Aug 4, 2012 | Isle of Man Films
BAFTA award winning indie Lime Pictures has been commissioned to produce original children’s drama The Knot for CBBC. The three part drama is currently filming in the Isle of Man and will transmit on CBBC later in the year. The series features a host of well-known faces including Debra Stephenson, Mark Moraghan and Kelle Bryan as well as some break through talent.
Set in the heart of the Isle of Man and surrounded by the Irish sea, The Knot is a special place – where raw and rugged nature plays host to a stream of kids with complex lives, all fostered by Peter (Anthony Flanagan) and Sarah Boulsworth (Debra Stephenson) and their kids, Rocket aged 11 (Joseph Gallucci) and Alli aged 14 (Helen Smith).
The Knot is an original drama from Lime Pictures and will be executive produced by Creative Director Tony Wood. The three part series was commissioned and will be executive produced by Sue Knott for CBBC.
The Knot is being filmed in association with the Island’s well established indigenous film production and finance company CinemaNX (NX) and with the support of Isle of Man Film. Laurence Skelly, political member of the Isle of Man Government with responsibility for film and media said, “It’s a genuine pleasure working with the BBC (again) and Lime Pictures on The Knot. It’s a wonderful script, set on the Isle of Man, and it offers many opportunities to showcase the unique beauty of the Island. I’m really looking forward to watching the series when it airs on CBBC in the autumn. I’m sure it will be something that all of us here on the Island will be proud of.”
Lesley Douglas, Chief Executive for Lime Pictures comments, “The location for The Knot is at the heart of the whole story, and the Isle of Man has provided the perfect setting, combining beauty and an aura of mystery. The relationship with Cinema NX and Isle of Man Film has been an important factor in helping us to bring this production to television. We are delighted to be working with them on such an exciting BBC project”.
May 14, 2012 | Isle of Man Films
Yet another Isle of Man production claimed a prestigious media award over the weekend. Hugo Blick received the Best Fiction Director award for crime drama series The Shadow Line. The British Academy Television Craft Awards honour the very best behind-the-scenes talent working in TV over the past year. This year’s ceremony was held on Sunday 13 May 2012 at The Brewery in East London.
The other nominees in the Best Fiction Director category were Julian Jarrold for Appropriate Adult, John Alexander for Exile and Yann Demange for Top Boy.
See the full list of 2012 winners here: http://www.bafta.org/television/craft-awards/nominees-winners-2012,3236,BA.html
Jan 31, 2012 | Isle of Man Films
See above clip of Steve Christian’s contribution to this morning’s Chris Evans Radio BBC2 breakfast programme. The interview, where Steve featured as the ‘mystery guest’ came about when Chris was inundated with supportive texts on yesterday’s show when he mentioned TT3D: Closer to the Edge in the course of the programme. Steve’s interview went out just after 8.30am this morning and it proved to be a huge boost, not only for the highly successful film, but also for the TT Races and the Island itself. The show has a weekly audience of over 8 million listeners and is currently the most popular radio show in the UK.
As with the recent Oscar nomination received by the Isle of Man co-financed and co-produced animated feature film Chico & Rita, Steve’s interview on the United Kingdom’s most listened to radio programme is a wonderful example of positive and far-reaching country branding that the Isle of Man can achieve through its film industry.
Jan 24, 2012 | Isle of Man Films
Isle of Man Film and CinemaNX are proud to announce that Chico & Rita has been nominated for the Best Animated Film Award at the 84th Academy Awards (The Oscars®). CinemaNX co-financed Chico & Rita and distributed the film in the UK in November 2010 to outstanding critical acclaim. The nomination marks the culmination of the film’s award success, following a number of accolades including the Best Animated Film at the 2011 European Film Awards and a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the 2011 Annie Awards (ASIFA – Hollywood).
Chico & Rita is directed by Oscar®-winning director Fernando Trueba (La Belle Epoque) and world famous designer Javier Mariscal, alongside Tono Errando. Steve Christian, Chairman of CinemaNX said, “We’re absolutely thrilled that this labour of love has been recognised and congratulate the directors Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal and Tono Errando as well as the producers Martin Pope and Michael Rose.”
DED Minister John Shimmin said: “This project has been a labour of love for Isle of Man Film and CinemaNX for some considerable time. Over a period of 16 months, 10 young Manx artists were fully trained in the art of colouring the feature so the Isle of Man contribution to the overall project is considerable. I am very proud of the dedication and commitment our local crew gave to the project and would like to be the first person to congratulate everyone on the Island who played a part in the creation of such a wonderful film. It has certainly enhanced the Island’s position in the overall global film industry.”
