John Woodward: From Cannes to Edinburgh
Add a Comment June 1, 2008 | 8 comments
Hello,
The UK had a strong British presence in Cannes this year with five films in the official selection, 150 UK films for sale, 300 UK companies registered and 140 producers. But after the craziness of that annual market/festival it seems like a good time to blog about a couple of other recent film issues.
Breakthrough Brits
We're about to say bon voyage to this year's 13 Breakthrough Brits – a cadre of some the most talented black and minority ethnic executives and film makers in the UK who were brought together by the UKFC to raise their profile and their game through an intensive programme of industry networking and training. The reason for running this programme springs from our desire to challenge and change the status quo. We know that there is a diverse range of talent out there. We know that there is a will within the film industry to tap into that excellence. It's exactly this principle that lies behind the Breakthrough Brits, the thirteen honourees are an extremely talented bunch of people who have already enjoyed a great deal of success in their chosen fields in film in the UK. What we wanted to do at UK Film Council is help these people access the opportunities that the US industry has to offer. This is a really exciting programme and hopefully will make a real difference to the careers of the participants.
This is the second year we have run the programme and you can find out more about it on this website.
Separately we are also backing the "Want to See More of Me?" Exhibition (showing at the National Portrait Gallery until September). The aim of this collection of portraits of some of the best diverse talent working in British film is to be a little provocative and to raise a very important question about how truly representative - both on and off camera - the UK film industry currently is.
Film Festivals
This is an exciting time for the film festivals in the UK. As we announced earlier in the year we are pioneering a new Film Festival Fund. Edinburgh is the first festival to benefit. We are investing £1.88 million over the next three years to help them realise their aim of becoming Europe's leading film festival of discovery and becoming a "must attend" event for film makers. The programme that has been announced looks really strong and I hope to see you there.
Another slate of announcements about festival awards to regional film festivals which focus on subjects of national significance is also due out soon, so watch this space.
That's it for now from me and of course I'm keen to hear your views on these, or indeed on any other topics.
John Woodward
Comments / Responses
Good to hear...
Derek Brandon | June 5, 2008 @ 20:21Good to hear what's going on, from Mr. Woodward himself! Interesting reading. I hope the blog is regularly updated. Derek Brandon, yourlocalcinema.com http://www.yourlocalcinema.com
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test | June 26, 2008 @ 13:58fdsffjdsl
not that regular...
mook | July 1, 2008 @ 14:52Obviously not that regularly updated, then. Another example of desperately trying to climb on the "web2.0" bandwagon without anything to actually say...?
rudyt80@gmail.com
Zak Symonds | July 2, 2008 @ 15:07Dear UK FILM COUNCIL Congratualtions and well done on funding this film director
I am from NY and last week I viewed a shot film titled Boot Polish and it is now officially one of my favorite short movies of all time, this movie follows in the long tradition of great human spirit, the spirit through means of emotion and humanity and not just getting the girl in some typical Hollywood convention. The music, cinematography and acting was excellent in this film, especially considering this movie is shot in a 3rd world country.
I also had the opportunity to watch Ahmad's documentary which accompanies the Short Film No Guts No Glory. It is on his official myspace website, www.myspace.com/bootpolish, fantastic documentary this is something else. Ahmad is a great talent, naturally gifted and you can see first hand how much work and effort he has put into Boot Polish, and it covers a wide range of social topic and humanitarian issues.
The production crew deserve accolade, and I also agree Ahmad does deserve some sort of accolade at the Oscars. He is one of the many few independent film makers that really has an impact on the stories he likes to tell also the work he creates.
Ahmads work is really a homage to Satyajit Ray, a person could really look at the characters and see a little of themselves inside. Aneel Ahmad is a British film director to look out for. He should and will gain more notoriety for his talent hard work and persistence.
In his own words No Guts No Glory well done Aneel Ahmad you have a talent and I am also looking forward in your future work.
You not only have the Guts and Spirit you have a gift, and that gift is the talent of making genuine and emotionally driven art house movies.
I have been reading his website and profile and have just recently reg onto his email bulletins which led me to this site?
Well done to the entire production team. The Uk Film Council.
From the USA Zak Symonds film director
Fantastic British Born Pakistani Director
Immy Khan Bradford | July 26, 2008 @ 20:48Ahmed is most definitely one of the finest new British Pakistani directors in the UK.
I am so proud that finally a British Pakistani can make it big in the Industry.
Well done Ahmed
I am so Proud that one of us can make it! And well done to the UK FILM COUNCIL for finally supporting him, keep it up we need him to change the industry for us Brit Pakistani's
Immy Khan 786 (BRADFORD) I also read his profile on IMDB. He understands asian cinema, and my girlfriend really liked his short film. where can we buy his short film? is there a DVD released?
Good Luck Aneel
Paul Glick | August 8, 2008 @ 22:24I'm absolutely fascinated by you and your work. You have some real real fire in your belly and may it never go out!
Bollywood Melodramatic short The Asian Joe Wright
Marky | August 28, 2008 @ 16:29Bollywood Melodramatic short - The Asian Joe Wright, 25 August 2008
Hi I found this page through google search, I wanted to know if the UK Film Council would be able to pass on this review to Aneel Ahmad.
I am a fan saw his film in Manchester Uni
Overall, Boot Polish is a very good visual short film. A simple story, good performances and breathtaking cinematography.
Ahmad has shown talent, following the footsteps of other romantic feature film directors such as Joe Wright.
The young boy was absolutely fantastic, and the girl who played the courtesan, even though some of her performance may be seen as melodramatic, really did a good job.
Clearly influences are drawn from Merchant Ivory productions, melodramatic period dramas and of course classic Bollywood.
The cinematography in this short was excellent, especially the dance sequence and as well as the boy running.
The musical score was fantastic and it really pulled some of the emotional scenes to perfection.
But not all movies are perfect. This is no exception. I found some parts, especially in the beginning. The beating of the boy was slightly disturbing.
Also, the plot is slightly simple. But, if you are a melodrama or Bollywood fan, this is your movie.
Aneel Ahmad has all the trade marks of becoming a very successful British film director. I have read that he wants to follow in the steps of David Lean.
If he continues working to this standard he will full fill his potential.
Kind Regards Marky
Deserve more support Credit
Lara | October 11, 2008 @ 23:42Lara