London MP Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Communications & Creative Industries, will
address community cinema representatives at this weekend’s fifth National
Conference for Community Cinemas, organised by the British Federation of Film
Societies (BFFS).

The theme of this year’s conference is “The Volunteer and Volunteering”. The Minster
is expected to touch on the importance of the volunteer within cultural and
community film exhibition.

At the two day event, volunteers from community cinemas across the UK will gather
to enjoy a wide range of activities including training sessions, film screenings
and networking opportunities culminating in the Film Society of the Year Awards ceremony,
at which delegates and special guests will celebrate the hard work and achievements
of community cinema volunteers throughout the past year.

This year’s Film Society of the Year Awards will be presented by Togo Igawa, screen
actor and star of Le herisson - one of the films showing over the weekend - and
esteemed film critic and BFFS President Derek Malcolm.

The National Conference will be held at the Institut Francais in London’s South
Kensington, where sessions comprising expert panels, hands-on workshops and
peer-to-peer discussions will allow the sharing of best practice in attracting
and retaining volunteers vital to the health of the nation’s community cinema
sector.

Delegates will also be treated to film screenings in the magnificent Cine Lumiere. Titles
include delightful French comedy Le herisson; tender coming-of-age drama from
Celine Sciamma Tomboy; British documentaries by new directors Tim Plester and
Rob Curry (Way of the Morris) and Jeanie Finlay (Sound It Out); Truffaut’s
classic The 400 Blows; and previews of two US films moving
documentary We Were Here, and spy caper The Red Machine.

Each screening will be introduced with programme notes and audience reaction
assessments, and filmmakers Rob Curry, Jeanie Finlay and Togo Igawa will hold
Q&As after the screenings of their films.

The BFFS National Conference is the only national event dedicated to the needs and interests of film societies and not-for-profit community cinemas. It is the annual opportunity for the community
cinema sector to get together, share ideas and celebrate community exhibition.

To find out more, or to book a place, go to
www.bffs.org.uk/newsandevents/events/data/bffs_national_conference_3.html


For further information, contact: Jacqueline Chell on: 0114 2210314    
info@bffs.org.uk
www.bffs.org.uk