Advisory committee

Elliot Grove

Tessa Collinson

Tessa has worked both as the Producer and as a Consultant for The British Independent Film Awards since the Awards were founded in 1998, and became a director in 2006.

Johanna von Fischer

Johanna has worked for both BIFA and Raindance since 2000, became producer of the Awards in 2003 and director in 2006.

Chris Auty

Chris Auty started his professional career as a film journalist, running the film department of Time Out.  From 1984-85 he was European Editor of The Hollywood Reporter.

In 1985 he left journalism to launch a new UK film distribution company (Oasis), releasing some 45 films over the next five years, as well as acquiring and re-launching two of Britain’s best-known art house cinemas (the Gate in London, and Cameo in Edinburgh). In 1989 he helped finance, and acted as world sales agent for, Peter Greenaway’s THE COOK, THE THIEF, HIS WIFE AND HER LOVER.

From 1991–99, he was Managing Director of Jeremy Thomas’ Recorded Picture Company and served as a producer on several of its films, as well as initiating the creation of RPC’s own international sales company, Hanway.

In 1999, he became a founding Board Member of the UK Film Council – the governing body responsible for all public funding of film in the UK.

From mid 1999, Chris Auty became CEO of the Virgin-backed Film Consortium, a lottery franchise company. In October 2001, Chris also became Chief Executive of the group incorporating The Film Consortium -– The Works Media Group plc (an AIM-listed company). Under his leadership the company developed its international rights business, and in 2005 successfully launched a new UK distribution subsidiary, which subsequently secured a home entertainment output deal with Universal Pictures UK., and has released over 30 films to date.

Having completed the re-structuring of The Works into a distribution-led business, Chris stood down as Chief Executive in mid 2007. He runs and presents a lecture course in business skills, film production, and finance on the National Film School’s MA course; teaches in film at London University; and is working on a film-related new media venture, which is scheduled to launch this year.

Producing / exec producing credits include: STEALING BEAUTY (Bernardo Bertolucci), MY SUMMER OF LOVE (Pavel Pawlikowski), CRASH  (David Cronenberg), BLOOD AND WINE (Bob Rafelson), DUST (Milcho Manchevski), IN THIS WORLD (Michael Winterbottom) COUNTRY OF MY SKULL (John Boorman), BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS (Stephen Fry), RIVER QUEEN (Vincent Ward), THE PROPOSITION (John Hillcoat).

Suzanne Ballantyne

She is widely respected as an independent film analyst, and works closely with writers and directors up and down the country.

Zara Ballantyne-Grove

Zara started out at a digital consultancy where she developed an expertise with the technical and operational challenges involved in licensing and delivering film and TV content for web and mobile. She managed the launch of Raindance.tv, and oversaw the licensing of over 300 independent films and the multi-platform exploitation of the content. 

She is currently COO of Upbeat Productions, a video production company that specializes in online content creation.

Mia Bays

André Burgess

For the past five years Andre has specialized in working with content owners, brands and media companies, including Aardman Animations, Universal Pictures, Walker Books, and Working Title Films in delivering creative solutions in multi platform Interactive Content, Marketing and Resource Investigation to help these businesses gain a competitive edge in the Broadband space. Before founding Crucible Media he was Head of Entertainment at 3 (Hutchison 3G)., where he lead the development of cutting-edge wireless Broadband services for their Third Generation Mobile service. Prior to that he ran the interactive Entertainment channel for NTL's interactive TV, wireless, and broadband PC platforms.
Before entering the digital ecosystem, Andre started his career in Los Angeles, where he was an agent at United Talent Agency and subsequently set up a film production and talent management company in London, International Arts Entertainment. In 1994, he produced E=MC2, starring Jeremy Piven and Richard Attenborough

Sally Caplan

Sally Caplan took the post as head of the Premiere Fund at the UK Film Council in April 2005. She has a strong background in distribution as former President of Icon Film Distribution (IFD), the UK distribution entity of Icon Entertainment. Her roles included Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Business Affairs at Momentum Pictures (2000 to 2004), Senior Vice President of Worldwide Acquisitions, Polygram International/UIP (1998 to 2000), and Vice President of Acquisitions and Business Affairs, Polygram Filmed Entertainment (UK) Limited (1993 to 1998)

