Zara Gillian Berrie (born September 1967)[1] is a Scottish filmmaker and co-founder of the Glasgow-based production company Sigma Films with director David Mackenzie.[2]
Gillian Berrie | |
|---|---|
 Director David Mackenzie & Producer Gillian Berrie (2016) | |
| Born | September 1967 (age 57) |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Occupation | Film producer |
| Organization | Sigma Films |
| Website | http://www.sigmafilms.com |
Berrie also founded Film City Glasgow, the state-of-the-art creative cluster for production, picture and sound which spearheads independent production in Scotland.[3]
She also created the hugely successful Jumpcut project which was dedicated to giving young and underprivileged people access to working in the film industry through a pop-up film school that created an intensive, mentor-lead fast track into the industry.[4] The project went on to inspire Berrie to create Short Circuit, the Scottish talent initiative and shorts funding scheme that launched in 2020.[5][6]
Career
editIn 1996 Berrie co-founded Sigma Films with director David Mackenzie, writing and producing serial award-winning shorts, California Sunshine and Somersault.[7][8]
Alongside, Berrie gained experience in numerous film and television roles as well as Casting Director on Ken Loach's My Name is Joe (for which Peter Mullan won the Palme d'Or in Cannes) and Lynne Ramsay's legendary Ratcatcher.[9][10]
Casting experience on the aforementioned led Berrie to create the charity, Starfish which then became Jumpcut, which ultimately morphed into Short Circuit, and Big Fish Casting which segued into Kahleen Crawford Casting.[11][12]
Gillian produced many of David Mackenzie's films including: Last Great Wilderness, Hallam Foe, Young Adam, You Instead (aka Tonight You're Mine), Perfect Sense, Starred Up and the biggest film ever to be made entirely in Scotland, Outlaw King. She was also heavily involved in the post-production, festival, UK/US theatrical release and Oscar campaign for Academy Award Nominee Hell or High Water.
At the Scottish BAFTA New Talent Awards in 2002 Gillian won the BAFTA for Outstanding Achievement.[13]
In order to create a vibrant hub for the film community in Scotland, Gillian founded the state of the art, Film City Glasgow in 2004. Since then it has been a full house of productions and film-makers.[11]
In 2012 she founded Jumpcut, the UK's one and only, intensive, mentor-led Summer School to provide a fast-track for youngsters into working in the film industry. This project was a runaway success. It ran for three years and won several awards.[14]
She also co-produced the multi-prize winner Dear Frankie and Jonathan's Glazer's Under the Skin (which won 23 awards and received 110 nominations).[15][16]
Berrie has produced several features for first time feature film directors, including David Mackenzie, Colin Kennedy, Andrea Arnold, Morag MacKinnon and Ciaran Foy, as well as numerous additional shorts including the lauded I Love Luci.
Over the years, Berrie co-produced with Denmark's Zentropa many times, including Wilbur (Wants to kill himself), Dogville, Manderlay, Brothers, Dear Wendy, Donkeys and After the Wedding.[17] Her most successful collaboration was Advance Party a fast-track-first-time-director project which included Andrea Arnold’s Red Road which won 6 BAFTAs, 2 BIFAs, the Cannes Prix de Jury, and many other awards.
In 2012 Berrie won ‘Tastemaker of the Year’ at the Scottish Style Awards. Previous winners are James McAvoy, Vivienne Westwood and KT Tunstall.[18]
In 2014 Berrie received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of West of Scotland for her contribution to film, culture and the arts.[19]
From 2014 to 2018 Gillian devoted several years to strategic and intensive lobbying for additional funding and support for the screen sector in Scotland which resulted in the government doubling its investment and the creation of the enormously successful Screen Scotland.[20]
Gillian continues to contribute to the next generation of Scottish film-makers through Short Circuit, which is in its 3rd year and has so far given the first opportunities in film-making to hundreds of new-comers and produced dozens of short films and is developing a number of feature films.[6]
Short Circuit is Scotland's hub for filmmaking talent, supporting the creative and professional development of new and emerging writers, directors, and producers.
