Isabel Davis has been named director of the BFI National Lottery Filmmaking Funds, a position overseeing some £20 million ($26.8 million) in yearly support for independent filmmakers in the United Kingdom. Davis transitions to the British Film Institute from Screen Scotland, where she served as executive director for eight years. She will assume the role under a five-year fixed-term contract starting in October.
Davis succeeds Mia Bays, who directed the fund since 2021. During Bays’ tenure, supported projects achieved multiple accolades, including consecutive BAFTA wins for “Kneecap” and “My Father’s Shadow” in the outstanding debut category, as well as a best British short animation award for “Two Black Boys in Paradise.” Prior to leading Screen Scotland, Davis spent seven years at the BFI as head of international, during which she worked on co-production agreements with China and Brazil.
Davis commented on her appointment, stating she feels privileged to take on the responsibility at what she described as a pivotal time for British film’s direction. Ben Roberts, who serves as BFI chief executive, praised Davis as someone “tenacious when it comes to doing the right thing for U.K. independent film.”
In related television news, the BBC has greenlit “Open Water,” an eight-part adaptation of Caleb Azumah Nelson’s debut novel. The production, developed by Mam Tor Productions (a Banijay U.K. entity) and B-Side Productions, will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Toheeb Jimoh, recognized for roles in “Ted Lasso” and “Industry,” leads as Marcus, a retail worker pursuing photography, while Dujonna Gift makes her lead television debut as Effie, a dance student. The supporting cast includes Rhianna Dorris, Nadine Marshall, and Sherise Blackman. Filming is currently taking place in Birmingham and London.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI