Altitude takes off

by Naman Ramachandran

10/05/2012 - Altitude Film Entertainment, a new British film company focusing on production, financing and international sales, launches today. Set up by Optimum Releasing founder Will Clarke, the company will have former Exclusive Media Managing Director Andy Mayson serving as joint CEO with Clarke. Former Pathé International Senior Vice President International Sales Mike Runagall joins as Managing Director of the newly formed international sales company, Altitude Film Sales.

Altitude’s projects include The Loch, a new take on the Loch Ness myth that James Watkins (The Woman in Black [trailer]) is co-writing with first-time filmmaker Simon Duric, for Duric to direct. The company will team with producer Gregor Cameron (Goin’ Down to South Park) and director Owen Harris (Holy Flying Circus) to make Kill Your Friends, a satirical look at the 90s, based on John Niven’s novel which he is adapting for the screenplay. Altitude will also partner with rising talents, director Ben Craig and writer Matt Charman, to produce Mythica, an action adventure in the mould of classic Spielberg.

Clarke said, “In starting Altitude we are creating a British business that is a home for the most talented filmmakers in the world, whose films can succeed in the international marketplace. Our ethos is that we want to develop creative and supportive partnerships with the filmmakers we work with, that the company is firmly rooted in the UK, and that wealth is retained here for reinvestment in films and filmmakers. We are looking to produce two to three of our own films a year as well as working with third party producers to acquire rights to two to three more.”