Brightwide

Brightwide showcases independent films with political and social concerns. The site hopes to create an online forum for cinephiles and activists committed to debate and action. It works in partnership with Oxfam, Amnesty International and WWF.

The project was set up by Colin and Livia Firth and is directed by Paola de Leo from Amnesty. Described by Colin Firth as offering "film as incitement to action," Brightwide wants to establish a "self-supporting model," financing itself by membership rather than corporate advertisement.



HOW IT WORKS

You register and pay £2.99 for a film to be streamed and have 30 days to watch a film you've bought. However, as soon as you click on play you have to finish watching it within 24 hours. At the end of each film an "Act Now" box pops up. This gives you information on how get involved in doing something about the issues presented in the films.

A share of Brightwide's revenue goes to independent filmmakers and distributers, which means that by supporting the site you can help resist the dominance of the multiplex model of cinema.

THE FILMS

Brightwide shows feature films and documentaries: currently on the site are Michael Winterbottom's superb In This World, a story of Afghanistan refugees that should make all viewers get off the sofa and do something; The End of the Line, which examines the crisis in the fishing industry; and John Akomfrah's investigation of the Exxon Valdez disaster. In June, No One Knows About Persian Cats, a film about the Iranian underground music scene which won the Special Jury Prize at Cannes in 2009, was live streamed. Latest films include No Woman No Cry, directed by Christy Turlington Burns and The Shock Doctrine based on Naomi Klein's controversial book.

THE FUTURE

Brightwide is currently in its Beta stage so will go through lots of changes in the coming months. The site promises more films, online premieres, special events, debates, articles and increased interactivity. This is an inspirational project that should help contribute to a necessary revolution in the way we make and receive stories in film.

1 April 2010