Bridget Jones director joins UK Film Council board
Acclaimed film and television director Beeban Kidron has joined the UK Film Council's Board of Directors. The appointment was made by Margaret Hodge MP, Minister for Culture today and will run for four years from 1 July 2008.
LONDON – Friday 4 July 2008: Acclaimed film and television director Beeban Kidron has joined the UK Film Council's Board of Directors. The appointment was made by Margaret Hodge MP, Minister for Culture today and will run for four years from 1 July 2008.
Stewart Till CBE, Chairman of the UK Film Council, says, "I'm delighted that Beeban is joining the UK Film Council's board. With her passion for inspiring young people about film and her work which spans documentaries through to big budget features, she has a knack of connecting with audiences on many different levels. I'm really pleased because the UK Film Council's board just keeps getting stronger and stronger."
Beeban Kidron is a British film and television director. She has recently directed an adaptation of the 60's memoir Hippie Hippie Shake (currently in post-production) by Richard Neville for Working Title. She came to prominence directing the BBC's acclaimed film adaptation of Jeanette Winterson's Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit. Amongst her feature films are Antonia and Jane, Used People, Swept Away from the Sea, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Her work includes many documentaries including a recent film Antony Gormley: Making Space and one of her first documentaries was Carry Greenham Home. She has created a website www.yourgreenham.co.uk to celebrate 25 years of the peace camp.
Beeban is co-founder (with Lindsay Mackie) of Filmclub, a government-funded scheme designed to bring film into schools nationwide. Filmclub makes available to young people an extraordinary range of films that challenge, unite, amaze and inspire future generations.
Beeban Kidron, says, "The UK Film Council has an important role in shaping the future of the British film industry, which is in itself is an important part of our cultural heritage and export. I am looking forward to joining the other board members under the leadership of Stewart Till, the Chairman, and John Woodward, the CEO, in developing opportunities for members of the film making community and making sure that our industry thrives and our history is well cared for."
For further information please contact:
Tina McFarling
UK Film Council Press Office
T: 44 (0)20 7861 7508 /7505/ 07879 421 578
Notes to Editors
1. 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.
2. The appointments do not attract remuneration but board members may claim reasonable travel and subsistence.
3. The appointments process was carried out in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.