Martin Childs

Martin Childs is a production designer. Among his credits are THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS, MISS POTTER, FROM HELL, LADY IN THE WATER, and CALENDAR GIRLS. He has received three BAFTA nominations, for MRS BROWN, QUILLS and SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE. He was nominated for an Oscar for QUILLS and won for SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE

Pippa Cross

Pippa was previously Head of Film at Granada. Her credits include MY LEFT FOOT, JACK AND SARAH, HOUSE OF MIRTH, THE HOLE, GHOSTWORLD, BLOODY SUNDAY, SHOOTING DOGS, HEARTLESS and the upcoming CHALET GIRL.

Leo Davis

First job after school was working at the amazing Everyman Theatre Liverpool. Followed by Administration jobs at various theatres in Newcastle and London. Moved to assistant film editing with David Naden Associates. After a chance meeting with Susie Figgis was introduced to film casting as a career starting with Gandhi. Twenty five years later still casting. Films & TV include: 10,000BC, THE QUEEN, MRS HENDERSON PRESENTS, THE CONSTANT GARDENER, GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING, DIRTY PRETTY THINGS, THE DEAL, WIT, CROUPIER, FELICIA'S JOURNEY, THE SNAPPER, THE VAN, FAMILY

Christopher Fowler

Christopher Fowler co-founded Creative Partnership, a company that changed the face of UK and international film marketin. He has spent nearly 30 years working in film. The award-winning author of thirty novels and short story collections, he has written for the BBC, The Times, Time Out, Daily Mail and has a regular column in the Independent on Sunday.

Oli Harbottle

Norma Heyman

Norma's credits include the Oscar, BIFA and BAFTA nominated MRS HENDERSON PRESENTS, the Oscar and BAFTA winning DANGEROUS LIAISONS, THE SECRET AGENT, GANGSTER NO.1, SISTER MY SISTER, THE HONORARY CONSUL, KISS KISS (BANG BANG) and BUSTER. She was one of the founders of WIFTV UK, and is on the board of the Soho Theatre.

Emma E. Hickox, a.c.e.

Emma spent 17 years in the heart of Hollywood earning her stripes as an editor on such art house flicks as THIS WORLD THEN THE FIREWORKS and TANGLED before moving into the mainstream with BLUE CRUSH, and A WALK TO REMEMBER. She has now returned to her UK roots where she continues her cutting career in the creative haven of the British film industry. Among her recent credits are THE JACKET, KINKY BOOTS and BECOMING JANE. At present she is cutting John Maybury's THE EDGE OF LOVE

Fred Hogge

Fred was the co-founder and producer of the British Independent Film Awards 1998-2001. He then set up Adara Pictures, a production company specialising in factual television formats. He is the writer/director of Northern Lights (2005), and currently co-runs the production company Black Island.

Jason Isaacs

Isaacs made his feature film debut with Jeff Goldblum and Emma Thompson in THE TALL GUY and has been working non-stop since. This Autumn audiences will see Jason Isaacs as three enormously diverse characters. In October, Isaacs stars as Sir Mark Brydon, the besieged British Ambassador to Washington DC, in the BBC's 6 part conspiracy thriller THE STATE WITHIN and BROTHERHOOD, a smash-hit series that won critical acclaim on Showtime in the US. In November Isaacs will appear as damaged and dangerous Londoner 'Chris' when Channel 4 shows Leo Regan's SCARS. He is also reprising the role of Lucius Malfoy in HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX (having first been seen in THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS and THE GOBLET OF FIRE). Earlier this year he was seen starring in the Sundance 2006 hit comedy FRIENDS WITH MONEY. Last year Isaacs was seen in equally varied roles - from the heartbreaking romantic in Rodrigo Garcia's award-winning NINE LIVES to the repressed suburban dad in Dreamworks' CHUMSCRUBBER (both having world premieres at Sundance 2005) and from the hilarious and homophobic movie-star in Donal Logue's TENNIS ANYONE to the cynical love-struck photo-journalist in US TV's THE WEST WING. Previously Isaacs pulled double duty as both Captain Hook and Mr. Darling in PETER PAN for director P.J. Hogan, which had critics raving. Other film and TV credits include: PASSIONADA, BLACK HAWK DOWN, THE TUXEDO, WINDTALKERS, SWEET NOVEMBER, THE PATRIOT, END OF THE AFFAIR, and the box office giant ARMAGEDDON, He has also made several films with director Paul Anderson; the sci-fi thriller EVENT HORIZON, SOLDIER and the British cult film SHOPPING. On stage he created the role of 'Louis' in the critically acclaimed Royal National Theatre production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning ANGELS IN AMERICA - PARTS 1 & 2 and has performed to packed houses at the Royal Court Theatre, the Almeida theatre, the King's Head and five times at the Edinburgh festival.

