The BBC and Prime Video have announced that the multi-award-winning hit drama The Night Manager will return for two new seasons that will begin filming later this year.
Produced by The Ink Factory in association with Character 7, Demarest Films, and 127 Wall, and in co-production with Spanish partner Nostromo Pictures, the show is inspired by the characters in John le Carré’s best-selling novel.
The new seasons of The Night Manager will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK and, outside of the UK, globally on Prime Video, in a deal negotiated by Fifth Season, which is handling global distribution of the series.
Tom Hiddleston will reprise his iconic role as Jonathan Pine. The second season will pick up with Pine eight years after the explosive finale of season one.
Series creator David Farr will once again write The Night Manager. BAFTA winner Georgi Banks-Davies will direct...
Produced by The Ink Factory in association with Character 7, Demarest Films, and 127 Wall, and in co-production with Spanish partner Nostromo Pictures, the show is inspired by the characters in John le Carré’s best-selling novel.
The new seasons of The Night Manager will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK and, outside of the UK, globally on Prime Video, in a deal negotiated by Fifth Season, which is handling global distribution of the series.
Tom Hiddleston will reprise his iconic role as Jonathan Pine. The second season will pick up with Pine eight years after the explosive finale of season one.
Series creator David Farr will once again write The Night Manager. BAFTA winner Georgi Banks-Davies will direct...
- 4/11/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
“The Night Manager” is returning for two brand-new seasons from the BBC and Prime Video, with Tom Hiddleston reprising his role as Jonathan Pine.
Filming is expected to begin later this year on the revival of the hit drama series, which is inspired by the characters in John le Carré’s bestselling novel of the same name. The new episodes of “The Night Manager” will pick up with Jonathan Pine eight years after the explosive Season 1 finale.
Series creator David Farr will pen the new seasons, with BAFTA winner Georgi Banks-Davies attached to direct all six episodes of Season 2. Stephen Garrett is returning to lead production, and Hugh Laurie will executive produce.
Premiering in 2016, Season 1 of “The Night Manager” won two Emmys and three Golden Globes, including best actor for Hiddleston. It was watched by 10 million viewers in the U.K. alone, making it one of 2016’s most popular shows.
Filming is expected to begin later this year on the revival of the hit drama series, which is inspired by the characters in John le Carré’s bestselling novel of the same name. The new episodes of “The Night Manager” will pick up with Jonathan Pine eight years after the explosive Season 1 finale.
Series creator David Farr will pen the new seasons, with BAFTA winner Georgi Banks-Davies attached to direct all six episodes of Season 2. Stephen Garrett is returning to lead production, and Hugh Laurie will executive produce.
Premiering in 2016, Season 1 of “The Night Manager” won two Emmys and three Golden Globes, including best actor for Hiddleston. It was watched by 10 million viewers in the U.K. alone, making it one of 2016’s most popular shows.
- 4/11/2024
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Amazon and the BBC are teaming to revive the Emmy- and BAFTA-winning thriller The Night Manager, eight years after its initial run.
Tom Hiddleston will reprise his role in the show, which scored a two-season order from the BBC and Amazon’s Prime Video streaming platform. Series creator David Farr is also set to return as writer. Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie, who starred in the first season, will also be executive producers.
The Ink Factory (The Little Drummer Girl, The Pigeon Tunnel) is producing The Night Manager in association with Character 7, Demarest Films and 127 Wall. The series is a co-production with Spain’s Nostromo Pictures. Georgi Banks-Davies (I Hate Suzie, Paper Girls) will direct all six episodes of season two.
“The first series of The Night Manager was one of the most creatively fulfilling projects I have ever worked on,” Hiddleston said in a statement. “The depth, range and complexity of Jonathan Pine was,...
Tom Hiddleston will reprise his role in the show, which scored a two-season order from the BBC and Amazon’s Prime Video streaming platform. Series creator David Farr is also set to return as writer. Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie, who starred in the first season, will also be executive producers.
The Ink Factory (The Little Drummer Girl, The Pigeon Tunnel) is producing The Night Manager in association with Character 7, Demarest Films and 127 Wall. The series is a co-production with Spain’s Nostromo Pictures. Georgi Banks-Davies (I Hate Suzie, Paper Girls) will direct all six episodes of season two.
“The first series of The Night Manager was one of the most creatively fulfilling projects I have ever worked on,” Hiddleston said in a statement. “The depth, range and complexity of Jonathan Pine was,...
- 4/11/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: One year ago we told you that a second season of John le Carré adaptation The Night Manager was quietly being developed under the codename Steelworks.
Now, Deadline can reveal that the BBC and new co-pro partner Amazon have gone big on a supercharged double-season order of the thriller, with Tom Hiddleston returning to lead, Hugh Laurie coming back as EP and with a new director in I Hate Suzie’s Georgi Banks-Davies. David Farr returns as writer and Stephen Garrett is showrunner.
