The Edinburgh International Film Festival has announced its announced the 25 Trailblazers of 2009, in association with Skillset.
These up-and-coming individuals have been selected from the EIFF programme and graduation shorts submitted by students of the Skillset Screen Academies.
The intention of the Trailblazers showcase is to unite the work of the Skillset Screen Academies with that of EIFF. The scheme honours their joint commitment to the generation, encouragement and promotion of new British talent; offer Skillset Screen Academy students and graduates an introduction to the UK film industry and the festival circuit; and celebrate the new names issuing forth from the film festival.
EIFF Artistic Director Hannah McGill said: "I'm delighted to name this list of extremely talented and original creators as this year's Trailblazers.
"They vary in age and background and experience levels, but they're united by the risk-taking work and their clear potential."
Neil Peplow, Director of Film, Skillset said: "Now in its third year, Trailblazers is a fantastic partnership between EIFF and Skillset creating a focal point for industry to spot emerging UK filmmaking talent. It's fantastic to see previous Trailblazers back at the Festival, building successful careers in this industry."
The Trailblazers selected from the EIFF 2009 features programme are:
Emily Beecham (actor) - The Calling
Leigh Campbell (screenwriter - Kicks
Lawrence Gough (director) - Salvage
Kerrie Hayes (actor) - Kicks
Stuart Hazeldine (director/writer) - Exam
Katie Jarvis (actor) - Fish Tank
Gerard Johnson (director/writer) - Tony
Bryan Larkin (actor) - Running In Traffic
Justin Molotnikov (director) - Crying With Laughter
Kyle Ward (actor) - A Boy Called Dad/Salvage
The Trailblazers selected from the Skillset Screen Academy Network are:
The National Film & Television School, A Skillset Screen & Media Academy
Ralitza Petrova (director) - By The Grace Of God
Michelle Eastwood (producer) - By The Grace Of God
Stuart Earl (composer) - By The Grace Of God
Vanessa Stockley (director/cinematographer) - Emma & Ben
Mikael Svartdahl (editor) - Emma & Ben
Skillset Screen Academy Wales
Robert Evans (animator) - Crescendo
Michael O'Sullivan (animator) - Crescendo
Bournemouth Skillset Screen & Media Academy
David Bell (writer/director/producer/animator) - Toy
Momodou Musa Touray (director) - Sweet Mother
Edinburgh Skillset Screen & Media Academy
Eva Pervolovici (director) - Down The Rabbit Hole
Shezad Afzal (producer) - Down The Rabbit Hole
Amy Rose (director) - Kirran And The Hatchmaker
The London Film School, A Skillset Screen Academy
Erik Bostedt (director) - Capturing Space
Skillset Screen Academy at London College of Communication & Ealing Institute of Media
Tatiana Korol (director/writer) - Akbulak
Kasia Sobocinska (cinematographer) - Akbulak
The Trailblazing shorts programme is screened on Monday June 22 at 12pm and Tuesday June 23 at 12pm.
