Fostering, promoting and celebrating independent film-making
News
Leaving Baghdad wins IFT-sponsored award at BIFA
Leaving Baghdad, directed by Koutaiba Al-Janabi, has won the IFT-backed Raindance Award at the 14th Moet British Independent Film Awards (BIFA). The award, given to the film which best illustrates the spirit of independent film-making, was presented to Al-Janabi on the 4th of December 2011 and gives him the right to an IFT-funded Raindance Training Scholarship. The RTS finances the winner to participate in a variety of Raindance courses and events, as well as one-to-one mentoring sessions with leading film-makers.
Support for the IFT
I am honoured to be patron to the Independent Film Trust with its aim to promote the careers and projects of emerging film-makers who might otherwise have a much more difficult time bringing their work to the forefront of the industry, more so than other independent film-makers.
Tim Roth
Actor - Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, Reservoir Dogs, The Legend of 1900, Youth Without Youth
I think that anything that provides a source of support or provides opportunities for independent films is incredibly worthwhile. In an industry that sometimes seems like all the doors are closed, any help that can be provided to independent film-makers is great.
Joe Oppenheimer
Development Producer, BBC - The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, My Summer of Love, Eastern Promises
The independent film sector contains very many talented people who need help to learn and advance their craft. This is what the Independent Film Trust has been set up to do.
Ray Winstone
Actor - The Proposition, Nil by Mouth, Sexy Beast, The Departed
With the support of the Independent Film Trust, the BIFAs and Raindance have become part of the landscape of British cinema. It's hard to believe that they were set up only a few years ago. They are three of the most important champions of independent cinema in Britain.
Michael Winterbottom
Director - 24 Hour Party People, A Cock and Bull Story, The Road to Guantanamo
We have in the UK so many talented, established and perhaps most importantly emerging young film-makers. It is towards the latter that the Independent Film Trust is perhaps of most use. It is the independent sector on which we all need to concentrate and, therefore, I wish the IFT every possible success and I offer them my full support.
David Suchet
Actor - The Queen, The Bank Job, Flood, Maxwell, Agatha Christie's Poirot
Most new film-makers need support in order to develop their talent and share it with the world. The Independent Film Trust exists in order to ease that process.
Michael Caton-Jones
Director - Shooting Dogs, Memphis Belle, The Jackal
Please support Raindance and help ensure the future of independent film-making in this country.
Jonathan Pryce
Actor - Ronin, Evita, Brazil, Tomorrow Never Dies
About the IFT
The Independent Film Trust is a UK charity which was set up to advance the cause of independent film-making by various means.
We support initiatives that encourage interest in film production and help emerging film-makers to develop and express themselves.
Our activities include the provision of training for the disadvantaged and scholarships for those who have shown talent but need monetary or other help.
However, we do not fund the development or production of individual films.
We work with groups such as Raindance and BIFA to find and showcase the best in independent film, to promote innovation and to celebrate the vitality and diversity of the sector.
BIFA Patrons
Mike Figgis, Tom Hollander, Adrian Lester, Ken Loach, Ewan McGregor, Helen Mirren, Samantha Morton, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen, Trudie Styler, Tilda Swinton, Meera Syal, David Thewlis, Ray Winstone, Michael WinterbottomRaindance Film Festival Patrons
Nick Broomfield, Jonathan Caouette, Tom Hollander, Mike Figgis, Terry Gilliam, Adrian Lester, Ken Loach, Ewan McGregor, Dave McKean, Samantha Morton, Billy Nighy, Alan Parker, Jonathan Pryce, Marky Ramone, Vanessa Redgrave, Trudie Styler, Meera Syal, Michael WinterbottomIFT Patrons
Nick Broomfield, Michael Caton-Jones, Terence Davies, Faye Dunaway, Bill Forsyth, Kurt Hoffman, John Irvin, Mike Leigh, Sean McCartney, Samantha Morton, Alan Parker, Tim Roth
