Celebrating over 25 years of support and services for filmmakers
*** Press Release *** Press Release *** Press Release *** Press Release ***
It is with great sadness that the directors of Sheffield Independent Film have announced that the company has gone into liquidation.
Sheffield Independent Film has facilitated and supported the production of independent film and community media projects in Sheffield for the past 34 years.
Sheffield Independent Film ran South Yorkshire's only permanent film studio and hosted productions by companies such as the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 as well as local production companies. The facilities were also used for artist's film and video and the creation of interactive content for games, online and DVDs; such as the popular Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Game.
Over the years Sheffield Independent Film has been involved in some very innovative projects and in recent years has increasingly been working in the digital realm and on the web through it's Digital Entrepreneurs project.
The firm's chairman Sam Irani stated that "it is a very sad time for all those who have been involved with Sheffield Independent Film over the years as well as the current staff who have lost their jobs."
"I would personally like to thank all the people who have contributed to the past successes of Sheffield Independent Film for their hard work and effort and especially the very talented crop of current staff who have worked hard through the past traumatic few weeks."
Mr Irani also stated that "after more than two decades of being supported by various public arts bodies the company's core funding was removed by Screen Yorkshire, the Leeds based Regional Screen Agency, two years ago. We have tenaciously battled on trying to plug the gap with commercial contracts but in the current economic climate these are incapable of sustaining the company and we have been forced into this drastic course of action."
"Arts organisations such as SIF are constantly under financial pressure and we've been in similar situations before. The current Chief Executive; Daren Eagles took the job on eight years ago when nobody else thought the organisation could be rescued, including the insolvency people. It's a testament to him and his team that not only did they keep it going but they
went on to deliver some first class projects and provide invaluable service to the region's filmmakers".
Daren stated "I'm still in shock that this is actually happening. SIF has played a pivotal role in the careers and personal development of so many people over the years including my own. It's a little ironic that just as we are being asked to back the bid to be UK City of Culture another iconic arts organisation goes to the wall".
Sheffield Independent Film has facilitated and supported the production of independent film and community media projects in Sheffield for the past 34 years.
Sheffield Independent Film ran South Yorkshire's only permanent film studio and hosted productions by companies such as the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 as well as local production companies. The facilities were also used for artist's film and video and the creation of interactive content for games, online and DVDs; such as the popular Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Game.
Over the years Sheffield Independent Film has been involved in some very innovative projects and in recent years has increasingly been working in the digital realm and on the web through it's Digital Entrepreneurs project.
The firm's chairman Sam Irani stated that "it is a very sad time for all those who have been involved with Sheffield Independent Film over the years as well as the current staff who have lost their jobs."
"I would personally like to thank all the people who have contributed to the past successes of Sheffield Independent Film for their hard work and effort and especially the very talented crop of current staff who have worked hard through the past traumatic few weeks."
Mr Irani also stated that "after more than two decades of being supported by various public arts bodies the company's core funding was removed by Screen Yorkshire, the Leeds based Regional Screen Agency, two years ago. We have tenaciously battled on trying to plug the gap with commercial contracts but in the current economic climate these are incapable of sustaining the company and we have been forced into this drastic course of action."
"Arts organisations such as SIF are constantly under financial pressure and we've been in similar situations before. The current Chief Executive; Daren Eagles took the job on eight years ago when nobody else thought the organisation could be rescued, including the insolvency people. It's a testament to him and his team that not only did they keep it going but they
went on to deliver some first class projects and provide invaluable service to the region's filmmakers".
Daren stated "I'm still in shock that this is actually happening. SIF has played a pivotal role in the careers and personal development of so many people over the years including my own. It's a little ironic that just as we are being asked to back the bid to be UK City of Culture another iconic arts organisation goes to the wall".
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