Category : Scotland;
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Films
Date : 18.05.2004
Printable version
Scottish
Screen, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Films and ContentFilm plc are delighted to
announce a new low budget film scheme, Fast Forward Features.
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This special initiative will aim to fully fund three
low budget features with a target budget of up to Β£1.2m per film.
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Fast Forward Features is intended to enable emerging
talent to take that crucial step into feature production with support
from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Films, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland, Scottish Screen and ContentFilm plc.
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ContentFilm plc will also handle international sales
and UK distribution, thus ensuring world wide exhibition for all three
films.
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The new scheme follows on from the success of Tartan
Shorts, the short film scheme which has nurtured some of Scotland's
top filmmaking talent, seeking contemporary popular projects across
all genres, with the aim of appealing to mainstream audiences.
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This initiative is open to teams of Scottish based writers,
producers and directors as well as individuals.
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While the scheme is designed primarily for new feature
film talent, applications will also be considered from those who have
previously had a very low budget feature produced.
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Claire Chapman, Head of Production at Scottish Screen,
is delighted to announce such a great deal for Scottish filmmakers:
"Fast Forward Features is an imaginative
scheme which guarantees a high level of support for the filmmakers.
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"This is a tremendous chance for filmmakers to
move from short filmmaking into mainstream movies and the budget level
is sufficient to allow them quite a degree of freedom.
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"I greatly look forward to seeing the first films
that are produced."
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Barbara McKissack , Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland Head of Drama, said:
"We have already had great success with Tartan Shorts Β– working
with filmmakers such as Lynne Ramsay, Peter Mullan and David MacKenzie
and attracting stars such as Laura Fraser, Gary Lewis, Emma Thompson
and Kevin McKidd.
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"Our aim is to build on this success in the feature
film market bringing both up and coming and established Scottish talent
to the world."
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David Thompson, Head of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Films added: "With
Fast Forward Features we want to try and find
ways of making films primarily with new directors in a radically different
way and at a much more cost effective price - in the manner of American
independent cinema."
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Laurence Gornall of ContentFilm plc commented: "Both
Scottish Screen and the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ have a terrific reputation for breaking
new talent, and we are delighted to be partnering
with them on this exciting and innovative venture."
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The application, development and selection process is
expected to take 12 months and the first film to be produced under this
new scheme will be announced at Cannes 2005.
