Film Agency For Wales Appoints Key Personnel

The recently created Film Agency for Wales, responsible for ensuring a dynamic and sustainable film industry in the Principality, has appointed a talented line-up of key personnel.
The agency is led by Chief Executive Pauline Burt, with Britt Harrison joining as Head of Talent and Anneli Jones taking up responsibilities as Talent Development Executive. The Agency is funded by the Arts Council for Wales, the National Assembly for Wales and the UK Film Council.
Although Burt has worked in London for Mansfield Associates for the past four years, she is no stranger to Wales, having previously headed up production at Sgrin, the former Media Agency for Wales. Previous credits include Mike Barker's 'A Good Woman' starring Scarlett Johansson and Helen Hunt; Peter Greenaway's 'Tulse Luper Suitcases'; Gaby Della's Sundance opener, 'On A Clear Day', starring Peter Mullan and Brenda Blethyn; first-timer, Christopher Smith's 'Creep' starring Franke Potente; Peter Cattaneo's (of The Full Monty fame) 'Opal Dream'; and John Duigan's 'Head in The Clouds' starring Charlize Theron, Stuart Townsend and Penelope Cruz.
Burt spent a year at the highly regarded University of California in Los Angeles, taking the Producers' Program. There she worked for international sales agent, August Entertainment and Alan Ladd Jnr's The Ladd Company, of 'Braveheart' fame.
As Head of Talent for the agency, Harrison's role is to identify and nurture new and emerging filmmaking talent. She will work with writers, directors and producers in the industry to support the development of their skills and projects, offering bespoke advice, specific project feedback and financial investment. Supported by Anneli Jones, who joins the Agency from the Arts Council of Wales, she will be responsible for providing creative input into Agency-funded projects, in order to deliver economic and cultural benefits to the industry and its members.
Harrison brings to the role a practical knowledge of both sides of the commissioning fence, having worked as a freelance script consultant and as in-house Head of Feature Development for Tony Garnetti's World Productions, as well as a Senior Script Executive in Single Drama for the BBC. She has worked with a broad-spectrum of writers and directors, ranging from Oscar winners and nominees such as Franco Zeffirelli, Al Reinert, Hugh Hudson and Jeffrey Caine, to new film-makers exploring their first projects.
Pauline Burt, Chief Executive, Film Agency for Wales, commented: "It is great to welcome both Britt and Anneli into the agency. I know that their experience, enthusiasm and vision will ensure the agency succeeds in its objective to help the Welsh film industry achieve viability and sustainability. By working in the industry, for the industry, I am sure that together we can promote a vibrant, creative and successful film culture for Wales."
(DS/CD)