North West Vision and Tubedale Films Partner to Develop Feature Films on Merseyside, UK.

North West Vision and Tubedale Films Partner to Develop Feature Films on Merseyside, UK.

LIVERPOOL, England, May 16/PRNewswire/ --

North West Vision, the Film and Television agency for England's Northwest is investing GBP145,000 over the next twelve months into a slate partnership with Liverpool-based Tubedale Films in order to stimulate a step change in the development and production of features on Merseyside.

The deal is the first of its kind from a UK Regional Screen Agency and will see Tubedale bringing a substantial GBP225,000 of matching funding from a variety of sources to develop projects that are market focussed and substantially intended for production in the region.

Tubedale is headed up by well-known Liverpudlian actor/director David Morrissey, his brother, Liverpool businessman Paul Morrissey, and producer Carl Clifton. David Morrissey's recent roles in the BAFTA nominated TV series 'State of Play' and 'Blackpool' have served to underline his critical acclaim as one of the UK's brightest talents. He is soon to be seen in 'Stoned' ( Stephen Woolley's film about Rolling Stone Brian Jones) and will star opposite Sharon Stone in 'Basic Instinct 2 - Risk Addiction' which is currently filming in the UK.

Carl Clifton was formerly Head of International Sales at Polygram and Universal Pictures International and had a stint running FilmFour's international division. Paul Morrissey is a successful entrepreneur and patron of the arts. Other Tubedale principals include finance and administration director Stuart Hatwell and acclaimed novelist Esther Freud whose Hideous Kinky was adapted for the big screen and starred Kate Winslet. The company will also be appointing an experienced Head Of Development to manage the slate.

Tubedale previously co-produced Patrice Leconte's international hit film 'L'homme du train' and is currently co-producing a New York-set English language remake of Leconte's 1989 critical and commercial success 'Monsieur Hire'.

The investment by North West Vision is being made through its ERDF-sponsored Merseyside Film and Television Fund, which is intended to strengthen Liverpool's filmmaking activity in advance of its appointment as European Capital Of Culture in 2008. As well as development finance, the Fund also offers production financing and company development support for both indigenous and incoming production companies looking to co-produce in the region.

Alice Morrison, Chief Executive of North West Vision comments: 'Tubedale has an exceptional creative team and a very clear vision of how it can help shape a successful film production sector on Merseyside. Developing and attracting the newest and best talent is key but their internationalist approach is also refreshing and completely in tune with the way that Liverpool is positioning itself in preparation for 2008.'

David Morrissey of Tubedale Films comments: "We're delighted to be teaming up with North West Vision in this initiative. With European City of Culture status on the way the current and future opportunities for developing and producing films on Merseyside are really exciting. We're thrilled to be part of that. "

Notes to editors

- North West Vision is the film and TV development agency for England's Northwest. It funds film and TV programmes, develops new talent and works to attract new production and inward investment into the region. www.northwestvision.co.uk

- The Merseyside Film & Television Fund (or 'MFTVF') is a major initiative from North West Vision and the European Regional Development Fund to support the growth of the screen agencies in Liverpool and Merseyside. As well as attracting the best talent and projects to the area, the fund is generating a professional infrastructure that can offer skills and services that are the equal of anything else in the UK. Investments of up to GBP250,000 are available for a whole range of activities including company development, production development and production financing. www.northwestvision.co.uk/mftvf

Source: North West Vision & Tubedale Films Partner

For further information on this announcement contact Geraldine Vesey, Angie Grant or Lorna Skingley at Spin Media on +44-(0)161-236-9909 or email: firstname@spinmedia.co.uk

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