‘Brits to Watch: The Screenings’ events in New York and Los Angeles, presented in partnership with British Council, will introduce Stephen Fingleton and his acclaimed debut feature The Survivalist
London/New York/Los Angeles, 1 October: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has today announced that writer-director Stephen Fingleton will be the focus of the next ‘Brits to Watch: The Screenings’; a series of events, hosted by BAFTA in New York and Los Angeles, which showcase outstanding British talent to the US film industry. The series is produced in partnership with British Council, with the support of IMDb, the Academy Circle, and Soho House New York.
On Tuesday 6 October at Soho House in New York, and Thursday 8 October at The London West Hollywood in Los Angeles, Stephen Fingleton will be presented at a screening of his highly anticipated feature-length debut The Survivalist. The script garnered industry-wide attention when it featured on the Hollywood ‘Black List’ for the year’s best un-produced scripts in 2012, before topping the British Black List in 2013.
With three stellar performances at its core, The Survivalist is a post-apocalyptic thriller set in a world where resources have run out. The film premiered in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival in April and was awarded a Special Mention by the jury in the Best New Narrative Director category. It will be released by Alchemy in the US in 2016.
‘Brits to Watch: The Screenings’ events offer a chance to introduce British talent who show great promise, to an exclusive audience of film industry professionals. BAFTA then facilitates a number of follow-up meetings with key industry figures for the individuals in both cities.
Beginning in 2013, the series continues to be a partnership between BAFTA and the British Council. It has featured directors and writer-directors Clio Barnard (The Selfish Giant), Richard Laxton (Burton and Taylor), Amma Asante (Belle), Kieran Evans (Kelly + Victor), Hong Khaou (Lilting), Yann Demange (’71), John Maclean (Slow West) and Carol Morley (The Falling).
The ‘Brits to Watch: The Screenings’ series builds on the legacy of BAFTA’s 2011 ‘Brits to Watch’ event supported by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, at which BAFTA introduced 42 promising British newcomers to leading figures in the US film, television and games industries at a black-tie gala in Los Angeles.
The initiative is endorsed by ‘Friends of Brits to Watch: The Screenings’, a high-profile group of leading industry practitioners including: actors Damian Lewis (Homeland), Tom Hiddleston (Avengers Assemble, Midnight in Paris), Andrea Riseborough (Shadow Dancer, Brighton Rock), Simon Pegg (Star Trek, The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn), Alice Eve (Star Trek Into Darkness, Men in Black 3), Sienna Miller (Foxcatcher, American Sniper), Rebecca Hall (Parade’s End, Vicky Christina Barcelona) and David Harewood (Homeland, Blood Diamond); director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World); screenwriter John Logan (Skyfall, Hugo, The Aviator); and writer, director and producer Armando Iannucci (Veep, In The Loop).
Biography of Stephen Fingleton:
Stephen Fingleton was born in Northern Ireland and began his career in guerrilla filmmaking. He was chosen by Screen Daily as a Star of Tomorrow in 2013, and was one of 16 filmmakers selected by the UK’s prestigious BFI Lighthouse short film scheme, which funded his film, SLR. The film was shortlisted for an Oscar, nominated for an Irish Film and Television Award, and won Best Irish short at the Foyle Film Festival.
Fingleton’s debut feature, The Survivalist, premiered in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2015, where it was awarded a Special Mention by the jury in the Best New Narrative Director category.
He is represented by Philip d’Amecourt and Philip Raskind at WME in the US, and Jack Thomas at Independent Talent Group in the UK.
Notes to editors:
‘Brits to Watch: The Screenings’ is produced as a collaboration between the BAFTA offices in London, Los Angeles and New York.
The initiative is a talent showcase for the industry, and the associated screenings are not intended as film previews for press.
For further information, please contact:
In New York:
Lina Plath / Stephanie Davidson at Frank PR
Tel: 646 861 0843
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
In Los Angeles:
Andy Gelb / Rachael Trager at Slate PR
Tel: 310 461 0111
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
About BAFTA, BAFTA Los Angeles and BAFTA New York
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. In addition to its Awards ceremonies, BAFTA has a year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – featuring workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes – in the UK, USA and Asia; it offers unique access to the world’s most inspiring talent and connects with a global audience of all ages and backgrounds. To access the best creative minds in film, TV and games production, visit www.bafta.org/guru. For more, visit www.bafta.org.
Founded in 1987, BAFTA Los Angeles serves as a bridge between the Hollywood and British production and entertainment business communities. Its commitment to professional and community education is at the heart of all activity, including an award-winning community outreach programme, screenings, seminars, Behind Closed Doors series, Q&As, scholarships for British students studying in the US, a Newcomers Program for emerging British talents working in the US, and a Heritage Archive project that preserves in-depth interviews with the industry's leading talents for future generations. BAFTA Los Angeles celebrates and promotes excellence through its annual Britannia Awards, Awards Season Film and Television Tea Parties and the Student Film Awards. www.bafta.org/losangeles
BAFTA New York, founded in 1996, recognizes and promotes the achievements of British film and television in New York and all along the East Coast. It hosts an extensive roster of feature film, television and documentary screenings, panel discussions, premieres and co-produced events with other established organizations in the film and television industry, and runs an educational outreach program aimed at underserved youth in New York City that includes the BAFTA New York Media Studies Scholarship Program. It is also committed to looking ahead, exploring the intersection of entertainment and technology while ensuring its programming and partnerships serve its audiences, its members and the public. www.bafta.org/new-york
BAFTA Los Angeles and BAFTA New York are 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corporation and rely on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support their ongoing work.
About British Council
The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and builds trust between them worldwide. It is a Royal Charter charity, established as the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations.
British Council Film department links UK films and filmmakers to new international audiences, profiling the innovation, diversity and excellence of British films around the world and finding opportunities for creative exchange. As part of its programme it provides a preview service for selectors from the world's major film festivals/markets (including Toronto, Cannes, Berlin and Sundance).
For more information, please see: www.britishcouncil.org/film
