Exclusive: Suzy Eddie Izzard, Antonia Thomas and John Hannah have joined Emile Hirsch in the psychological thriller Past Life, from director and Grimmfest head Simeon Halligan.
Written by Dean Lines and Ray Bogdanovich, the pic follows Jason Frey (Hirsch), an investigative reporter who reluctantly agrees to attend a hypnotism event with his pregnant wife Claira (Thomas). Under hypnosis, Jason witnesses a murder through the eyes of a killer. Haunted by what he has seen, Jason uses past live regression techniques to investigate a series of unsolved murders from the 1980s while unwittingly reawakening a psychopath’s killer tendencies.
Related: Cannes Film Festival Full Coverage
As Deadline previously reported, the film is produced by Rachel Richardson-Jones of Grimmfest Films (Habit), Pierre Romain and Susan Michels of Swe (Son of the South), and Michael Laundon of M2 Productions (Endless). Executive producers are Michael Bassick (Hacksaw Ridge), Sarada McDermott (Bridgerton...
Written by Dean Lines and Ray Bogdanovich, the pic follows Jason Frey (Hirsch), an investigative reporter who reluctantly agrees to attend a hypnotism event with his pregnant wife Claira (Thomas). Under hypnosis, Jason witnesses a murder through the eyes of a killer. Haunted by what he has seen, Jason uses past live regression techniques to investigate a series of unsolved murders from the 1980s while unwittingly reawakening a psychopath’s killer tendencies.
Related: Cannes Film Festival Full Coverage
As Deadline previously reported, the film is produced by Rachel Richardson-Jones of Grimmfest Films (Habit), Pierre Romain and Susan Michels of Swe (Son of the South), and Michael Laundon of M2 Productions (Endless). Executive producers are Michael Bassick (Hacksaw Ridge), Sarada McDermott (Bridgerton...
- 5/16/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Emile Hirsch (Dig) has signed on to star in the psychological serial killer thriller Past Life, a new entry in the “seeing murders through the killer’s eyes” sub-genre that also includes the likes of Eyes of Laura Mars and Malignant. In this one, Hirsch will be taking on the role of
Jason Frey, an investigative reporter who reluctantly agrees to attend a hypnotism event with his pregnant wife Claira. Under hypnosis, Jason witnesses a murder through the eyes of a killer. Haunted by what he has seen, Jason uses past live regression techniques to investigate a series of unsolved murders from the eighties while unwittingly reawakening a psychopath’s killer tendencies.
Set to start filming in March of next year, Past Life will be directed by Simeon Halligan (White Settlers) – who also happens to be the head of Grimmfest, Manchester’s International Festival of Fantastic Film – from a screenplay...
Jason Frey, an investigative reporter who reluctantly agrees to attend a hypnotism event with his pregnant wife Claira. Under hypnosis, Jason witnesses a murder through the eyes of a killer. Haunted by what he has seen, Jason uses past live regression techniques to investigate a series of unsolved murders from the eighties while unwittingly reawakening a psychopath’s killer tendencies.
Set to start filming in March of next year, Past Life will be directed by Simeon Halligan (White Settlers) – who also happens to be the head of Grimmfest, Manchester’s International Festival of Fantastic Film – from a screenplay...
- 11/4/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
US outfit Disrupting Influence will launch world sales at AFM.
US actor Emile Hirsch – whose credits include Into The Wild – is to star in thriller Past Life from UK production outfit Grimmfest Films.
Simeon Halligan, director of Manchester genre festival Grimmfest and co-founder of its spin-off production outfit Grimmfest Films, is to direct.
US outfit Disrupting Influence is launching worldwide sales on the project at AFM.
It is produced by Rachel Richardson-Jones, co-founder Grimmfest Films, Pierre Romain and Susan Michels of US-based Swe and Michael Laundon of UK-us M2 Production.
Hirsch plays investigative reporter Jason Frey, who reluctantly agrees to...
US actor Emile Hirsch – whose credits include Into The Wild – is to star in thriller Past Life from UK production outfit Grimmfest Films.
Simeon Halligan, director of Manchester genre festival Grimmfest and co-founder of its spin-off production outfit Grimmfest Films, is to direct.
US outfit Disrupting Influence is launching worldwide sales on the project at AFM.
