LONDON, 11th May 2009: Film4 will be in Cannes with a diverse slate of new films from an array of established and first-time directors.

Among these is the Cannes competitor Ken Loach’s Looking For Eric, starring Steve Evets and Eric Cantona, which will premiere on Monday, May 18th.

Film4 has always looked to back bold and distinctive films and the forthcoming slate of films are hugely representative of what the company stands for – authorship, new and experienced talent, fresh and strong vision from the British film industry.

First-time filmmakers Xiaolu Guo, Tom Harper and Paul King are now in post production on their debut films while Sam Taylor-Wood is completing filming. Kevin Macdonald, Mike Leigh, Jonathan Glazer and Richard Ayoade, meanwhile, are busy casting their latest projects with Film4.

Tessa Ross, Controller of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama, said: “We are thrilled to be working with so many talented directors this year, and on such a varied spectrum of films. And we wish Ken Loach every success with Looking For Eric in Cannes. It’s a tough economic climate for us all, but Film4 will continue to develop and invest in exciting projects and we’re all looking forward to a productive and busy festival.”

 Film4 Productions

Completed Productions:

Looking for Eric
Director: Ken Loach
Writer: Paul Laverty
Producer: Rebecca O’Brien
Cast: Steve Evets, Eric Cantona, John Henshaw, Stephanie Bishop
Eric Bishop is a postman on the verge of a nervous breakdown. With two teenagers running riot in his house and the reappearance of his first love, Eric struggles to cope. But then his mates come up with some unusual self help techniques to put his life back on track. And there is the imagined intervention of a mythical hero…
Production Company: Sixteen Films
Sales: Wild Bunch.
Sixteen Films, Canto Bros. Productions, Why Not Productions, Wild Bunch, Film4, Icon Film Distribution, North West Vision Media, France 2 Cinema, France 2, Canal +, Cine Cinema, Sofica UGC 1, Diaphana Distribution, BIM Distribuzione, Les Films du Fleuve, RTBF (Television Belge), La Region Wallonne, Cineart, Tornasol Films, Alta Produccion.

Bunny & The Bull
Director: Paul King
Producers: Mary Burke, Mark Herbert, Robin Gutch
Cast: Edward Hogg, Simon Farnaby, Veronica Echegui
Bunny & The Bull is a comedy road movie set entirely in a flat. Stephen Turnball hasn’t been outside in months, and when he finds his mind hurtling back to the disastrous trek around Europe he undertook with his friend Bunny, a catalogue of adventures unfold. Stephen’s flat becomes the springboard for an extraordinary odyssey through lands made up of snapshots and souvenir replica landmarks within his imagination. Bunny & The Bull is a touching and beautiful journey to the end of the room.
Production company: Warp X
Sales: Wild Bunch
Film4 and UK Film Council present in association with EM Media and Screen Yorkshire

The Scouting Book For Boys
Director: Tom Harper
Producers: Christian Colson, Ivana MacKinnon
Cast: Thomas Turgoose, Holliday Grainger, Susan Lynch, Rafe Spall, Steven Mackintosh
Best friends David and Emily love their carefree life on a caravan park. When Emily discovers she has to move away, David helps her hide out in a remote coastal cave. But when Emily reveals her real reason for hiding, David’s world is shattered. As the missing person search closes in and David wrestles with powerful new emotions, their innocent subterfuge spirals out of control.
Production Company: Celador Films
Sales: Pathe International
Celador Films, Screen East Content Investment Fund and Film4 present in association with Pathe

 She, A Chinese
Director and Writer: Xiaolu Guo
Producer: Natasha Dack
Cast: Huang Lu, Wei Yibo, Geoffrey Hutchings, Chris Ryman
She, A Chinese is the feature film debut of novelist and documentary maker, Xiaolu Guo. Looking for adventure away from her Chinese peasant village, Mei’s restless nature takes her to London. After a marriage to a much older man and an affair with an Indian immigrant, Mei finally discovers what she wants.
Production company: Tigerlily Films and Warp X
UK Film Council and Film4 in association with EM Media and Screen Yorkshire. A Warp X/Tigerlily Films Production

In Production

Nowhere Boy
Director: Sam Taylor-Wood
Writer: Matt Greenhalgh
Producers: Robert Bernstein, Kevin Loader, Douglas Rae
Cast: Kristen Scott Thomas, Anne-Marie Duff, Aaron Johnson
John Lennon grew up in a family full of secrets. Raised by his Aunt Mimi he is suddenly reacquainted with his mother, Julia. Their intense reconciliation catapults him toward finding out the truth about his past, about the war that has raged between two very different sisters. Now coming of age, John must bring that war to an end. A fragile peace breaks out, marred by tragedy. But his mother gives him one great gift – music. A wayward boy finds his voice.
Production company: Ecosse Films
Sales: HanWay Films
Film4 and UK Film Council present an Ecosse Films production and Sam Taylor-Wood film in association with North West Vision & Media, LipSync Productions and HanWay Films.

