Projects

Synopsis

After the death of their father three children and the family's donkeys are chased across the backbone of Northern England, confronting both the harsh landscapes and what it means to be siblings. It's a throwback to classic children's adventure films but with a modern aesthetic.

Synopsis

Animated fabric brings the story of a lingerie factory in Manchester to life. Silk, cotton and lace go under the camera, as the workers recount the history of Headen & Quarmby, the UK garment manufacturing industry, and British family traditions of making. A specially composed soundtrack by Swedish composer Malin Bång, inspired by sounds of sewing machinery, evokes the ups and downs of the factory.

Synopsis

One day a humble fisherman catches an enchanted fish. Can the fish help him, and his wife improve their lot? THE FLOUNDER is an adaptation of the Brothers Grimm tale ‘The Fisherman and his Wife’, with painted animation by Elizabeth Hobbs and an original score by composer Carola Bauckholt.

Synopsis

Based on the hugely popular web series, following roommates Red Guy, Yellow Guy, and Duck, who live simple and repetitive lives in the complacent technicolour community of Clayhill… until the town’s mayor disappears, and everything descends into utter chaos. Official Selection Sundance Film Festival 2019 - Indie Episodic Shorts Program - World premiere

Synopsis

Reformed gangster and former wrestler Ricky, his wife Julia, daughter Saraya and son Zak make a living performing in tiny venues across the UK. Ricky and Julia want a better life for their children and when brother and sister get the chance to audition for the WWE, it seems the family dream is coming true and all their troubles will be solved. However, Saraya and Zak are about to learn that becoming a WWE superstar demands more than they ever imagined possible as athletes and siblings. Based on the true-life story of the Norwich wrestler “Rowdy” Ricky Knight and his wrestling family. Official Selection Sundance Film Festival 2019 - Surprise Film - World premiere

Synopsis

Dave is at a crossroads in his life. Recently dumped and with his aspirations of heavy metal stardom fading away, the eternal man-child is forced to crash on his sister’s sofa. However, things look up when he meets the effervescent Miss Caroline, his 5-year-old nephew’s favourite teacher. Desperate to spend time with the object of his affection, Dave signs up to chaperone a school trip to the local petting zoo. But when the neighbouring military base accidentally unleashes a hoard of zombies upon the unsuspecting farmyard, Dave, Miss Caroline and their miniature posse must join forces to keep the flesh-eating army at bay... Official Selection Sundance Film Festival 2019 - World premiere Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2019 - Thrill Strand

Synopsis

A visionary, innovator and originator who defied categorization and embodied the word cool: a foray into the life and career of musical and cultural icon Miles Davis. Using words from Miles Davis' autobiography, this film offers an incisive insight into our understanding of the legendary musician. Newly released archival material, alongside interviews with pre-eminent historians and personal friends like Quincy Jones, illustrate a man of intensity and devotion to his craft. Despite the indignities of America during the time of segregation, nothing was going to stop Davis from realising his dream: to create a new form of musical expression. Davis worked like a physicist with his collaborators to push musical experimentation and widen the tones and lyricism of jazz - the effects of which are felt to this day. Delving into his past loves, personal relationships and addictions, a clearer portrait of Davis the man emerges. Davis is fearless and engaging throughout, and his intellectual fervor is only tempered by his insecurities. Director Stanley Nelson’s epic biopic collects the strands of a creative life and weaves them together for us to understand one of the great modern American artists like never before. Official Selection Sundance Film Festival 2019 - Documentary Premieres - World premiere Official Selection Hot Docs 2019 - Special Presentations Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2019 - Create Strand

Synopsis

When allegations of sexual abuse by Michael Jackson involving young boys surfaced in 1993, many found it hard to believe that the King of Pop could be guilty of such unspeakable acts. In separate but parallel stories, James Safechuck (10) and Wade Robson (7) were each befriended by Jackson, who invited them into his singular, fairy-tale world as his career reached its peak. Their families were unaware of the manipulation and abuse he would subject the boys to over a period of years. Through gut-wrenching interviews with the now-adult men and their families, LEAVING NEVERLAND crafts a portrait of sustained exploitation, deception and the complicated feelings that led both men to confront their abuse only once they each had had a young son of their own. Playing out against the backdrop of our collective experience, the film documents the value of breaking a long-held silence, even when it implicates a powerful, revered figure. Official Selection Sundance Film Festival 2019 - Special Events programme - World premiere

Synopsis

Laura and Tyler, best friends and drinking buddies, whose hedonistic existence falls under the creeping horror of adulthood when Laura gets engaged to Jim – an ambitious pianist who surprisingly decides to go teetotal. Laura and Tyler are soulmates. Thirty-something best friends and revellers residing in Dublin, they are ingrained in the fabric of each other’s lives; dating, partying, drinking and living their life without limitations. American ex-pat, Tyler – a siren of drugs, alcohol and debauchery – lures aspiring writer, Laura, away from her long overdue novel as well as her new beau, the irresistibly handsome Jim. A tee-total classical pianist, Jim is the antithesis of Tyler and the world she and Laura inhabit, and with his presence the girls’ hedonistic double act finds itself in jeopardy. While Tyler wants to keep the party going, Laura, buoyed by Jim’s restraint and stability, starts to emerge from her years of partying, searching for her place in the world. Caught between desires – youth and adulthood, her old self and her future self – Laura impulsively gets engaged to Jim, knocking Tyler for a loop. Bereft at the thought of losing of her partner in crime, Tyler spies a chance to rock the boat of the “perfect” life Laura can see on the horizon, but in doing so inadvertently helps Laura find a new unexpected path to independence. At once both a celebration of female friendship and an examination the choices we make when facing a crossroad, ANIMALS is an honest, funny, edgy, unconventional and bittersweet snapshot of modern women. Official Selection Sundance Film Festival 2019 - Premieres - World premiere

Synopsis

1987. When music fanatic Javed discovers the illustrious back catalogue of Bruce Springsteen his world is turned upside down; already a creative soul his passion for music and writing is set alight by the songs of the working-class poet, whose lyrics feel all too familiar to the aspirational teenager. Yearning to escape his rundown hometown and the rules of his traditional Pakistani household, Javed finds himself caught in between two worlds and must discover if he too is 'Born to Run…' Based on the memoir of lauded Guardian journalist Sarfraz Manzoor, this timely coming of age story proves that the right song has the capacity to transcend race, religion and place, tap into our hearts and help us discover who we really are. Official Selection Sundance Film Festival 2019 - Premieres - World premiere

Synopsis

Jade is a young mother in the prime of her life when an acid attack leaves her severely burned. While her face has been reconstructed, her beauty is lost beneath the scars. On a self-destructive path with her relationships crumbling, Jade must take drastic action to reclaim her life. Official Selection International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2019 - Voices - World premiere Official Selection Sundance Film Festival 2019 - World Cinema Dramatic Competition

Synopsis

A story of enduring love between Leonard Cohen and his Norwegian muse Marianne Ihlen. The film follows their relationship from the early days on the idyllic Greek island of Hydra in 1960 as part of a bohemian community of foreign artists, writers, and musicians, a time of ‘free love’ and open marriage; observing how their love evolved when Leonard became a successful musician. Official Selection Sundance Film Festival 2019 - Documentary Premieres - World premiere