About the Film Society of the Year Awards
Left to Right: Derek Malcolm, BFFS President; Jan Dunn, Director and Writer; Louise Niekirk, Louth Film Club; Nick Louth, Louth Film Club; Alex McMullen, Louth Film Club. Photograph: © Pixelwitch Pictures 2008
Film Society of the Year Awards 2008
Each year BFFS rewards excellence in the vital work that film societies do in cultural and community cinema. The Film Society of Year Awards are vitally important in achieving recognition for the matchless work of dedicated film devotees, all of whom work for their film societies entirely voluntarily to bring high-quality cinema to their local communities throughout the country. In 2008 the awards were held on 27th September at the the magnificent Cutlers Hall in Sheffield.
The Engholm Prize for Film Society of the Year for the most vigorous and dynamic film society demonstrating all qualities required of individual categories was awarded in 2008 to Louth Film Club, for its innovation and dedication across the board, including excellent film programming, extensive partnerships and strong commitment to audience development - an all-round inspirational model. Alex McMullen, Chairman said:
“We are absolutely thrilled, a little shocked too because we really didn't expect this notable award so soon after we formed the club, just three years ago. We announced our successes in the FSoY Awards at our next screening, just two days later, and I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that the response was rapturous! Congratulations to the BFFS for organising the awards and the whole conference weekend. We particularly enjoyed the screenings of British films and the Q&A sessions with the people who made them."
For his commitment to the film society movement, The Roebuck Cup was awarded to Tom Brownlie. Although no longer directly involved with BFFS, Tom is still highly supportive of the work of the sector and this award recognised his personal commitment and success in changing the status of BFFS from an organisation with no funding to one with National funding. In receiving the Cup Tom said:
“I am both surprised and honoured to be presented with The Roebuck Cup. I receive it on behalf of the countless volunteers around the country who continue to demonstrate the demand and need for the BFFS in these changing times.”
