The first official trailer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is out and fans get the first glimpse of the stellar cast Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Evangeline Lily, Andy Serkis and Richard Armitage

The first installment in Peter Jackson’s two-part adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings prequel is set for release in December 2012

“The Hobbit” follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakensheild. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.

Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever … Gollum.

Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities … A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.

LONDON, Thursday 26th May 2011: Film4, Channel 4 Television’s feature film division, has announced the appointment of Piers Wenger to the role of Senior Commissioning Executive. Wenger, currently Head of Drama, BBC Wales, will take up his new post at a date to be confirmed.

His arrival marks an expansion of the existing commissioning team; he will report to Channel 4’s Controller of Film and Drama, Tessa Ross.

Commenting on the appointment, Tessa Ross said:‘‘I’m delighted to welcome Piers to the team. He is a hugely talented executive who will bring to Film4 real vision at a time when we are embarking on an exciting new phase in our development.’

Piers Wenger added: “It is with great sadness that I say goodbye to Doctor Who and BBC Wales, and all of the extraordinary people who work on its shows. But Film4’s output, with its ethos of encouraging film-makers to produce their most authored and original work, could not be closer to my heart and so it’s with huge excitement and a great sense of privilege that I take up this role.”

Since 2008, Piers Wenger has overseen and executive produced the hugely successful creative regeneration of Doctor Who under lead writer Steven Moffat, launching a new Doctor, the first to be BAFTA-nominated for the role, and overseeing the rapid expansion of the show around the world.

During his three year tenure, he has broadened and expanded the slate of drama productions at BBC Wales, to include Eric & Ernie, co-executive produced with Victoria Wood, which won the writer and leading actor BAFTAs at the 2011 Awards, Christopher and His Kind, Kevin Elyot’s account of Christopher Isherwood’s Berlin years with Matt Smith in the lead role and Upstairs Downstairs written by Heidi Thomas. He is currently working on the much-anticipated adaptation of Ford Madox Ford’s masterpiece, Parade’s End, written by Sir Tom Stoppard as well as Punchdrunk’s latest theatrical production The Crash of the Elysium which will premiere at the Manchester International Festival later this year.

For more information: http://www.film4.com/productions

Friday 6th May 2011: Film4, Channel 4 Television’s feature film division, is creating a new executive position to spearhead its digital initiatives under the brand banner of Film4.0.

As part of its increased funding, Film4 is set to take a pioneering role in exploring the digital, online arena through Film4.0.   Its aim will be to find new talent and discover new ways of making, marketing and distributing films and engaging new audiences online.

Film4’s reputation for nurturing new talent and building on its family of returning talent in the UK is well-established, and is now extending its vision to advance digital thinking and practice and encourage audiences to interact in a multi platform environment.

The new commissioning incumbent will report to Senior Commissioning Editor, Katherine Butler and bring considerable digital expertise to work with films at every stage of development, production and release.

Channel 4′s Controller of Film and Drama, Tessa Ross comments: ‘We’re delighted to announce this exciting new initiative. We know that we’ve got lots to learn and hope that this will prove a groundbreaking opportunity, both to push boundaries with talent and reach audiences in new ways.’

Katherine Butler adds: ‘At Film4 we believe that the freedom to take risks is absolutely paramount.  The digital and on-line space is a brilliant place to innovate and experiment, and we’ll be taking many different approaches in order to engage with audiences, always working hard to ensure we never lose sight of the films and film-makers at the heart of everything we do.’

For more information: http://www.film4.com/productions

In what has been an amazing year for British cinema, home-grown films take on the might of Hollywood at a night of tension and red carpet glamour where all the winners are chosen by film fans in a huge nationwide poll.

The L’Oréal Paris National Movie Awards  is only 4 years old but past attendees already include Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jamie Foxx and Nicole Kidman to Orlando Bloom, Emma Watson, Aaron Johnson, Daniel Radcliffe and Dame Helen Mirren.

The Oscar-laden King’s Speech will be hoping to add more trophies to its already bulging mantle-piece as it takes on 127 Hours, the dance-of-death drama Black Swan, Jeff Bridges’ True Grit and Facebook story The Social Network at the major award show to be held in London on May 11^th, and screening live on ITV1.

