UK Film Council activity in Edinburgh to support filmmakers
The Edinburgh International Film Festival has got off to a flying start with an exciting line-up of events and activities for filmmakers attending the festival, supported by the UK Film Council.
This year's festival film line-up also showcases a number of films from new British filmmakers who are making waves on an international level for the quality and creativity of their films, a theme which will be explored in an audience discussion at the festival on Tuesday 24 June under the banner of Taking the Temperature of British Film.
The festival opened with John Maybury's The Edge of Love followed by a number of new British films which have been co-funded by the Lottery through the UK Film Council's New Cinema and Premiere funds including: Duane Hopkins' Better Things, Martin Radich's Crack Willow, Chris Waitt's A Complete History of My Sexual Failures, Kenny Glenaan's Summer, Olly Blackburn's Donkey Punch, James Marsh's Man on Wire, Vito Rocco's Faintheart (Closing Night Gala), Rupert Wyatt's The Escapist and Terence Davies' Of Time and the City.
The UK Film Council is supporting Edinburgh with £1.88 million of National Lottery funding over the next three years to help it achieve its ambition of becoming the world's leading festival of discovery, showcasing new films and talent. It is also sponsoring the Michael Powell Award for Best New British Feature and the Best British Short Film Award.
Events for filmmakers attending Edinburgh
New Directors' Lab at Edinburgh for six of the UK's most distinctive film directors looking to move from shorts or documentary to features. Each participant will be matched with an experienced filmmaker who understands the pressures of developing a career in directing, and who can provide creative support, advice and insight. Mentors will spend time with their director discussing their career, the industry, key relationships and their projects.
The Director's Lab has been set up and funded by the UK Film Council's New Cinema Fund, Film4, Skillset and run by Lifesize Pictures underlining Edinburgh's 'festival of discovery' manifesto. Patron Stephen Woolley and established filmmakers including Kevin Macdonald, Antonia Bird, Seamus McGarvey and Mogens Rukov will work with the directors during the intensive five day programme. Some sessions are open to festival industry delegates*
Friday 20 June - to Tuesday 24 June
Filmmakers flummoxed by funding opportunities and unsure who to approach can find out where to access public money in a specially organised event called Meet the UK Funders with production executives from the UK Film Council, Film4, BBC Films and the national and regional screen agencies.
Monday 23 June, 10:00 - 13:00, Mercure Point Penthouse
The relationship for film with the media is important and influential in helping people make choices about which films they see. The era of the internet heralds opportunity and risk for film critics making Contemporary Criticism a 'must-attend' event for filmmakers, the media and cinema-goers. Dave Calhoun, Film Editor of Time Out, journalism professor David Archibald and critic Tim Robey join John Woodward, Chief Executive Officer of the UK Film Council for this debate.
Monday 23 June, 18:00-19:30 at the Traverse
This year's Sundance Film Festival kicked off 2008 showing 23 new British films with festival director Geoff Gilmore saying he had never seen anything like the range, quality and full spectrum of films from the UK. Man on Wire director James Marsh, critic and programmer Mark Adams and the Head of the New Cinema Fund, Lenny Crooks join BBC Scotland presenter Janice Forsyth in looking at where new British filmmakers are coming from and their work in Taking the Temperature of British Film.
Tuesday 24 June, 18:00, at Traverse 1
A new report published by the UK Film Council during the festival will examine the world of low and micro budget filmmaking, whether there is a viable future for micro studio production in the UK, and new business models for getting films to audiences. This will be the main discussion point at Low Budget, not Low Return with a panel of professionals working in low budget films including Ian Hall of Carnaby Films, Barry Ryan of Warp X and producer Robert Cannan, whose film Three Miles North of Molkom, is screening at the festival. Chris Chandler co-author of the report will also take part in the discussion.
Wednesday 25 June, 13:00 – 15:00 at Mercure Point Penthouse
Ever thought about making your film available online but couldn't raise the funds? Europe might be able to help. The MEDIA programme runs a VoD/DCD (Digital Cinema Distribution) funding scheme with a total pot of €5.9 million. The closing date for the next round of applications is 14 July. This money is specifically earmarked for subsidising the cost of creating and running a VoD/ DCD portal. Video on Demand - what's in it for me? will feature John Dick from the MEDIA programme as well as European VoD services Movieurope and Moviepilot.
Thursday 26 June, 09:15 - 11:00 at Filmhouse 3
For filmmakers who want to meet key producers, distributors and representatives from the regional and national screen agencies then Breakfast with the UK Film Council is the place to be. Delegates should sign up the day before in the Industry Office to reserve a place - first come, first served.
Saturday 21 June, 09:30 – 11:00, Blue Bar at the Traverse
Wednesday 25 June, 09:30 – 11:00, Blue Bar at the Traverse
There will be a special screening of the six short films funded and supported by the UK Film Council which enabled them to be finished. The Completion Fund screening will feature Ralph, Hatemail, Dead Dog, The Hero's Journey, Unborn and Domestics. The fund re-opens for applications in September 2008.
Wednesday 25 June, 17:15, Filmhouse 1
For further information please contact:
Caroline Nagle / Tina McFarling
UK Film Council Press Office
T: 44 (0)20 7861 7508 / 7900
Notes to Editors
Some sessions are open to festival industry delegates*. To sign up for the open sessions, delegates should visit the Festival Industry Office. Space will be strictly limited. Priority will be given to filmmakers (writers, producers and directors), particularly those with a film (short or feature) selected for the Festival.
The UK Film Council is the Government-backed strategic agency for film in the UK. We aim to stimulate a successful, vibrant film industry and to promote the widest possible enjoyment and understanding of cinema throughout the UK.
We invest Government grant-in-aid and Lottery money in developing new filmmakers, in funding exciting new British films and in getting a wider choice of films to audiences throughout the UK. We also invest in training, promoting Britain as an international filmmaking location and in raising the profile of British films abroad. We aim to deliver lasting benefits to the industry and the public through:
- creativity - encouraging the development of new talent, skills, and creative and technological innovation in UK film and assisting new and established filmmakers to produce successful and distinctive British films;
- enterprise – supporting the creation and growth of sustainable businesses in the film sector, providing access to finance and helping the UK film industry compete successfully in the domestic and global marketplace;
- imagination - promoting education and an appreciation and enjoyment of cinema by giving UK audiences access to the widest range of UK and international cinema, and by supporting film culture and heritage.
