The industry says 'Happy birthday MEDIA!'

As part of MEDIA Desk UK's celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the European Union's MEDIA Programme, key figures from the European film industry appeared in front of the camera to reflect on being part of the European film industry and to wish MEDIA a very happy birthday.

MEDIA Desk UK worked with the National Film and Television School (NFTS) to produce 11 filmed interviews and a compilation film on the subject of 'Happy birthday MEDIA'. We were honoured to work with the following industry players from the UK and further afield:

Clare Binns, Director of Programming and Acquisitions, Picturehouse Cinemas
Louisa Dent, Managing Director, Artificial Eye Film Company
Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Director
Ken Loach, Director
Mike Leigh, Director
Rebecca O'Brien, Producer, Sixteen Films
Alison Owen, Producer, Ruby Films
Michael Radford, Director
Jeremy Thomas, Producer, Recorded Picture Company/HanWay Films
Michael Winterbottom, Director
Wim Wenders, Director
Stephen Woolley, Producer, Number 9 Films.

The work of each of these celebrated professionals has been supported by the MEDIA Programme in the 20 years since its inception. Alongside MEDIA, between them they have produced, directed, distributed and exhibited such classic films as Secret and Lies, Amélie, The Wind that Shakes the Barley, 24 Hour Party People and Volver, and new titles including Pina, A Dangerous Method and Jane Eyre.

All interviews and the compilation can be viewed on MEDIA Desk UK's new YouTube channel.

Publication date: 04 Nov 2011