Bella Fe Films Acquires Acclaimed Novel 'Tilt A Whirl'

Bella Fe Films Acquires Acclaimed Novel 'Tilt A Whirl'

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Bella Fe Films of Los Angeles, California, announces the screen option of mystery/thriller author Chris Grabenstein's "Tilt A Whirl."

Grabenstein, a New York based novelist, has signed an option with Bella Fe Films to have Ken Mora adapt a feature-length screenplay of the first novel in the John Ceepak mystery/thriller series, with right of first negotiation for the entire Ceepak series.

"Tilt A Whirl is a thrill-ride of a story with a Chinatown-dark twist," said Ken Mora, head of Bella Fe Films. "It's the cop/buddy pairing of local slacker Danny Boyle and John Ceepak, an Iraqi Veteran 'cop with a code,' set against a kitschy little resort on the Jersey Shore."

Ceepak holds to the West Point code -- he won't lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do -- and that sometimes it works against him.

"Ceepak is a young Harrison Ford," said Grabenstein. "He's strong and brave, but because of something that happened to him in Iraq, a sadness lingers behind his eyes."

Mora was drawn to Chris' deep character development, the uniqueness of the environment, and the entertaining twists and turns. "Chris has a very cinematic writing style. I'm a huge Elmore Leonard and Sue Grafton fan, and he's truly in their caliber."

Mora met Grabenstein after reading "Tilt A Whirl," which won The Anthony Award, a literary award for mystery writers at the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention.

"Ken started as a fan," Grabenstein explained. "At some point, I even sent him an advanced copy. He was very committed to the project, but most of all, he has a knack for characterization. We had others nibbling on the project, but Ken showed the enthusiasm we think it takes to get the project to screen."

For more information on Bella Fe Films, please visit http://www.bellafefilms.com/. To reach Chris Grabenstein, please visit http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/.

Mora left his art career years ago to pursue a career in film, and quickly rose to the top with three award-winning scripts: A Light Before The Darkness, an action/drama based on the life of the artist, Caravaggio; Magnum Farce, a spoof of Dirty Harry films featuring Detective Dick Hardon; and Anna's Dream of Flight, best described as "The Piano" meets "Last Tango in Paris," currently out to major talent with co-production attached with Inkas Film Productions http://www.inkasfilms.com/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Belle Fe Films

CONTACT: Joanne L. Harris of Harris Marketing Communications,
+1-561-585-5050, punkinmark@mindspring.com, for Belle Fe Films

Web site: http://www.bellafefilms.com/
http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/
http://www.inkasfilms.com/

---

Profile: International Entertainment