Twelve Filmmaking Teams Make It To 'Digital Departures' Shortlist

Twelve Liverpool-based filmmaking teams are one step closer to reaching the filmmaking destination of their dreams, by making it to the short-list of Digital Departures, the prestigious micro-budget filmmaking initiative, created by Northwest Vision + Media, together with its partners the Liverpool Culture Company, the UK Film Council and the BBC.
Some of the industry’s most well known, and internationally-renown filmmakers are among the exciting line-up now waiting in the digital departure lounge.
One award-winning director (who will be revealed at the Digital Departures Press Call on Monday June 18, 5pm, outside the School of Art, Hope Street, Liverpool) is hoping the Digital Departures initiative will provide him with the opportunity to explore Liverpool’s history, in his first non-fiction film, described as 'a visual poem'.
One of the writers short-listed is currently enjoying huge success and acclaim, with his latest feature film currently showing in cinemas across the country. In addition, there are several other, high profile and established filmmakers included on the short-list, as well as the most exciting emerging talent from the region.
Digital Departures will see three feature films being made in Liverpool over the next 14 months, and is the premier film project of the 08 Capital of Culture celebrations. Each film will have a budget of £250,000.
Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council, says there is great excitement about the impact of Digital Departures within the city: "We are delighted to be part of this extremely important project which will deliver three new feature films premiering in the city in 2008."
Jason Harborow, Chief Executive of the Liverpool Culture Company, added: "The commissions will engage the creativity of Liverpool's film-making community and also draw in emerging and established film making talent from across the UK and the world. The commissions will be an important addition to the cultural legacy of 2008."
The 12 finalists have been drawn from over 155 entries received and have been selected by a panel of seasoned industry professionals.
"We were immensely impressed by the calibre of entrants, and I think everyone will be truly excited and enthused when we reveal the short-list on Monday June 18,” said Chris Moll, Head of Funds for Northwest Vision + Media, and chairman of the panel.
Lisa Marie Russo, the recently-appointed Executive Producer for Digital Departures and responsible for overseeing the development and production of the films, says the panel had to make some hard choices.
"It was extremely difficult narrowing down to 12, but what we found exhilarating is the knowledge that there is such a huge wealth of talent in the city, which in turn has teamed up with people new to industry, and together they promise to create something truly extraordinary."
The 12 short-listed teams will complete a three-day development workshop in Liverpool from June 16-18, which will help them devise a development plan to take their early synopsis through to treatment.
The three feature films which are eventually greenlit for production will each be developed, shot and post-produced in Liverpool and will premiere in the city in the autumn of 2008, as part of the city’s Capital of Culture celebrations.
The films will then be distributed nationally and internationally across a variety of digital platforms including the UK’s rapidly-expanding Digital Screen Network. The BBC is taking UK broadcast TV rights.
(DS)