Those wanting to learn more about broadcast, film and sketch based comedy will have the opportunity to rub shoulders with respected individuals from the industry as COFILMIC launches the first of its regular networking evenings, Funny Business, at The Comedy Store in Manchester on 3rd October.
Designed to give comedy veterans and beginners alike the chance to meet fellow professionals on a regular basis, the first Funny Business event will see comedy writer David Isaac (BBC3's Lunch Monkeys, BBC1's Not Going Out & Life of Riley), Jo Blake (BBC Comedy North Development Producer), Director and Filmmaker Jason Wingard (Virgin Media & Exposures Film Festival award winner) and Katherine Beacon (Head of Development, Jellylegs Productions) share their expertise.
The evening will consist of a panel discussion entitled 'COMEDYCITYUK, the Business of Comedy in Manchester' and a question and answer session, as well as film screenings and an informal networking opportunity.
On the launch of the Funny Business networking event, Janet said: "It's extremely rare for TV people to mix with film makers and live sketch acts, yet, in terms of comedy, they are all the same pool of talent. I'm excited to see what collaborations we can encourage as this is the whole ethos behind COFILMIC and a great 'taster event' for the festival."
COFILMIC are delighted to have two exciting partners on board for this particular event; Creative Industries Networking Group (CING), formed with a view to supporting and facilitating the success of its creative industries members, and North-West based arts magazine, Creative Times.
On the partnership, Operations Director of CING Phil Northall said: 'We decided to partner with COFILMIC for this event after hearing about the talent development and training aspects of the organisation, which run concurrently to the festival itself. COFILMIC's aim of helping those involved in comedy with technical, professional and business skills is akin to our mission for the wider creative industries, and so our partnership was a perfect fit'.
Creative Times editor Chris Sharratt said: "Creative Times is all about supporting and promoting creativity while also providing a platform for people and companies to share ideas and connect with each other. For that reason, COFILMIC is a perfect fit - an exciting and innovative way for the Manchester comedy and filmmaking community to get together, debate and discuss and, hopefully, have a laugh too."
The networking evening will come before the first ever COFILMIC Short Comedy Film Festival which will run from 31st October - 1st November 2011. The event will offer those hoping to break into comedy film and television production the chance to have their short films, sit-com pilots and sketches seen by a leading panel of judges and will also include two days of discussions and workshops from industry experts - as well as a sketch-writing competition with live judging and an audience vote!
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EVENT DETAILS
3rd October at The Comedy Store, Manchester
6.30pm - Registration
7.00pm - Panel discussion and Q&A
8.15pm - 2x films from Jason and 2x films from our shortlist
8.30pm - Networking in the Bar
To reserve a place at the event, please visit the following site:
http://www.meetup.com/C-I-N-G/events/20681591/
For further information please contact Asha Bhatt of Multitude Media on asha.bhatt@multitudemedia.co.uk / +44 (0) 207 299 4244