Robert Jones

Robert Jones’ production credits include Academy Award™ winners The Usual Suspects,
Gosford Park and The Constant Gardener as well as Paul Thomas Anderson’s Hard
Eight, Stephen Frears’ Dirty Pretty Things, Mike Leigh’s Vera Drake, David
Schwimmer’s Run Fat Boy Run and Neil Marshall’s Centurion.

Formerly a professional music recording artist, Jones has 28 years varied experience in
the feature film industry and has built an impressive track record both working with
established filmmakers and identifying and developing new talent and commercial
feature film material. Starting out in distribution and acquisition Jones was responsible
at Palace Pictures and PolyGram for picking up such hits as When Harry Met Sally,
Wild At Heart, Cinema Paradiso, Reservoir Dogs and Shallow Grave. His various other
roles have included Head of the UK Film Council Premiere Fund and President of New
Line/Entertainment joint UK production venture Material Entertainment.

Jones is currently running Jonescompany Productions where he is producing film and
television projects with the likes of Academy Award™ winners Danny Boyle and Julian
Fellowes and Inkheart director Iain Softley.

Steve Kenis

His clients include Peter O'Toole, Jeanne Moreau, Bruce Beresford, Frederic Raphael and Julie Walters. Steve is also a member of both the American and British Motion Picture Academies and PMA (Personal Managers Association) Council.

Kate Lee

Sandy Lieberson

BIFA jury chair 2006 and recipient of the BIFA Special Jury Prize in 2005, Lieberson entered film industry as an Agent working in Los Angeles, Rome and London. Representing clients  Sergio Leone, Richard Harris, Peter Sellers, Lindsay Anderson and the Rolling Stones. Lieberson then formed Goodtime Enterprises and produced PERFORMANCE and ROLLING STONES ROCK N ROLL CIRCUS (M. L. Hogg),. David Puttnam joined as partner in Goodtimes in 1970 and together they formed Visual Programme Systems to produce, acquire and consult in the Home Video area. Titles jointly produced with David Puttnam include: PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN (Jacques Demy), RADIO WONDERFUL (Richard Loncraine), JAMES DEAN FIRST AMERICAN TEENAGER (Ray Connolly), THE FINAL PROGRAMME (Robert Fuest), THAT`LL BE THE DAY (Claude Watham), STARDUST (Michael Apted), BROTHER CAN YOU SPARE A DIME (Philippe Mora), SWASTIKA (Philippe Mora) (Documentary), DOUBLE HEADED EAGLE (Lutz Becker) (Documentary), BUGSY MALONE (Alan Parker), BEATLES IN ALL THIS AND WORLD WAR TWO for 20th Century Fox (Tony Palmer),  "DE GAULLE" BBC TV (Documentary), MAHLER and LISZTOMANIA (Ken Russell). And as an independent producer: JABBERWOCKY (Terry Gilliam). Lieberson went on to 20th Century Fox supervising such productions as STAR WARS, THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and Bertolucci's 1900, Ridley Scott's ALIEN, Werner Herzog`s NOSFERATU, Nic Roeg's BAD TIMING, Dario Argento's SUSPIRIA & INFERNO and as President of World Wide Production 20th Century Fox supervising: CHARIOTS OF FIRE, NINE TO FIVE, QUEST FOR FIRE and Kurasawa's KAGAMUSHA. In 1981/83 as V.P. International Production, The Ladd Company he supervised: Ridley Scott's BLADE RUNNER, Sergio Leone's ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA, Peter Hyams' OUTLAND, Paul Verhoeven's FLESH AND BLOOD, Richard Eyre's THE BEGGARS OPERA, etc. In 1984/8 As Chief of Production at Goldcrest he supervised: Mike Newell's DANCE WITH A STRANGER, Julian Temple's ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS, James Ivory's ROOM WITH A VIEW, Roland Joffe's THE MISSION, etc. Other independent credits include: RITA, SUE AND BOB TOO (Alan Clarke), STARS AND BARS (Pat O'Connor).?Lieberson designed and introduced the curriculum for the Producers course and was Head Tutor of the Producing Department at THE NATIONAL FILM AND TELEVISION SCHOOL. He is currently: Chairman, Film London and Advisor and organisor for The Berlin Talent Campus,  Escuela Internacional de Cinema & TV in Habana, The Media Programme, National Film & Television School, London Film School.