The Night Manager Season 2 will begin filming later this year and will pick up with Hiddleston’s Jonathan Pine eight years after the explosive finale of Season 1, going beyond the original book, which was written by the celebrated British writer in 1993. Additional plot details are being kept under wraps and there is not yet confirmation as to whether EP Laurie’s Richard Roper, who was last...
Now, Deadline can reveal that the BBC and new co-pro partner Amazon have gone big on a supercharged double-season order of the thriller, with Tom Hiddleston returning to lead, Hugh Laurie coming back as EP and with a new director in I Hate Suzie’s Georgi Banks-Davies. David Farr returns as writer and Stephen Garrett is showrunner.
The Night Manager Season 2 will begin filming later this year and will pick up with Hiddleston’s Jonathan Pine eight years after the explosive finale of Season 1, going beyond the original book, which was written by the celebrated British writer in 1993. Additional plot details are being kept under wraps and there is not yet confirmation as to whether EP Laurie’s Richard Roper, who was last...
- 4/11/2024
- by Max Goldbart and Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
After the success of the Indian version of “The Night Manager,” The Ink Factory is planning further Indian adaptations of John le Carré novels.
Produced by The Ink Factory and Banijay Asia, the Hindi-language series created and directed by Sandeep Modi and headlined by Anil Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur, emerged as the most watched series ever across all Hotstar specials on Indian streamer Disney+ Hotstar.
One of the most renowned writers in the espionage genre, le Carré, who died in 2020, left behind a legacy of 25 novels, managed by The Ink Factory. They have spawned numerous adaptations, including an English-language “The Night Manager” from BBC/AMC in 2016.
The Ink Factory executive producer Tessa Inkelaar, who oversees the company’s Asia slate, told Variety, “We are in the process of adapting one, which is in a relatively late stage of adaptation and one, which is at an early stage. We’re...
Produced by The Ink Factory and Banijay Asia, the Hindi-language series created and directed by Sandeep Modi and headlined by Anil Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur, emerged as the most watched series ever across all Hotstar specials on Indian streamer Disney+ Hotstar.
One of the most renowned writers in the espionage genre, le Carré, who died in 2020, left behind a legacy of 25 novels, managed by The Ink Factory. They have spawned numerous adaptations, including an English-language “The Night Manager” from BBC/AMC in 2016.
The Ink Factory executive producer Tessa Inkelaar, who oversees the company’s Asia slate, told Variety, “We are in the process of adapting one, which is in a relatively late stage of adaptation and one, which is at an early stage. We’re...
- 7/18/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The Hindi adaptation of UK mini-series The Night Manager, based on the John Le Carre novel, is shaping up to be one of the most highly-anticipated shows in a busy Indian web series season. Produced by The Ink Factory and Banijay Asia for Disney+ Hotstar, the show is set to start streaming on February 17.
Sandeep Modi, who is on board as director and showrunner of the Hindi version, with Priyanka Ghosh as co-director, has creatively helmed the project and tell Deadline of an ambition is to shoot a second season in India. “I keep joking with Simon [Cornwell, Le Carre’s son and co-ceo of The Ink Factory] that we’ll make season two before you do and you can use that for the English version,” says Modi.
The first adaptation of the novel, for BBC and AMC back in 2016, was a ratings hit and rumors of a second run have continued ever since without an official announcement. Le Carre passed...
Sandeep Modi, who is on board as director and showrunner of the Hindi version, with Priyanka Ghosh as co-director, has creatively helmed the project and tell Deadline of an ambition is to shoot a second season in India. “I keep joking with Simon [Cornwell, Le Carre’s son and co-ceo of The Ink Factory] that we’ll make season two before you do and you can use that for the English version,” says Modi.
The first adaptation of the novel, for BBC and AMC back in 2016, was a ratings hit and rumors of a second run have continued ever since without an official announcement. Le Carre passed...
- 2/9/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Slate includes Korean-language series The Plotters.
The Ink Factory has promoted Michele Wolkoff to creative director and Ian Pence to head of finance and operations.
Wolkoff will oversee the global slate of development and production for the company and is based in the Los Angeles office. Formerly head of film and TV, LA, she takes over from Katherine Butler who stepped down from the role this summer.
Spence reports to The Ink Factory co-ceo and founder Simon Cornwell in London. The company, whose credits include The Night Manager, Fighting With My Family, and The Little Drummer Girl, recently completed a...
The Ink Factory has promoted Michele Wolkoff to creative director and Ian Pence to head of finance and operations.
Wolkoff will oversee the global slate of development and production for the company and is based in the Los Angeles office. Formerly head of film and TV, LA, she takes over from Katherine Butler who stepped down from the role this summer.
Spence reports to The Ink Factory co-ceo and founder Simon Cornwell in London. The company, whose credits include The Night Manager, Fighting With My Family, and The Little Drummer Girl, recently completed a...
