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Guidelines for Membership and Investment Schemes

Welcome to Film Hub NI.

This is your introduction to our investment schemes, criteria, processes and guiding principles.

What is Film Hub NI?

Film Hub NI is part of the British Film Institute Film Audience Network (BFI FAN), a significant new national initiative aimed at growing audiences for film across the UK. Running until March 2017, BFI FAN aims to put film at the centre of cultural life in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, encouraging more people to see a more diverse range of films in more locations nationally.

Film Hub NI is managed and delivered by Queen’s Film Theatre (QFT) in Belfast. QFT is ideally placed to lead the project, as the only dedicated full-time cultural cinema in Northern Ireland. As a key part of Northern Ireland’s arts landscape, QFT screens a diverse year round film programme, curates and presents events, seasons and festivals and is a leading centre for film culture and creativity. QFT champions film in all its rich diversity and is passionate about promoting cinema across Northern Ireland. QFT’s knowledge and years of expertise are central to all Film Hub NI activities.

Over the next four years Film Hub NI will be responsible for a total investment of £800k into Northern Ireland’s film exhibition sector. Film Hub NI will help to develop and deliver a range of activities including, film clubs, pop-up cinemas, programming initiatives, special events and training that will grow audiences for film across Northern Ireland.

In practice this will see Film Hub NI placed at the centre of film culture in Northern Ireland in the following ways:

 As a central point to administer and deliver access to project support and investment, information and resources.

 As an audience development initiative that will identify and grow the appetite for independent and specialised film across Northern Ireland.

 As a strategic platform to build capacity and develop an infrastructure that provides all those who love film with new inspiration and opportunities, creating new, lifelong audiences for film.

 As an advocate for film and cinema in Northern Ireland and further afield. Why Do We Need Film Hub NI? 2

The introduction of BFI FAN represents a significant new opportunity to develop, expand, and enhance film culture across Northern Ireland and to grow a vibrant, engaged and sustainable exhibition sector for a more diverse range of cinema.

Overall, Northern Ireland has a good cinema admission rate (3.3 visits per person per year against a UK average of 2.7), along with a very high number of cinema screens across the region (11.3 per 100,000 of the population compared to a UK average of 6.1).

There is however, a downside to this picture. Multiplexes account for over 80% of cinema screens in Northern Ireland and typically the range of films on offer is predominantly limited to mainstream and Hollywood cinema. There are comparatively few opportunities to access a wider choice of films, indeed there is only one dedicated cinema for non-mainstream film in NI – the two-screen QFT. Compared to other regions in the UK, Northern Ireland is underserved and Film Hub NI will aim to address this shortfall.

There is an important place for all types of cinema in Northern Ireland, especially when taking into account factors including the boom in the local production sector, the success of local films like Good Vibrations, and the fundamental shift in global awareness of Northern Ireland as a prime filming location. Positive news stories have filled newspapers and websites promoting the role of home grown technical and artistic talent. All of this makes Film Hub NI a timely and important addition to Northern Ireland’s film landscape.

As part of BFI FAN, Film Hub NI will develop and oversee a strategic member-focussed programme of investment, training and sector development that will be targeted towards the local film exhibition sector, building infrastructure and ensuring sustainable growth for the future. 3

What Film Hub NI hopes to achieve.

Our vision is that Film Hub NI will assist in developing two vitally important goals.

Firstly, more people will have access to independent and specialised film from the East to the West of the Bann, enjoying the rich depth of expression and understanding of the world that film can bring. This means film clubs showing a greater number of films with a more regular schedule for example, or our established film exhibition organisations being able to develop their audiences.

Secondly, film will be placed firmly in the centre of our culture, creating a richer awareness of the global stories of human lives that film expresses so beautifully. 4

Membership

Who is Eligible to become a Film Hub NI Member? In order to be eligible for participation in any Film Hub NI investment schemes or programmes, those who are interested must first become a full member of Film Hub NI. Membership is open to all and is free, however it is subject to fulfilling certain criteria.

Membership Benefits Membership will provide you with access to investment, training, and sector development initiatives offered by Film Hub NI. It will encourage collaborative programming and audience development projects between members, provide access to UK wide initiatives and offer the opportunity to network and draw upon the experience of other Hub members. There is no cap to the number of Film Hub NI members.

