Through the work of some of the world’s greatest filmmakers and the work of a generation of new filmmakers, we will break down some of the barriers which prevent and restrict access to the film industry for many people, and limit opportunities to enjoy the art of cinema to its full extent.
What role does the UK Film Council play in the delivery of Film and Video Nation?
Film and Video Nation will be led and managed by the UK Film Council, working closely with national and regional partners across the UK. We will draw together the framework for the programme, representing stakeholders and oversee a UK-wide programme of activity embracing broadcasters, relevant arts and other agencies across the UK.
Individual project strands within Film and Video Nation will be led and managed by delivery partners including some of the network of regional screen agencies.
What stage of development is the project in?
The project has undergone intensive development since earlier this year and has moved into the fundraising and detailed planning stage on the different project strands. We are really excited about the plans, and hope that we can raise enough funds to meet the expectations and aspirations that people have for this element of the Cultural Olympiad.
How would you like to see the film industry develop?
The UK film industry contributed £4.3 billion to UK GDP last year including earnings from exporting films and its goods and services abroad, and it employs around 42,200 people. In addition to offering cultural benefits to audiences, it is a significant business, part of the creative economy and an international industry in which the UK excels. What we want to see is a film industry which offers more opportunities to talented people to create films which UK audiences can enjoy and which have the ability to reach audiences around the world.
We are working with the industry to make our commitment to equality and diversity make a difference in the films that we make, with on-screen portrayal, and in opening the door of opportunity wide for people to work in film. We also want to see an industry that makes films available to as many people as possible, that makes it easier for people with disabilities to enjoy films as well as those in rural areas or areas of social deprivation. And finally, we want people to be able to see a broader range of films, from foreign language films, to animation, to film classics, to documentaries. Film and Video Nation will help us achieve these aims as we work with the film industry.
The Games and the Cultural Olympiad end in 2012 but what do you believe will be the lasting legacy of Film and Video Nation?
Film and Video Nation will leave an incredibly rich legacy for future generations to come - it isn’t about creating something wonderful that then disappears.
Young people with the talent and ambition to go all the way and pursue careers working in film and television will certainly benefit from the programme, but although important, ultimately these will be only a few of those who take part in the programme. Of greater importance are the many young people who will gain other skills and benefits from the experience – including increased cultural understanding and media literacy, ‘softer’ skills such as improved self-esteem or the ability to work in teams, not to mention pure fun and enjoyment.
Film and Video Nation will leave an incredibly rich legacy in terms of the audiovisual content produced between 2008 and 2012 – hundreds of short films, and a significant number of full-length, high quality documentaries and features. This physical legacy will have been generated by people from a wide range of backgrounds, saying ‘this is who we are’ and reflecting a diversity of social and cultural experiences and perspectives.
Furthermore, there will also be a rich resource of additional materials generated during the programme, including scripts, transcripts and recordings of talks and masterclasses, blogs and podcasts of participants, educational and training materials. These will also be archived and made available online for the benefit and interest of future audiences and initiatives.
...So, that's Film and Video Nation! But you can get more information on this and other projects that make up the Cultural Olympiad
