CORONATION STREET AND EASTENDERS BATTLE IT OUT FOR COVETED CRE RACE IN MEDIA AWARD (RIMA)

Coronation Street and EastEnders are both strong contenders to win the 'TV Soaps' category at this year's Race in the Media Awards (RIMA) as the Commission for Racial Equality announces the 2005 shortlist.

For the first time RIMA will be awarding a film category with 'Bullet Boy' (Shine Ltd) up against 'Wondrous Oblivion' (Apt Films) for the prize. The Bill (Thames Television), Sex Traffic (Granada Drama) and 55 Degrees North (Zenith Entertainment) will also battle it out for the TV Drama Award.

Announcing the shortlist of prize winners today Trevor Phillips, CRE Chair, said:

"The quality of entries this year has been excellent with many journalists, programme and film makers producing some outstanding material that has contributed towards the British public's appreciation of race relations. Media representation of ethnic minority communities has improved considerably since RIMA was launched 13 years ago, though issues such as integration, Islamophobia and migration from the expanded EU and the continued discrimination faced by Gypsies and Travellers still present huge challenges to all who work in the media.

"These awards matter because balanced representation of ethnic minority communities in the media matters. The industry has a key part to play in this, it is a powerful tool and can go a long way towards helping to build an integrated society."

Judges from the national, regional and ethnic media have short-listed 45 journalists and media organisations across 16 categories from hundreds of entries. They included journalists Robert Thomson, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Moira Stewart, Adam Boulton and Tom Bradby and actor and playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah.

The winners will be announced on Tuesday 28 June at an evening ceremony at the Curzon Mayfair, followed by a VIP after-party at Just St James. RIMA 2005 will be attended by judges, nominees, a host of celebrities and leading players in the UK media.


SHORT LISTED ENTRANTS

TV Soaps
Coronation Street Granada Television
Family Affairs Thames Drama
Eastenders BBC Drama

TV Drama
55 Degrees North Zenith Entertainment Ltd
The Bill Thames Television
Sex Traffic Granada Drama

TV Factual
What Ron Said Aspect Television Ltd
Two Tone Britain Channel 4
I'll Show Them Who's Boss: Sleeping Partners BBC Specialist Factual


TV News
Body of Work - Kurt
Barling BBC London News

Body of Work - Tim Samuels BBC News

Norwich Gangsters Channel 4 News

Consumer Magazine
Body of Work Timeout
Body of Work Good Housekeeping

Film - Documentaries
Who Killed PC Blakelock? Films Of Record

Film - Feature
Wondrous Oblivion Apt Films
Bullet Boy Shine Ltd, UK Film Council

Film - Shorts
Other Screen East
Coming to England Floella Benjamin Productions Ltd
The Last Client Apt Films
National Newspapers
Young, Muslim and British - Madeleine Bunting The Guardian


True Colour of Football - Ryan Perry Daily Mirror

London: The World In One City - Charlie English
The Guardian



Local Newspapers
Body of Work Yorkshire Evening Post
Colour of Money Birmingham Post

New Media
Every Generation Every Generation Media
Romany Voices BBC Kent Website
bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork BBC Asian Network Interactive

Radio Drama
Oxford Road - The Sory BBC Radio Berkshire
Romeo and Juliet in Southwark BBC Radio Drama
Something Dark BBC Radio Drama

Radio Factual
Vote Friction Unique The Production Company
Untold Stories BBC Radio Derby
Golly in the Cupboard BBC Radio Merseyside

Radio News
Red Button to Red Ball BBC Asian Network
Eddie Nestor - Sunday Phone In BBC London 94.9
Ursula's Story BBC Radio Wales

Specialist Magazine
Black & Ehnic Minority Nurses Special Issue Nursing Standard

Chinatown Chinatown Magazine
Body of Work - Vic Motune The Voice

Youth
My Life as a Popat Feelgood Fiction Ltd, CiTV
Kerching! CBBC Drama
Islam Week CBBC Newsround

The Classic Movies Weekly Newsletter
May 22, 2005


This week: Updated tributes to Laurence Olivier, John Wayne, and Vincent Price.

Our condolences to the family of actor Frank Gorshin, who died last week at the age of 72.

Celebrating birthdays this coming week are Joan Collins (72) and Christopher Lee (83). Check out our birthday calendar:
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/d23507ba34/336425/6108ff7f32/7a363d7


--------------- New/Updated Features --------------

**A Tribute to Vincent Price**
Although known primarily as the star of numerous gothic horror films, Vincent Price was also an accomplished art historian, writer, and gourmet chef.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/8f992e123d/336425/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**A Tribute to John Wayne**
A tribute to the beloved "B" movie, western, and war film star who became an American patriotic icon.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/c7ae31c629/336425/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**A Tribute to Laurence Olivier**
Affectionately dubbed "Sir Larry" by his many fans, Laurence Olivier is widely recognized as the greatest English-speaking actor who ever lived.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/128095a7c2/336425/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**A Centennial Tribute to Henry Fonda**
Henry Fonda was one of the most believable actors in Hollywood. There was a time when he probably could have been elected President; after all, he played the role better than many of the guys who had the job! An updated
centennial tribute.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/6de2dabb9e/336425/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**A Tribute to Maureen O'Sullivan**
Though best known as the actress who played Jane in a half-dozen Tarzan movies, Maureen O'Sullivan had a film career that included many roles in which she was fully dressed!
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/01e51b7ebd/336425/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**A Tribute to Frank Capra**
Very few directors have had words coined from their names to describe their style. "Capra-esque" is one of them.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/0a09c4715e/336425/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**A Tribute to Jimmy Stewart**
Here's a salute to everybody's favorite Everyman on what would have been his 97th birthday.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/b0118e6809/336425/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**100 Years...100 Movie Quotes**
The American Film Institute (AFI) will broadcast its "AFI's 100
Years...100 Movie Quotes" program -- counting down the 100 greatest quotes from American movies, as chosen by experts of the motion picture community -- in a three-hour television event on CBS on June 21, 2005. Here's the current scoop on the nominees, plus a list of sound files for likely winners.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/40860e7e88/336425/6108ff7f32/7a363d7


--------------- New on DVD -------------------

Last week we announced three brand new DVD releases, including one you've probably been anticipating for a long, long time (more new releases next week):

"The High And The Mighty" (Special Collector's Edition) (1954) - Probably
the most anticipated DVD release of all time is now available for advance
orders for delivery in June! The Oscar-winning progenitor of the airborne
disaster film genre features a memorable turn by John Wayne as a veteran
airline pilot unable to overcome surviving a crash which killed his wife
and child. Serving as co-pilot to brash rival Robert Stack on a
Honolulu-San Francisco passenger flight that sustains a midair emergency,
Wayne must try to safely land the damaged plane before the fuel runs out.
Among the passengers, whose personal crises are shown in flashbacks, are
unhappily married couple Laraine Day and John Howard, playboy David Brian,
mail-order bride Jan Sterling, and world-weary Claire Trevor; William
Wellman directs.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/ab16e54e64/336425/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

"Controversial Classics" - Seven-disc set of excellent films appearing on
DVD for the first time that were controversial when they were released:
"I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang," "Fury," "Blackboard Jungle," "Bad Day
at Black Rock," "A Face in the Crowd," "Advise and Consent," and "The
Americanization of Emily."
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/8900cfde7c/336425/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

"The Longest Yard" (Lockdown Edition) (1974) - With the remake coming out,
it might be a good time to revisit the original: Burt Reynolds is an ex-pro
quarterback sent to a Florida prison for car theft, where the conniving
warden (Eddie Albert) coerces him into organizing an all-con football team
to play against the guards' semi-pro squad. The result is a violent and
hilarious contest you won't forget. With James Hampton, Michael Conrad.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/12a5686933/336425/6108ff7f32/7a363d7


--------------- Best New Links ------------------

More best new links (new to us, anyway) were added to the Classic Movies
site this week:

**AFI's 100 Years of Films Scores - The American Film Institute asked over
500 leaders from the creative community to choose the 25 best film scores
of all time, which will be presented live by John Mauceri and the
Hollywood Bowl Orchestra on September 23, 2005.
**MIDI Movie Theme Songs & Movie Clips - Michael Appert offers a huge
collection of both wav files and MIDI (that's electronic music rather than
the original scores) theme songs from movies for your listening pleasure.
**Tighsolas - A site created by Dorothy Nixon about a family in Richmond,
Quebec 1908-1913; Richmond is the home town of Mack Sennett.
**Michelle Vogel - Home page for author Michelle Vogel, whose specialty is
Hollywood biographies, the most recent a bio of Gene Tierney.
**The WOW Factor - A UK-based purveryor of hand-signed memorabilia.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/5b41d616c9/336425/6108ff7f32/7a363d7


----------------Parting Words -------------------

Next week: Updated tributes to Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis, plus a brand new 75th birthday tribute to Clint Eastwood, and a Memorial Day salute to World War II movies.

Brad Lang
Classic Movies
classicmovies.org

Arts Institute Students Triumph at the Royal Television Society’s Student Television Awards

Students from the BA (Hons) Film Production Degree at The Bournemouth Film School, part of the Arts Institute at Bournemouth, have once again played a part in representing both their course and Institution in recognition of its commitment to education at the highest level.

The hard work, long hours and dedication of students on the BA (Hons) Film Production course paid off when, following on from the recent success of winning the Best Non-Factual Film at the Royal Television Society Regional Awards 2004, they won the National Award in the Undergraduate Non-Factual Section.

