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.

View full UK Press Announcement here

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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