THE Scottish Arts Council, under fire for the way it has handled lottery money applications, yesterday announced the establishment of a new committee to handle awards for film projects.
The Lottery Film Production Committee will have responsibility for approving funding of up to #250,000 for films. It will also recommend to the full council on larger applications.
The move, which effectively simplifies the decision-making process, will mean Scottish Screen staff will be used to make the initial assessment of applications - areas like script analysis, budget examination, and potential audience.
Council officials hope the new committee, which is a result of the recent SAC review of procedures for film funding, will help to silence its critics. The controversy surrounding the film side of the operation has been a constant thorn in its flesh almost since the lottery funding system was launched.
The full list of members, who responded through press advertisements, is Andrea Calderwood, BBC Scotland's head of drama; Louise Coulter, a production accountant; Mary Davies; a sales executive; Lizzie Franke, director of Edinburgh International Film Festival; Ken Ingles, director of Glasgow Film Theatre; Eileen McCallum, the actress; James Mackay, film producer; Jeffrey Meek, film financier; Paul Pender, film maker; Chris Young, film producer; and Colin Young, film critic.
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