The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) have announced a substantial increase in award money for British Filmmakers and also announced the jury that will preside over the award this year.
The Michael Powell Award, which is sponsored by the UK Film Council, increases in value to £20,000 cash prize (previously £5000). The award was inaugurated in 1993 to reward imagination and creativity in British filmmaking.
The EIFF also announced an increase for the Skillset New Directors Award to £5000 (from £1500).
John Woodward, Chief Executive Officer of the UK Film Council, says, ‘Through the Michael Powell Award, the Festival recognises inspiring films from established filmmakers and newcomers reflecting the breadth and vibrancy of British filmmaking. This is part of our cash support to help turn the EIFF into a magnet for the best films and at the same time to support filmmakers
in making their next film.'
This year's President of the Michael Powell Jury is actor Danny Huston (The Constant Gardener, 21 Grams), son of John Huston, who was President of the EIFF in the 1960s. Danny Huston is also attending the world premiere of The Kreutzer Sonata at the Festival.
Joining him on the Jury are international producer Sigurjon Sighvatsson (Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait, A Thousand Acres); Orange-Prize nominated author Scarlett Thomas (The End of Mr. Y); Golden Globe Best Actress nominee Joely Richardson (Nip Tuck) and director Iain Softley (Inkheart, K-Pax).
Danny Huston commented: ‘I am thrilled to be coming as President of the Michael Powell Jury to the Edinburgh Film Festival - A festival that my father described as "the only festival worth a damn"'.
The Jury also preside over the PPG Award for Best Performance in a British Feature. In 2007, Anton Corbijn and Sam Riley won The Michael Powell Award and Best Performance Award respectively, both for Control.
EIFF Artistic Director Hannah McGill said it is "a very exciting year for the Michael Powell Award" and sang the praises of the "wonderful" jury.
"Scarlett Thomas is easily one of the country's finest and most ambitious young writers, and Joni Sigvahtsson is that rare beast: a Hollywood power broker with a sustained and passionate interest in quality world cinema.
Danny Huston and Joely Richardson, meanwhile, are charismatic stars in their own right as well as inheritors of two of their industries' most enviable sets of genes.
Iain Softley is a director I really respect, who has done fantastic work in both the UK and Hollywood... we await their thoughts on the films with great curiosity!"
Nominees for 2008's Michael Powell Award
Better Things (Duane Hopkins)
Donkey Punch (Oliver Blackburn)
Dummy (Matthew Thompson)
Faintheart (Vito Rocco)
Helen (Christine Molloy & Joe Lawlor)
Somers Town (Shane Meadows)
Stone of Destiny (Charles Martin Smith)
Summer (Kenny Glenaan)
The Edge of Love (John Maybury)