The winning piece; ‘Monica Guiltheart and the Mysterious Pencil’ was created by team of students from the Arts Institute including David O’Sullivan (writer, director and co-producer), Mikal Hovland (Camera) Nick Gillett (sound) and Simon Young (editor). The story is a touching tale dealing with many issues children face, such as bullying, but told from a child’s point of view. With the discovery of a mysterious pencil, Monica realises she can make amazing things happen…

The Arts Institute’s students were up against strong national competition in the form of contenders from the Manchester Metropolitan University and the Dublin Institute of Technology.

At the award ceremony, Tim Vaughan, (Executive Producer of Drama at Granada) Chairman of the judging panel said:

“The aim of the film was ‘to produce a pilot children’s TV series that tackles serious issues in a sensitive yet satirical and magical way.’ Well yes, exactly. It did so wonderfully, again and again. I’d only add my congratulations to the actors and give special thanks for some really brilliant costume and make up work. When will my kids be able to see it on the box."

Full information on the student awards can be found on the Royal Television Society website: http://www.rts.org.uk

The Arts Institute at Bournemouth has long been recognised for the extremely high quality of its film and animation provision. In 1998, it was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in recognition of the high standard of its film courses, chiefly the former HND in Film and Television which became the BA (Hons) Film and Animation Production. More recently the BA (Hons) Animation Production has received Skillset Animation Accreditation from the Animation Forum.

Film Synopsis:

Monica Giltheart is not happy. Bullied at school, with her parents splitting up and being hopeless at spelling tests, things look bleak.

Then, one day, Monica receives an old, wax sealed, envelope. Inside she finds a mysterious looking pencil wrapped in a note from her Grandma saying ‘I thought this might help you…’

Although Monica loved her Grandma dearly and although she drew lots of pictures to make herself feel better she could not quite see how this strange pencil was going to ‘help’ her any more than any of the other pencils she used. Then one day, in a spelling test Monica has drawn herself winning, she realises that everything she draws with the pencil magically affects the world around her, that she can make things better, save friends from trouble and make amazing things happen…

The question is what will she do next?

A touching and exciting pilot for a children’s television series, ‘Monica Giltheart’ appeals to children and adults alike. Children’s issues are approached with the sensitivity usually reserved for more ‘adult’ themes, but with lashings of satire, magic and cherries on top!

PLAY.COM Online Home Entertainment Report

19th May 2005 for w/c 23th May

Play.com is the UK’s favourite online home entertainment retailer and has over 30 per cent market share for DVDs, Games and Music (Hitwise data).

All the information contained is based on actual PLAY.COM sales.

Next week online

Let the (Merchandising) Force be with you!

Star Wars fever has taken over. The release of the final film in the double trilogy has sparked renewed interest in all things Star Wars. StarWars: Clone Wars is at number two in the DVD sales charts and Star Wars Episode III – Revenge of the Sith is at the top of the games charts. At PLAY.COM there are an amazing 256 Star Wars items available, from Darth Vader mugs through to soundtracks and Light Sabers. For real followers of the force you can collect:

2 Audio books

9 DVDs

14 CDs

35 Games

38 Gadgets/ gifts

158 Books

DVDs

Last week’s PLAY.COM Top Ten Best Sellers.

1. Phantom Of The Opera - (2004)

2. Star Wars: Clone Wars – Vol 1 Animated

3. Meet the Fockers

4. Dodgeball - A True Underdog Story

5. House of the Flying Daggers - (2 discs)

6. White Noise

7. Meet the Fockers/ Meet the Parents (Box set)

8. Blade Trinity – Extended version

9. Angel (TV) – Season 5 Box Set

10. Friends - Series 10 Box Set (3 Discs)

New releases to watch out for w/c 23th May

1. Team America – World Police

2. Oceans Twelve (12)

3. Lemony Snicket’s A Series Of Unfortunate Events: Special Edition

DVD Feature

Kids films

With Dr Who controversially being given a 12 certificate, we have taken a look at the kids favourite films that do have the PG classification. It looks as through Lemoney Snicket will very quickly take the top spot as pre-orders have been growing for this film, but at the moment SpongeBob Square Pants Movie is the top seller. However we probably would not have predicted that Ghostbusters would be at number two, ahead of Incredibles! The top five best selling kids films at the moment are:

1. SpongeBob Square Pants Movie

2. Ghostbusters

3. The Incredibles

4. The Goonies

5. The Princess Bride

CDs

Last week’s PLAY.COM Top Ten Best Sellers.

1. Basement Jaxx – The Singles

2. Nine Inch Nails – With Teeth

3. System of a Down – Mezmerize

4. Weezer – Make Believe

5. Kaiser Chiefs – Employment

6. Gwen Stefani – Love, Angel, Music, Baby

7. Bruce Springsteen – Devils and Dust

8. Eels – Blinking Lights And Other Revelations

9. Athlete – Tourist

10. Robert Plant – Mighty Rearranger



New releases to watch out for w/c 23th May

1. Audio Slave – Out of Exile

2. Gorrilaz – Demon Days (With Bonus DVD)

3. The Coral – The Invisible Invasion



CD Feature

It is no surprise that the best selling movie soundtrack at the moment is John Williams Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. John Williams and Star Wars is also at the number three spot in the chart. The top five favourite movie soundtracks are

1. John Williams Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

2. Various soundtracks – Music from O.C. mix 4

3. John Williams Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

4. Various soundtracks – Ultimate Disney

5. Grease



Books

This week’s PLAY.COM Top Ten Best Sellers:

1. The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy – A Trilogy In Four Parts – Douglas Adams

2. The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown

3. I Can Make You Thin – Paul Mckenna

4. The Times Su Doku: The Number Placing Puzzle – Wayne Gould

5. The Five People You Meet In Heaven – Mitch Albom

6. Elvis – Priscilla Presley; Lisa Marie Presley

7. Artemis Fowl The Opal Deception – Eion Colfer

8. A Long Way Down – Nick Hornby

9. The Tiger’s Child – Torey Hayden

10. Angels and Demons – Dan Brown

New releases to watch out for:

1. 4 Inches – Jimmy Choos/ Supermodels/ Cartier and not much else – for charity

2. World According To Clarkson – Jeremy Clarkson

3. Fat – Rob Grant



Book Feature

Audio books have a Sci-fi bias

Last week the top five best selling audio books were all sci-fi based. The Hitchhiker’s Guide filled the top three spots and Doctor Who the remaining two places. The on screen (large and small) popularity of both is very clear. The top five audio books are:

1. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Tertiary Phase

2. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Secondary Phase

3. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Primary Phase

4. Doctor Who – Project Who?

5. Doctor Who – The Crusade



Games

Last week’s PLAY.COM Best Sellers:

PC Guild Wars

Half Life 2

World Of Warcraft

PS2 Star Wars Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

Viewtiful Joe

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Xbox Forza Motorsport

Star Wars Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

Championship Manager 5

Play recommends

As the new Xbox and Playstation are unveiled gamesters will be looking to upgrade their kit – but at the moment they will have to make do with their existing hardware. The focus on Star Wars continues on PS2 and PC, but Xbox users are getting sporty with Forza Motorsport selling extremely well and Championship Manager 5 providing footy fans with something to do in the off season!

Gadgets/ Electronics

Last week’s PLAY.COM Best Sellers:

Gadgets - Powerball Neon Blue Pro

LIVEWRONG Wristband

Keep A Child Alive Wristband

Electronics Play.com 256MB MP3 / WMA Player With Voice Recorder

Play.com USB 2.0 Flash Drive 256mb

Credit card size digital camera

Play recommends

One item is gaining a lot of interest at the moment, the new professional paintball starter pack with a top of the range Viewloader Orion Semi-Automatic Paintball Gun - those that know, say that this is a must have item!

10° Milano Film Festival
Milan, 16 - 25 September 2005
Piccolo Teatro Strehler, Moats of the Castello Sforzesco

CALL FOR ENTRIES: Ten days are left to submit a film to Milano Film Festival
The competition collects and selects short and feature films from all over the world and is open to films of any genre, running time, language and format, provided that they have been produced after January 1st 2004. The selected directors will be invited to Milan (information and rules on the web site www.milanofilmfestival.it). The submission deadline is May 31, 2005, one month earlier than in the past last year the selection jury received the amazing number of 2000 films. This is just the first change introduced for the tenth edition, for the first of 10 and more editions to come.

THE ARTISTIC PROGRAMME
The film project will be further enhanced, as a result of a year of commitment in the search for and distribution of films from all over the world. Special consideration will be paid to filmmakers depicting unknown stories and cultures, to independent productions that are usually ignored by commercial circuits. In particular, the aim is to focus on those countries that manage to produce films despite their economic, political and social difficulties, such as the Middle East. Furthermore, larger participation of feature films will be encouraged.

A FESTIVAL FOR THE CITY.
The artistic project is complemented by activities aiming to favour the participation of the festival in the life of the city and to interact with all the citizens not only of film buffs. Peculiar urban installations will transform public space the real venue for collective events. Beside the Teatro Strehler and the moats of the Castello Sforzesco, new prestigious spaces will be involved.

A WIDE-RANGING EVENT.
Once again the festival will feature a large number of side events, as a further proof of its ability in gathering art, celebration, culture and public participation: retrospectives, seminars, out-of-competition screenings, non-stop events, workshops, meetings, concerts, exhibitions and activities for students, children and elders. From early in the morning to late at night, hundreds of events within the event, including those specially organised to celebrate the tenth edition, will contribute to create a festival that is not an occasion limited to film buffs and members of the film industry, but a place where cinema merges with other contemporary forms of expression and becomes part of a lively and universal language.

