Cofilmic Comedy Film Festival 2011

A new short comedy film festival is set to take place this autumn. The two day Cofilmic Comedy Film Festival is designed to give budding British TV and film actors, writers, producers and directors the chance to show off their creativity to leading industry figures, and to offer a leg up into the industry.

Taking place on the 31st October and 1st November 2011 in Manchester (directly following the Manchester Comedy Festival), Cofilmic has ambitious aims, but seemingly with the professionalism, dedication and backing needed to really make an impact.

Supported by the likes of The Comedy Store, and with associates including Jason Cook, Kristian Smith (BBC Comedy North), Beth Pattinson (BBC Film) and Pete Thornton (Comedy Central) linked to the festival, Cofilmic really does look like it could be in the position to help aspiring creative types get that notoriously elusive break into working in the comedy industry.

There are three categories: Short Film, Sitcom Pilot and Comedy Sketch; and a rather impressive line-up of judges have been recruited to check out the submissions and decide which should win the prizes. The panel includes Charlie Hanson, the BAFTA winning producer of many top sitcoms; BBC Comedy North Commissioning Editor Kristian Smith; Don Ward, the founder of The Comedy Store; and Henry Normal, the co-founder of Baby Cow Productions.

The deadline for submissions is on the 12th September 2011, so you'll need to act quickly to submit your work to the festival's judging panel in the debut year - but it's certainly not yet too late to get involved.

British Comedy Guide wanted to find out what the inspiration was behind Cofilmic, so we met up with Janet Harrison (pictured), the brain behind the operation and a successful businesswoman in her own right. Janet explains: "I made a short comedy film a couple of years ago on no budget at all (Master Motivator). I'd done a screenwriting course, the aim of which was to write a script for a 10 minute film, and I then thought it seemed stupid to have written it and then not make it. I didn't really know quite how to go about it, but I managed to find people who knew people so, to cut a very long story short, I managed to get actors including Early Doors star John Henshaw to take part."

"Once the film was made I was quite amazed to discover the lack of comedy film festivals available to submit it to. There was one in Torquay I think but that folded, and a student-run one in Kent, but nothing compared to America, where there are loads. I was also disappointed with the career advice - or lack of it - given at the film festivals I did attend. It seemed to basically be a suggestion that you should carry on making short films and pitching up at film festivals and eventually meeting someone to give you that lucky break."

"I thought there must be a better way of helping people like me: people who wanted to know what the next steps should be. My ultimate ambition is to make a comedy feature film, not just one but several, but I wasn't given any clue as to how I should get there, so it got me thinking, instead of just starting another film festival, to re-think the whole talent development model because really Cofilmic is about talent development in its most basic sense."

As Janet explains, Colfilmic has its sights firmly set on not just accepting submissions but also supporting those who have entered. Workshops and panel discussions are planned, and the package put together for the winners includes more than just a fancy 'winner' title. The prizes include face-to-face meetings with the likes of BBC commissioners, and a chance to chat one-to-one with development officers from production companies; plus there's PR support, discounts on post production equipment, and more.

Janet expands: "It's about discovering talent and nurturing talent but in a very commercial way - i.e. our experts will say to you: 'you need to do this and you need to take these steps'. I know comedy is a creative industry and, as such, it's never going to be 'corporate' but we think we can run things in a way that will give you a better chance of achieving whatever it is you want to do. So, this whole thing is based on the idea of bringing together a host of talented experts to make people's careers happen."

"We realise the thing that really has to be tip top in this is the comedy judges, collaborators and partners we work with, so since November last year I've been working really hard to make sure we get the best people involved. People who are really interested in nurturing talent. So, for example, you'll see on the list on our website we've got people like Charlie Hanson (pictured) who has worked with TV comedy broadcasters for 20 odd years now, and has just produced Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's new sitcom. Now Charlie is an independent producer and so actively goes out and looks for new talent. He's a really nice guy and loves Manchester so he's the perfect sort of person to have on our panel."

"I think a lot of film festivals have some very nice big names attached to them but I'm not really quite sure whether those judges see all the films and how hands on they are in terms of helping people. So I wanted to make sure everyone involved in this project has the capability of helping people, and that they were nice people too, which seems really fussy, but it's hard enough trying to get on with your career without having precious people who think they're great! All these people who we've got involved in Cofilmic are just so lovely and very approachable."