Celebrating cinema’s biggest successes the glamour filled event features seven exciting categories.

Animated family favourite Gnomeo & Juliet, which boasted an all-star British cast that included Emily Blunt and James McAvoy, and featured music from Elton John, is up against Disney’s Princess hit Tangled in the Animation category.

Classic literary tales turned big screen blockbusters are honoured in the Fantasy category, with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and Gulliver’s Travels all up for nomination.

With the UK movie scene buoyed up by record box office takings, the awards will also recognise the new generation of British acting talent going global in The One To Watch category…

The new Spider-man Andrew Garfield (who starred in The Social Network) will be up against the new Superman Henry Cavill (Stardust); newcomer Rosie Huntington-Whiteley about to debut in one of cinema’s biggest movie franchises Transformers: Dark of the Moon is also in the running.  Harry Potter and Twilight star Jamie Campbell Bower and Chalet Girl’s Ed Westwick and Felicity Jones are also amongst the nominees.

The Performance of the Year category sees all of movie land’s heavyweight stars in contention –  Harry Potter stalwarts Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are head-to-head with Oscar winner Colin Firth and rom com queen Jennifer Aniston (for Just Go With It).

The distinctive feature of the National Movie Awards is that all the winners are chosen by the public so it puts film fans right at the centre of the action. It’s all down to them who triumphs on the night.

HOW TO VOTE
Walk in to your local cinema and pick up a form for details or vote free online at www.nationalmovieawards.com where you can see all the terms and conditions. Votes must be in by 23:59 ON 18th APRIL.  Media partners include Yahoo Movies.  The ceremony is to be broadcast in peaktime on ITV1.

For further information, contact Taylor Herring PR

Banksy has been getting busy in LA with two new creations appearing overnight, according to blogs and tweets this morning.

The Bristol Bomber is supposedly in town to promote Exit Through The Gift Shop with a press tour ahead of the Oscars.

LONDON, Tuesday 8th February 2011: Pathé announces that principal photography has begun on The Iron Lady.  Written by award-winning writer Abi Morgan (Sex Traffic, Brick Lane, White Girl), directed by Phyllida Lloyd CBE (Mamma Mia) and produced by Damian Jones (The History Boys, Adulthood).

The film will be executive produced by Francois Ivernel and Cameron McCracken for Pathé, by Tessa Ross for Film4 and by Adam Kulick for Goldcrest.

The Iron Lady tells the compelling story of Margaret Thatcher, a woman who smashed through the barriers of gender and class to be heard in a male-dominated world. The story concerns power and the price that is paid for power, and is a surprising and intimate portrait of an extraordinary and complex woman.

Meryl Streep said; “The prospect of exploring the swathe cut through history by this remarkable woman is a daunting and exciting challenge.  I am trying to approach the role with as much zeal, fervour and attention to detail as the real Lady Thatcher possesses – I can only hope my stamina will begin to approach her own!”

Tessa Ross, Channel 4 controller of film and drama, said, “We’re all very excited at Film4 to be involved in The Iron Lady. Abi Morgan’s script is a wonderful and truly original portrayal of this extraordinary woman and to be working with the exceptional talents of Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent and Phyllida Lloyd amongst many others is a privilege.”

The film stars Academy Award-winners Meryl Streep as Lady Thatcher and Jim Broadbent as Denis Thatcher.  Their young selves are played by Alexandra Roach and Harry Lloyd.   The rest of the cast of family and friends, politicians and advisers, is made up of the very best of British acting talent, including: Olivia Colman, Nicholas Farrell, Susan Brown, Roger Allam, Anthony Head, Julian Wadham, Pip Torrens, Nick Dunning, Richard E Grant, David Westhead, Angus Wright and John Sessions.

The film is a Pathé, Film4, UK Film Council presentation with the participation of Canal+ and Cine Cinema in association with Goldcrest Film Production LLP of a DJ Films Production.

Pathé will distribute the film in France and Fox will distribute the film in the UK on behalf of Pathé. Pathé International will handle International sales.

Stop press >> Film4 Wins at London Evening Standard British Film Awards.

Film4-funded productions NEDS and Never Let Me Go were the big winners at this year’s London Evening Standard British Film Awards.

