Hull Film Festival

Hull International Short Film Festival (15-19 October 2003) is the leading short film event in the North. This year organisers are preparing a bold new project: Festival Market.

In the context of the third Hull film festival, featuring screenings and events of some of the best short film around the globe, organisers have developed a two-day market platform to engage and address the key issues facing short film production and distribution.

The Festival Market will pull together key industry players to debate the big questions about the short film's role in the UK film industry. What are the industry perceptions and approaches to the short? Is it just a training ground for emerging filmmakers, a calling card for wannabe feature directors? How do these approaches compromise the capacity of the short film as a creative platform? Is the 10-minute straitjacket a formula for
success or is it endangering the whole of short film production?

The Festival Market will also feature: presentations on regional industry developments, information on training opportunities, exciting new company initiatives, exhibitions and literature exchange and screenwriting masterclasses.

For more information visit their website at:

www.hullfilm.co.uk

The 12th Chichester Film Festival

21st August - 7th September 2003
The South Coast Cinematic Event of the Year

Festival Booking opens Monday 4th August at 11am...

The Film Festival is the highlight of the Chichester Cinema’s calendar and we are hoping to build on last years success, when over 5,000 people came to see films during the 18 days of the Festival.

This year, we are very proud to open and close the 12th Chichester Film Festival with two important UK productions - Jim Sheridan’s moving In America (21st August) and the hilarious Calendar Girls. (7th September). Sandwiched between these two prestigious films will be over 70 films, including 12 UK premieres and 25 previews of world cinema including: From Australia (the much anticipated Ned Kelly), UK (The Four Features), East-Asia (The Grudge) and the US (Gods and Generals).

There will be retrospectives of the work of leading film-makers (Luchino Visconti and Bertrand Tavernier), as well as themed programming such as the Anthony Minghella Triple Bill and a look at the four films based on Patricia Highsmith’s Ripley books. A series of discussions and Q&A sessions with visiting producers, directors and actors will support the programming. There will also be a repeat of the highly successful International Short Film Competition.

Previews

Angel on the Right (Tadjikistan)

Bad Guy (South Korea)

Black and White (Aus)

Blind Spot: Hitler’s Secretary (Austria)

Blue Gate Crossing (Taiwan)

The Boy David Story (UK)

Calendar Girls (UK)

Crackerjack (Aus)

Food of Love (Spain/Germany)

Holes (US)

House of 1000 Corpses (US)

Jeremy Hardy v Israeli Army (UK)

Love You Baby (Spain)

Luster (US)

The Man Who Sued God (Aus)

Ma Vie (France)

Mango Soufflé (India)

Raising Victor Vargas (US)

Scorched (US)

Small Cuts (France)

Spellbound (US)

The Three Marias (Brazil)

Time of the Wolf (France)

Together With You (China)

Winged Migration (France)

Special Events

Selective retrospectives on LUCHINO VISCONTI
and BERTRAND TAVERNIER

17th London Lesbian and Gay
Film Festival on Tour

East-Asian Cinema

late night eXtreme cinema

World Cinema

Previews and Premieres

Family Matinees

Ripley’s Talents

Anthony Minghella Triple Bill

Discussions, talks and personal
appearances of filmmakers

International Short Film Competition


Premieres

Camp (US)

Crimson Gold (Iran)

Cypher (US)

The Grudge (Japan)

Horse Play (Aus)

The Hours of the Day (Spain)

In America (UK)

Ned Kelly (Aus)

Take Away (Aus)

Triggerman (UK)

Wilbur (UK)

Young Adam (UK)

For more information go to:

www.chichestercinema.org

Box Office: 01243 786650

Over £1million awarded to talented North West film makers

The North West’s most promising film makers, scriptwriters and media development organisations are celebrating after being awarded over £1million funding through North West Vision.

Since April 2002 North West Vision the TV, Film and Moving image Development Agency for englandsnorthwest has received 291 lottery applications with 93 being successful. The funding from lottery funding and treasury money has been a tremendous benefit to the region not just for film makers but for businesses and cultural organisation’s with filming production generating millions for the local economy.

Of the total £1million, £530,000 has been allocated to key partner organisations, including the Cornerhouse in Manchester; WFA based in Trafford and First Take in Liverpool. Filmmakers and creative media cultural organisations have benefited from the remaining £470,000.

In the recent round of lottery funding over £140,000 was awarded to 27 out of a total of 106 applicants. The money will be spent making innovative films, organising exciting media events, and diverse film festivals. To date the funding has been a fantastic way of helping to develop and promote the creative talent in the region and put the North West on the International Media map.

