23.01.26
A LIFELINE FOR SMALL FESTIVALS: BEYOND FILM HUB SOUTH EAST’S FUNDING
HOW FORUMS, TRAINING AND A REAL NETWORK HELPED SUFFOLK SHORTS GROW BEYOND FUNDING ROUNDS.
So much more than a ‘funding body’
Over the last 4 years Suffolk Shorts has been awarded funding from Film Hub South East (FHSE), part of the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN). The official line is that the Film Hub Lead Organisation, the Independent Cinema Office (ICO) is responsible for administering funds from the National Lottery to support a stronger and more connected approach to growing audiences for British and international cinema throughout the region. This is fact, but FHSE is so much more than that. Over the short time we have been supported by FHSE to develop our audience, we have come to realise that what they offer outside their funding rounds is equally important.
When you are a small festival, run by a tiny team who all have other ‘real’ jobs, it can feel very lonely when you are not in the ‘hosting an event’ phase. There are lots of teams in the South East like us, and we know this because the team at FHSE has worked hard to develop a series of forums, workshops and training sessions to bring us all together. When we come together we can share stories, successes and even fails, in a safe and nurturing space and learn from each other. It’s networking that works.
We were gutted that we couldn’t make it to this year’s FHSE Members Forum 2026 on February 10th (real jobs really get in the way!) when there were case studies of successful projects, presentations about upcoming opportunities, and showcases of the South East’s newest filmmaking talent. We really enjoyed last year, when we gave a presentation about growing a local audience (link to that blog), and made some invaluable connections. We chatted to Alice Morelli and Natalie Jode of Creative Arts East, and now we are working with them to bring more short films to audiences in Norfolk and Suffolk by presenting a programme of our local short films to be screened at Community Cinemas.
The thing about film festivals is that we all have the same goals - to get more people watching films and making films, so we are not in competition with each other. Ironically the only thing we compete for is funding, whether that’s directly from FHSE or from sponsors. Even there FHSE support us with workshops on targeting sponsors.
To have support on tap is invaluable, the team never make us feel that we are asking too much and we’re always so grateful for the quick response to queries. Knowing Lily, David and the team are there for us will keep us moving forward with focus and purpose in years to come.
Author:
Claire Whittenbury
Claire is Festival Director and
Student Short Programme Lead
of Suffolk Shorts