ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

11 years, 11 months ago - Michael Savva

Really trying not to have a go, however I do get bored with all film-makers being tarnished with the same far-left liberal brush. I've always thought refusing a nomination or award is about principal and more so what you’re trying to convey with your art. The idea that we would ‘all’ boycott a festival because someone remembers something shitty about the sponsor is not realistic, especially when it comes to financing creative work.

When it comes to sponsorship, an artist generally has very little say (rightly so in my opinion); a business needs to run like a business not like a charity or club (and even that has a large grey corporate responsibility angle I'm ignoring for the sake of this argument).

11 years, 11 months ago - Jenny Shepherd

Grierson Awards list Shell as one of their sponsors. Here are some interesting ideas about arts sponsorship by oil companies from Platform, the group campaigning in very creative ways against BP sponsorship of Tate http://platformlondon.org/p-publications/take-the-money-and-run-some-positions-on-ethics-business-sponsorship-and-making-art/

11 years, 11 months ago - Daniel Cormack

Aren't these allegations historic - dating back to the 1990s?

How long do you boycott a firm for? And are you also boycotting Shell oil and making sure all those who work on your films do the same? Why stop there, when almost every oil company has been responsible for pollution and no doubt dubious practices when dealing with less advanced countries, where everyone is swimming in that same water.

You could always get your kit from A to B in a horse and cart.

11 years, 11 months ago - Susi Arnott

A bit shocked/surprised they've accepted/gone looking for, this sort of sponsorship - and glad you've brought this to attention. Let's not be naive, all money comes from somewhere, but jeez

11 years, 11 months ago - Marlom Tander

Our industry uses kit which, weight for weight is some of the most environmentally damaging in terms of eco impact during production. Maybe we shouldn't make films...

If you want to campaign against Shell in particular, get people picketing their petrol stations, day in, day out.

But if you are campaigning against Shell as a proxy for not liking the oil business, then if you take planes, trains or automobiles, or use plastic, you're a hypocrite AND as dishonest in your tactics as the Oil Biz themselves when they give money to good causes. (What is your camera made of?).