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Birmingham Film Festival – a hub of media activity
Birmingham is well and truly on the media map
The growth in the media sector outside the South East was in clear evidence last week at the Birmingham Film Festival. The festival ran from 4th November to the Gala Awards Dinner on 12th November. Over 2500 attended the festival and around 360 films and shorts were screened.
On Friday 11th the festival included a convention featuring Q & A Sessions and interactive talks around Making Movies in the Midlands; Growing a Media Business; and Film Finance (which Sam Ampah and I presented).
Guest speakers included Stuart Thomas-Head of Midlands, BBC England; Natasha Wilson-Talent Executive, BFI Network Film Hub Midlands; Sophie Ivanova-Producer Head of Birmingham Film Market; and Chris Filip-International Business Development Manager, BFI UK Global Screen Fund.
A common theme throughout was the rise of Birmingham as a hub in the Film and Television Sector. Stuart Thomas discussed the desire to create more apprenticeships to enable the region to handle the increasing demand for crews. He went onto say that the BBC had an appetite to `turbo charge ` Media in the area following in from the enormous success of Peaky Blinders. This superbly crafted series raised Birmingham’s profile nationally. Building on from this it is understood that `Master Chef` will be based in Birmingham, along with its ancillary shows
Natasha Wilson of the BFI commented on the overall desire of the BFI to focus on making funds available to regions outside London and the South East.
Sophie Ivanova spoke about the enormous success of the Birmingham Film and TV Market in only two years, which again is helping to put Birmingham firmly on the map for UK Production and summed up her desire to `focus on vision` a great turn of phrase may I say
Alliotts were present at the 2022 Birmingham Film and TV Market and the Birmingham Film Festival. Presenting at both events we’ve had some great conversations with talented, ambitious people.
Birmingham is well and truly on the media map and is focusing on its vision!