CALL FOR APPLICATIONS -BFI Mediatheque (10/02/2011)
Screen Yorkshire is seeking applications from organisations interested in working with the British Film Institute (BFI) and Screen Yorkshire to develop a BFI Mediatheque for Yorkshire. An award of up to £33k will be made through the Digital Film Archive Fund to invest in Mediatheque provision. Mediatheques provide free access to a wealth of film and television material from the BFI National Archive, offering over 1500 different titles ranging from short public information films to full-length feature films. Currently BFI hosts a Mediatheque at The South Bank while regional BFI Mediatheques have opened in Derby, Newcastle, Cambridge and Wrexham, and further Mediatheques are planned in Birmingham and Manchester.
DFAF:
The Digital Archive Fund is a UK Film Council lottery fund set up to increase public access to regional screen heritage. Used strategically, the money will ensure that access to screen heritage is provided to as many people as possible through a variety of platforms (i.e. through screenings, festivals, online, and public spaces). The Fund aligns with the vision of the Strategy for UK Screen Heritage that the public is entitled to access, learn about and enjoy its rich screen heritage wherever they live and wherever materials are held; for more detailed information please visit www.bfi.org.uk/screenheritage.
Screen heritage is held in many different places including film archives, universities, record offices, production companies, galleries, museums and libraries. The fund is about making content accessible in the digital age, regardless of where it is held. For the purposes of this fund, Screen Heritage is defined as encompassing moving image media, from traditional film and television to artist’s film & video; animation (both traditional and digital) and digital material distributed via the Web together with contextual material including scripts, designs, marketing and publicity material and documents relating to production, distribution and consumption. For full DFAF information please see the guidelines document.
The Project:
Screen Yorkshire is seeking an appropriate partner with which it can work to develop a BFI Mediatheque for the Yorkshire and Humber region. The BFI’s hugely popular Mediatheque offers visitor the opportunity to access films and television programmes from the BFI National Archive, free of charge. The Mediatheque is a digital jukebox of film and television programmes from the BFI’s unique collections, augmented by content from regional archives. With 85% of its content unavailable to view anywhere else new content is added regularly building a unique collection of titles from the lesser known and newly rediscovered through to well-loved classics. Access to Mediatheque content is provided free to the general public.
Partner and Delivery Criteria
To maximise its impact and success the regional Mediatheque will need to be located in an environment and supported by an organisation offering:
- Good public access with a minimum opening of 50 hours a week, including some weekend provision
- A commitment to free povision of the Mediatheque
- High visibility and through-flow of general public
- Proximity to significantly high numbers of the regional population
- Easy access via public transport
- A commitment to developing audiences for Medaitheque content
- An ongoing partnership with BFI to support the Regional Mediatheque over an agreed timescale
To ensure public access the Mediatheque must be located in a public building open at least 6 days a week. To run effectively the partner must make provision for on-site staff supervision of the Mediatheque in order to manage access and support users. In addition outreach and audience development work will be required to promote the Mediatheqiue and maximise its use.
For full details of the partnership model delivering Mediatheque provision please see Appendix 1: Mediatheque - Partnership. Staffing and operational requirements for Mediatheque are out lined in Appendix 2: Mediatheque - Operations.
Mediatheque provision will be required to meet a national standard of comfort, accessibility and presentation, and should offer a high quality experience for users. Details of what a Mediatheque should look and feel like are given in Appendix 3: Mediatheque - Environment.
Technical fit out, software and hardware requirements of the Mediatheque must be sourced through BFI approved suppliers and to a BFI designated standard. Details of technical specifcations are given in Appendix 4: Mediatheque - Technical.
Call for Applications
Applications should be submitted in the context of Screen Yorkshire’s Digital Film Archive Fund Guidelines for Applicants. It is also strongly recommended that applicants discuss proposals with Screen Yorkshire and prior to embarking on the application process. In the first instance contact Jay Arnold, Head of Cultural Sector Investment on jay@screenyorkshire.co.uk. Following initial discussions it may also be appropriate for applicants to consult with the BFI. This process will be conducted via Screen Yorkshire. The successful applicant will need to work closely with Screen Yorkshire and the BFI to ensure that the programme is appropriate and meeting regional and national objectives. Download the application form.
Timescales:
While the time scale for Mediatheque delivery will need to be created in conjunction with the BFI, it is essential that an agreed timescale and confirmed funding package are in place and confirmed by end of March 2011. A proposed schedule of work, incorporating milestones for delivery should form part of the application document.
Deadline for applications is 5pm Monday 14 March 2011. Applicants will be notified of Screen Yorkshire’s decision within 6 weeks of the deadline.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
Award recipients will be required to report to Screen Yorkshire (or its designated project monitor) through an agreed schedule listing milestones towards the development and delivery of the Regional Mediatheque. In addition recipients will be required to provide data as required by national or regional stakeholders relating to Mediatheque usage. Periodic meetings will be required with stakeholders to discuss ongoing practice and development.
Finance:
Maximum Screen Yorkshire contribution: £33,000 to include VAT if applicable. Screen Yorkshire would expect an element of partnership funding to be contributed to deliver this project. As a broad guide the BFI suggests each Mediatheque costs in the region of £75,000, hence applicants must provide or secure the match funding required to deliver the Regional Mediatheque. Mediatheque content from the BFI will be provided free of charge, as will updates of new material. Screen Yorkshire does not guarantee that successful applications will receive the entire amount for which applied.
Applications must include:
- A fully completed DFAF application form.
- Time-frame for implementation
- Indicative list of programme delivery team(s) including relevant partner organisations
- A detailed budget with identified sources of income / match funding
Who can apply
Applications must be made by registered companies, local authorities or their departments, associations or charities. Through the application process applicants will need to demonstrate experience of, and a track record in, public provision of culture and/or heritage, and evidence their financial and administrative capabilities to successfully deliver the required outcomes.
Submissions should be sent to DFAF Administration, Screen Yorkshire, 46 The Calls, Leeds LS2 7EY by 5pm, Monday 14 March 2011.
Applications will be assessed by Screen Yorkshire, and may be sent to external assessors for further review. The final decision will be made by the Lottery Committee.
