Category: bbc.co.uk

Date: 23.02.2005
Printable version

The BBC, in partnership with the UK Film Council, has launched the Film Network, a pilot website on bbc.co.uk, designed to showcase the best of British independent short film which might not be seen anywhere else, offering a place where film makers can screen and watch each others work.

bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork aims to foster a unique community where people can share tips and advice, watch film 'shorts', and take advantage of the wealth of information available to the film making community on the internet.

During the six month pilot, Film Network will introduce 50 short films from the UK Film Council - funded through the National Lottery by the New Cinema Fund's Digital Shorts Programme - and other prominent film organisations on the site.

Budding film makers will also have the opportunity to submit their own films, providing they meet editorial and technical guidelines of bbc.co.uk.

The site aims to be the portfolio for emerging UK filmmaking talent, profiling film makers and their work, and offering links to sources of information from across the internet (www.shootingpeople.org etc) – from the latest industry news to where you can hire a camera.

As well as showcasing short film, visitors will also have the opportunity to create personal profile pages - whether they're an established director or a novice trying to break into the industry - as well as offer feedback on films and general discussion points that can be shared with the film community.

Gerard O'Malley, BBC Interactive Executive. says: "We're very excited about working with the UK Film Council to provide a public space where people can come together to showcase their work, or simply indulge in their passions and interests with fellow enthusiasts.

"It's a really big step towards developing our Film web site into a very distinctive proposition, offering a unique place to watch independent film.

"It also fulfils the long term commitment made by the BBC to support the development of the UK Film Industry, and we're well placed to offer the experience to a wider audience over the web through bbc.co.uk."

Paul Trijbits, Head of the New Cinema Fund, adds: "Short filmmaking is one of the most important stepping stones for filmmakers and a way of showcasing their talent within the confines of small to non-existent budgets.

"The advent of low-cost digital technology and an increasing public interest in film and cinema has enabled the UK Film Council to discover a wealth of new filmmakers from right across the country.

"Film Network gives UK audiences the unique opportunity to engage with other filmmakers and see films that might not otherwise be seen."

The Film Network builds on the BBC's existing community sites, giving visitors the chance to interact with other people with similar interests.

You can visit the Film Network at bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork.

Notes to Editors

About the UK Film Council

www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk

As the lead agency for film, the UK Film Council aims to stimulate a competitive, successful and vibrant UK film industry and culture, both now and for the future.

For this reason, it uses National Lottery support to develop new filmmakers, fund exciting new British films - such as Touching the Void and Vera Drake - and give audiences the opportunity to see a wider choice of films such as The Motorcycle Diaries and The House of Flying Daggers.

UK Film Council invests more than £2m a year on short filmmaking across the UK in partnership with partner regional national film agencies.

The UK Film Council also helps to promote Britain as a filmmaking location and to raise the profile of British films abroad.