Elspeth Tavares, the founder of film industry trade publication The Business of Film and former managing director of Screen International, has died at her home in London following a short illness at the age of 71.
A larger-than-life personality and an industry trailblazer, Tavares began her career in publishing at The Observer newspaper, where she learned the ropes of the printing and advertising sales business.
Her success at the Sunday national newspaper led to an appointment at Screen International, where she rose to become managing director.
She then combined her experience in consumer, trade and national newspaper publishing with her expertise in the international film industry to launch The Business of Film in 1980.
Tavares served as publisher and editor-in-chief of the independent film industry trade publication, which has offices in London and Los Angeles.
She was quick to adopt digital technology at The Business of Film and was also at the forefront of encouraging new young talent. During its first decade, The Business of Film operated a trainee journalism scheme for graduates from Oxford and Cambridge to ground them in the complexities of the international film business.
Tavares was also the founder of The Women’s International Film and Television Showcase (The WIFTS), a foundation that strived to recognise outstanding women in film and television. Its annual award ceremony was hosted in Los Angeles from 2008 to 2019.
She was a member of the British Academy of Film & Television Arts (Bafta) and a founding member of Women in Film.
She is survived by her son and grandson.
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