MUMBAI: UK Film Council’s New Cinema Fund former Head Lenny Crooks, will  set up a New York-based consultancy service supporting filmmakers working on both sides of the Atlantic.

Crooks says, “I am looking forward to relocating to NYC where I can make use of the extensive industry and talent contacts I have made to bring the most adventurous North American and European independent production and financing organisations together.  I view this time of global realignment as an opportunity for new creative coalitions to challenge the old conventions.  In addition, I can see great opportunities in working with the not-for-profit sector in developing and promoting the work of emerging filmmakers.

“Heading the New Cinema Fund has been a wonderful opportunity to back films and filmmakers in advance of the marketplace and bring their creativity to national and international attention. Instinct, good judgement and an excellent team achieved some breathtaking results,” he adds.

New Cinema Fund backed films won BAFTAs for Best British Film in each of the past three years and international successes have been led by the Best Documentary Oscar for Man on Wire, the Cannes Special Jury Prize for Fish Tank and Oscar nominations for Bright Star and In the Loop.

“The current slate of NCF backed films continues to highlight the strength of British filmmaking talent. Cannes has selected Chatroom for Un Certain Regard, Native Son in the Critics’ Week and Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff for Cannes Classics, and over the next year festivals and audiences will enjoy fantastic films including Peter Mullan’s NEDs, James Marsh’s One of Us and Lynne Ramsay’s We Need to Talk about Kevin,” Crooks said