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nations and regions
northern exposure
Popular dramas and interna- tional films like The 51st State have found the North an attractive option for filming. With its large support network and organisations like BAFTA North and the Liverpool and Manchester Film Offices, the North is committed to facilitating film and TV production while offering industry professionals the opportunity to meet and network in relaxed surroundings.
BAFTA North has done much this year to promote Northern cul- ture; supporting Manchester’s highly successful Commonwealth Games and Liverpool’s Capital of Culture bid, a title for which Liverpool is now short-listed.
The diversity and richness of the Northern regions has attract- ed international attention, in par- ticular from Bollywood producers and directors; who, invited by Manchester and Liverpool City Councils and North West Vision (NWV), indulged in the sights and sounds of the North West.
Bobby Bedi, Managing Director of India’s Kaleidoscope Entertainment Ltd, said he was enticed by Liverpool’s reputation for ‘film friendliness’; a quality that BAFTA North is keen to promote further afield.
BAFTA North also organised the high profile World Charity Premiere of Al’s Lads, by Liverpool writer Marc Gee and directed by Richard Standeven. Taking place
in May at Liverpool’s Odeon Cinema, London Road, it show- cased the talents of a predomi- nantly Northern cast, including Ricky Tomlinson and Ralf Little. Over £1000 was raised for the North West branch of The International Spinal Research Trust.
Another prominent date in the BAFTA North calendar this year was the Liverpool premiere of My Kingdom, a contemporary rendi- tion of Shakespeare’s King Lear and filmed almost entirely in Liverpool. Cast and crew from across the region were invited to this special screening at the Crosby Community Cinema - actors Emma Catherwood and Reece Noi were among the spe- cial guests, joined by director, Don Boyd and producer,
Neal Weisman.
SMpirit of optimism
y Kingdom was conceived primarily through Liverpool as a location, contempo- rary Liverpool as a setting and finally the premise of King Lear. Don saw Liverpool as a city of people who possessed a certain ‘spirit of optimism’ a necessary vehicle for the film’s gritty plot.
The end of October saw BAFTA North celebrating the achievements of one of its own – Liverpool born multi-media genius, the late Roy Stringer, in an event entitled, ‘Hypermania: An evening of circus and chaos’.
Amid the sleek surrounding of Liverpool’s Pan American Bar, chaos and canapés mingled effortlessly, fed by a fusion of samba and song. The evening celebrated his passion for life, attended by relatives, colleagues, close friends and admirers. The Kissing Booth, one of his most famous ventures, was viewed whilst indigenous Frank Zappa trib- ute band, The Muffin Men, played to an appreciative audience.
The event was sponsored by BT and organised by BAFTA North, in association with ICDC and the Foundation for Art & Creative Technology (FACT); an organisa- tion in which Roy had promised to be a leading player.
Tributes from both Lord Puttnam and Sue Thexton, Chair of BAFTA’s Interactive Committee and European Vice President of Macromedia, described him as ‘one of the most brilliant minds in the interactive world’ and reflect- ed on his aspirations and achievements. Prizes were raffled throughout the night in aid of a fellowship set up in Roy’s name – the Academy generously donat- ed two tickets to the BAFTA Interactive awards as one of the top prizes.
The development of FACT is in part a tribute to Roy and will stand as a legacy to all that he represented. The Director of FACT, Eddie Berg, is keen to expand the relationship between FACT and
BAFTA North in what he sees as a symbiotic relationship, with high profile collaborations between BAFTA North and FACT anticipat- ed annually.
Alex Cox’s Revengers Tragedy in association with BAFTA North will launch the opening of the centre early next year and will serve as a starting block for future BAFTA North screenings at FACT.
I An t e r n a t i o n a l l e v e l
nother exciting project that BAFTA North Director, Maureen Sinclair, has facili-
tated was the collaboration between the New York film indus- try and filmmakers in Liverpool and Manchester. Over a few days in October, BAFTA North was able to support an initiative with CIDS and NWV by representing the cream of Northern talent at an international level. Regionally produced films Liam and 24 Hour Party People were interspersed with six short films at special screenings held at the Tribeca in New York City.
BAFTA North this year has been very much focused on the promotion and develop- ment of local talent. Facilities like the aforementioned FACT centre and The Film Office are instrumental in the bid to make Manchester and Liverpool, along with other cities in the North, an appealing and viable option for filmmakers.
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