It is produced by Rachel Richardson-Jones, co-founder Grimmfest Films, Pierre Romain and Susan Michels of US-based Swe and Michael Laundon of UK-us M2 Production.
Hirsch plays investigative reporter Jason Frey, who reluctantly agrees to...
- 10/25/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Emile Hirsch is set to star in Past Life, a psychological thriller scheduled to start shooting in March 2023. LA-based company Disrupting Influence will launch worldwide sales next month at AFM.
Simeon Halligan, head of Grimmfest, Manchester’s International Festival of Fantastic Film, will direct the pic. Halligan’s previous feature directing credits includes White Settlers (2014).
Written by Dean Lines and Ray Bogdanovich, Past Life follows Jason Frey, an investigative reporter who reluctantly agrees to attend a hypnotism event with his pregnant wife Claira. Under hypnosis, Jason witnesses a murder through the eyes of a killer. Haunted by what he has seen, Jason uses past live regression techniques to investigate a series of unsolved murders from the eighties while unwittingly reawakening a psychopath’s killer tendencies.
The film is produced by Rachel Richardson-Jones of Grimmfest films (Habit), Pierre Romain and Susan Michels of Swe (Son Of The...
Simeon Halligan, head of Grimmfest, Manchester’s International Festival of Fantastic Film, will direct the pic. Halligan’s previous feature directing credits includes White Settlers (2014).
Written by Dean Lines and Ray Bogdanovich, Past Life follows Jason Frey, an investigative reporter who reluctantly agrees to attend a hypnotism event with his pregnant wife Claira. Under hypnosis, Jason witnesses a murder through the eyes of a killer. Haunted by what he has seen, Jason uses past live regression techniques to investigate a series of unsolved murders from the eighties while unwittingly reawakening a psychopath’s killer tendencies.
The film is produced by Rachel Richardson-Jones of Grimmfest films (Habit), Pierre Romain and Susan Michels of Swe (Son Of The...
- 10/25/2022
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Frontières Platform, the genre-focused event run by Fantasia and Cannes’ Marche du Film, returns to the French fest for another edition this year, with 13 projects selected to take part in the showcase, running July 10-11. Scroll down for the full list.
The event is technically taking place physically, as per Cannes’ commitment to staging an in-person industry event in July, but Frontières has informed participants that it does not encourage them to travel during a pandemic and that all pitches will be screened online. If participants do wish to travel to Cannes, however, the event will allow them to do so, and a representative of Frontières will be in attendance, restrictions allowing.
Activities will include the Proof of Concept presentations for projects in the advanced stages of financing, and the Buyers Showcase for films that are in post-production or have recently been completed. Footage will be screened from seven projects,...
The event is technically taking place physically, as per Cannes’ commitment to staging an in-person industry event in July, but Frontières has informed participants that it does not encourage them to travel during a pandemic and that all pitches will be screened online. If participants do wish to travel to Cannes, however, the event will allow them to do so, and a representative of Frontières will be in attendance, restrictions allowing.
Activities will include the Proof of Concept presentations for projects in the advanced stages of financing, and the Buyers Showcase for films that are in post-production or have recently been completed. Footage will be screened from seven projects,...
- 4/28/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
In his latest interview/podcast, host Stuart Wright talks with writer/director Justin McConnell about his 5 Great British Horror Films, which include:
Peeping Tom (1960) The Company Of Wolves (1984) Hellraiser (1987) Ghostwatch (1992) Triangle (2009)
Following the success of his film Lifechanger, Justin has recently teamed up with Serena Whitney to create the Christmas horror Do You See What I See?, one of eight titles announced by the newly formed Grimmfest Films. Simeon Halligan and Rachel Richardson-Jones, directors of Manchester-based UK genre film festival Grimmfest, launched their new production company called Grimmfest Films on 10 May 2019.
Lifechanger is out now via Frightfest Presents.
Peeping Tom (1960) The Company Of Wolves (1984) Hellraiser (1987) Ghostwatch (1992) Triangle (2009)
Following the success of his film Lifechanger, Justin has recently teamed up with Serena Whitney to create the Christmas horror Do You See What I See?, one of eight titles announced by the newly formed Grimmfest Films. Simeon Halligan and Rachel Richardson-Jones, directors of Manchester-based UK genre film festival Grimmfest, launched their new production company called Grimmfest Films on 10 May 2019.
Lifechanger is out now via Frightfest Presents.