- 9/28/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Alibaba co-founder Joe Tsai and business partner Arthur Wang are facilitating the expansion into Asia of London and Los Angeles-based independent studio The Ink Factory.
The Ink Factory has previously delivered adaptations of author John le Carré’s novels including “The Night Manager” and the “The Little Drummer Girl.” It is currently working on a series adaptation of “The Spy Who Came in From the Cold.”
Already working on an Indian adaptation of “The Night Manager,” the company’s expansion plan calls for the establishment of a slate of le Carré works in major Asia markets and a platform for other creators in Asia. It will also provide slate funding.
The Asian initiative is led by The Ink Factory’s executive producer Tessa Inkelaar with the support and collaboration of Tsai and Wang’s Hong Kong- and London-based media investment firm 127 Wall Productions.
127 Wall previously operated a slate financing...
The Ink Factory has previously delivered adaptations of author John le Carré’s novels including “The Night Manager” and the “The Little Drummer Girl.” It is currently working on a series adaptation of “The Spy Who Came in From the Cold.”
Already working on an Indian adaptation of “The Night Manager,” the company’s expansion plan calls for the establishment of a slate of le Carré works in major Asia markets and a platform for other creators in Asia. It will also provide slate funding.
The Asian initiative is led by The Ink Factory’s executive producer Tessa Inkelaar with the support and collaboration of Tsai and Wang’s Hong Kong- and London-based media investment firm 127 Wall Productions.
127 Wall previously operated a slate financing...
- 11/8/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has acquired rights to Bombay Rose, Gitanjali Rao’s animated film that last year became the first Indian animated pic to open Venice Critics Week. The streaming service will release the film globally (excluding China) in the fourth quarter of this year, with a bow in France to follow in 2021.
Written and directed by Rao, the plot of the visually stunning, hand-painted pic centers on a young club dancer named Kamala (voiced by Cyli Khare) living in the streets of Bombay who, escaping from child marriage, must choose between fending for her family and finding love with a boy named Salim ( Amit Deondi) orphaned by the militancy. A red rose brings together three tales of impossible loves: Love between a Hindu girl and a Muslim boy, love between two women, and love of an entire city for its Bollywood stars. The voice cast also includes Gargi Shitole and Makrand Deshpande.
Written and directed by Rao, the plot of the visually stunning, hand-painted pic centers on a young club dancer named Kamala (voiced by Cyli Khare) living in the streets of Bombay who, escaping from child marriage, must choose between fending for her family and finding love with a boy named Salim ( Amit Deondi) orphaned by the militancy. A red rose brings together three tales of impossible loves: Love between a Hindu girl and a Muslim boy, love between two women, and love of an entire city for its Bollywood stars. The voice cast also includes Gargi Shitole and Makrand Deshpande.
- 7/16/2020
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Film4 director Daniel Battsek is the industry ambassador this year.
Senior executives from Film4, Playtime and eOne are among the participants in the 2019 edition of Inside Pictures, the international business training and leadership skills development programme from the UK’s National Film and TV School (Nfts).
Among the 20 participants are Frédérique Rouault, director of international sales at French sales agent Playtime; Samanta Roberts, marketing director, film at eOne Spain; and two representatives from Film4 – senior legal and business affairs manager Don McNicholl, and marketing and distribution manager Hannah Saunders.
Daniel Battsek, director of Film4, is the industry ambassador for the programme.
Senior executives from Film4, Playtime and eOne are among the participants in the 2019 edition of Inside Pictures, the international business training and leadership skills development programme from the UK’s National Film and TV School (Nfts).
Among the 20 participants are Frédérique Rouault, director of international sales at French sales agent Playtime; Samanta Roberts, marketing director, film at eOne Spain; and two representatives from Film4 – senior legal and business affairs manager Don McNicholl, and marketing and distribution manager Hannah Saunders.
Daniel Battsek, director of Film4, is the industry ambassador for the programme.
- 4/26/2019
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: India’s Cinestaan Film Company has hired Film London execs Deborah Sathe and Tessa Inkelaar and Madrid-based sales agent Marina Fuentes to head up its ambitious new international division.
Sathe has been appointed Cinestaan director of international operations, with Inkelaar as vice president – international development, and Fuentes as director of international sales & acquisitions.
Cinestaan, a boutique studio spanning film, TV and digital operations, was launched by Mumbai Mantra chief Rohit Khattar in 2014 with backing from Indian tycoon Anand Mahindra.
Currently head of talent development and production for Film London, Sathe will move to the new division, Cinestaan International, at the end of May, while Inkelaar has already left her post as Film London development producer. Fuentes previously headed Spanish sales agent 6 Sales, which she recently merged with Simon Crowe’s Sc Films, closing the Madrid office.
Remaining in London and Madrid, the trio will be working with Indian and international talent on a slate of features...