Alice Morrison, Chief Executive for North West Vision said:

“The wealth of talent that we have in the North West is overwhelming and North West Vision is extremely proud to be able to offer exciting opportunities and support for new and emerging film makers in the region. North West Vision is passionate about the region as a media destination and a vibrant, innovative cultural centre. The growth of the film making industry will have a positive knock on effect on the sustainable growth of the media industry and tourism and business development in the North West as a whole”.

Brief Information on recent round of allocated Funding

Promising Manchester Producer Mike Ogden has set up a number of challenging short film projects for North West Vision over the past year. Mike who is originally from Salford has been working in TV for over ten years. Since making his first award winning short film ‘Me, You and the Dead’ for North West Vision in 2002, Mike has gone on to full time directing for Mersey TV. His current projects for North West Vision include ‘Small World’ a film about a group of semi unrelated characters who sort out their lives through a self help book and ‘Pots and Pans’ a comedy that explores the feelings of friendship and childhood.

‘Script top Screen is a Liverpool based pro-active project that North West Vision is proud to support. It is run by BAFTA North and will run a series of events that pull together the creative teams of the North West’s best Network drama’s such as Clocking Off and Cops, to show clips and discuss the creative process when getting a programme from script to screen.

Kendal Mountain Film Festival is one of the best Film Festivals in the world. It attracts hundreds of visitors from all over the world. This year’s festival will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest with many guests from the mountain climbing profession. The festival will screen features, shorts, documentaries, IMAX and will run an education programme. The BBC and North West Media will run the ‘Filming Extreme’ film school. This is an annual event at which the BBC provides workshops and support to encourage young and aspiring filmmakers to explore any mountain subjects, culture, sport and the environment.

All funded projects and events are set in a variety of North West locations including Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cumbria, Cheshire and Lancashire.

The Futurist Cinema Company presents
MOVING CONVERSATIONS
STAND UP TO CELLULOID

Six Moving Conversations about comedy followed by a classic comedy feature 4,7,11,14,18,21 August, 6.30pm, Warner Village Cinema, Edinburgh.

Moving Conversations is making six appearances at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Each night we will have three different comedians (some local, some from out of town) who will identify their essential comedy movies and discuss the finer points of stand up comedy i.e. how to cope with abusive punters or how to deliver a contemporary routine without swearing.

The comedy line-up includes:
Gordon Southern [BBC1’s Stand Up Show & R4’s Cheese Shop]
Noel James [Skitzaphrantic]
Will Smith [Will Smith is Much Obliged]
Stephen Grant [Stephen Grant’s Route 1]

The 'classic' (and we use the word advisedly) movies on show are as follows:
4th Le Diner de Cons (1998)
7th Being John Malkovitch (1999)
11th Blazing Saddles (1974)
14th Groundhog Day (1993)
18th Wayne's World (1992)
21st Ferris Buellers Day Off (1986)

Tickets cost a Fringetastic £7.50 (£5.50 concession) and can be obtained at the Fringe box office or via the Warner Village Cinema (Tel: 0131 557 3964).

Note that we are running a 2 for 1 offer on the 4th and a group discount applies for those purchasing 10 tickets or more for any of the shows.

OFT REVIEWS FILM DISTRIBUTORS ORDERS AND UNDERTAKINGS

Orders covering the distribution of films are to be reviewed by the OFT.

The Orders and undertakings followed reports by the then Monopolies and Mergers Commission (now the Competition Commission) and were designed to remedy restrictions on competition. These reviews are the beginning of a programme of reviews of Orders and undertakings imposed under the monopoly provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973.

The OFT has a duty to keep such orders and undertakings under review.

Film Orders

The film Orders resulted from MMC monopoly reports in 1983 and 1994 into the supply of films in cinemas, which found that a number of practices of the large distributors and cinema chains restricted
competition.

The Orders ban exclusive agreements between distributors and cinemas which cover more than one film, and prevent distributors from imposing lengthy minimum exhibition periods on cinemas.

The review is expected to be completed by April 2004.

Full details of the Film Orders were given in DTI press notice
96/942 issued on 16 December 1996.

PUBLIC enquiries: 0845 7224499 enquiries@oft.gov.uk OFT reports and consumer information leaflets are available free from: OFT, PO Box 366, Hayes UB3 1XB 0870 6060321 oft@eclogistics.co.uk

Afterlife (New Found Films)
At the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2003

Afterlife is a beautifully crafted, delightfully scripted film from first time feature-film makers Gabriel Films.

