12/04/2007

The new round of Film London’s Audience Development Fund opened yesterday, guaranteeing Londoners a greater range of films at a wider range of venues.

Now in its fourth year, the London film and media agency’s Audience Development Fund, which supports the UK capital’s film festivals and education projects, is being divided into two separate schemes to provide both greater stability for established projects and encourage one-off and experimental cinema activity.

One scheme will offer up to two years funding to a maximum of £10,000 annually to organisations with a track record in film exhibition or education work with the ability to deliver high quality projects that target new audiences. The other will offer up to £3,000 to support small projects and those that offer additional elements to larger film exhibition or education activities.

“Film festivals and local education activity play a vital role in providing Londoners the opportunity to see films from around the world and to celebrate and better understand the capital’s many different communities. This new focused round of funding will enable existing cinema projects to expand and develop, as well as encouraging innovative and creative ways for audiences to discover cinema”, said Adrian Wootton, CEO of Film London.

In 2006 the Audience Development Fund supported 25 projects across 13 boroughs and one pan-London initiative.

The deadline for applications to both funds is April 30. There will be a second round of applications for awards up to £3,000 later in the year.