Oscar winner to speak in event near Stroud this weekend

Many cinema goers will be familiar with Thelma Schoonmaker’s work - she has edited most of Martin Scorsese’s films including Raging Bull and The Departed, received eight Oscar nominations and won three of them.

In addition, she was married to legendary film director Michael Powell and they shared a house in the village of Avening, near Stroud. 

This autumn Britain celebrates one of filmmaking’s greatest partnerships in the history of cinema, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, in a series of events organised by the British Film Institute, entitled Cinema Unbound.

Introduced to Michael Powell by Martin Scorsese in the 1980s, Thelma will introduce Black Narcissus at Avening  Memorial Hall at 3pm tomorrow, Saturday, November 18 and take part in discussion after the film.

Three-time Oscar winner Thelma Schoonmaker to speak at event near Stroud this weekend (Image: PA News Agency)Derrick McLean of Stroud Film Festival said: "We’re absolutely delighted that such an important figure in the world of cinema, and some-one so closely linked to Powell and Pressburger will contribute to this event.

"Thelma’s work is enormously admired by so many of us and at the same time she’s a link with the world of these two amazing and  influential film makers  who are being celebrated."

Another classic film will be shown as part of the celebration by Stroud Film Festival on Saturday, November 25 -  A Matter of Life and Death,  described by film critic Mark Kermode as  ‘Quite simply, one of the greatest movies ever made’.

Supported by National Lottery and BFI Film Audience Network, more details can be found at www.stroudfilmfestival.org