Written by Andrea Gibb, directed by Alison Peebles and produced by Catherine Aitken, the film stars Kevin McKidd, Lindsay Duncan, Shirley Henderson and introducing newcomer Paula Sage.

The film is centred around a young determined, cut-throat journalist, Kenny (McKidd), who is on the verge of a major career breakthrough. His date with destiny and America, is interrupted by a trip home during Easter to visit his mother May (Duncan), after she suffers a fall and injures herself, and his sister Roberta (Sage) who has Downs Syndrome.

Two very different siblings. Two very different lives. But everything is about to change when tragedy strikes and they are forced to reassess their future lives.

Afterlife (World Premiere) Tuesday 19 August - 8.30pm at UGC Fountain Park, Dundee Street, Edinburgh, EH11.

Afterlife (Repeat public performance) Thursday 21 August - 8.30pm at location above.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE MIDLANDS

A contemporary British comedy with a western twist, Once Upon a Time in the Midlands is available to buy on video and DVD from 29 September by FilmFour/VCI. The third feature film from the industry respected, Midlands-born director Shane Meadows features an all-star Brit cast including Robert Carlyle, Ricky Tomlinson, Kathy Burke and Rhys Ifans. This critically acclaimed movie also packs in hilarious cameos from Vanessa Feltz, Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer.

Set in a Midlands suburb, this comedy drama is a poignant insight into the lives of live-in partners Dek and Shirley. Together they look after Marlene, Shirley's only daughter by first-love and all round jack-the-lad Jimmy (Robert Carlyle).

The film starts with dull Dek proposing to Shirley live on 'Face to Feltz'. Jimmy sees the proposal on TV and it isn't long before he rides into town to win back the love of his life…little does he know he faces a real, pistols-at-dawn, family standoff.

Baseball bats and Ford Sierras replace rifles and wagons in this story of lost love, honesty and revenge, but as with all great Westerns, good triumphs over evil to win the day - all to the sound of a country-style, guitar-twanging sound-track!

First released to cinemas nationwide in September 2002, Once Upon a Time in the Midlands, was nominated for the Grand Prix Asturias at the 2002 Gijon International Film Festival. It is released on video and DVD from 29 September. Presented as a Double Disk set, the DVD also incorporates, early rehearsal footage, 'Once Upon A Time Around Britain' a hilarious video-diary/documentary on the film's promotional tour, the full 'Face To Feltz' episode, deleted scenes and much more.

AsoloArtFilmFestival

Asolo – Montebelluna

22 – 28 September 2003

Three hundred and sixty-three films representing thirty-one countries. This is the extraordinary result of participation in the third AsoloArtFilmFestival, launched in the wake of the Asolo Festival Internazionale del Film sull’Arte e di Biografie d’Artista which was in turn founded way back in 1973 by Flavia Paulon.

This is highly satisfying both to promoters and organisers.

The AsoloArtFilmFestival will take place in Asolo, at the Teatro E. Duse, and Montebelluna, at the Cinema Italia Eden, from 22 to 28 September 2003.

The works submitted have been undergoing selection for more than a month, in what is no easy task given the high overall quality.

The organising body, under the artistic direction of Anna Maria Cerrato, has set the end of July for listing the definitive selection of works to be admitted to the competition.

For details go to:
www.asolofilmfestival.it

Moving Conversations

Edinburgh based ‘itinerant’ cinema operator, The Futurist, is to offer its acclaimed Moving Conversations events at the Warner Village cinema in Edinburgh. Moving Conversations offer a lively panel discussion about a range of subjects, before showing a main feature movie. The Futurist has already partnered with the Royal Museum and the Filmhouse to cover topics such as the Scottish video games industry, personal recollections of the Nazi holocaust, acting and journalism. Now the Futurist has teamed up with
Warner Village to offer a series of these events, initially turning its
sights on comedy and technology...

