28/11/2007

The UK Film Council’s Prints & Advertising Fund has awarded Sarah Gavron’s well-received feature Brick Lane [+see also:
trailer
film profile], her adaptation of Monica Ali’s bestseller. Optimum Releasing received £200,000 enabling the company to expand the release to 90 screens and carry out a concerted media campaign.

Lionsgate Film Distribution received £5,000 for Krisztina Goda’s Hungarian film Children of Glory [+see also:
trailer
film profile], set for a 2008 release. The film looks at the 1956 uprising from the point of view of a water-polo star.

Dogwoof Pictures received £5,000 for Basil Gelpke and Ray McCormack’s A Crude Awakening, a documentary that explores the chequered history of the oil industry. The award enabled the company to increase bookings to 20 cinemas.

Yume Pictures received £5,000 for Rigoberto Castañeda’s Mexican horror film KM 31. Thanks to the award, the release has already expanded to 45 copies prior to its December 7 release.

Little Bird received £5,000 for Liz Mermin’s exposé Shot in Bombay, a documentary that explores the link between Bollywood and the underworld. The film will be released on January 18, 2008 at the ICA, followed by a regional tour.

Vertigo Films received £5,000 for David Sington’s acclaimed In the Shadow of the Moon, a look at the Apollo moon-landing programme.

Soda Pictures received £5,000 for Matthew Barney’s surreal Drawing Restraint 9. The award boosted bookings by 40 sites.

The BFI received £4,194 for its re-release of Terence Fisher’s celebrated Dracula, starring Christopher Lee as the Count and Peter Cushing as the vampire hunter Van Helsing. The award allowed the BFI to release the film on a one night only basis across 68 screens nationwide on Halloween using the Digital Screen Network.