Asian News Blog

David Alexander, 25, grew up in Hackney – one of the poorest, most crime-affected boroughs in London *. He wanted to make films, but the grim reality of life on the housing estate meant this was a dream he had to keep secret – anything else would invite ridicule as being ‘unrealistic’ and ‘unobtainable’.

But the ‘unimaginable’ dream has become a reality with Skillset next week sending David and another up-and-coming UK film director, Osbert Parker, to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The pair has been invited to the exclusive four-day Talent Lab - the first time directors from outside North America have been invited to the event previously reserved for Canadians only.

David and Osbert are supported by Skillset – the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual industries responsible for developing skills and nurturing the careers of UK talent in film, broadcast, video, interactive media and photo imaging.

Skillset is leading the charge to diversify talent coming into the audio visual industries with under representation of Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities identified as a stumbling block to increased creativity, innovation and global competitiveness.

Skillset Director of Film Janine Marmot secured the pioneering opportunity after brokering a deal with Kelley Alexander, Director of Industry Initiatives at Toronto International Film Festival, who agreed to open the Talent Lab to overseas talent for the fist time.

The TIFF is recognised as one of the top film festivals in the world, and the premier film festival in North America from which the Oscars race begins. David and Osbert were selected after a rigorous selection process overseen by a jury of leading UK film industry figures.

The pair will meet some of the world’s leading filmmakers in Toronto, including critically acclaimed writer/director John Sayles who is one of the guest speakers at the Talent Lab. Previous film industry luminaries at the Talent Lab include Terry Gilliam, Gus van Sant, Gurinder Chadha, Kevin Spacey, Neil Jordan, Atom Egoyan and Paul Haggis.

David’s rise to prominence has come off the back of his debut short film Growing – a poignant insight into the lives of disaffected black youth on a housing estate in Hackney. The film has won numerous awards and has been selected for this year’s Raindance Film Festival. David, a self-taught filmmaker, started out in the film industry as a runner four years ago.

Osbert, 43, is an award-winning filmmaker of mixed-media commercials and short films. His work is breath-taking – a virtuoso signature style using cut-out animation mixed with live elements to create one-of-a-kind imaginary landscapes. He has already directed commercials for Coca-Cola, Nike and Budweiser.

Osbert’s short film Film Noir was nominated for best short animated film at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in 2006, and was also nominated for the Palm d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Osbert has also been invited to screen his work at this year’s Telluride Film Festival in the United States. His newest short film, Yours Truly, won best animated film at the recent Aspen Short Film Festival. It is in contention for many of the upcoming 2007 film festivals.

David said he was delighted with his selection for Toronto.

“I think this is a fantastic initiative by Skillset and the Toronto International Film Festival. Success in the film industry is all about hard work, dedication and perseverance – regardless of race or ethnic background. Growing up in Hackney, the issue isn’t so much lack of opportunity, but rather a lack of aspiration,” David said.

He added: “Young people I grew up with just couldn’t imagine a career in the film industry. It is seen as something totally unrealistic and unobtainable – a mindset that isn’t helped by the fact there are very few role models from their background in the film industry; people they can relate to and aspire to be like. Skillset has been very pro-active in addressing the issue of under representation in the film industry and I believe these initiatives will make a difference in changing the mindset of young people from minority backgrounds so they start to see a film career as a totally achievable and realistic aspiration.”

Osbert Parker, who is currently screening new work at the Telluride Film Festival, said: “I’m thrilled to be selected to participate in Talent Lab and am grateful to Skillset and Toronto International Film Festival for this amazing opportunity. This is an once-in-a-lifetime chance to work with international filmmakers, learning from some of the best names in the industry.”

Skillset Director of Film Janine Marmot said: “I’m delighted that the Toronto Talent Lab has agreed to extend a generous invitation to two UK talents to join the 28 Canadian talents at the Lab this year. They will be given one more opportunity to further develop their careers and network with the best up-and-coming talent from around the world as well as make contact with key figures in the international film business community. The experience will be an invaluable one.”

Ms Marmot said Skillset is dedicated and passionate about creating more opportunities for talented filmmakers from ethnic minority backgrounds.

“Diversity in the film industry remains a critical issue with a high level of under representation of a number of groups including ethnic minorities. It’s a problem not only in terms of fairness and equality, but it’s also bad for business. What we are seeing with the break-out of talented directors such as David and Osbert is a business case for diversity,” she said.

“Many companies from a wide range of industries realise the value of a diverse workforce that gives them a competitive edge in a global marketplace. Skillset is actively working on a number of initiatives to get the film industry to follow this lead. Diversity in the audio visual industries is linked to creativity as diverse workforces lead to new ideas, new ways of working, different perspectives and new and unique stories about the world we live in.”

Toronto International Film Festival’s Kelley Alexander said: “I am delighted to be working with Skillset on this new development, introducing international participants at Talent Lab for the first time. There is some fantastic new British filmmaking talent emerging at the moment and I look forward to working with David and Osbert.”