Projects with status: Post-production, Pre-production

Synopsis

Manchester, the present. Michael divides his time between the job centre and the pub. A chance meeting with Lee, and an introduction to her ‘Uncle’ Ian, and a heavy night on the lash, lead to a job working the door at a Northern Quarter massage parlour. After witnessing the violent death of one of the ‘punts’, Michael experiences blood-drenched flashbacks and feels himself being sucked into a twilight world that he doesn’t understand but that is irresistibly attractive. When he eventually finds out what goes on in the room below Cloud 9, Michael’s life will never be the same again. “Think Bret Easton Ellis. On a writing break in the north of England. And all he packed was Fight Club and some early Stephen King novels."

Synopsis

Thirteen years of war. Dozens of car bombings every month. One goal: to become an Olympic champion. The true story of grit and determination, of young men literally fighting for their lives one day on the battlefields of Iraq and competing to fight for their Nation the next. Despite living under the persistent threat of ISIS, these athletes will strive to accomplish their task. This film documents the amazing journey of the Iraq National Team from obscurity and desperation to the edge of an historical qualification to Rio 2016. Will private Waheed be able to manage his army duty with his desire to go to the Games? Is young Jafaar ready to aspire to the Olympic stage he has been dreaming of, despite living in the most dangerous suburb in the world? Will promising heavyweight Saadi come back from his mission to liberate Falluja? Will Iraq finally be a peaceful country?

Synopsis

Bobbi Johnson is a young literary sensation facing her difficult second novel. Already dealing with a crazed stalker and her junkie ex-boyfriend, Bobbi is convinced by her publisher to use new smart editing software and finds herself going head-to-head with an artificial intelligence determined to write her book for her. As the machine manipulates her work to suit its own nefarious ends, Bobbi begins to realise that she is being controlled in ways far more sinister than she suspected. She may, in fact, be a pawn in a conspiracy of social mind control. Too far down the rabbit hole to turn back, Bobbi must keep writing, fighting her own addictions and hallucinations as she rushes to beat her deadline without selling her soul in the process and becoming a cog in a monstrous machine.

Synopsis

John Finch (Christian McKay, 'Me And Orson Welles'), is a renowned classical musician who has abandoned his marriage and career and fled to his holiday home in Provence, South of France to start a new life. Whilst waiting for the arrival of his younger lover, Sophia (Charlotte Vega), he makes the acquaintance of a mysterious young man, Peter (Harry Macqueen) who is passing through the small village John now calls home. Who Peter is and what he discovers will ultimately threaten to destroy all of their lives forever. A beautiful but devastating tale of tangled love and memory. A contemporary romantic tragedy. The film is the joint directorial debut of both Christian McKay (also lead actor) and Ben Hecking (also cinematographer).

Synopsis

Following the unique story of the Alali family during their struggle to migrate from Syria into the safety of Europe, alongside other stories of the people travelling through the main 'migrant routes' into northern Europe. Filmed over a year, across ten countries, the film intimately documents the dangers of illegal migration, the conditions of refugee camps, and bureaucracy associated with re-unification.

Synopsis

Mike, a young American traveller in his early twenties arrives at an airport in Spain, to meet his best friend Casey, who traveled ahead. After travelling over dusty terrain to a bar in a sweltering, isolated village, Mike meets a mysterious, beautiful Spanish woman, Lucia. With no sign of Casey, Mike goes back to Lucia's house sitting on the edge of the town, where he starts showing the effects of mild sunstroke. However, the next day, with no word from Casey, Mike tries to leave, but Lucia is resistant and convinces him to stay a little longer. The next morning, a disturbed Mike slips out of bed quietly, leaving the house just before dawn. Taking a wrong turn Mike gets lost and realises he is being followed. In blind panic, he runs, but this ultimately leaves him needing Lucia's help once more. Eventually, he discovers what has happened to his friend Casey. The full horror proves to be more disturbing than anyone could have ever imagined.

Synopsis

Bad memories always find you. A disturbed single mother must confront a mysterious stranger to protect her home.

Synopsis

Charlotte Lockton has settled in 1860s New Zealand with her wealthy husband, David. But her life’s dreams are shattered when he is murdered on their farm and her baby son is kidnapped. A month after paying a ransom, frustrated with the apathy of the authorities and distrusting of her staff, she decides to track him down on her own. And so begins her journey through the wilds of an untamed New Zealand. She is forced to join a convoy of whores, ex-cons and a Maori warrior heading for the rough mining community of Goldtown. There she meets Joshua McCullen, the owner of the mining town: a man who is key to uncovering the truth behind the disappearance of her son, forcing her to fight to the death for what she holds most dear.

Synopsis

Since their leader Petran died, the Guild of Dream Finders have been timid, and their ancient craft has fallen into disrepute. Petran's son Antyr, young, grief stricken and only part trained, could not begin to fill the vacuum left by his father. Increasingly he has become a bitter spectator, with neither the cynicism to become rich by pandering to the whims of the wealthy, nor the courage to offer them his skills honestly and without fear. His nightly visits to the alehouse have resulted in a dwindling of his customers, and the quarrels with his strange Companion have grown increasingly unpleasant. Then mysteriously one night, Antyr is taken to Duke Ibris of the City of Serenstad, who has been troubled by mystifying and unsettling dreams. It is the beginning of a journey that leads inexorably to a terrible confrontation with a malevolent blind man possessed of a fearful otherworldly sight, and Ivaroth, a warrior chief determined to conquer the Duke's land and all beyond...

Synopsis

iFeatures 2016/17 Development Project A sci-fi comedy set in Burnley, about a woman who rebuilds herself as an indestructible cyborg to cope with life as a single mum. Setting: Burnley

Synopsis

iFeatures 2016/17 Development Project A shy twenty-year-old tries to make sense of himself, yet the one thing he wants, is the only thing holding him back. Setting: Swindon

Synopsis

iFeatures 2016/17 Development Project An anime graphic novelist and a cosplay webcam girl form a bizarre online relationship during their fleeting stay in a Birmingham apartment block. Setting: Birmingham