Welcome to the February issue of MediaNet News, the e-newsletter of the media education community in the West Midlands

In this issue:

ALSO: Screen WM announces new Education, Archive and Audience Development department

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Other News

Funding

Events

Have you filled in our Media Literacy Survey yet?

Mediabox recieves £2 million for its second year

First Light Movies Awards 2008 nominees announced

MediaNet News

Have you filled in our Media Literacy Survey yet?

The West Midlands is a national leader in Media Literacy, we were the first region to launch its own Media Literacy Strategy and we are now mapping existing activity to inform the next stage of Media Literacy development. Help us to do this by filling out our short online survey.

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New pages!

Visit the latest pages on the MediaNet website:

The media literacy section has new pages including audio recording from the strategy launch.

Find out the latest funding information, showcasing and media education resources in our expanding resources section with pages containing news updates, deadlines and links to further information.

Don't forget our news and diary are updated fortnightly!

National and Regional News

Screen WM announces new Education, Archive and Audience Development department

Screen WM, the West Midlands' regional screen agency, has announced the creation of a new department to focus on Education, Archive and Audience Development. The department has been created in response to major national initiatives, and will replace the current Regional Partnerships department at Screen WM.

Full Story

First Light Movies Awards 2008 nominees announced

The nominations for the First Light Movies Awards 2008 have been announced with two West Midlands' films in the running for the prestigious awards. The nominated films are being judged by a panel of film industry giants and celebrities including actors Kevin Spacey, Orlando Bloom, Alan Rickman and Stephen Fry, producer Nira Park and directors Sam Mendes, Gurinder Chadha and Michael Winterbottom.

Full Story

BFI announce Greg Dyke as new Chair

The BFI has announced that Greg Dyke will become its Chair in March, replacing renowned film director Anthony Minghella.

Full Story

Co-operative Young Film-Makers calls for entries 2008

Each year the Co-operative Young Film-Makers festival shows 100 films on the big screen at the National Media Museum - all made by young people under 21 years old. The submission process for the festival is now open.

Full Story

Celebrities support national languages and film competition

More news stories

Funding News

Mediabox recieves £2 million for its second year

Mediabox, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) fund which offers 13-19 year olds the opportunity to develop and produce media projects has been awarded £2 million to continue the scheme for a further 12 months. Information on funding deadlines and application guidelines will be available by 29 February 2008.

more funding news

Dates for your Diary

February

25th February Screen WM Media Production Fund Roadshow, 2pm, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre. To reserve a place email production@screenwm.co.uk or visit www.screenwm.co.uk for more information.

26th February Screen WM Media Production Fund Roadshow, 2 pm, The Couryard, Hereford. To reserve a place email production@screenwm.co.uk or visit www.screenwm.co.uk for more information.

28th February- 1st March The Education Show, NEC Birmingham, for more info visit www.education-show.co.uk

29th February Participation Works, West Midlands Network Meeting, Birmingham. See www.participationworks.org.uk for information

29th February Comic Relief Big One funding deadline. See www.comicrelief.com for info

29th February Deadline for paper based applications to the First Light 'Pilot' and 'What's the Big Idea?' schemes see www.firstlightmovies.com for information

March

1st March Atlantic Currents Film Noir Talk, Warwick Arts Centre, 11 am, tickets £7.50. See www.warwickartscentre.co.uk for information.

1st, 2nd, 8th, 15th March Introduction to Screenwriting course, The Drum, Birmingham. £90 or £60 for concessions. See www.the-drum.org.uk for information

6-14th March Birds Eye View Film Festival, London. See www.birds-eye-view.co.uk

11th March First Light online application process goes live. See www.firstlightmovies.com

13th March British Youth Film Academy presentation, Henley Business Centre, Room 3, Henley College, Coventry 11am. To book contact aa3204@coventry.ac.uk.

19th March Grants for The Arts Surgeries, Arts Council West Midlands, Birmingham. To book a slot please contact Rebecca Williams, Administrator, External Relations and Development email rebecca.williams@artscouncil.org.uk  or phone 0121 6315716.

28th March Children in Need grants deadline. See www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey

30th March Positive Destinations Grants Programme deadline. See www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/charity/positive_destinations.shtml

31st March LAFTAs submission deadline see www.languageswork.org.uk for details.

27th March - 4th April Leeds Young People's Film Festival. See www.leedsyoungfilm.com

28th March - 13th April Borderlines Film Festival. See www.borderlinesfilmfestival.co.uk

For further events visit the events diary on the MediaNet website

Link of the month

Noise Festival
www.noisefestival.com
NOISE is not your typical arts festival. It has no physical location; the central hub of activity takes place on the NOISE website and across the media - print, television, radio and online. NOISE exhibits the very best in creative talent from people 25 and under - any creative work that can be presented digitally. The NOISE website acts as the gateway to submissions which means that entrants can live anywhere in the UK and it's free to take part.

There are more media education links in the link bank online.

Submit your news stories or events to MediaNet

We are always keen to hear about news stories or events that would be of interest to the MediaNet community. If you have a news story to share or an event to publicise contact Lou Llewellyn the MediaNet Coordinator by emailing info@medianetonline.org.

We aim to include as many relevant articles as we can in our news and events sections and in our monthly email bulletin which goes direct to the inboxes of over 200 media educators in the region.

The next issue of MediaNet News will be sent out on March 25th.

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