The global film community eagerly anticipates the annual Cannes Film Festival, where cinematic gems from around the world captivate audiences and industry players. Amidst this prestigious event, the British Film Institute (BFI) and the British Council have joined forces to shine a spotlight on the UK’s most promising up-and-coming filmmakers through their GREAT 8 showcase.
The GREAT 8 Showcase: Celebrating Emerging Talent
Now in its seventh year, the GREAT 8 initiative is a collaborative effort between the BFI, the British Council, the GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland campaign, BBC Film, and Film4. This prestigious program aims to introduce international distributors and festival programmers to eight exceptional first-time and second-time UK feature filmmakers, providing them with a platform to showcase their work and accelerate their burgeoning careers.
Bridging the Global Stage
The 2024 GREAT 8 showcase will take place in the lead-up to the Cannes Marché, offering buyers and programmers a unique opportunity to discover these cinematic gems. Unseen footage from all eight titles will be presented by the filmmakers themselves, with exclusive online screenings across five different time zones on 9 May. The films will then be available to buyers throughout the Cannes Marché, which runs from 14 to 25 May.
Diverse Voices, Captivating Stories
The 2024 GREAT 8 lineup showcases a diverse range of voices and storytelling styles, reflecting the vibrancy and creativity of the UK’s emerging filmmaking talent. From the thought-provoking drama “Brides” to the gripping thriller “Bring Them Down,” and the darkly comedic “The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherford,” this year’s selection promises to captivate audiences and industry professionals alike.
Championing UK Filmmaking on the Global Stage
The GREAT 8 showcase has a proven track record of propelling filmmakers to international acclaim and commercial success. Past selections have been acquired by major studios, global streaming platforms, and independent distributors, reaching audiences worldwide. Notable success stories include Charlotte Wells’ “Aftersun,” Rungano Nyoni’s “I Am Not a Witch,” and Rose Glass’ “Saint Maud,” all of which have gone on to garner critical acclaim and industry recognition.
Fostering Connections and Opportunities
The physical return of the GREAT 8 showcase in 2024 marks a significant milestone, as the previous two editions were held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s event will provide filmmakers with the invaluable opportunity to connect directly with international delegates attending the Cannes Marché, further enhancing their exposure and potential for success.
Celebrating the UK’s Creativity and Innovation
The GREAT 8 showcase is part of a larger GREAT campaign, “The Audacious Kingdom,” launched in France in September 2023. This initiative aims to celebrate the UK as a hub of innovation, creativity, and fresh perspectives, positioning the country as a catalyst for global progress and collaboration.
Empowering Emerging Filmmakers
Agnieszka Moody, the BFI’s Head of International Relations, emphasizes the transformative potential of the GREAT 8 showcase, stating, “Cannes is the place where we celebrate film as a global community, and we are extremely grateful to our partners at the GREAT campaign for enabling our exciting emerging filmmaking talent to be present at this very special event. This can be nothing short of life-changing in terms of giving them exposure that will accelerate their already promising careers.”
Fostering a Thriving UK Film Industry
Briony Hanson, the British Council’s Director of Film, echoes the sentiment, noting the continued success of past GREAT 8 selections and the pride in this year’s impressive lineup. She expresses excitement about the “rich collection of voices, styles, and subjects that makes us proud of – and excited about – UK film in 2024.”
The 2024 GREAT 8 Lineup
The 2024 GREAT 8 showcase features a diverse array of projects, each with its own unique vision and creative approach. The selected films and filmmakers are:
- Brides – Director: Nadia Fall, Writer: Suhayla El-Bushra
- Bring Them Down – Director/Writer: Christopher Andrews
- The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherford – Director/Writer: Sean Dunn
- On Falling – Director/Writer: Laura Carreira
- The Salt Path – Director: Marianne Elliott, Writer: Rebecca Lenkiewicz
- Sunlight – Director: Nina Conti, Writers: Shenoah Allen, Nina Conti
- Surviving Earth – Director/Writer: Thea Gajić
- Witches – Director/Writer: Elizabeth Sankey
Fostering Creativity and Collaboration
The GREAT 8 showcase exemplifies the UK’s commitment to nurturing emerging filmmaking talent and positioning the country as a global hub for innovative storytelling. By providing these talented individuals with a platform to shine on the international stage, the BFI and the British Council are actively shaping the future of the UK’s thriving film industry.
As the world’s cinematic community gathers in Cannes, the GREAT 8 showcase will once again serve as a testament to the UK’s enduring creative spirit and the boundless potential of its emerging filmmakers. This initiative not only celebrates the country’s cinematic excellence but also fuels the dreams and aspirations of the next generation of storytellers, ensuring that the UK’s reputation as a catalyst for innovation and fresh perspectives continues to grow.