The Futurist Cinema Company presents
MOVING CONVERSATIONS
WARNER VILLAGE CINEMA, EDINBURGH, 6.30pm, 24th JULY 2003
SPAMMERS & SPOOLS
Moving Conversations, the popular panel discussion with a twist, dips its toes into the world of computers and technology on 24th July at the Warner Village Cinema in Greenside Place, Edinburgh. Scottish technology gurus such as David Farquhar from Interactive University, Dr Aydin Kurt Elli from edNET, Tracey Ward from MX Alliance and Ian Preece from The National Trust for Scotland will each choose a film that represents the best or the worst
of technology. These movies will be impossible to predict, however the choice will be backed up by an impassioned and eloquent argument. The debate will be followed by a showing of the digital cinema masterpiece, Russian Ark - a unique journey through time and Russian history and the first entirely unedited, single take, full-length feature film. All for a mere £6.50 (£5.50 conc).
This is guaranteed to be one technology bubble bursting with goodness and value.
Tickets can be purchased on the door, in advance at the Warner Village box office (Tel 0131 557 3964) or via the automated booking number 0870 2406020.

The Futurist Cinema Company presents
MOVING CONVERSATIONS
STAND UP TO CELLULOID
Six Moving Conversations about comedy followed by a classic comedy feature 4,7,11,14,18,21 August, 6.30pm, Warner Village Cinema, Edinburgh Moving Conversations is making six appearances at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Each night we will have three different comedians (some local, some from out of town) who will identify their essential comedy movies and discuss the finer points of stand up comedy i.e. how to cope with abusive punters or how to deliver a contemporary routine without swearing.
The comedy line-up includes:
Gordon Southern [BBC1’s Stand Up Show & R4’s Cheese Shop]
Noel James [Skitzaphrantic]
Will Smith [Will Smith is Much Obliged]
Stephen Grant [Stephen Grant’s Route 1]
The 'classic' (and we use the word advisedly) movies on show are as follows:
4th Le Diner de Cons (1998)
7th Being John Malkovitch (1999)
11th Blazing Saddles (1974)
14th Groundhog Day (1993)
18th Wayne's World (1992)
21st Ferris Buellers Day Off (1986)
Tickets cost a Fringetastic £7.50 (£5.50 concession) and can be obtained at the Fringe box office or via the Warner Village Cinema (Tel: 0131 557 3964).
Note that we are running a 2 for 1 offer on the 4th and a group discount applies for those purchasing 10 tickets or more for any of the shows.

For more information on Moving Conversations and The Futurist visit
www.futuristcinema.com

bfi pays tribute to film critic and broadcaster Alexander Walker

The British Film Institute today paid tribute to former bfi governor Alexander Walker whose death was announced this morning.

bfi Chairman Anthony Minghella said: "Alexander Walker's contribution to the appreciation and understanding of British film was unique.

"He was passionate about film and that love affair with cinema was clear in everything he wrote.

"He was much more than a film critic. He was a champion for quality cinema in this country. As a broadcaster, commentator and film historian he had no equal. He was a good friend and sometime critic of the bfi. As a former governor he had strong views about the future of film and the work of the Institute. It is to his credit that he never shied away from expressing his views which were always informed."

He added: "The London film world and British cinema are a smaller and less colourful place without him."

bfi Director Amanda Nevill added: " I am sure I speak for everyone at the bfi when I say we are saddened that we have lost such a substantial figure in the cinema world.

"He was film."

She added: "Part of the landscape of film culture has gone with his passing and British cinema is the poorer as a result.

"His association with the British Film Institute goes back a long way. He was a former member governor of the bfi and was never shy to express his views about the organisation and its direction. Throughout, he was a tenacious, determined and vocal advocate for film in this country and although not always a fan, was a supporter of the work of the British Film Institute.

"He was passionate about the movies and had an unrivalled knowledge of Hollywood and the classic years of British and American cinema.

"This is a loss not only to British newspapers and film criticism but to everyone who loves film in this country."

In 'Dietrich' by Malene Sheppard Skaerved (Haus Publishing, 2003) it notes that Marlene hated biographers and covered her edition of Walker's book 'Dietrich' (Harper & Row, 1984) with scribbled notes. She accuses him of lying and writes on one page 'Rot, Rot. Bullshit, double Bullshit.' So he obviously made an impact with her!

Promoting British Talent

The British Independent Film Awards, which last year won the Hollis
Sponsorship Award for Best Low Budget Sponsorship and The Raindance Film Festival, are working with Transmission Inc. Ltd to secure a three year title sponsorship deal.

Although separate projects, both events are intrinsically linked and form the cornerstone of new talent in independent British Film Making. Transmission Inc. Ltd is working with the in-house team to put together a package aimed at building a long-term relationship with a commercial partner whilst promoting British talent in filmmaking.

In its sixth year, the British Independent Film Awards continue to grow in size and stature, filling an important niche in the UK and Independent filmmaking calendar. Over-subscribed for the last five years, this is the UK's fastest growing film event.

