BAFTA and EE recognise local heroes for their love of film

Dan Ellis and Iain MacColl have today been announced as the winners of BAFTA and EE’s inaugural ‘For the Love of Film’ competition. Launched in December, ‘For the Love of Film’ aims to recognise individuals from across the country that have done something amazing simply ‘For the Love of Film’. Amongst a host of prizes, including an overnight stay and dinner at The Savoy hotel, winners will join BAFTA and EE at the country’s biggest celebration of film, the EE British Academy Film Awards on Sunday 10th February.

People across the UK were encouraged to submit applications on behalf of friends or family who they felt should be recognised for their contribution to film. Hundreds of applications and testimonials were received and considered by a panel of industry experts including Edith Bowman and BBC Radio 1’s Ali Plumb, and chaired by Andrew Orr from the BAFTA film committee.

Andrew Orr of the BAFTA film committee said: “Iain stood out due to his long service and the wide-reaching impact of Screen Machine which has ensured that the cinematic experience is available to communities across the Highlands and Islands.  Dan has gone above and beyond in his work at Jam Jar Cinema and has shown the importance of cinema to a local community.  I was awed by their commitment to cinema and delighted that BAFTA is recognising their amazing work.”

Dan Ellis is the Founder and Managing Director of Jam Jar Cinema in Whitley Bay, Newcastle. Jam Jar Cinema was born out of Dan’s desire to bring cinema back to a British seaside resort. Named after the historic Tyneside tradition of being able to get into the pictures with a Jam Jar, it was established as a social enterprise to be affordable and to help bring about change to the town.

Iain MacColl is the Senior Operator of the Screen Machine, the UK’s only fulltime, self-contained mobile cinema, serving over 40 communities across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Iain has been with the service since it was launched in 1998, and his total dedication has ensured that the Screen Machine continues to visit many of Scotland’s smallest and hardest to reach communities, including some 20 islands across the Hebrides and Orkney, bringing the latest blockbusters and arthouse films, projected to the highest technical standards. The majority of Screen Machine’s funding is from Creative Scotland.