BFI THRILL BLOCKBUSTER
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER
FILM AUDIENCE NETWORK
Film Hub Members Expressions of Interest for BFI THRILL Blockbuster (Nov-Dec)
The Film Audience Network (FAN) invite Film Hubs and FAN members to submit expressions of interest for
projects/events/activities to be considered for inclusion in the BFI THRILL Blockbuster Programme
Development Fund (PDF) application for UK and Northern Ireland being administered and delivered by the
Film Hub South West & West Midlands.
BFI THRILL Cultural Brief
Introduction
Gripping us with the allure of mystery, the visceral tension of suspense, and the sheer exhilaration of
action, the thriller immerses us in a seductive and dangerous world that’s perilously close to home.
Precision-engineered to lay siege to the senses, the modern thriller is a white-knuckle ride through the long
dark night of the soul, keeping us on the edge of our seat in the pursuit of justice and liberty, and the race
for survival. It captivates us in cinemas, ambushes us through TV box-sets, and now stalks us on games
consoles. We thought we were innocent bystanders…..
BFI THRILL celebrates the trail-blazing films that have made the modern thriller, by directors like Alfred
Hitchcock, Claude Chabrol, Michael Mann, Kathryn Bigelow and David Fincher, and pays tribute to the
continuing influence of key British writers including William Godwin, Graham Greene, Daphne Du Maurier
and John Le Carré. BFI will shine a spotlight down the side-alleys of sub-genre and retrieve rarities from
their shadowy corners.
Outline
A UK-wide cross-platform season of film and TV, led by the BFI, in partnership with BFI FAN and the major
chains.
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UK-Wide and international
BFI FAN ‘umbrella project’
Wheel-spinner National drive-in weekend for early Oct OR early Nov
Theatrical releases from BFI and partner rights-holders. 3 key titles
2-month season at BFI Southbank.
TV/radio partnerships
Digital - Online Poll - TBC
BFI DVDs
VOD – BFI Player THRILL collection
Archive digitisation – UFH digitisation of THRILL titles.
Target Audiences
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Primary audience to be targeted through BFI Marketing: 25-40 yr old M/F
Fans of contemporary thrillers: Bourne; Making a Murderer; Gone Girl
Cinephiles interested in classic thrillers & rarities
Readers of ‘airport thrillers’
Female audiences / readership for crime & mystery
BAME audiences
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BFI THRILL BLOCKBUSTER
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Scope
CENTRE: suspense; wrong man; modern thriller; domestic noir; fugitive; running man; mistaken / identity
thriller; innocents in the labyrinth; whistle-blowers; the wrongly accused; crime; mystery;
psychological/relationship thriller; tech thriller
PERIPHERY: spy; classic detective; police procedural; whodunit; heist; noir; action-hero; period thriller (pre
20C);
NO: supernatural; fantasy; alien; horror; sci-fi; man-against-nature.
Key Programme Points in the year (all dates are subject to change):
DATE
Tuesday 16 February
Friday 4 March
Monday 21 March
Monday 21 March
Wednesday 23 March
Monday 11 April
Friday 29 April
Monday 15 July
Monday 25 July
Nov - Dec
DETAIL
Stage 1.a – EOI open
Deadline Stage 1.a – EOI
Projects included in application confirmed
Stage 1.b – Full Project Proposal required
Stage 2 – Participation application
Deadline Stage 2 & Stage 1.b
PDF Application submitted
Results of funding announced
Film Menu / Touring programmes available for booking
THRILL BLOCKUSTER
Strategic partners
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Independent Cinema Office
Cinema For All
Into Film
Stage 1.a – Project Proposals / Expressions of Interest
For stage 1.a we are specifically looking for project proposals and expressions of interest from members
with specific proposals for the Thriller Blockbuster for the following;
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Bespoke activity that could be multiplied across the UK to create a National Moment (ballpark
budget £15,000 – scaled depending on number of national events)
Touring and event programmes of specialised/niche films made available to the Network (LGBT,
Indian, African, Asian, short film etc.) (ballpark budget £3,500 (short film) - £10,000 (feature films)
One-off large scale events of significant national/regional impact (ballpark budget £15,000 £20,000)
At this stage you do not need to provide the indicative budget or grant request. But if your proposal is
selected you will be required to complete the following for Stage 1.b:
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Full project outline
Projected audience
Budget
Marketing and audience development plan
Letters of support from venues/partners (for touring programmes / partner projects)
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BFI THRILL BLOCKBUSTER
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When thinking about your projects and the feasibility please consider each project must have
approximately 20-50% of the total budgeted cost of the project as match funding. This can include box
office income and in-kind support (50% of match funding must be cash) 20% match /10% cash. BFI favours
projects with a cost per head of under £10 per person.
