UK Filmfour Award For Kiwi Writer

15 July 2005

Announcement Of The British Council New Zealand/New Zealand Writers Foundation
UK Filmfour Award

British Council New Zealand and the New Zealand Writers Foundation announce an opportunity for an experienced local scriptwriter or script developer to undertake a six-week working attachment in the feature film development division of innovative UK film company FilmFour.

FilmFour is the film arm of the UK’s Channel 4 Television. Dedicated to the production of smart, distinctive and contemporary feature films, FilmFour builds on a twenty-year history of ground-breaking films such as My Beautiful Laundrette, Trainspotting, Sexy Beast and Touching the Void.

The company has consistently had its finger on the pulse of modern UK and produces compelling, engaging cinema with international appeal. Recently acclaimed productions include The Motorcycle Diaries and Dead Man’s Shoes. Me and You and Everyone We Know and Sisters in Law won five awards between them at this year’s Cannes film festival.

These awards include the coveted Caméra d’Or for Me and You and Everyone We Know. FilmFour is home to the best and most visionary filmmaking talent working in the UK.

FilmFour is driven by a dynamic team headed by Tessa Ross, former head of development at British Screen Finance. The recently appointed FilmFour head of development is Katherine Butler. She was formerly head of development with Alison Owen at Ruby Films and Gwyneth Paltrow at Go Go Pictures. Prior to that Butler was an executive producer at the New Zealand Film Commission.

"FilmFour is delighted to be able to team up with the British Council New Zealand and New Zealand Writers Foundation for this exciting initiative. Channel 4 and FilmFour have always been dedicated to nurturing up-and-coming and existing talent.

This award gives New Zealand scriptwriters and developers the opportunity to expand and add to their existing experience by working in the UK for six weeks with our feature film development team. We wish all the applicants luck.” - Tessa Ross, Head of FilmFour

The British Council New Zealand/New Zealand Writers Foundation UK Award offers a placement in the feature film development division at FilmFour for up to six weeks from mid October 2005. There will also be the opportunity to experience some aspects of television drama development. The award was created to encourage professional and creative development in feature film and television scriptwriting and to encourage further opportunities for the recipient through an environment of cultural exchange.

The successful inaugural award in 2003 enabled scriptwriters Vanessa Alexander and Kathryn Burnett to work in the development teams of Working Title and Box TV respectively. To read about their experiences visit http://www.britishcouncil.org/nz-arts-and-culture-film-and-television.htm.

British Council New Zealand connects aspirational young people with the best of contemporary UK. Working across the sectors of arts, creative industries, science and education, British Council promotes the sharing of knowledge and experience, with the overall aim of building lasting relationships between the UK and
New Zealand.

The New Zealand Writers Foundation is a joint initiative of the New Zealand Writers Guild and the New Zealand Film Commission. The Foundation provides and promotes professional training, development and resources for New Zealand screenwriters. It has been established to foster excellence in storytelling through the creation of outstanding scripts.

The recipient of the award will receive $15,000 to cover air fare, accommodation and living costs associated with the working attachment opportunity at FilmFour. The deadline for applications is Monday 8 August 2005.

ENDS

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