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The new year promises to be an interesting one for BAFTA Cymru members and forthcom- ing events include ‘The Broadcasters’ view of 2002, a talk and Q and A session with Elis Owen HTV, Clare Hudson BBC Wales and Meirion Davies S4C. February sees the young designer Betsan Rees from Swansea shar- ing her experiences of working on the film Gladiator, and the follow- ing months include contributions from Rachel Attwell, Head of BBC News 24, and Gareth Gwenlan, the producer of the highly acclaimed Only Fools and Horses.
Lisa Nesbitt joined the BAFTA Cymru team to work on the Awards Ceremony which this year will return to the Cardiff International Arena on Saturday May 25. Those members who have not renewed are strongly encouraged to do so quickly, so that they can participate in vot- ing for these prestigious awards. Geraint Evans, Director
BAFTA North
November was a busy month for BAFTA North with two members’ screenings a week in Liverpool and Manchester respectively as part of the lead up to our members voting for the BAFTA Film Awards.
Monsoon Wedding, a FilmFour release, took place in Manchester at the Odeon Cinema, Oxford Road and was well received by all members. This was followed by The Heist, from Fox, in Liverpool at the Odeon Cinema, London Road. Me Without You, the coming of age film starring Anne Friel and Michelle Williams, distributed by Momentum Pictures followed in Manchester. The eagerly awaited Last Orders was screened in Liverpool at the Odeon Cinema, London Road courtesy of Metrodome Distribution. The last Manchester screening for mem- bers in November was FilmFour’s
Late Night Shopping, which despite having been already released received a large mem- ber attendance.
In collaboration with the Humber Mouth Festival and in association with the Writers Guild, we presented ‘Pen To Page’ with BAFTA North’s BAFTA award-win- ning member Jimmy McGovern.
The event was a rare chance to meet the acclaimed TV and film writer who has created some of the most exciting and original dramas of the past decade including the acclaimed series Cracker and The Lakes. His work also includes Priest, Liam and, most recently, a drama docu- mentary based on the events of Bloody Sunday.
Maureen Sinclair, Director of BAFTA North, was invited on to the judging panel at this year’s Royal Television Society Awards. BAFTA North would like to con- gratulate all nominees and win- ners. BAFTA North was also invited to Liverpool’s annual Scousology Awards whose winners included Ricky Tomlinson, Claire Sweeney, The 51st State and Atomic Kitten.
Talking of The 51st State, it had its Charity Premiere in Liverpool. The film was nearly all shot on location in the city and used a predominantly local crew and was therefore eagerly anticipated. BAFTA North in collaboration with Momentum Pictures organised a pre-reception launch for the stars of the film who attended - such as Ricky Tomlinson, Mickey Starke and Stephen Walters - sponsored by the Pacific Bar & Grill.
The writer Stel Pavlou and pro- ducers from Focus Films also attended as well as stars of Hollyoaks, Coronation Street, Brookside, The Royle Family, Phoenix Nights, Peak Practice and Liverpool Football Club. Liverpool City Council was also represented through the Lord Mayor as an acknowledgement of the immense publicity the film has generated regarding the city of Liverpool as a film location.
The pre-reception was fol- lowed by a screening of the film attended by over 450 people at the Odeon Cinema, London Road and then an after show party at Liverpool’s famous Cream Night-club. The charities nominated to be the recipients of all monies raised through the event were The Variety Club Of Great Britain and local charity Merseyside Against Injustice.
BAFTA North traditionally holds a special December Christmas screening followed by a reception to thank all members and spon- sors of BAFTA North for their contin- ual support. This year FilmFour partly sponsored a reception at Hollathans, Victoria Street, Liverpool after the screening of their latest release Charlotte Gray, which was also attended by the producer Douglas Rae who took part in a lively Q&A immediately after the screening at the Odeon London Road, Liverpool.
BAFTA Scotland
B
of the late Ian Bannen. One of our finest actors, Ian enjoyed an inter- nationally successful career and hugely demanding work schedule until his untimely death in a car crash in his beloved Scottish high- lands in November 1999.
During 1999 he was Patron of the High Blood Pressure Foundation and BAFTA Scotland will join with that charity to pres- ent this unique event on Sunday, March 3. A special screening of his hilarious and acclaimed film, Waking Ned, will take place at the Odeon in Glasgow be fol- lowed by a celebration dinner at the Hilton.
It is anticipated that a large number of celebrities will attend the evening, along with friends and family and, of course, his wife and wonderful companion, Marilyn.
Looking back at his extraordi- nary career, one is struck by the number of films and TV series he made and the infinite variety of his many roles.
Classic parts in major films like The Flight Of The Phoenix, The Hill and The Offence carved his name in cinema forever as a bril- liant character actor. But there were also many television appearances in some of the best and most important dramas of our time. The quality of television found in major series like Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy or The Politician’s Wife has rarely been surpassed, due in no small part to superb casting of the finest actors with Ian always to be seen amongst them.
He worked with most of the greats, like Sir Alec Guinness and Sir Sean Connery and he was loved and respected in the pro- fession by young and old alike. In Scotland, in more recent times, he starred in the very popular series of Dr Finlay, re-defining the famous Andrew Cruickshank role of Dr Cameron.
There are many in all areas of the screen industries both here and abroad who admired Ian. He was a BAFTA Scotland Lifetime Achievement winner and in a quiet and unassuming way a great supporter of many charities and good causes.
We are delighted to offer the opportunity to attend this unique event to BAFTA Members, screen industry professionals and indeed to all interested parties. You are strongly encouraged to make contact with BAFTA Scotland with all speed as tickets will certainly be at a premium. www.baftascotland.co.uk
Photos (l-r): Jimmy McGovern, Maureen Sinclair and Sami Hyypia; Jennifer Ellison and Suzanne Collins; Mickey Starke, Ricky Tomlinson and Stel Pavlou; Ian Bannen
AFTA Scotland is to host a special tribute evening to
celebrate the life and work
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