Milano Film Festival
Via Paladini, 8
20133 Milano - Italy
Tel/fax: +39 02 713 613
www.milanofilmfestival.it
media@milanofilmfestival.it

Geoff Smith and The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (Cert. U)

Screening of the 1919 classic German silent film, featuring a live soundtrack for multi-dulcimers and voice composed and performed by G.M. Smith on prototype hammered dulcimers

Purcell Room, Friday 22 July 2005, 7pm & 9pm
Part of Rhythm Sticks 2005 - The Festival of Drumming and Percussion from around the World
South Bank Centre Sat 16 July - Sun 24 July 05

This year Rhythm Sticks features the hammered dulcimer as a main percussion instrument, as well as a full-length feature film with a live percussion-only soundtrack for the first time.

Geoff Smith’s new score for The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, a widely recognised classic of world cinema, is a revelation and breaks new ground in the composition and performance of live music for film. It is the first ever feature film soundtrack that has been composed and performed on specially designed hammered dulcimers. Smith's immensely dynamic score intimately relates to the emotional and psychological depth and intensity of the film’s narrative. The dulcimer is the perfect instrument to create extreme dynamics and Geoff Smith is able to expand and explore these possibilities even further because of his revolutionary approach to the design of the instrument (including the hammers) as well as composition and performance, e.g. the transferring of drum kit technique and rudiments on to the dulcimer.

Geoff Smith uses three different prototype dulcimers in The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, two of which are historic innovations in instrument design: the first UK fixed position chromatic dulcimer, and the first microtonal dulcimer, fitted with Geoff's revolutionary invention, the microtonal fluid tuning mechanism, through which he can raise or lower the tone of each note by precise microtonal intervals. Without this mechanism this sound track would have been impossible.
Geoff Smith, a renowned composer, percussionist and player of the dulcimer has developed this special mechanism to expand the possibilities of his compositions. Fitted to a piano, for example, microtones, which are usually beyond the capability of this instrument and scales such as the Iranian dastgah-ha, could be accessible to pianists of the future.

The hammered dulcimer is an ancient percussion instrument struck by small wooden hammers, sticks or mallets. The largest dulcimers have well over 100 strings. Each country has its own indigenous dulcimer, which peculiarly reflects its respective culture. There is much debate as to the instrument's origins before it spread around the world (if it did). Dulcimers are referred to in the King James Version of the bible. According to information available in the 'west', the oldest known depiction of a dulcimer is from a 12th century ivory book cover made in Byzantium for the wife of the Count of Anjou (1139). Until today the dulcimer has been seen as a traditional instrument and has usually been used in folk and classical music in respective cultures.

The Cabinet of Dr.Caligari soundtrack was composed to the original tinted print with German expressionist captions. Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles and Fritz Lang (who was originally approached to direct Caligari) were greatly influenced by the film's combination of psychology, fairground, fantasy, expressionism, delusion, murder and somnambulism. This tale of hypnosis, powerlessness, murder and insanity can be seen as a metaphor for a new cinema itself: The spectator's helpless horror in the face of unfolding narrative and the revelation of their own deep buried desires. It is the first work of the Cinema of the Subconscious. Directed by Robert Wiene, this 1919 production of The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (Das Kabinett des Dr Caligari) is one of the most influential films of the silent film era and a famous example of German Expressionism and was a huge artistic success at the time.

Plot summary:
A young man named Francis recounts a fantastic story taking place in a North German town where a number of brutal murders have been occurring. Francis and his friend, Alan, visit a travelling fair where one of the acts is a certain Dr Caligari's presentation of a hypnotized sleepwalker named Cesare who can tell the future. Cesare predicts Alan will be dead by the next morning, and he is in fact murdered in the night. Francis becomes suspicious of Caligari and Cesare, but another man is incorrectly blamed with the crimes. However, Cesare later abducts Francis's fiancée Jane, and it becomes evident that Caligari was commanding the sleepwalker to carry out the murders. Francis chases Caligari into an insane asylum where it turns out Caligari is the director who has himself gone mad. Dr Caligari is captured and incarcerated in his own institution. The flashback ends, and it turns out Francis is actually a patient in the asylum, as are Jane and Cesare. The benevolent Dr Caligari is the director, and he states that Francis suffers from peculiar delusions.

Geoff Smith has just completed a successful tour of Faust screenings featuring his live soundtrack performed on prototype hammered dulcimers.

Details

Friday 22 July, Purcell Room, 7pm & 9pm
Geoff Smith and The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (Cert. U)
Geoff Smith composer & performer
Tickets £12.50 £10
Box Office 08703 800 400 ~ Book online: www.rfh.org.uk

Film London appoints head of new micro feature fund

Maggie Ellis, Film London’s highly respected Production Executive has been appointed as the first Head of Production at the capital’s media agency it has been announced today.

The Head of Production is a new post tasked with running an ambitious, new Micro Budget Digital Feature Film Fund, which will open for applications from September 2005. The post also oversees the established and highly successful PULSE Digital Shorts scheme for young film-makers in partnership with the UK Film Council New Cinema Fund; Film London’s involvement with local borough film funds; and the London Artists’ Film & Video moving image network run in association with the Arts Council England London.

Maggie Ellis is well known as a champion of new talent in the industry and has worked across film and television as a producer and consultant to a number of major organisations including Channel Four, BBC, ITV, Arts Council England, The Wellcome Trust and the National Film and Television School. Maggie Ellis has helped launch the careers of some of London’s most talented film-makers and artists through a variety of commercial and public production schemes including the renowned London Production Fund and animate!. Directors such as Shona Auerbach, Juliet McKoen and Yousaf Ali Khan have all benefited from Maggie’s direct involvement with their early projects.

Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London commented, “This is a great appointment for Film London. Maggie brings an enormous wealth of experience and huge energy to this exciting new post, which will have a direct impact on London’s emerging film-making talent.”

Maggie Ellis, Head of Production at Film London said, “I am delighted to be tackling this exciting new role. The digital feature film fund is an amazing opportunity for London film-makers to develop their skills and showcase their creativity on a full length project, and I am thrilled to be a part of this.”

Conrad Bodman, Senior Visual Arts Officer, Arts Council England said, “Maggie brings a wealth of experience to this challenging new position and we look forward to working with her to develop artists' moving image practice in London.”

'PSYCHO' VIOLINIST'S INSTRUMENT GOES UNDER THE HAMMER

A fine French violin owned by the legendary Louis Kaufman (1905 - 1994) until his death is to go under the hammer later this month. With solo performances on over 500 film scores and the almost single-handed revival of
Vivaldi's music to his credit, Kaufman is probably the most recorded violinist in history to date. The instrument is to sell at Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street, on 23 May.

Millions of cinema-lovers the world over will be familiar with Kaufman's work, since he can be heard on hundreds of film scores from the 1930s 'Golden Age' of Hollywood through to the 1970s. As Tinseltown's most
sought-after soloist, Kaufman played on the soundtracks of such classic movies as Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, Showboat, For Whom the Bell Tolls, The Greatest Story Ever Told and Psycho. Of his life here, classical radio
DJ Jim Svejda gave the highest praise: "Maybe the only guy in the history of Hollywood who never said a bad thing about anybody, and about whom no bad thing was ever said."

Hailed by The New York Times as "a violinist's violinist and a musician's musician," Louis Kaufman was born in Portland, Oregon, and by the age of 13 was studying with Franz Kneisel at the Juilliard (New York's Institute of
Musical Art). From there he went on to fame and fortune both in the concert hall and on the silver screen, a life reflected in his posthumously published autobiography, 'A Fiddler's Tale: How Hollywood and Vivaldi
Discovered Me.' The introduction to the book, penned by Jim Svejda, honours Kaufman's abilities as a performer: "He had a big, rich, sweet sound, never cloying, wonderfully warm. He was a chameleon - he knew exactly how to get into whatever particular style or moment (the music) needed, but it was always recognisably Louis."

The music of Antonio Vivaldi (1678 - 1741) has penetrated our musical consciousness so vigorously that today it is hard to image a time when he was virtually unheard of. Yet when CBS conductor Alfredo Antonini asked
Kaufman, at short notice, to perform the Italian composer's 'Le Quattro Stagioni' (The Four Seasons), Vivaldi's name was not even listed in music history books. Yet since Kaufman's first recording of this piece in December
1949, which won France's Grand Prix du Disque in 1950 and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002, 'The Four Seasons' has become one of the most famous and prized pieces in the basic repertoire of classical music.

The fine violin to be sold at Bonhams is thus made all the more remarkable given the talents of its previous owner. The rich red-brown instrument is by 'Gand & Bernardel Luthier du Conservatoire de Musique 1884,' and is
estimated to fetch £10,000 - 15,000 at auction. Two very fine silver mounted violin bows which belonged to Kaufman are also included in the sale; one by N. Maire of Paris, circa 1850, and the other by P. Simon, Paris, circa 1860. They are estimated to fetch between £6,000 - 10,000 and £10,000 - 15,000 respectively.

London Production Revolution

‘London Day’ in Cannes marks announcements to make London even more attractive base for film productions with new Police Filming Unit and Online Permitting Portal

At the Cannes Film Festival today Film London will announce "the most comprehensive revolution in film production in London for 25 years".

Top British film-makers Stephen Frears, Gurinder Chadha and Martha Fiennes will mark the launch of the new London Filming Partnership by participating in a series of events as part of a ‘London Day’ in Cannes. The Partnership delivers a package of ground-breaking initiatives which will cement London’s position as one of the world’s leading film production centres.