- 5/27/2019
- by Stuart Wright
- Nerdly
Grimmfest Films will develop, produce and part-finance features and streaming content.
Simeon Halligan and Rachel Richardson-Jones, directors of Manchester-based UK genre film festival Grimmfest, are launching a production company called Grimmfest Films.
The company will develop, produce and part-finance feature films and streaming content from filmmakers who have premiered work in the festival. This year’s event runs from October 3-6.
Grimmfest Films is financially supported by M2 Media Post Inc, providing an equity fund to invest in post-production. Further funding announcements are pending.
The management team includes executive producer Sarada McDermott McDermott’s credits include co-producer roles on Fighting With My Family and Tolkien.
Simeon Halligan and Rachel Richardson-Jones, directors of Manchester-based UK genre film festival Grimmfest, are launching a production company called Grimmfest Films.
The company will develop, produce and part-finance feature films and streaming content from filmmakers who have premiered work in the festival. This year’s event runs from October 3-6.
Grimmfest Films is financially supported by M2 Media Post Inc, providing an equity fund to invest in post-production. Further funding announcements are pending.
The management team includes executive producer Sarada McDermott McDermott’s credits include co-producer roles on Fighting With My Family and Tolkien.
- 5/10/2019
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Grimmfest 2018, a celebration of the horror genre, sweeps over Manchester, England for the tenth time starting on October 4th and the lineup is pretty exciting. The recently revealed lineup features a fully remastered screening of Splintered (from Grimmfest festival directors Simeon Halligan and Rachel Richardson-Jones), the regional premiere of Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich, the horror anthology Nightmare Cinema, a Barbara Crampton Lifetime Achievement Award presentation, and more!
Press Release: This year, Grimmfest, Manchester's Festival of Horror, Cult and Fantastic Film, celebrates its 10th anniversary. Get ready for decimation, with the darkest, deadliest line-up yet of wild, weird, witty, thrilling, chilling, blood-spilling movies, every one of them a premiere or cult classic of one kind or another, many with cast and crew in attendance.
But Grimmfest will also be looking back, a little nervously over its shoulder, perhaps, at a decade spent delivering top-quality cinematic carnage to the movie-goers of Manchester,...
Press Release: This year, Grimmfest, Manchester's Festival of Horror, Cult and Fantastic Film, celebrates its 10th anniversary. Get ready for decimation, with the darkest, deadliest line-up yet of wild, weird, witty, thrilling, chilling, blood-spilling movies, every one of them a premiere or cult classic of one kind or another, many with cast and crew in attendance.
But Grimmfest will also be looking back, a little nervously over its shoulder, perhaps, at a decade spent delivering top-quality cinematic carnage to the movie-goers of Manchester,...
- 9/4/2018
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Manchester-based genre film festival Grimmfest have announced the first 3 of many UK premieres lined up for this year’s 10th anniversary edition; along with details of some very special awards prizes on offer for films in the official selection. The full festival programme is due to be unleashed on Monday 3rd September 2018, but here’s an early sneak preview of 3 of this year’s titles…
First up Grimmfest will have the UK premiere of the much-anticipated Nightmare Cinema, a weird, wild and most welcome throwback to the classic EC-comics-inspired horror anthologies of the 1970s, from genre giants Alejandro Brugués, Joe Dante, Mick Garris, Ryûhei Kitamura and David Slade. Fresh from its world premiere at Fantasia International Film Festival, the film stars Mickey Rourke, Elizabeth Reaser, Richard Chamberlain and Annabeth Gish.
Director Rob Grant will be making a welcome return to the festival with the UK Premiere of Canadian shocker Alive.
First up Grimmfest will have the UK premiere of the much-anticipated Nightmare Cinema, a weird, wild and most welcome throwback to the classic EC-comics-inspired horror anthologies of the 1970s, from genre giants Alejandro Brugués, Joe Dante, Mick Garris, Ryûhei Kitamura and David Slade. Fresh from its world premiere at Fantasia International Film Festival, the film stars Mickey Rourke, Elizabeth Reaser, Richard Chamberlain and Annabeth Gish.
Director Rob Grant will be making a welcome return to the festival with the UK Premiere of Canadian shocker Alive.
- 8/21/2018
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Grimmfest, the Manchester based genre festival is pleased to announce the first Grimmfest Awards, a new scheme to celebrate the very best genre titles selected for the annual festival and the creative teams behind them.
