An innovative talent development project between Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) and international industry leading animation executives has been announced today. Animatic is open to Scottish creatives seeking to develop their idea for an animated feature film or series. Open to individuals, creative groups and studios, successful proposals will take part in a three-month programme of workshops, designed to help them develop their project, before pitching in person to studio executives from a world leading animation studio and industry experts.
The pitches will take place during GFF's Industry Focus programme, which runs 4 -7 March 2024 and is Scotland's leading gathering for people working in the film industry. Participants in Animatic will receive dedicated 'Pitch Training' during Industry Focus from MySmashMedia, an award-winning digital matchmaking marketplace for new film and TV projects. Through the programme of workshops, successful applicants will get the opportunity to learn from a team of industry experts on how to maximise their chances of success in front of one of the worlds’ leading studios, and also get feedback on the day about their performance and the potential of their pitch.
Closing date for application is Wednesday 18 October. Further information about the project, including the eligibility criteria, is available at www.glasgowfilmfest.org/animatic. Animatic is supported by the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO fund.
GFF also today announced details of their new Industry Advisory Board, chaired by writer and director Raisah Ahmed and packed with sector leaders and influential experts. GFF was originally established as a public-facing festival and has grown to become the second largest in the UK, with a reputation for its passionate and loyal audiences, which grew by 25% in the most recent year. Due to the increasing number of filmmaking professionals also attending the festival - drawn by the breadth and quality of GFF’s programme and its growing reputation as a festival that champions new voices - the Industry Focus strand was added to GFF's programme in 2016.
Next year will be GFF’s 20th edition, taking place 28 February to 10 March, where the Industry Advisory Board will reveal their vision and 10-year strategy for the industry programme.
Glasgow Film Festival Industry Advisory Board Members are:
- Raisah Ahmed, Writer/Director (Chair)
- Alice Whittemore, Development Executive, Film4
- George Hamilton, Chief Commercial Officer, Protagonist Pictures
- Hamish Moseley, Director of Distribution EMEA, Netflix
- Lauren Lamarr, Producer, Blazing Griffin
- Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning, BBC Scotland
- Nikki Parrott, Managing Director/Executive Producer, Tigerlily Productions
- Reece Cargan, Founder/Producer, Bombito Productions
- Sarah Smyth, International Distribution & Commercial Development Officer, Screen Scotland
Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the next breakthrough Scottish creative, which highlights the important role Scotland’s festivals have in enabling new talent to shine under an international spotlight, in addition to the entertainment and economic benefits they provide.
“The Scottish Government is proud to support Animatic and other ambitious collaborations like it through our EXPO fund to help raise the profile of new Scottish artists and maximise opportunities for them at home and abroad.”
Allison Gardner, CEO of Glasgow Film and Director of GFF, said: “Animatic demonstrates the international platform, ambition and value of Glasgow Film Festival to the Scottish filmmaking sector. We are delighted to be working with leading animation experts and to be able to connect them with the amazing talent that we have here in Scotland. This project is another milestone in Glasgow Film’s year round initiatives to support talent development. With the help of our new Industry Advisory Board, we look forward to sharing our vision for the festival’s industry programme next year.”
David Smith, Director of Screen Scotland, said: “Glasgow Film Festival, as part of Glasgow Film, is an organisation Screen Scotland has supported for many years. The new industry advisory board is a welcome development – it’s a great mix of talented film and programme makers. They will drive further development of Glasgow Film Festival’s industry offer, providing new opportunities for Scotland-based talent to meet, collaborate, pitch ideas, and develop their work together.”
More information
Information on GFF
Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) is firmly established as a key event in the UK's cultural calendar. Launched in 2005, GFF has grown greatly in significance and is now a key launching pad for films and one of the top film festivals in the UK. GFF continues to grow and develop its international reputation. Held annually, it presents a unique programme of feature film premieres, special events, live and interactive experiences, and an Industry Focus programme for filmmakers at every stage of their career.
GFF was named the Big Screen Event of the Year at Screen International’s Big Screen Awards in November 2022 for achieving a record high of 73% audience capacity at its first in-person edition post-Covid.
Previous GFF guests include Richard Gere, Alan Rickman, John C. Reilly, Saoirse Ronan, George MacKay, Richard Dreyfuss, Karen Gillan, Jessie Buckley, Sir. Michael Palin, Josh O'Connor, Ben Wheatley, Armando Iannucci, Jack O’Connell, Dexter Fletcher, Peter Mullan, George Sluizier, Peter Capaldi, Ty West, Richard Ayoade, David Dastmalchian, Eli Roth and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. www.glasgowfilm.org/festival
Information on GFF’s major funders:
The festival is one of the leading film festivals in the UK and run by Glasgow Film, a charity which also runs Glasgow Film Theatre. Glasgow Film Festival is made possible by support from Screen Scotland, the British Film Institute's audience fund (awarding funds from the National Lottery) and Glasgow Life.
About the BFI Audience Fund
The BFI Audience Fund invests £5.6m of National Lottery funding each year to expand access and encourage greater enjoyment of cinema by connecting audiences with great films - in venues, at events and online. We do this by supporting:
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leading exhibition organisations, including film festivals, to deliver culturally rich and nationally significant programmes and events on a year round basis
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projects which help exhibitors and distributors bring the best of UK and international cinema to audiences across the UK through events, distribution releases, multiplatform distribution proposals, touring film programmes and more
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initiatives that address under-representation and are innovating audience development
We are a cultural charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK’s lead organisation for film and the moving image. Our mission is:
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To support creativity and actively seek out the next generation of UK storytellers
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To grow and care for the BFI National Archive, the world’s largest film and television archive
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To offer the widest range of UK and international moving image culture through our programmes and festivals - delivered online and in venue
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To use our knowledge to educate and deepen public appreciation and understanding
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To work with Government and industry to ensure the continued growth of the UK’s screen industries.
Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter.
The BFI Board of Governors is chaired by Tim Richards.
Screen Scotland
Screen Scotland is the national body that drives development of all aspects of Scotland’s film and TV industry, through funding and strategic support. Screen Scotland is part of Creative Scotland and delivers these services and support with funding from Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Find out more at screen.scot and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
Glasgow Life
Glasgow Life is a charity working for the benefit of the people of Glasgow. We believe everyone deserves a great Glasgow life and we find innovative ways to make this happen across the city’s diverse communities.
Our programmes, experiences and events range from grassroots community activities to large-scale cultural, artistic and sporting events which present Glasgow on an international stage. Our work is designed to promote inclusion, happiness and health, as well as support the city’s visitor economy, in order to enhance Glasgow’s mental, physical and economic wellbeing.
For more information, visit www.glasgowlife.org.uk