40th Screening for 2D University Pop-Up

 4,098 miles, 3000 students, 23 universities, 10 scaffolding poles, three years, two filmmakers and one campervan have gone into taking 2D cinema to the UK’s youth.

In the backlash against the growth of 3D cinema and multiplexes, two independent filmmakers decided in 2010 to take film in its purest, most basic form to the people, requiring nothing more than a projector, some speakers and blankets to sit on.

 Vivien Müller-Rommel and Paul Allen will celebrate the 40^th national screening of their student comedy, ‘Big Font. Large Spacing’, on Monday, 8^th October at Bristol University. The film had its International premiere at the Atlanta Film Festival in April 2010.

They have given many undergraduates their first encounter of an independent, low budget film made by (former) students for students, with no need for distracting glasses.

Writer and director Paul Allen, said: “We’ve screened everywhere from outdoor fields, to sports halls, lecture theatres and bars.’

“No-one’s ever tried touring their own film, with their own homemade cinema, around British universities before so it’s been exciting to explore the possibilities’

“We’ve encountered everything from break-downs to floods and screened in conditions most people would consider madness. When 200 people sit out in the rain to watch your film, however, it means a lot’

Peter Buckingham, Distribution specialist and former Head of Distribution and Exhibition at the BFI, recognises the value of their approach:

 ‘Many people talk about 'self distribution', a few of 'new business models'. No one I know has had the imagination, creativity and energy that 2D cinema are showing in getting audiences to see their film 'Big Font Large Spacing'. They are a true inspiration to all of us in the film industry.’

For more information visit www.2Dcinema.com.

NINTENDO 3DS XL AND THE BFI PRESENT A VISION IN 3D

WINNER OF THE NINTENDO AND BFI COMPETITION A VISION IN 3D ANNOUNCED 

SHORT 3D FILM TO SCREEN BEFORE THE NINTENDO GALA PREMIERE AT THE 56^th BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL!

Nintendo and the BFI, both committed to finding and nurturing the best new British film talent, are thrilled to announce Nicholas Pratt as the winner of A Vision in 3D, a nation-wide competition, inviting emerging filmmakers to submit a short 3D film, using the wide range of filming modes on the Nintendo 3DS or Nintendo 3DS XL.

Supported by Ridley Scott and focused around the theme of ‘British Summer 2012’, the winning short film will be premiered before the Nintendo Gala UK Premiere of The Sapphireson Monday 15 October, 6pm, at Odeon West End at the BFI London Film Festival (10 – 21 October 2012) in partnership with American Express®. Feel-good comedy The Sapphirescharts the fortunes of a larger than life female soul band, and stars Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids).

20 year-old Nicholas Pratt, a student of Japanese at London’s SOAS says, “I’m really excited to have this opportunity to get involved in the film industry! It will be incredible to watch the film on the big screen with an audience and walk the red carpet – I’m pinching myself here!“

Pratt has been mentored by AV innovator Stuart Warren-Hill and director Asif Kapadia and following his winning submission, has been shooting his new short film for screening at the Nintendo Gala on location in London, in collaboration with Warren-Hill and a professional crew. Director of Photography Malcolm Hadley who has worked on Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride and upcoming 3D opus Frankenweenie, (the BFI London Film Festival’s Opening Night Gala supported by American Express), has also been on hand to wave his magic wand over the stop-motion process.

The 3 runners-up in the competition are Tom Rule, Jamie Mitchell and Charlie Doran. Each receives a pair of tickets to the BFI London Film Festival and a BFI Membership for one year.

All four films can be viewed on the Nintendo 3DS XL pods at the BFI Southbank from early October and will be available to watch on Nintendo 3DS XL consoles from 31st October - 21st November.

Nintendo 3DS XL and the BFI present A Vision in 3D offers an incredible introduction to the film industry for the next generation of UK film talent.

Award-winning director, Ridley Scott said: “Digital and 3D filmmaking is within the grasp of everyone these days. I’m excited by all the skill and talent that’s emerging in the UK, telling stories in different ways and it’s vital that it gets our support. This competition launched by the BFI and Nintendo opens up a big opportunity for emerging filmmakers to make their mark and they should grab it with both hands. I can’t wait to see the results.”

Clare Stewart, BFI London Film Festival Director and Head of Exhibition added, “The BFI London Film Festival is thrilled to be working with Nintendo on this innovative new partnership that provides an opportunity for emerging filmmaking talent to be mentored in 3D filmmaking and we look forward to showcasing the winning film at the festival this October.”

