Where to start?One of the best areas of general support comes from the fantastic Film Hub Midlands who are a driving force behind film culture in the Midlands. Covering the entire region they can help provide funding and training and have a variety of inclusive programmes for all. They also work closely with the BFI network who support, develop and champion new filmmakers looking to kick-start their career.

In addition you can find extra support and a list of useful networks and film links at the excellent Create Central - an org dedicated to supporting and promoting film and TV in the area.

How can a young filmmaker get support?

We recommend the Pauline Quirke Academy (PQA) which has performing arts schools around the region and offers opportunities for young people aged 4-18 years in musical theatre, comedy & drama and filmmaking. In the West Midlands specifically is the Birmingham Young Filmmakers Network (BYFN) who focus on building a community to work collaboratively in film (16-21 year olds).  Screen Northants in Northamptonshire helps create new educational pathways and curriculum enrichment schemes, which develop the next generation of film industry professionals.

And Into Film Midlands puts film at the heart of children & young people’s learning. Supported by the BFI it gives every child and young person aged 5 to 19 in the UK the chance to experience film creatively.

How can I network with others in the film industry?

A major focal point for networking in the area is at NEXUS East Midlands . Taking place every third Thursday at Antenna in Nottingham their events are supported by The Actors Workshop Nottingham. As well as their meet-up, they have an online presence that allows professional and aspiring filmmakers to socialise and connect in a friendly and creative environment.

The Outward Film Network connects low budget filmmakers across the UK and helps promote zero budget filmmaking and filmmakers across the region.

Another part of Film Hub Midlands work is their Network Film Hub Midlands which supports filmmakers as part of BFI Network, Broadway Cinema in Nottingham and Flatpack.

What other film groups can I be involved in?

Script Sirens is a new powerful collective of female and non-binary screen and script writers situated in the West Midlands and Journey Film Club Birmingham is a local non-profit LGBT community pop-up cinema film club that prides itself on delivering the very best in different varied themed films.

“ Back In ” is a flagship programme investing in Birmingham’s future BAME filmmakers. Reaching creative talent from across the city region’s diverse communities and vibrant neighbourhoods it supports them through 6 months training with industry experts. This programme is powered by Punch Records and managed by Daniel Alexander .

Reaching further afield the Lincoln Film Society organises a programme of the best of contemporary world cinema. Their patron is the award-winning actor Jim Broadbent and they are a voluntarily run, not-for-profit organisation and a member of the British Federation of Film Societies (BFFS), and The British Film Institute.

How can I get my film featured and reviewed in media outlets?

We’ll do it of course! But also, from our experience we have developed two quick-start guides about writing and creating engaging press releases and also how to apply and position your marketing for film festivals and more. (Download the documents below).

For aspiring writers and more info on the region, Birmingham-based Film Stories is an online platform run by Simon Brew which has expanded to include a monthly film magazine (Film Stories, launched November 2018), live reader events, and most recently, Film Stories Junior magazine (launched July 2019).

Where can I screen or premiere my movie in the region?

As well the Midlands film festivals link listed above, check our list of independent cinemas in the Midlands at this link (scroll to the bottom of the page). We heartily recommend you help support them through this tough period and we hope filmmakers can soon get in touch with these awesome venues for their post-lockdown premieres.

How do I get permission to film in a location in the Midlands?

There are a whole host of useful documents and downloadable templates at Film Sourcing. Here you can get a location release form template to adapt to your needs as well as music release forms, location scouting documents and call sheet templates. And if you’re based in the area, Film Birmingham is Birmingham Council’s Film & TV office who are committed to making filming as easy as possible. They work closely with productions to help find locations and crew across the West Midlands.

What's new in the region?

Some new organisations have popped up in the last few years which will help filmmakers of all experience levels including Film Leicester (city & county support and info), Five Lamps Films (bi-monthly short film screenings in Derby), Birmingham Film & TV Market (West Midlands networking and development events), Stoke Film (community org), Short Stack (bi-monthly event in Nottingham) and Loft Movie Theatre (cult/classic movie nights).

And of course, please continue to check out and search our website. Contact us for the latest news, reviews and updates about the Midlands film community. Share, like, follow on social media and add our new site to your favourites and we can help provide continuous updates regarding the amazing and diverse film community in the region.

Michael Sales

www.midlandsmovies.com

Email at midlandsmovies@yahoo.com

Please help spread the word of our new website and resources by checking out our new What You Can Do to Help page here