Covid Recovery Programme for film and independent cinema

Overview

The ‘COVID Recovery Programme for Film Exhibition and Independent Cinema’ will support eligible organisations which have been negatively affected by the pandemic in the financial year 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022; and which have a financial operating deficit during that period which is attributable to COVID.

WHO CAN APPLY?
Applications are welcome from:

• Constituted organisations/companies whose primary purpose is Film Exhibition and Independent Cinema
• Non-commercial Film Exhibition and Independent Cinema

The maximum award is £50,000.

Exceptionally, a greater amount of funding may be available to eligible organisations that can demonstrate that the deficit attributable to Covid in the financial year is greater than £50,000 and that the organisation requires funding in excess of that sum to stabilise financially. In the event that the proposed awards exceed available funding, those organisations with the largest2 operating deficits will get priority. Organisations applying for more than £50,000 must make contact with Northern Ireland Screen before doing so.

Deadline for applications is 12 noon on Friday 28th January 2022

PROGRAMME CRITERIA

Applications to the Programme must meet the Programme’s criteria relating to ‘Organisational Purpose’ and ‘Financial Viability’ as detailed below:

1. Organisational purpose

- Evidence that the organisation’s primary role is to create, present orsupport one (or more) of the defined categories.

- Evidence of the organisation’s contribution to public good.

2. Financial viability based on presentation of financial information

- Financial accounts for the year ended 31 March 2020

- Financial accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021

- Management accounts for the period 1 April 2021 to 30 November 2021 (or most recent if available)

- Projected management accounts up to 31 March 2022

- Reserves Policy Statement

- Bank statements from 1 April 2021 to 30 November 2021

- Details of your operating deficit from 1 April 2021 to 30 November 2021 and projected operating deficit from 1 December 2021 to 31 March 2022 because of Covid.

- Any other evidence deemed appropriate to make a reasoned assessment of entitlement, e.g. such as loans

Guidance notes are available here

Financial overview template available here