Said festival director and founder of Grimmfest, Simeon Halligan:
We are launching the awards, to promote and celebrate ground-breaking new talent in Genre filmmaking. For the past decade, we have showcased the work of filmmakers from all around the world, keen to discover the next generation of cinematic mavericks and genre masters.
Co-director Rachel Richardson-Jones added:
…as filmmakers ourselves, we have become increasingly aware that festival recognition is not merely an acknowledgement from peers of a job well done, but also a vital means of gaining increased profile and attention for your film. Therefore, as one of the Genre world’s key festivals, we have decided to reward excellence where we see it.
Said festival director and founder of Grimmfest, Simeon Halligan:
We are launching the awards, to promote and celebrate ground-breaking new talent in Genre filmmaking. For the past decade, we have showcased the work of filmmakers from all around the world, keen to discover the next generation of cinematic mavericks and genre masters.
Co-director Rachel Richardson-Jones added:
…as filmmakers ourselves, we have become increasingly aware that festival recognition is not merely an acknowledgement from peers of a job well done, but also a vital means of gaining increased profile and attention for your film. Therefore, as one of the Genre world’s key festivals, we have decided to reward excellence where we see it.
- 4/4/2018
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
All-female Jury includes actress Joanne Mitchell and sales agent Caroline Couret-Delegue.
Manchester-based genre event Grimmfest has unveiled the first Grimmfest Awards, as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations of the festival.
With the event taking place from October 4-7 this year, a six-person jury will judge in 12 categories including best feature, best director and best scare, with winners announced at the end of the festival.
All six members of the inaugural jury are women; including actress and producer Joanne Mitchell (Attack Of The Adult Babies); sales agent Caroline Couret-Delegue; actress and writer Lauren Ashley Carter (Jug Face); Dread Central journalist...
Manchester-based genre event Grimmfest has unveiled the first Grimmfest Awards, as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations of the festival.
With the event taking place from October 4-7 this year, a six-person jury will judge in 12 categories including best feature, best director and best scare, with winners announced at the end of the festival.
All six members of the inaugural jury are women; including actress and producer Joanne Mitchell (Attack Of The Adult Babies); sales agent Caroline Couret-Delegue; actress and writer Lauren Ashley Carter (Jug Face); Dread Central journalist...
- 4/3/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Grimmfest, Manchester’s Festival of Horror, Cult and Fantastic Film is back; bigger, bolder, and bloodier than ever before. As the Printworks once again find itself under siege by blood-soaked hordes of horror enthusiasts and film freaks, as Team Grimmfest unleashes…the Ninth Configuration! The festivals latest and greatest line-up yet of dark, dangerous, wild, weird, witty, thrilling, chilling, blood-spilling movies, every one of them a premiere or cult classic of one kind or another.
Highlights include: World Premieres!
Grimmfest is proud to be presenting the world premiere of the remarkable and utterly unique Borley Rectory. Using an elaborate mixture of live action, stills, paintings, and model work, it’s an immersive, eerily atmospheric, and elegantly retro-styled exploration of the Most Haunted House in Britain. Over six years in the making, it’s a real labor of love for its creator, Ashley Thorpe. Featuring a score by Ex-Banshee Steve Severin,...
Highlights include: World Premieres!
Grimmfest is proud to be presenting the world premiere of the remarkable and utterly unique Borley Rectory. Using an elaborate mixture of live action, stills, paintings, and model work, it’s an immersive, eerily atmospheric, and elegantly retro-styled exploration of the Most Haunted House in Britain. Over six years in the making, it’s a real labor of love for its creator, Ashley Thorpe. Featuring a score by Ex-Banshee Steve Severin,...
- 9/1/2017
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
It’s that time of year again. The nights are drawing in, the skies are increasingly overcast, the weather is disturbingly unpredictable. There’s something dark coming. Grimmfest 2015 is almost upon us. And as ever, Grimmfest will be welcoming a handful of horror cohorts as guests to the event. This years line-up includes (from the press release):
Thur 1st Oct
For our opening night, we’ll be proving that it really is Grimm Up North, with our showcase of Northern shorts. This will feature the world premiere of The Box, which marks the directorial debut of SFX make-up guru, Shaune Harrison, who has worked on everything from Hellraiser 3, through to Harry Potter, The Avengers, World War Z and Star Wars, and now runs his own Make-Up Academy here in Manchester. Shaune will be joining us, alongside the film’s stars. Dominic Brunt, best known for his role in Emmerdale,...
