Thompson launches Origin Pictures

by Naman Ramachandran

15/05/2008 - Former BBC Films Head David Thompson will launch his own independent film and television production company, Origin Pictures, in June.

Thompson will continue his role as Executive Producer for BBC Films over the next two years, on the projects he’s already involved with. These include Armando Ianucci’s In the Loop, Jane Campion’s Bright Star, Saul Dibb’s The Duchess, Martin Campbell’s Edge of Darkness and new films from Andrea Arnold and Pawel Pawlikowski.

The company will retain its BBC links as it begins a three-year first-look development deal with BBC Fiction for both feature film and television drama. Origin has backing from producer and financier Anant Singh through his company Distant Horizon. Singh’s producer credits include the Oscar-nominated Yesterday and Sarafina.

Thompson’s BBC Films colleagues Ed Rubin and Nicola Blacker have joined Origin as Head of Distribution and Production Executive respectively.

Thompson said, “It’s a very exciting time as we launch Origin Pictures with such great partners. After many fantastic years running BBC Films, I look forward to continuing my relationships with the inspiring talent I have been privileged to work with over many years. Backing new talent has been at the heart of what we have built at BBC Films and we will certainly continue to do that. I am delighted to be building on my close relationship with the BBC in a new guise while also working with other broadcasters and partners in the UK and internationally.”

At BBC Films, Thompson executive produced films that won numerous awards including many BAFTAs, Golden Globes and an Oscar, including Billy Elliot, Iris, Dirty Pretty Things [trailer], In This World and Eastern Promises.