What does . Fopp's demise mean for Scotland's indies?
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Best in how
The List launches the Edinburgh Film Festival New Writing Awards. Words: Allan Radcliffe
ince 2005 T/lt’ I.i.\l has collaborated with the \‘x'riters~ (iuild of (heat Britain to present awards for the best new writing ill coined} and theatre shows at the lidinburgh l‘ringe. .»\s the 2007 lidinburgh l‘ilm Festival has been olliciall} designated a celebration
of the screenwriter. with a l.l'.s'l-sponsored showcase of.
the work of. legendar) iloll_\wood scribe Anita l.oos as one of its highlights. it seems fitting for us to launch the first lidinburgh l'illn l‘estival Writers’ Award for Best New British Screenplay
(‘oordinator l)a\‘e (‘ohen explains the ethos behind the award. "l’he Film Festival has alwa)s championed home— grown mox'ies. and last )ear its faith paid off" when the micro—budgeted Lam/on Ir) Brig/11ml broke through to beeome a major hit. We're hoping our award w ill give an extra boost to the British moxie. and will bring the best of [K writing to the attention of a wider audienee.‘
'l‘he judging panel for the award is led by I.l'.\I film editor Paul l)ale. who is ably supported b} film critics liddie Harrison and Andrea (iibb. 'l’his intrepid trio will
have their work eut out for them as the programme for the British (iala strand of the Film Festival. from which
the winner will be selected. features a rich crop of.
movies by home-grown talent.
lintries include :lm/ ll'llen Did You Lust See Your l-kzI/lr'rf’. all adaptation of the Blake Morrison memoir about a successful writer ((‘olin l‘irth) who must reassess his relationship with his terminally ill lather (Jim Broadbent): ('mllml. the biopic of Joy Division lead singer lan (‘urtisz and pioneering Scots (iaelie language feature. Sear/1r! 'l'llr' lllrlr'l'r’.\’.\l/)/(’ l’lllllrli'lr'.
'l‘he films in this strand will also be competing for the [K liilnl (‘ouneil-sponsored Michael Powell award lot Best British lieature and a new award for Best l’erl‘ormanee ill a British Film.
The EIFF runs from Wednesday 15-Sunday 26 August. For full details of the programme for the 61st Edinburgh International Film Festival, please see www.edfilmfest.org.uk
TRAVERSE APPOINTS NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
I Scotland’s new writing theatre, the Traverse, which launched the careers of playwrights such as John Byrne, Liz Lochhead and Gregory Burke, has announced the appointment of Dominic Hill as its new artistic director. Hill has enjoyed a successful spell as joint artistic director of Dundee Rep Theatre since 2003, directing over 15 well-received productions, including Monkey, Happy Days and Scenes From an Execution, which won both the Best Director and Best Production gongs from the Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland. He will take up his post in early 2008, succeeding current artistic director Philip Howard, who is standing down after 11 years in the post. Hill shares his thoughts on his new appointment in an interview on page 80 of our theatre section. (AR)
I Performers at this year's Fringe are collaborating on a website called showcasefringetv, which will feature eight-tc-ten minute segments as well as news. sketches and a behind-the-scenes insight into the festival. The site also aims to highlight the plight of performers who run into financial difficulties. An eight-seater peeple carrier will double as a mobile studio for the channel throughout its three-week run.
I Tickets are still available for two benefits taking place at the Stand comedy clubs on Wednesday 18 July. The Glasgow outfit hosts a benefit in aid of Tak Tent cancer support, with Reverend Obadiah Steppenwolfe III and Raymond Mearns. In Auld Reekie, Sian Bevan, Kevin Bridges and Chris Forbes take to the stage in aid of Friends of the Earth Scotland. Tickets are £7 ('25).
I Meanwhile. the cream of Scottish music will be performing at Cross Reference. a fundraiser for the British Red Cross. The event. which features 14 acts Over two stages. including punk legends The Rexillos (pictured) and Edinburgh's Xvectors. takes place at Ego on Sunday 5 August from 10pm. Tickets are available from Ticket Scotland priced 5T8. www.myspace.com/ crossreference2007
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