Over three years, Short Circuit's film commissioning strand ‘Sharp Shorts’ will award over £400,000 in funding across 27 filmmaking teams, creating opportunities for Scotland's most exciting emerging new screen talent.
‘Sharp Shorts’ has become one of Scotland's most diverse creative initiatives, with an overwhelming majority of female filmmakers as well as significant representation across the LGBTQ+, non-white and disabled communities.
The first batch of short films are screening internationally at festivals such as SXSW, BFI Flare, EIFF, Dinard, LSFF, Berlin, with multiple awards. In particular, Sean Lìonadh's short Too Rough has won 11 awards to date.
The ‘First Features’ strand, with a fund of over £300,000, will support 30 new writers, directors, and producers, enabling Scotland-based filmmakers to take a career-defining step towards making their debut feature.
(First Features supported projects to date: 20, with 5 currently being contracted. We intend to fund an additional 5 projects by Mar 2023).
A broad range of further training and events, including ‘Producer Accelerator’ and ‘Convergence’, will engage with nearly 3,000 filmmakers across Scotland.[5]
Most recently, Berrie exec-produced the critically acclaimed Pilot and 2nd episode of the Disney/ FX series Under the Banner of Heaven for which Andrew Garfield was nominated for an Emmy (2022).[21]
She also produced Taron Egerton's forthcoming feature, Tetris for Apple, release Q1, 2023.
Berrie has just completed her first short, Hunger, as writer and director.
Filmography
edit| Film | Year | Director | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carla's Song | 1996 | Ken Loach | Production Assistant |
| California Sunshine | 1997 | David Mackenzie | Producer, Writer |
| My Name is Joe | 1998 | Ken Loach | Casting Director |
| Orphans | 1998 | Peter Mullan | Production Coordinator |
| Ratcatcher | 1999 | Lynne Ramsay | Casting Director |
| Somersault | 2000 | David Mackenzie | Producer, Writer |
| The Last Great Wilderness | 2002 | David Mackenzie | Producer, Writer |
| Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself | 2002 | Lone Scherfig | Co-Producer |
| Song for a Raggy Boy | 2003 | Aisling Walsh | Co-Producer |
| The Inheritance | 2003 | Per Fly | Co-Producer |
| Young Adam | 2003 | David Mackenzie | Associate Producer |
| Dogville | 2003 | Lars von Trier | Co-Producer |
| Brothers | 2004 | Susanne Bier | Co-Producer |
| Dear Frankie | 2004 | Shona Auerbach | Co-Producer |
| Dear Wendy | 2004 | Thomas Vinterburg | Co-Producer |
| Drabnet | 2005 | Per Fly | Co-Producer |
| Zozo | 2005 | Josef Fares | Co-Producer |
| Manderlay | 2005 | Lars von Trier | Co-Producer |
| The Judge | 2005 | Gert Fredholm | Co-Producer |
| 1:1 | 2006 | Annette K. Olesen | Co-Producer |
| We Shall Overcome | 2006 | Niels Arden Oplev | Co-Producer |
| When Children Play in the Sky | 2006 | Lorenzo Hendel | Producer |
| Red Road | 2006 | Andrea Arnold | Executive Producer |
| After the Wedding | 2006 | Susanne Bier | Co-Producer |
| Dog Altogether | 2007 | Paddy Considine | Executive Producer |
| Hallam Foe | 2007 | David Mackenzie | Producer |
| I Love Luci | 2010 | Colin Kennedy | Executive Producer |
| Donkeys | 2010 | Morag MacKinnon | Producer |
| Perfect Sense | 2011 | David Mackenzie | Producer |
| You Instead | 2011 | David Mackenzie | Producer |
| A Royal Affair | 2012 | Nikolaj Arcel | Co-Producer |
| Citadel | 2012 | Ciaran Foy | Executive Producer |
| Seaview | 2013 | Jane Linfoot | Executive Producer |
| Under the Skin | 2013 | Jonathan Glazer | Co-Producer |
| Starred Up | 2013 | David Mackenzie | Producer |
| Good Souls | 2014 | Elizabeth Randon | Executive Producer |
| Dropping Off Michael | 2015 | Zam Salim | Executive Producer |
| Swung | 2015 | Colin Kennedy | Executive Producer |
| Misgivings | 2016 | Adrian Meade | Executive Producer |
| Ending | 2017 | James Lees | Executive Producer |
| Hush | 2017 | Olaf de Fleur Johannesson | Executive Producer |
| Damnation | 2017 | David Mackenzie | Executive Producer |
| Outlaw King | 2018 | David Mackenzie | Producer |