Cofilmic is set to become an annual event, and Janet has big plans for the future. "Our long term aspirations are quite huge really. I really want to create an environment that might kick-start a whole new era in comedy film making, based in Manchester. To me that's really exciting as you can then have a big impact on the economy and jobs for people locally and all sorts of things. Interestingly, between 1928 and 1955 The Mancunian Film Company used to be based in Manchester and was the highest grossing film company at that time. They used to make comedy films with the likes of George Formby. So the city has done it previously, albeit a long time ago, and I know the world is a different place, but that was here so we could perhaps start doing that again."

So how do you go about entering? Basically, all the information you need is on the Cofilmic website. There is no DVD submission process, it's all done online: "We ask that the films are uploaded directly onto the server for a number of reasons", says Janet. "It saves us getting an unmanageable stack of DVDs, and by uploading it online it makes it easy for the judges to watch the films remotely via a password protected system. Additionally it means the winning films can be screened at the final and toured around the UK easily, as they will be on a portable hard-drive."

So what can people expect from the final? "The Awards themselves are directly on the end of the Manchester Comedy Festival so we will be able to plug into all the advertising and marketing that The Comedy Store will be doing. They're one of our partners and are very supportive. It's going to be a really good night because it's not just going to be the films themselves, we're also going to put some live performances in there as well."

Some entrants are likely to be quite experienced already (Phoenix Nights co-creator Dave Spikey - pictured left - is submitting a film), but Cofilmic is open to those looking to try making their first short film too. It's a level playing field, as being entertaining is the most important factor; but Janet says if you've never made a video before it probably is worth teaming up with others: "I would definitely collaborate with someone who has done it before if you can. As much as it would be nice to have a go yourself for the first time - I certainly found that I had to rely more heavily on the more experienced people I had around me than I thought I would. It doesn't have to be masses of experience, but just somebody who has done it before."

"It doesn't have to be the most polished production in the world - it's very much about raw talent. It's not an art-house film festival; the over-riding factor is that the submission must be entertaining. The judges are very much aware they're looking for raw talent. I'm hoping we do get some submissions that look fabulous - it would be nice to have that mixture, and find some directors with real flair in the process - but I realise not everyone has the money or time to make that happen."

However, you should pay close attention to the guidelines and rules in relation to things like minimum resolutions and a question on the submission form is about whether the film is broadcast quality. Janet remains tight-lipped about the topic of TV, but from the whispers we've heard, it sounds like there are plans underway to secure a broadcast prize via an official partner.

With broadcasts in mind, Cofilmic has also issued this guidance: "Remember that the winning videos could be screened on TV and/or on major public websites by both Cofilmic and sponsors/partners in order to promote the festival and showcase events. To this end you must license any music you source for commercial use."

Cofilmic is trying to make the rules as loose as possible though. For example, Janet says: "With some film festivals there are rules like the film must be under a year old, or not have been shown at any other film festivals or things like that... but, as far as I'm concerned, if someone has made something two years ago which is brilliant and put it in a draw at home why can't they submit that?"

There is a £15 entry fee to submit your work to Cofilmic, and some restrictions within the guidelines in regards to not publically distributing your film during the period it is involved in the Cofilmic judging. Janet explains this exclusivity clause, saying: "Film festivals always insist that the film is not available publicly - why would anyone bother coming to see a film at a festival if they can see it online? We anticipate that most people will make films specifically for the festival. This is really what we are trying to achieve as it will encourage new and exciting material."

There is notably an additional 3-year licence agreement for the shortlisted entries. Janet stresses: "To be clear, we will have exclusive rights to showcase the work, not to own the copyright or idea. The licence agreement is for 3 years, with an option to release after 1 year if the film maker fixes their own distribution deal or feels they are not benefitting from the increased profile Cofilmic is giving them. We have asked for a specific licence agreement in order to give us the ability to showcase the work at the festival, as part of the 'best of the fest' UK showcase, and via other potential avenues too". Janet wouldn't be drawn, but we're guessing this last bit is, again, hinting at a TV broadcast.

To find out lots more about Cofilmic, including guidelines on the format of the film, and to submit your entry visit www.cofilmic.co.uk