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To reach out to a diverse Jewish audience and wide ranging audiences of other backgrounds who are interested to explore Jewish history, life and cultures worldwide. To programme the best quality films that relate to Jewish themes from filmmakers around the world. These include features; documentaries and short films. Our programmes seeks to exhibit the films that would, for the most part, otherwise not be screened in London or the UK. In screening these films we are also promoting filmmaking and supporting many new young filmmakers from film and television schools both in the UK and around the world. We believe that a diverse programme of films with Jewish themes is an important way to promote respect, communication and understanding between people of all ages including Muslims, Christians and those of no faith; to enlighten audiences about Jewish cultures and history worldwide and entertain our audiences. The programming of the UKJFF does not reflect, in any way, the views of the sponsors of the Festival. Although there are films which may tackle difficult and sensitive issues we endeavour to screen these films followed by an opportunity for discussion to enable the audience to voice their own views and opinions. Our origins and nowThe UK Jewish Film Festival began in Brighton and moved to become a national film festival in 2003. Now established as the major exhibitor for Jewish film in the UK and Europe the Festival is an annual event based in London in early November and touring across the UK from the end of January until April. Our audiencesThe UKJFF is continually seeking to reach out to diverse audiences, whilst continuing to programme films relating to Jewish themes. In London 12 cinemas screen the festival films in various areas and this enables the UKJFF to reach diverse audiences. On the UK Tour we also seek a wide audience base and programme the highlights of the Festival programme. We tour to 12 to 15 cities across the UK with enhanced programmes in Manchester and Leeds. CollaborationsWe pride ourselves on a wide range of collaborations both during the festival screenings and throughout the year. Co-ExistenceThe UKJFF is currently exploring new ways to work with various UK organisations to collaborate and raise important issues of co-existence both in the UK and worldwide. To date some of our collaborators are: The Aegis Trust; The Jewish Community Centre for London; The British Museum; The Bereaved Families Forum; The Council of Christians and Jews; The Imperial War Museum; The Jewish Museum; The Three Faith Forum; SOAS; DocHouse; Goethe Institut; New Producers Alliance; Jewish Book Week; Birds Eye View Film Festival; BFM International Film Festival; Hungarian Cultural Centre and Wiener Library. Beyond the annual festivalUK Holocaust Memorial DayWe regularly provide the films and events for both Manchester and Glasgow City Councils and have also worked with Belfast and with Brighton Council. Large numbers of school children attend these events and we provide a programme of films and Holocaust survivors to speak to the audience. City dignitaries, teachers and student teachers also attend. Xtras ScreeningsSpecial screenings and events held throughout the year to enable our audiences to see films they may have missed during the Festival; to enable the UKJFF to screen films which are not included in our Festival programme and to maintain the high profile of the UKJFF throughout the year. The UKJFF Film LibraryThe library ensures that the UKJFF can offer films for hire to community groups across the UK thus enabling us to reach out beyond London and the towns and cities visited on our Tour. The Pears Foundation UKJFF Short Film FundCurrently sponsored by The Pears Foundation the fund is now in its 5th year. We offer two grants of up to £10,000 to two filmmakers each year to make a short film with a Jewish theme. With up to 70 applications each year, although we can only fund two films, numerous scripts go on to find alternative funding and in this way we are stimulating interest and creating more short films in the UK with Jewish themes. This is the story so far, however, we pride ourselves on continuing to grow and develop and to listen to our audiences and respond to their ideas and suggestions. |