 

 

Alberto Lopez

As the International Director of Sales and Development, Alberto oversees all of Variety's business operations outside of the US. Since joining Variety in 2001, Alberto has worked to develop the Variety brand internationally, creating partnerships and new business initiatives, expanding the magazine's reputation and readership. Variety is widely recognised as the world's most influential entertainment business magazine.
Alberto has also been writing scripts for over a decade and had a short film produced for network television. Currently he has a script in development with a British film company.

Ollie Madden

Ollie Madden started his career at Graham Broadbent and Damian Jones' company, Dragon Pictures. He later became an Acquisitions Executive at Atom Films, the world's largest short film distribution company. In 2001 Madden moved on to be a Director of Production and Development at Miramax Films, where he worked for three years and was involved with such films as DIRTY PRETTY THINGS, COLD MOUNTAIN and PROOF. In late 2004, Madden joined Intermedia Films as Head of UK Production and Development, where he worked on THE HUNTING PARTY, DARK FIELDS, and produced comedy MAGICIANS for Universal Pictures. In 2007 Madden joined Warner Bros. as their UK based VP of Production where he has worked on SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE and the Guy Ritchie directed SHERLOCK HOLMES franchise.

Helen McCrory

The multi award-winning actress Helen McCrory has just finished working with Stephen Frears in his forthcoming satire THE QUEEN with Michael Sheen and Helen Mirren, playing Cherie Blair. This followed on from a sell-out run in the West End, playing her much-anticipated Rosalind in AS YOU LIKE IT for which she has been nominated in the Theatergoer Choice Awards 2006 for Best Actress. Helen began her career at the National Theatre, playing leading roles including the Bride in Lorca's BLOOD WEDDING (Manchester Evening News Best Actress Award) Trelawney in TRELAWNEY OF THE WELLS and Nina in the critically acclaimed THE SEAGULL. Helen's theatre work has continued to win her critical praise and a large fan base through work at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Almeida and the Donmar Warehouse. For Mendes' farewell double bill TWELFTH NIGHT and UNCLE VANYA, Helen was nominated for the Evening Standard Best Actress Award, and the New York Drama Desk Awards. The productions were a triumph in both London and New York. Helen also found time to found the production company 'The Public' with Michael Sheen, producing new work at the Liverpool Everyman, The Ambassadors and the Donmar (in which Helen also starred). With over twenty productions under her belt, Michael Coveny recently wrote 'We celebrate the careers of great actors Olivier, Ashcroft, Richardson, Gielgud, Dench, the Redgraves, Gambon, Walter, Sher, Russell Beale and McCrory'. On the small screen Helen's first television film, Karl Francis' STREET LIFE with Rhys Ifans, won her the Welsh BAFTA, Monte Carlo Best Actress Award and the Royal Television society Best Actress Award. Other credist include: NORTH SQUARE, FRAGILE HEAR, MESSIAH, LUCKY JIM, DEAD GORGEOUS, Joe Wright's CHARLES II (for which she was nominated for the LA Television Awards), ANNA KARENINA, IN A LAND OF PLENTY and THE JURY. 2004 saw her acclaimed performance as Mrs Logan in Roger Michell's ENDURING LOVE. 2006 will see her star opposite Heath Ledger in Lasse Hallstrom's anticipated CASANOVA. Helen has become both something of a household name and arguably the most respected actress of her generation.