Claiming Best Film was the gritty, quasi-autobiographical drama NEDS, which revisits the Glasgow of director Peter Mullan’s youth. The compelling and often poignant film was led by a cast of unknown talent and has revelled in critical acclaim since its release.

Andrew Garfield’s mesmerising performances in the psychological thriller Never Let Me Go and The Social Network made him a popular winner in the Best Actor category.

Meanwhile Ben Wheatley, whose highly-anticipated new film Kill List is funded by Film4, won Best Newcomer for his direction on Down Terrace.

Tessa Ross, Controller of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama, said: “We are delighted that some of the bold and brilliant talent we have recently been working with at Film4, namely Peter Mullan, Andrew Garfield and Ben Wheatley, have all been so deservedly recognised at these awards.  We warmly congratulate them all.”

Film4’s reputation for nurturing new talent and building on its family of returning talent in the UK is now well established. Directors such as Danny Boyle, Shane Meadows, Michael Winterbottom, Andrea Arnold, Kevin Macdonald, Ken Loach, Sam Taylor-Wood and Mike Leigh have all benefited from Film4’s unflinching support of their particular vision.

Photo credit: Alex Bailey

Film 4 press enquiries to Elly Lacey at Taylor Herring PR +44 208 206 5151

LONDON, Friday 28th January 2011: Genuine vintage microphones used by the British Royal Family and dating back to 1923 were retrieved from Abbey Road Studios’ vaults to ensure a totally authentic sound for the speeches in the OSCAR nominated film The Kings Speech.

The score to The King’s Speech was composed by Alexandre Desplat, and recorded, mixed and mastered at Abbey Road Studios.

Senior recording engineer Peter Cobbin recorded the sessions, assisted by Sam Okell and John Barrett. But this was no ordinary recording project. Instead of using contemporary equipment to record the score, Peter was able to employ vintage royal microphones that were actually used by the British Royal Family, including King George VI himself.

Peter Cobbin reveals the story behind the recording:

“I was thrilled when Alexandre Desplat called to ask if I could record his score for an upcoming film, The King’s Speech. What I knew, but couldn’t let on then, was that many years ago on a mission to seek out vintage Abbey Road recording equipment, I had noticed some microphones held at the EMI archives which had been used by the British Royal Family. These microphones were made by EMI dating back to 1923, and were used by the Royal Family for speeches on significant occasions.

It was exciting to know we had the very microphone used by King George VI, the central character of this film, and I thought how appropriate and inspiring it would be to have the microphones present at our recording sessions. The royal microphones are works of highly skilled craftsmanship. They are aesthetically pleasing and iconic, built with unsurpassed gilt, silver and chrome details, bearing royal coats of arms and other individual insignia.

The EMI Archive Trust kindly granted permission for five microphones to be taken to Abbey Road where one of our senior technicians, Lester Smith, was able to restore three of these to good working condition. I adapted a classic recording technique (Decca tree) and took pleasure in making our own ‘royal family tree’ by using microphones built for HM King George V, HM King George V1 and HM Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother).

As an experiment which proved to be a bonus, I managed to re-record the speeches that are heard in the film through these microphones, adding a wonderful authenticity to the natural filtering and tone to the actors’ voices. In addition, my colleague and fellow engineer at Abbey Road, Andrew Dudman, recorded the classical source music with these microphones in the same manner.

It was a rare opportunity for us to deliver the music and sound with such a unified audio concept, and of course this wonderful project enabled us to draw on the unique historic resources of Abbey Road Studios and the EMI Archive trust.”

The King’s Speech has been awarded the People’s Choice Award at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival, and is nominated for Best Sound Mixing and Best Original Score at the 2011 OSCARS. The film is now showing in UK cinemas nationwide.

For further information contact adrian.lee@taylorherring.com

LONDON, Tuesday 14th December 2010: French film channel Cinémoi has joined forces with TV presenter and film buff Jonathan Ross in a deal which will give Ross a multi-faceted role as presenter, producer, creative director and shareholder in the company.

Cinémoi is the UK’s first and only independent French film channel, and has shown over 260 films since its launch in 2009. The deal with Ross will see him become fully involved in programming ideas and execution for the channel, as well as helping expand its repertoire of original formats in 2011.  A series of interviews with top actors and directors and a daily highlights show from the Cannes Film Festival in May 2011 are amongst the planned shows. Jonathan began work for the channel immediately last week, filming some exclusive introductions of the highlights coming up on Cinémoi, such as Belleville Rendez-Vous shown as part of a Christmas Special on December 25th.

