Screen Scotland has today launched a new £300,000 fund to increase access to film education provision in communities across Scotland.

Open to Scottish based organisations and community groups, from local authorities, colleges and universities to cinemas, film festivals and libraries, community film clubs and societies, the Film Education Partnership Fund offers support of up to £15,000 towards the research and development of pilot projects, and up to £70,000 for the full realisation and presentation of partnership screening programmes.

Core to the fund’s purpose is to encourage increased collaboration between and across providers of film education activities. The fund will specifically support partnerships, collaborative programmes of work that demonstrate a collective approach to the development of film education in Scotland.

Scott Donaldson, Head of Film Education & Interim Director of Screen at Screen Scotland said: “Through this new fund and continuing Film Education activity, Screen Scotland aims to drive the improvement of film and moving image education in every context, increasing the reach, depth and inclusivity of provision, including currently under-served communities across Scotland.

“The launch of the fund today, represents the next phase in our plan to make sure moving image is where it should be, at the heart of the learning agenda, for both formal and informal education and at any age.”

Examples of film education projects supported by Creative Scotland include:

• The Scottish Library and Information Council’s (SLIC) Film Education in Libraries project piloted twelve film clubs in selected public library services throughout Scotland.  Nominated for the Film Society of the Year Awards the project was set up to help improve the provision of film and moving image education across the country, participating libraries also received  new film equipment and training  to programme and present regular community screenings.
• The BFI Film Academy for 16-19 year olds in various locations across Scotland for example at Aberdeen’s Station House Media Unit
• Professional development for teachers in schools, supported by resources such as Scotland On Screen, a partnership with the National Library of Scotland Moving Image Archive.
• Film Education programmes at cinema venues, for example Edinburgh Filmhouse, Glasgow Film Theatre, Dundee Contemporary Arts.
• The FANS Youth Film Festival: The festival has been designed and developed by 12 young people from across Scotland and will showcase the work of young Scottish film makers as well as providing workshops and masterclasses for young people interested in careers and further opportunities in film and television.

Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive at SLIC said: “The film education in libraries project has proved extremely popular, with both library users and staff.

“Libraries are a trusted space at the heart of communities and this project attracted people of all ages to screenings, from young children taking part in their first cinematic experience to older people who enjoyed the social interaction from films clubs.

“Library staff recognised the project as an opportunity to increase their own skills and to engage more people in library-based activities. Our independent evaluation of the project shows that public libraries are an effective place to help more people access film experiences. We hope to be able to roll-out film education to more library services across Scotland.”

The Film Education Partnership Fund is the latest in a series of measures being taken by Screen Scotland in collaboration with industry partners, to strengthen the growth of a sustainable Scottish film and TV sector, through increased funding and support and further investment in skills, festivals, audiences and education.

Notes to Editors

There are two levels of funding to support Film Education activities:

• Pilot Development: Funding up to a maximum of £15,000 for first stage pilot activities, and/or research and development.
• Partnership Programme: Funding up to a maximum of £70,000 per annum for a maximum of two years.

Full guidelines for the fund and application forms can be found at www.screen.scot/filmeducationpartnerships.

About Screen Scotland

Screen Scotland is the dedicated partnership for screen in Scotland. With £20 million from Scottish Government and the National Lottery, Screen Scotland is driving the cultural, social and economic development of all aspects of the sector in Scotland, through enhanced funding, services and support. Screen Scotland sits within Creative Scotland and is a partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council, working in close collaboration with the sector to ensure its success.

Media Contact

Eilidh Walker, Media Relations and PR, Screen Scotland
Tel: 0131 523 0019
Mob: 07545 402 064
Email: Eilidh.Walker@creativescotland.com