Sathe has been appointed Cinestaan director of international operations, with Inkelaar as vice president – international development, and Fuentes as director of international sales & acquisitions.
Cinestaan, a boutique studio spanning film, TV and digital operations, was launched by Mumbai Mantra chief Rohit Khattar in 2014 with backing from Indian tycoon Anand Mahindra.
Currently head of talent development and production for Film London, Sathe will move to the new division, Cinestaan International, at the end of May, while Inkelaar has already left her post as Film London development producer. Fuentes previously headed Spanish sales agent 6 Sales, which she recently merged with Simon Crowe’s Sc Films, closing the Madrid office.
Remaining in London and Madrid, the trio will be working with Indian and international talent on a slate of features...
- 4/18/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: India’s Cinestaan Film Company has hired Film London execs Deborah Sathe and Tessa Inkelaar and Madrid-based sales agent Marina Fuentes to head up its ambitious new international division.
Sathe has been appointed Cinestaan director of international operations, with Inkelaar as vice president – international development, and Fuentes as director of international sales & acquisitions.
Cinestaan, a boutique studio spanning film, TV and digital operations, was launched by Mumbai Mantra chief Rohit Khattar in 2014 with backing from Indian tycoon Anand Mahindra.
Currently head of head of talent development and production for Film London, Sathe will move to the new division, Cinestaan International, at the end of May, while Inkelaar has already left her post as Film London development producer. Fuentes previously headed Spanish sales agent 6 Sales, which she recently merged with Simon Crowe’s Sc Films, closing the Madrid office.
Remaining in London and Madrid, the trio will be working with Indian and international talent on a slate...
Sathe has been appointed Cinestaan director of international operations, with Inkelaar as vice president – international development, and Fuentes as director of international sales & acquisitions.
Cinestaan, a boutique studio spanning film, TV and digital operations, was launched by Mumbai Mantra chief Rohit Khattar in 2014 with backing from Indian tycoon Anand Mahindra.
Currently head of head of talent development and production for Film London, Sathe will move to the new division, Cinestaan International, at the end of May, while Inkelaar has already left her post as Film London development producer. Fuentes previously headed Spanish sales agent 6 Sales, which she recently merged with Simon Crowe’s Sc Films, closing the Madrid office.
Remaining in London and Madrid, the trio will be working with Indian and international talent on a slate...
- 4/18/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: £2.2m earmarked for new projects, Olivier Kaempfer joins team.
The BFI has joined Microwave founding partners Film London and BBC Films for the next iteration of the low-budget production initiative behind Sundance hit Lilting and Eran Creevy’s debut Shifty.
The trio has earmarked £2.2m for the next round of its Microwave scheme, which will now offer development funding to all shortlisted filmmakers and further development grants of up to £10k for advancing films.
The scheme is due to produce up to six features over three years with production budgets of £150k. £100k will come from Microwave, £50k from the film’s producers. Completed films will have access to an additional £25k of P&A funding.
The extended development programme, supported by Creative Skillset, will develop and train up to 36 filmmaking teams. It will also see the return of Microschool, the intensive five day training ‘bootcamp’.
Olivier Kaempfer, who produced previous Microwave title Borrowed Time and executive...
The BFI has joined Microwave founding partners Film London and BBC Films for the next iteration of the low-budget production initiative behind Sundance hit Lilting and Eran Creevy’s debut Shifty.
The trio has earmarked £2.2m for the next round of its Microwave scheme, which will now offer development funding to all shortlisted filmmakers and further development grants of up to £10k for advancing films.
The scheme is due to produce up to six features over three years with production budgets of £150k. £100k will come from Microwave, £50k from the film’s producers. Completed films will have access to an additional £25k of P&A funding.
The extended development programme, supported by Creative Skillset, will develop and train up to 36 filmmaking teams. It will also see the return of Microschool, the intensive five day training ‘bootcamp’.
Olivier Kaempfer, who produced previous Microwave title Borrowed Time and executive...
- 5/19/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Film London announces Lilting, the latest project from Film London Microwave, will be distributed by Curzon Film World’s Artificial Eye in the UK with Protagonist Pictures to manage international sales. A striking feature debut from director Hong Khaou with an all-star cast led by Ben Whishaw (Skyfall, Cloud Atlas) and Cheng Pei Pei (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon), Lilting explores love without a common language.
Written and directed by Khaou and produced by Dominic Buchanan, Lilting is the eighth film from the successful feature film fund Film London Microwave. Alongside Whishaw and Pei Pei, the film also stars Peter Bowles (Blow-Up, The Bank Job), Morven Christie (House of 9, The Young Victoria) and Andrew Leung (The List).
As part of Film London Microwave’s mentorship component, award-winning film-maker Michael Winterbottom acted as writer/director Khaou’s mentor, while producer Buchanan received guidance and support from his mentor Ken Marshall, the producer of London to Brighton, Filth and Song for Marion.