In the twelve months since its launch, Cinémoi has built up a loyal base of subscribers.  The partnership aims to build on this, using Jonathan’s unique blend of film knowledge and his popularity with TV audiences, aiming to double subscription numbers next year. It is hoped that Ross will help the channel develop a wider audience appeal and encourage ‘first-timers’ to French Film.

Jonathan Ross said, “French cinema isn’t just for intellectuals and film buffs – it really can be enjoyed by everyone. As well as the timeless classics, there are some amazing films coming out of France at the moment, some real blockbusters that give Hollywood a run for its money. If you crave something a bit different from your Saturday night movie, then Cinémoi is a really good alternative.”

The deal is a massive coup for the channel, which was launched by entertainment entrepreneur Olly Bengough on a modest budget, but quickly gained critical and industry acclaim and is now shown on Sky and Virgin Media. It is hoped that the deal will be mutually beneficial; as Cinémoi is both production house and broadcaster, Ross will enjoy complete creative freedom without the red tape associated with traditional broadcasters, whilst the channel will benefit from his encyclopaedic knowledge of world film and his expertise in television production.

Cinémoi founder and CEO Olly Bengough said, “We are thrilled to have Jonathan on board and are excited to be working with someone who shares our passion for film and great quality programming, and who believes in our independent ethos. We really want Cinémoi to be known as one of the most credible and important film channels here in the UK and we know that Jonathan shares our commitment to making this happen.”

The subscription only channel is currently free to air on Virgin Media channel 445 until 31^st January 2011. All films are shown in French with English subtitles and original programming will be shown in English. Jonathan Ross is one of a growing number of celebrity supporters of the channel, which includes Martin Scorsese, Michael Caine, Kristin Scott Thomas and John Hurt.

www.cinemoi.tv

Notes to Editors

Cinémoi was launched in early 2009 by entrepreneur Oliver Bengough and is part of Mint Group, which owns the legendary KOKO, the UK’s premier live music and entertainment venue in Camden.

Cinémoi is the UK’s only channel dedicated to French film and lifestyle and delivers a wide range of French classics, dramas, comedies and thrillers alongside exclusive interviews with the world’s top film talent, including Michael Caine, Isabelle Huppert, Laetitia Casta, Francis Ford Coppola, Jacques Audiard, Kristin Scott Thomas and Charlotte Gainsbourg.

More than a movie channel, Cinémoi diversifies its programming to broadcast important general interest formats in areas such as music, culture and lifestyle.

Creator Olly Bengough has dedicated the last ten years to developing and specialising in media and entertainment brands that have caught the imagination of leading stars in the world of music and film.  Musicians such as Coldplay, Prince and Madonna have all endorsed and launched their global albums on the KOKO stage.   Julien Planté, Cinémoi’s Artistic Director, is one of the world’s leading curators of French cinema.  Former programmer at the Ciné Lumière at London’s French Institute, Julien has programmed over a thousand films at festivals, institutes and independent cinemas.

Cinémoi has made its mark at the Cannes Film Festival by treating its viewers to in depth interviews with stars and news about the Festival’s events. Cinémoi also launched the first ever Cannes Film Festival iPhone App, “Cinémoi Cannes”. In 2011, Cinémoi will diversify its content to include lifestyle programmes (Fashion, Wine and Lifestyle).

It currently broadcasts from 3pm until 3am on Sky Channel 343, and from the 1^st of December 2010 available is on Virgin Media channel 445. As an independent channel, Cinémoi is dedicated to bringing glamour, style and quality programming to the UK audience.  It is fast becoming the channel of choice for actors and directors including Charlotte Rampling, Michael Caine, Martin Scorsese, Vincent Cassel, Monica Bellucci, Jane Birkin and Terry Gillam to name but a few.

Press contact: Taylor Herring PR

The new budget, effective from 2011 onwards, represents a 50% increase on Film4’s current spend on film development and financing. This injection of fresh investment into the UK film industry reflects a deepening commitment towards film and drama as being central to the creative renewal process launched by Channel 4 earlier this year.

