LONDON, Thursday 29th October - Film4 has won an inaugural Star Of London Award at the London International Film Festival, where The Scouting Book For Boys’ screen screenwriter Jack Thorne picked up the Best Newcomer prize.

Film4 is also nominated for nine prestigious British Independent Film Awards (BIFAS), for Sam Taylor Wood’s Nowhere Boy, which receives its World Premiere at the London International Film Festival tonight, Paul King’s Bunny And The Bull, which is released in November and Ken Loach’s Looking For Eric. The BIFAS will be held in London on Sunday 6 December.

Nowhere Boy about the life and times of the young John Lennon has been nominated for six awards. Besides nods for Best Actor (Aaron Johnson), Best Supporting Actress (Kristin Scott Thomas and Anne-Marie Duff) and Best Screenplay (Matt Greenheigh), filmmaker Sam Taylor-Wood has been nominated for the Douglas Hickox Award for best debut director, and the picture is in the running for the Best British Independent Film Award.

Bunny And The Bull Paul ‘Mighty Boosh’ King’s absurd comedy has scored two nominations – Best Production Design and Best Achievement In Production.

Looking For Eric Ken Loach’s cracking comedy-drama has also been recognised. John Henshaw is up for Best Supporting Actor.

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 is a founding partner of the Warp X digital studio.

Film4’s latest release was Ken Loach’s Cannes competition film, Looking for Eric. Other 2009 releases include Danny Boyle’s, Slumdog Millionaire; Steve McQueen’s Hunger; Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges; Mike Leigh’s Happy-Go-Lucky and Michael Winterbottom’s Genova.

Upcoming Film4 releases include Paul King’s Bunny and the Bull; Xiaolu Guo’s She, A Chinese, winner of the Golden Leopard at Locarno Film Festival earlier this year; Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones; Chris Morris’ Four Lions and Sam Taylor Wood’s Nowhere Boy.

Currently completing post production are Kevin Macdonald’s Eagle of the Ninth; Mark Romanek’s Never Let Me Go; Peter Mullan’s Neds, Hideo Nakata’s Chat Room and Mike Leigh’s 09 Project.

Press contact:
Debra Johnson
020 8206 5151
debra.johnson@taylorherring.com

LONDON, Monday 7th September 2009: Katherine Butler, Head of Development at Film4 has been promoted to the position of Senior Commissioning Executive, replacing Peter Carlton who recently left the company to join Warp Films.

In her new role, Butler will be responsible for overseeing Film4’s low budget films and will work closely with new talent, continuing to back bold and distinctive films.

Butler has a wealth of development expertise both in the UK and overseas. She joined Film4 as Head of Development in January 2005 and has worked on a broad range of films including the award-winning Slumdog Millionaire, Hallam Foe and How To Lose Friends And Alienate People. She was Associate Producer on Brick Lane and Executive Producer on Sam Taylor Wood’s short film Cannes contender Love You More.

Butler is currently involved in upcoming features Nowhere Boy (Sam Taylor Wood), Submarine (Richard Ayoade), Attack The Block (Joe Cornish) and Chatroom (Hideo Nakata), which she is also Executive Producing.

Prior to joining Film4, Butler was Head of Development and Executive Producer at the New Zealand Film Commission for four years where she developed and executive produced a broad slate of films including multi-award winning Whale Rider and Rain. Returning to the UK in 2002, Butler became Head of Development at Ruby Films where she worked on a variety of projects including Brick Lane.

Commenting on the appointment, Tessa Ross, Controller of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama, said: “Katherine has been an extraordinary Head of Development and I’m over the moon that she has proved herself so wholeheartedly committed to Film4 by taking on this great new role. I congratulate her on this promotion and am sure she will continue to be a wonderful asset to the filmmaking community and to Film4.”

Butler, added: “I am thrilled to be taking on the challenge of this exciting role within Film4, especially at such a dynamic time of change and opportunity for low budget film-making and distribution.”

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 is a founding partner of the Warp X digital studio.

Film4’s most recent release was Ken Loach’s Cannes competition film, Looking for Eric. Other 2009 releases include Danny Boyle’s, Slumdog Millionaire, winner of 8 Academy Awards; Steve McQueen’s Hunger, winner of the 2008 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.

Upcoming Film4 projects include Paul King’s Bunny and the Bull; Xiaolu Guo’s She, A Chinese, winner of the Golden Leopard at Locarno Film Festival; both of which have been invited to screen at the Toronto Film Festival, Alexis Dos Santos’ Unmade Beds; Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones; Chris Morris’ Four Lions; Sam Taylor Wood’s Nowhere Boy; Mark Romanek’s Never Let Me Go; Mike Leigh’s next project and Kevin Macdonald’s Eagle of the Ninth.

Press contact: Taylor Herring PR 0208 206 5151

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

Film4’s phenomenal success this awards season continues with 12 Oscar nominations across three Film4 titles announced today. Danny Boyle’s Film4 funded Slumdog Millionaire, is in the running for 10 awards including Best Motion Picture, Achievement in Directing, Adapted Screenplay and Music (score) while Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges and Mike Leigh’s Happy-Go-Lucky are both nominated for Best Original Screenplay. 

Tessa Ross, Controller of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama said: “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. Working with Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy and producer Christian Colson on Slumdog Millionaire has been an absolute joy and we are thrilled their work and that of their talented team has been recognised today. It’s also wonderful to see Mike Leigh’s Happy-Go-Lucky and Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges up for Best Original Screenplay.”

Slumdog Millionaire is currently storming the international box office and this week enjoyed the most successful second weekend ever for a film at the British box office, taking £2.6million, up a record 44 per cent from its opening weekend. Last week it picked up 11 Bafta nominations, following four wins at the Golden Globes including Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director – Motion Picture.

The full details of nominations are as follows:

Best Motion Picture – Slumdog Millionaire (Christian Colson, Producer)
Achievement in Directing – Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Adapted Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
Original Screenplay – Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky
Original Screenplay – Martin McDonagh, In Bruges
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 music written for motion pictures (original song) – “O Saya”, Slumdog Millionaire. Music and Lyric by A.R. Raham and Maya Arulpragasam
Achievement in sound editing – Tom Sayers, Slumdog Millionaire
Achievement in sound mixing – Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty, Slumdog Millionaire

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