The Lovely Bones
Director: Peter Jackson
Writers: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson
Producers: Carolynne Cunningham, Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson, Aimee Peyronnet
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Michael Imperioli, Saoirse Ronan
Based on the critically acclaimed best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, and directed by Oscar winner Peter Jackson from a screenplay by Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, The Lovely Bones centres on a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family- and her killer- from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal.
Production company: Wingnut Films Productions Ltd
DreamWorks Pictures and Film4 present a Wingnut Film Production. A Paramount Pictures Release

Never Let Me Go
Director: Mark Romanek
Writer Alex Garland
Producers: Andrew Macdonald, Allon Reich
Cast: Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, Charlotte Rampling, Sally Hawkins, Nathalie Richard, Andrea Riseborough, Domhnall Gleeson
Adapted for the screen by Alex Garland from Kazuo Ishiguro’s critically acclaimed novel of the same name Never Let Me Go imagines the lives of a group of students growing up in a darkly skewed version of contemporary England. Kathy attempts to come to terms with her childhood at the seemingly idyllic Hailsham school, and with the fate that has always awaited her and her closest friends in the wider world. A story of love, friendship and memory, charged throughout with a sense of the fragility of life.
Production Company: DNA Films
A Fox Searchlight Pictures, DNA Films and Film4 presentation

Chatroom
Director: Hideo Nakata
Writer: Enda Walsh
Producers: Alison Owen, Laura Hastings-Smith
Cast: Aaron Johnson
When five teenagers meet online, innocent friendships are formed. But soon the charismatic leader of the group singles out the weakest kid and seizes the chance to erase his own past- a chance to lead his victim towards self-destruction. Set in both the online and physical worlds, this psychological thriller exposes the chilling reality of what happens when the lines between reality and cyberspace are blurred.
Production Company: Ruby Films
Sales: West End Films
Film4, UK Film Council and WestEnd Film presents

Future Productions;

Four Lions
Director: Chris Morris

Untitled
Director: Mike Leigh

Neds
Director: Peter Mullan

Eagle Of the Ninth
Director: Kevin MacDonald

Blackout
Director: John Crowley

Beware the Devil
Director: Shane Meadows

Under the Skin
Director: Jonathan Glazer

Attack the Estate
Director: Joe Cornish

One Day
Director: Penny Woolcock

Submarine
Director: Richard Ayoade

About Film4
Film4, headed by Tessa Ross, is Channel 4 Television’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. Film4’s most recent releases include Danny Boyle’s, Slumdog Millionaire most recently winner of 8 Academy Awards, Steve McQueen’s Hunger, winner of, amongst other awards, the Cannes Camera D’Or, Martin McDonagh’s Oscar nominated, In Bruges, Mike Leigh’s Oscar nominated and Golden Globe Best Actress winner, Happy-Go-Lucky and Michael Winterbottom’s Genova.

For information and to arrange interviews during the Cannes Film Festival please contact:

Debra Johnson, Taylor Herring PR
+44 (0) 7930 333 932
debra.johnson@taylorherring.com

Cannes office address:
3, Rue Dumas – 06400 – CANNES
TELEPHONE
(04) 93.68.92.67

Film4’s phenomenal success this awards season continues with 8 Oscars for Danny Boyle’s Film4 funded Slumdog Millionaire including Best Motion Picture, Best Director, Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score.

Tessa Ross, Controller of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama said: “We are over the moon that the Oscars have acknowledged and rewarded British independent film this year. It is hugely important for the talent to see their work recognised internationally and is a great reassurance that it is worthwhile taking creative risks. At a time when the future of public service broadcasting, and therefore Film4’s own future is being debated as never before, it is wonderful to see films, that would not exist without Film4’s continual support, garner global recognition. Britain needs these break out films to show the international film industry that there is a huge appetite and audience for independent British film.”

Slumdog Millionaire, which was originally optioned and developed by Film4 and subsequently co-financed with Celador also picked up Achievement in Cinematography, Achievement in Music Written For Motion Pictures (Original Song) for Jai Ho, Achievement in Film Editing and Achievement in Sound Mixing.

