11/05/2012 - Edgy British production outfit announces £1 million seed money for comedy films

Buoyed by the stupendous success of The Inbetweeners Movie [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (photo), that was made for £3.5 million and collected £41.8 million in the UK alone, Film4 has decided to invest an additional £1 million per annum in seeding concepts for British comedy films.

Shane Allen, Channel 4’s Head of Comedy and executive producer of the television series on which The Inbetweeners Movie was based and the film itself will be in charge of commissioning new comedy features. Film4 has an existing £15 million film fund and the new annual tranche of £1 million is in addition to that.

Allen said, “This is a fantastic adrenaline shot for more British film comedy following on from the overwhelming audience appetite we experienced last summer. The recent explosion in live comedy is because it’s a very communal experience, so with the huge expertise of Film4 it’s a brilliant opportunity to tap the cinematic potential of UK writing and performing talent.”

Channel 4 Controller of Film and Drama, Tessa Ross, said, “We’re thrilled to be working with Shane on developing comedy features – with his impeccable track record and huge wealth of experience we know we are in for some seriously entertaining films.”

Cannes competition contender On The Road [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], directed by Walter Salles, will premiere in the UK on August 16 as the opener for the annual Film4 Summer Screen series in London. Film4’s Sightseers [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Ben Wheatley
film profile], directed by Ben Wheatley will premiere at Directors’ Fortnight.