NEWS: In The Frame @ Hops & Cheese

The North East has a thriving arts and creative sector and yet it’s no secret that as a region it’s often left behind when it comes to national support and funding. Incredibly, despite the challenges, North East creative sectors persevere, highlighting the incredible and rich history, culture and creativity of the region. There are a myriad of organisations and community initiatives now focusing on support of the creative sector, one of which is a Hartlepool-based filmmakers’ collective called In The Frame.

Hartlepool, North East Screen’s base, has seen a major boost in film and TV industry growth with the new Northern Film & TV studios, a popular film production degree through The Northern School of Art, and the recent announcement of investment for development of a production village. And yet despite all that, a local and supportive community has been harder to come by, directly resulting in local talents leaving the region to pursue careers in the screen industry.

In The Frame was born out of necessity, to fill the space of a cohesive community that supports and connects screen industry individuals within the area, with the key motive of helping retain, and potentially attracting further afield, regional talents. The collective functions not only as a welcoming first step for fresh graduates and career changes, but also provides a constant and reliable base for film professionals and hobbyists alike to share knowledge, ideas and opportunities.

In The Frame hosts free monthly events that screen local and regional films, presents talks and workshops, and provides networking opportunities. The collective provides an inclusive environment where everyone is welcome and every level of film-making is appreciated. In just under a year since the first event, In The Frame have screened over 50 films from local and regional creators, facilitated multiple technical and advisory workshops, and hosted the Screen Craft Lab, run by award winning filmmaker Paul Suggitt, supporting creators in developing ideas from script to screen.

The next event is on Thursday 1^st August at Hops & Cheese, Hartlepool, from 6.30pm. Tickets are required, but are free of charge. For further details check out In The Frame’s Facebook and Instagram pages.