Qwerty Filmsboss Michael Kuhn has become Chair of the Board of Trustees of the IndependentCinema Office (ICO), it was announced in Cannes yesterday. The ICO's othertrustees are Julia Short, M-D of Verve Pictures, and Ben Cook, Director of Lux.

Set up in July2003, the ICO is funded by the UK Film Council, the British Film Institute andthe Arts Council England. Earlier this year, the ICO was awarded £53,080 fromSkillset towards providing film training for the independent exhibition sector.

The ICO has alsogone into partnership with the Barbican and Film London to produce the firstLondon Children's Film Festival (LCFF), running from 10-20 November 2005 beforetouring across the UK. The LCFF, supported by Film London's Special Projectsfund, aims to become one of the world's leading festivals for children andyoung people.