The Partnership is the result of 12 months of extensive consultation between everyone involved in film production in London - industry bodies, local authorities and the major landmarks and organisations - chaired by Lord David Puttnam as part of the Film London Executive Task Force. Mayor Ken Livingstone and the London Development Agency back the Partnership, and over 80 partners have signed up already including all of London’s 33 local authorities, PACT, The Production Guild, Production Managers Association, Guild of Location Managers, Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police.

Film, TV and advertising productions in London will now benefit from:

· The first ever Metropolitan Police Filming Unit dedicated to assisting all productions filming in the capital;

· A red-tape busting ‘single online portal’ system to access information on London locations and arrange filming permissions;

· The free use of Film London location scouts for major feature film productions;

· No local authority filming charges for student and low-budget film-makers;

· Special discounts on accommodation, parking, transport and iconic locations;

· A transparent fee structure for filming across all 33 London boroughs;

· A 24 hour ‘filming hotline’ for local residents;

· A new mediation service for any film-maker involved in a local dispute;

These new benefits will deliver a massive overhaul to filming in the capital. They will ensure London remains an industry leader in an increasingly competitive international marketplace and allay any outdated perceptions of London as a difficult city to film in. Productions currently benefiting from London's film-friendly approach include The Da Vinci Code, V For Vendetta and Basic Instinct: Risk Addiction.

Film London, through the Task Force process, has also now produced a new step-by-step guide for filming in the capital and a guide for local authorities to make London film-friendly on a practical level. Both of these are available online.

Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London said, “The capital offers wonderful locations. It provides the backdrop of a lively, modern and diverse city, as in Closer and Bullet Boy, as well iconic and historic landmarks, like those featured in Woody Allen's recent film. London has risen to the challenge to put it at the forefront of the international screen industries and the London Filming Partnership, led by Film London, will make the city an even easier and cheaper place to film. This agreement will make sure that film continues to deliver massive cultural and economic benefits to the capital.”

Lord Puttnam, Chair of the Film London Executive Task Force said, "This Agreement and the new Code of Practice for filming represent a very significant step forward in making London a more attractive centre for production for all of the moving image industries. We've had an incredible level of cooperation from everyone involved in the process - from those who represent the citizens of London, from the industry and from private sector organisations. I'm confident that the work of the Task Force will deliver significant benefits to all of its stakeholders."

Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London said, “The London Filming Partnership will make London one of the best, easiest and most efficient places to film in the world. With the unprecedented support of everyone involved in film and media production in the capital I have no doubt that this agreement will help to keep London at the top of the international production industry. We have delivered the most comprehensive revolution in film production in London for 25 years".

Assistant Commissioner Stephen House of the Metropolitan Police Service said, "The formation of a Metropolitan Police Filming Unit is an enterprise generated in response to the requirements of both the business and residential communities of the London boroughs. This initiative has been stimulated by the Film London Executive Task Force in order to provide an integrated approach between the Police and film-makers operating in the London environs. The purpose of the new unit is to dramatically streamline and improve the efficiency of our working relationship with everyone filming in the capital."

Eric Fellner, co-chair Working Title Films, producer of Bridget Jones and Love Actually said, "I have been shooting movies in London for more than 20 years and, with the advent of Film London, this is the first time that we at Working Title feel that our films are being really helped on the ground. Perhaps even more importantly, I feel that the Film London Task Force, which I am pleased to be a member of, is genuinely succeeding in improving things to make London a more film-friendly and thus more competitive place to make movies, for everyone's benefit.”

GURINDER CHADHA, ALAN RICKMAN AND KATE WINSLET JOIN TCM IN SEARCH FOR BEST BRITISH SHORT FILM FOR 2005

TCM (Turner Classic Movies) launches its sixth annual TCM Classic Shorts competition on 16th May. For the first time the launch takes place as part of the prestigious Quinzaine des Realisateurs (Directors' Fortnight) during Cannes Film Festival. As with previous years, the awards ceremony is held during The Times bfi 49th London Film Festival in the autumn (20th Oct - 3rd Nov) at the National Film Theatre. The shortlisted titles will be screened at the awards and within the Short Cuts and Animation strand as part of TCM's continued sponsorship of the LFF.

Each year, the competition grows in stature and exposure, which is reflected by the film industry luminaries who are giving their valuable time to participate as judges in TCM's search to find the best short film of 2005. TCM is delighted to welcome its first female director, Gurinder Chadha, on to the panel this year.

TCM Classic Shorts is now established as one of the most prestigious and valuable short film competitions in Europe with £10,000 of prize money. Having discovered some of the best new film making talent in the UK in recent years, this year looks to be as popular as ever. Since the competition began, many of the short-listed films have gone on to receive further acclaim. Last year's winning film, Nits directed by Harry Wootliff received a BAFTA nomination, whilst 2002 entry Brown Paper Bag directed by Michael Baig Clifford and 2001 winner About A Girl directed by Brian Percival, both went on to win BAFTAs for Best Short Film. Nits will be screened on 20th May at Quinzaine des Realisateurs (Directors' Fortnight) during Cannes Film Festival.

TCM Classic Shorts is open to all UK made short films. The opening date is 1st May 2005 and all films must be received by 1st September 2005 at the very latest. The short-listed nominations are aired during a special weekend of programming on TCM and also screened at The Times bfi 49th London Film Festival during the awards ceremony.

The judging panel comprises:

Gurinder Chadha Director: Bhaji on the Beach; Bend it Like Beckham; Bride & Prejudice

Alan Rickman Actor, Producer, Director: Die Hard; Truly Madly Deeply; Love Actually

Kate Winslet Actress: Titanic; Enigma; Iris; Finding Neverland

Helen Mirren Actress: Calendar Girls, Gosford Park, Prime Suspect 6 (TV)

Julian Fellowes Writer, Producer, Director: Gosford Park; Vanity Fair; Separate Lives

Rhys Ifans Actor: Notting Hill; Vanity Fair; Enduring Love

David Morrissey Actor, Director: The Deal; Blackpool; Basic Instinct 2

Stephen Woolley Producer: The Crying Game; The Wild and Wycked World of Brian Jones

Paul Trijbits Head of The New Cinema Fund, UK Film Council

Richard Jobson Film Critic, Writer, Producer, Director: Sixteen Years of Alcohol

Colin Kennedy Editor of Empire magazine

Matt Mueller Editor of Total Film

Wendy Ide The Times bfi London Film Festival, short film programmer

Nick James Editor of Sight & Sound magazine

Chris Law Managing Director - UK Territories, Warner Brothers

Tina McCann General Manager of Turner Entertainment Networks Europe


Further information and entry forms are available at: www.tcmonline.co.uk/classicshorts

and for further information about The Times bfi London Film Festival, please log on to: www.lff.org.uk

TCM (Turner Classic Movies), a Time Warner company, launched in Europe in 1999. The channel draws on an extensive library of timeless movies presenting them in a contemporary style. The channel is available via cable and satellite and reaches over 9.8 million UK households. In 2004 TCM was the 3rd highest rated movie channel behind Sky Movies 1 and Sky Movies 2.

London takes centre stage at Cannes

£400 London short sits alongside big name productions on Cannes shortlists

London will take centre stage at the world’s most prestigious film festival this week, as the star of Woody Allen’s eagerly awaited UK debut Match Point. New York’s favourite director shot this dark thriller, which stars Scarlett Johansson and James Nesbitt, all over the UK capital last summer – choosing London’s skyline landmarks like ‘The Gherkin’ (30 St Mary Axe) and Tate Modern. Allen is poised to make his second London film later this year.

Match Point will screen outside of the Official Competition on Thursday 12 May. Alongside it will be Chromophobia another high profile feature from one of London’s emerging big talents, director Martha Fiennes (Onegin). Her darkly comic film, set and shot in contemporary London and starring Penelope Cruz, Damien Lewis and James Nesbitt, has the coveted position as the selection for the festival’s closing night gala.

Another London contribution to the festival shows you don’t have to have a big budget to compete in the world’s most celebrated film event. The Man Who Met Himself, a short film shot on Super 8 by four London film-makers with a staggering budget of £400, has caught the eye of selection officials and screens as part of the Short Film Palme d’Or. With the support of Film London, the short will receive its debut screening at Cannes on Wednesday 18 and Friday 20 May.

To consolidate these achievements 16 May will see ‘London Day’ on the Riviera. Top London film talent including Stephen Frears and Gurinder Chadha are joining Film London, the city’s media agency, to mark a day of events celebrating London’s contribution to global film production.

‘London Day’ kicks off with a press conference where film-makers Paul Hitchcock, (Mission Impossible) and Sandy Lieberson (Performance) together with Film London Chief Executive Adrian Wootton will launch the results of the 12 month Film London Executive Task Force to make London a more film-friendly city.

Other events on the day include a head-to-head discussion with UK film-makers Stephen Frears and Gurinder Chadha who will talk about the unique qualities of film-making in London.

‘London Day’ also sees the launch of London Plus, a new partnership between the South East’s major film studios, screen agencies, post production sector and leading production crew. Under the scheme producers from around the world will be able to arrange to scout locations, source crew and find a studio stage or post production facility with a single phone call or email. London Plus will cement London’s position at the heart of European film industry and boost film production in the capital.

‘London Day’ – Monday 16 May 2005

9:00am

Press conference at the UK Film Centre

With Paul Hitchcock, Producer (Phantom of the Opera, Mission: Impossible);

Sandy Lieberson, Producer (Jabberwocky, Performance) and Chair of Film London;

Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London

11.45am-1pm
The Script Factory Head To Head: Gurinder Chadha talks to Stephen Frears
Two of the UK’s finest exports, Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham, Bride & Prejudice) and Frears (Dirty Pretty Things, Mrs Henderson Presents) explain why they love making movies in London.

