Our Community interest statement

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1. Introduction:

We Film Blackpool C.I.C aims to support the growth of Blackpool’s creative industries with a focus on supporting young, up and coming, and independent filmmakers within the Blackpool and Fylde areas, alongside offering a platform for them to communicate, learn, and have their voices heard.

2. Statement of Need:

Although Blackpool has a rich history within the creative industries including theatre, music, and performance, there is currently a lack of opportunity and structure within the film industry. Although local education institutes including universities and colleges offer a range of qualifications in the industry, this talent is often then encouraged to move to the larger film industry ‘hubs’ of London and Manchester, taking vital talent skill away from the local area. There is a clear requirement for improved filmmaking services, facilities, and opportunities, to support local filmmaking creatives, and to enable them to support the wider creative communities of Blackpool and the Fylde.

3. Activities and Services:

We Film Blackpool C.I.C aims to deliver on its community interest goals through the provision of a number of activities and services not limited to;

     a. Training Workshops: Training workshops available to members of the community  focusing on developing the skills and knowledge associated with filmmaking.

     b. Collaborative Projects: Projects that will see members of the community producing  independent film and documentary works with the support, guidance, and mentorship of We  Film Blackpool C.I.C.

     c. Talks by industry professionals: Inviting industry professionals from across the UK and  wider film industries to talk about their works and experience, bringing in knowledge from  outside the local area and helping to foster the growth of filmmaking creativity

     d. Community Platform: An online community platform to support the works of We Film  Blackpool C.I.C and the community, enabling direct lines of communication.

     e. Access to filmmaking equipment and supplies: Offering access to filmmaking  equipment and supplies to support the production of independent film within the Blackpool  and Fylde areas.

     f. Support to local film events and exhibitions: Offering advice, guidance, and support to  film events in the Blackpool and Fylde areas, including but not limited to, screenings,  

festivals (i.e Blackpool Film Festival), and events held in the area by national film bodies  (i.e BFI / BFI Film Hub North)

4. Community Platform:

We Film Blackpool C.I.C aim to maintain a community platform allowing for creatives across multiple disciplines within the Blackpool and Fylde areas to meet, discuss ideas, and support each other in the production of independent filmmaking projects.

The community platform will include a space for local filmmakers to talk directly to the company directors of We Film Blackpool C.I.C in order to ensure that the aims, activities, and services we provide are best aligned with the needs and interests of our community.

5. Community Benefit:

It is our intent that these activities will directly benefit the Blackpool and Fylde community through helping to foster talent and creativity within not just one of the countries largest sectors, but one which is significantly underrepresented. We aim to see filmmaking develop into a self sustaining and strong industry within the Blackpool and Fylde areas, creating further opportunities for both the creative community and the wider community of businesses and residents within the area.

6. Partnerships and Collaborations:

We are aware that we are not the only community interest within the Blackpool and Fylde areas, and intend to work with other local communities, both within and outside of the filmmaking and creative industries, offering our support to them in as many ways as possible while also seeking to benefit our core community. When we form these partnerships and collaborations we will make open statements about our intents and activities.

7. Monitoring and Evaluation:

As a Community Interest Company (C.I.C) we are dedicated to transparency about how we operate, alongside rigorous self monitoring We Film Blackpool C.I.C will comply strictly with all requirements for monitoring and evaluation set out by the regulating body, including annual reporting of activities. We intend to listen to the members of the community, and communicate with them openly through our community platform in order to ensure we are tailoring our offerings to the needs of the community.

8. Conclusion:

We Film Blackpool C.I.C is committed to fostering a vibrant, supportive, and successful filmmaking community in Blackpool and the Fylde. We aim to offer a range of services supporting our core community in order to provide the maximum benefit to them, we will also seek to support other communities within the area in order to support the overall growth and prosperity of the wider Blackpool and Fylde community.