| Under the Banner of Heaven | 2022 | David Mackenzie | Producer |
| Hunger | 2022 | Gillian Berrie | Director |
| Tetris | 2023 | Jon S. Baird | Producer |
| Fuze | TBA | David Mackenzie | Producer |
Awards
edit| Year | Nominated Work | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | After the Wedding | Best Foreign Language Film of the Year | Nominated |
| 2013 | A Royal Affair | Best Foreign Language Film of the Year | Nominated |
| Year | Nominated Work | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Dear Frankie | Most Promising Newcomer (Shona Auerbach) | Nominated |
| 2007 | Red Road | Most Promising Newcomer (Andrea Arnold) | Won |
| 2008 | Dog Altogether | Best Short Film | Won |
| 2013 | Seaview | Best Short Film | Nominated |
| 2015 | Under the Skin | Best British Film | Nominated |
| Best Original Music (Mica Levi) | Nominated |
| Year | Nominated Work | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | California Sunshine | Best Short Film | Nominated |
| 2002 | Outstanding Achievement Award | Win | |
| 2003 | Young Adam | Best Film | Win |
| Best Director (David Mackenzie) | Win | ||
| Best Actor in a Scottish Film (Ewan McGregor) | Win | ||
| Best Actress in a Scottish Film (Tilda Swinton) | Win | ||
| 2004 | Dear Frankie | Best Director (Shona Auerbach) | Nominated |
| Best First Time Performance (Jack McElhone) | Nominated | ||
| 2006 | Red Road | Best Film | Win |
| Best Director (Andrea Arnold) | Win | ||
| Best Actor in a Scottish Film (Tony Curran) | Win | ||
| Best Actress in a Scottish Film (Kate Dickie) | Win | ||
| Best Screenplay (Andrea Arnold) | Win | ||
| 2007 | Hallam Foe | Best Film | Nominated |
| Best Screenplay | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor (Jamie Bell) | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress (Sophia Myles) | Win | ||
| 2011 | Donkeys | Best Feature Film | Win |
| Best Director (Morag McKinnon) | Nominated | ||
| Best Writer (Colin McLaren) | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor/Actress - Film (James Cosmo) | Win | ||
| Best Actor/Actress - Film (Brian Pettifer) | Nominated | ||
| Audience Award - Favourite Scottish Film | Nominated | ||
| Perfect Sense | Best Feature Film | Nominated | |
| Best Director | Nominated | ||
| Audience Award - Favourite Scottish Film | Nominated | ||
| You Instead | Audience Award - Favourite Scottish Film | Nominated | |
| I Love Luci | Best Short Film | Win | |
| 2012 | Citadel | Best Feature Film | Nominated |
| 2013 | Starred Up | Best Feature Film | Win |
| Best Directing in Film or TV | Win | ||
| Best Actor - Film (Jack O'Connell) | Nominated | ||
| 2015 | Swung | Best Actress - Film (Elena Anaya) | Nominated |
| Best Actress - Film (Elizabeth McGovern) | Nominated | ||
| Dropping Off Michael | Best Short Film | Nominated |
| Year | Nominated Work | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Hallam Foe | Prize of the Guild of German Art House Cinemas | Win |
| Silver Berlin Bear - Best Film Music | Win | ||
| Golden Berlin Bear | Nominated | ||
| 2012 | A Royal Affair | Silver Berlin Bear - Best Actor (Mikel Boe Folsgaard) | Win |
| Silver Berlin Bear - Best Screenplay (Nikolaj Arcel & Rasmus Heisterberg) | Win | ||
| Golden Berlin Bear | Nominated |
| Year | Nominated Work | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Young Adam | Best British Independent Film | Nominated |
| Best Director (David Mackenzie) | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor (Ewan McGregor) | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress (Tilda Swinton) | Nominated | ||
| Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself | Most Promising Newcomer (Jamie Sives) | Nominated | |
| Best Screenplay (Anders Thomas Jensen & Lone Scherfig) | Nominated | ||
| Best Supporting Actor/Actress (Shirley Henderson) | Nominated | ||
| Best Supporting Actor/Actress (Adrian Rawlins) | Nominated | ||
| 2006 | Red Road | Best British Independent Film | Nominated |
| Best Actor (Tony Curran) | Win | ||
| Best Actress (Kate Dickie) | Win | ||
| Best Supporting Actor/Actress (Martin Compston) | Nominated | ||
