Archive & Exhibition
Screen WM aims to ensure that the West Midlands' rich moving image heritage is safeguarded for future generations, and made accessible to the public in ways that are stimulating, entertaining and sustainable. Archives not only provide opportunities for people to enjoy films again, they are also an important repository of our history and culture. Through Archives we can learn about how people lived, worked, dressed, spoke and behaved and gain a better understanding of our social, industrial and cultural heritage.
MI21 a Kala Phool project. Photo credit: Jonathon Murray 2008
Engaging with the past
Over the past 2 years SWM have made a diverse range of socially, educationally and culturally valuable heritage content available to a brand new audience by investing 276k into innovative digital archive projects. Whilst this fund has been fully committed we continue to work in close consultation with our many delivery partners who are rolling out annual programmes of public events until March 2011. For details of forthcoming screenings please visit our Events Calendar.
Screen WM is committed to the aims of the UK Screen Heritage Strategy and supports MACE, the Media Archive for Central England to preserve significant regional collections and in turn maximize public access of this fascinating record of our lives.
In addition the agency also continues to broker effective strategic partnerships with national organisations such as the British Film Institute, MLA, HLF and regional partners including our Local Authorities. We are also working with the private sector to ensure that Media and Film are embedded into the delivery of corporate social responsibility strategies.
Developing audiences for the future
Screen WM is committed to building and broadening the public engagement with all forms of the moving image. We support regional cinemas, touring projects and festivals to ensure that a diverse range of innovative, challenging and entertaining media and film content is made accessible to the widest audience possible.
The agency continues to provide targeted invest support into a number of regional thematic Film Festivals many of whom have a national or international profile reputation for delivering high quality audience development and industry events. Screen WM also work directly with BAFTA to deliver high profile public Q&A screening events which give local communities access to successful Directors, Actors and other industry professionals who can provide a valuable insight into how film and media content is made and what it’s like to work in the business.
In addition Screen WM continues to broker effective strategic partnerships with national organisations such as Cinema Exhibitors Association who are developing access to new finance for the exhibition sector and the Independent Cinema Office who offering programming services and skills training opportunities.
Cultural Sector Business Support and Networking Opportunities
The agency takes a strategic lead to ensure that the West Midlands cultural sector is provided with the best support to encourage entrepreneurship and sustainable growth. We continue to offer:
• Free open membership to a SWM led quarterly meeting Archive and Exhibition Forums which includes regular access to public and private sector speakers, networking opportunities plus a dedicated space to discuss ideas about potential new markets/finance.
• Free membership to our hugely successful social networking site REd REx which provides online access to investment opportunities; business advice, latest policy news and information share for over 300 film and media practitioners.
• Access to industry focussed events which support the development of the Cultural Sector ‘up the digital curve’ and offer up to date Business Advice.
More details on archive and exhibition projects supported by Screen WM can be found on our Case Studies page. For all general enquiries including information about forums and REd REx please contact Anthony Hughes
Who do I contact?
Initial enquiries should be directed to Anthony Hughes, Education, Archive & Audience Development Officer
You can email or call me on +44(0) 121 265 7120