Mumbai: Acclaimed film and television director Beeban Kidron has joined the UK Film Council’s Board of Directors. The appointment was made by Minister for Culture Margaret Hodge MP and will run for four years from 1 July 2008.

UK Film Council Chairman Stewart Till CBE says, "I’m delighted that Kidron is joining the UK Film Council’s board. With her passion for inspiring young people about film and her work, which spans documentaries through to big budget features, she has a knack of connecting with audiences on many different levels. I’m really pleased because the UK Film Council’s board just keeps getting stronger and stronger."

Kidron is a British film and television director. She has recently directed an adaptation of the 60s memoir Hippie Hippie Shake (currently in post-production) by Richard Neville for Working Title. She came to prominence directing the BBC’s acclaimed film adaptation of Jeanette Winterson’s Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit.

Amongst her feature films are Antonia and Jane, Used People, Swept Away from the Sea, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Kidron’s work includes many documentaries including a recent film Antony Gormley: Making Space and one of her first documentaries was Carry Greenham Home. She has created a website www.yourgreenham.co.uk to celebrate 25 years of the peace camp.

Kidron, says, "The UK Film Council has an important role in shaping the future of the British film industry, which is in itself is an important part of our cultural heritage and export. I am looking forward to joining the other board members under the leadership of Chairman Stewart Till and the CEO John Woodward in developing opportunities for members of the film making community and making sure that our industry thrives and our history is well cared for."