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James Black

UK group plans film academy in Bahrain

London, May 28, 2012

UK-based Twickenham Film Group is working closely with the Bahrain Economic Development Board and Bahrain Embassy in London to set up a full-fledged film academy and studio facility in the Kingdom.

Announcing this on Monday, James Black, the head of production and executive producer at Twickenham Films, part of the Twickenham Film Group which also includes Oasis Films, the funding arm of the group of companies, said the academy will provide opportunities for talent across the Middle East region, and also aims to attract a number of international film makers to Bahrain.

The academy, which is expected to be operational by the end of 2013, also aims to encourage the development of local film production in the region.

The move comes following the announcement by the Twickenham Film Group at the beginning of May of the company’s intention to establish a presence in Bahrain.

According to Black, the plan to set up an academy of film and a film production facility, was moving swiftly ahead with the backing of the Bahrain Economic Development Board and the Bahrain Embassy in London.

Black said it had met Sheika Zeina Al Khalifa, the deputy head of mission at the Bahrain Embassy in London, regarding the plans for the academy and film studio.

'Sheika Zeina has welcomed the Twickenham Film Group’s plans for establishing a presence in Bahrain, and has offered all the support that the embassy can provide in London,' he stated.

'Once built and open, the proposed academy and film studio facility will not only provide education for Bahrainis and other nationalities with respect to the process of film making, film post-production, television and music production, but will also create employment in Bahrain within these industries,' he added.

Black has confirmed that he is in regular contact with Robert Edge, the business development manager for Europe of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, who is offering his full support to the Twickenham's Bahrain plans.

Consisting of at least four sound stages, administration offices, academy classrooms, dressing rooms and post-production facilities, Black has confirmed that he will be looking for a suitable site of at least 20,000 sq m of land for the academy and studio when he visits Bahrain in the very near future.

Black said he was in talks with Sprung, a construction company with office representation in Bahrain, for the building of a studio complex in the country.

He is also in talks with Paddy Gallagher of the Bahrain International Investment Park for the ideal location for the academy and studio facility.

Following Twickenham Film Group’s original announcement in May this year, Black said the company has been contacted by not only Bahrainis who are interested in working with the film industry, but also the Gulf-based nationals who are already working in film production or interested in becoming part of the industry.-TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Bahrain | London | Bahrain Economic Development Board | UK group | Twickenham Film Group | film academy |

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