Femme film fest cancels next edition

LONDON -- Bird's Eye View, an international film fest based in Blighty dedicated to films helmed by women, is being forced to skip a year due to a funding crisis. Due to the closure of the state film agency U.K. Film Council earlier this year, Bird's Eye View's public funding has fallen by 90%, and with the landscape of British film funding being so unstable, the organizers cannot commit to financing a festival in 2012. Screenings and events will still be hosted for their membership scheme, however. These will include the Sound & Silents program, supported by Arts Council England, and the annual gala to celebrate new talent on International Women's Day. This year's festival attracted 12,000 people to BFI Southbank over 10 days, as well as thousands more through the fest's online channels. Founder and director Rachel Millward made a plea that "sustainable funding for film festivals and organizations such as ours is properly considered and prioritized," when film policy is considered in the future. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com