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Oscar winner is new Film Skills Director

Oscar winning producer Judy Counihan has been appointed Director of Film at Skillset, responsible for driving forward A Bigger Future – the UK Film Skills Strategy.

Counihan’s career as a film and television producer spans 18 years, winning the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Picture twice, most recently for ‘No Mans Land’ in 2001 and for ‘Antonia’s Line’ in 1995. She also produced the Oscar nominated ‘Before the Rain’ which won the Venice Film Festival and Independent Spirit Award.

Skillset Director of Film, Judy Counihan, said: “A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes and significant progress has been made, but it’s a five year strategy so I’m very excited to be joining this project at the start. A Bigger Future is a huge undertaking but the measures are realistic and have been shaped by the people working in the UK Film Industry. I’m looking forward to working with them to make it happen.”

Stewart Till C.B.E, CEO and Chairman of United International Pictures, and Chair of the Film Skills Strategy Committee responsible for implementation of the strategy, said: “Judy’s appointment gives the industry confidence that this strategy – A Bigger Future – is, and shall remain, industry led. She brings to the table enviable experience and knowledge, and an industry viewpoint that will be invaluable in maximizing the impact we want to achieve.”

A Bigger Future, a joint initiative between Skillset and the UK Film Council, is a five year, £50m strategy to attract and retain the brightest and the best into a film career. Launched in September 2003, the strategy covers everyone working in film from top to bottom in all grades from development through to exhibition making provision for a network of Skillset Screen Academies; a Skillset Film Business Academy; a Skillset Guiding Lights mentoring scheme; short courses for the existing workforce; structured new entrants schemes; and improved careers information, advice and guidance services.

Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries. Audio visual industries in this context means, Broadcast, Film, Video, Interactive Media and Photo Imaging.

Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are independent, UK wide organisations developed by groups of influential employers in industry or business sectors of economic or strategic significance. SSCs are employer-led and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the sector.

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