BFI FAN Covid-19 Resilience Fund Awards for the South West
The BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) has allocated emergency funding to independent exhibitors across the UK through the BFI FAN COVID-19 Resilience Fund. £1.3m National Lottery funding, plus a £150,000 contribution from the Mayor of London’s Culture at Risk Business Support Fund, has been made available to provide grants to those in critical financial need as they continue to face months of closure and uncertainty.
Redirecting National Lottery and Mayor of London funding to make emergency grants to our independent exhibitors has proved to be a lifeline, enabling our fantastic venues, cinemas and festivals across the UK to remain in business in the immediate term. However, it is clear that these vital and unique organisations, which are crucial to the rich cultural fabric of their local communities, are still in crisis. When allowed to reopen, safely implementing social distancing guidance will not only be logistically impossible for some, but many are also unlikely to cover their costs when operating at reduced capacity. Losing these exhibitors would be a huge cultural loss for UK audiences, so I am pleased FAN has been able to help them keep the lights on while we all face the oncoming challenges. - Ben Luxford, Head of UK Audiences, BFI
Film Hub South West worked with the BFI to administer the BFI FAN COVID-19 Resilience Fund to support exhibitors and film festivals in the South West which have faced unprecedented challenges, with many at risk of making staff redundant and permanent closure.
Being granted this emergency funding not only provides our beloved company with the vital support it needs in order to continue operating - it goes beyond the company, and offers those behind it a moment to sigh relief and enjoy a greater peace of mind - which in these uncertain times, is invaluable. Compass Presents
In the South West we received 26 applications for support with a total ask of over £360,000 for an available pot of £183,000. We had to make some very challenging decisions in the knowledge that some organisations in need of support would be disappointed. We regret that we were not able to make full awards to all organisations in need. We are delighted however to offer support to 22 exhibition organisations in the South West.
The BFI Resilience Fund is a game changer for The Roses at an incredibly difficult time. As well as ensuring our survival through the next few months, it will give us the staff capacity to innovate our film programme to better serve our communities while the doors are closed, allowing us to reach new audiences and start new conversations around independent film. The Roses Theatre
Congratulations to all the South West BFI FAN COVID-19 Resilience Fund Awardees:
AFRIKA EYE – £3,554
BARN CINEMA – £10,000
COMPASS PRESENTS – £5,027
CORNWALL FILM FESTIVAL – £5,700
CREATIVE KERNOW – C FYLM – £7,000
CURZON CLEVEDON – £10,000
EXETER PHOENIX – £15,000
FILM BATH – £8,000
LIGHTHOUSE POOLE – £5,000
MERLIN CINEMAS – £5,000
PLYMOUTH ARTS CINEMA – £15,000
PORTSMOUTH FILM SOCIETY – £1,500
SLAPSTICK – £8,000
SOUTH WEST SILENTS – £700
STRODE THEATRE – £10,000
THE CUBE CINEMA – £4,000
THE POLY – £14,000
THE POUND – £9,000
THE REX CINEMA & PURBECK FILM FESTIVAL – £23,000
THE ROSES THEATRE – £13,840
THE WATERMARK – £5,000
WESTLANDS – £5,000
Plymouth Arts Cinema is delighted to have been successful in achieving support from the BFI Covid-19 Resilience Fund. Even with this lifeline the future is going to be uncertain for so many of us in the independent sector but every single bit of support and funding from BFI during this time is vital in helping us secure a future. There is certainly hard work ahead but this funding means we have a better chance of weathering the months ahead and helping us safely get back on the big screen as soon as we possibly can. Plymouth Arts Cinema
With this support, The Pound can look forward to once more being an extraordinary place to see film with a programme of unequalled dimension, a village, a community, a place to feel – however fancifully – that our audience belong, among all the madness. Here’s to kick ass films coming to Corsham someday soon in the future! Martin Campbell, Pound Arts
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Watershed is the Lead Film Hub Organisation for Film Hub South West, part of the BFI Film Audience Network.
Watershed is a Registered Charity No. 284188 and a Social Enterprise
Watershed, 1 Canons Road, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5TX
Film Hub South West &
BFI NETWORK South West
are part of the BFI Film Audience Network, supported by The National Lottery.
