Award Categories
NEW! Best Film Education Programme
This new award has been inspired by the theme of the 2010 BFFS National Conference for Community Cinemas. All kinds of formal and informal education strategies will be considered - from programme notes to facilitated discussions and film introductions.
NEW! Best Marketing and Publicity
This year the Marketing and Publicity Award and the Best Website Award have been merged.
The winning group is one that shows originality, enterprise and style in getting across their message using established media, social media and an informative and useful website. They will also be using stimulating concepts and novel techniques to attract and retain their audience.
NEW! Jim Dempster Award for Innovation
Inspired by last year’s winner of the Roebuck Cup (long-time film society supporter Jim Dempster) this new award will celebrate the group that shows thinking ‘outside the box’.
This might be demonstrated through special projects, an inspiring programme or a completely new way of challenging the film society or community cinema model. The criteria for this award is deliberately brief, to allow the most far-reaching of entries. Think ‘different’!
NEW! BFFS Award For Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
A new award, suggested by groups, to recognise the vital work that volunteers do in their community cinemas around the country week-in, week-out. Nominated by their own group, these individuals will have made an exceptional contribution to that group and had significant local impact.
Best Film Programming
This award recognises the society that demonstrates that they are delivering a premium selection of films. Their members are fortunate to receive a broad programme of films selected with intelligence and freshness
Community Award
All film societies grow from, serve and are a vital part of their community. The winner of this award will have provided exemplary service to its community by, for example, celebrating its community’s cultural diversity, providing for specific identified needs, undertaking a planned community-based project, outreach work or working directly with particular sections of their community, eg schools, the disabled or the elderly.
Best New Society
Open to groups no older than 2 years that, having started from scratch now stand out from their contemporaries. The winner will be serving the requirements of their audience and community. In addition, they may have a novel concept or have transcended some obstacle in setting-up their venture.
Best Student Film Society/Cinema
This category is for groups run by or for the students operating in an educational establishment, be it university, college, institute or school. The winning groups, whilst characterising the best qualities of the movement, conspicuously serves the needs of its audience.
The Engholm Prize for Film Society of the Year
The top award is made to the group considered by the judges to be vigorous and dynamic in providing all of the qualities outlined for the individual categories, showing matchless customer service, creativity and sometimes progression in unfavourable circumstances.
NEW! THE Filmbank Audience Award
This brand new award, sponsored by Filmbank, comes with a top cash prize of £1000 for the winner, along with prizes of £250 for 2 runners-up.
To enter, simply ask your audience members to complete the following phrase (no more than 100 words)
‘We are the happiest community cinema audience because...’
Email responses to info@bffs.org.uk
The best responses will be chosen by Filmbank.
