The BFI has appointed Alice Cabañas as the new head of its UK-wide talent development programme, BFI Network.
Cabañas was previously in the role of BFI Network talent executive in the south west, based out of the Watershed in Bristol. Cabañas will continue to work from Bristol and will report to the director of the BFI Film Fund, Mia Bays. Her post commences on April 4.
She will be responsible for the BFI Network’s overall management including its funding, its professional development programmes such as BFI Flare x Bafta, Network Weekender and Network@LFF, and Network’s digital platform. Cabañas will work closely with the BFI Network talent executives, BFI Film Fund colleagues, and industry partners such as Doc Society, Bafta, Bifa and the British Council.
BFI Network is next opening its funding round for shorts and early development in England on March 14, which is the single round for 2022/23 as the BFI comes to the end of its current strategy period. Cabañas will be involved in the BFI setting out its 10-year National Lottery funding strategy from April 2023. The new strategy is due to be announced in September 2022.
“During the last four years as a talent executive in the south west I’ve helped regional filmmakers develop their creative practice and take their next steps, and it’s been hugely fulfilling to work with some of the most exciting new voices coming out of the region,” said Cabañas.
“I can’t wait to continue this work on a national level with our partners. This feels like an exciting time to join BFI Network – on the cusp of a new strategy and working with new head of Film Fund, Mia Bays.”
Cabañas takes over from interim head James Weddup, who will return to his post of senior manager in the BFI’s operations, partners and projects team full-time.
Her prior roles include film programme manager at the British Council and co-director at Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival. Watershed in Bristol, the hub responsible for hiring the BFI Network south west talent executive, is now recruiting for a replacement for Cabañas.
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