Branchage Passes on sale in Jerseyyyy

As of yesterday, June 28th 2010, the Branchage Pass is officially on sale.  Yes, you can go into a publicly-accessible shop and buy a simple pass that will grant you free access to screenings and events at Branchage 2010.  Our excitement knows no bounds.

Passes are currently on sale in Jersey at the Jersey Tourism Visitor Centre and the iQ Apple Store, Burrard Street.  This is just for starters - more vendors across Jersey, the UK and France to be announced soon, plus online pass sales coming your way.

The wildly-good-value June price is £39, in July it goes up to a still-fantastic £49, August will be a bargain-bagging £59, September it becomes a more-than-reasonable £69 and finally during the festival you will pay a still-UTTERLY-worth-it-but-wish-i'd-moved-a-bit-quicker £79.

Early birds catch worms; get down to Jersey Tourism or the iQ Apple Store today or tomorrow to bag that £39 steal!

2 weeks to go - send your submissions Branchage-ward

If the past few months have flown by as quickly for you as they have in the Branchage office, you may be surprised to learn that today (June 22nd) is the Regular Deadline for entries to Branchage 2010.

But don't fear, there is still one precious fortnight to go until the special extended Late Deadline.  So get cracking and get those films submitted by: Thursday 8th July, Thursday 8th July, Thursday 8th July...

Submission is hassle free via withoutabox.  For fees, guidelines and entry, click here...

Without your films, the world of Branchage would be a far less dazzling and diverse place - so the Programming Team can't wait to see your work.

Call for Submissions! MeetMarket at Sheffield Doc/Fest

2010 MeetMarket Applications open until September 1st for pitching new documentary, factual and cross-platform projects

The call for applications for the 2010 MeetMarket at Sheffield Doc/Fest is now open online for 3 months until Wednesday 1 September here - http://www.sheffdocfest.com/meetmarket

MeetMarket* is Doc/Fest's pitching initiative designed to match documentary, factual and cross-platform makers' most innovative project ideas with UK and international buyers. For more information on MeetMarket see here - http://www.sheffdocfest.com/view/meetmarket

"The most effortless and efficient way to meet numerous key commissioners and decision-makers over two days."  2009 MeetMarket Participant

This year, we will select approximately 60 projects to pitch, all of whom will have one-to-one meeting with key funders and decision-makers match-made and scheduled.

Projects can be at any stage from early development to post-production, and don’t need to have financing secured. Producers can be from anywhere in the world and we welcome international submissions.

Projects can also be in any genre of documentary/factual, from factual entertainment through to art/installation documentaries. We especially welcome cross-platform projects and this year will have even more devoted cross-platform decision-makers across the whole Doc/Fest marketplace.

If you are selected you are offered the opportunity to request meetings with, and pitch to, a high number of decision makers – last year 139 in total, and this year with over 70 already confirmed. To see how much they enjoyed the MeetMarket experience last year watch the film on this page - http://sheffdocfest.com/view/meetmarket

This year we have confirmed participation already from over 70 funders and decision-makers including BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Five, Arte France, ARTE ZDF Irish Film Board, RTE, VPRO, TRT, Gucci Tribeca Film Fund, PBS, Sundance Institute, ETV, DR TV, YLE, TG4, ICA Films, Dogwoof, Soda Pictures, and AVRO.  They represent creative documentary, science, history, arts, theatrical, online and broadcast distribution, sales agents, interactive media, and more beyond. To see the full list of who is coming look here - http://sheffdocfest.com/buyers

MeetMarket generated over £10m in negotiation in 2009, with the matchmaking personalised format meaning you can discuss your project creatively in detail. In total, there were over 1000 matchmade meetings in MeetMarket 2009.

The application process requires a synopsis, one-minute teaser, headline budget figures, and biographical information on participants. For full advice and tips on how to make your application the very best, see our MeetMarket advice on http://www.sheffdocfest.com/view/meetmarket.

Submissions for the the 2010 MeetMarket are subject to an administration fee of £10 plus VAT per project.

SUBMIT YOUR 2009 MEETMARKET APPLICATION ONLINE NOW AT http://www.sheffdocfest.com/meetmarket. Submissions close Wednesday 1 September, 2010. For more info on MeetMarket, and to enquire about applying and whether your projects are suitable, contact Doc/Fest's Marketplace Producer Charlie Phillips.

MeetMarket is kindly supported by the MEDIA programme of the European Union.

*MeetMarket is based on an original initiative of the Australian Film Commission (AFC) and The Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC).

Christopher Lakeman Arts Foundation launches in memory of devoted advocate

Following Advocate Christopher Lakeman’s death in February this year, a charitable trust has been established in his memory.

As a member of the Jersey States government from 1999 until 2004, Senator Lakeman championed a host of human rights issues. Christopher was a former chairman of Jersey Opera House, the island's Danish Consul and a consultant at the law firm of Le Gallais and Luce.  

“Christopher was an enthusiastic patron of the arts in Jersey and one of his most recent passions was the Branchage Film Festival, of which he had been appointed chairman. In the short term the trustees intend to implement ideas that Christopher wished to develop before his death, primarily to make the festival accessible to local primary school children. In the longer term, the foundation will consider further projects, depending on the donations received”, says trustee Charles Pitter. 

Mr Lakeman was a very caring individual and he always made time for those who were in difficulty.

Jersey solicitors Charles Pitter and Paul Scally, along with Xanthe Hamilton, are trustees of the Foundation.

Donations can be made by cheque made payable to the “Christopher Lakeman Arts Foundation” c/o Greystones, Le Mont de Rozel, St Martin, Jersey JE3 6AN.