Film
Rotten Apple is the Pick of the Crop
By Lara Cerroni
Mar 5, 2007, 11:43

Rotten apple is the pick of the crop

Rotten Apple: Behind the scenes

One week before the Academy Awards, Tower Hamlets hit it big at The Berlin International Film Festival when a film which was partly funded by the council won the title of European Best Short.

‘Rotten Apple’, by filmmaker Ralitza Petrova who received £4,000 through the Tower Hamlets and Hackney Production Scheme, won the prestigious award on Tuesday 13 February. The 14 minute movie tells the tale of a father and son who move from the city to the countryside in a bid to forget the wife and mother that they have lost. Before long the father finds a new girlfriend prompting precocious observations from the son.

The Berlin International Film Festival ranks alongside Venice and Cannes as one of Europe's leading film festivals. It is held annually in February and is in its 56th year. The awards are called the Golden and Silver Bears, the bear being the symbol of Berlin. The festival ended on Sunday 18 February.

Award winning filmmaker Ratliza Petrova

Award winning filmmaker, Railitza Petrova, said: "I'm very privileged and humbled by winning this award at such a prestigious event and with so much talent around me.
"I want to say thank you to Berlin and to Tower Hamlets and Hackney Production Scheme who believed in me from the beginning and supported me throughout the production. It is a great achievement for everyone involved."
Councillor Lutfur Rahman, Lead Member for Culture, Tower Hamlets Council said: “To win such a major prize is a fantastic achievement and it’s great to know that the council’s grant helped filmmaker, Ralitza Petrova, on her way. Congratulations!

“Tower Hamlets is a great supporter of filmmaking whether as a location, through funding or as a platform to showcase new talent.”

He added: “With the East End Film Festival just around the corner it’s a wonderful time for filmmakers in Tower Hamlets.”

This year Tower Hamlets Council has awarded eight film projects funded through the Tower Hamlets and Hackney Production Scheme which is run in Partnership with Hackney Council, Film London East and The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The East End Film Festival is a week long film extravaganza which takes place between Thursday 19 April to Thursday 26 April 2007. The event opens up the world of films to a whole new audience and acts as a showcase for bright new talent.



For more information about the East End Film Festival or grants available to filmmakers contact Tower Hamlets Council Films Officer, Stephanie Turnbull on 020 7364 7920, e-mail stephanie.turnbull@towerhamlets.gov.uk or visit www.eastendfilmfestival.com


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