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Award winning producer Nicola Shindler, together with writer Matt Greenhalgh and producer Tom Sherry, explained the processes behind transforming a script to an actual episode.
Wigan is home to a number of talented creatives, including actor Sir Ian McKellen, who was approached by BAFTA North to attend the launch. Although he was unable to commit to the launch, Sir Ian pledged his sup- port to the festival.
It ended with a screening of Stephen Frears’ award winning film Liam, (partly shot on location in Wigan) followed by a lively Q & A with producer Colin Mckeown and award winning writer, Jimmy McGovern.
BWlack History Month
hilst promoting cultural diversity plays an important role in shaping BAFTA North’s identity, it was with the advent of the National Black History Month in October that BAFTA North was able to look to its regional tal- ent and host an evening of shorts at the Unity Theatre, supported by North West Vision.
Prolific writer Maurice Bessman, producer and director Pogus Caesar and filmmaker Chase Johnston-Lynch attended and introduced their shorts, Journey, Forward Ever Backward Never and Land of Nod respec- tively. An enlivened debate ensued in the informal Q & A ses- sion chaired by local producer, Bea Freeman.
The event was included in an exciting programme of interna- tional screenings organised by Liverpool Festival ‘Black Screen’. BAFTA North collaborated on a series of diverse multi-cultural events including Liverpool’s first Chinese Film Festival.
In association with Liverpool City Council and the Odeon Cinema, BAFTA North coordinat- ed a series of three screenings over a two-day period. These commenced with a special reception at the newly devel- oped Foundation of Art and Creative Technology centre (FACT) to celebrate a new exhibi- tion by artist Clive Gilmore, Metroscopes. This was a specially designed interactive exhibition, linking the four cities of Liverpool, Dublin, Shanghai and Koln.
To celebrate the Chinese Film Festival, delegates from the Chinese Embassy and the Film Council descended upon Liverpool to add a global ele- ment to the city. Acclaimed director Feng Xiaogang formed part of the delegation and introduced one of his films, Be There Or Be Square as the opener. The Festival was sup- ported by the Pagoda in the heart of Liverpool’s Chinese community, the oldest in the UK.
SBcreen talk
AFTA North was deluged by a wealth of talent from all across the country this year, with internationally renowned directors, producers and actors adding their support and creative outlook to screenings in Liverpool and Manchester. Noted events included screenings and Q&As for To Kill A King, The One And Only and This Little Life.
Local talent Ricky Tomlinson once again pledged his support to BAFTA North by attending a specially organised night to cele- brate his prolific and varied career. Supported by North West Vision’s Regional Investment Fund for the England Lottery Programme and hosted by Corkills Motor Group, the event In Conversation with... was chaired by Granada news presenter So Rahman. Tomlinson provided a good-humoured and honest account of his career.
CTharity time
hey say charity begins at home and this year, BAFTA North’s director Maureen Sinclair has endeavoured to get fit and raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Maureen has undertaken a cycle ride across Vietnam. Relentless cam- paigning and fundraising in association with BAFTA North has provided Liverpool with some fantastic events.
One particular evening bought together some of Liverpool’s most talented musi-
cians in a combined charitable effort. Singer Thomas Lang pro- duced a night amalgamating the abilities of blues singer Connie Lush, Jennifer John and Amy Newhouse-Smith, with the raffling talents of footballer John Barnes. Maureen has been able with the help of generous supporters to raise more than three and a half thousand pounds for Marie Curie.
BAFTA North also supported BBC Radio Merseyside Charitable Trust’s Literary Lunch, attended by news correspondent Kate Adie who was there to promote her own newly published works.
This year we were also pleased to announce the addi- tion of two new board members, Suzanne Wilde, Controllor of Rights Management at Granada and Solon Papadopoulos, direc- tor of Hurricane Productions. Sol was recently shortlisted for a BAFTA Children’s Award nomina- tion for his short educational film Dead Drunk.
BAFTA North would like to take this opportunity of thanking its Board, its membership, many sponsors, volunteers and trainees whose continuous support is invaluable. Emma Wrafter
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