One of the media’s biggest wind-up merchants, BAFTA-nominated director Chris Atkins, will take centre stage at Northern Lights Film Festival (NLFF) 2010.
Renowned for being both fearless and mischievous, Chris is to host a boot camp at Northern Film + Media this week during which attendees will learn how to create stunts that make even the most boring stories interesting. His producer Christina Slater will also be on hand to talk about control - and the battle she has to keep Chris on the straight and narrow when he goes for stories that will get him into serious trouble.
Chris directed Starsuckers, which will screen at the Tyneside Cinema on the evening of his boot camp - a highly entertaining documentary in which he creates fake celebrity news stories and watches them spread like wildfire among rival publications.
Possibly the most talked about film of 2009, the film received unprecedented media attention, taking over the front page of The Guardian for two days running and making news in countries all over the world. The film fought off legal challenges from Max Clifford and the News Of The World and was released to rave reviews.
Well known for the Mass Lone Protests with Mark Thomas which shut down Charing Cross police station for over two hours and was organised in response to the public being forced by the government to ask permission to protest outside parliament, Chris and Christina have instigated many other stunts, including pretending to be feminist protestors against Miss Great Britain to get attention for the event.
Chris Atkins said: “My world is all about making dull stories appear interesting viewing – and of course exposing the toxic effect the media can have when it operates by its own rules. My boot camp will be all about showing how people can use social networks to create a splash – and best of all, they get to have a go themselves.”
NLFF takes place until Sunday across Newcastle and Durham. The boot camp is one of the professional workshops on offer and is sponsored by BAFTA and Northern Film + Media.
Programme director Lisa Laws commented: “NLFF is all about mischief making, crossing boundaries, making people think differently and entertainment. Chris and his team tick all those boxes and we are delighted to welcome them to the festival.”
Ewan McIntosh from Northern Film + Media said: “Chris is both a massive star and a massive draw, with a real talent for what he does. His input will be inspiring, amusing, directional and challenging. His session is an opportunity to learn a whole new skill set.”
For more information, the latest programme updates and to secure places at NLFF, please visit www.nlff.co.uk.
Northern Lights Film Festival 2010 forms part of NewcastleGateshead’s world-class festival and events programme managed by culture10, is funded by the Northern Rock Foundation and Northern Film + Media and is sponsored by Northumbria University.
