Darlow Smithson opens film division and announces a new Head of Film

BAFTA-award winning UK independent production company Darlow Smithson Productions (DSP) has announced the formation of a new feature film division creating documentaries and docu-hybrids for general release at cinemas.
The new division will be headed by Elinor Day, ex-Deputy Head of Production at FilmFour (credits include East is East, Gangster No 1, Late Night Shopping, and Charlotte Gray).
The double announcement makes clear DSP’s intentions to build on the incredible global success of 'Touching the Void' and harness the UK’s considerable pool of talent in documentary-making.
Touching the Void was an unprecedented success with critics and audiences alike, scooping 12 major awards for DSP including a BAFTA for Best British Film 2004. DSP now seeks to maximise on an opportunity to make Touching the Void merely the first of many successes.
With National Lottery investment from the UK Film Council’s Development Fund of £250,000 of over 3 years, as slate funding to develop film projects alongside partner companies Pathé, C4 and FilmFour, DSP is seeking to create a centre of excellence – nurturing new talent and working with individual filmmakers and smaller independent production companies from development to production.
John Smithson, Executive Chairman and Creative Director, Darlow Smithson Productions, said: “It’s amazing to think there hadn’t been a UK documentary box-office hit before Touching the Void – yet the UK is home to some of the world’s best documentary makers. We want to find the best ideas the UK has to offer – big genre defining stories which are made for the cinema - and help make them real. Elinor Day is a respected name in the industry and well placed to see that we succeed. We are delighted to have her heading up our new film division.”
Elinor Day, Head of Film, said: “The film slate that DSP is setting out to achieve represents a great opportunity, not just for DSP but for individual and independent filmmakers in the UK. We’re very grateful to the UK Film Council for its support and hope to discover some really surprising and original stories for the cinema.”
(GB)