Last month the BFI, the national body responsible for film policy and activity in the UK, invited members (members of the NFT or Sight & Sound Magazine subscribers) to nominate themselves to sit on their Board of Governors.

When two colleagues in the film world got in touch with our Head of Programme Mark Cosgrove enquiring whether he was going to apply or not, he gave the application a look – and thanks to their prompting and his own passionate supporting statement he has been accepted as one of the four prospective candidates.

If elected one of Mark’s main priorities is to re-energise the representation of the BFI in the nations and regions. Hailing from Scotland and having worked for over twenty years in independent cinema in Plymouth, Manchester, and here in Bristol – this is an area that Mark, quite rightly, feels strongly about.

Mark has always been a champion for non-London based film activity – a term of office as a BFI governor would allow him to fly the flag at a national level, and make the membership voice heard.

You can read his full supporting statement – where he talks about the importance of dialogue with audiences, celebrating the diversity of world cinema, the role of partnerships and engaging younger audiences – in its entirety on the BFI website. Earlier this year Mark also wrote a brilliant manifesto about Cultural Cinema Exhibition in the 21st Century, which you can read on DShed.

Here's a taster of his statement:

"I feel very much that there is a moment here where the BFI can re-imagine and re-energise its national role and reconnect with partners and audiences in the nations and regions. I want to bring my passion, expertise and skills to the role of member governor to support this unique organisation through this period of its evolution."

Even though we are more than slightly biased we believe that Mark is an ideal candidate - have a look over his, and the other three candidates' applications, make up your mind, and (if you are a member of the NFT or a subscriber to Sight & Sound Magazine), cast your vote by internet or telephone by Tue 20 Dec.

If you have any questions or comments, drop Mark a line on Twitter @msc45 or email mark@watershed.co.uk - and get that ‘dialogue with audiences’ promise started!

More About Mark

Mark started as Programmer for Plymouth Arts Centre (1987–91), and then went to work as Education Officer at Cornerhouse in Manchester (1991–94).

Since 1994, he has been Head of Programme at Watershed in Bristol, UK, a leading cultural organisation for non-mainstream and independent cinema exhibition. He is responsible for developing and articulating the artistic vision for the cultural programme in the spirit of its radical, innovative and open partnership led approach.

In 2010, Watershed was selected from among 1000 cinemas across 500 European cities to win the 'Entrepreneur of the Year' Europa Cinemas Award.

Since 2004, Mark has also been the Creative Director of Encounters (Brief + Animated) International Short Film Festival, 'The UK's premier short film festival' Sight and Sound.

Mark has been invited on several juries including the Sutherland Jury at The Times BFI 53rd London Film Festival, the Short Film Jury at Edinburgh International Film Festival, Cork Film Festival, Leuven Kort Short Film festival, Uppsala International Festival, Wildscreen, and The Europa Label in Cannes Festival, Berlin and Venice. He produces monthly film podcasts - watershed.co.uk/podcast and blogs / Twitters @msc45 from festivals he attends.