Edge Hill University leads the way on future of film in the region

Edge Hill University is leading in debate in the north-west on the controversial recommendations in the Film Policy Review and is setting up a new forum to discuss future issues.

Spearheading this latest initiative is the University's Professor Roger Shannon, who has over 25 years' experience as film festival director, writer and broadcaster.

He initially set up a ‘Round Table' discussion on campus with representatives from the film industry in the north-west and Higher Education specialists to discuss the recently published review.

Commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and produced by an eight-strong independent panel chaired by Lord Chris Smith, the recently published A Future for British Film - it begins with the audience, makes a number of recommendations designed to ensure that film is one of the sectors which plays a full role in driving growth, while also maximising audience access to films of every kind throughout the UK.

It has huge implications for the industry and Edge Hill University is one of eight institutions and film schools enlisted to provide evidence and a response to the report.

A lively discussion was recently held on campus where those affected by the proposed recommendations discussed the proposals from a north-west perspective.

Professor Roger Shannon said: "In the wake of the dismantling of the region's infrastructure, there is a responsibility, and an opportunity, for universities to devise new patterns of engagement with the creative economy. Discussion at the Round Table endorsed this view most positively and augurs well for future initiatives. The discussion focussed on three important themes: Film Culture, Education and Research; Skills Development and New Talent; Film Producing, Financing and Funding. These all hinge at the intersection of education and film production, and allowed every participant access to the discussion."

Concerns raised included how to ensure the film industry and the education sector could work more closely together. Also, as a number of agencies have folded, or will do so shortly in the region, including the North-West Development Agency and the regional screen agency, Vision & Media, there is a real concern that the lack of a north-west infrastructure will deprive the region of a championing film voice.

Eddie Berg, Director of Partnerships at the British Film Institute, was one of the representatives who attended the event on campus. Formerly the founder and Chief Executive of FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology), he was responsible for conceiving and leading the £11m development, which successfully launched in Liverpool in February 2003, forming a crucial part of Liverpool's successful bid to become European Capital of Culture 2008.

He said: "Edge Hill University should be congratulated for bringing together a range of north-west producers, filmmakers, academics and businesses to discuss some of the key recommendations contained in the Government's Film Policy Review. The debate was excellent, both informative and insightful, and highlighted the need to establish and nurture an ongoing dialogue between different elements of the film sector across the north-west and beyond.  It was also a useful way to test some of the BFI's emerging thinking in its own Forward Plan, due to be published in the spring."

As a result of the discussions at Edge Hill University, organisers are looking to set up a regular forum, which would be a new north-west platform for debating future film policy issues.