NORTHWEST Vision and Media, which works on behalf of the region's film, TV and digital content industries, is to distribute almost £300,000 in funding to some of the major players in the region's film industry including the Brewery Arts Centre and Kendal Mountain Film Festival.
The screen agency's annual Heritage, Access to Film and Audience Development (HAFAD) fund was set up in 2005 to support a variety of film-related activities across the North West.
Each year, the fund seeks to encourage new and innovative projects
to access its support, as well as continuing to encourage more established organisations.
In 2008, 16 organisations have been chosen to receive funding from HAFAD, four of which will receive support for their new, emerging film festivals for the first time.
Sara Clowes, Cinema, Archive and Film Festivals Executive for Northwest Vision and Media, said the standard of applications continues every year to grow.
"All of the diverse organisations that have been selected for funding not only reach out to the general public but they also each provide a unique insight into the region's cultural activity," added Sara.
An award of £12,000 goes to Cumbria's Kendal Brewery Arts Centre, helping it to provide audiences of all ages with access to a diverse range of specialised and international art-house film, with at least 100 screenings per year.
The world's leading high-octane film event, the Kendal Mountain Film Festival has also been granted a further £15,000, providing a showcase for films dealing with mountain culture, including documentary, animation and feature films on the environment.
In 2008 Festival organisers hope to increase the event's cultural value with new initiatives like the Adventure Film Academy. (November 11 to 24).
