More Than Just a Lab!

So hopefully by this point you’ve read all about the Doc Next Media Labs, but what if I told you this isn’t all we do? The Doc Next Network is obviously a much larger project, and you can learn more about it from the links in the blogroll or by going to the Doc Next Network Home Page, but here at the BFI we’re also involved in running more Doc Next Network activities!

We’re also working on the EU funded Remapping Europe project. This is a massive collaboration across all of the hubs to work on a publication, host a seminar, run 4 film remix ateliers and create a live cinema performance, all between now and May 2014! Remapping Europe aims to contribute to an inclusive cultural practice and public imagery in and out of Europe by working with young media makers who have (im)migrant perspectives from Spain, Turkey, Poland and the UK to wider intergenerational audiences. Sound exciting? We certainly think so! Keep an eye out for more information on that as and when it comes!

Anything else? You bet! We’re also planning a couple of UK based documentary projects, which will work with young people that don’t ordinarily have access to filmmaking resources. The first of these to kick off will be with a group of young travellers from the UK. Phil Regan, programmer for Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month’s Film Festival will be helping these young people tell their stories and help battle stereotypes that have just been heightened by TV shows such as My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.

Come October, we’ll then be working with a group from the Isle of Man’s Youth Arts Centre, who get plenty of theatre, music and dance opportunities, but have no access to video cameras to start experimenting with film! These guys will be coming down to London where we’ll run a week of workshops helping them devise, shoot and edit 3 short documentaries to show the world as they see it!

So as you can see – the Doc Next Network is much more than just this lab, and you can use this blog to access news and information about everything that’s going on!

Matthew Cuzner
BFI Project Manager, Doc Next Network