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Can’t Stop Breathing, a short film made entirely on location in Dumfries & Galloway in September 2004, has been nominated for a UK BAFTA award for ‘Best Short Film', a great accomplishment for local film-maker Amy Neil from New Galloway.

The short film, supported by Scottish Screen and the South West Scotland Screen Commission, now awaits the BAFTA awards ceremony to be held on 12 February at the Odeon, Leicester Square, in central London. The event will be attended by a host of other well-known celebrities and actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

Can’t Stop Breathing is a moving and sensitive film that explores the potentially explosive relationship between a woman suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and her daughter, who is her primary carer. The film also featured Jane Lapotaire, one of the country’s most distinguished actresses. This was Amy’s first attempt at directing and writing her own script.

Mandy Goldie, Locations Assistant for South West Scotland Screen Commission said:

"It’s wonderful news for Amy: she has really worked hard in her career to date. Her talent is attracting attention and she’s now starting to reap rewards for all her efforts. Amy also chose to return to Galloway to shoot this film and so it’s also excellent promotion for the region. Dumfries & Galloway is gaining a great reputation as a place to make short films.”

Celia Stevenson, Head of Corporate Communications at Scottish Screen, said today:

“We are delighted that this new young talent has been deservedly recognised by the BAFTA audiences, and we wish Amy Neil every success. I am sure she is someone that we are going to be hearing a lot more about in the future.”

The South West Scotland Screen Commission is funded by Dumfries & Galloway Council and the European Regional Development Fund, and seeks not only to encourage filming in the region but also helps local talent with training, funding and in-kind support. Amy Neil is a past graduate of a screenwriting course organised by the South West Scotland Screen Commission and taught by local screenwriter Cally Phillips.

The Screen Commission has also supported eight other short film projects since 1999, four of which have won awards. If Can’t Stop Breathing is successful at the event in February this would be another UK BAFTA coup for the region: in 2000, another first-time film-maker from Wigtown, won a UK BAFTA for his short film, Who’s My Favourite Girl?, which then went on to win more awards at film festivals around the world.

It is planned to screen Can’t Stop Breathing at the Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre in the near future.

ENDS

For further information contact:
Mark Geddes, Screen Commissioner
Telephone: 01387 263666 - Fax: 01387 263666
Email: markg@dumgal.gov.uk

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