Slumdog Millionaire is currently storming the international box office and has taken £21million at the UK box office since opening on January 9th. Recently it picked up 7 BAFTA awards, following four wins at the Golden Globes including Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director – Motion Picture.

The full details of the Oscar awards are as follows:

Best Motion Picture – Slumdog Millionaire (Christian Colson, Producer)
Achievement in Directing – Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Adapted Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
Achievement in cinematography – Anthony Dod Mantle, Slumdog Millionaire
Achievement in film editing – Chris Dickens, Slumdog Millionaire
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (original score) – A.R. Raham, Slumdog Millionaire
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (original song) – “Jai Ho”, Slumdog Millionaire. Music by A.R. Rahman, Lyric by Gulzar
Achievement in sound mixing – Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty, Slumdog Millionaire

Film4 has had a spectacular awards season scooping an impressive 9 awards at the BAFTAs including Best Film and Director for Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, Original Screenplay for In Bruges and The Carl Foreman Award For Special Achievement By A British Director, Writer Or Producer For Their First Feature Film for Hunger. Film4 also won six awards at the Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director – Motion Picture for Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire.

Previous Oscar wins for Film4 include Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland in 2007 and Best Live Action Short Film for Six Shooter in 2006. Visit www.channel4.com/film

Film4 Press contact: Taylor Herring PR 0208 206 5151

Film4’s spectacular awards season success continues after scooping an impressive 9 awards at last night’s BAFTAs including Best Film and Director for Danny Boyle’s Film4 funded Slumdog Millionaire, Original Screenplay for Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges and The Carl Foreman Award For Special Achievement By A British Director, Writer Or Producer For Their First Feature Film for Steve McQueen’s Hunger.

Tessa Ross, Controller of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama said: “It is wonderful that the BAFTAs have recognised and rewarded so many British films this year – it’s an incredibly exciting time for the UK film industry. Film has always been core to Channel 4’s DNA and I can only hope as the Channel’s future is debated the value of Film4’s contribution to the landscape of British film is acknowledged and protected. At Film4 our mission is to support and develop new and established talent and we are thrilled that they are being celebrated on a global scale. Creatively it’s important to take risks and to strive to achieve something exceptional and when those risks pay off it is immensely gratifying.”

Slumdog Millionaire picked up a total of 7 awards including Adapted Screenplay for Simon Beaufoy’s script based on the novel Q&A and Music for A. R. Rahman’s original score.

Slumdog Millionaire, which was originally optioned and developed by Film4 and subsequently co-financed with Celador, has already picked up 10 Oscar nominations and four Golden Globes, and has held the no.1 slot at the UK box office for the past four weeks taking over £15 million.

Film4 co-funded In Bruges won 1 award for Original Screenplay for Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges.

Steve McQueen’s Hunger, an original C4/Film4 co-commissioned by Jan Younghusband in Channel 4 Arts and Peter Carlton at Film4 and which took Cannes by storm last year, picked up 1 award – The Carl Foreman Award For Special Achievement By A British Director, Writer Or Producer For Their First Feature Film for Steve McQueen’s Hunger.

Film 4 Press Contact: debra.johnson@taylorherring.com

Taylor Herring PR have been appointed by Slumdog Millionaire producer, Film4, to handle corporate press in the UK and internationally.

The appointment of the agency is announced as Film4 scooped six awards for Slumdog Millionaire, Happy-Go-Lucky and In Bruges at the Golden Globe Awards this week..

Slumdog Millionaire has, this morning, received 11 nominations for the Orange British Academy Film Awards in 2009. The movie has been nominated in the categories Best Film, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing, Music, Production Design, Sound and Outstanding British Film. Danny Boyle is nominated for Director, Dev Patel is nominated for Leading Actor and Freida Pinto receives a nomination as Supporting Actress.

In Bruges has been nominated for Original Screenplay, Editing, Supporting Actor for Brendan Gleeson and Outstanding British Film.

Slumdog Millionaire is based on the novel Q+A which was originally optioned and developed by Film4 and subsequently co-financed with Celador.

Taylor Herring will provide full PR support across a diverse slate of movies directed by established and new film talent.

