We're excited to announce that our Film Exhibition Fund 2024 is now open and available for Film Hub Members to send in proposals. - Closed on 30 August
We want to create opportunities for audiences across the Midlands to engage with the widest range of film, in as many places as possible.
We would love to see fresh new ideas, in areas with little to no film exhibition activity and encourage new members to apply.
The Film Exhibition Fund and Pitch Pots aim to champion the independent film exhibition sector and support the development of cultural organisations across the Midlands. If you have any questions about the fund, the priorities, the submission process or would like to discuss your proposal, please get in touch. If you have not accessed funding from FHM in the past, we strongly recommend contacting us in advance of submitting your proposal.
As part of Film Audience Network, Film Hub Midlands has been awarded funding from the BFI National Lottery. This funding will be used to share with exhibitors with the intention to reach a broad range of audiences with opportunities to experience independent UK and international film titles and to deliver against the set priorities within the BFI's Screen Culture 2033 strategy.
Not yet a Film Hub Member? Click here to find out how to join the Hub and eligibility criteria.
Key information at a glance:
Total amount available: £40,000
Open for proposals: Monday 22nd July 2024
Deadline for proposals: Friday 30th August 2024
Financial support confirmed from: September 2024
Activity window: From October 2024 – 31st March 2025
- The Film Hub team is available for one-to-one general support and advice with your proposal form please get in touch at hello@filmhubmidlands.org to book a meeting with a member of the team.
How much can I ask for?
Take a look through the guidelines and budget templates provided below before filling out the individual proposal forms and look back at previous examples of film exhibition we have funded for inspiration.
Film Exhibition Fund Links
Previously funded by our Film Exhibition Fund
Pocket Film Festival
Pocket Film Festival based in Staffordshire is a great example of an organisation which runs in an area with little film activity and allows for audiences to explore new cinema experiences, shines a light on local venues and gives everyone a chance to enjoy and take part in a rich programme of film culture.
In 2023 Pocket Film Festival benefitted from working with new and returning venue partners, including Candid Beer, Holy Trinity Church, Eccleshall and Newcastle Museum & Art Gallery. These partnerships provided new opportunities for audiences to engage in film experiences across the festival week. Especially the returning partnership with Candid Beer which helped Pocket Film Festival to to develop new family and young audiences.
Pocket Film Festival returns for 2024 for an extended ten days of the film festival 20th – 29th September 2024
Birmingham Indian Film Festival champions independent films from across the South Asia Diaspora, as well as British Asian films, which include diverse narratives, casts and places. Sharing UK premiere feature films, documentaries and short films with accompanying talent Q&As, talks and panel discussions in cinemas and community spaces. The festival has a long standing history of providing strong accessibility initiatives for all and this year is looking to expand on this through their partnerships within the Birmingham community.
Last year The Courtyard was awarded the Film Exhibition Fund to grow a programme dedicated to young audiences and children, by employing Young Programmers to assist with research, development, and programming.
This year The Courtyard aims to help its Young Programmers to host four seasons, with 4-8 film titles per season. Alongside their ambition to develop its Young Programmers season The Courtyard programmers aspire to establish the 'Hereford Film Club,' envisioned as an open club catering to film enthusiasts within the community.
Read The Courtyard’s recent Young Programmers article sharing their progress six months in;; https://www.courtyard.org.uk/young-film-programmers-update-6-months-in/
Find out more about previous projects supported through the Film Exhibition Fund
Looking to start in Film Exhibition? Try a Pitch Pot
Our Pitch Pots are the perfect start to dip your toe into film exhibition, to try something new and take a risk. Whether you are new to film exhibition and want to put on your first screening or an established cinema or community screen that wants to trial a new type of programming, we want to help audiences in the Midlands engage with the widest range of film and broader screen experiences in as many places as possible.
The Pitch Pots are rolling until the funds are exhausted.