About

Close-Up Film began life as a print publication for Kent, UK, in December 2002. Founded and edited by film & media professional Jean Lynch, it quickly established itself in the south east of England, and soon had a team of over 40 writers based all over the UK. The magazine pitched itself at the serious film enthusiast, the person who would look beyond the 120 mins or so they saw on the big screen.

Ebracing the rapidly changing technologies of the media environment, Close-Up Film became solely an online publication in March 2004, ensuring the latest news, reviews, features and interviews for it’s audience. We enjoy close links with the UK film industry and covered Cannes, the Times Bfi London Film Festival, Edinburgh, Cannes, LLGFF, Britdocs and the East End Film Festival, to name but a few.

Close-Up Film is also the co-founder of the 2 Days Later 48hr Horror Shorts Competition & Film Festval, established in 2003 in partnership with Beeping Bush Productions. In 2007, the two companies jointly launched 2 Days Laughter – a 48hr comedy film festival. These events enjoy support from such well-known names as actress Brenda Blethyn; leading horror film critic, author and broadcaster Kim Newman; James Moran, screenwriter of Severance, Dr Who & Torchwood; Jon Holmes, writer, broadcaster and comedian (Dead Ringers, Graham Norton, Mock The Week); Phil Ilson, founder of the Halloween Short Film Festival; director/producer/writer Pratibha Parmar (Nina’s Heavenly Delights), and Tim Arthur, comedy editor of Time Out Magazine.

In 2004, Close-Up Film was the organiser of the Student Film Festival in Kent, and also hosted a film journalism workshop, in conjunction with the University of Kent, and with guest speakers from Empire, Total Film, Yahoo Movies and Film Education. We also provided in-kind support to the Summerscreen Film Festival for Young People.

This online publication continues to development its interactivity with its audience, embracing social media, and is currently building on its coverage of less mainstream and world, classic & cult cinema; short film, regional film, and filmmaking.

June 2008 saw a relocation to the vibrant city of Birmingham, enjoying a strategic base in the heart of England, in a dynamic and diverse community that fully embraces the mediums of film and digital media.

Close-Up Film enjoys a strategic partnership with D-Media Network, co-founding the Millionth Monkey’s Movie competition, and is currently looking towards developing initiatives around short film, music and crowdsourcing.

We currently receive 4m hits per month, to an average of 105,000 unique visitors.

We are always keen to hear from potential writers, sponsors or advertisers, and to receive film related news that we can share with our audience so please get in touch by contacting the editor at
jeanl@close-upfilm.com