Film4’s most recent releases include Steve McQueen’s Cannes award-winning Hunger, Bob Weide’s How To Lose Friends and Alienate People, Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges, Mike Leigh’s Happy-Go-Lucky which won a Silver Bear for actress Sally Hawkins at this year’s Berlin Film Festival, Sarah Gavron’s Brick Lane, Anand Tucker’s And When Did You Last See Your Father?, Chris Waitt’s Complete History of My Sexual Failures and Olly Blackburn’s Donkey Punch.

Up and coming Film4 projects include Michael Winterbottom’s Genova, Fabrice de Welz’s Vinyan, Sharon Maguire’s Incendiary, Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, Vito Rocco’s Faintheart, Mark Tonderai’s Hush, Duane Hopkins’ Better Things, which was selected for Cannes Critics Week 2008, Alexis Dos Santos’ Unmade Beds, Gerald McMorrow’s Franklyn, Sam Taylor-Wood’s The Story of You and Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones.

Film4, headed by Tessa Ross, is Channel 4 Television’s feature film division. The company develops and co-finances film productions, working with the UK’s most innovative new and established talent.

Press contact: james@taylorherring.com

Film4 is celebrating today after scooping an unprecedented six awards at last night’s Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director – Motion Picture for Danny Boyle’s Film4 funded Slumdog Millionaire.

Slumdog Millionaire took away four awards in total including Best Screenplay – Motion Picture for Simon Beaufoy and Best Original Score – Motion Picture for A. R. Rahman. Colin Farrell received the Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Award – Musical or Comedy for his role in Martin McDonagh’s Film4 funded In Bruges. The award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy went to Sally Hawkins for Mike Leigh’s Film4 funded Happy-Go-Lucky.

Tessa Ross, Controller of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama said:

“The success for Film4 at the Golden Globes is testament to the creative talent that exists in the UK. In this current climate it is a real boost to the British film industry to be recognised for its achievements. At Film4 we are about nurturing projects that wouldn’t necessarily secure funding elsewhere to bring fresh ideas to life on the big screen.”

Last night’s success follows wins for Happy-Go-Lucky and Slumdog Millionaire at the Annual National Society of Film Critics Awards in early January. Happy-Go-Lucky took four awards – Best Director and Screenwriter for Mike Leigh, Best Actress for Sally Hawkins and Best Supporting Actor for Eddie Marsan. Slumdog Millionaire took the Best Cinematography Award.

Slumdog Millionaire also performed well at last week’s BFCA Critics’ Choice Awards where it picked up five awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Writer (Original or Adapted Screenplay), Best Young Actor for Dev Patel and Best Composer.

The Golden Globes herald the beginning of the major awards season, and in the nominations, Film4 funded films have scooped an estimable 9 nominations. This follows its early December success at the British Independent Film Awards, where Channel 4’s film arm triumphed, winning awards in an impressive 10 categories.

Three of Film4’s titles, Slumdog Millionaire, Happy-Go-Lucky and In Bruges have received Golden Globe nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Drama for Slumdog Millionaire, and Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical for In Bruges.

Tessa Ross, Controller of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama said: “It is very exciting for Film4 to be nominated in so many different categories and for such a range of film by such talented filmmakers – we congratulate them hugely along with our partners in each film.”

The full details of nominations are as follows:

* BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA : Slumdog Millionaire
* BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL: Happy-Go-Lucky
* BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL: In Bruges
* BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL: Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
* BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL: Colin Farrell, In Bruges
* BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL:  Brendan Gleeson, In Bruges
* BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
* BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE: Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
* BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE: A R Rahman Slumdog Millionaire

About Film4

Film Four headed by Tessa Ross, is Channel 4 Television’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. Film4’s most recent releases include Steve McQueen’s Cannes award-winning Hunger, Bob Weide’s How To Lose Friends and Alienate People, Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges, Mike Leigh’s Happy-Go-Lucky which won a Silver Bear for actress Sally Hawkins at this year’s Berlin Film Festival, Sarah Gavron’s Brick Lane, Anand Tucker’s And When Did You Last See Your Father?, Chris Waitt’s Complete History of My Sexual Failures and Olly Blackburn’s Donkey Punch.  Up and coming Film4 projects include Michael Winterbottom’s Genova, Fabrice de Welz’s Vinyan, Sharon Maguire’s Incendiary, Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, Vito Rocco’s Faintheart, Mark Tonderai’s Hush, Duane Hopkins’ Better Things, which was selected for Cannes Critics Week 2008, Alexis Dos Santos’ Unmade Beds, Gerald McMorrow’s Franklyn, Sam Taylor-Wood’s The Story of You and Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones.

Contact: debra.johnson@taylorherring.com