Film Society of the Year Awards 2009
The 2009 Film Society of the Year Awards took place during the 3rd annual BFFS National Conference in the Millennium Galleries, Sheffield on the 19th September.
In a special anniversary year, marking 40 years of the Film Society of the Year Awards, the quality of applications did not disappoint. “Forty years on, the Film Society of the Year Awards continue to set the standard for excellence in community exhibition,” commented BFFS Chair, Donna Anton.
The Engholm Prize for Film Society of the Year, for the most vigorous and dynamic film society demonstrating all qualities required of individual categories, was awarded to Forest Row Film Society for excellence across the board. Forest Row Chair, Brad Scott said: "We are delighted and honoured to win the Film Society of the Year award for 2009. Many thanks to all our funders, our audience, and to the BFFS for catalysing and supporting our endeavours to bring interesting and exciting cinema events to this corner of Sussex."
For her commitment to the film society movement, The Roebuck Cup was awarded to Ros Hill. Over the past three years every major initiative from BFFS that has benefited film societies and community cinemas in the UK has been underpinned by the tireless hard work and dedication shown by Ros. In addressing the audience Ros said: “The work of community cinemas is inspirational. Community cinemas spark a genesis of film culture forging new creative pathways within their local communities, developing into community festivals, pioneering outreach projects and bringing together different strands of the community to create a local sense of identity and ownership. I have really enjoyed working with so many of you, to develop the practical resources that help dedicated volunteers turn their passion into action.”
