ContentFilm plc (LON: CFL,), today announces two international sales deals, completed since the reverse takeover of Winchester Entertainment plc.
In the first of these deals, ContentFilm has secured worldwide sales rights to a major new British motion picture production, BURNS.
The picture tells the life story of Scottish literary hero Robert Burns whose endless carousing and womanising scandalised polite society in Edinburgh in the late 18th Century. Rising star Gerard Butler (Joel Schumacher’s PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER: THE CRADE OF LIFE) has been cast in the title role. A strong supporting cast includes Brian Cox (X2, TROY, THE BOURNE IDENTITY, ADAPTATION), John Hannah (FOUR WEDDINGS & A FUNERAL, THE MUMMY, THE MUMMY RETURNS) and James Cosmo (TROY, TRAINSPOTTING, BRAVEHEART). The film was scripted by Alan Sharp.(ROB ROY) and is being directed by Vadim Jean (Martin Short’s JIMINY GLICK IN LA LA WOOD, LEON THE PIG FARMER).
BURNS will be produced by Andrew Boswell and Jolyon Symonds through the London-based The Mob Film Company. A theatrical release is planned for summer 2005.
In the second new deal, Content International will handle international sales and UK distribution for a slate of three new feature films emerging from a low-budget production initiative backed by BBC and Scottish Screen. Fast Forward Features, to which ContentFilm has no upfront financial exposure, is focused on developing new Scottish talent. It aims to fully fund three low-budget features with a target budget of up to £1.2 million per film. The application, development and selection process is expected to take twelve months and the first film to be produced under the new scheme will be announced at Cannes 2005. ContentFilm’s Co-CEOs Ed Pressman and John Schmidt, said: “We are delighted to have made our first major commitments to British film. Burns is a film that perfectly fits our model: a moderately-budgeted high profile production with terrific box office potential that has great artistic ambition as well. Gerry Butler is a rising star who will make a charismatic Robert Burns.” “Fast Forward Features is an exciting initiative which we hope will generate some very interesting films. We are delighted to be involved on the sales side with it, and to expand our relationships with the BBC and Scottish Screen.”
ENDS
For enquiries please call: Tim Allan or Andrew Sholl, Portland, for Content Film plc on 020 7404 5344
About ContentFilm plc
ContentFilm plc is a London based film production, distribution and financing company. It has operations in Los Angeles, New York and London. It was formed in March 2004 through a reverse takeover of Winchester Entertainment plc by ContentFilm, Inc, a New York based film production company. The group’s strategy is to build a fully integrated international film business, producing high quality films on disciplined budgets and developing an enhanced international sales and distribution business in the US and Europe. www.contentfilm.com
