VOTE FOR LOCAL FILMMAKER IN BIG PITCH FINAL!
- Date
- 04 November 2008
Media Release VOTE FOR LOCAL FILMMAKER IN BIG PITCH FINAL! (THE X-FACTOR OF FILM) www.the-big-pitch.com Local filmmaker Derek Boyes from Maidstone in Kent has made it through to The Big Pitch final with his dark gritty, neo noir thriller ‘Blackout’, set in the bleak and decayed Island Of Sheppey. From today you are able to go to www.the-big-pitch.com to check out all four finalists in the running to scoop the largest feature film production prize in the UK as The Big Pitch website launches. The Big Pitch, dubbed “the X-Factor of Film”, is an innovative Skillset supported competitive training programme that attracted over 200 applications from the UK’s most exciting up-and-coming filmmakers when it was launched as part of Northern Lights Film Festival 2007. After a series of elimination rounds four fantastic projects have been chosen. Check out each of the projects and the teams behind them at www.the-big-pitch.com as it is your votes that will decide which film gets made. Content will consist of documentary, previous work, current pitch and blog all of their activities and announcements including casting. Derek’s project Blackout is a relentless and increasingly fast paced modern thriller, flashing backwards and forwards in time, keeping the audience hooked right to the very end. The story centers round Gary, a twenty one year old, who wakes up in the middle of a wood next to the body of a brutally murdered local girl. Unable to remember anything he attempts to flee the barren windswept island, only to discover the police are already looking for him. Trapped and confused, Gary is forced to cover up the evidence in a desperate attempt to buy time, recall his fragmented memory and figure out what really happened. However things are much darker than he first imagined and without warning he is inexplicably drawn into a world of violence where he is forced to discover what he is truly capable of. On December 6th 2008 the finalists will appear live at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art with a final 15 minutes in which to sell their feature film. A panel of industry experts including Clare Binns (Programming Director at City Screen), Jason Solomons (one of the UK’s most influential film critics and chair of the Critic’s Circle) and Denise Parkinson, (Head of Film at Bauer Media) will give their verdicts but it is up to you, the voting public, to decide who wins the £250,000 prize! The event, part of the prestigious Northern Lights Film Festival 2008, will be streamed live on www.the-big-pitch.com. And viewers will be able to vote for up to 60 minutes after the final pitch! The project that receives the most votes will win production finance from Moxie Makers for their film (minimum £150,000) together with a post-production deal with Molinare, guaranteed UK distribution with Soda Makers and international sales representation with Moxiehouse Entertainment. The film will receive its red-carpet Gala Premiere as part of the Northern Lights Film Festival in 2009 all of which brings the total award to a staggering £250,000! For more information on the projects, the scheme and how you can purchase tickets for the live final visit www.the-big-pitch.com QUOTES Christine Alderson – CEO of Moxie Makers, said: “Moxie Makers launched this competitive training programme with Skillset in order to stimulate and find fresh creative talent. We’re delighted to have been part of the development of these four amazing films and excited to see which one the audience chooses.” Janine Marmot - Skillset’s Director of Film, said: “I am delighted that Skillset is supporting The Big Pitch. It is a fantastic initiative that delivers dynamic training to filmmakers, honing their pitching skills and encouraging work with a real market focus." Derek Boyes – Writer/Director of Blackout, said: "It's incredible to be in the final, but you have to remember you're up against three very strong projects, so you have to work extremely hard. At the end of the day the audience will decide who wins. All I know right now is that I'm a Derek and Derek's don't run!" Enquiries to: The Big Pitch Ed Barratt Project Manager – The Big Pitch ed@moxiemakers.com office - (+44) 191 230 2585 mobile - (+44) 773 486 8366 www.moxiemakers.com Press Information: Nicky Harrison 44 (191) 280 8020 / (+44) 7824 390826 nicky@whitehotcomms.co.uk or Lyn Spencer 44 (191) 284 9801/ (+44) 7885 540061 lynspencer@whitehotcomms.co.uk NOTES TO EDITORS Derek Boyes is available for interview – please contact Nicky Harrison to arrange. PARTNERS Moxie Makers- A “micro studio” created with the express purpose of commercially showcasing the exciting new filmmaking talent burgeoning in the UK. www.moxiemakers.com The company’s first two films Mad, Sad & Bad and Who Killed Nancy? are due for release in early 2009 Ipso Facto Films The management company for Moxie Makers and The Big Pitch. Ipso Facto Films are also a producer and co-producer of feature films made for the international market. www.ipsofactofilms.com Soda Pictures London based independent UK theatrical and DVD distributor, with whom the new distribution label - "Soda Makers" has been created. Established in 2002, Soda Pictures has since acquired over 50 feature films. www.sodapictures.com Moviehouse Entertainment An international sales company with a wealth of experience introducing low budget and digital films to the marketplace. With Moviehouse’s expertise the micro-budget label "Moxiehouse Entertainment" will sell the winning film. www.moviehouseent.com Skillset Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries (broadcast, film, video, interactive media and photo imaging). Jointly funded by industry and government, their job is to make sure that the UK audio visual industries have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time, so that our industries remain competitive. www.skillset.org Molinare A front-runner in HD feature film post-production since Mark Foligno and Chief Executive Steve Milne’s MBO in September 2003. They have propelled the company forward with a focus on film projects and have completed the HD & DI (Digital Intermediate) post-production on over fifty feature films in the past 3 years since their take-over. Molinare has a rich 35-year heritage and is now the largest, privately owned post-production company in the UK, they work across all story genres and distribution formats. www.molinare.co.uk Northern Lights Film Festival Previously the UK’s only film festival dedicated to screening work from Northern Europe, Northern Lights Film Festival (NLFF) is now expanding its remit to take in the entire world. The new focus is on breakthrough talent, and the festival has employed programmers to scout the globe for the hottest new filmmakers out there, and to bring the most exciting and innovative debut features back to premiere in the North East. www.nlff.co.uk culture10 A curated programme of exceptional cultural events and festivals across the North East region which supports the development of the NewcastleGateshead and sub regional brands each year until 2010. www.newcastlegateshead.com/1785/Culture_10_Overview.html Arts Council England, North East Arts Council England works to get more art to more people in more places. They develop and promote the arts across England, acting as an independent body at arm’s length from government. http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/regions/homepage.php?rid=4