Thur 1st Oct
For our opening night, we’ll be proving that it really is Grimm Up North, with our showcase of Northern shorts. This will feature the world premiere of The Box, which marks the directorial debut of SFX make-up guru, Shaune Harrison, who has worked on everything from Hellraiser 3, through to Harry Potter, The Avengers, World War Z and Star Wars, and now runs his own Make-Up Academy here in Manchester. Shaune will be joining us, alongside the film’s stars. Dominic Brunt, best known for his role in Emmerdale,...
- 9/22/2015
- by Ginger_Phoenix
- Nerdly
With the Scottish independence referendum just days away it seems fitting that new British horror 'White Settlers' finally finds its general release. The movie comes courtesy of Grimmfest Directors Simeon Halligan and Rachel Richardson-Jones and lands on UK VOD platforms this very day! The home invasion thriller opens today over at the Sky Store, iTunes, Virgin Filmflex, GooglePlay, Amazon, Horrow Show TV, Blinkbox, Xbox and Wuaki. 'White Settlers' stars Pollyanna McIntosh ('The Woman'), Lee Williams and Joanne Mitchell. Head below to check out the official trailer....
- 9/8/2014
- Horror Asylum
Dubbed 'The Scottish Referendum Horror' and made by Grimmfest Festival Directors Simeon Halligan and Rachel Richardson-Jones, White Settlers (review) is currently touring the UK, hitting VOD today, and heading to DVD in October.
White Settlers is now available to stream on Sky Store, iTunes, Virgin Filmflex, GooglePlay, Amazon, Horrow Show TV, Blinkbox, Xbox, and Wuaki as of 8th September with the DVD following on 20th October.
The film also recently embarked on a road trip, hitting the following select cinemas around the UK during September and October with many dates including cast and crew Q+A's:
6-9 Sept Derby Quad, Derby
15-18 Sept Dancehouse, Manchester - Q+A with cast and crew + short film showcase each night
20-23 Sept The Small Cinema, Moston, Greater Manchester - Q+A with the producer and director on the 20th
22-25 Sept Peckham Plex, London
25 Sept The Cameo, Edinburgh - Q+A with cast...
White Settlers is now available to stream on Sky Store, iTunes, Virgin Filmflex, GooglePlay, Amazon, Horrow Show TV, Blinkbox, Xbox, and Wuaki as of 8th September with the DVD following on 20th October.
The film also recently embarked on a road trip, hitting the following select cinemas around the UK during September and October with many dates including cast and crew Q+A's:
6-9 Sept Derby Quad, Derby
15-18 Sept Dancehouse, Manchester - Q+A with cast and crew + short film showcase each night
20-23 Sept The Small Cinema, Moston, Greater Manchester - Q+A with the producer and director on the 20th
22-25 Sept Peckham Plex, London
25 Sept The Cameo, Edinburgh - Q+A with cast...
- 9/8/2014
- by Debi Moore
- DreadCentral.com
Simeon Hailligan’s thriller [pictured], starring Pollyanna McIntosh and Lee Williams, on Metrodome International’s Cannes slate.
Metrodome International are handling sales on White Settlers in Cannes.
Simeon Halligan’s thriller stars Pollyanna McIntosh and Lee Williams and will screen to distributors for the first time. It is produced by Rachel Richardson-Jones for Not A Number Productions.
Caroline Couret-Delègue, Metrodome International head of sales & acquisitions, commented: “We are extremely pleased to be representing these titles going into our first Cannes with Metrodome International. We look forward to embarking on a fruitful relationship with Not A Number Productions.”
Metrodome International are also handling Dominic Brunt’s The Taking, staring Victoria Smurfit and Joanne Mitchell, and The Guvnors starring Harley Sylvester from hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks.
Metrodome International are handling sales on White Settlers in Cannes.
Simeon Halligan’s thriller stars Pollyanna McIntosh and Lee Williams and will screen to distributors for the first time. It is produced by Rachel Richardson-Jones for Not A Number Productions.
Caroline Couret-Delègue, Metrodome International head of sales & acquisitions, commented: “We are extremely pleased to be representing these titles going into our first Cannes with Metrodome International. We look forward to embarking on a fruitful relationship with Not A Number Productions.”
