Film London Greenlights Four New Artist Films

Film London Artists’ Moving Image Network (FLAMIN) are investing £145,000 of production funding in four new moving image projects from London-based artists.
The four new projects, from Zarina Bhimji, Sebastian Buerkner, Rachel Reupke and Jane & Louise Wilson, are commissioned through FLAMIN Productions, a unique production fund which provides artists with the opportunity to produce ambitious and original moving image works. Supported by Arts Council England, FLAMIN Productions is dedicated to investing in artists working with the moving image, funding large scale, single screen works which represent a significant step forward in an artist’s practice.
The scheme, which provides vital development funding and support, as well as bespoke training, advice and professional mentoring, attracts some of the capital’s most innovative moving image artists with projects that push the boundaries of the art form. FLAMIN Productions has produced a range of films which have received international success, including Ben Rivers’ award-winning and critically acclaimed Two Years at Sea, which was released theatrically in the UK by Soda Pictures and Elizabeth Price’s West Hinder, which premiered at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art as part of the exhibition that secured her a nomination for this year’s Turner Prize.
Now in its third year, FLAMIN Productions is greenlighting four major new commissions, each representing a new development and challenge for the artists selected. The scheme is backing 1999 Turner prize nominees Jane & Louise Wilson for their project The Toxic Camera following on from their recent exhibition at Dundee Contemporary Art, Janbar by Zarina Bhimji, who’s recent work featured in solo shows in London, Chicago and Switzerland and was Turner nominated in 2007, Wine & Spirits by Rachel Reupke, who’s recent work has screened in New York, Singapore and the ICA in London, and The Chimera of M by Sebastian Buerkner, who has exhibited his recent moving image works in Glasgow, Wiesbaden and London.
FLAMIN Productions is based around an open submission process, through which projects are selected to receive development support before submitting a full tender for production funding. This year projects were assessed by a panel comprising of Ian White, artist, writer and curator; Elisabetta Fabrizi, curator and writer, and Charlotte Ginsborg, film-maker and previous recipient of FLAMIN Productions funding, alongside representatives from Film London.
The fourth round of FLAMIN Productions funding will open for applications in early Autumn 2012. Further announcements will be made over the coming months.
Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London said: "Over the last three years, FLAMIN Productions has commissioned successful films which are impressing both the film and art worlds as well as finding audiences. As part of Film London’s strategy to ensure we continue to discover and nurture London’s film-making talent, FLAMIN plays a very important role in supporting artist film-makers to make interesting works which straddle and challenge the conventions of both art and film. This work would not be possible without the crucial funding we receive from Arts Council England and I am very proud of what we have achieved to date and look forward to producing great new work in the future.”
Moira Sinclair, London Executive Director of Arts Council England said: “Supporting artists at key stages in their careers lies at the heart of what the Arts Council does, and we are proud to fund FLAMIN Productions through the inclusion of Film London in our National Portfolio. This will give artists working in moving image the chance to create work that matches their artistic ambitions. We look forward to seeing this work come to fruition over the next few years, as well as the impact it has on the careers of the artists involved.”
Maggie Ellis, Head of Production and Talent Development at Film London said: “FLAMIN Productions currently represents a unique opportunity within the art film sector, offering substantial financial investment alongside a generous raft of practical support. The four projects we have selected look set to repeat the fantastic success of the FLAMIN slate and I look forward to seeing the artists and their projects realise their tremendous potential.”
www.filmlondon.org.uk/FLAMIN
(GK)