Film Agency News
April 29th 2008
Film Agency for Wales Announces New Board Appointments
Peter Edwards, the Chairman of the Film Agency for Wales, has announced the appointment of three new members to the Board of the Cardiff-based organisation.
Journalist Alison James, Producer Will Machin and Media Studies Lecturer Cath Davies share expert experience of the film development, production and sales industry along with a genuine commitment to promoting the Welsh film industry both nationally and internationally.
A specialist on the French market, Alison James reported extensively on the European film and television industries as Paris Bureau Chief for leading industry publication Variety from 2000-2007, and she continues to contribute articles to Variety’s weekly edition.
Alison recently launched a new Paris-based independent company, Lutetia Productions, to develop and produce English and French language films, and to offer line production and consulting services to the international film industry. She lives on the outskirts of Paris with her husband and two children but was born and raised in Neath and still has close ties with Wales.
As Head of Thinkfilm International for Capital Films, Will Machin has more than ten years experience of film production, sales and distribution.
As Co-President of International Sales for Lolafilms, he was responsible for world-wide sales and acquisitions on behalf of Spain’s leading film production, distribution and sales company. Will then went on to launch the international sales arm of Carnaby Films Plc, the leading EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme) backed film company in the UK. His responsibilities included all financing, business affairs and overseeing the production on all Carnaby titles.
Cath Davies is a lecturer on the Media Studies with Visual Cultures undergraduate degree programme at UWIC. From 1994 – 2004, she taught A level Film Studies at Coleg Glan Hafren, Cardiff’s tertiary college. During this period, she was involved in examining Film Studies for the WJEC, in addition to undertaking film education projects ranging from teaching short courses in film at the Cardiff-based Chapter Arts Centre, to secondary school workshops within South Wales’ Valleys cinemas. She is currently researching Stardom and Iconic Status for a PhD thesis.
Commenting on the appointments, Peter Edwards said: “As the sole strategic agency for film in Wales, the remit of the Film Agency for Wales is to ensure that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented in Wales, the UK and the world.“
“The first 18 months of the life of the Film Agency has been an incredibly successful and intense period with more than seven feature films in production. We are incredibly fortunate to benefit from a Board who are committed to shaping the future of film development, production, education and exhibition in Wales and welcome Will, Cath and Alison to the team.”
The Film Agency for Wales is funded by the Arts Council of Wales, the UK Film Council and the Welsh Assembly Government, via Creative Business Wales, the latter of which was set up to support, encourage and increase the range and number of films being produced in Wales and to foster the abundance of creative talent in Wales.
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