As the submission deadline for our regional filmmakers night Filmed Up looms closer (30 Apr, don’t forget to send us your film!), our Creative Industries Programme Manager Isabelle Croissant shares local networks and events that might be of interest to filmmakers in our region…
I always try to keep the filmmakers I know up to date with what’s happening in the region. So I thought it might also be useful to share this with the filmmakers I don’t know too! Here’s a little list of regular networks and events happening in our neck of the woods. It is by no means a comprehensive list; there are so many people doing great things that it’s hard to keep up so it would be great to get your recommendations too…
- Now the proud occupiers of a brand new massive HQ at Federation House in Manchester, Filmonik is the Manchester arm of the Kino Movement, a worldwide filmmaking network that champions the drive to make films NOW, regardless of means. It’s a great way to collaborate and is open to all sorts of people with all sorts of skills, no matter what level. They organise regular open screenings and Kabarets (sort of filmmaking bootcamps I suppose…lots of fun, crazy hours, great films made). The next Kabaret promises to be a big one too with 10 days of intensive filmmaking Wed 23 Jul – Sun 3 Aug.
- Bokeh Yeah! is a monthly meet up of DSLR filmmakers happening in Madlab in Manchester. Part workshop, knowledge sharing/demonstrating and screening. The next event will be on Thu 1 May at Madlab.
- Shooters in The Pub is the networking arm of the filmmakers network Shooting People. It’s a local informal filmmakers meet up, taking place (you guessed it!) in pubs, the first Monday of every month (in Manchester, Liverpool and across the UK). Since the (sad) closing of the Black Lion, I think the Manchester group has changed venue so don’t forget to ask them where it is before you go along and join them next month.
- Video Jam is a great example of people having great ideas and just going with them. They collect together short, silent films of any genre and pair them with a musician/sound artist who compose an original score and then organise screenings with live accompaniments. Since they started in January 2012, they’ve done more than 20 events with a lot more coming in the forthcoming months. They’re always open for submissions from filmmakers and musicians alike plus they regularly do specialist calls for entries so definitely worth bookmark them.
- Over on Facebook you can find The Cumbria Film Alliance who aim to encourage collaborations in filmmaking and production in Cumbria and beyond. From professionals to amateurs alike, they welcome anybody who wants to help make films of a professional quality, be they an actor, director, land owner or joiner!
- Fact organise an annual Liverpool Film Night, open to Merseyside filmmakers. One of the most memorable films from Filmed Up, the beautiful (but super disturbing) Adam was screened there last year. I think their call for submission is around Aug/Sep time so check out their website around then, in the meantime you can have a look at last year’s Liverpool Film Night.
- If you like your films short and sharp I challenge you to enter a film into DepicT! Running time limit 90 secs! To reward your effort there’s a cash prizes and support in kind too. Deadline is Mon 7 July so get filming!
- There’s also a lot of specific call for entries happening all the time and it’s all about keeping your ear to the ground (or your Twitter and Facebook feeds up to date). For instance Quays Culture are currently looking for artists films to be screened at the Quays Open Day (deadline Fri 6 June).
And of course there’s our very own Filmed Up, every three months at Cornerhouse! We accept films from all genres and year of production, under 20 mins, made by filmmakers currently residing in the North West. It’s not only dramas, we’re keen to get animations, documentaries, experimental and artist films too so don’t forget to send us your films.
The deadline for our June Filmed Up screening is this Wed 30 April at 18:00. We look forward to watching all the submissions – Good Luck!