Seven British Films Receive Funding From UK Film Council

The UK Film Council’s Premiere Fund continues to support a wide range of films presenting the best new and established talent for a worldwide audience.
The latest high profile project to receive an award is Gillian Armstrong’s 'Death Defying Acts', which stars leading British actors Timothy Spall and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Written by the award-winning British script-writer Tony Grisoni, in partnership with Brian Ward, and directed by Armstrong, the film recently started shooting in the UK.
Other major new projects currently receiving support from the UK Film Council’s Premiere Fund include Andrew O’Connor’s 'Magicans', Chris Noonan’s 'Miss Potter', Roger Michell’s 'Venus' and Julian Jarrold’s 'Becoming Jane', Tom Shankland’s 'Waz', and John Boorman’s 'The Tiger’s Tail'.
Magicians is the first feature from the team behind the hugely popular British comedy series Peep Show, comprising producer-director Andrew O’Connor and writers Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong. A first directorial outing for O’Connor, supported by the Premiere fund.
Chris Noonan’s 'Miss Potter' tells the story of Beatrix Potter, the author of the beloved and best-selling children's book.
'Venus', directed by Roger Michell (Enduring Love) features an outstanding British cast including Peter O’Toole, Vanessa Redgrave, Leslie Phillips and newcomer Jodie Whittaker.
A major new feature, Venus which has just screened at Telluride and Toronto has now been selected for the Mayor’s Gala screening at The Times BFI 50th London Film Festival.
Julian Jarrold’s 'Becoming Jane' is backed by the Premiere and Development funds.
Tom Shankland’s Waz, written by established writer Clive Bradley, is a first feature outing for the two times BAFTA nominated short film director.
Written and directed by John Boorman, 'The Tiger’s Tail' received great critical acclaim when it recently premiered at the San Sebastian Film Festival.
Recent releases backed by the Premiere and Development funds include Christopher Smith’s 'Severance', a fresh new British comedy-horror written by Christopher Smith and James Moran. Directed by Smith and starring Danny Dyer, it has received great reviews and grossed £1.3 million in its first ten days of release in the UK.
'Life & Lyrics', with new British star Ashley Walters in the lead role, is released in the UK at the end of September. Backed by the Development and Premiere funds and directed by Richard Laxton.
The Film Council Premier Funding for the films is as follows:

• Death Defying Acts - £750,000
• Magicians - £275,000
• Miss Potter - £1,200,000
• Venus - £1,000,000
• Becoming Jane - £1,513,062
• Waz - £932,017
• The Tiger’s Tail - £1,000,000

Information on all awards made is available on the UK Film Council’s website www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk
(DS/SP)