LEADING FILM CRITIC VISITS EDGE HILL

Long standing and highly respected film critic Derek Malcolm visited Lancashire?s Edge Hill College of Higher Education, where he shared with students a snapshot of over 30 years experience of a career in the film business.

The eminent film critic was accompanied by Mostafa Kamal, independent filmmaker, member of the Directors Guild of Great Britain and editor of Fade In film magazine. The film experts met senior staff from Edge Hill?s media and film studies departments, based a the Ormskirk Campus, some of whom have contributed to Fade In, to explore the possibility of collaboration on a new London based film institute and to discuss the likelihood of hosting the next Bangladesh Film Festival.

Derek Malcolm, who was the lead film critic for The Guardian newspaper for over 30 years, is President of the International Film Critics Association and writes widely on international cinema. He is a keen supporter of the Bangladesh Film Festival, organised by Mostafa Kamal, as well as strong advocate of independent filmmaking.

Offering invaluable advice to students on what makes a good film critic and how to break into the business, Derek entertained students and staff with tales of his own career change from steeplechase jockey to journalist.

Anna Claydon, Film Studies Lecturer was delighted to introduce Derek to Edge Hill?s budding film writers, she said: "We were thrilled to receive such an distinguished guest, who amused us all with anecdotes of celebrities like Robert Mitchum and Harrison Ford. Derek passed on some very practical advice to students about writing reviews and securing employment in print media."

Edge Hill is considering the possibility of hosting the next Bangladesh Film Festival, which has been held in East London for the last four years and is the only one of its kind exclusively dedicated to Bangladeshi cinema. Talks are underway to extend the festival to other parts of the UK in particular the North West region and Edge Hill hopes to be the lead venue for the weeklong event devoted to Bengali films. ENDS EDITOR?S NOTES: For further information please contact: Roisin Rowley-Smith PR Manager Tel: 01695 584509 Fax: 01695 584355 E mail: rowlesr@edgehill.ac.uk or pressoffice@edgehill.ac.uk