New Talent For UK Film Council

There have been two new appointments to the UK Film Council Board of Directors.
Elisabeth Murdoch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer the Shine Group, and Gail Egan, Producer and the founder of Potboiler Productions have been appointed by Margaret Hodge MP, Minister for Culture - to run for four years with immediate effect.
Stewart Till CBE, Chairman of the UK Film Council said: "It's fantastic news that Elisabeth and Gail have agreed to join the UK Film Council board. They bring with them a phenomenal amount of experience and success.
"Our aim has always been to have the highest calibre of board members and that maxim is very much behind the appointment of these two producers with enviable track records," he said.
Egan formed the independent production company Potboiler Productions with Simon Channing Williams in 2000. She has produced or executive produced eleven films including Mike Leigh's Happy-Go-Lucky, which recently premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, and Vera Drake; Fernando Meirelles' The Constant Gardener and Blindness, Man About Dog with Paddy Breathnach and Brothers of the Head with Keith Fulton and Lou Pepe.
Gail Egan said: "I'm delighted to be joining the Board of the UK Film Council, an organisation which as a producer, I have seen both supporting and making a significant impact on the development of the British film industry. I look forward to being a part of its continued strength and success."
As Chairman and CEO of Shine Group, Elisabeth Murdoch oversees - according to Broadcast Magazine - the fourth largest producer in the UK.
Within the group are Shine; one of the UK's leading independent multi-genre production companies, responsible for such programming as the Emmy award-winning Sugar Rush, Masterchef Goes Large, The Story of Light Entertainment and, alongside the UK Film Council and the BBC, Saul Dibb's BIFA award-winning film Bullet Boy; leading drama producers Kudos, makers of Spooks, Tsunami, Hustle and Life on Mars; entertainment specialist Princess Productions, whose extensive slate includes The Friday Night Project and The Wright Stuff; and leading factual programme makers Firefly, whose distinctive programmes have included Anatomy for Beginners and Kill It, Cook It, Eat It.
Elisabeth Murdoch said: "It is a privilege to be joining the board of the UK Film Council at such a fascinating and exciting time. The opportunity to contribute to a board which aims to deliver lasting benefits to both the UK film industry and viewing public is a thrilling one."
(DS)