Curzon Film World’s Artificial Eye is known for its discerning taste in the best of European and world cinema. The label has released more winners of the Cannes Palme d'Or than any other UK distributor, with titles including The Class (2008) and The White Ribbon (2009).
Commercially-minded and creatively-spirited Protagonist Pictures is an international sales company committed to strong relationships with film-makers. Recent highlights in their catalogue include Searching for Sugar Man, Sightseers, The Imposter and Microwave’s Shifty. This year at Cannes they represent The Selfish Giant by Clio Barnard, screening in Directors’ Fortnight, and in the Critics’ Week, Paul Wright’s debut feature For Those In Peril.
Lilting tells the story of a Chinese mother (Pei Pei) as she grieves for her son (Leung) following his untimely death. He was her eyes and ears in the UK, their adopted country, and without him she is stranded. The only person left is his lover (Whishaw) – who she knows only as his flat mate. Together they are forced to overcome their differences and unite in sorrow whilst struggling against the absence of a shared language. An intimate and thoughtful film, Lilting addresses overcoming cultural and generational boundaries, the power of memory, and the lifelines and relationships formed in the face of grief.
Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission, said: “Lilting is a moving cinematic achievement and I am delighted that it will reach UK audiences through Curzon Film World and that Protagonist will be managing international sales. It is a testament to Microwave’s innovative approach to film-making that its projects attract high-calibre talent and prestigious commercial distributors and sales agents. The scheme’s successful track record is also a result of the Microwave team, who are integral to nurturing and guiding all our film-makers. I am proud to see another Microwave feature proving itself in the commercial marketplace and hope this is only the start of Lilting’s success.”
Louisa Dent, Managing Director of Curzon Film World said: "When we read the script, it was clear that this was something special. There is an emotional urgency that is compelling and honest. Hong is a real emerging talent and his short films marked him out. We knew that the Microwave/Film London team would be great partners on this and with a quality cast it seemed liked a perfect fit for us.”
Mike Goodridge, CEO of Protagonist Pictures said: “I had admired Hong's shorts so it was with great excitement that I watched his first feature Lilting. But Hong exceeds expectations: the film is an accomplished and mature portrait of love and loss, graced by two extraordinary lead performances. The whole Protagonist team was knocked out by it and we are confident it will be embraced by distributors around the world.”
Funded by Film London Microwave, additional finance came from production companies Stink Films and Andy Brunskill’s recently launched Sums Film and Media Ltd., supported by financier/producer Bob & Co, Lim Kay Sui and Neo Swee Lin.
Film London Microwave is a unique training-through-production scheme delivered in partnership with BBC Films and with support from Creative Skillset. Challenging London-based film-makers to shoot a feature film for up to £120,000, Film London Microwave enables talent to thrive in a limited budget with its integrated training programme which offers crucial guidance and mentoring throughout the film-making process.
The Film London Microwave team is made up of Creative Producer Mia Bays, who also acts as the Distribution/Marketing Consultant and Mike Kelly, Business and Finance Producer, alongside Film London’s Talent Development Manager Kevin Dolan and Development and Production Officer Tessa Inkelaar. Film London will soon be appointing a new Head of Talent Development and Production, who will head up the Microwave team.
Encompassing training and development from script to screen and beyond, Film London Microwave has enjoyed excellent results. Last year saw the successful UK theatrical releases of Ben Drew’s iLL Manors, released by Revolver, and Frances Lea’s Strawberry Fields, released through Soda Pictures’ New British Cinema Quarterly programme. Other films produced through the scheme include the BAFTA-nominated Shifty, award-winning horror Mum & Dad, documentary The British Guide to Showing Off, teen drama Freestyle and the yet to be release Borrowed Time which was awarded Best in Fest at the 2012 Edinburgh International Film Festival.
About Film London Microwave
Launched in 2006, Microwave is the acclaimed micro-budget feature film scheme set up by Film London with BBC Films, with support from Creative Skillset. Committed to discovering and investing in emerging London-based film-makers, Microwave backs talented teams with fresh voices and strong stories. A unique ‘apprenticeship’ scheme, it provides an intensive approach to film-making with the emphasis on original ideas, tightly focussed scripts and short production schedules. Film-makers are supported by an extensive training and mentoring programme from development, through production, all the way to the film’s release in the UK and internationally.
In pre production:
Seekers Written by Arinze Kene, directed by Nicole Volavka and produced by Rob Watson.
A thriller set in the world of London's underclass. An African single mother finds new happiness with Jean-Baptiste, a refugee from Rwanda, and their struggle to survive in the big city eases. But a chance sighting of a ghost from the past exposes long buried traumas, which puts their lives in danger and everything they have is threatened.