Saul Metzstein

Credits include documentaries (JAMES STEWART - LAST OF THE GOOD GUYS, THE NAME OF THIS FILM IS DOGME95), commercials, short films and the feature films, LATE NIGHT SHOPPING (nominated for the Douglas Hickox Award - BIFA 2001) and GUY X.

Martin Myers

Martin Myers is the fourth generation of his family to enter movie business. His Great Grandfather and Grandfather owned cinemas across London. An accomplished professional with broad experience of the film and video business in both corporate and independent sectors. Martin has substantial experience of taking a product from concept/script to completion with sales and marketing expertise.
Following early roles in distribution, sales and marketing for CIC, UIP, Martin became Sales and Marketing Director of Miracle Films and later took on the same role (along with responsibility for acquisition) at Vestron Pictures where he released PRINCESS BRIDE, BUSTER and DIRTY DANCING. He was subsequently appointed Theatrical Director of First Independent Films Limited, where he oversaw acquisitions and release.
In 1999 he set up Miracle Communications, focusing on the distribution and sales. He now consults for various theatrical and dvd companies, as well as producers and directors in the planning and releasing of their product into the UK theatrical market.Martin also actively represents a number of UK companies exploiting their rights for Airlines ,Non Theatrical and TV sales. He also reads scripts for a number of producers who want an answer from a distributors point of view.

Sarah Radclyffe

Sarah Radclyffe co-founded Working Title in 1984 with Tim Bevan and whilst there produced several films including MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE, WISH YOU WERE HERE and A WORLD APART. Following the acquisition of Working Title by Polygram in 1993, Sarah left to pursue a more independent career and set up her own company, Sarah Radclyffe Productions. Since then, she has produced or executive produced, amongst others, SECOND BEST, COUSIN BETTE, LES MISERABLES, THE WAR ZONE, RATCATCHER, THERE’S ONLY ONE JIMMY GRIMBLE, LOVE’S BROTHER, HOW ABOUT YOU and THE EDGE OF LOVE. Sarah is executive producing RAFINA which is currently shooting in Pakistan.  She served on the board of Channel 4 and the BFI between 1997 and 1999 and the UK Film Council from 1999-2004.

Colin Salmon

Colin Salmon has just finished shooting in Canada on HIGH CHICAGO dir Alfons Adetuyi. His work also includes  Stuart Hazeldine's  EXAM,  THE BANK JOB, dir Roger Donaldson, CLUBBED, dir Neil Thompson and BLOOD THE LAST VAMPIRE, dir Chris Nahon and Cory Yuen, along with THE No 1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY created by Anthony Minghella.He is one of the UK's leading actors known for his recurring role of Charles Robinson in the 007 movies TOMORROW NEVER DIES, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH and DIE ANOTHER DAY. He starred in RESIDENT EVIL and ALIEN V PREDATOR for Paul Anderson and Woody Allen's MATCHPOINT and Norman Jewison's THE STATEMENT. His TV credits include co-starring with Helen Mirren in the EMMY award winning PRIME SUSPECT II, Linda La Plante's TRIAL AND RETRIBUTION, Alrick Reilly's MURDER IN MIND and Peter Kosminsky's award winning NO CHILD OF MINE, Brian Grant's HEX and PARTY ANIMALS and more recently STRIKE BACK dir Dan Percival,  REV, dir Peter Cattaneo  and THE  INCREASINGLY POOR DECISIONS OF TODD MARGARET with David Cross. He is a musician, co founder of Cage Cricket, an Ambassador for The Prince's Trust, Patron of The African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust and  Dance Captain of Fox Carnival Band.

