About BBC Films

About BBC Films

BBC Films is the feature film-making arm of the BBC. It is firmly established at the forefront of British independent film-making and co-produces approximately eight films a year. Working in partnership with major international and UK distributors, BBC Films aims to make strong British films with range and ambition. We are committed to finding and developing new talent, as well as collaborating with some of the foremost writers and directors in the industry.

Out Now:

• Bright Star, Jane Campion's return to period romantic drama. The film stars Ben Whishaw as Keats and Abbie Cornish as his first love. Selected as the Major of London's Centrepiece Gala for its London Film Festival 2009 UK premiere, where the film also received a nomination for the inaugural Best Film award. Also nominated for four British Independent Film Awards [BIFAs], including Best Director and Best Technical Achievement for Cinematographer Greig Fraser; this follows on from competition runs at Cannes and Toronto International Film Festivals.
• The Men Who Stare At Goats, Grant Heslov directs George Clooney, Ewan MacGregor, Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey in this quirky, dark comedy. From a screenplay by Peter Straughan, this story is inspired by unbelievable-but-true revelations in the best-selling, non-fiction book by Jon Ronson. The Times Gala UK premiere at London Film Festival 2009 followed competition selections at Toronto International Film Festival and Venice Film Festival.
• An Education, a delightful romantic drama from director Lone Scherfig and writer Nick Hornby, based on an article about her own life by journalist Lynn Barber. The film stars Carey Mulligan in a breakout role, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina and Emma Thompson. Following its UK MasterCard Gala premiere at London Film Festival, the film has been nominated for six BIFAs including Best Film and Best Actress. This follows wins for both Audience and World Cinema Cinematography Awards at the Sundance Film Festival 2009. The film was also selected for Toronto International Film Festival 2009.
• Creation, in 2009, became the first British Film to open the Toronto International Film Festival in over ten years. Jon Amiel directs Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly in the moving story behind Darwin's personal struggle writing On the Origin of Species, from a script by John Collee.
• Fish Tank, Andrea Arnold's powerful urban drama. Winner of the Cannes Prix du Jury 2009 and the Edinburgh Film Festival PPG Award for Best Performance in a British Feature Film for its newcomer lead actress, Katie Jarvis and selected for the Toronto International Film Festival 2009. Now nominated for eight British Independent Film Awards 2009 [BIFAs] including Best Director and Best Screenplay. The film features gripping performances not only from Katie Jarvis, but from Michael Fassbender, Kierston Wareing and Harry Treadaway.

Coming soon from BBC Films:

• Glorious 39, Romola Garai, Bill Nighy and Julie Christie star in Stephen Poliakoff's tense psychological thriller, in which a young woman uncovers a world of dark secrets in the lead up to the Second World War. A UK premiere at London Film Festival 2009 followed competition selection at Toronto International Film Festival. Released 20 November 2009 in London, 27 November UK wide.
li>Nativity!, Debbie Isitt directs this delightful comedy, starring Martin Freeman as school teacher Paul Maddens who is charged with the biggest challenge of his life - mounting the school's musical version of the Nativity. Ashley Jensen, Jason Watkins and Marc Wootton also star. A Christmas story for all the family. Released 27 November 2009.
• The Boys Are BackÔScott Hicks directs this heartfelt drama, which is equal parts moving and humorous. Based on an adaptation by Alan Cubbitt from the memoir by Simon Carr, Clive Owen plays journalist Joe Warr, tragically thrust into single parenthood. Its UK premiere as the MOFILM Gala at London Film Festival 2009 follows selection for competition at Toronto International Film Festival. George MacKay, in a memorable performance as Joe's eldest son, has been nominated for a 2009 BIFA for Best Supporting Actor. Released 22 January 2010.

Recent theatrical releases include:

• In the Loop, a contemporary comedy from satirist Armando Iannucci, a bold and cutting look at international politics from inside the 'special relationship'. Following a triple nomination for the Scottish BAFTAs, the film has just garnered six 2009 BIFA nominations, including Best Film and Directorial Debut.
• The Damned United, about Brian Clough's fateful 44 day reign at Leeds United. The eponymous Clough is portrayed by Michael Sheen, the film is directed by Tom Hooper from a Peter Morgan adaptation. Jim Broadbent has been nominated as Best Supporting Actor in this year's BIFAs.
• Is Anybody There? John Crowley directs Michael Caine and Anne-Marie Duff, David Morrissey and Bill Milner in this charming tale of an unusual friendship between a retired magician and a child obsessed with the afterlife.
• Revolutionary Road, based on the celebrated novel by Richard Yates, Sam Mendes' film features Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet (in a Golden Globe-winning performance), as frustrated suburbanites in a story of thwarted passion and the search for fulfilment.
• The Duchess, Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes star in this adaption from the biography by Amanda Foreman of the turbulent life of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. Features Academy Award® and BAFTA-winning costume design by Michael O'Connor.
• The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, based on the best-selling children's book by John Boyne. This is the story of an unlikely friendship that forms between the son of a Nazi commandant and a Jewish boy held in a concentration camp, starring Asa Butterfield, David Thewlis and Vera Farmiga.
• Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh's popular classic brought to the big screen for the first time by director Julian Jarrold. Stars Ben Whishaw, Hayley Atwell and Matthew Goode.
• The Edge of Love, opener of the 2008 Edinburgh Film Festival - John Maybury directs Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Cillian Murphy and Matthew Rhys in this tale of four lives being thrust together with heart-breaking results.

Highlights from the Back Catalogue include:

• Eastern Promises, David Cronenberg's gripping drama, featuring critically hailed performances from Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts.
• The History Boys, directed by Nicholas Hytner from Alan Bennett's adaptation of his own award-winning stage play.
• Red Road, writer/director Andrea Arnold's Cannes Prix du Jury prize-winning first feature.
• Notes on a Scandal, Dame Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett star in Richard Eyre's gripping drama. A Patrick Marber adaptation from Zoë Heller's novel.
• Dirty Pretty Things, Stephen Frears' gripping thriller set in modern-day London from a Steven Knight script, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Audrey Tautou.
• Billy Elliot, Stephen Daldry's tale of a young boy learning to dance. BBC Films' most successful film to date: it has taken some $100m worldwide, won three major British Academy Film Awards and was nominated for three Academy Awards®.