FILM COUNCIL SUPPORT GRIERSON AWARDS EXPANSION

THE UK's specialist awards for documentary filmmaking, the Grierson Awards, have been expanded this year with support from the Film Council to incorporate a wider range of filmmaking.
The new Grierson Awards will be presented to outstanding factual films or programmes of social or cultural significance made in the UK and first screened publicly between January 1 2000 to April 30 2001. Best Documentary Awards will be made in four categories: Contemporary Issue, Historical, Series and Newcomer. The best film selected from these categories overall will be put forward for the Premier Grierson. In addition, there will be a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Film Council recognises the importance of documentary making and the contribution that documentary filmmakers make as part of the world of cinema. Many of the UK's most revered filmmakers who started their careers in documentaries have moved across genres through drama production to make some of the most lauded feature films of recent times sometimes choosing to move back and forth between fact and fiction filmmaking. Harry Watt, John Schlesinger, Ken Russell, Michael Apted, Lindsay Anderson, Phil Agland, Peter Greenaway and Peter Kosminski are just a handful of the internationally renowned producer/directors who have made thought-provoking and visually stimulating documentaries.
Eddie Mirzoeff, lauded filmmaker, four-time BAFTA winner and trustee of the Grierson Awards said: "The Grierson Trust is delighted by the enlightened support of the Film Council for our new awards. I've been making documentaries since the sixties and I'm more impressed than ever by the high standards of excellence British filmmakers are achieving today. The re-launch of the Grierson Awards will celebrate their success."
Over the past few weeks broadcasters and independent production companies have submitted a selection of documentaries for the Grierson Awards. The final award winners will be announced on November 14 at BAFTA. (CD)