News and Views

FORMER BOND AND EX-PYTHON HELP TCM TO FIND THE BEST BRITISH SHORT FILM OF 2006

London, 2nd May, 2006: Pierce Brosnan and Terry Gilliam are just two of the high profile judges Who are going to be deciding TCM Classic Shorts competition’s winner of 2006.   The seventh annual short film competition run by TCM (Turner Classic Movies) launches today  (2nd May) and the award ceremony, to honour the finalists, is held during the 50th The Times bfi London Film Festival in November.  The competition has grown in stature and exposure since it’s inception in 2000 and this is reflected by the distinguished names from the UK and US film industry that have agreed to participate as judges. 

TCM Classic Shorts is one of the most prestigious and valuable short film competitions in Europe awarding £10,000 of prize money.  In addition it gives the entrants exposure to a celebrated panel of judges who bring their expertise from all angles of the film industry.  This year’s panel is:

Pierce Brosnan        Die Another Day, The Thomas Crown Affair- Actor

Terry Gillliam          Brazil, Time Bandits-  Actor, writer, director, animator and composer

Imelda Staunton           Vera Drake, Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix- Actress

Matthew Modine      Full Metal Jacket, Short Cuts-    Actor, director, screenwriter and author

Sally Potter              Orlando, Yes- Director, screenwriter, composer, producer and editor

Stephen Poliakoff    Close My Eyes, The Lost Prince- Screenwriter and director

Richard E Grant       Withnail and I, Gosford Park- Actor, screenwriter and director

Stephen Woolley     The Crying Game, Stoned - Producer and director

Wendy Ide               The Times Film critic and film festival programmer

Jason Solomons      BBC film critic

Paul Trijbits             Head of the Film Council’s New Cinema Fund

Matt Mueller            Editor Editor-At-Large Total Film

Dan Jolin                 Empire magazine Reviews Editor

Tina McCann           General Manager of Turner Entertainment Networks Europe

The competition prides itself on having discovered some of the best new film making talent in the UK in recent years; last year’s winner Jane Lloyd has been snapped up by David Gray who is using an edited down version as the video for his new single, Alibi.  Many of the short-listed films from previous years have also gone on to receive further acclaim; 2004 winner Nits directed by Harry Wootliff received a BAFTA nomination, whilst 2002 entry Brown Paper Bag directed by Michael Baig Clifford and 2001 winner About A Girl directed by Brian Percival, both went on to win BAFTAs for Best Short Film.

Once again TCM is sponsoring the Short Cuts and Animation strand of the Times bfi London Film Festival. The strand premieres the very best international short and animated films and as such is an important launch pad for new film-makers, student films and independent productions, as well as launching the careers of many high profile actors.

TCM Classic Shorts is open to all UK made short films.  The opening date is 2nd May 2006 and all films must be received by 1st September 2006 at the very latest. The short-listed nominations are aired during a special weekend of programming on TCM and also screened at The Times bfi London Film Festival during the awards ceremony. 

Further information and entry forms are available at: www.tcmonline.co.uk/classicshorts

For further information about The Times bfi London Film Festival, please log on to: www.lff.org.uk

TCM (Turner Classic Movies) a Time Warner company, launched in Europe in 1999. The channel draws on an extensive library of timeless movies presenting them in a contemporary style.  The channel is available via cable, satellite and digital terrestrial and reaches over 10 million UK households.  In 2005 TCM was the 2nd highest rated movie channel in the UK.

Have a look at what the Press has to say about Classic Shorts:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,7943-2152620.html

For more information please contact Ann Rosen, TCM Tel: 02076931117 ann.rosen@turner.com