Manchester Hosts UK Film Premiere

ELEVEN Northwest filmmakers are set to enjoy the red carpet treatment, with the UK premiere of their movies about to hit the big screen in Manchester.

And the region’s film fans are being invited to watch the films – for free.

The Digital Shorts special screening will take place at Manchester’s Cornerhouse on February 19 – with free tickets available now from the box office.

Filmmakers from Chorley, Stockport, Chorlton and Wigan are set to see their work on screen.

Funded by Northwest Vision and Media, who work on behalf of the TV, film, radio and digital content industries, the Digital Shorts scheme is part of a national, UK Film Council initiative to unearth budding feature filmmakers.

“Short films are critical in identifying new and developing writers, directors and producers,” says Helen Bingham, Head of Production for Vision and Media. “We encourage people to apply to Digital Shorts because it gives filmmakers real life experience of the industry.

“Each year we receive over 100 applications, so the competition is tough. However, filmmakers recognise that their finished short film allows them to demonstrate to producers and funders that they understand the filmmaking process, and have the potential to make a feature film.”

The films also attract some high-profile attention from top actors, who recognise the potential of a short film showcase.

Former Hollyoaks star, Sarah Jayne Dunn, appeared in one of the 2007 Digital Shorts due to be shown at the Cornerhouse.

The Lancashire-produced film, Northern Cowboys, was made by writer/director Martin Talbot of Chorley, Lancashire, and producer John Maxwell, of Liverpool.

“It’s always been our goal to develop the short into a full-length feature film because the world of Northern Cowboys has such wide appeal,” says Martin. “Now we have the short film as a calling card, we’re really optimistic about our future as Northwest-based filmmakers,” he adds.

Northern Cowboys tells the story of Deano, played by Stephen Billington, a self-obsessed Country and Western singer, who dreams of stardom. Together with his group, The Finger Lickin' Five, they enter a Country Music Battle of the Bands where they must compete with arch rivals, The Undertakers, for the prize of a lifetime, a trip to Nashville.

Sarah Jayne plays the part of Sally, girlfriend to the Undertaker’s lead singer, played by former Emmerdale star, Jeff Hordley.

Also being featured in the Cornerhouse premiere is filmmaking duo producer Alan Pattison, of Manchester, and director Lawrence Gough of Cheadle Hulme.

“Without a doubt, making our short film, Behind Closed Doors, allowed us to prove to the industry what we were capable of doing,” explains Lawrence, who has enjoyed a wide-ranging career as a director of short films, theatre and TV. Lawrence is now working on his first feature.

A short-list of 12 filmmaking teams hoping to make a Digital Short in 2008 will soon be announced by Vision and Media.

Each project will be developed by Vision and Media, in partnership with a national script consultant, before a final four filmmaking teams are announced in March 2008, each receiving funding of £12,000 to make their short film.

“For 2008 we were looking for filmmakers who demonstrated a new approach to genre and storytelling. Whether they wanted to make a drama, documentary or animation, we wanted to see inventive, creative filmmaking ideas,” explains Helen.