The Independent Film Trust exists to advance the cause of independent filmmaking by uncovering new stories, empowering new voices and developing new audiences. We advocate for more diversity and representation in the film industry, amplifying stories that explore new ideas, challenge audiences and inspire empathy. The IFT was set up in 2004 and is a UK-registered charity. Our activities include advocacy for a more diverse and representative film industry, support for filmmakers struggling to develop projects and the provision of film and media training for those who are marginalised. Our various strands and projects help film artists who are underrepresented by the film industry break through and establish professional careers. Collaborations with industry partners help us impact positively on professional UK film and advocate for greater equality and innovation in storytelling. Our community outreach allows people who might never engage with film to take an active role in producing cinema and contributing to British film. At every stage we campaign to provide an independent film scene that is challenging and entertaining whilst inclusive and representative of the broader UK public. ----- The charity's first film-making course was set up in 2010, when it ran an eight-week programme for adults recovering from mental health issues, working jointly with the Raindance film-making organisation and Westminster Mind. In September one of these films - Night Music, a 12-minute animation by Paul Jacques - was selected for inclusion in the Shorts programme of the Raindance Film Festival. In 2011 the IFT joined with Raindance and Staffordshire University to set up a programme that leads to an MA or MSc in Film by Negotiated Learning. Raindance/IFT was the first outside body to be validated by the university to deliver such a course, having been approved in August 2012 as a franchise partner. The creation of an online version of the programme, which was launched in October 2012, makes it available to students based anywhere in the world with access to a broadband internet connection. In theory a student could progress all the way to a master's degree without ever attending a designated physical location or actually meeting any of their tutors. That is, provided that they had handed in work and projects that met the assignment guidelines and postgraduate requirements. The programme is highly flexible and allows the students to choose their own modules, and design and deliver them through self-directed learning with Raindance supplying support, tutorials and access to its wide and varied range of classes.
