We are passionate about the past, present and future of cultural cinema and believe that the shared experience of cultural cinema can change lives and communities for the better.
We work collaboratively with our members to develop a thriving and inclusive film sector enabling more people to show, watch, and make films where they are.
We support exhibitors to show films across the region
Whether you’re new to film exhibition, or you’re an established film venue or festival, we’re here to help. Membership is free and offers a range of benefits, including access to training, financial support, film programmes/seasons, members only industry newsletters, resources and networking opportunities.
Our members are at the heart of our approach
There are plenty of opportunities for our members to come together to help shape our approach. In addition to quarterly Film Hub meet-ups, members can participate in themed sessions addressing specific regional challenges, join our monthly Members’ Meet-ups, request one-to-ones with members of the Film Hub team and take part in an annual members’ survey. All members are invited to take part in our annual Members Advisory Forum in early September, a collective space for our growing and increasingly diverse membership to inform our strategic plans for the year ahead.
We work collaboratively with partners
We collaborate closely with strategic partners across the region and BFI FAN including Into Film, the Independent Cinema Office, the UK Cinema Association and Cinema For All working collectively towards a thriving and inclusive film sector. Get in touch with the Film Hub team if you are interested in partnering up with us.
We support South West talent to make films
As of 2018, thanks to National Lottery funding, Film Hub South West is also home to BFI NETWORK South West Talent Executives Nadia Attia and Jess Wheeler, as part of the national BFI NETWORK scheme which nurtures and champions the UK’s most exciting and breakthrough filmmaking talent with a package of production funding, training and mentoring. We support writers, directors and producers at the start of their careers with original stories to tell and inspired approaches to their craft. Find out more about how we support filmmaking in the region.
We support programming across the UK
In addition to our work across the region, since 2023, Film Hub South West also leads on Cross FAN Programming in collaboration with and on behalf of the wider BFI Film Audience Network co-ordinated by Producer Ti Singh.
With support from the National Lottery, working closely with BFI and FAN partners, a themed programme takes place each year across the UK. To date, these have included Cinema Unbound: The Creative Worlds of Powell + Pressburger (2023) and Art of Action (2024.)
Producer Ti Singh also oversee Booking Now – a monthly newsletter which keeps all FAN members up to date on films, events, tours and added value opportunities such as talent available for booking.
Film Hub South West is led by internationally renowned cultural cinema Watershed based in Bristol UNESCO City of Film and supported by funds from the National Lottery. We are part of the BFI Film Audience Network (BFI FAN), a unique collaboration of eight Film Hubs managed by leading film organisations across the UK (of which Watershed is one).
You can find out more about the BFI Film Audience Network and the different projects led by regional Film Hubs across the UK to support different strands of activity here. The BFI Film Audience Network is at the heart of the BFI’s latest strategy BFI Screen Culture 2033 which seeks to ensure the greatest choice of film is available for everyone.
Film Hub South West is home to two BFI NETWORK Talent Executives who nurture the South West’s new wave of filmmaking talent. Supporting writers, directors, and producers at the start of their careers who have original stories to tell and inspired approaches to their craft. Discover more about BFI NETWORK South West here.
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