Film Society of the Year
(The Engholm Prize)
went to
Bracknell Film Society
The Charles Roebuck Cup
for individual contribution to the movement
went to
Bob Henderson (Linlithgow F/S)
Back to Film Society Awards home.
The awards were presented by director Asif Kapardia at The National Film Theatre on 10th May 2003. See the full citations.
|
Film Society of the Year
The Charles Roebuck Cup |
Best: programme |
programme notes | marketing
| website | student society
| new society
community award | Charles Roebuck
Cup | Film Society of the Year
The programme is the heart of what we as film societies do. Without a decent selection of films we will not succeed. Many societies offer a wide variety of interesting programming.
Applicants were asked to demonstrate that they were delivering a premium selection of films. The programme would have breadth, intelligence and freshness and would offer its members both choice and quality.
The judges found this category very difficult, as the general quality of film programming is very high - with societies not just limiting themselves to the Judi Dench canon (good though it is) but showing originality and risk.
There were 18 entries in this category and seven were short listed namely: Bracknell Film Society, Bradford on Avon, Club Film from the Isle of Skye, Keswick Film Club, Open Film Society, Valleys Film Society and Welwyn Garden City.
Our winner operates in a very rural - well certainly very remote - area - but provided what one judge described as a "simply knockout programme". 65% of its programme is foreign language and includes themed evenings, contrasting the Seven Samurai with Audition, Y Tu Mama Tambien with Casablanca, films of local interest like Man of Arran and Local Hero and what it accurately describes as "Endurance" Nights with two full features shown in the evening - that in one case ran for over 6½ hours! It also produces a bi-lingual programme leaflet.
Highly Commended was awarded to Bracknell, Bradford on Avon, Keswick and the Valleys Film Society. In regards to the last of which the judges were very impressed not only with its commitment to screenings in Welsh and to its bi-lingual publicity but to its screenings of sub-titled English language films for deaf children.
Our winner is Club Film from the Isle of Skye.
The interpretational and educational aspect of cinema - which provides access in the wider sense (and hopefully some entertainment), is a vital part of the film society experience.
Applicants were asked to demonstrate that time and effort were put into providing literate, accurate and accessible information, whether produced as handouts, glossy brochure or using the new technologies. The judges were looking for something beyond what could be described as a brochure note.
Although the standards were high, the judges would ask societies to consider the increased use of colour, with better images and text layout.
Five societies were short-listed; Abergavenny, Bracknell, Keswick, Southwold and Woking New Cinema Club.
Our winner has been commended in this category for the last three years and this year has sought to make a conscious improvement in their notes - which demonstrates at least that the Awards themselves do have some effect! The winner's notes, which are written and produced by Society members themselves, are well-researched and wide-ranging, not only compromising an original review but background information on the context of the film, images, extracts from other contemporary reviews and other related articles, forthcoming programme and the audience reaction to previous screenings. Although the judges considered that the winner's notes would benefit from the use of colour - other than in the paper - they considered them a worthy winner.
Abergavenny and Southwold were Commended, Bracknell Film Society was Highly Commended and the winner is Woking New Cinema Club.
Marketing is vital to the development and sustaining of a healthy membership base and we consider it important to encourage this aspect of societies' work and recognise and publicise examples of best practice.
Applicants were asked to demonstrate originality and enterprise in getting across their message. Using stimulating concepts or novel techniques it would be attracting new members and then retaining and informing them.
There were four societies short-listed and all showed great flair - Edinburgh University, Flicks in the Sticks, Southwold and the Real Institute. The judges found it not only extremely difficult to select a final winner - but impossible. So, for the first time ever, they decided to award the award jointly to two societies.
The judges also wish to give special mention to one society - a society that clearly understood the concept of marketing, but regrettably provided little data on what it had actually done. Southwold Film Society had raised a significant amount of money, has a huge membership and built its own cinema! So, it must be doing something right. However, the judges would have liked more evidence of the nature of its marketing campaign.
Our winners clearly understood the concept of Marketing as they both submitted an extremely well presented and supported application - they marketed (sold) themselves. Like previous year's winners, they understand that "Printed Matter Matters" and both produce printed matter of extremely high quality. However, our winners demonstrated two radically different concepts to marketing and to choose between them, would be to compare apples and oranges.
Our first winner uses what could be said to be standard marketing practice - producing high quality brochures, posters and flyers, e-mail 'drops', use of regular listings and other publications to a researched, targeted market. In addition they ran novelty events such as a 'worst shirt' competition and possibly the most disgusting marketing idea the judges had ever come across - a tombola where you retrieved your winning ticket by sticking your arm up a dog's bum! Papier-mache, I should add, but filled with chocolate rice pudding!
Whilst our other winner also undertakes 'standard' marketing to a very high standard, it mounted a special project for Wales Cinema Day that demonstrated the inspired lunacy for which they are now infamous. And 'lunacy' is the correct word here. Their project was to premier previously unseen footage of an, allegedly suppressed, Super 8 film of the disastrous Voshkod 2 space mission; and using specially adapted projectors to project the film onto the dark side of the moon. This was coupled together with the premier of a documentary detailing the decline and demise, of the knitted puppets, The Clangers, in a mouldy Pembrokeshire potting shed. Although the project failed because the Russian Space Agency sent out jamming signals (or so our winner claims), it nevertheless received a huge amount of press, TV and radio coverage and significant internet links through the main search engines.
