Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) have just announced a new award, named after the pioneering Scottish artist filmmaker Margaret Tait (1918-1999), for artists working with film and video. Supported by Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Screen and in partnership with LUX, The Margaret Tait Award will recognise artists who are experimental, innovative and who work within film and moving image. The aim of The Margaret Tait Award is to support artists and provide a high profile platform from which to exhibit their work and engage with a wider audience.

The recipient of The Margaret Tait Award will receive a £10,000 commission to make a new work for Glasgow Film Festival 2011 and to tour through LUX. The award is inspired by the wealth of talent emerging from Scotland within this field and aims to raise the profile of the many galleries, curators and arts organisations who support this area of work. It allows Glasgow Film Festival to have a lasting and meaningful impact on the careers of new filmmaking talent, to support new commissions and forge new partnerships across the sector.

Nominations are now sought from the sector, with a deadline of Friday 5 February 2010. Please see the website for nomination procedures. Contact Seonaid Daly directly on info@glasgowfilmfestival.org.uk if you have any questions.

"A unique and underrated filmmaker, nobody like her. Born of the Italian neo-realists, formed of her own Scottish pragmatism, optimism, generosity and experimental spirit, and a clear forerunner of the English experimental directors of the late 20th century. A clear example of, and pioneer of, the poetic tradition, the experimental tradition, the democratic tradition, in the best of risk-taking Scottish cinema." Ali Smith, from www.luxonline.org.uk