3-4pm
The Script Factory - panel event TBC
***
The London Plus partnership of leading figures in UK production includes four major studios: Pinewood-Shepperton, Ealing, 3 Mills, Elstree and the three regions film commissions including Screen East, Screen South and Film London and UK Post, an umbrella organisation representing the UK post production and visual effects sector in the South East and the Production Guild of Great Britain. www.londonplus.org

Film London is the strategic agency for film and media in the UK’s capital. Film London sustains, promotes and develops London as a major international film-making and film cultural capital. This includes all the screen industries based in London – film, television, video, commercials and new interactive media. Film London is supported by the UK Film Council and the London Development Agency through Creative London. Film London also receives significant support from Arts Council England London, the European Regional Development Fund, the Mayor of London and Skillset.

See: www.filmlondon.org.uk

TOP INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE JOINS IN-FUSIO'S SUPERVISORY BOARD

Interactive Entertainment Veteran Executive Jeffrey Lapin
Appointed Vice Chairman to IN-FUSIO's Supervisory Board

Bordeaux - May 3, 2005 - IN-FUSIO, the international mobile games publisher and players community management provider, announced today that its shareholders have confirmed the appointment of top industry executive, Jeffrey Lapin as Vice Chairman to the company's supervisory board. Lapin has extensive executive experience within the interactive entertainment industry as the former Chief Executive Officer and Director of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), and previously, the Vice Chairman, Chief Operating Officer and Director of THQ, Inc (NASDAQ: THQI).

"Jeff Lapin's extensive understanding of the games industry and successful publishing models will add a great deal to IN-FUSIO," said Gilles Raymond, Co-CEO and founder of IN-FUSIO. "His senior management experience and network will also help IN-FUSIO to strengthen its unique position as a mobile game service provider in our fast growing market."

"My decision to join IN-FUSIO's board is motivated by the company's unique strategy and position in the market. Beyond the games, IN-FUSIO is building through its player community services what the wireless entertainment will look like in a few years," said Lapin. "This is an exciting opportunity in a fast evolving industry and I look forward to help guiding IN-FUSIO's growth."

MODERN KOREAN WOMEN

Presented by: Korean Film Archive and Leeds Film Quarter

"Leeds Film Quarter is delighted to be the first international partner to present KOFA's new Modern Korean Women retrospective,an intriguing selection of features exploring female roles in a Far Eastern society,"

The most exciting filmmaking nation of the moment, Korea has a phenomenal,mostly unchartered cinema history and the country's national film agency KOFA is working hard to restore and promote some of the several thousand films produced.Leeds Film Quarter is delighted to be the first international partner to present KOFA's new Modern Korean Women retrospective,an intriguing selection of features exploring female roles in a Far Eastern society from six decades.Not until the 1990s was there much positive change in Korean women's social status,or even change for the women appearing in film: witness their demeaned depiction in the early work that contrasts with the societal shakedown in the most recent film A Good Lawyer's Wife.

"Modern Korean Women" is brought to the region by Leeds Film Quarter. Run by Leeds Film, LFQ utilises venues across the city to explore the vast and challenging universe of cinema that lies beyond the known mainstream, often featuring the only UK screenings of selected films and frequently
presenting brand new prints.

In addition to the year-round Leeds Film Quarter and education programmes, it delivers the annual Leeds International Film Festival (10-20 November 2005) and Leeds Young People's Film Festival (Easter 2006)


The complete season of Modern Korean Women films are:

Madame Freedom
Hyde Park Picture House Saturday 7th May 4pm
http://www.leedsfilm.com/2006/lfq/film/53242

My Mother and the Guest
Hyde Park Picture House Sunday 8th May 3.30pm
http://www.leedsfilm.com/2006/lfq/film/53243

Girl's Night Out
Ster Century Cinema Monday 9th May 6.15pm
http://www.leedsfilm.com/2006/lfq/film/53246

Young-ja's Heydays
Hyde Park Picture House Saturday 14th May 4pm
http://www.leedsfilm.com/2006/lfq/film/53241

Ticket
Hyde Park Picture House Sunday 15th May 3.30pm
http://www.leedsfilm.com/2006/lfq/film/53244

A Good Lawyer's Wife
Ster Century Cinema Monday 16th May 6.15pm
Ster Century Cinema Wednesday 18th May 8.15pm
http://www.leedsfilm.com/2006/lfq/film/53248

The Marriage Story
Hyde Park Picture House Saturday 21st May 4pm
http://www.leedsfilm.com/2006/lfq/film/53245

To You, From Me
Hyde Park Picture House Sunday 22nd May 3.30pm
http://www.leedsfilm.com/2006/lfq/film/53247

THE INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE
LAUNCHES NEW FRIDAY FILM FEATURE

Paris, April 27, 2005: The International Herald Tribune (IHT) announced today the launch of a new weekly feature on world cinema and the international movie industry called Film. Starting this Friday, Film will provide reviews, profiles and feature articles from IHT writers and The New York Times’s award-winning film critics, as well as look at trends and issues driving the business of filmmaking around the world.

Alison Smale, managing editor of the IHT, said: "Movie coverage is already a strong part of our daily cultural offering but this new Film feature allows us to give increased emphasis to this most international of media. The global movie industry is changing on a daily basis, both commercially and in terms of subject matter and the time has come for us take a focused look at the nature of these changes."

The IHT is gearing up to provide special daily coverage of the 58th Cannes International Film Festival (May 11-22). Prominent contributors will include award-winning film critic A.O. Scott and Manohla Dargis from The New York Times as well as Joan Dupont, Doreen Carvajal and Thomas Crampton from the IHT.

Stephen Dunbar-Johnson, IHT senior vice president and commercial director, said, "We know that it is important for our international advertisers to reach our high-end readers at their most engaged and that is why exciting new features like Film are great news for our advertisers as well as our readers.”

This weekend the
DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKERS GROUP
brings you...

FINAL CUT PRO WORKSHOP

Saturday and Sunday 30 April and 1st May 2005

10am - 6pm each day

B3 Media, Brixton, London

£275 + VAT
DFG MEMBER PRICE: £250 + VAT!

Only a couple of places left on this workshop, which is the penultimate in this season's short courses. But don't worry they're back in September.

This great two day course teaches you how to use industry relevant equipment and Final Cut Pro software to edit your own documentaries.

The course is aimed at beginners as an intensive introduction to Final Cut Pro and editing. However if you do have a little editing experience your skills will be greatly improved.

You'll have two whole days worth of precious access to and hands on experience on Apple Mac G4's and FCP under the supervision of a successful and highly knowledgeable trainer and editor.

The course takes you through the basics of Final Cut Pro covering non-linear systems, hardware, basic editing, capturing and digitising.

You'll also investigate and have fun with audio and visual effects.

You will gain a mountain of invaluable hands on experience and learn a great deal in a short space of time.

Max participants 10

Tutor
SUE BROOK Sue also teaches our Grammar of Documentary Editing workshop as well as teaching NFTS courses. Amongst her credits as an editor, she edited LEAVING HOME for LWT, which won a British Academy
Award for Best Arts Programme. She has also edited CUTTING EDGE and FRAGILE EARTH programmes for Channel 4 and a documentary series on Anthropologists directed by Andre Singer for Central TV and THE
COMMISION a three part series for Channel 4. As a Director she has made various independent films including BOY SOLDIERS.

DFG MEMBERSHIP
To join DFG and make the most of the special price on offer for this FCP workshop go to
www.dfglondon.com/members.php

As a member access, amongst other things, our DOC CLINIC, the first issue of the DFG MEMBERS' BULLETIN and a full set of LEGAL CONTRACTS.

So sign up now and access the mountain of info, services and discounts on offer!

For more info contact us on 020 7428 0882 email info@dfglondon.com
see www.dfglondon.com

NEW EA CHALLENGE FOR DARE

DATE OF ISSUE: TUESDAY 26TH APRIL 2005

Games giant Electronic Arts (EA) is laying down a further challenge to students taking part in the international games competition Dare to be Digital, as it offers a special prize for two talented competitors who will win the chance to join EA later on in the year.

The prize comes on the back of EA’s announcement that it will join the list of official Dare sponsors for 2005, after supporting the competition for the past two years. The world’s leading interactive entertainment software company, has taken a keen interest in the Dundee based competition, with EA’s Executive Producer & Vice President, Richard Leinfellner, predicting that it will have “a major impact on the global games industry.”

As part of the sponsorship, EA will offer two Dare students - artists or programmers - the opportunity to join the 'EA Academy' at its European Studios in Surrey, as a follow-on to the 2005 competition. The winners will be given the opportunity to join an EA development team, working on a live game for up to four weeks, with accommodation and a salary of £250 per week, also funded by EA.

Dare to be Digital is a competition open to students from Universities and Art Colleges and is based at the University of Abertay Dundee, which runs the competition in partnership with Scottish Enterprise Tayside and Dundee City Council.

EA joins Develop - the international trade publication for creators of interactive entertainment software – as new sponsors of Dare 2005. With its growing reputation for producing some of the most promising talent entering the games sector, the competition continues to receive invaluable support from, Microsoft, NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts), BBC Scotland Interactive and NCR.

“'We are delighted that Electronic Arts has offered Dare students the opportunity to work on a live EA game,” says Project Manager of Dare to be Digital, Jackie McKenzie. “This is testimony to the quality and talent of the students we attract to the competition.”

Supported by some of the biggest names in the games industry, Dare not only has teams from across the UK entering for the first time, but goes global for 2005, with additional support from the Scottish Executive, providing eight scholarship places to talented programming or computer art graduates from Singapore, Hong Kong, China, India, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand.

