Since its birth as a small underground film night in January 2005, Filmonik has become the foremost platform for the North West’s independent filmmakers, be they Industry Professionals, self-styled Media Guerrillas, or relative novices still finding their creative voice. Emphasising resourcefulness and raw talent over polish and high production values, Filmonik provides an open door and a warm welcome for those making films with the minimum of means.
The Monthly Screenings
Filmonik is proud of the censure-free projection screen it is able to offer to filmmakers, whose films are not pre-screened and selected but simply ‘booked-in’ and presented in an open-mic fashion. Filmonik’s monthly screenings are the bedrock of this philosophy. These screenings of brand new, independent short films are regularly attended by an audience of over 100, and each month provide a platform for 10 to 15 filmmakers to present their work to a large and enthusiastic crowd. Many filmmakers who screen their first films at Filmonik go on to have their work screened in film festivals or on other media, and consistently return to Filmonik for the first screening of each new piece.
Networks and Collaboration
Filmmaking is the most technologically dependent of all art forms, and it is one of the objectives of Filmonik to provide a an environment in which the normal barriers of film production are broken down. Collaboration is encouraged to the hilt, and the monthly screenings serve as a meeting place for individuals of all disciplines within film – writers, actors directors, musicians to name but a few. Filmonik also works to raise the aspirations and confidence of filmmakers who are at the start of their careers by providing the opportunity to receive feedback, advice and encouragement from individuals more experienced in the field.
The Kabarets
As well as bringing over 400 new short films to the screen over the past two and half years, Filmonik has regularly collaborated with film festivals to produce what’s become known as the Kabaret. Working with a pool of equipment, the Kabaret is a high-energy and time intensive event in which any number of filmmakers all add their individual energy and skills to the creative mix to produce short films in just a few days. The films are screened immediately, as part of the festival programme.
Collaborations have included two with Manchester’s Commonwealth Film Festival, and filmmaking events in Salford, Edinburgh and at the ICA in London. This year's Salford Film Festival sees the return of the legendary Filmonik Set Text Challenge.
International
Filmonik is the UK branch of the worldwide KINO movement, which originated in Montreal, Canada in 1999, and since then has spread like wildfire across the globe. Today there are over 50 ‘cells’ in 14 countries on 4 continents. Driven by a spirit of sharing and collaboration, and a refreshing absence of competition, KINO sees itself as an experimental laboratory and a launching pad for all those who refuse to take the “traditional” production route.
The Team
Filmonik is run voluntarily by two broadcast industry professionals: Goz Ugochukwu is a trained editor and researcher; Jamie Kennerley is a camera operator working principally in stop-motion animation.
Contact:
www.filmonik.com
info@filmonik.com