Screen Agency Arrives in Folkestone’s Creative Quarter
The ever-growing potential of Folkestone’s Creative Quarter receives a boost this week when the headquarters of Screen South move into the area.
Screen South supports filmmakers, film producers, film festivals, film venues and film archives throughout the South East of England. This dynamic screen agency is part of a national network of Regional Screen Agencies backed by the UK Film Council. The organisation’s move to the heart of Folkestone’s regeneration area brings with it a huge regional resource of industry information and guidance, as well as lottery funding, for all areas of film and media.
Screen South’s new offices in "The Wedge" building on Tontine Street are at the centre of the Creative Foundation’s property development area. The premises will house a recently increased team of eight people, dedicated to promoting and developing the counties of the South East as world class places for anyone interested in film and the moving image.
Investors, producers, businesses, talented individuals and community filmmakers are being encouraged to contact the new offices, which open on August 2nd. Screen South also has an office at the internationally famous Pinewood Film Studios in Buckinghamshire, making the Folkestone headquarters well placed to create links with the region's other major studios at Maidstone.
Screen South Chief Executive Jo Nolan said: "Screen South’s move to Folkestone’s Creative Quarter represents a practical commitment to the regeneration of the town centre. The Creative Quarter is already attracting a new breed of artists and entrepreneurs. Screen South’s presence will increase the potential to build links between the creative industries, local businesses, local government and education. Film, television and digital content are the most popular forms of entertainment and information in this country. Screen South is committed to making sure that local people and local businesses get their share of this multi-million pound industry. The beautifully refurbished Wedge building also offers a great setting for showcasing regional work."
Nick Ewbank, Chief Executive of the Creative Foundation, said "I am delighted that Screen South has chosen to relocate within the Creative Quarter. The organisation’s presence here will serve to further widen the scope of activity related to the creative industries in Folkestone’s Old Town, and will enhance Folkestone’s growing reputation in encouraging artistic enterprise. As a major agency involved in promoting and facilitating film, television and new media, Screen South has an important role to play in developing new business opportunities."
Screen South is involved in all aspects of the moving image. It provides location support for major films such as "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" and "Pride and Prejudice", as well as for popular television series like "Miss Marple" and "Foyle’s War". Screen South’s support contributed to the opening of the UK’s first purely digital cinema Kino at Hawkhurst in Kent earlier this year. Three films from the Screen South "Digital Shorts" scheme for new filmmakers will be screened at this year’s Edinburgh Film Festival in August. Screen South supported Kent-based film director Andrea Arnold who won the "Prix du Jury" prize at the Cannes Film Festival this year for her first feature film "Red Road", following hot on the heels of her Oscar win in 2005 for her short film "Wasp".
Screen South, The Wedge, 75 – 81 Tontine Street,
Folkestone, Kent CT20 1JR
Telephone: 01303 259777 / 01303 259786
Email: info@screensouth.org
Website: www.screensouth.org
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