Judged by a panel of leading industry experts, Dare provides a unique working experience and is hailed by games industry bible, Develop, as “the closest you can get to commercial game development.”

Eight teams made up of five students are asked to submit a concept for a new and original computer game or educational entertainment product. Judges will be looking for the most creative ideas and those that fulfil the greatest market potential. Receiving help from industry specialists and a project fee of £1700, teams who make it through will have only 10 weeks to present a finished digital prototype and business sales document which can be pitched to investors.

Dare to be Digital has produced a long line of graduates who are now working for some of the top names in the electronic entertainment industry, including EA, Lionhead Studios, Visual Sciences and Real Time Worlds.

Interviews will be held Wednesday 4th May 2005. The competition takes place from June 13th to August 19th at the University of Abertay Dundee.

The ultimate Inception of Indian Cinema, MUGHAL-E-AZAM, resurrected

The epitome of Indian cinema, Mughal-e-Azam, has made world cinematic history, with its re-release in colour to become the first film in the World Cinema to be colourised for a theatrical release. Along with colouring and restoring the film, the music, the background score and the sound effects of the film, which were first recorded in the 1950s, have been re-recorded by the original composer, Naushad Ali and re-created for a true Dolby/ Dts 6.1 experience, another first for world cinema.

Mughal-e-Azam, recognised as a world cinematic classic, will be launched nationwide in the UK on 1st April 2005, and like its original release more than 40 years ago and its re-release in India late last year, the film is anticipated to supersede all existing box office records set by any Bollywood film, globally.

From the sets – sweeping, regal palaces, sandscapes, dungeons and escape routes – to the costumes and exquisite jewellery - to the innumerable extras, Mughal-e-Azam, which took an incredible nine years to make (1951 – 1960), is undeniably a cinematic classic, standing a monumental testament to director K. Asif's vision and commitment. The lavish song picturisations, the poignant performance of one of India’s most acclaimed legendary actors Dilip Kumar, the breathtaking beauty of the late celebrated Indian actress Madhubala, arguably one of the most beautiful actresses to have come from Indian cinema, and the ornate jewel and gold encrusted jewellery and costumes renders itself remarkably to a colour scheme that takes the epic beyond the black and white shades of the original.

The colour version of this magnum opus has renewed the life of this cinematic great, and cineastes from the UK, both old and young alike, will experience the enthralling and enchanting splendour of this grand epic. Mughal-e-Azam’s re-release in colour, has granted the ensuing generations, immediate access into this all-time classic, which will continue to remain undimmed by the tides of time.

The return of Mughal-e-Azam brings a revived version of a timeless soundtrack created 44 years ago. The haunting music, which was originally composed by one of India’s most celebrated music maestros Naushad has been re-recorded again by Naushad (now 85 years old), with meticulous care to preserve the pristine and sublime quality of each song. Music lovers will once again become enchanted by the young melodious voice of Indian nightingale and Guinness Book of World keeper Lata Mangeshkar, anthropomorphised through the coloured screen. Interestingly, while re-recording and re-mixing the songs, using a very advanced technology developed indigenously in India, the original voices of the artists and the singers have been maintained.

The original production company, Sterling Investment Corporation Pvt Ltd, has produced the new version of Mughal-e-Azam, and around 150 technical personnel worked at six different studios to complete the whole work.

Synopsis:

Set in 16th century AD, Mughal-e-Azam tells the story of doomed lovers, court dancer Anarkali (Madhubala), and Prince Salim (Dilip Kumar). Their relationship makes us ponder if we have ever seen a pair so sheathed in ardour, passion and despair as every caress, touch and breath they take exudes the power of true love. When Prince Salim’s father Emperor Akbar (Prithviraj Kapoor) learns of their love, he is furious and does his best to thwart the romance saying a commoner could never be the empress of India. Though the love story is the backbone of the film, it is Akbar's dilemma that is placed centre stage as he is torn between love for his only son and the demands of the Mughal Empire. Salim however is adamant and rebelliously leads an army against his father. He is defeated in battle and brought before Akbar who sentences him to death. Anarkali agrees to sacrifice her life for Salim to be spared and after spending the night with him is taken to be entombed alive in a brick wall.

But is Anarkali ever rescued and reunited with her lover?

Does Emperor Akbar ever accept the relationship and defy the rules of his kingdom?

Mughal-e-Azam evocatively, passionately and endearingly reveals the answers to the above, whilst captivating a mesmerised audience …

Mughal-e-Azam Fact Sheet:

Mughal-e-Azam will be on general release nationwide in the UK in March 2005.

Mughal-e-Azam is the first film in the world to be colourised for a big screen (35mm) release

The colourisation technology development and execution was completely done in India. It would be the first time that Indian cinema has achieved technological achievement ahead of Hollywood in Image Processing.

Hollywood firms have been able to colourise films only for TV or DVD output. Never before has colourisation technology been developed to transform the black and white dyes of a feature film’s print, to reveal a spectrum of true colours. The technique has been pioneered in India, where a new restoration and colourisation software was created and customised in such a manner that it accepts only those dyes that match the grey shades of the original input and incorporates features for a 35mm release. The Research and Devlopment on colourisation and restoration process took almost one and half years to develop and over 12 months of execution time. It comprises digitizing the 300,000 frames of the film at 2k resolution. In order to revive the masterpiece, gamma contrast and fungus correction, scratch and pinhole removal, digital stitching of torn frames and stabilization work has been carried out on the original negatives. This ensures that the colours selected are as close as possible to the original.

The whole exercise was extremely complex owing to exquisite clothing and the ornate jewellery and grand sets used in the movie.

The old version of Mughal-e-Azam was showcased in more than seven international film festivals across Europe and the US in 2003-04. The first screening of the new version was held at the Berlin Film Festival on 18th February, 2005 and showcased in the Retrospective &Homage segment, which has screened other classics such as Citizen Kane, Gone With The Wind and Wizard of Oz. Mughal-e-Azam was launched with 150 prints on November 12th 2004 and is now running successfully in 194 prints in India and the Gulf. The number of prints is set to increase to over 250 when launched overseas in the UK and US. Gone With The Wind was re-released in 1998 with 200 prints.

Mughal-e-Azam was made at a time when colour technology had just been introduced in India. In paying heed to this technological development, K. Asif’s desire was to re-film Mughal-e-Azam into colour, as this would best portray the magnitude of his film. He was only able to shoot four reels in colour, and as a result of impatient distributors (who had already waited for nine years), Mughal-e-Azam was released 85% in black and white and 15% colour. Nonetheless, the colourisation of his film signifies the fulfilment of K. Asif’s incomplete vision and not a tamper with art. The artists of the film, the heirs of the artists and the family of K Asif are all very happy with the new version.

The film was re-released in India on the same scale and grandeur as was done in 1960, for instance, the print for Mughal-e-Azam was once again unloaded at the cinemahall from an elephant top (as in 1960), becoming one of the most talked about film premieres in the world.

When originally released in 1960 in Maratha Mandir, India, the film had 100% booking requests for seven weeks even before the first show of the film. The film had an uninterrupted run for three years in full shows, a record unbeaten for 44 years.

While creating a 21st century cinematic experience, the originality of the film was completely maintained – a rare combination of Medieval Art and Contemporary Technology.

In the shooting of the war scenes, 2000 camels, 4000 horses and 8000 army men from the Indian army took part. In the war scenes, real soldiers, horses, cavalry from the Indian army was used, arranged through a special permission from the Ministry of Defence, India.

Lurker Films Announces the H.P. Lovecraft Collection Volume 3: Out of Mind on DVD

Portland, OR (PRWEB) April 21, 2005 -- Lurker Films, Inc. the world's leading producer and distributor of Lovecraft related film products announced the immediate availability of "The H.P. Lovecraft Collection™ Volume 3: Out of Mind" on DVD, available from merchants throughout the United States.

"Out of Mind" casts an entertaining eye on the work of American writer H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937), one of the early 20th century's masters of gothic-horror literature. The film offers an encounter with Lovecraft and enters into his world. Engaging in a kind of game around the writer, the film playfully winks at many of the themes characteristic of his work: the occult, cursed books, monstrous creatures, and the world of dreams. Out of Mind draws its inspiration from Lovecraft's actual personal correspondence and many of his stories, carrying the viewer through a labyrinth "beyond the wall of sleep."

The H.P. Lovecraft Collection Volume 3: Out of Mind DVD includes:
• “Out of Mind: The Stories of H. P. Lovecraft” television feature film
• Two audio commentary tracks by writer/director Raymond Saint-Jean, actor Christopher Heyerdahl, and cinematographer Serge Ladouceur.
• John Strysik's award winning student short film “The Music of Erich Zann” with both Dolby 2.0 and 5.1 audio options.
• Aaron Vanek’s student short films “The Outsider” and “My Necronomicon”.
• Interviews with the crew of “The Music of Erich Zann”
• The third part of the continuing interview with the foremost Lovecraft scholar in the world, S. T. Joshi.
• Bonus trailers of upcoming films including “Call of Cthulhu”

The H.P. Lovecraft Collection Volume 3: Out of Mind DVD will be available through retail at a suggested price of US$21.95. The DVD is not rated but a rating of PG-13 is suggested. Total running time of the DVD is over 120 minutes."It is fitting that this DVD was mastered on March 15th, the anniversary of Lovecraft's death," said producer Andrew Migliore, "and occurs in the wake of the Library of America’s newly released volume of Lovecraft short stories proving that Lovecraft’s writings have literary merit and is worth preserving."