Completed features:
Mum & Dad (2008) Directed & written by Steven Sheil and produced by Lisa Trnovski. Released Boxing Day 2008 in the UK and Mother’s Day 2009 in North America courtesy of Revolver Entertainment
Shifty (2008) Directed & written by Eran Creevy and produced by Rory Aitken and Ben Pugh. Released on 24 April 2009 in the UK courtesy of Metrodome Distribution. Shifty received a BAFTA nomination for the Carl Foreman Award (Best Debut) in 2010 and 5 Bifa nominations in 2008
Freestyle (2009) a teen romance based around the world of freestyle basketball, directed by Kolton Lee and produced by Lincia Daniel. Released in London and key cities by Revolver in February 2010 and became the first Microwave film to receive a theatrical release in the Us through Phase 4
The British Guide to Showing Off, director Jes Benstock’s Alternative Miss World documentary produced by Dorigen Hammond. Distributed by Verve Pictures in autumn 2011
Strawberry Fields, directed by Frances Lea and produced by Liam Beatty and Lucie Wenigerova, is an intense rites of passage film bursting with energy, sex and humour set during a perfect English summer. It received its World Premiere at the 55th BFI London Film Festival and released by Soda Pictures on 6 July
iLL Manors, written and directed by Ben Drew and produced by Atif Ghani
A unique crime thriller set on the unforgiving streets of London, following six disparate lives, all struggling to survive the circles of violence that engulf them. Released by Revolver on 8 June 2012
Borrowed Time, a bittersweet comedy about growing up and rediscovering youth, written and directed by Jules Bishop and produced by Olivier Kaempfer, starring Philip Davis, Theo Barklem-Biggs and Perry Benson. The film received its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in June 2012 and is set for release in 2013.
Lilting Written and directed by Hong Khaou and produced by Dominic Buchanan
Starring Ben Whishaw and Cheng Pei Pei, Lilting is an intimate and thoughtful film about communication, falling in love and forming relationships without a common language. A mother’s attempt at understanding who her son is after his untimely death, her emotions are stirred up by presence of his partner.
The Film London Microwave team includes Kevin Dolan, Talent Development Manager, Tessa Inkelaar, Development and Production Officer, Creative Producer Mia Bays, who also acts as the Distribution/Marketing Consultant, and Mike Kelly, Business and Finance Producer.
About Film London
Film London, as the capital’s film and media agency, aims to ensure London has a thriving film sector that enriches the city’s businesses and its people. The agency works with all the screen industries to sustain, promote and develop London as a major international production and film cultural capital, and it supports the development of the city’s new and emerging film-making talent. Film London is funded by the Mayor of London, the National Lottery through the BFI, and receives significant support from Arts Council England and Creative Skillset.
About BBC Films
BBC Films is the feature filmmaking arm of the BBC. It aims to make strong British films with range and ambition, bringing the best of British talent to audiences. BBC Films is firmly established at the forefront of British independent filmmaking and co-produces around eight films a year, working in partnership with major international and UK distributors. Christine Langan is the Head of BBC Films, responsible for the development and production slate, strategy and business operations.
Recent releases include Sally Potter’s reflection on troubled friendship Ginger and Rosa currently in cinemas, Ol Parker’s teen romance Now is Good, Fernando Meirelles’ stylish and contemporary drama 360, James Marsh’s heart-wrenching thriller Shadow Dancer, Julien Temple’s documentary feature London – The Modern Babylon, Lasse Hallström’s romantic comedy Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Max and Dania’s kinetic 3D film StreetDance 2, Ralph Fiennes’ contemporary Shakespeare adaptation Coriolanus, Simon Curtis’ comedy drama My Week with Marilyn, Nick Murphy’s supernatural mystery The Awakening, Lynne Ramsay’s adaptation of the Winner for the Orange Prize for Fiction We Need to Talk About Kevin, David Mackenzie’s romantic thriller Perfect Sense, Cary Fukunaga’s modern retelling of Jane Eyre, and James Marsh’s moving documentary Project Nim.
Forthcoming films include Mike Newell’s sumptuous Dickens classic Great Expectations in cinemas 30 November and Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut, the wickedly comic Quartet, which will be in cinemas 4 January 2013, and in March Terri Hooley biopic Good Vibrations from directors Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn will feature in cinemas. Also set for a Spring release is Nick Murphy’s gripping thriller Blood.
BBC Films has an impressive back catalogue, which includes titles such as Nigel Cole’s Made in Dagenham, Lone Scherfig’s Academy Award® nominated and BAFTA award-winning An Education; Armando Iannucci’s Academy Award® and BAFTA award-nominated In the Loop; Jane Campion’s Academy Award®nominated Bright Star; and Andrea Arnold’s BAFTA award-winning Fish Tank.
Twitter @BBCFilms...
Written and directed by Khaou and produced by Dominic Buchanan, Lilting is the eighth film from the successful feature film fund Film London Microwave. Alongside Whishaw and Pei Pei, the film also stars Peter Bowles (Blow-Up, The Bank Job), Morven Christie (House of 9, The Young Victoria) and Andrew Leung (The List).
