Southern Culture
Did You Know?
Tennis
Virginia Wade, one of England's greatest tennis players, graduated in mathematics from the University of Sussex in 1967. Her achievements included winning the Wimbledon ladies Singles title in 1977.
Our key initiatives
Good Foundations
Good Foundations is a Screen South training and development programme for producers, writers and directors. The emphasis is on delivering creative market-aware projects which have a sensible finance and business plan attached. The scheme is delivered in association with experienced film industry executives, Carl Clifton, Tom Strudwick and Wendall Thomas, along with representatives from the international film industry and the National Film and Television School.
Digital Shorts
Screen South and the UK Film Councils New Cinema Fund run the annual Digital Shorts Scheme for the South East of England. Digital Shorts is a UK wide short filmmaking initiative, which the UK Film Council runs in partnership with regional and national agencies throughout the UK.
The UK Film Council and Screen South look for filmmakers who can make films with passion and verve that connect with a broad range of audiences. Above all , the scheme aims to support creativity, innovation, new talent and "cutting edge" filmmaking. The UK Film Council's New Cinema Fund and Screen South have a strong commitment to supporting work from minority groups who are currently under represented in film.
The scheme intends to capitalise on the benefits offered by new technology in the production, distribution and exhibition of films. Emerging filmmakers have the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities using digital camera and editing techniques. The digital domain offers an accessible and affordable creative arena for new ideas and for fresh and original thinkers to enjoy expressing their ideas and stories in completed short films.
Summerscreen
Screen South launched Summerscreen in Kent in August 2003. This was in recognition of the need for a Film Festival for young people to provide fun, affordable film related activities for children and young people aged 7-18, including film workshops, screenings, movie-map trips and more, to stimulate their interest and make film accessible to all. In 2004 it expanded to Oxford through regional delivery partner Oxford Film and Video Makers, and in 2005 to West Sussex through the West Sussex Filmmakers Network.
Talent and Trade Missions
Screen South provides filmmakers from across the region with bursaries to attend key markets such as the Cannes Film Festival and the American Film Market in Los Angeles. Filmmakers also receive support and training in key areas such as pitching as well as contacts and networking advice throughout the markets.
Business development is also encouraged with trade missions to new countries with a fast developing film market. Recently Screen South visited Romania and Spain.