Film Hub South West is the driving force behind film culture working with partners across the region. We work towards a thriving and inclusive film sector, enabling more people to show, watch, and make films where they are – thanks to the support of BFI awarding funds from the National Lottery.

Led by internationally renowned cultural cinema Watershed in Bristol, a UNESCO City of Film, Film Hub South West is part of the UK wide BFI Film Audience Network (BFI FAN.)

This is at the heart of the British Film Institute Screen 2033 strategy, which seeks to ensure the greatest choice of film is available for everyone. Alongside this, we are home to BFI NETWORK and BFI Film Academy South West which nurture the region’s new wave of talent.

As the 2023-24-year ends, we reflect on the impact of Film Hub and BFI NETWORK and BFI Academy on audiences, talent, and the film sector over the past 12 months here in the South West. Below are just a few highlights from the full report:

We supported film exhibitors across the region to bring more films to more people in more places through Film Hub South West:

• £166,538 investment in public screenings resulting in 58,230 admissions
• 100% of member organisations surveyed feel more confident in programming a wider range of cultural films and attracting a more divers audience group as a result of our support
• 12 creative practitioners supported through Beyond Boundaries working towards a more representative and inclusive sector
• £147,000 awarded to Swindon’s Create Studios over 3-years to lead Spotlight in Swindon, Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire to nurture partnerships and grow the opportunities for people to access film screenings.

We supported a new wave of filmmakers through BFI NETWORK South West

• £94,953 awarded through  BFI NETWORK south west – 5 short films and 4 Early Development Fund feature projects
• 68 BFI NETWORK events held in the south west with 100% of surveyed participants saying they would recommend our events to others
• 6 out of 8 participants in New Voices applied for the BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund (including one successful project) and 100% of participants surveyed said they gained new skills

We offered opportunities to 1,182 Young People through BFI Film Academy South West activity working with partners across the region

DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT