CALL-TO-ARMS ANNOUNCED

A 6-week nationwide film season celebrating all forms of cinema exhibition   18th August - 29 September 2012 Following the success of 2011’s Scala Forever film season in London, the team behind it are back with Scala Beyond (18th August - 29th September 2012), a six-week season celebrating all forms of cinema exhibition across the UK, from film clubs to film festivals, picture palaces to pop-up venues and even venturing into homes and schools. With a number of partners and major events, the season will shine a spotlight on the people and organisations who keep independent exhibition in the UK alive and thriving. Operating like a fringe festival, Scala Beyond has announced its Call-To-Arms period with the publication of their own Manifesto for Cinema (see below) and is now seeking event submissions and proposals from any exhibitor, individual or group from across the country. Whilst last year's Scala Forever celebrated the legacy of the legendary Scala Cinema in London, this year they will be highlighting the passion, determination and enthusiasm of film programmers across the country, and focusing on what makes their screenings special. Anyone can take part, any film can be included - exhibitors just make it an event, come up with a Declaration about themselves and the passion behind your screening and then submit it via the Scala Beyond website to be included. Visit www.scalabeyond.co.uk for more information. The full programme will be announced in mid-July along with the launch of a new interactive listings website. To keep updated with Scala Beyond follow them on Twitter@scalabeyond or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/scalabeyond). More Information on Scala Beyond Whilst last year’s Scala Forever season (13th August - 2nd October 2011) celebrated the legendary Scala Cinema in King’s Cross, London, Scala Beyond builds on that legacy by highlighting the passion, determination and enthusiasm of innovative film programmers and venues operating today, with a range of initiatives aimed to get creative juices flowing, inspire collaboration and reveal diversity. Operating as a fringe festival with an open submission policy, between 18th August - 29th September the organisers of Scala Beyond expect hundreds of screenings, selected by a variety of programmers, to be part of this wide-ranging season, giving all audiences an opportunity to discover local, ongoing film activity. Scala Beyond is now open for submissions which can be made via the website www.scalabeyond.co.uk during the ‘Call-To-Arms’ period (29th May – 30th June). In order to explore the passion behind cinema going, as part of the event submission process exhibitors are asked to submit a Declaration explaining why they want to show the films they show, what does cinema mean to them and what motivates them - this could take the form of a written text, a video, a poem... however they want to declare it! And leading from the front, the Scala Beyond team have come up with their own Manifesto (see below). Also, for the first time this year, Scala Beyond is coordinating with regional hubs in several cities across the UK, including Manchester, Brighton, Bristol, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Birmingham, in order to showcase the vibrancy of filmgoing culture outside of London, enabling film communities to work together in a nationwide endeavour. Alongside the hub activity, Scala Beyond will be launching nationwide events including the first Home Cinema Day in association with MovieMail to encourage communal film-watching in domestic environments and a partnership with film education body FILMCLUB that will inspire the next generation of programmers. Partners already signed up to Scala Beyond include Frightfest, Filmbar70, Midnight Movies and Electric Sheep Magazine, as well as our first media partner Resonance104.4fm who will be broadcasting the weekly Radio Scala show during the season. Key Dates Open for Submissions (‘Call-to-Arms’ period begins): Tuesday 29th May First Event Submission/Programme Print Deadline: Friday 30th June Season Press Launch/Confirmation of Events/Website Launch: Mid-July (Date TBC) Season Starts: Saturday 18th August Home Cinema Day: Saturday 1st September, Nationwide Season Ends: Saturday 29th September Scala Beyond Manifesto Where there is a film and an audience, there is cinema. 1 FILL THE LAND WITH CINEMAS Cinemas can be in bars, cafes, libraries or schools. They can be under motorways, on boats, in petrol stations or on the move. If you can’t find your cinema, start it. 2 ASK YOURSELF WHY DO WE WANT TO SHARE? Show it. This is our strength. 3 CINEMA IS NOT JUST THE FILM Everything around it matters. Create an experience. 4 JUDGE FOR YOURSELF Good and bad are redundant. High-art, low trash, critic’s choice, family favourite. All films are valid if you believe in them. 5 YOUR AUDIENCE ARE YOUR GUESTS Find your audience and engage them.