Highly Commended status has been awarded to Southwold Film Society for it very successful campaign; but our joint winners are Edinburgh University Film Society and Real Institute.
In this 'Internet Age', the transmission of information is no longer the exclusive domain of posters, leaflets and programme notes. This new award has been instigated to recognise the film society that makes the best use of the World Wide Web to communicate with members and non-members alike. The type of sites operated by film societies varies enormously from the all singing all dancing sponsored sites operated by some, to the self-generated simple sites operated by many. The judges considered accessibility, usability (navigation), clarity and adherence to standards in support of these aims. The quality of design - the 'knobs and whistles' - was only considered as a secondary element in the assessment.
There were some excellent entries for this category - all offering slightly different things. The judges adopted a set of criteria against all were scored but admit that finally overall, theirs was a subjective opinion. Shortlisted were Bonsall and District, Bracknell, Bradford on Avon, Keswick and Swindon.
In addition to the above the judges looked to see whether the site provided general information about itself with contact details and details of membership and how to join. Did it have a copy of the current programme, did it provide film notes, an archive, was it up to date and did it have a map or directions showing how to get to the venue? What sort of links did it have, did it use images and lastly what was it overall appearance and feel.
Our winner did all of these things (admittedly as did all of the shortlist) - but its reviews were excellent and the judges were much taken with its 'Blah Blah' section where members could take issue with anything in current cinema practise. Recent topics included a polemic against the length of many current films and an article on Pearl & Dean (including their various theme tunes). Its general appearance was considered excellent, bright and lively without being over the top.
The judges awarded Commendations to Bradford on Avon, Keswick and Swindon and Highly Commended to Bonsall & District. The winner is Bracknell Film Society.
All film societies grow from, serve and are a vital part of their community. This new award seeks to recognise something special - something over and above the standard. It was suggested that the winning society would provide exemplary service to its community, by for example celebrating its own community's cultural diversity, provide for specific identified needs, community or outreach projects or work directly with particular sections such as schools or elderly or disabled people. However, this was not criteria just suggestions and the individual entries provided a wide range of different types of community involvement and support.
The four shortlisted societies, Bonsall & District, Flicks in the Sticks, Lyme Regis and Southwold each provided something extra - but something different. The judges again found this very difficult - not being able to compare absolutely like with like.
So first the runner-up - but this was only by the narrowest of margins - and accordingly the judges have decided on a special category and awarded a Distinction. This society not only raised enough money to build its own cinema and has a huge membership (over 1300) - but they did so as an essentially nostalgic voyage into the heyday of the cinema - uniformed commissionaire, usherettes, second features, newsreels, elevating electric organ, ice-cream and the National Anthem - it's got them all but writ small. This society's project is a celebration of the cinema venue as it ought to be - it's very definitely a uniplex! This is the 'Electric Picture Palace' - an absolutely outstanding re-creation - so good in fact that a visitor said, "You're lucky they didn't knock this down". "Well not really", was the reply, "it's only been here since May".
Our winner is a unique touring film service (well that at least is what it claims - but we have no evidence to contradict it) that services some 60 communities across 2,000 square miles of rural England. It works with these communities to provide them with what they want - quality cinema on their doorstep. Advice is offered on programming - but it is the community itself that decides, they decide when they want it and how much they charge. Film societies are about access - not just to art-house films - but in the absence of any other cinema to mainstream cinema as well. The programme includes not only the blockbusters but also lesser known British films, locally made films, classics and lots of foreign language titles. In the last 12 months, it has presented 350 screenings to a total audience of over 17,000. It offers opportunities to young, new and emerging filmmakers to screen their films and runs a local production company working with community groups to produce high quality shorts. The winner works with and provides screenings to a wide variety of other groups such as the children of the Traveller's community, the elderly, blind and deaf young people and in prison.
Bonsall & District Film Society was Highly Commended. The judges give a Distinction to Southwold Film Society for their re-creation of the Electric Picture Palace. The winner is Flicks in the Sticks.
Applicants were invited from societies based at or run by or for students of an educational establishment. The winner would be required to demonstrate that not only did it characterise the best qualities of the film society movement but also provided for the needs of its members.
An enormous amount of work is done by student film societies, principally in universities - indeed for many people their University Society is/was their first introduction to 'proper' cinema' - indeed it's difficult to find someone in the film industry today - whether film makers or funders who were not members of University Film Societies. The sheer size of most University programmes is overwhelming - 40/50 films a term not being unusual. There is a tendency however in many student programmes to play safe - Alien weekends and horror films. However, the judges were pleased to see that there were many Student societies that did take risks and programme unusual films, films that require thought - not something that students want to do too much of!
Because of the changes in the educational management of schools, school film societies had more or less ceased to exist. This was to say the least unfortunate. Schools provide access to art and culture, 'entry' - in the intellectual sense. We have always subscribed to the notion that the earlier you get 'em - the longer they'll stay. So, it is pleasing to note the creation of new school societies - not many but it's a start.
