Hey you guys! How you? Would be great to hear how everyone's
getting on. [On Nobody The Great - we're at editing stage and it's
really shaping up nicely!]

Here's an amazing opportunity for all of us - entries open 1 March
and deadline 1 June...

Film London Launch Micro-budget Feature Film Fund - Microwave

Yesterday, Film London launched a search for the Danny Boyles and
Gurinder Chadhas of tomorrow with Microwave, a new project to
develop ten micro-budget film projects in the capital.

Microwave challenges film-makers to shoot a full length film for up
to UKP75,000 with the option of raising additional in-kind support
taking the budget to a maximum of UKP100,000*. The scheme will
provide an intensive approach to film-making, with an emphasis on
tightly focused scripts, short production schedules and commercial
potential.

Chief Executive of Film London, Adrian Wootton said: "Never before
has a scheme attempted to fund feature productions on such a
challenging scale. New technologies have significantly reduced the
costs of film-making and we hope to build on the recent success of
ultra low-budget films such as Tarnation, The Last Horror Movie and
Song of Songs, which demonstrate the potential for commercial movie-
making at this level."

Backed by the BBC, the scheme provides up to UKP75,000 of direct
funding per project together with a unique professional mentoring
scheme from leading industry figures including directors Stephen
Frears (My Beautiful Laundrette, Mrs Henderson Presents), Gurinder
Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham, Bride and Prejudice), and John
Akomfrah (Seven Songs for Malcolm X); and producers Sandy Lieberson
(Performance; Rita, Sue and Bob Too), Jeremy Thomas (The Last
Emperor, Sexy Beast) and James Schamus (Brokeback Mountain, Hulk).

Film London and its partners will also offer a range of assistance
including in-kind support from leading facilities and service
companies, waived locations fees from many of London's local
authorities, and a `revenue share' model which will return a
generous percentage of any revenue back to the film-makers.
Completed projects will have the opportunity to showcase at the
annual London UK Film Focus sales event as well as at major
international markets.

The BBC is the project's broadcast partner and will screen the
finished films.

BBC Programme Acquisition's Head of Films, Steve Jenkins
said: "We're delighted to be backing this innovative drive to
discover and nurture the British film talent of tomorrow. Television
will bring Microwave to a wider audience, giving viewers across the
country the opportunity to appreciate creativity at its best, and
most inventive."

Director Stephen Frears said:
"I wholeheartedly welcome and support the ethos Film London is
trying to develop, to make London a good city to make films in, and
look forward to seeing bright young talent emerging from this
scheme."

Producer James Schamus said:
"The next generation of great film-makers, and my generation's most
vibrant film capital, the great city of London, deserve each other -
and deserve this exciting new endeavor that brings them together.
Its openness to the world, its entrepreneurial ethos, and its
targeted mission make Microwave a model of its kind, and I look
forward to meeting its film-makers and seeing their work."

Judy Counihan, Director of Film at Skillset said: "Skillset fully
endorses Film London's Microwave fund. This is a great initiative,
providing quality training to encourage and develop the talents of
participants across the value chain of the production process. We
applaud this excellent opportunity for the next generation of
London's feature film-makers."

Paul Collard, Vice President of Film and Digital Services, Ascent
Media said: "We are always keen to ensure the next wave of creative
talent is nurtured and given every opportunity to develop their
skills. London has always had strong ties with film-making and it's
important to ensure that we maintain this reputation for having one
of the best pools of creative talent anywhere in the world, through
initiatives like Microwave."

Steve Smith, Managing Director, AFM Lighting said: "We are delighted
to support this great initiative to encourage new film talent and
hope Microwave will discover some of the great film-makers of the
future."

Graham Hitchen, Head of Creative London said: "London's film
industry employs 100,000 people and generates UKP13.6 billion
annually for the capital's economy but there is still a huge amount
of untapped talent waiting to be discovered. By working with
partners to support projects such as Microwave, we can continue to
unleash this potential and ensure that London retains its position
as the creative capital."

The first three films in the slate are due for completion by March
2007.