BarbaraBroccoli, producer of the James Bond films, has been appointed chair of First Light, the UK FilmCouncil's filmmaking initiative for young people.

Broccoli, of EON Productions, produced the Bond hits GoldenEye,Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day with Michael G. Wilson. They are currentlyworking on the 21st film in the franchise.

First Light is funded with National Lottery money from theUK Film Council, and gives young people between the ages of five and 18 theopportunity to try filmmaking for themselves.

To date the scheme has helped more than 7,000 young peopleto make more than 450 films.

Broccoli will take a leading role in trying to bring theworlds of filmmaking and education closer together through the First Lightscheme. She will help develop stronger links with professional filmmakersand key figures within creative education.

Jonnie Turpie, outgoing First Light Chair, said,'Barbara's enthusiasm will help to propel First Light and the nations'aspiring filmmakers to big screen triumph.'

Also joining the First Light Board are John Newbigin (Headof Corporate Relations at Channel 4), Dr Douglas Bourn (Director of the DEA -Development Education Association), Andrew Chowns (Chief Executive of theProducers Rights Agency), Alby James (Head of Screenwriting at Northern FilmSchool, Leeds Metropolitan University) and Margaret Taylor (the ManagingDirector of UGC Cinemas).

Topics