Channel 4 Chief Executive, David Abraham, said, “From the opening night film on Channel 4 in 1982, Walter, to tonight’s opening night movie at the London Film Festival, Never Let Me Go, Film4 has played a central role in supporting the British film industry and the current team, led by Tessa Ross, has an unrivalled track record of success in developing and supporting British film making. Film has a special and unique role in UK culture, promoting a wealth of extraordinary British talent from storytellers and producers to directors and actors. I have been determined during the current process of creative renewal to ensure that it plays a commensurate part in Channel 4’s public service delivery.”

Tessa Ross, Controller of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama, added: “It’s wonderful to be able to deliver some good news to our industry, most importantly because we believe that there is a wealth of great talent here in the UK that this extra money will allow us to support. At a time when funding is increasingly difficult to access it will allow us to extend our reach further towards new voices and new audiences.”

On the opening day of the London Film Festival, Film4 is celebrating the presentation of five new features; beginning with the prestigious opening night gala screening of Mark Romanek’s Never Let Me Go, a haunting, poignant love story following the lives of three children who spend their childhood at a seemingly idyllic English boarding school starring Keira Knightly and Andrew Garfield; and culminating with Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours, which tells the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston’s remarkable adventure to save himself after a falling boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah, the festival’s closing night film.

Other Film4 gala screening at this year’s festival include: NEDS (non educated delinquents), the story of a young man’s journey from prize-winning schoolboy to knife-carrying teenager, directed by Peter Mullan; Submarine, a coming of age comedy directed by Richard Ayoade about a 15 year old dealing with the impending break-up of his parents’ marriage and his first relationship; and Mike Leigh’s Another Year which follows a happily-married middle-aged couple over four seasons of their lives, starring Jim Broadbent and Lesley Manville.

Film4 is backing a diverse slate of feature films in 2010 and 2011 from both established and new directors. Making their extraordinary directing debuts are British comedians Richard Ayoade (Submarine) and Joe Cornish (Attack The Block), and actor Paddy Considine (Tyrannosaur).

Film4 is also delighted to be working once again with Kevin Macdonald on the adaptation of the classic story, The Eagle, and Miranda July on her visionary new film, The Future. Pawel Pawlikowski’s The Woman In the Fifth and Lone Sherfig’s One Day are in post, while Andrea Arnold’s much anticipated Wuthering Heights is currently shooting in Yorkshire.

–ENDS–

About Film4

Film4, headed by Tessa Ross, is Channel 4′s feature film division. The company develops and co-finances film productions and is known for working with the most innovative talent in the UK, whether new or established. Earlier this year the Digital Economy Act enshrined a commitment to film production into Channel 4’s public service remit for the first time. In May 2010 David Abraham announced a 20% increase to the Film4 budget taking it to £10m, the level it enjoyed prior to the economic downturn.

For more information visit: www.film4.com/productions

The cast will include stars of the TV show – Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, James Buckley, Blake Harrison and Emily Head.

The hit comedy, which has been described as the British American Pie, delves deep into the psyche of the British teenage boy to discover equal amounts of lust, sick and cheap lager. None of our heroes are exceptional, all are distinctly average. And trying to convince the world they are sophisticated, sexy human beings usually ends in wretched disaster.

The film’s plot revolves around the boys first holiday away together and crucially, without their parents. The four of them decide to go to Malia, a party town for mainly young British tourists on the Greek island of Crete. And if they felt slightly outside of mainstream teenage society in their suburban hometown then that feeling is magnified a thousand times in one of Europe’s hedonistic hotspots.

The film will be directed by Ben Palmer and written and exec produced by Damon Beesley and Iain Morris. Chris Young is the producer for Young Bwark Films.

Notes To Editors

Written and executive produced by Damon Beesley and Iain Morris for Bwark Productions, the television show has already landed an impressive array of awards including; a BAFTA, British Comedy Awards, an RTS award for writing, a Broadcast Award, a TV Quick & TV Choice Award , an NME Award and a nomination for The National Television Awards.

In addition, the show secured an average of 1.5 million viewers for Season 2 and currently has over 1.1 million friends on Facebook.

The multi award-winning show returns to E4 and Channel 4 this September in its third, hotly anticipated series.

Press Contact Taylor Herring PR 0208 206 5151