Antonia Bird dies at 54

Tributes paid to Ravenous director.

by Jennie Kermode

The film and theatre director Antonia Bird has died at the age of 54 from anaplastic thyroid cancer. Also known for her television work, she was much admired for her intense, realistic films, including Priest, Mad Love and Face, for which she won a BAFTA. She also worked extensively in television, making her mark in series like Casualty.

Best known internationally for Ravenous, Bird worked extensively with Robert Carlyle, with whom she, Mark Cousins and Irvine Welsh set up the production company 4-Way Film. The actor has described her as one of his closest friends and paid tribute to her on Twitter, saying: "Such a sad day today. RIP Antonia Bird. Farewell my beautiful friend."

Share this with others on...
News

An unexpected friendship Sean Pecknold on bringing a neighbourhood to life in Tennis, Oranges

'Movies give you the energy to give time to time' Vivianne Perelmuter and Isabelle Ingold on their open approach to New Beginnings

Uncertain waters Justin Anderson on unpredictability, the influence of Buñuel, and Swimming Home

Finding a balance Kelly Anderson on Industry City and Sunset Park in Emergent City

Lynne Ramsay and Kirsten Stewart back on the Croisette Cannes organisers add titles to the final mix as opening night looms

More news and features

We're bringing you news, reviews and more from Fantaspoa and Queer East.



We're looking forward to Cannes.



We've recently brought you coverage of Visions du Réel, the Overlook Film Festival, BFI Flare, the Glasgow Short Film Festival, South by Southwest, the Glasgow Film Festival, the Berlinale, Sundance, Palm Springs and DOC NYC.



Read our full for more.


Visit our festivals section.

Interact

More competitions coming soon.