Metrodome International are also handling Dominic Brunt’s The Taking, staring Victoria Smurfit and Joanne Mitchell, and The Guvnors starring Harley Sylvester from hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks.
- 5/9/2014
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
As promised yesterday when announcing the new UK thriller White Settlers from director Simeon Halligan and writer Ian Fenton, the film's lead actor has been selected, and we have all the details right here.
World famous model/actor Lee Williams (pictured; "The Tudors," The Forsythe Saga," "Hotel Babylon") will be co-starring in the film alongside Pollyanna McIntosh (The Woman).
Director Halligan, along with producer Rachel Richardson-Jones, runs Grimm Entertainment, a vehicle for distributing new genre films in the UK and around the world. They are also the brains behind GrimmFest - Manchester, England's annual cult and horror film fest - where White Settlers will premiere this October. White Settlers will be released through their production company Not a Number.
Richardson-Jones enthuses: “It’s been a dream of mine to create a mini Hollywood style studio here in Manchester. I’m thrilled to say Bafta-nominated writer Ian Fenton’s White Settlers...
World famous model/actor Lee Williams (pictured; "The Tudors," The Forsythe Saga," "Hotel Babylon") will be co-starring in the film alongside Pollyanna McIntosh (The Woman).
Director Halligan, along with producer Rachel Richardson-Jones, runs Grimm Entertainment, a vehicle for distributing new genre films in the UK and around the world. They are also the brains behind GrimmFest - Manchester, England's annual cult and horror film fest - where White Settlers will premiere this October. White Settlers will be released through their production company Not a Number.
Richardson-Jones enthuses: “It’s been a dream of mine to create a mini Hollywood style studio here in Manchester. I’m thrilled to say Bafta-nominated writer Ian Fenton’s White Settlers...
- 5/14/2013
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
They say Cannes "stays in your blood" and it's true! Three weeks later, here's the final interview from my trip. I wanted to finish my interview tour of the movie business with a real blue collar film festival so I sat down for a drink with Rachel Richardson-Jones, aka "Lady Grimm"; a film producer and director of the Grimm Up North International Film Festival of Horror and Cult Films.
How long has your festival been running and how did it get started?
Grimm is now in its fourth year and was born out of shameless self promotion for our first feature "Splintered". Sadly our executive producer Clive Parsons, a veteran British film producer who made such classics as Scum and Gregory's Girl and I might add was a true gentleman, passed away shortly after completion, leaving us without a clue of how to get distribution in our own territory. So we decided to put on a little showcase of three movies over one day in our home town of Manchester and call it Grimm up North. After a successful week in London I managed to not only acquire distribution for Splintered, but also a number of movies to screen from various distributors and Grimm Up North turned out to be three crazy days of 28 movies, twelve of which were premiers, not to mention a plague of Cenobites. Although we vowed "never again" the day after the festival, there did seem to be a lot of love for it and we've been growing steadily each year.
What brings you to Cannes?
This was an extremely exciting year for us, as it was Grimm Up North's first year as a buyer at Cannes, we were looking for films to screen at the festival in October. In addition to this we have also raised the bar with our brand new distribution label Grimm Entertainment. We have partnered with Koch media in the UK and have already acquired rights to several films which we are releasing in Early October 2012. We are to release a minimum of eight movies in our first year so we were looking for movies that would play well at the festival and also have UK rights available for distribution.
So what's the ultimate goal with the festival? Do you plan on growing into a market or another Sundance?
It would be an interesting idea to grow Grimm to the stage whereby, if you produce, write, sell, buy, promote or just love to watch genre material, people can come to Manchester to do just that and get to cuddle lots of lovely northern folk, as we are very friendly in the North.
What kind of films do you like personally?
Wow my taste is so diverse, I do have a penchant for Sci-Fi, but also love to watch films from all over the world, I love films with a great story, so for me it can be any genre from ‘The Lives of Others’ to ‘Martyrs’ to ‘How to Train Your Dragon’.
How many submissions do you normally get and how do you go through them all?
This year we had over 100 submissions. We have a dedicated team of volunteers who help us view material. But essentially it comes down to Myself, Simeon Halligan who is co-director of the festival and Steve Balshaw our film programmer and founding member of Grimm who make the decisions, and if we can't all agree on a film it doesn't go in the festival.
