Projects with status: Complete

Synopsis

The official documentary about maverick Manchester comedian Frank Sidebottom, and the life and art of his hidden creator Chris Sievey. Frank Sidebottom, remembered fondly as the man with the papier-mâché head, was the court jester of the Manchester music and comedy scene for over 25 years, but only a privileged few knew the man inside. BEING FRANK tells a twisted tale of split personalities – a suburban superhero with a fanatical desire to preserve the myth he created, and eventually having to battle against being consumed by his alter ego.
Drawing on unique archive footage of Chris and Frank, sourced from Sievey's own extensive archive of Super 8 film, VHS tapes and DVDs, a heartbreaking and hilarious look at what it takes to be a true artist.
Official Selection SXSW Film Festival 2018 - World premiere

Synopsis

In this adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy, both the staging and the interpretation of this classic play are radically reinvigorated for a contemporary audience. In a godless world of moral relativism, we follow Macbeth’s inner journey from his position as an assured warrior hero, to his nadir as a bereft, lonely, insecure and guilt-ridden king. Driven by his ambition, which he attempts to justify by a desperate appeal to supernatural signs and influences, Macbeth finally recognises his personal culpability, casts aside his self-excusing acts of self-deception, and dies bravely and defiantly, bleakly aware of the fragility of his own humanity.

Shakespeare's genius encompasses a deft and fluid ability to weave complex poetic threads that bind together the outer material story, and the inner psychological narrative.

We have created sequences of cinematic poetry to work in sympathetic engagement with the actual poetry at such moments – not just summoning the Shakespearean imagery in newly visualised form but allowing the stream of Shakespearean imagery to suggest other directions of travel for the film’s account of Macbeth’s inner world. Our film language is as dexterous, fluid and imaginative as the spoken language is at such moments.

Synopsis

Gillian, a wanna-be-author, is pressured to move beyond her meandering writing career and get a more stable job. She decides to mount a 'Shakespeare by the Sea' festival, an ambitious plan that could have tricky ramifications for her marriage.
Official Selection SXSW Film Festival 2018 - Visions - World premiere

Synopsis

Newlywed Elizabeth arrives with her brilliant scientist husband Henry to his magnificent estate, where he wows her with lavish dinners and a dazzling tour of the property. The house staff Claire and Oliver treat her deferentially but she can't shake the feeling something is off. Henry explains that everything in his world now belongs to her, all is for her to play in - all except for a locked-off room he forbids her from entering. When he goes away for business Elizabeth decides to investigate and finds she may not be who she thinks she is at all.
A science fiction reimagining of the French folktale 'Bluebeard'.
Official Selection SXSW Film Festival 2018 - Visions - World premeire

Synopsis

Jess is super excited to attend her step-sister’s wedding and truly become part of the family, but after only recently finding out about her existence, her step-family are less than delighted about her presence on the big day.
Official Selection SXSW Film Festival 2018 - Narrative Shorts Competition - World premiere
BIFA Awards 2018 - Winner Best British Short Film

Synopsis

They are known as myths, lore, and folktales. Created to give logic to mankind's darkest fears, these stories laid the foundation for what we now know as the horror genre.
A feature-length anthology film with parts directed by eight of today’s most talented genre filmmakers from around the world, each contributing a short film about a myth from their country, and all stitched together to make one feature film. 'The Field Guide to Evil' is the follow-up from the creators of the cult classic 'ABCs of Death' series.
Official Selection SXSW Film Festival 2018 - Midnighters - World premiere

Synopsis

Sam looks forward to happy family life with girlfriend Jennifer and rediscovered teenage son Mark. Complications ensue when best friend Jonathan meets an early demise. Unfazed by Sam’s decision to bury Jonathan in their herb patch mystic lodgers Trevor and Tracey hatch a plan to reanimate Jonathan, a fact unknown to Sam who now struggles to hold onto Jennifer and avoid encounters with the police fuelled by nosey neighbour Mrs Burd. With twists and turns at every corner this ZomCom love story gives a new meaning to the concept of survival.

Synopsis

A drama centred on three people: Sarah is a barista who finds the love of her life in Mark. Her mother Barbara depends on Mark to keep her in Sarah’s life while resenting her daughter’s deep love for him. When severely traumatised by the sudden death of Mark Sarah’s relationship with her mother finally cracks. Now faced with losing her struggle to cope Sarah feels Mark’s presence return.
Based on true events, the story of a love that transcends this realm and the strength of human character in survival.

Synopsis

Documenting Ghanaian housing activist Dora Boatemah and the Angell Town community in Brixton, London fighting for better housing conditions. Central to Boatemah's work was the right of tenants to vote on the future of their own estates. Dora died in 2001 at the age of 43.
Official Selection Rotterdam International Film Festival 2018 - World premiere

Synopsis

Meet Marty, a young man dealing with life, loss & love…oh & he has OCD.
As the walls of Marty’s mind begin to close in on him & his “perfect” day, we realise the subconscious sacrifices he makes to keep his anxiety at bay.

Synopsis

Three young women reflect on adolescence as a period marked by loss of ‘voice’ and the struggle between competing desires for autonomy and connection.

Synopsis

A dreamscape story of a discovering faith, guidance and strength beneath the waters.