Description
The project addresses the need to establish a national network of film societies, filmclubs, as a forum for open art discussion. The project aims at setting up a network and building the organizational capacity of its members through national and international exchange of good practices. First, the 6 founding members will hold the first national meeting of film societies. Second, Bulgarian filmclubs will be mapped. Third, the 6 members will exchange 8 films to be displayed in different towns. Next, an online platform for data exchange and coordination between the partners will be created. Fourth, 2 study visits to the Norwegian partner will be organized. Next, membership in the International Federation of Film Societies will be studied. Finally, the second national meeting of film societies will be held. The project will benefit the entertainment business, NGOs, institutions and the public. The partners will contribute with expertise and exchange of know-how and good practices.
Summary of project results
Bulgaria lacks open public dialogue about contemporary culture and society by means of cinematic arts. That made it necessary to have such a project by Seven Association. The project resulted in the setting up and strengthening of a network of film societies in the country, the so-called film clubs, as open public spaces, operating independently and jointly and providing viewers from various age groups and social strata with access to contemporary visual art. A map of film clubs in the country was created with data about their programme. Next, 2 national meetings of film clubs took place. The participants discussed a number of issues related to the project and the future development of the network of film clubs called the Bulgarian Film Society. 90 films for grown-ups and films with activities for children were shown by the film clubs under the project. Methodological materials were presented for each of the films shown to be used by the film clubs and any interested party. The important project deliverables include: Report on good practices of film clubs and their interaction in the network and Guide about film clubs in Bulgaria, in Bulgarian and English. Various promotional materials were prepared and delivered, i.e. posters, flyers, notebooks, folders, pens and T-shirts. The project directly covered more than 12 film clubs in the country and a number of organizations and individual cultural managers and it had a national impact. The network of film clubs was stabilized and developed as an alternative space for access to cultural products recognized by regular cinema goers, professionals and representatives of businesses. The sustainable change was related to the acquired new knowledge and skills by local film clubs for work with the audience, programming the events and holding thematic discussions. Resources were gathered for a broad scope of future activities of the network on national and international level. The representatives of the Norwegian partner (Norwegian Federation of Film Societies) met three times with the organization to exchange experience, knowledge and know-how. The Norwegian partner helped the network join the International Federation of Film Societies.
Summary of bilateral results
The main objective of the partnership was the Norwegian organisation, with its long history, well developed structure and vast experience, to consult the Bulgarian newly born network of film societies by sharing knowledge and information so it can function in the best possible way. The work with the Norwegian Federation of Film Societies was very important for building the organisational capacity of the Bulgarian network. In this respect, the main result from the collaboration was bringing strong and sustainable results to the project, as well as innovative practices for the Bulgarian organisation. The three bilateral meetings as well as the ongoing online correspondence between the two partners, had an immense impact on the development of the project and were the basis of exchange of knowledge and know-how. At the end of the project, the collaboration developed into both formal and informal partnership not only on the planned activities, but on current and future initiatives of both organizations.