12/12/2002

Moonstone International, the organisation created in 1997 to support and develop the work of independent European screenwriters and directors, have announced the names of the eight new European writers/directors who will take part in the Filmmakers Lab 2003 in Renvyle, Ireland, between 28 January-16 February 2003.
The five British participants and their projects are Ashley Horner with Another Girl, Another Planet, Jude Kelly with Unnatural Girl, Femi Kolade with The Scholar, Pratibha Parmar Nina with Heavenly Delights, and Mikie Spiro with Ex. The other three participants are the Irish Berry Digman with his project Breaking Rocks, the Scottish Kenny Glenaan with Sabi’s Story and the Dutch Elbert Van Strien with The Mirror.
During the three week programme, the upcoming directors/writers will shoot and edit key scenes with professional actors and crews under the guidance of experienced director advisors from the US and Europe. Previous advisors include Stephen Frears, Mira Nair, John Irvin and Andy Wolf (The Sopranos).
Past Moonstone Filmmakers Lab projects that have gone into production include Lynne Ramsay’s Ratcatcher and Sara Sugarman’s Very Annie Mary.
Moonstone International, created in consultation with Robert Redford’s Sundance Film Institute, also gives its participants the opportunity to run for the Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Award. Sarah Gavron who attended Moonstone Filmmakers Lab in 2000, has been selected as one of the European finalists for this year’s prestigious award and the winners will be announced during next January’s Sundance Film Festival.