This year will also see the introduction of the Best British Feature
Documentary. The organisers feel this is a welcome addition to the current categories, highlighting and publicising an important educational and prolific genre of British independent filmmaking.

Award-winning South African film Amandla added to respectFilm festival

AMANDLA! A Revolution In Four-Part Harmony (2003)
Lee Hirsch/South Africa/2003/103mins/certificate tbc

Curzon Mayfair - Tuesday 15 July 6.30pm £8.50
38 Curzon Street Mayfair London W1J 7TY, 020 7495 0500 www.curzoncinemas.com
tube: Green Park/Hyde Park Corner

The power of song to communicate, motivate, console, unite and, ultimately, beget change: that ideal, gloriously realized, lies at the heart of director Lee Hirsch's inspiring feature-film documentary Amandla! A Revolution In Four-Part Harmony.

Winner of the Audience Award and Freedom of Expression Award at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, Amandla! tells the story of black South African freedom music and reveals the central role it played in the long battle against apartheid. The first film to specifically consider the music that sustained and galvanized black South Africans for more than 40 years, Amandla!'s focus is on the struggle's spiritual dimension, as articulated and embodied in song. It is unlike any other film yet made on the subject of apartheid, and an electrically expressive portrait of South African life then and now.

The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy - The Exhibition

This is a unique visitor experience based on the famous films, opens at the Science Museum on 16 September 2003.

The family exhibition arrives before the eagerly awaited final instalment of the film trilogy and will be the only chance for European fans to explore for themselves the fantastic world created for The Lord of the Rings films.

Hundreds of artefacts from the movies including models, armoury and animatronics will feature alongside interactive computer and mechanical demonstrations of the cutting-edge technology used to bring the story to life.

The fascinating exhibition includes:

* Demonstrations of special effects, including the combining of 'real' and 'digital' action and CGI (computer-generated-image technology)

* A scaling interactive allowing visitors to become Hobbit sized in a scene from The Fellowship of the Ring - and then buy a print of themselves

* A display on prosthetics including Hobbit feet, Orc teeth and the contact lenses used to give the Orcs their unique look

* Giant models including Hobbiton Mill, Treebeard and a cave troll

* An 'armour corridor' featuring weapons belonging to Arwen, Gandalf, Frodo, and Aragorn

Ø Outfits including Arwen's riding costume, Galadriel's stunning dress, and Gandalf's robes

Visitors will be transported into the world of Middle-earth where they will be met by Frodo and his Hobbit companions, the wizards, the Black Riders, the cultures of Middle-earth and the fearsome warriors - all in the authentic costumes created for the films.

The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy - The Exhibition will enable visitors to experience first hand some of the awe-inspiring special effects used to make the blockbuster films.

Head of the Science Museum, Jon Tucker, said: "This excellent exhibition provides a unique behind-the-scenes look at the science and technology which made the film trilogy possible - from the computer generated special effects to the development of the complex animatronics that created such stunning results."

The exhibition culminates with a face-to-face encounter with the central icon from the films - the One Ring itself.

· Due to the expected demand for tickets to see this exhibition, tickets can be pre-booked on 0870 870 4868.

· The Science Museum will be running a series of adult and family events during the autumn half term and Christmas holidays investigating traditional and state-of-the-art filmmaking techniques.

Exhibition
16 September 2003 to 11 January 2004

Ticket Prices
Monday - Friday: Adults £9.95, Children/Concessions £6.95
Saturday - Sunday: Adults £11.95, Children/Concessions £8.95

Information and booking line
0870 870 4868

GERRY ANDERSON AND THE THUNDERBIRDS MOVIE

Gerry Anderson, creator of the original Thunderbirds series, has issued the following statement regarding the Thunderbirds Movie that is currently in production by Working Title Films at Pinewood Studios:

"A number of journalists I have spoken to, are under the impression that I am both involved with and supporting this feature film.

For the record, I would like to clarify my position with regards to the Thunderbirds Film, once and for all.

I was not approached by anyone, either before or at the outset of production of this movie, to be creatively involved. As a result I know very little about the film. I have not seen the script and have made it my business not to attempt to find out about it - despite the close physical proximity of filming to the facility that I am setting up for the creation of the new Captain Scarlet TV series.

I have a good relationship with the film's Director, Jonathan Frakes, whose previous work I rate highly, however, I am certainly in no position to endorse the film - or otherwise - and I would like this to be clearly understood."