A NEW organisation has been formed to help get more films made in Brighton and Hove.

Film Brighton is a community interest company giving opportunities to filmmakers to make feature films.

Director Ewan Gorman said: “Brighton is a very creative city. It’s one of the things that brings people here and keeps them coming back.

“But the city has long punched below its weight in the world of film production.

“Virtually all film and TV production in Brighton comes from outside the area.”

A group of filmmakers met to discuss how they could harness the creativity in Brighton and use it to make quality, imaginative and entertaining feature films.

Ewan said: “We thought let’s set up a company to facilitate this and that’s when Film Brighton came into being.

“We all love Brighton and we all love films, it’s simply that.”

The company’s Micro Features Scheme sees five groups of filmmakers awarded £10,000 each to make a feature film.

Ewan said: “This is truly micro budget in film terms but it is possible!

“For examples, you need look no further than Paranormal Activity, The Blair Witch Project, Primer, Pi and El Mariachi.

“All of these were made with budgets of under £10,000 and achieved success.

“The five Brighton groups can add additional finance to the £10,000 but they must all deliver a film on this minimum budget.

“Year one of the scheme will see the groups of experienced filmmakers selected.

“Film Brighton will also stimulate growth locally by providing jobs for Brighton Film professionals, musicians and associate industries.

“The films, will all be set and produced in the city of Brighton and Hove using a largely Brighton cast.”

The aim is for the community to get behind these films and for them to be shown in The Made In Brighton Film Festival later this year.

Global sales representation has already been agreed through the US corporation Princ Film Inc.

Brighton and Hove City Council has also shown support for the initiative. The scheme will feature films from a variety of genres; comedy, sci-fi, thriller, dystopian drama and a documentary.

Film Brighton will also provide resources for the teams in terms of camera kit, editing equipment and studio space.

Skills will be shared to ensure all the projects are delivered on time.

All profits will be re-invested for the next round of films in 2019.

The filmmakers involved are Deborah Espect of Moggy Productions, Lucy Nordberg and Marc Green of Moving Pictures, Bill Smith of Latest Films, Simon Messingham and Mark Tew ot Button Pressed Films and Ewan Gorman of Black Rock Films

See www.filmbrighton.net for more details.