Digital Departures Takes off in style

Digital Departures Takes Off In Style

LIVERPOOL is rapidly being seen as Europe’s shining light for micro-budget filmmaking, with over 500 would-be filmmakers registering their interest in making movies in the city.

North West Vision, together with its partners the Liverpool Culture Company, the UK Film Council and the BBC, launched Digital Departures two week ago, and have been inundated with requests for more information.

“We intend to produce three feature-length films in the city in the run up to the 2008 Capital of Culture celebrations. This is a totally unique scheme, the only one of its kind across the UK, and judging by the response we’ve had from Northwest filmmakers, we’re confident it will be a huge success.

“We’ve been over-whelmed by the volume of interest shown in this innovative, ambitious scheme,” adds Chris Moll, Head of Funds for North West Vision, the film, TV and digital media development agency for the Northwest.

“There’s still time for people to register their interest on the North West Vision website (www.northwestvision.co.uk), and we’ll send them regular updates on Digital Departures,” says Chris.

Writers, producers and directors from across the Northwest are being urged to get involved in the ground-breaking Digital Departures project, which will see three films each given a cash budget of £250,000. The films will then be developed, shot and post-produced in Liverpool and will premiere in the city in the autumn of 2008.

“Liverpool is already recognised as a city of exceptional screenwriting talent and as a film-friendly location, but we’re convinced Digital Departures will add a whole new dimension to the city’s film pedigree,” says Chris.

The Digital Departures films will be distributed nationally and internationally across a variety of digital platforms, including the UK’s rapidly-expanding Digital Screen Network, and the BBC is taking UK broadcast TV rights.

Special day-long workshops are to be held in Liverpool later this month for people who have registered on the Digital Departures website. Led by industry-professionals, the workshops will guide writers, directors and producers, helping them stand the best possible chance of getting their project picked.

“Digital Departures is an opportunity for filmmakers to immerse themselves in the creative opportunities of low-budget filmmaking, and that process begins with our free, industry-led workshops,” explains Chris Moll.

To find out how to get involved with Digital Departures visit: www.digitaldepartures.co.uk or www.northwestvision.co.uk