| Douglas Hickox Award (Andrea Arnold) | Nominated | ||
| 2007 | Hallam Foe | Best British Independent Film | Nominated |
| Best Director (David Mackenzie) | Nominated | ||
| Best Screenplay (David Mackenzie & Ed Whitmore) | Nominated | ||
| Best Technical Achievement (David Mackenzie & Colin Monie for Music) | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor (Jamie Bell) | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress (Sophia Myles) | Nominated | ||
| Dog Altogether | Best British Short | Win | |
| 2011 | You Instead | Best Achievement in Production | Nominated |
| 2013 | Starred Up | Best British Independent Film | Nominated |
| Best Director (David Mackenzie) | Nominated | ||
| Best Screenplay (Jonathan Asser) | Nominated | ||
| Best Achievement in Production | Nominated | ||
| Best Technical Achievement (Shaheen Baig for Casting) | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor (Jack O'Connell) | Nominated | ||
| Best Supporting Actor (Ben Mendelsohn) | Win | ||
| Best Supporting Actor (Rupert Friend) | Nominated | ||
| Under the Skin | Best Director (Jonathan Glazer) | Nominated | |
| Best Technical Achievement (Johnnie Burn for Sound Design) | Nominated | ||
| Best Technical Achievement (Mica Levi for Music) | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress (Scarlett Johansson) | Nominated |
| Year | Nominated Work | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Young Adam | Un Certain Regard | Nominated |
| Dogville | Palme d'Or | Nominated | |
| 2005 | Manderlay | Palme d'Or | Nominated |
| 2006 | Red Road | Jury Prize | Win |
| Palme d'Or | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ "Zara Gillian Berrie personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
- ^ "Gillian Berrie". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
- ^ "Inspiration - Film City Glasgow". Filmcityglasgow.com. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
- ^ "JUMPCUT". Jumpcutfilm.wordpress.com. 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
- ^ a b Dalton, Ben (2020-05-12). "'Screen Scotland, BFI launch £1m talent development programme'". Screendaily.com. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
- ^ a b "About". Short Circuit. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ^ "British Council Film: California Sunshine". film-directory.britishcouncil.org. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ^ "British Council Film: Somersault". film-directory.britishcouncil.org. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ^ My Name Is Joe (1998) - IMDb, retrieved 2022-09-16
- ^ Ratcatcher (1999) - IMDb, retrieved 2022-09-16
- ^ a b Digital, Innovation. "Film City keeps Glasgow in the picture". www.clydewaterfront.com. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ^ "Big Fish Casting". BFI. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ^ Hunter2002-11-26T04:05:00+00:00, Allan. "Late Night Shopping bags BAFTA Scotland award". Screen. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Jumpcut". Film City Futures. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ^ "DEAR FRANKIE". Festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
- ^ "Under The Skin: the making of Scarlett Johansson's alienating new film". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-08-18.
- ^ Martin-Jones, David (2005-09-30). Scotland: Global Cinema: Genres, Modes and Identities. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 9780748686544.
- ^ "Scottish Style Awards - scottish style awards". www.scottishstyleawards.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ^ Scotland, University of the West of. "UWS - University of the West Scotland - Scottish Filmmaker to receive UWS Honorary Doctorate". Uws.ac.uk. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
- ^ "Here's how Scotland's film industry was destroyed – and rescued". The National. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ^ "Apple Boards Taron Egerton-Starring 'Tetris' from 'Stan & Ollie' Director Jon S. Baird, 'Rocketman' Producer Matthew Vaughn". Deadline Hollywood. 19 November 2020.