CNE LAUNCH Feedback 12-14 November 2004

Edinburgh:
"A deeply empowering film which provided a thought-provoking debate. A full house with a large number of people turned away. It is really important that films like this can receive an airing in one of the main cinemas. I want to encourage Docspace to go on and show the film to more and more communities. It is vital that this new network enables us to reach a large number of people in their own communities whether those are in big cities, small towns or schools or villages."
Chris Ballance, MSP Green Party

Aberdeen:
"Audiences were great. What was achieved over the weekend was extraordinary. Peace One Day is a visionary film which suited a visionary concept - to know they were part of screenings all across Europe added a real sense of excitement and a feeling of being included in an important international event...not always easy in Aberdeen."
Mark Stephens, broadcaster, Aberdeen.

Glasgow:
"This is a dream come true. I have been looking forward to interaction between cinemas and audiences across the UK and Europe for 20 years. And I'm not at all surprised that it is Scotland that has pushed this into existence - the audiences loved it - to see and hear that quality on the screen gives us new opportunities for our film-makers."
Jaki McDougall, Director GFT

Steiner School, Edinburgh
"I thought it was a special experience and I think it was very good that we got the chance to see this film. I think it's very important that schools get shown this video because in a few years time it will be the children which will be the adults who will make decisions which will influence the world."
Ayesha Keller, age 15

Hoy:
"Audience were VERY pleased they'd seen it."
Peter Ford, organiser, Gable End Film Club, Hoy, Orkneys

Robert Burns Centre, Dumfries
"I was totally inspired... getting films like this here is a wonderful idea"
Tommy Fitzpatrick, audience

Carlops, Borders
"Inspirational film. This has been our best event since setting up. We had a packed house. One of the good things to come out of it is we are lobbying the education authorities to make sure this film gets seen in every school in the Borders."
Sally Charlton, Carlops Film Society

TECHNICAL:
"Technically, it is now possible for all communities, particularly dispersed communities, to become part of a European wide film network. People were very enthusiastic about the interactivity of electronic cinema - it gives them focal point in their community, to be both a local and international presence and partnership. BBC Scotland's support on the night of the launch was pivotal; a key element is the live interactivity. BBC programmes can now be screened to local audiences in local venues, making them available on all platforms from domestic to community reception in cinemas and local halls. This is a natural development of what they do"
Alan Downie, technical consultant

UK FILMMAKERS:
"What I'm left with after Friday is a vision of just how much more free communication with audiences can be .This network empowers both audiences and filmmakers to play an active part in public life. Audiences are hungry for a different perspective from that offered by TV. UK filmmakers can take advantage of this new network to make strong, passionate documentaries about relevant subjects which will find a market. This is a new channel of communication, it's deeply democratic, and less market-driven. I believe people are ready for it. They want independent perspectives in the world, different visions that get to the audience without the intermediary of television or distributors. It's inspiring - and worth all the hard work to set it up."
Emma Davie UK representative for EDN (European Documentary Network)

CRITICS
"The launch this weekend is one of the first events which shows the potential of post-photochemical cinema, you could argue that because it means that more maverick work will get shown more, it is the equivalent of Radio Caroline for music or the paperback revolution in books."
Mark Cousins, film historian

EDINBURGH FILM FESTIVAL:
"This is the beginning of the digital revolution. Not necessarily because it's new, and not necessarily because it's documentaries, but because it's the first example of it actually happening."
Ginnie Atkinson, Edinburgh International Film Festival

DOCSPACE
"80% of what we see on our screens comes from Hollywood. That doesn't leave much room for other stories, other nations, other points of view. Docspace has created a platform where diverse stories, perspectives, polemic can flourish. The digital technology makes this a financially viable local and international opportunity to get work to new audiences, who have, quite simply, not had the opportunity, ever, to see films like these in their local venues. I'm looking forward to 2005."
Amy Hardie, Founder Docspace