Membership Criteria In order to become a Film Hub NI member you need to fulfil the following criteria: 1) The ability to nominate an individual to act on behalf of your organisation or group. AND 2) Demonstrable track record of exhibiting specialised film or delivering other cultural or community activity in the last five years OR 3) An open, stated commitment to the aims and objectives of Film Hub NI

Membership forms are available to download from the Film Hub website at www.queensfilmtheatre.com/filmhub/membership

Only Film Hub NI members will be eligible to submit proposals for our investment schemes. Membership will be open year round. 5

Investment Schemes

The central pillar of Film Hub NI’s activity plan will be the development of an engaged and committed independent exhibition sector encompassing a wide range of organisations and partners delivering a diverse range of activity. Our members will come from a wide variety of backgrounds including film clubs and societies, arts organisations, community groups, local interest groups, festivals, venues and more. Our investment schemes will operate on two tiers designed to encompass the widest possible range of members and activity, whilst at the same time, providing a clear and manageable structure.

There are two primary tiers of Investment Scheme:

Impact Schemes (Up to £15,000 per award) Impact is aimed at established and formally constituted organisations with a track record of delivery to funder objectives. These will be large scale film exhibition projects designed to have a regional reach and a significant impact on audience awareness, development and growth. These projects could include touring film programmes (regionally and nationally programmed) and festivals, partnerships with venues, cultural collaborations with commercial cinemas, community outreach and education initiatives.

Grassroots Schemes (Up to £7,500 per award) Grassroots will appeal to more informal and voluntary organisations such as film societies, community and interest groups. This scheme is aimed at developing local film activity, resources and infrastructure and will include activities delivered by film clubs and societies, community groups, and local venues (e.g. libraries, arts centres, schools). There will be a particular emphasis on supporting exhibition activity in underserved areas, on increasing consistency and frequency of film activity and on improving the diversity of films shown. The ambition is to operate very much on a grassroots level and to reflect the knowledge and interests of local audiences. Projects will ideally run on a regular basis and a key focus will be on developing and growing local audiences through providing consistent film programming. 6

Call for Proposals

Film Hub NI investment schemes will be open for proposals twice yearly. Timings for Year One and Year Two are as outlined below:

Period Opening Date Closing Date Projects to Covered Commence By Year One To 31 March Monday 20 Monday 3rd 31 March 2014 2014 January 2014 February 2014 Year Two: To 30 Sept 10 March 2014 4th April 2014 30 June 2014 First Call 2014 Year Two: To 31 March 15th September 13th October 30 November Second Call 2015 2014 2014 2014

Criteria for Investment

As part of the Film Audience Network, Film Hub NI will operate within key strategic objectives as outlined in the BFI's 5 year plan, Film Forever. These key objectives are:  Reach - to increase and broaden audiences for specialised and British independent film.  Breadth - to considerably extend film choice for audiences across the UK.  Depth - to enhance opportunities for audiences to engage with and learn about film.

Film Hub NI, in partnership with other key organisations and stakeholders, has set the following regional priorities to assist FAN in delivering the BFI’s key objectives:  Increasing the frequency of opportunities for audiences to engage with specialised and cultural cinema.  Increasing the diversity of films shown across NI.  Increasing the number of venues showing specialised film.  Developing and engaging rural and underserved audiences  Developing and engaging young audiences  Developing and engaging hard to reach and culturally diverse audiences  Increasing the opportunities for audiences to learn about film including screen heritage.  Enriching the audience experience of specialised cinema.  Developing and planning for financially sustainable futures for each project

In order to be eligible for investment, each proposed project must fulfil three or more of these objectives. It is very important that you think carefully about how your project satisfies these objectives and use the application form to demonstrate this to us. 7

In addition we are asking for the following:

Impact

Members submitting proposals for Impact must:  Supply demonstrable evidence of having exhibited specialised films or other cultural activity in the last three years  Be fully constituted or legally incorporated in the United Kingdom.  Show an ability and willingness to leverage other investment for the project  Demonstrate clear financial management and control mechanisms

Grassroots

Members submitting proposals for Grassroots must:  Demonstrate a commitment to showing a consistent programme of specialised film in their chosen area  Agree to become a full or affiliate member of British Federation of Film Societies (www.bffs.org.uk)  Demonstrate an ability to provide planning and budgeting of the project to the required standards.  Demonstrate an ability to report to the Film Hub and meet required reporting standards.

What Are We Looking For?

In a nutshell, we want more people to see a wider range of films in more places across Northern Ireland and we are looking for projects that will deliver on this fundamental goal. To be eligible, proposals will all have communal film screening activity for audiences as their central focus but, within this, project activity could take many forms including:

 Film Society and Film Club screenings  Special interest film screenings e.g documentary, languages etc  Community Cinema initiatives  Pop-up cinemas and site specific screenings  Film programming in arts centres and community venues  Specialised film screenings in commercial cinemas  Enhancement of existing film programme activity in venues

Proposals can be for brand new projects or can propose developing and enhancing existing activity (this latter must be for additional activity i.e not for activity that is already taking place).

