Jeremy Thomas(I)

His father was the film director Ralph Thomas, best known for directing the 'Doctor' film series. His Uncle was Gerald Thomas, director of the "Carry On" film series. Films were part of Jeremy's life since childhood, when holiday were spent on locations or in the studios. From the age of ten, his only ambition was to make films. Originally, he wanted to be a director but ended up as a producer. He started from school, working in the processing labs, then, a year later, he was in the cutting rooms as an assistant, graduating to editor. After helping director Phillipe Mora edit 'Brother Can You Spare a Dime', he went with him to Australia in 1974 and produced his first film, 'Mad Dog Morgan', which Phillipe directed. After two years, he returned to Britain and put together 'The Shout', which won the 'Grand Prix de Jury at Cannes Film Festival. He now found himself on the producing circuit, his output ranging from 'The Great Rock 'n Roll Swindle' to 'Bad Timing' and to 'Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence. In 1985, he set up his own film distribution company, Record Releasing, and took over the Gate Cinema in London's Notting Hill Gate and the Cameo Cinema in Edinburgh. In 1986, he won the Vittorio de Sica prize, while the following year he was invited to be a member of the Cannes Film Festival Jury.