Sep 3, 2012 | Isle of Man Films, Talent Development
MannIN Shorts have recently taken over the organisation of the Isle of Man Film Ffestival. This year there will be a wealth of screenings, competitions and workshops over the weekend, all listed in the attached document. In addition MannIN Shorts have invited Isle of Man Film to host the Friday evening, which will be a screening of modern classic The Heart of Me starring Paul Bettany and Helena Bonham-Carter followed by a Q&A with the film’s producer Martin Pope and screenwriter Lucinda Coxon.
Hilary Dugdale, manager of Isle of Man Film said: “I am delighted that Martin is able to join us at this year’s festival and share some of his experience and advice with aspiring filmmakers in the Isle of Man. Martin’s skill as a producer is second-to-none and it was a hard choice as to which of his films to revisit at this year’s festival. The Heart of Me is a great study in what can be achieved on the Island in terms of exterior locations, set-build and quality production design.”
For further information about the festival, with regular updates visit www.iomff2012.wordpress.com or contact Christy DeHaven at christy@manninshorts.com. To purchase tickets for the event, contact the Villa Marina Box office on 01624 600555 or visit the IOM Welcome Centre at Douglas Sea Terminal. Tickets cost £5 for the Friday 14th screening, or £12 for all weekend screenings.
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
Mar 5, 2012 | Talent Development
This academic year saw the launch of FILMCLUB across eighteen participating schools in the Isle of Man. Supported by Department of Education and Children, Isle of Man Film and CinemaNX, FILMCLUB is a fun and educational in-school club scheme which seeks to educate, engage and develop schoolchildren through the study and enjoyment of films. From March 5th to Friday 9th March, nine Island schools will play host to FILMCLUB on the Road, a mobile interactive cinema experience.
FILMCLUB on the Road brings together over 1000 young members to watch films such as Time Bandits, ET The Extra Terrestrial, Whistle Down the Wind and Big Fish amongst other amazing films. Children from participating schools will be given the chance to win prizes and, after much healthy debate about the stories, will be given a chance to be film critics for the day when they post a review on the FILMCLUB website!
During the week the youngsters will also enjoy two CLOSE ENCOUNTER sessions with special industry guest Steve Christian, Chairman of CinemaNX. Steve has produced many Manx films including box-office smash TT3D: Closer to the Edge and the Oscar-nominated Chico & Rita.
At the hosting schools FILMCLUB will install a state-of-the-art cinema-sized screen and speaker system, bean bags, popcorn and giant cut-outs of famous filmstars to make the experience unforgettable. Each screening will be followed by an interactive discussion hosted by a FILMCLUB presenter, and a review writing session.
John Gill, Head of Legal and Administrative Support Services at the Department of Education and Children, said:
“I’m delighted that so many schools have got on board with FILMCLUB. It is important that children are given an opportunity to reflect on issues, develop opinions and learn about matters outside of their experience. We look forward to an action-packed week of films and debate about the issues raised.”
Hilary Dugdale, Manager at Isle of Man Film, said: “Isle of Man Film and CinemaNX are very proud to support this scheme. FILMCLUB is valuable as it provides schoolchildren with a fun, social and accessible learning experience, regardless of academic background.”
Children are invited to help decide their own individual film programmes, and to debate/review the films and issues they raise. Schools interested in participating during the next academic year can find out more at www.filmclub.org.
Feb 9, 2012 | News
Shooting People, a network of film makers who seek to learn from each other currently have a campaign to raise £5,000 to restore and protect one of Alfred Hitchcock’s last silent films, The Manxman. The money will go to the British Film Institute who are tasked with the painstaking restoration. To see more information on the project please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/shootingpeople.
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!’