Stage 2 – Participation / Expressions of Interest
Stage 2 will be open to all members who wish to participate in Thriller activity that results from the first
stage.
The call will be sent out on Wednesday 23 March and will include; confirmation of titles in the Film Menu,
available touring programmes, National Moments and other opportunities for members to participate in.
In Stage 2 members can also apply for smaller bespoke projects and activity that have local and regional
impact (ballpark budget £1,000 - £5,000).
The deadline will be Monday 11 April for Stage 2 and Stage 1.b (full applications).
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BFI THRILL BLOCKBUSTER
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STAGE 1.a PROJECT PROPOSAL / EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
DEADLINE FRIDAY 4th MARCH
* Required
Contact name *
Contact email *
Contact telephone *
Organisation/member leading the project *
Which Film Hub are you a member of? *
Your Project Title
Proposed Dates of Activity *
All activity should take place between November - December 2016
Project / Activity Location *
Please identify ALL locations/venues
Brief outline of project / activity *
(300 words max)
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Number of screenings/events *
How does your proposal fit the BFI THRILL Cultural Brief (above)?
(200 words max)
How does your activity benefit the wider Film Audience Network? *
Example: Is your event multipliable ie. the concept can be adapted to fit to a number of smaller
events/screenings. Is it streamable?: Are you creating content or seasons that can be shared
If other members are proposing similar projects are you open for collaboration?
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BFI THRILL BLOCKBUSTER
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The FAN have committed to adopting the BFI’s Diversity Standards and will prioritise support for projects
that meet the criteria outlined in the standards (below). Please identify how your project/event might do
this?
Please submit any Expressions of Interest, using the form above, to your Hub Lead Organisation to
XXXXX XXXXX and copy in THRILL Project Manager FHSWWM liz.harkman@watershed.co.uk
DEADLINE: Friday 4th March 2016
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BFI THRILL BLOCKBUSTER
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BFI Diversity Standards
We have committed to the BFI’s Diversity Standards: http://bit.ly/1SgkD8a and to contributing to reducing
under-representation in the four areas identified below.
The under-represented groups that we will be focusing on are disability, gender, race, age and sexual orientation
as they pertain to the Equality Act 2010, as well as seeking to ensure that people from lower socio-economic
groups are also better represented.
While we do not expect all projects to meet these standards, we will prioritise projects that meet the criteria of
at least two of the following four sections.
A. ON SCREEN REPRESENTATION, THEMES & NARRATIVES
This section considers the representation and recognition of specific groups on screen. For example, is the
project telling us something we do not already know? Is it a new voice, or a familiar story told from a different
point of view? 3 of the 6 need to be addressed to meet this criteria. Please tick those that apply to your project.
1. Main protagonist and/or antagonist
2. Primary themes & narratives
3. Secondary themes & narratives (where applicable)
4. Representation of place
5. Background and sundry characters who are pertinent to the narrative or themes
6. Non-specific representation
B. PRODUCTION LEADERSHIP & CREATIVE PRACTITIONERS
The artistic leadership of the project is delivered principally by one or more of the identified under-represented
groups.
C. INDUSTRY ACCESS & OPPORTUNITIES
We will consider what the value is of the work experience and development opportunities offered. Does the
project present an opportunity to work collaboratively with other areas of the industry? Are there wider and
deeper career development opportunities to be offered? 2 of the 4 need to be addressed to meet this criteria.
Please tick those that apply to your project.
1. Paid employment opportunities (e.g. apprenticeships, internships, expert adviser)
2. Training and skills – craft, creative and business (one-off, bespoke, student opportunities)
3. Employment in a role that demonstrates direct career progression
4. Meaningful, structured and relevant mentoring programmes
D. OPPORTUNITIES FOR AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT
This section is a required category for film festivals, distribution companies, exhibitors, and our other audience
activities. It also offers an additional category for feature film projects which have a distributor attached.
Considerations will include the nature of the programme or film, the audience it is aimed at and the intended
long-term impact. 3 of the 5 need to be addressed to meet this criteria. Please tick those that apply to your
project.
1. Provision of disability access
2. Focus on specific target audience/s
3. Catering to a specific UK region or nation, or the regions outside central London
4. Innovative approaches to Access
5. Partnership opportunities utilising specialist or expert knowledge
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