Filmclub


Filmclub is an education charity which sets up film clubs in schools and other education and care establishments in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. The scheme is free to all state primary and secondary schools in Wales and England.
In 2013, Filmclub merged with First Light to become the film-based charity, Into Film.

Organisation

The organisation was founded in September 2006. Led by Chief Executive Mark Higham, a pilot in 2007 was followed by a UK roll-out in April 2008, The charity merged with partner First Light in 2014 to create Into Film
Filmclub gives children from participating schools access to thousands of films through the purchase of a license. Pupils are encouraged to watch a diverse range of films including classics, black and white movies, documentaries, blockbusters and foreign language titles, and to review the films they watch on the organisation's website. The clubs are generally run by teachers or similar education professionals, but may also be led by older pupils, often from a school's Sixth Form. Filmclub also organises school visits by professionals from within the film industry. In England Filmclub is funded by The BFI Lottery Fund. In Wales, Filmclub is funded via the Film Agency Wales, by the Welsh Assembly. Filmclub is funded in Northern Ireland by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure through Northern Ireland Screen and delivered by CineMagic and the Nerve Centre. Filmclub receives philanthropic support from LOVEFiLM.
Filmclub Patrons are actor Emma Thompson and director Mike Leigh. Filmclub Ambassador for Wales is actor Michael Sheen, Ambassador for Scotland is director Kevin MacDonald and Ambassador for Northern Ireland is film maker Mark Cousins

Founders

There are currently around 7,000 clubs running in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man and Scotland, with approximately 220,000 young people meeting every week to watch films from around the world. Clubs are run by education professionals, parents and sixth formers.
Each week, ten members are awarded "reviewer of the week' status for the film reviews they have submitted to the website.
Filmclub's 'Young Ambassadors' scheme, where members interviewed film talent at press events and premieres has been replaced by a Talent Development program which enables students to learn more about the industry by attending film events and screenings and taking part in other film industry interactions. The scheme, which includes training workshops and work experiences has three strands – Reporters, Reviewers and Programmers.
All members have the opportunity to interact with film industry professionals through Filmclub's "Close Encounters" activity.

Close Encounters

Filmclub's "Close Encounters" scheme brings pupils into contact with professionals from film, and related industries such as film journalism. Directors, actors, producers, screenwriters, casting directors and costume/set designers have participated in events which typically involve question and answer sessions and workshops. Industry professionals visit schools across the UK to take part in these interview sessions. In addition for five days at the end of each month, Filmclub runs a week of daily live streamed webcasts in which all members can participate by posting questions on Twitter, via email or on the phone. The Close Encounters scheme has also arranged for pupils to visit working film sets.

