Rose Garnett has been appointed as the new Director of BBC Films following a short stint at rival British broadcaster, producer and distributor Film4.
Garnett moved to Film4 in 2013 as Head of Development and was promoted to Head of Creative in 2015 where she spearheaded a number of releases including Lenny Abrahamson’s Oscar winning hit ‘Room’ (2015). She will replace the recently departed Christine Langan whose next destination will be Steve Coogan’s Baby Cow Productions.
Garnett’s appointment puts an end to Commisioning Executive Joe Oppenheimer’s short stint as temporary director of the film production sector of the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Film4 Director Daniel Battsek was supportive of Garnett’s progression, issuing the following statement:
“Her appointment is testament to her acclaimed work and the strength of Film4….Although I’m very sad to see Rose go, she is leaving us with a great forthcoming slate and an incredibly talented creative team.”
Amongst the slate set up by Garnett at Film4 was the hotly anticipated third movie from ‘In Bruges’ and ‘Seven Psychopaths’ director Martin McDonagh titled ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’, as well as the next film on ‘The Lobster’ director Yorgos Lanthimos’s slate, titled ‘The Favourite’.
The BBC’s Director of Content said that Garnett “has an impressive track record in the U.K. film industry and brings bundles of experience and passion to the role… She has a reputation for taking risks and developing new talent, and is known for working with some of the most distinctive voices.”
BBC Films are coming off a reasonably successful 2016, where I, Daniel Blake became a critical darling and won a number of important awards in the UK and Europe, while A United Kingdom was also well received at the Box Office.
