Delight for Scottish film and television at EIFF 2003

Scottish TV has double cause for celebration as two of its talent schemes, 'New Found Films' and 'This Scotland', picked up top awards at this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival.
The Audience Award, given to the film that has had the most impact and gained the biggest number of votes from the public, went to 'Afterlife' from the New Found Film scheme. 'Afterlife' tells the heart-warming and moving story of a young journalist on the brink of a career breakthrough who is forced to re-assess his values in the light of a family crisis. The film, funded by, Scottish TV, Grampian TV and Scottish Screen introduced to the screen young Down's Syndrome actress Paula Sage, acting alongside the established talent of Kevin McKidd and Shirley Henderson. Sir Sean Connery attended a screening of the film and was visibly moved by the story and the remarkable performances from the cast. Kevin and Paula each received the additional honour of being presented with a Herald Angel for their performances.
Secondly, 'She Toon - the Bingo City', a 'This Scotland' documentary, has won the prestigious Grierson Prize for Documentary at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
The documentary looks at Dundee, considered the bingo capital of Scotland, and the women play the game. Women in Dundee were traditionally regarded as the breadwinners due to the economic situation there and this brilliant short documentary reflects the part women have played in Dundee's development.
Directed by talented young director Craig Collinson for Nobles Gate the documentary triumphed over a strong field of contenders to win the coveted prize.
Executive producer for Scottish TV & Grampian TV, Henry Eagles commented: "This is marvellous news for both the broadcasters and Scottish Screen. My fellow Executive producer from Scottish Screen, Becky Lloyd and I were most impressed with the quality of this film and we are delighted that its originality has been recognised by the Grierson jury. It proves that fine documentary making is alive and thriving in Scotland, the country of its originator John Grierson. We are absolutely delighted."
'She Toon- The Bingo City', will be transmitted as part of the This Scotland documentary strand, on Scottish TV and Grampian TV in the autumn.
Additionally, two other Scottish Screen funded films, 'Young Adam' and 'Sixteen Years of Alcohol' have taken top honours the festival.
The prestigious Michael Powell Award was given to David McKenzie's Young Adam, which also had the honour of opening the festival.
This year the Michael Powell Jury awarded a Special Commendation to the film (although not the winner) that they felt deserved the highest praise. This went to Richard Jobson's first feature 'Sixteen Years of Alcohol', another film funded through the Scottish Screen lottery.
Steve McIntyre, Chief Executive of Scottish Screen, said: "We are absolutely thrilled at the success of these Scottish films. This has been a very strong year for the Scottish industry at the EIFF and our films have made a real impact on festival audiences. David McKenzie is one of our very talented young directors and to win the Michael Powell Award with only your second feature is fantastic. Likewise Richard Jobson, a man of enormous talent and energy who has already shot his second feature in Scotland and is preparing a third. To be the first person to be awarded a special commendation in such a prestigious competition as the Michael Powell is a remarkable achievement.
"Having watched audiences leaving screenings of Afterlife with tears in their eyes, I know exactly why this film proved the most popular with audiences. Andrea Gibb's sure touch with the script makes this a winner, it will do very well at the box office.
"All in all a tremendous year for Scottish Screen funded films, I am really delighted."
(GB)