ICA

FORMAT: You can return your film on DVD format,
please email for more details on ratio for screening & Sound.

ENTRY FEE: £30 per team (Entry Funds for Venue Hire)
For more info on format or questions please email: oddballtv@yahoo.com

WEBSITE: http://www.oddballchallenge.com

Further details on their Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=211607357663

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Screenwriting Competition!

This is an exciting opportunity for emerging screenwriters in the West Midlands to see their screenplays produced.

Muckyduckmedia is a fledgling independent television company based in Birmingham and is made up of five very enthusiastic and hard working third year media students from Birmingham City University. Meeting through our degree and building a strong working relationship we are now working on our final project. We have decided to produce a short film of around 10 – 15 minutes long and need a script writer to work with to produce an original and unique piece.

We want to collaborate with a West Midlands based script writer with the aim of working together to create a drama that will encapsulate modern society and the essence of Birmingham through locations, themes and characters. Birmingham is a great place and brilliant location and we’re looking for a story that will really capture and celebrate this city, of which is largely under represented in the television industry.

In terms of the actual story and style that’s up to you! What we’re looking for is simply a great story with detailed and interesting characters that we can really develop and bring to life on screen. We would love the chance to explore the parts of Birmingham that aren’t often seen which could be inspiration for your work, for example the canals, high rises, railways, industrial areas and beautiful architecture.

We want a story that can really explore human kind in way that either reveals a part of society not yet explored or tells us more about relationships and people that the audience can relate to. These are just guidelines however and we’re very open to any ideas you may have and relish a challenge so feel free to be experimental with you’re ideas and themes if you wish.

This project will not only provide a chance to see your idea realised but also has at least two screening events in Birmingham. We are working with a new PR company in Birmingham who are relaunching an online hub for people either trying to break into the media industry or who want to actively produce their own work by working with others in collaborations.

This short film will be screened at the event as an example of the kind of work that could be produced through this on line hub. The film will also be screened at our end of year show. Both these events will have professionals in the region attending, providing a great opportunity to network and a chance to discuss your work.

Your ideas don’t have to be fully conceived as yet; we’re looking for a strong voice and an interesting concept to develop further. We very much look forward to hearing your ideas!

To enter: Please send the following to Script, 107 The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA, or catherine.edwards@scriptonline.net*:

  • an outline of your idea (no longer than 1 side of A4)
  • up to five pages from the screenplay
  • cover sheet with your name, address, telephone number, email address, date of birth
  • writers’ CV

The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Friday 29th January 2010

Up to 6 writers will be invited to a Writer’s Lab to be held on Saturday 6th February to workshop ideas and to make the final selection.

*If using Microsoft Vista, please ensure that you convert the documents to Office 97-2003 prior to emailing your entry.



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