Tiscali announces Best UK Debut Short Award for the Raindance Film Festival

Tiscali UK is set to continue its support of The Raindance Film Festival in September by launching the Best UK ‘Short’ by a First Time Film Maker Award - to be announced today at the opening of the Raindance East Film Festival.

The entry criteria: contestants must be first time filmmakers and have submitted a short film of under ten minutes. Raindance will select a shortlist of the five best short films, which will then be shown online and voted for by Tiscali users as well as a Raindance panel of judges. The winner will be awarded a prize of £1,000 and free Tiscali broadband for a year.

This is not the first time Tiscali has shown a commitment to the film industry. In 2004, Tiscali was announced as one of the major sponsors of the Rotterdam Film Festival, where it experimented in distributing art house films over the Internet and has also supported The Venice Film Festival. The company also backed a full feature film, 05/06 directed by Theo Van Gogh about the assassination of the flamboyant right-wing politician Pym Fortuyn which made its debut online. Within hours of its Internet release thousands of broadband users were downloading the film.

Richard Ayers, Portal Director of www.tiscali.co.uk says: "This is the next step for the film industry. The question is not "what is broadband?" but "what can you do with it?" The music industry has finally embraced online distribution and for film makers it offers very cost effective distribution to millions.”

"We are absolutely committed to putting more entertainment online. We have been showcasing free short films for over two years and this is a great way to debut new talent."

Elliot Grove, founder and Managing Director of Raindance says: "We believe Tiscali is particularly innovative in this area. We welcome any company that champions creativity, and brings independent film to a wider audience consuming in a new medium."

The Raindance Film Festival was established in 1992 to celebrate and support British film making and innovation and has gone on to become the largest independent film festival in Europe. Patrons include directors such as Mike Figgis, Ken Loach and Michael Winterbottom, and artists including Ewan McGregor, Samantha Morton and Bill Nighy.

For more information on the Tiscali Best Short by a First Time Film Maker Award, go to www.raindance.co.uk to download the submission form along with the rules and regulations.

ALIENWARE CREATES FIRST-EVER STAR WARS PC

New Alienware Aurora: Star Wars Edition Systems Feature Dark Side and Light Side Case Designs, Exclusive Star Wars Content, and AMD Athlon™ 64 FX-55 Processors

Alienware®, the leading manufacturer of high-performance desktop, notebook, media center and professional computing systems, announces the creation of the new Alienware Aurora™: Star Wars Edition, the first-ever
officially licensed Star Wars PC. Aurora: Star Wars Edition systems are based on AMD Athlon™ 64 FX-55 processors and packed with exclusive Star Wars content such as movie soundtracks, wallpapers, and desktop skins. The systems are available in two extraordinary versions, Dark Side and Light Side, which feature breathtaking Star Wars artwork on the cases.

http://www.alienware.co.uk/Starwars_Pages/teaser.aspx

The Dark Side version features a case design that captures the imposing presence of Darth Vader and the rest of the evil Imperial forces in lifelike detail. The Light Side system beautifully displays the vivid images of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda and the other heroic Star Wars figures. The Light Side system further enhances the Star Wars experience by including a highly unique Jedi wallpaper and desktop skin, while the Dark Side system counters with an exclusive Imperial wallpaper and desktop skin.

“Star Wars indisputably ranks as one of the most popular movie franchises of all time, yet had never been featured on a PC, so Alienware worked with Star Wars to fill that void,” said Robert Lusk, vice president of sales and marketing for Alienware. “The result of this collaboration, the Aurora: Star Wars Edition offers an irresistible
mix of both visual appeal and power that is sure to make an unforgettable impression.”

MR.T RETURNS IN MAY 2005!

APC RELEASES ALL-NEW ONGOING MONTHLY “MR.T” COMIC BOOK

American cult hero and iconic all-round entertainer Mr.T returns to pulp fiction - and to pulp bad guys - this May in an all-new comic book series published by APComics.

Announcing one of the biggest licensing deals in the history of UK comics, APComics today said that MR.T #1 will be launched in the USA on Mr.T’s birthday, May 21 2005. UK fans will be able to get an exclusive sneak peek
at the UK Comic Expo, Bristol, UK, May 13-15.

Mr.T, known worldwide for his roles in the smash-hit television series THE A-TEAM and hit feature films such as ROCKY III, as well as solo television shows, is overseeing the series as Creative Supervisor.

Mr.T said: “Quit your jibber-jabbering and buy my comic!”

“I pity the fool who don’t read it! It’s gonna be pure gold!” quipped the star, making reference to his trademark gold jewelry.

The comic book will be scripted by up and coming British writer Christopher Bunting. He said: “This truly is a dream job for me. Mr.T’s winning combination of toughness and tenderness have earned him an army of fans all
over the world and they are going to love this book!”

Bunting is joined by the art team of Neil Edwards and Randy Emberlin.

APComics - based in St. Albans near London in the UK – has been producing comic books since 2001 with popular titles such as MONSTER CLUB, DARKHAM VALE and THE CHASE to its name. The publisher recently secured a deal to produce comic book versions of best-selling children’s novels.

APComics' publisher and editor-in-chief, Richard Emms, said: "For a British publisher like us to get this deal is beyond belief! We're all huge Mr.T fans and can’t describe how excited we are about having such a legendary
character in our midst!

"I want to thank the people who have rallied around to get this terrific and unique project off the ground, including Chris Bunting who has put this comic together from literally nothing and turned it into a certain success.”

The comic book’s US distribution will be exclusively by Diamond Comics. Its UK and Europe distribution will be by both Diamond Comics and APComics. It has a suggested retail price of $3.50/£2.50.

Two MR.T trade paperbacks are due for release in December 2005 and July 2006.

OFT REFERS ANTICIPATED ACQUISITION BY FUTURE PLC
OF HIGHBURY HOUSE PLC

The OFT today referred the anticipated acquisition by Future plc of Highbury House plc to the Competition Commission (CC).


The OFT has decided that the test for reference is met in relation to the supply of certain special interest consumer magazines in the UK. The reference is made on the basis of concerns that the combination of the largest supplier of computer games magazines in the UK with its largest competitor may be expected to lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the UK.

The CC is expected to report by 28 September 2005.

Ma Mère

DVD release date 25th April 2005

Isabelle Huppert (‘I Heart Huckabees’, ‘The Piano Teacher’), Louis Garrel (‘The Dreamers’) and Emma de Caunes (daughter of Eurotrash presenter Antoine) star in Ma Mère, director Christophe Honoré’s superb adaptation of Georges Bataille’s violent, magnificent and scandalous 1966 novel. Following a successful theatrical release, the title will now be released on DVD by Revolver Entertainment on 25th April.

One of the most controversial films ever to be shown in British cinemas, Ma Mère has garnered rave reviews at screenings and festivals around the world, including France (Cannes Film Market), Belgium, Russia (Moscow Film Festival), Italy, Canada (Toronto Film Festival and Vancouver International Film Festival) and the London Film Festival 2004, where extra screenings had to be held following two sold out showings.

SYLVIA SYMS HOSTS A CHARITY SCREENING OF

‘ICE COLD IN ALEX’

The first Help the Aged classic film series kicks off with the screening of the classic wartime adventure ‘Ice Cold in Alex’, and is to take place on Thursday 2 June 2005 in aid of the Charity’s Elder Abuse Campaign. Hosted by one of the stars of the film, Sylvia Syms, this exclusive screening is organised by the Arts for Age Committee, a sub committee of Stage for Age – the celebrity arm of Help the Aged.

Movie Legend Sylvia Syms, who plays the role of Sister Diana Murdoch in the film, will introduce the film and reveal many of the secrets behind the making of this classic movie.

She will also take questions from the audience after the screening.

The film, set in a war zone in 1942 Libya, sees a British ambulance officer escape the siege in Tobruk and try to get his passengers to safety in Alexandra – where he dreams he will have an ‘ice cold’ glass of beer. His passengers include a stranded nurse, a Sergeant Major and a stray South African Officer –although not all is what it seems with all the passengers.

All money raised from this event will go towards the Help the Aged Elder Abuse Campaign. Half a million older people are at risk of abuse right now – either psychological, financial, physical and sexual. The problem affects men and women, both rich and poor. Shockingly, much of this abuse takes place in people’s own homes.

This special screening of the wartime classic adventure ‘Ice Cold in Alex’ will take place at the Cine Lumiere, Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place, South Kensington SW7 2DT, from 6.30pm-10.30pm. Tickets are limited and are priced at £50 per person, which includes a champagne and canapé reception.

To purchase a ticket, or for more information, please contact Sara Goodburn at Help the Aged on 0207 239 1926 or email sara.goodburn@helptheaged.org.uk. Alternatively write to Sara Goodburn, Help the Aged, 207-221 Pentonville Road, London N1 9UZ.

Go West and Mark Owen Headline at First Thunder Sunday Event

Live Music and American Oval Racing Kick Start the 2005 Season at Rockingham

The adrenalin pumping, white knuckle, ‘Thunder Sunday’ series of events featuring the spectacular SCSA American style Stock Car racing and live music series, is back and ready to launch into the 4th season of what can only be described as the ultimate family day out. On Sunday May 1st, Rockingham, near Corby, will welcome the first live performers of the new season - Go West and Mark Owen.

To celebrate 20 Years in music, ‘80’s legends Go West will be appearing on the Rockingham Stage in the only outdoor gig of their 20th Anniversary Tour which kicked off in Manchester on April 3rd.

