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DECEMBER 2021 events
Q&A: Copilot, in conversation with director Anne Zohra Berrached
Speakers:
Anne Zohra Berrached | Director Raisah Ahmed | Writer & Director
When sharp science student Asli meets charismatic Saeed in the mid 90’s, it’s love at first sight. The lovers marry, and Asli swears to be true to Saeed and never betray his secrets. Their future looks bright, but as the twenty-first century dawns, Saeed makes a decision that will not only shatter Asli’s dreams, but shake the whole world to the core.
Watch this event with director, Anne Zohra Berrached, discussing her recent film Copilot. In conversation with Raisah Ahmed, Anne shared het vision for the story and offering behind the scenes insight to the making of film.
In conversation with CODA’s writer and director Siân Heder and actress Emilia Jones
CODA follows 17-year-old Ruby (Emilia Jones) is the sole hearing member of a deaf family - a CODA, child of deaf adults. Her life revolves around acting as interpreter for her parents (Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur) and working the family's struggling fishing boat with her father and older brother (Daniel Durant) every day before school. But when Ruby joins her high school’s choir club, she discovers a gift for singing and soon finds herself drawn to her duet partner Miles (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo). Encouraged by her enthusiastic, tough-love choirmaster (Eugenio Derbez) to apply to a prestigious music school, Ruby finds herself torn between the obligations she feels to her family and the pursuit of her own dreams.
CODA made history at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival by being honoured with all four of the top awards in the U.S. Dramatic Competition category including the U.S. Grand Jury Prize, the Directing Award, the Audience Award and a Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast.
Hear writer and director Siân Heder and actress Emilia Jones, in conversation with Wendy Mitchell about their experience working together, the creative challenges of developing the characters and storyline and what it has been like sharing the film with audiences. They’ll also talk about working alongside the film’s Director of ASL (DASL) Alexandria Wailes, using ASL on set and how that changed the experience of filmmaking for each of them.
This event was BSL interpreted.
Speakers:
Siân Heder | Writer & Director
Emilia Jones | Actress
Wendy Mitchell | Journalist
Writers’ Group: In Conversation with Ben Bickerton, Executive Producer On the Edge and find out more about 4Stories
Speakers:
Ben Bickerton | Executive Producer
Christina Pickworth | Talent Executive
For December 2021's writers’ group, host Christina Pickworth will be in conversation with Ben Bickerton, executive producer of the award-winning anthology On the Edge, written and directed by new talent.
In this session Ben Bickerton from BlackLight talked about 4Stories, Channel 4’s new talent initiative which offers six first time writers and directors the opportunity to work with experienced producers at BlackLight television to create the On the Edge anthology. This year, series two of On the Edge took home Best Emerging Talent at BAFTA Cymru and Best New Writer at the Edinburgh TV awards.
Ben spoke about how things have worked for the previous rounds of the initiative, including submissions, selection, and how the process works from script to screen. Members are encouraged to watch the latest series (available now on All4) in advance of the session. This will be an invaluable insight into the inner workings of this initiative for new talent and a scheme for writers and directors to keep on their radar.
The third series of On the Edge is available to watch now on All4 here.
Short Film Club: Film Festival Favourites, in conversation with Filmmakers
Speakers:
Ellie Stones | Director
Joëlle Bentolila | Director
Kristen Gerweck | Director
Jaine Green | Head of Content at discover.film
Short Film Club is an event series spotlighting some of the best short films for WFTV members. Showcasing the work of filmmakers based around a theme, you will have the opportunity to watch the films selected for the Short Film Club, hear from the creators behind them and join in the conversation.
Hosted by WFTV and in partnership discover.film, a global streamer dedicated to short form content, this Short Film Club was chaired by Jaine Green, Head of Content at discover.film and will have a focus on short film festivals.
Bringing together the filmmakers Ellie Stones, Joëlle Bentolila and Kristen Gerweck, the panel discussed the making of their films and their experience showcasing them on the film festival circuit. They offered insight to how film festival exposure and awards can be an important marketing strategy and sharing what they have learnt along the way.