Film London Grants To Promote Culture

A UK-based film agency have announced that they will supply funding to numerous projects in a bid portray under-represented audiences in cinema at a time when the UK is calling for a more 'authentic' portrait of its population.
Film London has awarded £43,000 to two schemes, the Cultural Film Exhibition Fund (CFEF) and The Community Pilot Fund (CPF), seeing eight projects receiving a boost.
The funds focus on under-represented audiences with the aim to offer non-mainstream cultural film experiences across the capital.
This news follows a recent study into film that revealed the majority of the UK population believes more needs to be done to create an authentic portrayal of the country's diverse audiences that includes older women and minority ethnic groups.
The independent study undertaken by global research agency, Harris Interactive, on behalf of the UK Film Council – who funded the Oscar -winning film, The King's Speech - surveyed 4,315 people to uncover their views and opinions about the portrayal of diverse groups in film.
The research incorporated specific groups including older women, minority ethnic groups, lesbian/gay/bisexual audiences (LGB), and C2D social classes, and focuses on those who are into film.
According to a report a number of stereotypes are still being perpetuated in film. This in mind these two new funds have been used to help those who want to create a better portrayal of diverse groups within the UK.
Amongst those receiving funding from CFEF are City Screen, The London Indian Film Festival, The Palestine Film Festival 2012 and the London International Animation Festival.
Meanwhile the CPF has awarded fixed grants of £3,000 to develop new grassroots film exhibition, education and archive activity.
A new fund this year, it has a streamlined application and selection process targeting innovative and community-based initiatives. The projects selected for funding are designed to shed light onto less explored genres, stimulate debate, foster cross-generational connections and bring film and the cinema experience closer to new and under-represented audiences.
Little Joe, a biannual publication specialising in alternative and cult film has received funding and will present a season of screenings charting the history of queer cinema and TV with special events in Dalston and Kennington.
Also through funding the Council of Asian People in Haringey will be presenting the Screen Film Society, Wood Green to programme screenings and discussions of films from the South of Asia, aimed at intergenerational audiences.
Meanwhile the The Bread and Roses Centennial Film Festival by studioSTRIKE, a programme of films in multicultural Lambeth to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1912 textile workers strike, have secured funding also.
Finally CPF also helped The Lexi Cinema, a social enterprise in Brent, to bring ‘The Lexi experience’ to regulars at the Misty Moon pub, with special screenings and talks to encourage punters to visit their local cinema.
Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London said: "Our funds for audience development initiatives are a key part of what Film London does and now more than ever, they provide vital streams of income to sustain and nurture film exhibition activity in our city.
"We were thrilled with the response and the level of imagination, know-how and community spirit demonstrated in the applications to the funds, and are delighted to see eight very worthy and representative projects receiving support this year."
(LB)