ONE of Scotland’s key film administrators has been appointed by the UK Film Council, to head up its programme of supporting new British filmmakers.
Lenny Crooks, the director of the Glasgow Film Office, is to become head of the UK Film Council’s New Cinema Fund.
He succeeds Paul Trijbits whose tenure in running the New Cinema Fund ends in September.
Crooks will run the fund for an initial two years, with an option to extend for a further two years. Financed through the UK Film Council’s share of Lottery funding, the New Cinema Fund is described as “one of the most commercially and culturally successful public funds operating in Europe, with a mission to encourage distinctive voices in British cinema”.
Says the UK Film Council of Crooks: he “has supported Glasgow’s transformation into an internationally recognised creative hub and has also managed a successful public/private investment fund. With 20 years of experience in the film industry, he has been involved in supporting some of the UK’s most exciting filmmakers in getting their films made and distributed internationally, including Gaby Dellal’s On a Clear Day, Peter Mullan’s The Magdalene Sisters, Ken Loach’s My Name is Joe, Lynne Ramsay’s Morvern Callar, and David Mackenzie’s Young Adam”.
Says John Woodward, chief executive officer of the UKFilm Council: “Lenny has an exceptional track-record in finding the most exciting new film talent at the early stage of their careers. He has also been highly successful in helping producers build alliances with European partners.”
Other movies Crooks has been instrumental in getting made include Shallow Grave, Late Night Shopping and Red Road, winner of the Prix du Jury at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
