BFI NETWORK

BFI NETWORK discovers, develops and funds new filmmakers across the UK

We are the BFI’s partner for providing support for new and emerging filmmakers across the South East through BFI NETWORK. Thanks to National Lottery funding, we do so via a range of activities, including: 

  • Advising regional filmmakers on their creative development
  • Holding events across the region to encourage networking, filmmaker collaboration and skills development
  • Recommending the filmmakers we work with for BFI NETWORK funding.

Through all of this work, we aim to help filmmaking talent from the South East gain a national and international platform and create a regional filmmaking community.

If you have any questions, please contact our Talent Executives, Tom Wightman and Nicole Davis: bfinetwork@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk.

Check if you’re in the South East region defined by the BFI.

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Our team

Thomas Wightman

BFI NETWORK Talent Executive

Prior to this role, Tom worked at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) where he managed STOP PLAY RECORD, a London-wide commissioning programme for emerging filmmakers, from 2015 to 2018; during which time he commissioned, developed and executive produced 72 short films made by filmmakers aged 16-24 for Channel 4’s Random Acts series. The programme also provided free monthly workshops for young people interested in all aspects of filmmaking. Previously Tom also worked for the BBC and gained independent commissions as a Producer and Director in film and visual arts.

Get in touch with Tom at: bfinetwork@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk

Nicole Davis

BFI NETWORK Talent Executive

Nicole studied Film & Literature at Warwick University before starting her career in marketing for a video-on-demand platform. Prior to joining the BFI NETWORK team at the ICO, Nicole has worked at the BFI, Creative Europe Desk UK, Film4 and as a producer at digital content agency Little Dot Studios where she produced podcasts on documentary filmmaking and anime and a video essay series for Prime Video UK. She is also a podcast host and interviews women working in the film industry for Best Girl Grip and works as a freelance writer.

Get in touch with Nicole at: bfinetwork@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk

David Williams

Film Hub South East Coordinator

Having previously spent six years at Time Out London promoting arts and culture in the city as part of the ecommerce team, David Williams joined the Independent Cinema Office in 2021 as Film Hub South East Coordinator, where he supports the delivery of film exhibition and talent development activity across the region. David studied both Literature & Film and European Cinema as part of an English & Comparative Literature degree at Goldsmiths, University of London, and has also contributed news, reviews, features, and festival coverage to a film blog in his spare time. If you look very closely he can be spotted in the background of the 2010 film Kick-Ass.

Get in touch with David at: bfinetwork@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk

Part of

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Please note, this list is primarily for people working or volunteering in cinema and film exhibition in the South East region.

If you are a filmmaker in the South East, join the BFI NETWORK South East Newsletter.

If you are a young person aged 16-25, join the Young Film Network South East Newsletter.

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