Dec 13, 2011 | Isle of Man Films
CinemaNX and Isle of Man Film are delighted to announce that the TT3D: Closer To The Edge DVD has sold over 100,000 DVD units in less than two weeks. After an outstanding two day debut which sold 34,000 copies, DVD sales remained strong and crossed the 100,000 mark over the weekend of December 10th. The film is firmly on the way to becoming one of the most successful sports films and British documentaries of all time.
Entertainment One are releasing the DVD as the first in a new Home Entertainment relationship with CinemaNX Distribution.
Department of Economic Development Minister John Shimmin said, ‘I am thrilled that TT3D continues to reach new audiences across the world. By portraying the Isle of Man TT races in an honest and exhilarating way, the movie is recruiting a new legion of TT fans.”
Steve Christian, Chairman of CinemaNX said: ‘We were thrilled with the DVD and Blu Ray success of TT3D: Closer To The Edge over the first few days of release, and to then have sold 100,000 copies in less than two weeks only reaffirms TT3D as one of the biggest British documentaries successes of all time. It’s a fantastic start to an ongoing relationship with Entertainment One.’
Dec 6, 2011 | Isle of Man Films
Chico and Rita, an animated feature film co-funded by Isle of Man Film and CinemaNX, won the Best Animated Feature Film award at the European Film Academy awards ceremony in Berlin on Saturday 3rd December 2011. In addition the film has just received a nomination in the Best Animated Feature category for the Annie Awards, regarded as the most prestigious international awards event for animation. The winners of the Annie awards will be announced at the ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday February 4th 2012.
Film critic Mark Kermode has described the film as “breathtaking”.
John Shimmin, Minister for the Department of Economic Development said, “I am simply delighted. This award, plus the many other recent award nominations demonstrate that filmmaking in the Isle of Man is going from strength to strength. I congratulate the local artists who worked on Chico and Rita, they should be extremely proud of their contribution to the film.”
Dec 1, 2011 | Isle of Man Films
CinemaNX and Isle of Man Film are delighted to report that box office sensation TT3D: Closer To The Edge, only released on DVD and Blu-ray last Monday, sold over 34,000 copies in just two days. The title has sold in excess of 34,000 units through traditional distribution (and not including very strong sell through via non-traditional outlets), with demand across retail exceeding all expectations. TT3D: Closer to the Edge is on the way to becoming one of the most successful sports films and British documentaries of all time.
The DVD release follows a tremendous theatrical run that has so far grossed £1,256,795, making it the third highest grossing British documentary ever. The DVD has clearly captivated the core audience with strong word of mouth and support from the biking community and the overwhelmingly positive reviews have helped the film cross over into the mainstream audience.
Department of Economic Development Minister John Shimmin said, ‘This is an absolutely brilliant result and is a total endorsement of all the hard work put in by everyone at CinemaNX and Isle of Man Film whose total dedication to the project has brought about this success. The film has raised the profile of the Island in such a positive way all across the globe. This is a success that we can all be very proud of.’
Entertainment One are releasing the DVD as the first in a new Home Entertainment relationship with CinemaNX Distribution.
Steve Christian, Chairman of CinemaNX said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled with the DVD and Blu Ray success of TT3D: Closer To The Edge which follows an impressive theatrical run and confirms its status as one of the biggest British documentary successes in recent history. It’s a fantastic start to an ongoing relationship with Entertainment One.’
Jon Bourdillon, Director of Home Entertainment at Entertainment One said ‘We are truly delighted by the consumer interest in this great film across DVD and iTunes this week. Sales have been far in excess of all our forecasts and the film will be one the best selling documentaries of all time!’
Nov 23, 2011 | Isle of Man Films
TT3D: Closer to the Edge dvd and Blu-ray will be in the shops later this week – perfect timing for Christmas! The documentary feature film has enjoyed a hugely successful theatrical run and now ranks as one of the top 10 performing documentaries at the UK Box Office. In the film, the past and present is linked with innovative use of 3D technology to bring the most intriguing battles and captivating stories of the past 100 years to the screen.
