Our next production, Heartless due on the Island on the 30th June stars up and coming British actor Jim Sturgess (The Other Boleyn Girl), well established Brit actor Timothy Spall (Harry Potter series) French actress Clemence Posey (In Bruges), Noel Clarke (Doctor Who), and Joseph Mawle (Foyle’s War). Directed and written by Philip Ridley, it tells the story of Jamie Morgan (Sturgess) who makes a deal with a demon in order to start his life afresh.
Freefonix, the exciting new 3D CGI animated children’s cartoon series produced on the Isle of Man by Balley Beg Studios is due to be screened on CBBC and BBC One from Friday 4th January.
Part financed by Isle of Man Film, Freefonix features some very special guest stars who voice characters, sing and play instruments in the show. R’n’B superstar Jamelia plays the singing part of Sugar Che, mentor and funky fairy godmother to Freefonix. Justin Hawkins from The Darkness sings and lends his unique guitar playing skills to Kurtz, lead singer of Mantyz. Throughout the series other guest stars appearing include pop star Chico, cricketer Alistair Cook, actor Joseph Fiennes and musician Hayley Ecker – plus a whole host of other names will be announced as the series progresses.
It was created by Magnus Fiennes, brother of Joseph and Ralph – a renowned music producer (who co-wrote and produced the first All-Saints album) and has worked with many international artists including Lenny Kravitz, Morcheeba, Spice Girls, Sugababes and Tom Jones.
Freefonix have discovered a sophisticated way of fighting their battles against rival band Mantyz, by using the power of the Thirteenth Note, an awesome force that can bend space and minds when the perfect sound is created. When the two rival bands meet, the result is an explosive Soundclash, where the opposing forces do battle as all the energies of the Thirteenth Note are released. The action continues each week as the Freefonix protect the guardians of the Thirteenth Note and begin to understand its magical properties.
Freefonix will run weekly for 40 half-hour episodes starting on 4th January on CBBC and BBC One at 1620. Freefonix is the largest commission by the BBC for an animation aimed at 7 to 11 year olds. The show is a combination of sophisticated storytelling, incredible music and amazing characters and graphics.
Many of our films made it onto the TV schedules this Christmas, for a complete list please click here.
Isle of Man Film production, Who Gets the Dog will get its premiere screening this weekend when it is broadcast on ITV1 at 9pm on Sunday 2nd December. Shot in the Island last year and produced by Island-regulars Company Pictures, the 90 minute comedy drama starring Kevin Whately, (Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Lewis) Alison Steadman, (The Dinner Party, Gavin and Stacey) Stephen Mangan, (Green Wing, Confetti) and Emma Pierson (Hotel Babylon, Talk to Me) tells the story of married couple Jack and Jenny.
Chromophobia is premiering in the UK on the 14th December. Filmed on the Island in 2004, it closed the Cannes Film Festival in 2005 and has a quality British cast including Kristen Scott Thomas, Ralph Fiennes, Damien Lewis and Rhys Ifans. Penelope Cruz also stars in the film, directed by Martha Fiennes and described as a darkly comic urban drama.
Have you ever thought about using your property as a film location? We are currently developing a searchable online locations database, set to be live before Christmas, and would like to encourage local property owners to register their property with us. Using your property as a film location can provide you with extra income and a chance to see film-making live in action. We are in particular need of farmhouses and farm buildings, contemporary interiors, historic Manor houses and Pubs and restaurants, although a location can be anything a script calls for. If you would like to register your property, you should read the guidance notes first before filling in the entry form and sending it back with some pictures (preferably digital).
The Beatrix Potter biopic Miss Potter has taken Japan by storm grossing $2,525,500 in it’s first week. Released on 292 screens, the film attracted Japan’s huge Beatrix Potter fanbase ,who have made her books and related merchandise strong sellers. Miss Potter has grossed $28 million to date.
Many of our films are screening on Sky this month; please download the September list for detailed information.
The romantic comedy Sparkle, is being released in the UK on the 17th August, following its premiere at the Edinburgh Film Festival the night before. It was filmed in the Island last year and has its own dedicated website http://www.sparklethemovie.co.uk
Finley the Fire Engine, Isle of Man Film’s first animation project, will be screening nightly on CBeebies at 5pm on week nights and 4pm during the weekend. The 39 episode series tells the tale of Finley and the residents of Friendlyville.