As part of Film London Microwave’s mentorship component, award-winning film-maker Michael Winterbottom acted as writer/director Khaou’s mentor, while producer Buchanan received guidance and support from his mentor Ken Marshall, the producer of London to Brighton, Filth and Song for Marion.
Curzon Film World’s Artificial Eye is known for its discerning taste in the best of European and world cinema. The label has released more winners of the Cannes Palme d'Or than any other UK distributor, with titles including The Class (2008) and The White Ribbon (2009).
Commercially-minded and creatively-spirited Protagonist Pictures is an international sales company committed to strong relationships with film-makers. Recent highlights in their catalogue include Searching for Sugar Man, Sightseers, The Imposter and Microwave’s Shifty. This year at Cannes they represent The Selfish Giant by Clio Barnard, screening in Directors’ Fortnight, and in the Critics’ Week, Paul Wright’s debut feature For Those In Peril.
Lilting tells the story of a Chinese mother (Pei Pei) as she grieves for her son (Leung) following his untimely death. He was her eyes and ears in the UK, their adopted country, and without him she is stranded. The only person left is his lover (Whishaw) – who she knows only as his flat mate. Together they are forced to overcome their differences and unite in sorrow whilst struggling against the absence of a shared language. An intimate and thoughtful film, Lilting addresses overcoming cultural and generational boundaries, the power of memory, and the lifelines and relationships formed in the face of grief.
Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission, said: “Lilting is a moving cinematic achievement and I am delighted that it will reach UK audiences through Curzon Film World and that Protagonist will be managing international sales. It is a testament to Microwave’s innovative approach to film-making that its projects attract high-calibre talent and prestigious commercial distributors and sales agents. The scheme’s successful track record is also a result of the Microwave team, who are integral to nurturing and guiding all our film-makers. I am proud to see another Microwave feature proving itself in the commercial marketplace and hope this is only the start of Lilting’s success.”
Louisa Dent, Managing Director of Curzon Film World said: "When we read the script, it was clear that this was something special. There is an emotional urgency that is compelling and honest. Hong is a real emerging talent and his short films marked him out. We knew that the Microwave/Film London team would be great partners on this and with a quality cast it seemed liked a perfect fit for us.”
Mike Goodridge, CEO of Protagonist Pictures said: “I had admired Hong's shorts so it was with great excitement that I watched his first feature Lilting. But Hong exceeds expectations: the film is an accomplished and mature portrait of love and loss, graced by two extraordinary lead performances. The whole Protagonist team was knocked out by it and we are confident it will be embraced by distributors around the world.”
Funded by Film London Microwave, additional finance came from production companies Stink Films and Andy Brunskill’s recently launched Sums Film and Media Ltd., supported by financier/producer Bob & Co, Lim Kay Sui and Neo Swee Lin.
Film London Microwave is a unique training-through-production scheme delivered in partnership with BBC Films and with support from Creative Skillset. Challenging London-based film-makers to shoot a feature film for up to £120,000, Film London Microwave enables talent to thrive in a limited budget with its integrated training programme which offers crucial guidance and mentoring throughout the film-making process.
The Film London Microwave team is made up of Creative Producer Mia Bays, who also acts as the Distribution/Marketing Consultant and Mike Kelly, Business and Finance Producer, alongside Film London’s Talent Development Manager Kevin Dolan and Development and Production Officer Tessa Inkelaar. Film London will soon be appointing a new Head of Talent Development and Production, who will head up the Microwave team.
Encompassing training and development from script to screen and beyond, Film London Microwave has enjoyed excellent results. Last year saw the successful UK theatrical releases of Ben Drew’s iLL Manors, released by Revolver, and Frances Lea’s Strawberry Fields, released through Soda Pictures’ New British Cinema Quarterly programme. Other films produced through the scheme include the BAFTA-nominated Shifty, award-winning horror Mum & Dad, documentary The British Guide to Showing Off, teen drama Freestyle and the yet to be release Borrowed Time which was awarded Best in Fest at the 2012 Edinburgh International Film Festival.
About Film London Microwave
Launched in 2006, Microwave is the acclaimed micro-budget feature film scheme set up by Film London with BBC Films, with support from Creative Skillset. Committed to discovering and investing in emerging London-based film-makers, Microwave backs talented teams with fresh voices and strong stories. A unique ‘apprenticeship’ scheme, it provides an intensive approach to film-making with the emphasis on original ideas, tightly focussed scripts and short production schedules. Film-makers are supported by an extensive training and mentoring programme from development, through production, all the way to the film’s release in the UK and internationally.
In pre production:
Seekers Written by Arinze Kene, directed by Nicole Volavka and produced by Rob Watson.
A thriller set in the world of London's underclass. An African single mother finds new happiness with Jean-Baptiste, a refugee from Rwanda, and their struggle to survive in the big city eases. But a chance sighting of a ghost from the past exposes long buried traumas, which puts their lives in danger and everything they have is threatened.