Further criteria: 8

 One of our key objectives is to deliver more opportunities for audiences to experience more films so projects that include multiple or regular screenings or that otherwise contribute to the consistency of opportunities across Northern Ireland will be welcome.

 Proposals must also demonstrate good value for money (for example what is the cost of investment per projected audience numbers) and sustainability. Are all opportunities for revenue generation being exploited, and does the subsidy represent a good return on investment?

 We will be seeking a good comparison with other projects, and are looking for proposals that show a good knowledge of costs, and research into how best to maximise investment in terms of outcomes at project end.

 We also want to widen the range of films that audiences can access across Northern so will prioritise proposals that focus on specialised, British/Irish and independent film.

 Proposals that centre on new and recent (within the last five years) mainstream and Hollywood cinema (i.e. films that are or have been widely available in commercial cinemas) will not be eligible for consideration. The Film Hub NI, QFT and the wider Film Audience Network can offer support and advice in best practice for programming.

 We are looking for ideas that will develop new audiences for cinema across Northern Ireland so project submissions that target underserved areas and communities and address gaps in provision will be particularly welcome. We also want to engage audiences from a diverse range of communities so projects that focus on audience groups including rural audiences, young people, and audiences from areas of social need, ethnic minorities and disabled audiences will be especially encouraged.

 Lastly, we are looking for innovation; for exciting ideas that use the full historical, cultural and creative potential of cinema to engage audiences. This could include use of archive and other contextualising material, themed ‘added value’ activity or clever use of location – anything that creates a memorable film event. 9

What We Will Not Consider

The following are not eligible for investment from Film Hub NI:  Projects that do not include screenings of specialised, British or independent film as a core part of activity.  Projects that are not open to general or wider audiences e.g private events/ parties  Production based projects or projects that involve filmmaking, except where it forms a minor element of the overall programme, such as a young people’s engagement activity designed to increase understanding of the films contained in the project  Projects that take place as part of formal education activity or are part of activity related to the core curriculum.  Film festivals, unless the project clearly falls outside the core period of the Festival organisation or otherwise extends festival activity.  Programmes that are focussed around other art forms, such as opera, literature, dance on film, or entire programmes of artists’ moving image, or where film is not the central art form.  Activity which is already fully funded or is being delivered as part of a core cultural programme.  Programmes comprising predominantly student work unless such work is a subsidiary element of a wider, curated programme  Programmes comprising predominantly community project produced work unless such work is part of a wider curated programme.  Programmes showcasing locally made shorts unless the shorts are a subsidiary element of a wider, curated programme, or are predominately programmes of short archive films  The distribution, exhibition or marketing of a single film title  Programmes which have already taken place, i.e. retrospective funding.  Programmes where the partnerships or capacity required to successfully deliver the project are not in place.  Projects that project no income of any kind. 10

Who Are We Looking For?

Impact

Members who might be interested in the Impact Investment Scheme could be:  A Limited liability company registered at Companies House  A Community Interest Company registered at Companies House  A Charity or trust registered with the Charity Commission or who hold a charity reference with the Inland Revenue  A Local authority or statutory body  Colleges or universities

You should have direct experience of film exhibition or delivery of other cultural activity within the UK. This would include cinemas, film festivals or arts organisations with experience of film curation.

You must be able to demonstrate the clear public benefit of the proposed programme and it should not result in private gain through profit distribution.

Grassroots

Investees could be, but are not limited to:  Film societies or clubs  Community cinemas  Constituted community groups  Council run venues

Proposals from groups and clubs new to film exhibition are encouraged however we may ask for formal endorsement from an appropriate partner.

We cannot invest in:

 Individuals or Sole traders  Commercial trading companies, unless in association with an appropriate partner.  Companies that exist to distribute a profit  Statutory authorities or organisations governed by statutory authorities i.e.: ELB schools.  Appeals or charities set up to support statutory bodies  11

What We Can Pay For

Eligible costs can include, but are not limited to, the following:  Research and curatorial fees  Staff (although the apportioned costs of existing staff should not exceed 15% of the amount you are asking us for) IMPACT SCHEME ONLY  Office costs such as stationery and telephone (this should not exceed 10% of the amount you are asking us for)  Marketing, publicity materials, advertising and/or promotion costs  Venue and/or equipment hire  Training and/or consultancy fees e.g. PR  Payments to rights holders, distributors and sales agents  Transportation costs of prints and/or equipment  Volunteer expenses  Hospitality and/or travel for VIPs  Fees for composers or performers of live music accompaniment  Delivery costs including broadband network hire  Recording of events within the project for legacy purposes  Insurances and/or licences  Production of filmed content where it forms part of a wider exhibition project and increases understanding of specialised film e.g. school children making short films in response to a screening within the main programme.