Martin Sherman

Martin Sherman was born in Philadelphia, educated, at Boston University., and resides in London. His plays have been produced in over fifty countries and include BENT (twice in London with Ian McKellen and once with Alan Cumming, and on Broadway with Richard
Gere), MESSIAH, A MADHOUSE IN GOA, WHEN SHE DANCED (the latter two starring
Vanessa Redgrave on London‘s West End), SOME SUNNY DAY, ROSE (London’s National
Theatre and Broadway with Olympia Dukakis) and most recently ONASSIS (Chichester
Festival and West End, with Robert Lindsay). His stage adaptations include E.M.
Forster’s A PASSAGE TO INDIA (Shared Experience, London and New York); a new
version of a Pirandello play, ABSOLUTELY (PERHAPS!) (directed by Franco Zeffirelli in
London, with Joan Plowright); Chekhov's THE CHERRY ORCHARD (Los Angeles, with
Annette Benning and Alfred Molina); and Tennessee Williams’ THE ROMAN SPRING OF
MRS. STONE (premiered in Tokyo, 2009). He wrote the musical THE BOY FROM OZ
which caused a sensation on Broadway starring Hugh Jackman. Martin’s screenplays include THE CLOTHES IN THE WARDROBE (US title: THE SUMMER
HOUSE),with Jeanne Moreau, Joan Plowright and Julie Walters; ALIVE AND KICKING
with Jason Flemyng, Anthony Sher and Bill Nighy; the film version of BENT with Clive
Owen, Lothaire Bluteau, Mick Jagger and Ian McKellen; Franco Zeffirelli‘s CALLAS
FOREVER with Fanny Ardant and Jeremy Irons; THE ROMAN SPRING OF MRS.
STONE with Helen Mirren, Olivier Martinez and Anne Bancroft; and MRS HENDERSON
PRESENTS, directed by Stephen Frears with Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins. He has been nominated for two Tonys, two BAFTAS and two Oliviers. Martin has taught in screenwriting laboratories in France, Germany, Austria, Morocco
and Brazil.

Alexandra Stone

Alexandra Stone heads CMP Film Ltd, the film division for Creative Management and Productions, where she is developing and producing a slate of director and writer driven projects.  She works alongside partners Nick Frankfort and Tobias Round, the theatre producers who previously ran the Donmar Warehouse under Artistic Director Michael Grandage. Upcoming films include Hello Darkness directed by Sundance winners Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland; Music & Silence adapted by Martin Sherman with Lone Scherfig attached to direct and The Lucky Ones written by Emily Mortimer and Dolly Wells.  Previously, Stone was head of development at Jeremy Thomas’ Recorded Picture Company where she worked with filmmakers such as Bernardo Bertolucci, Terry Gilliam, Phillip Noyce and David Cronenberg.   Prior to that, Stone began her career in Hollywood on the Warners lot at Paula Weinstein’s Spring Creek Productions as a development executive on films with Alfonso Cuaron, Steve Kloves, Lasse Hallstrom and Peter Weir. Stone’s producing credits include David Mackenzie’s Young Adam, Menhaj Huda’s Kidulthood, Richard Linklater’s Fast Food Nation and Gerald McMorrow’s Franklyn.

Michelle Thomas

Michelle's career in the film industry began in exhibition as a manager for Picturehouse Cinemas. Since then she has worked in PR, Sales and Marketing. She joined the Creative Partnership in 2001, where she managed campaigns for Universal, Disney and Fox Searchlight, including Atonement, Becoming Jane and 28 Weeks Later. In 2007, she moved to Kennedy Monk where she has most recently managed the theatrical and outdoor poster campaigns for among others BIFA winner An Education and The Twilght Saga: New Moon.

Jim Wilson

James Wilson began his career as a Production Executive at Fox Searchlight Pictures in Los Angeles, and subsequently at FilmFour in London. Over eight years he worked on the development, production and acquisition of a range of films including Sexy Beast, Dancer in the Dark, The Filth and The Fury, The Low Down, The Last King of Scotland, The Full Monty, Nil By Mouth and The Ice Storm.

Since becoming a producer he has served as an Executive Producer on Edgar Wright's Shaun of The Dead, and produced James Marsh's The King with Milo Addica. Along with Nira Park, he is currently producing Joe Cornish's Attack The Block.

Michiyo Yoshizaki

NDF has specialized in multinational co-productions and has been responsible for financing, co-producing and producing films such as THE CRYING GAME, HOWARDS END, SMOKE, TITUS, KAMA SUTRA, WILDE, CHINESE BOX and GUANTANAMERO