Department of Economic Development Minister, John Shimmin said, “What a fantastic achievement this has been for the Isle of Man. This is the film that everyone said was impossible to make and yet, here we are with a major success on our hands. The amount of positive media exposure TT3D has generated for the Isle of Man cannot be overestimated and will benefit the Island for many years to come”.
Legendary commentator Murray Walker commented: “Closer to the Edge captures the history, the drama, the humour and most of all, the humanity of this unique event. Watching this film, for me, was a very moving and humbling experience.” The film, which is narrated by Hollywood star Jared Leto, has received a number of glowing reports and previews from journalists.
Motor Cycle News’s Gary Pinchin believes that “the film is an honest representation of what the TT is all about… it pulls no punches, it’s a story about the enduring strength of the human spirit and the will to win”, while respected Times journalist and author Rick Broadbent commented: ‘the last great race is celebrated in a documentary that brilliantly realises the attraction’. Market leader film magazines Empire and Total Film have both given four-star reviews.
Get your copy from all good retailers, including HMV in The Strand Shopping Centre or from Duke Video at their shop in Tromode (behind the driving test centre) from Monday 28th November. Alternatively you can pre-order your dvd or Blu-ray right now from www.dukevideo.com or www.hmv.com .
Nov 4, 2011 | Isle of Man Films
CinemaNX and Isle of Man Film, together with Julie Lebedev’s Code Red Productions have announced the start of principal photography on their new feature film Honour. Produced by Newscope and Parti Productions, the film is a contemporary thriller that will shoot on the Island for three weeks commencing on November 8th, followed by a further three weeks production in Glasgow. Honour is the debut feature from Bafta nominated writer-director Shan Khan.
Honour will see a return to front of camera for Paddy Considine after his award-winning directorial debut Tyrannosaur. Considine’s acting credits include acclaimed performances in Submarine, My Summer of Love, In America, The Last Resort, and A Room For Romeo Brass.
DED Minister John Shimmin said, “”Paddy Considine is a brilliant talent. We are thrilled we have secured him for this production, particularly after his recent directorial debut with the critically acclaimed Tyrannosaur. Honour is sure to repeat the success we have enjoyed with recent releases and will no doubt strengthen our reputation for making top quality, independent, commercial films. During their three week stay on the Island, the production will spend approximately £500,000 in the local economy. In excess of 1,200 bed-nights, around a dozen local crew positions and a minimum of 4 very valuable trainee positions will be generated by the production during their stay with us. These film generated benefits are always welcome, particularly at this out-of-season time of year.”
The film is being produced by Nisha Parti and Jason Newmark. Executive producers are Steve Christian and Marc Samuelson of CinemaNX and Leonid Lebedev and Julie Lebedev of Code Red Productions. The script has been developed with the assistance of the UK Film Council.
Sep 23, 2011 | Isle of Man Films
Chico and Rita, an animated feature film co-funded by Isle of Man Film and CinemaNX, has received a nomination in the European Film Academy’s Animated Feature Film 2011 category. The globally prestigious awards ceremony will be held in Berlin on 3rd December 2011.
The 2011 committee consists of EFA Board Members Per Holst (producer, Denmark) and Antonio Saura (producer, Spain) as well as representatives of CARTOON, the European Association of Animation Film, Patrick Caradec (France), Heikki Jokinen (Finland), and Thilo Rothkirch (Germany).
Also nominated were Le Chat Du Rabbin (The Rabbi’s Cat) from France directed by Antoine Delesvaux & Joann Sfar, and Une Vie De Chat (A Cat in Paris), from France/Belgium directed by Jean-Loup Felicioli & Alain Gagnol.Set in Havana in 1948, Chico & Rita is the story of Chico, a young Cuban pianist who dreams of making a place for himself in the jazz world. Rita is a singer with an extraordinary voice which captivates everyone. Music brings them together and they embark on a passionate and tormented love affair. With a soundtrack of latin jazz as background to their love story, we’re immersed in the world of Cuban passion, sensuality and music.
Ten young Manx artists received full training and worked on the film for sixteen months as colourists, in collaboration with other studios based in Hungary, Spain and the Philippines.
Allan Bell, Minister for the Department of Economic Development said, “We are so very proud of this nomination and are totally delighted that Chico & Rita has been recognised as a work of art by its peers and colleagues. It really is the most exquisitely crafted piece of animation and all of the young local artists who worked on the film should be very proud of their contribution to the film.” You can watch the ceremony live at www.europeanfilmawards.eu.
