The 1999 Jury Chair

Chris Auty started his professional career as a film journalist, running the film department of Time Out.  From 1984-85 he was European Editor of The Hollywood Reporter.
In 1985 he left journalism to launch a new UK film distribution company (Oasis), releasing some 45 films over the next five years, as well as acquiring and re-launching two of Britain’s best-known art house cinemas (the Gate in London, and Cameo in Edinburgh). In 1989 he helped finance, and acted as world sales agent for, Peter Greenaway’s THE COOK, THE THIEF, HIS WIFE AND HER LOVER.
From 1991–99, he was Managing Director of Jeremy Thomas’ Recorded Picture Company and served as a producer on several of its films, as well as initiating the creation of RPC’s own international sales company, Hanway.
In 1999, he became a founding Board Member of the UK Film Council – the governing body responsible for all public funding of film in the UK.
From mid 1999, Chris Auty became CEO of the Virgin-backed Film Consortium, a lottery franchise company. In October 2001, Chris also became Chief Executive of the group incorporating The Film Consortium -– The Works Media Group plc (an AIM-listed company). Under his leadership the company developed its international rights business, and in 2005 successfully launched a new UK distribution subsidiary, which subsequently secured a home entertainment output deal with Universal Pictures UK., and has released over 30 films to date.
Having completed the re-structuring of The Works into a distribution-led business, Chris stood down as Chief Executive in mid 2007. He runs and presents a lecture course in business skills, film production, and finance on the National Film School’s MA course; teaches in film at London University; and is working on a film-related new media venture, which is scheduled to launch this year.
Producing / exec producing credits include: STEALING BEAUTY (Bernardo Bertolucci), MY SUMMER OF LOVE (Pavel Pawlikowski), CRASH  (David Cronenberg), BLOOD AND WINE (Bob Rafelson), DUST (Milcho Manchevski), IN THIS WORLD (Michael Winterbottom) COUNTRY OF MY SKULL (John Boorman), BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS (Stephen Fry), RIVER QUEEN (Vincent Ward), THE PROPOSITION (John Hillcoat).

Photo: Yumiko Tahata
Hailing from Edinburgh, Richard Jobson took his first step into the public spotlight aged only 16, as front man for punk band, The Skids from 1979-82, scoring a top ten hit with INTO THE VALLEY in 1979 After a further foray into the music industry with THE ARMOURY SHOW and a stint as a model, Richard made a career presenting music and film programs for Sky television throughout the 1990s. 2003 saw his directorial debut with 16 YEARS OF ALCHOHOL nominated for the Golden Leopard at Locarno, awarded a special commendation at the Edinburgh Film Festival, nominated for two BAFTA Scotland awards and nominated for three British Independent Film awards, winning Best Supporting Actor for Susan Lynch and The Douglas Hickox Award for Best Directorial Debut. His second film THE PURIFIERS played at this year's Raindance Film Festival and is about to go on general release, he is now in production on his latest project A WOMAN IN WINTER.