A Vision in 3D is supported by competition figurehead Ridley Scott (Prometheus, Blade Runner, Gladiator) and entries were judged by an expert panel that included competitionmentors Stuart Warren-Hill – an AV artist and innovator in the field of electronic music and visual media, founder of Hexstatic, Holotronica and co-founder of the Big Chill - and Asif Kapadia, director of hit documentary Senna.

In addition to this competition and as part of their wider cultural partnership, Nintendo and the BFI are working together on a number of new 3D content projects, details of which will continue to be announced.

Participant Biographies:

Figurehead, Ridley Scott

Renowned, Academy Award®-nominated director Ridley Scott has been honoured with Academy Award® nominations for Best Director for his work on Black Hawk Down,Gladiator, and Thelma & Louise.  All three films also earned him DGA Award nominations.  Scott most recently released the acclaimed smash hit Prometheus starring Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace and Charlize Theron.  Currently he is in production on The Counselor, written by Cormac McCarthy and starring Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, and Javier Bardem. In 2003, Scott was awarded a knighthood from the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his contributions to the arts.

Mentor, Asif Kapadia

BAFTA award winning Asif Kapadia is a British filmmaker and has directed numerous award-winning films, including The Sheep Thief (1997), The Warrior (2001), which won the BAFTA Award for Best British Film 2003 and Senna (2010), which is the highest grossing British documentary of all time, and won BAFTA Awards for Best Documentary and Best Editing and the World Cinema Audience Award Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival 2011. 

Mentor, Stuart Warren-Hill

UK based Stuart Warren-Hill is an audiovisual artist and Innovator in the field of electronic music and visual media. Founder of Hexstatic, Holotronica and co founder of the Big Chill, Stuart has been pushing AV boundaries since the early 1990’s. He has collaborated Coldcut, David Byrne, Faithless and George Michael. You can find out more about Holotronica and Hexstatic at www.holotronica.com and www.hexstatic.tv

CELTIC MEDIA FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENTRIES

The Celtic Media Festival has announced its annual Call for Entries, with film and programme makers and digital media producers able to submit entries for the prestigiousBronze Torc Awards for Excellence from today, Friday 5th October. The Celtic Media Festival celebrates the unique languages and cultures of the Celtic nations and regions on screen and in broadcasting, and the awards honour the very best of film, television, radio and digital media. The winners will be selected by an international jury and unveiled at the 34th Celtic Media Festival, which takes place in Swansea from 24th – 26th April.   A total of twenty-one Torc Awards will be presented at next year’s event, including three awards which are brand new for 2013. The festival will honour the important role of digital technology in the promotion of Celtic languages and cultures with the introduction of a Best App award, and for the first time ever podcasts will be accepted as entries in the Radio category. Two new awards have also been added to the Radio/Podcast category - Music Programme and Radio Sports, and other award categories include Documentary/Factual and Drama. The festival will also present a Gold Torc to the winner of the Spirit of the Festival Award - a film or television programme wholly or substantially in a Celtic language that encapsulates the spirit of Celtic Media Festival. The full list of awards is available at www.celticmediafestival.co.uk   Dhomhnall Caimbeul, Chairman of the Celtic Media Festival said:   "We are very pleased to be able to announce two new radio categories as part of the Festival's increased commitment to radio. I would like to thank the sector for feedback received during our consultation process - it was invaluable and will ensure that the Festival in Swansea will be a much richer place for radio as a result. “The new category for Apps is an exciting development. We have focused it on apps in, or for learning, one of the Celtic languages. I am sure it will stimulate a lot of interest and foster co-operation across the Celtic nations and regions beyond broadcast media. “Overall we feel incredibly proud to be bringing such a strong Celtic Media Festival to Swansea next year. There is a lot of talent to celebrate and we expect strong interest in these prestigious awards."   The Celtic Media Festival 2013 takes place in The Swansea Marriott Hotel as well as various arts venues around the city from 24th – 26th April, and will showcase the best work from Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, The Republic of Ireland, Cornwall and Brittany.  The festival is expected to attract some of the biggest names in the broadcasting and film world to the city.  Previous high profile guests include actors Tilda Swinton, Rhys Ifans, Peter Mullan, Ken Loach and Doctor Who and Torchwood producer Russell T Davies. Although the festival is primarily for industry delegates, there will be a wider programme of local screenings, exhibitions, evening entertainment and celebrity interviews open to the public, including a series of master-classes and seminars for local students – full details of the festival programme, delegate registration and how to purchase tickets will be announced early next year.   Entries must be submitted by 5pm on Tuesday 30th October. Full information on the Call for Entries and award categories are available online atwww.celticmediafestival.co.uk