Anthony Minghella CBE

This year’s jury chair, Anthony Minghella is an acclaimed film director, producer and writer. He is best-known for his Oscar-winning film The English Patient (1996), which he adapted and directed from Michael Ondaatje’s novel. The English Patient won more than 30 international awards, amongst them nine Academy Awards, six BAFTAs, the WGGB Award for Best Screenplay, and the DGA Award for Best Director.
After an academic career, Anthony worked as a playwright, winning the London Theatre Critics’ award for Most Promising Playwright in 1984. Many of his stage plays have been broadcast on radio. His original play, Hang Up won the Prix Italia 1998 and Cigarettes And Chocolates, won the 1989 Giles Cooper Award and the 1989 Sony Award. Anthony has also written extensively for television. He made his feature film debut, directing and writing the critically acclaimed Truly Madly Deeply, which won several awards including a BAFTA. His other film work has included The Talented Mr Ripley, which he adapted from the Patricia Highsmith novel. It was nominated for five Academy Awards and seven BAFTAs.
Since 2000, Anthony Minghella has been joint-owner with Sydney Pollack of Mirage Enterprises. The company has been involved in projects such as Iris and The Quiet American and most recently, Minghella’s latest film, Cold Mountain.