Shannon, who heads up the Film and Television department at the University of Edge Hill in Liverpool, is running a series of round table discussions to bring regional film-makers, businesses and academics together.

Former head of production at the UKFC and Scottish Screen Roger Shannon has set up a new initiative at Edge Hill University in Liverpool to bring together regional film makers to discuss film policy issues.

The university is hosting a series of round tables aimed at providing a platform for those based in the North West of the UK to discuss current film issues. The first session has already taken place, with attendees including Of Time And The City producer Roy Boulter, Newcastle based produced Samm Haillay, Mike Stubbs from FACT and Eddie Berg, director of partnerships at the BFI.

The second round table, entitled Film Exhibition and Film Festivals, will take place on April 25. Clare Stewart, the new BFI head of exhibition will be in attendance, together with, amongst others, Donald Harrsion, the exec director of the Ann Arbor Film Festival, Michigan, USA, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Harrison will also be taking part in a public event later that evening to discuss the festival’s 50 year history and its future. Film-makers to have screened their films at the festival include Agnes Varda, Andy Warhohl, Yoko Ono, Gus Van Sant, Barbara Hammer, Lawrence Kasdan, and George Lucas.

Eddie Berg, director of partnerships at the BFI, said “Edge Hill University should be congratulated for bringing together a range of north-west producers, filmmakers, academics and businesses to discuss some of the key recommendations contained in the Government’s Film Policy Review.”

Topics