Festival to host major summit on UK movie industry

A MAJOR conference discussing the state of the British film industry is to be held at this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Supported by the British Film Institute (BFI), the June 17 conference entitled 'What is the State of the British Film Nation?', will be co-curated by EIFF director James Mullighan and will include presentations, discussions and debates, with leading industry names. Speakers will address the issue of finding new sources of financing and revenue, and the future of the British film industry.

Among those taking part will be The King's Speech producer Iain Canning, who will be discussing the links between the UK industry and Hollywood. Stephen Garrett, the executive producer of Kudos Films, the company behind hit TV shows such as Spooks and Life on Mars, will be looking at the rise of cinematic television.

Mr Mullighan said: "In the 65th year of EIFF we are proud to be working with a wide range of new partners, and our relationship with Screen International is something of which I am especially proud. I believe this event to be unmissable for anyone whose business is the business of film."