The Film Council announced on Monday that six new regional agencies are gearing up to activate the Regional Investment Fund for England (RIFE) programme launched by the super body in June 2001 in their regions.
As part of the RIFE programme the six new agencies will promote and support their local film industries and film culture by providing resources and a sound business base to allow the growth and expansion of six key areas: production, exhibition, archives, education and training and inward investment through screen commission location services. All six have appointed new chairs to head up their operations.
The chairs are:
Graham Benson has been appointed Chair for SCREEN SOUTH. He is the Chair of Blue Heaven Productions and a pioneer in local broadcasting.
Michael Chaplin has been appointed as Chair for the NORTHERN FILM & MEDIA OFFICE. Chaplin, the screenwriter, also serves on the board of Live Theatre and is chair of the Northern Production Fund.
Graham Creelman, Managing Director of Anglia Television has been appointed Chair for SCREEN EAST. He is also Chair of Living East, the regional cultural consortium for the East of England and Director of East England Arts.
Rod Natkiel has been appointed Chair for SCREEN WEST MIDLANDS. He is currently also the Chair of West Midlands Arts. Jeremy Payne has been appointed as Chair of SOUTH WEST SCREEN, covering the South West. He is also Managing Director of HTV.
Ian Squires, Managing Director of Carlton Broadcasting has been appointed Chair of EMMEDIA (East Midlands Media).
The announcement of chairs for the other regions - Northern, North-West, Yorkshire - will follow along with CEOs who are also being appointed. The expectation is that all the agencies will become fully active by the end of the year. London as a region will be on-stream in 2002. This will put film funding firmly at the centre of the cultural and business development map of each region and will help to give a clear and unified voice from all regional partners.
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As part of the RIFE programme the six new agencies will promote and support their local film industries and film culture by providing resources and a sound business base to allow the growth and expansion of six key areas: production, exhibition, archives, education and training and inward investment through screen commission location services. All six have appointed new chairs to head up their operations.