Talent Premiered At Edinburgh Film Festival

North East film making talent is to be showcased at this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival through a series of screenings alongside work from international heavyweights such as Sam Mendes and Lars Von Trier.
Jade and Keel are two films written and produced in the North East and supported by regional screen agency Northern Film & Media that will be screened at this year's festival.
Having already won the prestigious Silver Bear at this year's Berlin Film Festival in February, Jade is screening as part of the Edinburgh Film Festival's short film competition. Written and directed by writer/director Dan Elliot, Jade will receive it's British premiere at the festival.
Dan Elliot said: "It's great that Jade will have its British premiere at Edinburgh. Jade is a film about someone in a difficult situation, who has been tricked by her own feelings and desires and whose options are removed one by one."
Jade will screen within UK Shorts 1 on June 25 at 9:15am at Filmhouse 2 as part of a Press & Industry Screening and June 26 at 11:15am at Filmhouse 2 as part of a public screening. You can find out more about Jade and Dan Elliot's other work by visiting: www.danielelliot.com.
Jade is produced by Newcastle-based Third Films and follow on from the company's critically successful film Better Things, which was screened at Edinburgh last year when it was nominated for the Michael Powell award. Better Things is now out on DVD.
Keel is a short film produced through Northern Film & Media's Stingers Digital Short Film Scheme. Written and Directed by Ian Cottage, Keel was produced by North East production company Vita Nova Films with cinematography by Sundance award winner Lol Crawley.
Ian Cottage said: "I'm delighted Keel is in competition for Best British Short Film at Edinburgh. Hopefully it will gain interest in my feature The Airman, which I plan to shoot next summer."
Keel is screening on June 27 at 12:00pm in the Filmhouse 2 in Edinburgh. It is in competition for the Best British Short Film. You can find out more about Keel by visiting: www.keelfilm.com.
Tom Harvey, Chief Executive of Northern Film & Media, said: "It is fantastic to have three such intriguing and creative films from the North East screening at such a prominent festival. It is a testament to the talent we have in the region and the diversity of that talent.
"Short films play a vital role in the career development of film makers. They are no mere stepping stone, but help to develop the skills and experience and hone the artistic vision of emerging writers, directors and producers. Northern Film & Media works hard to support that talent and aims to provide access into key markets wherever possible."
Northern Film & Media have funded a number of individuals and companies from across the North East region to attend the Edinburgh film festival this June, including script writers, directors, producers and a team of festival organisers from the Northern Lights Film Festival.
The Edinburgh Film Festival runs between June 17 - 28 2009.
(KMcA/BMcC)