All entries were of a very high standard and demonstrated all the qualities that the judges sought. 3 societies were short listed, Edinburgh University, Exeter University and Portobello High School.
What decided the matter was the winner's programme - not only providing for the needs of its constituency - but also doing so in an interesting and entertaining way. The judges were impressed not only with the spread of the programme - Memento and Blazing Saddles, Run Lola Run and Ghost Dog, The Believer and La Veuve de St Pierre, but also the educational support that was provided, drawing out the messages that could be drawn from the films. The winner not only provided excellent programme notes and publicity, but also operated a complete audience reaction not only on the films screened but also on the quality of the screening, inviting suggestions for future programmes and encouraging students to serve on the committee.
Again due to the difficulties in comparing like with like - how do you balance the opportunities available to a large university society with that operating in a school - the judges have awarded Distinctions to Edinburgh University and Exeter University, which (for those of you who are still paying attention) leaves the Best Student Society 2003 as Portobello High School.
There were seven short listed societies - Bonsall & District Film Society, Octagon Film Club, Portobello High School, Silk Screen Film Society and Southwold Film Society.
Applicants would be considered from those societies - in their first or perhaps second year of effective operation - that having grown from nothing offers a wide selection of films and provides excellent service to its members. In addition, they may have a novel concept or be transcending some obstacle.
The judges found this category very difficult to determine as all entries were outstanding - but all in different ways. Three - indeed possibly four - had built their own cinema. The winner is one of those societies that springs forth fully formed - it operates in a small rural community and was formed in a direct response to community need. Originally intending to meet in the school hall, the wining society refused to submit to the school's requirement that it vetted all films for suitability and constructed its own small cinema. It shows an excellent and varied programme of films, provides a bar with themed food and drink - for example with Dog Soldiers it offered Bloody Marys, sausages and ketchup! They produce excellent publicity material, have a very good website, run animation days and special screenings for children and provide strong support and links to other new film societies in their area.
Portobello High School are Commended; Highly Commended was awarded to the Octagon Film Club and the Best New Society 2003 is Bonsall & District Film Society.
The Management Committee gives this award to an individual who - in their opinion - has provided stalwart service and support to the film society movement over very many years.
And our winner this year has certainly done that having given over 25 years of continuous service to the Film Society Movement.
Not only has this person founded, maintained and developed an extremely successful and award winning Film Society but has made it an integral part of his local community. It has always been central to his philosophy that a film society should be a community resource, not something catering for a select few but for all members of the community.
The closure of the local cinema was the catalyst that brought local people together to set up a Film Society; but s society that at heart was always truly a 'Community Cinema'.
Some years later, when a proposal to buy and renovate the town cinema proved unworkable, he brought together arts organisations, the local council and the Education Authority and devised ' a cunning plan'. This ambitious project funded by principally by a substantial grant from the National Lottery refurbished and re-equiped the local school as a home, not only for the film society, but also for local amateur dramatic and musical groups.
He is a man whose idea of a quiet retirement was to take classic and archive films around Old Peoples Homes and Day Centres, first on 16mm and now using DVD/Video projection. What was initially a two-year project is still running many years later.
He is a modest man who does not consider himself to have done anything special. We disagree - over 25 years tireless work to bring Cinema to his community is something we consider very special indeed.
The winner of the Roebuck Cup for 2003 is Bob Henderson.
There were 13 entries for this category. No shortlist is made. However, the judges decided that logically the consideration list should not only include those societies that had applied directly - but also those that had won or received distinctions or commendations in the individual categories even if they had not applied for Film Society of the Year. The criteria used by the judges to select the winner were that it would be "vigorous and dynamic in providing all of the qualities outlined for the individual categories, the winner will show matchless customer service, creativity or progression in unfavourable circumstances".
Our winner is an urban society in an area of high technology industry and with a high-density transient population. Despite the area being well served with cinema screens (well in Film Council terms!), three multi-plexes, two art centres plus a dedicated film theatre - the winner has seen its membership grow over recent years, some 16% of its members are under 25 and it regularly has sell-out screenings. Apart from two shorts (and one of those was from the US), 100% of its feature programme is foreign language sub-titled! Now that must have some lesson about audience behaviour and requirements. Its regular format is 35mm with occasional digital projection - but interestingly, given its Silicone Valley-ish location, it has re-introduced 16mm to its programme!
It organises social events and outings, has very good communications with its membership, an excellent web-site and produces good programme notes and support materials. The judges considered that it excelled in most areas and has won one category and received two Highly Commendeds already this evening.
The Film Society of the Year for 2003 and the winner of The Engholm Prize is Bracknell Film Society.
CONGRATULATIONS NOT ONLY TO ALL OUR WINNERS BUT ALSO TO ALL OF YOU FOR ALL THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
[Thanks to David Phillips for the citations ... a big "Here! Here!" to that final sentence ... and special congratulations to Portobello High School. I helped with the formation of its previous incarnation and thought that once it died it would never revive. I reckoned without a very special team of enthusiasts. - Dave Watterson, webmaster.]