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news digest
On October 15, BAFTA and the BFI will, jointly, pay trib- ute to the life and times of Sir Anthony Havelock-Allan who died earlier this year.
His was a remarkable film making career, not only because it spanned 70 years, but equally because of the wide range of
activities it covered – casting director, screenwriter, director and producer.
Personalities with whom he was closely collaborated are also legendary – Noel Coward, David Lean, Ronnie Neame, John Brabourne and Danny Angel among them. But one must add to that hundreds of actors, and (probably thousands) of techni- cians, especially in his involve- ment with Quota Quickies.
Sir Anthony’s honorary work included serving on a number of government and industry bodies set up over the years, mostly attempts to solve problems attached to British filmmaking viability.
He was a founder member of the British Film Academy and a Chairman of Council of the Society of Film & Television Arts, the two bodies which successive- ly became the Academy (BAFTA) which we have today.
In summary, it was one of the longest active careers in the his- tory of our industry. But now I need assistance. Did you, or any- body in your family, work with Sir
Anthony? If so, have you any reminiscences, stories, anec- dotes, even production stills for me? I promise safe return of any- thing you send to me.
I would really appreciate hear- ing from you c/o Amy Minyard at BAFTA. Your input could be tremen- dously helpful to the Academy and to the BFI in connection with the tribute night we are planning. I thank you in advance.
Also, if you would like to be present on the night, please let Amy Minyard have your con- tact details.
Sir Sydney Samuelson CBE, Trustee of the Academy, Producer of the Event.
EVthnic Boost
isible minority ethnic film- makers will be able to access more funding from the UK Film Council’s short film programmes with the addition of B3 Media as a new strategic partner for the UK wide Digital Shorts Scheme.
B3 Media, supported by the UK Film Council’s New Cinema Fund (NCF) has extensive experi- ence in the production, manage- ment, exhibition and distribution of digital short films.
This is achieved largely through its activities such as Nubian Tales, one of the UK’s leading black film exhibition, marketing and distribu- tion agencies, and the 23:59 Digital Short Film Lab.
Backed by a £40,000 invest- ment from the New Cinema Fund, it is now responsible for sup- porting a growing number of first- time and emerging filmmakers interested in short film production from groups that, until now, have not had strong connections with the UK film industry.
Through the first year of the Digital Shorts Scheme, the New Cinema Fund co-funded Erinma Eke Ochu’s In Memoriam and Charles Lauders’ and Maurice Bessman’s Journey for which Paul Barber won Best Male Performance at the Black Film Awards last September.
Caroline Cooper who runs the Shorts Schemes says, “We are delighted that B3 Media has joined us in supporting new film- making talent through the Digital Shorts initiative.
“And we are sure that the partnership will help us connect with groups not yet engaged
with the film industry and build on the successes of the filmmakers who participated during the first year of the scheme.”
DWirecting Change
omen In Film & Television (WFTV) and distributor UIP have launched an innovative new UK scheme, Directing Change.
This will give women directors the opportunity to work along- side an experienced and inter- nationally recognised feature film director during a forthcom- ing production.
The ultimate aim of Directing Change is to provide an invalu- able experience, upon which an emerging feature film direc- tor can build her future main- stream career.
Two women with proven directorial experience, in any medium, will be chosen annual- ly and receive financial assis- tance from Directing Change to cover expenses during their film work placement.
Gurinder Chadha and Jane Campion have both pledged their support along with Sir Alan Parker, Anthony Minghella, Mike Newell, Stephen Frears, Michael Apted, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Andrew Eaton and Michael Winterbottom.
Jane Cussons, chief executive of WFTV, said: “When WFTV was alerted to the falling number of women feature film directors from research conducted in the US and UK, we were determined to address the alarming situation.
Commented Stewart Till, chair- man and chief executive officer, of UIP): “Ideally Directing Change will become the first small but very significant step towards redressing the imbalance of female film directors working in our industry today.”
Further details on how to apply to Directing Change can be found at www.wftv.org.uk or by contacting the WFTV office on 020 7240 4875.
Raining Films
aindance – the UK’s largest independent film organisa- tion – is joining dates with the London Film Festival for what will be “the ultimate film festival fortnight in London’s history.”
That’s how Raindance Director Elliot Grove described the LFF’s
paying tribute
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