Bird's Eye View

Birds Eye View Announces New Creative Director + International Womens Week Events

BEV’s founding director Rachel Millward, who stays on as Chief Executive, says: “We are thrilled to welcome someone so respected in the film industry at this crucial time in Birds Eye View’s development. Kate brings an understanding of the economics of film, creative excellence and a strong appreciation of the marketplace and audiences. This will enable BEV to build on our significant cultural successes, and to continue supporting and celebrating international women filmmakers with ever-increasing impact.”

Kate Gerova says: “I’m delighted to join Birds Eye View at a time with huge potential for international growth, with the creative vision of female talent gaining increased prominence at leading international festivals and on our screens. I will be building on BEV’s track record of fantastic and innovative programming and events, while also developing year round activities to inspire, educate and broker more opportunities for women filmmakers.”

Kate’s appointment comes alongside a pledge to increase BEV’s impact through a greater offer for filmmakers, a fresh focus on talent development and deeper collaboration with the wider film industry. This follows a phase of strategic planning to reaffirm and re-invigorate BEV’s core mission to celebrate and support women filmmakers in the UK and across the world.

BEV’s full International Film Festival will be relaunched in 2014 as a biennial event. The alternate years will allow greater space for talent development and to focus on specific regions and themes. BEV is also pleased to announce the first events for its 2013 Film Festival: Celebrating Arab Women Filmmakers, showcasing this new approach. Beginning in International Women’s Week, this includes its returning International Women’s Day Gala with a pre-release screening of  Venice award-winner WADJDA on 8 March at BFI Southbank, plus an exclusive Q&A with breakthrough Saudi Arabian female director Haifaa Al Mansour, the country’s first woman to direct a feature film; and the world premiere of a new live silent film score on 7 March at Southbank Centre by rising star composer Bushra El-Turk, fusing classical Western and traditional Middle Eastern musical styles (full event listings below).

The main 2013 Film Festival will run from 3-10 April with a programme of feature, documentary and short films from Arab women directors at BFI Southbank and Barbican, plus specially commissioned live silent scores from British Arab musicians. Full details soon to be announced at www.birds-eye-view.co.uk/festival.