Manchester Film Officer in California

MANCHESTER FILM OFFICER JETS OFF TO CALIFORNIA

The Northwest's potential as a filming location is to be presented to key members of the international film community by Greater Manchester Film Officer, Susan Williams.

Susan (pictured right) will be attending Cineposium, the Film Commissioners (AFCI) annual training event in Pasadena, California from the 25th to the 31st October 2006.

This comes at a time when North West Vision’s Film Offices are experiencing their busiest filming year to date. Filming days in Liverpool are up by a huge 80% on this time last year. Meanwhile Manchester has reported a 24% increase over the same period, Lancashire is up 18% and Cheshire and Warrington have also exceeded last year’s total number of filming days.

Cineposium unites film commissions from around the globe to exchange ideas, discuss current issues and network with their counterparts. Susan will be attending a variety of events and sessions and will have the opportunity to promote Manchester and the Northwest to an international crowd of filmmakers.

Explaining the benefits of Cineposium, Susan said:

“This event really does open your eyes to some of the issues that are faced by the larger international film commissions and I’m particularly looking forward to the session titled ‘How would you handle it?’ where challenges and obstacles from both real and potential scenarios are discussed and resolved between location managers and film officers.”

Alice Morrison, Chief Executive at North West Vision added:

“Susan has a unique opportunity at this year’s Cineposium and I am sure she will engage in some very interesting activities and discussions that can be relayed to the team. The current filming boom is a great focal point for Susan and it should provide the confidence to exploit the regions potential as a filming location on an international scale.”

Highlights of the programme so far include:
Bruce Kirkby – Author/Photographer, A Look Forward at Film and Film Commissions, Location Burnout: Dealing with Hotspots, Studio Visits and Cold Calls and the Cineposium Wrap Party, themed around Halloween.