Participating professionals

Close Encounters have taken place with, amongst others:
NameProfessionFilmographyDate
Kevin MacdonaldDirector, Producer & WriterThe Last King of Scotland, State of PlayFebruary 2007
Beeban KidronDirectorBridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Hippie Hippie ShakeFebruary 2007
Thandie NewtonActress', Crash, Run Fatboy RunFebruary 2007
Rosamund PikeActressDie Another Day, Pride & PrejudiceMarch 2007
Ben HoyleArts CorrespondentJune 2008
Mike Stringer and Mike HardwickSpecial FXLord of the Rings: Return of the King, Sweeney ToddJune 2008
Emma ThompsonActressSense and Sensibility, Love Actually, Nanny McPheeJune 2008
Jason IsaacsActorThe Patriot, Harry PotterJune 2008
Sir Alan ParkerDirectorBugsy Malone, Mississippi BurningJune 2008
Gurinder ChadhaDirectorBend It Like Beckham, Bride and PrejudiceJune 2008
Tom SutcliffeJournalist and Film criticNovember 2008
Lord PuttnamFilm ProducerStarlight, Midnight Express, Bugsy MaloneNovember 2008
Laura BaileyModel and ActressThe Mirror Has Two FacesNovember 2008
Alex JenningsActorThe Queen, Bridget Jones: The Edge of ReasonDecember 2008
Robyn SlovoFilm ProducerThe Statement, Catch a Fire, Gimme ShelterDecember 2008
Nigel AndrewsJournalist and film criticDecember 2008
Lesley ManvilleActorSecrets & Lies, Vera DrakeDecember 2008
Mark BurtonScreenwriterChicken Run, Madagascar, 'January 2009
Sim Evan JonesEditorShrek, The Chronicles of NarniaJanuary 2009
Oliver ParkerDirectorThe Importance of Being Earnest, St Trinian’sJanuary 2009
Simon McBurneyActorThe Last King of Scotland, The Golden Compass, Body of LiesFebruary 2009
Gaby DellalActor and DirectorK2, On a Clear DayMarch 2009
Nancy ThompsonCostume DesignerMission Impossible, Sweeney Todd, ValkyrieMarch 2009
Frank Cottrell-BoyceWriterBrookside, Coronation StreetMarch 2009
Priscilla JohnCasting DirectorAbout a Boy, Mamma Mia!, Brideshead RevisitedMarch 2009
Imelda StauntonActorSense and Sensibility, Vera Drake, Nanny McPheeMarch 2009
Eric FellnerProducerThunderbirds, Nanny McPhee, State of PlayApril 2009
Fiona WeirCasting DirectorHarry Potter Film Series, The Golden Compass, The Boat That RockedMay 2009
Nik PowellProducerFever Pitch, Ladies in LavenderJune 2009
Lee HallScreenwriterBilly Elliot, Hippie Hippie ShakeJune 2009
Michael SheenActorThe Damned United, The QueenJune 2009
Nancy ThompsonCostume DesignerEyes Wide Shut, 'July 2009
Dan MaslenStoryboard artist', Green ZoneSeptember 2009
Seanine JoyceOrchestratorOver The Hedge, SeveranceOctober 2009
Matt BochenskiFilm JournalistLittle White LiesNovember 2009
Paweł PawlikowskiDirectorMy Summer of LoveNovember 2009
Jane HorrocksActorLittle Voice, Chicken RunNovember 2009
Alastair KingComposerChicken Run, ShrekNovember 2009
Andrew EatonProducerJude, 24 Hour Party PeopleDecember 2009
Mike LeighDirectorSecrets & Lies, Topsy-TurvyJanuary 2010
Garth JenningsDirectorThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Son of RambowJanuary 2010
Duncan HeathTalent AgentIndependent TalentFebruary 2010
Greta ScacchiActorBrideshead Revisited, Beyond the SeaMarch 2010
Sue QuinnLocation ManagerFour Weddings and a FuneralMarch 2010
Havana MarkingFilm DirectorAfghan StarMay 2010
Alistair KingMusicHarry PotterOctober 2010
Edward HoggActorBunny and the BullOctober 2010
Julie WaltersActorHarry Potter, Becoming JaneFebruary 2011
Alison OwenProducerShaun of the DeadMarch 2011
Colin GoudieEditorMonstersMarch 2011
Carlos SaldanhaDirectorRioMarch 2011
Dougray ScottActorEnigma, Ripley's GameMay 2011
Sophie ThompsonActorFour Weddings and a Funeral, EmmaJune 2011
Emma FreudScript EditorFour Weddings and a Funeral, Notting HillJuly 2011
Zoë WanamakerActorFive Children and It, WildeJuly 2011
Henry WinklerEditorHappy DaysJuly 2011
Morgan SpurlockDirectorSuper Size Me, The Greatest Story Ever SoldOctober 2011
Dexter FletcherActor / DirectorWild Bill,October 2011
Ashley JensenActressArthur ChristmasNovember 2011
Steven SpielbergDirectorWar Horse, JawsJanuary 2012
Daniel RadcliffeActorHarry Potter, The Woman in BlackFebruary 2012
Werner HerzogDirectorGrizzly ManMarch 2012
Joe DanteDirectorGremlins, The HoleMarch 2012
Nick HornbyWriterAbout a BoyApril 2012
Col NeedhamFounder of IMDBMay 2012
Mark CousinsDirectorWhat is this Film Called Love?June 2012
Andy GentAnimatorFrankenweenieOctober 2012

Trustees

Lord Bichard

Throughout his career of over 30 years, Lord Michael Bichard has worked in local and central Government. He was Permanent Secretary of the Department for Employment when it merged with the Department for Education and Skills to form the Department for Education and Employment. He served as Permanent Secretary for the new combined department from 1995-2001 and was then appointed to be Rector of the University of the Arts London. He currently holds the post of Director of Institute for Government and serves as Filmclub Chair.

Baroness Kidron

A co-founder and deputy chair of Filmclub, Beeban Kidron's directorial work has attracted many awards including The Prix Italia, BAFTAs, a Golden Hugo, Critics choice at Crietiel, The Lillian Gish award and RTS awards. Her work includes Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Cinderella, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar, Love at First Sight and Oranges are Not the Only Fruit.

Lindsay Mackie

Lindsay Mackie is a former journalist and is heavily involved in literacy programmes for UK schools. Sh.

Michael Harris

Proprietor of his own management recruitment company for twenty-five years, Harris is now the non-executive director of several media companies. He is also the treasurer at Filmclub, BAFTA and Comic Relief.

Eric Fellner

is co-chairman of Britain's largest independent production company, Working Title Films.

Alan Parker

Alan Parker is founder and chairman of Brunswick Group LLP.

Janice Middleton

Janice Middleton taught in schools in mining communities in Yorkshire before becoming headteacher at Victoria Primary School in Edlington, near Doncaster in 1989. Middleton is leader of her school's film club and is part of Filmclub's Star incentive and reward scheme for outstanding club leaders. She became a Filmclub Board member in June 2010.

Samira Ahmed

has been a news anchor and correspondent on both sides of the Atlantic.

Matthew Slotover

Matthew Slotover is the co-publisher of Frieze magazine and co-director of the London art fair of the same name in Regent's Park. He is chair of the South London Gallery board of trustees and has acted as a judge for the Turner Prize.

Sir Alasdair Macdonald

Sir Alasdair is Headteacher of Morpeth School, and in 2008 received a knighthood for services to both local and national education.

Partners

Filmclub works with the following organisations: