BFI To Invest In Audience Development

The BFI has announced the next selection of projects to be supported by its Lottery Transition Fund for Audience Development.
A further 22 projects from across the UK dedicated to delivering a wide range of audience development activities for specialised and British film will receive funding totalling £371,324.80 and take the total number of projects helped to 59.
The Transition Fund for Audience Development was set up swiftly by the BFI in order to support audience development projects facing budget cuts in funding as a result of the changes in the national and regional film funding landscape which have taken place before a new film strategy and funding priorities come into effect from April 2012.
The projects funded, all of which demonstrated that their funding for core activities has been significantly reduced or withdrawn for the financial year 2011-12, represents a diverse range of activities and a wide geographical spread.
The projects announced include the Independent Cinema Office (ICO), the national organisation for the development and support of independent film exhibition in the UK, the Oska Bright International film and digital media festival which features work created by people with learning disabilities, The Birmingham Black Film Festival which promotes the work of local black film makers, and The Byre Theatre in St. Andrews, Fife which shows a diverse range of art house and non-mainstream cinema reflective of the local audience.
Peter Buckingham, Head of Distribution and Exhibition, BFI, said: "We have moved as swiftly as possible to ensure that film organisations are able to survive in this period of transition, and that audiences can continue to benefit from the important work that they do.
"Collectively these organisations contribute hugely to the access and promotion of film in the UK. They are incredibly valuable which is why it has been important for the BFI to help them," he said.
(BMcN)