News

Production in Bristol gets off to a flying start

April has seen the arrival of some exciting productions to Bristol and indications are that 2012 will be a bumper year for production in the city. The feature film, Mariah Mundi and the Midas Box (E-Motion Pictures), starring Sam Neill and Michael Sheen has begun prep and is basing at The Bottle Yard before filming begins next month. We're really excited to have such a major production working in the city and look forward to seeing how Bristol is transformed into Victorian London for the film.

We're also hosting another feature film, The Fold (The Electric Shadow Company), starring Catherine McCormack (Braveheart, 28 Weeks Later) and Dakota Blue Richards (The Golden Compass). It's the feature debut for the award-winning director John Jencks and tells the story of a priest who befriends a migrant worker. Through the Bristol Filming Partnership, BFO have helped arrange accommodation and facilities for the production. We've also helped to set-up some traineeships for the production. It's another great project to have in Bristol.

This month also sees the arrival of the BBC production, The Best of Men (Whitby Davison Productions), which tells the story of Dr Ludwig Guttman, founder of the Paralympic Games and a second series of the Sky comedy series, Trollied (Roughcut TV), based at The Bottle Yard.

Published 12/4/2012

The Bristol Encounters 0117 Film Challenge is back!

After the success of last year's event, we're teaming up with Encounters Film Festival, Watershed and M-Shed again to deliver another exciting film challenge this Spring. This year's event will coincide with the Olympic Torch Relay arriving in the city and Bristol Sports Week (19th - 25th May) and will celebrate both with the theme of Sport, Games and Play. We're really excited that the challenge has been granted an Inspire Mark by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and will form part of the Cultural Olympiad.

Like last year, entrants will be challenged to make a short film in 117 hours, focusing on Bristol's sporting culture. Bristol Film Office will be opening up a number of the city's most inspiring locations for free, unrestricted use during the challenge. A jury of experts will judge all of the films with the winning filmmaker being awarded a £1000 prize. A showcase of the best will be presented at a celebratory gala event at M-Shed on 25th May and all of the films will also become part of the museum's ongoing collection. For more information about the challenge, registration and guidelines visit the Encounters website at http://www.encounters-festival.org.uk/0117-film-challenge.html .

Good luck!

Creative England announce new iFeatures scheme

Following the success of Bristol's low-budget feature film scheme, iFeatures, Creative England have just announced the launch of iFeatures 2. This time the initiative is going national and will be available to filmmakers across the country. The project will support the development of 16 projects and the production of 3 feature films at a budget of £350,000 each. They are looking for bright, brilliant and imaginative stories from the UK's new and aspiring talent. As part of the project launch, the iFeatures team will be holding events across the country in March and April. One of these events will be taking place at the Watershed in Bristol on Monday 26th March, 2pm - 6pm. There is limited capacity and tickets are available in advance. For more information visit http://www.ifeatures2.co.uk/ifeatures-events.html .

ENCOUNTERS SHORT FILM AND ANIMATION FESTIVAL (18 – 23 SEPTEMBER)

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS 2012

Calling all filmmakers and animators from across the world, submissions are now open for the Encounters 18th Short Film and Animation Festival in Bristol UK. Submit your short film or animation by Wednesday 6th June, for a chance to win a prestigious award and an opportunity to showcase your talent on an international stage.

Short films and animations are eligible from all over the world, completed from 1 Jan 2011, under 30 minutes in length from every genre (animation, live action drama, documentary, experimental and music video). There are discounts for multiple submissions (please contact rich.warren@encounters-festival.org.uk for further info.)

Why submit to Encounters?

1) It’s the leading UK gateway to the world’s most prestigious short film and animation awards (Academy Awards®, BAFTAs, Cartoon D’Or and European Film Awards)

2) It’s one of the best-known international competitive showcases of its kind, and is a key meeting point for emerging talent.

3) If your film doesn’t get selected, it can still be seen by delegates during the festival via the Online Digital Viewing Library

The 2012 festival will be held between Tuesday 18 – 23 September 2012 in Bristol, one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the UK.

Submit your film via www.encounters-festival.org.uk and visit the website to find out the awards up for grabs and submission criteria. 2012 submissions are powered by Reelport.

Sign up to the festival newsletter for the latest on Encounters events. Join our online community on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news.

DepicT! – Can you do it in 90 seconds?

Enter for free via www.depict.orgor submit at www.encounters-festival.org.ukto be eligible for all competitions.(Deadline 9th July). A Watershed project part of Encounters Short Film & Animation Festival.

Dirk Gently Returns for a Full Series

Following the success of the 2010 pilot episode, Douglas Adams' holistic detective Dirk Gently is back for a full series this month. Starring Stephen Mangan and Darren Boyd, the three-part series was filmed and based in Bristol and used locations including The Bottle Yard, The Guildhall and St Thomas Street.

TX: Monday 5th March 2012 - 9pm BBC4

Look out for Bristol Locations on Upstairs Downstairs

A second series of the BBC's new version of Upstairs Downstairs begins this Sunday 19th February. The Cardiff-based production used various Bristol locations for the new series, with Queen Square, Brunswick Square, Orchard Street and the University of Bristol buildings all taking centre-stage. Bristol's historic buildings and streets lent themselves well to the script set in pre-war London. The new series sees Amelia Fox (Silent Witness/Merlin) and Alex Kingston (ER/Dr Who) joining the cast.

TX: Sunday 19th February 2012 - 9.30pm BBC1

BBC/Jane Hilto BBndihfiaBB

Inside Men Broadcast on BBC1

Look out for this new four-part drama, starting on Thursday 2nd February at 9pm. The production was filmed and based in Bristol, with production offices and a studio build at The Bottle Yard Studios. Other locations used included The Old Bank of England and Mercure Holland House Hotel. Click below to view the BBC Points West article that was broadcast during filming:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-14902101

Irven Lewis Photographs Bristol Dancers

Some of Bristol's lesser-known locations feature in a new set of photos by Irven Lewis, commissioned to showcase some of Bristol's dancing talent. The Guildhall and the 'See No Evil' project street art (Nelson Street) were both used as locations for this unique project.

Aardman Animations celebrate Bafta Nomination

Bristol-based Aardman Animations are celebrating after their animated feature, Arthur Christmas, received a nomination in the category of Animated Film at the 2012 awards, due to take place on Sunday 12th February. It's Aardman's first feature-length computer-animated 3D film and the studio spent 18 months working on pre-production for the film in the UK.

Skins 6 Broadcast on E4

The latest series of the Bristol-based teen drama series Skins is set to return to our screens on 23rd January 2012. The gang from series 5 will be back with more antics and mayhem. Bristol Film Office has assisted the production throughout all six series and this one has been no exception. This year we managed to secure locations for them including The Guildhall and Greenbank Cemetery, as well as providing filming licenses and parking suspensions.

Trollied recommissioned for a second series

Following the success of series 1, Sky have announced that Trollied has been recommissioned for a second run. The TV comedy-drama that is set in the fictional supermarket 'Valco' stars Jane Horrocks and Mark Addy, will return to The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol in 2012 to shoot series 2.

For more information about The Bottle Yard studios visit the website: www.thebottleyard.com/