Producer Pippa Cross joins UK Film Council board
Pippa Cross, the producer of Shooting Dogs and forthcoming Heartless, has joined the UK Film Council's Board of Directors, Barbara Follett, Minister for Culture announced today. Her appointment will run for four years from today.
London – 21 November 2008: Pippa Cross, the producer of Shooting Dogs and forthcoming Heartless, has joined the UK Film Council's Board of Directors, Barbara Follett, Minister for Culture announced today. Her appointment will run for four years from today.
Pippa Cross has been active in the UK film industry as a financier, executive producer, producer and mentor for nearly 20 years. Since 2002 she has been a Director of CrossDay Productions, an independent film and TV production company whose credits include Rwandan genocide film Shooting Dogs directed by Michael Caton-Jones and the upcoming Heartless from acclaimed British director Philip Ridley.
From 1993 to 2002, Pippa was the Head of Film at Granada Media. She is a member of BAFTA, sits on the advisory panel of the British Independent Film Awards, and is a Board member of Screen South, the regional screen agency for the South of England.
Cross started her film career as Production Executive on Jim Sheridan's first two feature films, the Oscar® winning My Left Foot and The Field. She was then appointed Head of Film at Granada where her credits include Tim Sullivan's Jack and Sarah, Girl's Night, Terence Davies' House of Mirth, teen horror The Hole, Oscar®-nominated Ghost World and Paul Greengrass's mould-breaking, award-winning Bloody Sunday. She represented Granada on the board of British Screen for several years. Her television credits include Seeing Red with Sarah Lancashire, and BAFTA award-winning Longitude for Channel 4.
Commenting on Pippa Cross's appointment, Stewart Till CBE, Chairman of the UK Film Council said: "I am delighted that Pippa Cross is joining the UK Film Council Board. She has a wealth of experience in the film industry and as a Screen South Board member, she is well equipped to serve both the UK Film Council and represent the voice of the regions. I am confident that she will do a fantastic job in fulfilling this role."
Pippa Cross commented: "It is an honour to be asked to join the Board and I hope to make a particular contribution in highlighting the great work that is being done to develop filmmaking talent in the regions and take filmmaking into the community. The climate now is difficult for everyone but with determination we can ensure the talent base is protected and nourished across the country."
For further information please contact:
Caroline Nagle / Tara Milne
UK Film Council Press Office
T: 44 (0)20 7861 7508 /7901
Notes to Editors
1. The appointment does not attract remuneration but board members may claim reasonable travel and subsistence.
2. The appointments process was carried out in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. Pippa Cross has not undertaken any political activity during the past five years.
3. Full list of UKFC Board Members:
Stewart Till CBE – Chairman, Barbara Broccoli OBE, Pippa Cross, Mark Devereux (Acting Deputy Chairman), Greg Dyke, Gail Egan, Nigel Green, Thomas Hoegh, Beeban Kidron, Stephen Knibbs, Elisabeth Murdoch, Rebecca O'Brien, Heather Rabbatts CBE, Amanda Walsh.
4. The UK Film Council is the Government-backed strategic agency for film in the UK. We aim to stimulate a successful, vibrant film industry and to promote the widest possible enjoyment and understanding of cinema throughout the UK.
5. We invest Government grant-in-aid and Lottery money in developing new filmmakers, in funding exciting new British films and in getting a wider choice of films to audiences throughout the UK. We also invest in training, promoting Britain as an international filmmaking location and in raising the profile of British films abroad. We aim to deliver lasting benefits to the industry and the public through:
creativity - encouraging the development of new talent, skills, and creative and technological innovation in UK film and assisting new and established filmmakers to produce successful and distinctive British films;
enterprise – supporting the creation and growth of sustainable businesses in the film sector, providing access to finance and helping the UK film industry compete successfully in the domestic and global marketplace;
imagination - promoting education and an appreciation and enjoyment of cinema by giving UK audiences access to the widest range of UK and international cinema, and by supporting film culture and heritage.
