Results tagged “SIR MICHAEL BALCON” from Birmingham Mail - Mega Movies

ACTRESS Jill Balcon, the extraordinary daughter of Birmingham-born film legend Sir Michael Balcon, widow of the late poet laureate Cecil Day-Lewis and the mother of double Oscar-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis, has died. She was 84.

BIRMINGHAM'S first digital festival will close on Sunday night with 'Into the Light', a tribute to one of the city's most famous sons from the world of film.
Sir Michael Balcon (1896-1977) was the former head of Ealing Studios.
As well as giving Alfred Hitchcock his first directing job, Sir Michael went on to run a US studio for MGM.
He also helped to set up BAFTA and chaired the Experimental Film Fund in the 1950s - later to become the BFI, which was an organisation committed to helping unknown film makers as well as pioneering new technologies.
His most famous films include A Yank At Oxford, Goodbye Mr Chips, The Good Companions, Passport to Pimlico, The Lavender Hill Mob and The 39 Steps.
And naming the policeman in The Blue Lamp (1954) after his old Birmingham school, George Dixon, later led to title of the long-running TV series, Dixon of Dock Green.
On Sunday, October 26, his actress daughter, Jill Balcon - the mother of double Oscar-winning best actor Daniel Day-Lewis - will attend a special screening of Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949), directed by Robert Hamer and starring Alec Guinness as entire aristocratic dynasty.
In the spirt of Sir Michael's passion for helping young filmmakers, the winning 'Film Dash' entry of a short-film competition at the city's first Hello Digital festival will also be screened as a curtain-raiser.
The gala evening will begin promptly at 7pm on Sunday at the Odeon New Street.
Tickets are free - contact organiser Roger Shannon via www.swishproductions.co.uk or telephone 0121 449 5598.
+ A four-day showcase of sights and sounds at Millennium Point, Hello Digital is a pioneering blend of interactive fun, gaming, education and workshops and includes everything from robotics to communications, films, gaming, animations and installations. The whole event is free and aimed at all ages. For more details visit www.hellodigital.net

SIR MICHAEL BALCON EVENT - BIRMINGHAM, OCTOBER 26 at 7pm.

THE winning short film in the Hello Digital festival running at Millennium Point this weekend will be shown at the New Street Odeon on Sunday - in front of a very special guest of honour.
It's part of a 7pm gala evening to celebrate the life of Birmingham-born film producer Sir Michael Balcon, the former head of Ealing Studios who also set up experimental funds to help industry newcomers.
The event will include an introductory speech by Sir Michael Balcon's daughter Jill Balcon, the mother of double Oscar-winning star Daniel Day-Lewis.
Cinemagoers will also have a rare chance to see the classic Ealing comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) directed by Robert Hamer and produced by Sir Michael Balcon.
Tickets are free, just contact Roger at www.swishproductions.co.uk or telephone 0121 449 5598. The evening will begin at 7pm prompt.

+ For more information about the Hello Digital weekend at Millennium Point, visit the Hello Digital website at www.hellodigital.net

FANCY making a short five-minute film in the next 48 hours?
If so, prepare to get cracking!
As the opening part of Birmingham's first Hello Digital Festival, the 48-hour Film Dash: Digital Galore! has been designed to give new talents the chance to compete to see their movie on the big screen.
The winning entry will be shown at the New Street Odeon on Sunday, October 26 as part of a 7pm gala evening to celebrate the life of Birmingham-born film producer Sir Michael Balcon, the former head of Ealing Studios who set up experimental funds to help newcomers.
The event will include an introductory speech by Sir Michael Balcon's daughter Jill Balcon - the mother of double Oscar-winning star Daniel Day-Lewis - and there will also be a rare chance to see the classic Ealing comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) directed by Robert Hamer and produced by Sir Michael Balcon.
Tickets are free, just contact Roger at www.swishproductions.co.uk or telephone 0121 449 5598 and the screening will begin at 7pm prompt.
Film Dash will enable budding directors, actors and scriptwriters to pool their creative talents for a short film lasting from between one to five minutes in length.
Any equipment can be used from hand-held cameras to mobile phones and the subject matter is up to you.
The only stipulation is that each film must include a predetermined reference to the life and work of Sir Michael Balcon.
The other Film Dash films, including the winner, will be showcased at Millennium Point as part of the Hello Digital festival.
Film Dash coordinator Chris Unitt says: "Birmingham has an extremely rich and varied film history and Film Dash is a fantastic way to pay homage to those who have played an integral part in the region's cultural landscape.
"It is also a great way to introduce a new breed of film maker to key individuals such as Sir Michael Balcon."
Film Dash: Digital Galore! begins today (FRI 17) and is open to anyone who wants to register to get involved.
Teams must contain at least one person over 18 years of age and have no more than 5 members. There are no restraints on equipment quality and no previous experience in film making is required.
For more information or to register visit www.filmdash.wordpress.com or visit the Hello Digital website at www.hellodigital.net and follow the links for Film Dash.
All films will be accessible from the Hello Digital website after the event.
+ A University of Derby project will enable school and college filmmakers from the West Midlands to compete for the chance to see their new film on the BBC Big Screen in the East Midlands' city.
Participants have until Friday, November 1 to register and until January 25, 2009 to submit their work.
For application details and guidelines, schools and colleges should contact Iram Ahmed on 01332 591042 or email i.ahmed@derby.ac.uk
The online address is: www.derby.ac.uk/schoolsliaison/bbcbigscreencompetition