Six weeks on site with FilmFour

A New Zealand screenwriter has been picked for a working stint with leading British film company, FilmFour.

Michael Bennett will begin his six-weeks with FilmFour later this month, after receiving the FilmFour Award, courtesy of the British Council New Zealand and the New Zealand Writers Foundation.

He is excited by the opportunity to work with the company, which is recognised for its creative and ambitious works, including Trainspotting and My Beautiful Laundrette.

"As a New Zealander and Maori, I am particularly attracted to the way FilmFour explores cultural specific ideas, which manage to be universally meaningful," he said. "They make wonderful films with distinctive and unique voices. While their films hold popular appeal, they still retain individuality."

Bennett, whose short film, Kerosene Creek, was selected for screening at the 2005 Berlin Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival and National Geographic All Roads Film Festival, plans to find out as much as possible about FilmFour's processes and how it achieves its success.

The head of development at FilmFour, Katherine Butler, said the company was "thoroughly looking forward" to hosting Bennett.

"We believe that his impressive skills and experience will bring a fresh and exciting perspective to our development process," she said.

- NZPA