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Celebrated filmmaker returns to º£½ÇÖ±²¥ to share career insight

Acclaimed film director, writer and producer Franc Roddam will return to º£½ÇÖ±²¥ to share exclusive insight into his career journey, which took him from our region to Hollywood.

Franc, who was born and raised in Norton, is behind some of the best-known moments in British popular culture, including iconic film Quadrophenia and hugely successful television series Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. Audience members can go behind the scenes with Franc, as he talks about his work at the next In Conversation event at º£½ÇÖ±²¥ on Thursday, 20 June, from 6.30pm to 8.00pm at The Hub, Students’ Union.

Franc, who received an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from º£½ÇÖ±²¥ in 2019, originally spent time working in the region’s shipyards before switching to a career in the arts.

His first feature film, Quadrophenia, which he directed and co-wrote in 1979, was named by the New York Times as one of the 1000 best films ever made. Other films directed by Franc include K2, Aria, Lords of Discipline and War Party.

Franc was also behind the creation of hugely popular television shows such as Masterchef, which is shown in 150 countries, along with drama series, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, which has just celebrated its 40th anniversary.

He also created and produced successful television series Making Out, and Harry, and directed the award-winning drama Dummy, which won the prestigious Prix Italia Drama Prize. He directed the US mini-series Moby Dick and Cleopatra, which was nominated for both Emmys and Golden Globes. Franc has won awards for his BBC documentaries, Mini and The Family.

Franc continues to maintain links with his native º£½ÇÖ±²¥ and helps others to follow in his footsteps through the Franc Roddam Scholarship, which offers support to talented º£½ÇÖ±²¥ students seeking to embark on careers in the creative industries.

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