SGRIN ANNOUNCE SCREEN GEMS WINNERS

SGRÎN have announced the final selection of ten short film projects to be produced under the Screen Gems scheme.
Those selected are: ‘A Goldfish in a Blender’ by Sarah Jennings; ‘But What Have You Done For Me Lately?’ by Belinda Bauer; ‘Ding Dong’ by Tracy Spottiswoode; ‘Dog Days’ by Aled Smith; ‘Line Engaged’ by Wayne Cater; ‘Lullaby’ by Sophie Cobb; ‘Pleasure Pill’ by Helen Grace; ‘Sacrifice’ by Rob Gittins and John Richards; ‘The Last Word’ by Glen Hale and ‘Three Big Words’ by Chris Buxton.
The ten were selected out of a total of 116 projects submitted. Out of those, 31 were short listed by the judging panel, who then had the difficult task of drawing up the final list of successful projects. Production on the three-minute films will begin almost immediately, and they will be completed in time for Wales Cinema Day on January 28 2002. They will be entered for film festivals around the world and will be broadcast on HTV.
The Screen Gems project is designed to nurture film-making talent in several areas of work: writing, directing, producing, camera work and editing. Five of the scripts will be filmed on Digital Video and five on the traditional 35mm film.
Two professional producers have been also been selected to oversee the projects. They are Eliane Huss of CF1 and Kate Crowther, who will work in association with Tumble Hill Productions. The scheme also offers eight trainees the opportunity to work in a professional environment.
This is the second year that the Screen Gems scheme has been in operation. The success of the first Screen Gems has proved that it is a winning formula. Many of the films are being requested for screening at prestigious overseas film festivals and two have already won awards. The films are also attracting the interest of feature film financiers.
Sgrîn’s Chief Executive, Berwyn Rowlands, said: “Screening the finished films is just as important as making the films. This project not only offers Welsh talent an opportunity to make films it also, very importantly, offers Welsh audiences an opportunity to experience cinema from Wales in Wales.”
Screen Gems is supported by the Arts Council of Wales, HTV and the Film Council. (CD)