Ineligible costs

Investment must be used solely for the purposes of delivering the event or programme, and cannot be used for:  The general running costs of your organisation or your partners  Capital expenditure except where purchase of small scale equipment is less costly than hiring. The BFI offer a number of funds for capital investment.  Film production, except marketing and publicity for project activities.  Parties, e.g opening or closing nights 12

I. How to Get Involved

Read these guidelines carefully to establish if your project is eligible and which scheme is best for you. If you are in any doubt, please speak to Hugh Odling-Smee, Project Manager who is contactable on Tel: 02890 973054 or Email: [email protected].

We strongly recommend discussing your proposal with Film Hub NI ahead of submission.

 Proposals will not be accepted from non-Members or without a fully completed membership form.  Download a proposal template form from the Investment section of our website, http://www.queensfilmtheatre.com/filmhub/investment  Make sure you fill in all parts of the proposal template and check all the requested supporting materials are included (see checklist below).  Please also ensure that you complete the monitoring form for your organisation as Film Hub NI is required to collect this information to comply with Lottery rules.  Members must submit application form and enclosures by 13th October 2014 by:

o Email to [email protected] o Post to be received by: Project Administrator, Film Hub NI, Room 01.093, Lanyon North, Queen's University Belfast, University Road, Belfast, BT7 1NN

 Receipt of all copies of the application will begin the application process. 13

Supporting Materials

Impact: Impact Scheme proposals should include: A completed Film Hub NI membership form (if not already a member) A completed Proposal Template A completed Monitoring Form A full budget for the planned project A completed KPI summary A Marketing and Publicity plan for the project (including proposed box office details) An Equal Opportunities Policy Proof of legal status (Articles of Association, Constitution etc) The most recent audited End of Year Accounts. Organisations that have not been trading long enough to have End of Year Accounts must submit their last 3 bank statements and nominate an organisation that can receive funding on their behalf.

Grassroots: Grassroots Scheme proposals should include: A completed membership form A completed Proposal Template A Signed Statement of Commitment to Film Hub NI aims and objectives A completed monitoring form for their organisation A full budget for the planned project An outline marketing and publicity plan (including proposed box office details) A constitution or set of rules or mission statement. Evidence of necessary partnerships for delivery for the project being in place. Evidence of previous film exhibition or cultural experience OR. A reference from an endorsing partner, for example a letter of support from a venue manager. 14

Assessment Process

Proposal deadlines will be advertised on the Film Hub NI website.

On receipt of completed proposals, we will follow the following procedure; decisions will be made within 4 weeks.

 Register each application and assign a unique reference number (URN) which applicants need to quote on all correspondence.  Check that proposals are eligible and complete. Incomplete and ineligible applications will be rejected and the applicant will be notified in writing.  A letter confirming receipt will be sent for all eligible and complete proposals.  Proposals will be assessed against the criteria outlined above.  A panel drawn from the Film Hub NI Steering Group will assess the suitability of each proposal, and recommend those which best fit assessment criteria.  Successful proposals will be notified and offer documents sent out.  Once we have received your acceptance and the documents, we will issue you a letter confirming the offer and giving you permission to start the project. You cannot start the project until you receive this confirmation letter.  Complaints and appeals:

Film Hub NI’s decision is final. Inevitably, some proposals will have to be turned down and you may be disappointed by this result. Formal appeals against the final decision will not be considered unless you have good cause to believe that the procedures for processing the applications were not adhered to, or applied in such a way as to prejudice the outcome of the application.

An investment decision will be one of the following:

• Decline • Agree at full amount • Agree at reduced amount • Deferral pending further discussion or receipt of additional information 15

Reporting

Key to the success of Film Hub NI is the collection of data, in order to feed into the nationwide picture of the strengths and weaknesses, success and failures of the specialised cinema network.

There are two areas that Film Hub NI is keen to collect information on:

1) Quantitative data – Who is experiencing specialised film, how often, where and what films

2) Qualitative data – Why are people attending specialised film and when there how do they respond to the experience.

In agreeing to the terms of investment, each successful project is committing to report in full as required to Film Hub NI. You will be expected to supply information including the following:

 The final income and expenditure for the project

 Details of the beneficiary numbers (audiences, participants, etc) against the targets indicated in your original application

 A narrative evaluation of the project – was it successful? Did you meet your targets? etc.

Other reporting may be requested and will be fully outlined in offer documentation.

More information on these guidelines should be sought from:

Hugh Odling-Smee, Interim Project Manager,

Film Hub NI, Room 01.093,

Lanyon North, Queen's University Belfast,

University Road,

Belfast, BT7 1NN.

Tel: 02890 973054

Email: [email protected]