Completed features:
Mum & Dad (2008) Directed & written by Steven Sheil and produced by Lisa Trnovski. Released Boxing Day 2008 in the UK and Mother’s Day 2009 in North America courtesy of Revolver Entertainment
Shifty (2008) Directed & written by Eran Creevy and produced by Rory Aitken and Ben Pugh. Released on 24 April 2009 in the UK courtesy of Metrodome Distribution. Shifty received a BAFTA nomination for the Carl Foreman Award (Best Debut) in 2010 and 5 Bifa nominations in 2008
Freestyle (2009) a teen romance based around the world of freestyle basketball, directed by Kolton Lee and produced by Lincia Daniel. Released in London and key cities by Revolver in February 2010 and became the first Microwave film to receive a theatrical release in the Us through Phase 4
The British Guide to Showing Off, director Jes Benstock’s Alternative Miss World documentary produced by Dorigen Hammond. Distributed by Verve Pictures in autumn 2011
Strawberry Fields, directed by Frances Lea and produced by Liam Beatty and Lucie Wenigerova, is an intense rites of passage film bursting with energy, sex and humour set during a perfect English summer. It received its World Premiere at the 55th BFI London Film Festival and released by Soda Pictures on 6 July
iLL Manors, written and directed by Ben Drew and produced by Atif Ghani
A unique crime thriller set on the unforgiving streets of London, following six disparate lives, all struggling to survive the circles of violence that engulf them. Released by Revolver on 8 June 2012
Borrowed Time, a bittersweet comedy about growing up and rediscovering youth, written and directed by Jules Bishop and produced by Olivier Kaempfer, starring Philip Davis, Theo Barklem-Biggs and Perry Benson. The film received its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in June 2012 and is set for release in 2013.
Lilting Written and directed by Hong Khaou and produced by Dominic Buchanan
Starring Ben Whishaw and Cheng Pei Pei, Lilting is an intimate and thoughtful film about communication, falling in love and forming relationships without a common language. A mother’s attempt at understanding who her son is after his untimely death, her emotions are stirred up by presence of his partner.
The Film London Microwave team includes Kevin Dolan, Talent Development Manager, Tessa Inkelaar, Development and Production Officer, Creative Producer Mia Bays, who also acts as the Distribution/Marketing Consultant, and Mike Kelly, Business and Finance Producer.
About Film London
Film London, as the capital’s film and media agency, aims to ensure London has a thriving film sector that enriches the city’s businesses and its people. The agency works with all the screen industries to sustain, promote and develop London as a major international production and film cultural capital, and it supports the development of the city’s new and emerging film-making talent. Film London is funded by the Mayor of London, the National Lottery through the BFI, and receives significant support from Arts Council England and Creative Skillset.
About BBC Films
BBC Films is the feature filmmaking arm of the BBC. It aims to make strong British films with range and ambition, bringing the best of British talent to audiences. BBC Films is firmly established at the forefront of British independent filmmaking and co-produces around eight films a year, working in partnership with major international and UK distributors. Christine Langan is the Head of BBC Films, responsible for the development and production slate, strategy and business operations.
Recent releases include Sally Potter’s reflection on troubled friendship Ginger and Rosa currently in cinemas, Ol Parker’s teen romance Now is Good, Fernando Meirelles’ stylish and contemporary drama 360, James Marsh’s heart-wrenching thriller Shadow Dancer, Julien Temple’s documentary feature London – The Modern Babylon, Lasse Hallström’s romantic comedy Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Max and Dania’s kinetic 3D film StreetDance 2, Ralph Fiennes’ contemporary Shakespeare adaptation Coriolanus, Simon Curtis’ comedy drama My Week with Marilyn, Nick Murphy’s supernatural mystery The Awakening, Lynne Ramsay’s adaptation of the Winner for the Orange Prize for Fiction We Need to Talk About Kevin, David Mackenzie’s romantic thriller Perfect Sense, Cary Fukunaga’s modern retelling of Jane Eyre, and James Marsh’s moving documentary Project Nim.
Forthcoming films include Mike Newell’s sumptuous Dickens classic Great Expectations in cinemas 30 November and Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut, the wickedly comic Quartet, which will be in cinemas 4 January 2013, and in March Terri Hooley biopic Good Vibrations from directors Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn will feature in cinemas. Also set for a Spring release is Nick Murphy’s gripping thriller Blood.
BBC Films has an impressive back catalogue, which includes titles such as Nigel Cole’s Made in Dagenham, Lone Scherfig’s Academy Award® nominated and BAFTA award-winning An Education; Armando Iannucci’s Academy Award® and BAFTA award-nominated In the Loop; Jane Campion’s Academy Award®nominated Bright Star; and Andrea Arnold’s BAFTA award-winning Fish Tank.
Twitter @BBCFilms...
- 5/27/2013
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
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