Latest from Film4 Team

Our partners at StudioCanal have announced today that they will co-finance See-Saw Films’ Macbeth. Directed by Justin Kurzel (Snowtown) and starring Michael Fassbender (Shame) & Oscar Winner Natalie Portman (Black Swan). Academy Award Winner Iain Canning and Emile Sherman of See-Saw Films (The King’s Speech, Shame) will produce.

Pre-Production will commence at the end of the year with principal photography in the UK in January 2014. See-Saw have developed the project alongside Film4, who will co-finance the production with StudioCanal. StudioCanal will distribute Macbeth in the UK, France & Germany and are handling International Sales, which will commence at the Cannes market.

StudioCanal Chairman and CEO Olivier Courson said “We are very pleased to be financing Macbeth which deftly brings contemporary themes to an iconic story. Justin Kurzel is a rare and distinct talent all of us at StudioCanal have admired for some time and are happy to be able to accompany him in this film. We are also thrilled to be working with the great producing team at See-Saw who have brought together such wonderful talent including Michael Fassbender and Natalie Portman. We look forward to distributing the film in our European territories and commencing international sales this coming week at Cannes”

Iain Canning and Emile Sherman add “StudioCanal and Film4 are the perfect partners for us on Macbeth, having responded so quickly and passionately to the material. Like us, they are committed to Justin Kurzel’s energetic and modern themed take on a timeless story. With Michael Fassbender and Natalie Portman, we have two of the finest actors of their generation, playing two of the most celebrated roles of all time. We couldn’t be more excited.”

Tessa Ross, Head of Film4, comments “We’re delighted to be partnering with our great colleagues at See-Saw and at StudioCanal on this wonderful project. Justin is an exceptional director and the prospect of his visceral and urgent work, together with the work of these two extraordinary performers, is very exciting.”

Macbeth is the story of a fearless warrior and inspiring leader brought low by ambition and desire. A thrilling interpretation of the dramatic realities of the times and a truthful reimagining of what wartime must have really been like for one of Shakespeare’s most famous and compelling characters, a story of all-consuming passion and ambition set in war-torn 11th Century Scotland.

We’re incredibly excited to announce that Ben Wheatley’s A Field in England will be the first ever UK film released simultaneously in cinemas, on DVD, on freeview TV and on VoD on Friday 5th July, as Film4, Picturehouse and 4DVD partner for a groundbreaking day-and-date release with support from the BFI

The team at Film4 towers are pleased and proud to be able to report that Ben Wheatley’s A Field in England – the first feature film commissioned by Film4.0 – will be the first ever film to be released in UK cinemas, on freeview TV, on DVD and on Video-on-Demand on the same day – with Film4, Picturehouse Entertainment, 4DVD and Film4 Channel partnering for this innovative watch-it-where-you-want experiment on Friday 5th July.  The film is one of the first to receive funding from the BFI’s New Models Distribution Fund strand, which was recently set up to support experimental and ambitious release models.

The unique release will give audiences and fans of Ben’s previous films (Down Terrace, Kill List, Sightseers) the choice of how and where to experience his brilliant new psychedelic trip into magic and madness – whether it’s amidst an audience in the cinema, followed by a satellite Q&A with Ben and the cast; delving into multiple extras on a special edition DVD; from the comfort of the sofa showcased with a director’s intro and interview on TV; or the freedom to watch when they want on VoD.  Particularly intrepid film fans can also follow in the footsteps of the film’s characters, with screenings planned in a field (or few) in England across the summer.

A Field in England is the first feature to be developed and fully financed through our innovation hub Film4.0, and was conceived as a film which would be funded, shot, edited and distributed in a way that challenges traditional models and sets out to break the mould. A digital masterclass designed to immerse audiences in the making of the film will also launch around release, developed by Film4.0 in partnership with the filmmakers.  Through behind-the-scenes interviews, on-set videos, and unseen rushes, Ben Wheatley, cast and key crew will take the audience on a unique journey through the creative choices that determined the final cut.

Ben Wheatley says: “It’s great to team up with Film4 to make this film and to work with new partners such as Picturehouse and 4DVD. We have tried to innovate with this film, in production and distribution. I’m very proud of the results and look forward to sharing the film with the audience.”

Anna Higgs, Film4.0 Commissioning Editor, says: “From the word go, A Field in England was a hugely original idea – you’d expect no less from Ben and Amy – so we wanted to build the project with the team in a way that was true to that. The film is a really exciting next step in the progression of Ben’s work as a director and will be something the likes of which a whole generation of audiences won’t have ever seen.  I’m incredibly pleased we’ve formed this innovative partnership to take this brilliant film out to them in a truly ground-breaking way.”

Sue Bruce-Smith, Film4’s Head of Commercial and Brand Strategy, says: “Ben is undoubtedly one of our boldest, brightest and most audience savvy filmmakers and so it made complete sense to look to develop a project with him that would lend itself to this kind of daring and innovative release. We’re lucky to have found in Picturehouse Entertainment, 4DVD, the Film4 channel and BFI partners who share our vision to disrupt the status quo and experiment with new distribution patterns, to create this exciting event style release.”

Clare Binns, Director of Programming and Acquisitions, says: “We’re proud to have an intimate understanding of our audience, as are Film4, which is what makes this collaboration so exciting. Our eagerness to explore and experiment with new platforms of distribution in an evolving film landscape makes us all the more thrilled to be able to get this innovative film out there to the audience it so readily deserves. Ben Wheatley is a genuinely unique British talent and we could not be happier to be working with him on this film.”

A Field in England is written by Amy Jump and produced by Claire Jones and Andy Starke at Rook Films, with Anna Higgs Executive Producer for Film4.

