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BBC Films

 BBC Feature Films: The First Grader

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.

Aims

BBC Films is looking for strong, multi-genre, original feature films with stories which will perform internationally; the intention is to produce high quality films which will attract top directing, writing and acting talent.

A selection of BBC Films' latest projects:

Out Now

Project Nim, is the documentary feature from the Oscar-winning team behind MAN ON WIRE.  Nim was a chimpanzee who in the 1970s became the focus of a landmark experiment which aimed to show that an ape could learn to communicate with language if raised and nurtured like a human child. From director James Marsh and producer Simon Chinn.  In UK cinemas from 12 August 2011.
 

Coming soon from BBC Films

Jane Eyre, from Charlotte Brontë’s celebrated gothic 19th Century novel adapted by Moira Buffini, Jane Eyre is the thrilling, beautifully romantic story of a plain but spirited girl’s bravery in the face of hypocrisy and cruelty.  Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, the film stars Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender and Dame Judi Dench.  In UK cinemas from 9 September 2011.

You Instead, a freewheeling rock ‘n’ roll love story set against the raucous magnificence and unforgettable sounds of Scotland’s leading music festival. Directed by David Mackenzie, written by Thomas Leveritt and starring Luke Treadaway, Natalia Tena and Mathew Baynton. In UK cinemas from 9 September 2011.

Perfect Sense, David Mackenzie directs Ewan Macgregor and Eva Green in this lush romance set against the backdrop of a mysterious world-wide apocalypse where people are losing their senses one at a time, from writer Kim Fupz-Aakeson. In UK cinemas from 7 October 2011.

We Need to Talk About Kevin, when Kevin is 15, he does something irrational and unforgiveable in the eyes of the whole community.  His mother grapples with the terrible question – nature or nurture; what made her son a monster?  Lynne Ramsay directs Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly and Ezra Miller in her own adaptation with Rory Kinnear.  In UK cinemas from 21 October 2011.

The Awakening, Nick Murphy directs this chilling supernatural mystery from his own script with writer Stephen Volk. Rebecca Hall plays Florence Cathcart, a ghost debunker who finds her beliefs challenged when she is hired to disprove the existence of ghosts at a boys’ school. Dominic West and Imelda Staunton also star. Opens in the UK on 11 November 2011.

My Week With Marilyn, directed by Simon Curtis from an adaptation of the Colin Clark book by Adrian Hodges. Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh and Judi Dench star. Coming to UK cinemas on 18 November 2011
 

Recent theatrical releases

The First Grader, the remarkable true story of Maruge, an ex Mau Mau freedom fighter who battles for the right to go to school for the first time – at the age of 84.  Justin Chadwick directs Naomie Harris and Oliver Litondo in Ann Peacock’s touching drama. 

West is West Ayub Khan Din’s touching and humorous sequel to the critically acclaimed East is East.  Andy de Emmony directs Om Puri, Linda Bassett and Aqib Khan in a classic coming-of-age story.  Sajid, the youngest of the Khan family, is struggling with the demands of his tyrannical father, ‘Ghengis Khan’.  In an attempt to ‘sort him out’ his father packs him off to Pakistan to wife No.1 who he abandoned 35 years earlier. 

Brighton Rock, Rowan Joffe’s adaptation and directorial debut of Graham Greene’s 1939 novel.  Sam Riley stars as Pinkie, a razor-wielding disadvantaged teenager with a religious death wish. Andrea Riseborough plays Rose, the innocent young waitress he seduces.  The film also stars Helen Mirren, John Hurt, Nonso Anonzie, Phil Davies and Andy Serkis. 

Made in Dagenham Nigel Cole’s multi-BAFTA nominated drama; the story of the equal pay strikes by female workers at the Ford Dagenham plant in 1968.  From a screenplay by William Ivory.  Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins, Miranda Richardson, Geraldine James, Rosamund Pike and Andrea Riseborough star. 

Tamara Drewe: Gemma Arterton plays Tamara, the ultimate modern girl returning to her country home - and her past. Once a shy, ugly teenager, Tamara reinvents herself as a smouldering femme fatale, kicking up a storm of envy, lust and gossip wherever she goes. Directed by Stephen Frears, the film also stars Dominic Cooper, Roger Allam, Luke Evans, Bill Camp and Tamsin Greig.

StreetDance: a London dance crew training for the UK Street Dance Championships are forced to work with ballet dancers from the Royal Dance School in return for rehearsal space. Charlotte Rampling heads a diverse cast of new and emerging dance and acting talent including Nichola Burley, Richard Winsor, George Sampson, Diversity, and Street Dance Champions, Flawless. Directed by the award-winning promo duo Max and Dania and written by Jane English, StreetDance was the first British movie to be shot in 3-D.

Highlights from the Back Catalogue

An Education, a delightful romantic drama from director Lone Scherfig and writer Nick Hornby, based on an article by journalist Lynn Barber.  The film stars Carey Mulligan (in a BAFTA winning debut), Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina and Emma Thompson.  The film has had a phenomenal run of awards success, including Academy Award® nominations for Best Picture, Screenplay and Actress following seven BAFTA nominations and an Orange Rising Star nomination for Carey Mulligan. 

Bright Star, Jane Campion's return to period romantic drama.  The film stars Ben Whishaw as Keats and Abbie Cornish as his first love.  Early festival successes were closely followed by a string of award nominations, including an Academy Award® nomination for Costume Design for Janet Patterson. 

Edge of Darkness, an emotionally charged thriller from director Martin Campbell, from an adaptation by William Monahan and Andrew Bovell. Set at the intersection of politics and big business, Mel Gibson plays Thomas Craven, a veteran homicide detective on a mission to uncover the mysteries behind the murder of his only daughter. 

The Men Who Stare At Goats, Grant Heslov directs George Clooney, Ewan MacGregor, Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey in this hit quirky 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.

Nativity!: Debbie Isitt's smash hit 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.

In the Loop: a contemporary comedy from satirist Armando Iannucci, a bold and cutting look at international politics from inside the 'special relationship'. The film has received many international awards and nominations, including an Academy Award® nomination for Best Screenplay.

The Damned United: Brian Clough's fateful 44 day reign at Leeds United. Clough is portrayed by Michael Sheen, directed by Tom Hooper from a Peter Morgan adaptation.

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: directed by Mark Herman, adapted from the best-selling children's book by John Boyne. The film stars David Thewlis, Vera Farmiga and Asa Butterfield.

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 Zoe 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 Tatou.

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®.

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BBC Films - Making British films happen