Go West’s legends Peter Cox and Richard Drummie will be performing their hits including classics; ‘We Close Our Eyes’, ‘Faithful’ and the smash hit from the Hollywood blockbuster Pretty Woman ‘The King of Wishful Thinking’ - A selection of songs which will definitely set the Rockingham stage alight.

Mark Owen was the first member of Take That to launch a solo career and his first album ‘Green Man’ sold over a million copies and resulted in two top 3 singles ‘Child’ and ‘Clementine’. He went onto find a wider public appeal in 2002 when viewers of the hit Channel 4 programme Celebrity Big Brother voted Mark the winner. On Monday 18th April Mark Owen’s third album ‘How The Mighty Fall’ goes on sale and the fans at Rockingham will be some the first people to see Mark and his band perform some of the new tracks live, along with the smash hit ‘Four Minute Warning’.

The final act to hit the Rockingham stage is Kontrol Freek, one of the UK’s most up and coming bands.

“We’re delighted with the range of music artists we have lined up this year. We are providing live music and entertainment to suit all tastes. This year we are especially keen to complement our existing pop music portfolio with a range of alternative music genres and with Go West at our first event we are confident we are providing an excellent mix of entertainment. Watch this space for further acts we will be announcing over this year’s Thunder Sunday event calendar,” said Mark Claussner, SCSA Race Series Director.

Rockingham in Northamptonshire is the only venue in the UK to offer the adrenalin pumping American-style stock car racing, alongside a live music featuring the UK’s leading music artists. Previous artists to have performed on the Rockingham stage, include, Busted, Girls Aloud, The Darkness, Lemar and Rachel Stevens, with more leading artists planned for 2005.

The SCSA Racing package consists of two races featuring the
awesome 450bhp American style Stock Cars, along with the adrenalin pumping Pickup Trucks and other supporting track events. The races see the cars battle two or three-wide at speeds of up to 170mph around the banked 1.5-mile oval track. The 5.7-litre V8 American Stock Cars certainly offer an amazing spectacle, unique in the UK. As well as the racing and live music, there is yet more family entertainment at Rockingham. A Spitfire air display, the HKS Drift Car stunt display, a fun fair, trampolines, the ‘Adrenalin Alley’ skateboard park and quad bikes are also features of each Thunder Sunday event.

Tickets cost £18 (adv), £25 (gate) for adults, £7 (adv), £10 (Gate) for children 5 to 16. Under 5’s are free. There is also a special advance only family ticket at £44 for two adults and two children. To purchase advance tickets and find more information on Thunder Sunday events visit www.rockingham.co.uk or ring the box office on 08700 134 044.

For more about NASCAR racing see our review of the new IMAX 3D movie by Andrew Lyndon on the main www.talkingpix.co.uk website.

WORLD PREMIERE FOR MOVING FILM FESTIVAL

Channel 4 is calling for film makers from across the globe to showcase their work in the world’s first moving film festival, launched by online creative resource, IDEASFACTORY.

Throughout June 2005, 78 Central Trains carriages in the West Midlands are being transformed into moving cinemas, thanks to the IDEASFACTORY Rolling Stock Short Film Festival. Over 100 short films will be screened during the four week event, to an audience of over 55,000 passengers.

Dan Jones, Editor of IDEASFACTORY West Midlands said:

“As the world’s first industry event of its kind, the Rolling Stock Short Film Festival is a unique opportunity for both new and experienced film makers to show their work to a diverse audience and play a part in film history.”

Film makers of all ages and experience can enter their shorts, which need to be less than five minutes long and suitable for a family audience.

Passengers will be able to text vote for their favourite film throughout the festival, with the most popular short taking home a cash prize of £500. For more information, or to download an entry form visit www.channel4.com/ideasfactory

Prospective Subscribers Embrace Phantom Game Service

New Research Study Shows the Phantom Game Service as an Attractive, Convenient On-Demand Solution For Consumers

Sarasota, Fla. - March 31, 2005 - According to a recent study conducted by media research firm SmithGeiger LLC and commissioned by Infinium Labs, Inc. (OTC BB: IFLB), three in four respondents (76%) said they would like to have the Phantom Game Service.

The majority of respondents said they see the Phantom service as an attractive alternative to current game rental and purchase options, with convenience, simplicity, timeliness, and ease of access to a wide range of current titles and old favourites as key drivers.

The study, which was conducted by SmithGeiger in February 2005, surveyed over 600 current or former console or PC gamers with residential broadband internet access.

“The initial interest in the Phantom Game Service is substantial and validates the promise of this new platform. There is a tangible demand for a new alternative in gaming that better serves lifestyle and interests by delivering a more convenient way for consumers to experience PC quality games through the TV in their own living room” explained SmithGeiger principal Seth Geiger.

The report's major findings include:

Features and Benefits of the Phantom Game Service Have Strong Appeal

When potential subscribers were asked about the features and benefits of the Phantom Game Service, the majority of gamers clearly grasped the value proposition:

- Two-thirds of the respondents said the service was more appealing than current rental options
- More than half said the service was more appealing than their current purchase options
- Nearly seven-in-ten percent saw benefits in the time it takes to receive a game or have it in hand
- Two-thirds cited the ease and simplicity of making a game purchase as a key benefit of the service
- Phantom’s ability to deliver a broad array of titles holds significant appeal to consumers, with 64 percent of respondents citing game availability, in stock and “titles you want” as key attributes of the service.
- Nearly half said they would like a way to play PC games on their living room TVs

In addition, the survey noted that the release of the next round of consoles would have no dramatic impact on the likelihood of purchasing the Phantom service among respondents.

Survey respondents were screened for broadband access and gaming interest, and represent 58% of all 18 to 54 year olds online today, or roughly 63.4 million prospective subscribers to the Phantom Game Service.

The Phantom Game Service will be the first end-to-end solution of its kind combining broadband receiver hardware and integrated game service that, in addition to offering the greatest breadth of PC game titles, will allow consumers to demo games before purchasing and will stream games for virtually instantaneous start of play, all via broadband from the convenience of the living or family room.

Infinium Labs plans to launch its Phantom Game Service in 2005.

24: THE GAME

Fans of hit Sky One series 24 will now be able to put Jack Bauer through his paces in a new version of 24, this time as a computer game being developedfor Sony's PlayStation 2.

Jack is currently in the midst of preventing nuclear meltdown in Day Four on Sky One. The new PlayStation game will let players take control and live aday in the hectic life of Jack Bauer and the Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit. The game will also answer some burning questions left open in the realtime thriller series.

Featuring many of the stars from the first threeseasons, Sony said it would offer the most extensive cast of Hollywood actors ever seen in a game, which is set for release this autumn. 24 scriptwriter Duppy Demetrius is also on board.

24: The Game is the latest spin-off of the Sky One series, which has already this year made the transition to mobile phones via a deal with Vodafone inthe UK. Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe in collaborationwith Fox and the TV show's producers, directors, scriptwriters and stars, 24: The Game is set between seasons two and three and promises to give theshow's fans answers to some burning questions not addressed in the series.

24, Sky One, Sundays, 9pm

ProHD from JVC

London, March 2005 - As the worldwide consumer electronics industry begins to gear up for the anticipated growth in HDTV capable home entertainment products, JVC introduces ProHD, which offers corporate and
broadcast programme makers alike the low cost option to shoot in either standard or high definition.

At NAB 2005, JVC introduces a range of cost-effective production tools that open the doors of HD to broadcasters, production companies, educational and religious organizations as well as independent film and video producers.

The centerpiece of JVC's affordable HD approach is called ProHD, an HDV-compatible video system with full professional specifications which can fulfill the high quality standards of both standard and high definition
capture. By including professional capabilities such as time code, true 24p HD, and dual media direct recording to hard disk, ProHD becomes a tool that can be easily used to produce film-like quality HD programming in a
variety of applications.

To achieve its affordable HD solution, JVC utilises widely available, non-proprietary technologies such as MPEG-2 compression, DV recording media and conventional hard disk drives.

Realising that many users will want to phase in HD production, JVC has designed ProHD to provide spectacular standard definition performance as well as true high definition. Recording in either Professional DV or HD is
currently available on all ProHD cameras, recorders and disk drives. JVC's ProHD products use their superior resolution and processing power to deliver top performance in either native 16:9 or 4:3 modes, producing standard definition recordings superior to competing SD-only products. And, ProHD decks are even capable of playing back DVCAM™ tapes.

JVC's first ProHD models, being shown at NAB 2005, include GY-HD100 the revolutionary compact-sized 3-CCD camcorder and the BR-HD50E ProHD recorder player.

A PUBLIC SCREENING FOR YOUR VERY OWN FILM

To celebrate the release of Tarnation, LOVEFiLM.com is launching a novel competition to give all those passionate about filmmaking the chance to let their talent shine in front of a public audience.

Made for only £218 on an Apple iMac, Jonathan Caouette’s Tarnation was the talk of the town at the Cannes Film Festival 2004. It is a spellbinding and heartbreaking documentary self-portrait that re-imagines the whole idea of what a documentary can be.

The film chronicles Caouette’s chaotic upbringing in a dysfunctional Texas family and the unexpected relationship that developed with his mentally ill mother Renee. Tarnation was awarded the 2004 Sutherland Trophy at The Times BFI London Film Festival for “the most original and imaginative first feature”.

LOVEFiLM.com is offering all budding filmmakers, regardless of experience, a chance to have their film screened alongside Tarnation at an exclusive preview event on 19 April 2005 at The Clapham Picturehouse, London. The entries will be judged by Jonathan Caouette himself and the winner will also be awarded a place on a three-day advanced filmmaking course at London’s Metropolitan Film School.

To enter your film or to find out further information, simply log onto www.LOVEFiLM.com