 

Update: in response to some reader queries – yes, the film will be available on BluRay too.

 

Channel 4 have teamed up with director Shane Meadows, The Stone Roses and Picturehouse to offer their registered viewers the exclusive chance to win a selection of once in a lifetime, money-can’t-buy Stone Roses prizes via its dedicated The Stone Roses website to celebrate the release of the highly anticipated Film4-funded documentary, The Stone Roses: Made Of Stone.

The website goes live today and is open exclusively to registered viewers, who will need to show their knowledge of The Stone Roses by answering a multiple choice The Stone Roses related question to be in with a chance of winning one of the following prizes:

- 10 pairs of tickets to Channel 4’s ‘Ultimate Stone Roses Day’ which includes a private screening of the film at the broadcaster’s cinema followed by the legendary band’s hotly anticipated sold out gig in Finsbury Park.
- A pair of VIP tickets to the film’s sold out, world premiere in Manchester on Thursday 30^th May, with hotel accommodation.
- 30 pairs of tickets to UK regional screenings of the premiere which is being satellite linked to over 100 Picturehouse cinemas across the UK on Thursday 30^th May.

Viewers of the site can also browse a visually engaging, multimedia timeline which scrapbooks key pictures and events in this era-defining band’s at times turbulent history. Never-before-seen images sit alongside classic album covers, helping fans re-live the glory, the despair and everything in between, from The Stone Roses early gigs, first chart success, the iconic Spike Island performance, tragic split, diverse solo projects – and finally the glorious reunion.

The competition closes on Friday 17^th May.

The Stone Roses: Made Of Stone was fully financed by Film4 and 4DVD and was produced by Warp Films, and will be released in the UK on 5th June 2013.

We’re chuffed to bits to announce Paul Wright’s For Those in Peril and Clio Barnard’s The Selfish Giant, two Film4-backed British films, have been selected for this year’s Cannes film festival

For Those in Peril, Paul Wright’s debut feature following his BAFTA-winning short Until the River Runs Red, will screen in competition in Critics’ Week, whilst Clio Barnard’s The Selfish Giant, the follow-up to her critically-acclaimed The Arbor, has been selected for Directors’ Fortnight.

Tessa Ross, Head of Film4, says: “We’re absolutely thrilled for Clio and Paul that their wonderful work has been recognised by the festival.  Both are visionary filmmakers who have produced beautifully realised films and we can’t wait for audiences to discover them in Cannes.”

For Those In Peril (pictured above)

In For Those In Peril, Aaron, a young misfit in a remote Scottish community, is the lone survivor of a strange fishing accident that claimed the lives of five men including his older brother. Spurred on by sea-going folklore and local superstition, the village blames him for this tragedy, making him an outcast amongst his own people. Steadfastly refusing to believe that his brother is dead, and possessed by grief, madness and magic, Aaron sets out to recover him… For Those in Peril is produced by Mary Burke and Polly Stokes and is a Warp X Production with support from BFI, Film4 and Creative Scotland in association with Screen Yorkshire.  Exec Producers are Robin Gutch, Robbie Allen, Katherine Butler, Lizzie Francke, Mark Herbert and Hugo Heppell.

The Selfish Giant

The Selfish Giant is a contemporary fable about 13 year old Arbor and his best friend Swifty . Excluded from school, and outsiders in their own neighbourhood, the two boys meet Kitten, a local scrapdealer – the Selfish Giant.  They begin collecting scrap metal for him using a horse and cart.  Swifty has a natural gift with horses while Arbor emulates Kitten – keen to impress him and make some money. However, Kitten favours Swifty, leaving Arbor feeling hurt and excluded, driving a wedge between the boys.  Arbor becomes increasingly greedy and exploitative, becoming more like Kitten. Tensions build, leading to a tragic event, which transforms them all… The Selfish Giant is produced by Tracy O’Riordan and is a Moonspun Films Production, with support from BFI and Film4.  Executive Producers are Katherine Butler and Lizzie Francke. International sales are being handled by Protagonist Pictures on both titles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ‘Save Our Scripts’ (SOS) Development Lab has launched its third edition with new partners – script submissions are open now

Run by The Bureau, SOS is searching for emerging writers and producers for the 7 month programme during which writers will develop a feature length screenplay and producers will fast track their development experience. Creative Skillset continues its support of the training, whilst SOS welcomes new partnerships with the London Film School, 3 Mills Studios, and the Genova-Liguria Film Commission.

The programme is searching for emerging writers with confident, singular voices, and producers with clear ambition who want to build on their development skills, and is built around three workshops one of which will be a residential in Genova. During the programme the writers will develop a feature length screenplay from a short outline, with the ongoing support of the SOS mentors, and their fellow participants. The producers will partake in the final two workshops, and through seminars, group discussions and project specific work, will learn a range of development skills and approaches.

SOS is based on the value of shared experience. This begins with the course mentors, but continues amongst the participants themselves, and from the programme’s exceptional guest speakers.

The programme mentors are Valentina Brazzini who is responsible for development and talent tracking at The Bureau, Tristan Goligher the producer of Weekend and currently the Executive Producer of iFeatures2, and finally Matthieu de Braconier co-producer of London River and formerly executive producer of the prestigious Cinema Extreme short film scheme.

Past speakers include Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire), Joe Penhall (The Road), Hanif Kureishi (Venus), Thomas Bidegain and Pascal Caucheteux (A Prophet), and Michel Reilhac (Arte).

 

 DEADLINES

The call opens on 18th March 2013.

Early Bird deadline: 19th April

Late Deadline: 10th May (a fee of £20 is charged to apply after the early bird deadline)

Click here to find out more