A lot of people say the festival process is inherently political, what are your thoughts on that and do you have advice for filmmakers?
This is a very good point, running our own festival has really given us a great insight as filmmakers of how important it is to make sure either the producer or sales agent make a big noise about a film. It is essential to get it into the press and give your movie as much profile as possible. There are so many films to watch you end up being drawn to the ones listed in the trades and there starts the merry go round, with all the usual suspects being shown in all the various festivals. Whilst we at Grimm do like to have a number of festival circuit films we have seen at the markets, we do get quite excited by the submissions we get to the festival. Steve Balshaw was a big advocate of the Soska sisters' submission ‘Dead Hooker in a Trunk’ it got great coverage at Grimm and really helped to build a following for them in the UK. Similarly we hope to do the same with Ryan Levin’s 'Some Guy Who Kills People' which screened really well at last year's festival and that we will be releasing later on in the year under the Grimm label.
Did you have a "Cannes moment"?
Meeting Zack Coffman at the Estonian Drinks Party and scoffing all their chocolate which we just couldn't get enough of!
Well, there you have it. I've finally worked Cannes out of my system.
Written by Zack Coffman. Follow Zack's film marketing tips and adventures @choppertown on Twitter.
How long has your festival been running and how did it get started?
Grimm is now in its fourth year and was born out of shameless self promotion for our first feature "Splintered". Sadly our executive producer Clive Parsons, a veteran British film producer who made such classics as Scum and Gregory's Girl and I might add was a true gentleman, passed away shortly after completion, leaving us without a clue of how to get distribution in our own territory. So we decided to put on a little showcase of three movies over one day in our home town of Manchester and call it Grimm up North. After a successful week in London I managed to not only acquire distribution for Splintered, but also a number of movies to screen from various distributors and Grimm Up North turned out to be three crazy days of 28 movies, twelve of which were premiers, not to mention a plague of Cenobites. Although we vowed "never again" the day after the festival, there did seem to be a lot of love for it and we've been growing steadily each year.
What brings you to Cannes?
This was an extremely exciting year for us, as it was Grimm Up North's first year as a buyer at Cannes, we were looking for films to screen at the festival in October. In addition to this we have also raised the bar with our brand new distribution label Grimm Entertainment. We have partnered with Koch media in the UK and have already acquired rights to several films which we are releasing in Early October 2012. We are to release a minimum of eight movies in our first year so we were looking for movies that would play well at the festival and also have UK rights available for distribution.
So what's the ultimate goal with the festival? Do you plan on growing into a market or another Sundance?
It would be an interesting idea to grow Grimm to the stage whereby, if you produce, write, sell, buy, promote or just love to watch genre material, people can come to Manchester to do just that and get to cuddle lots of lovely northern folk, as we are very friendly in the North.
What kind of films do you like personally?
Wow my taste is so diverse, I do have a penchant for Sci-Fi, but also love to watch films from all over the world, I love films with a great story, so for me it can be any genre from ‘The Lives of Others’ to ‘Martyrs’ to ‘How to Train Your Dragon’.
How many submissions do you normally get and how do you go through them all?
This year we had over 100 submissions. We have a dedicated team of volunteers who help us view material. But essentially it comes down to Myself, Simeon Halligan who is co-director of the festival and Steve Balshaw our film programmer and founding member of Grimm who make the decisions, and if we can't all agree on a film it doesn't go in the festival.
A lot of people say the festival process is inherently political, what are your thoughts on that and do you have advice for filmmakers?
This is a very good point, running our own festival has really given us a great insight as filmmakers of how important it is to make sure either the producer or sales agent make a big noise about a film. It is essential to get it into the press and give your movie as much profile as possible. There are so many films to watch you end up being drawn to the ones listed in the trades and there starts the merry go round, with all the usual suspects being shown in all the various festivals. Whilst we at Grimm do like to have a number of festival circuit films we have seen at the markets, we do get quite excited by the submissions we get to the festival. Steve Balshaw was a big advocate of the Soska sisters' submission ‘Dead Hooker in a Trunk’ it got great coverage at Grimm and really helped to build a following for them in the UK. Similarly we hope to do the same with Ryan Levin’s 'Some Guy Who Kills People' which screened really well at last year's festival and that we will be releasing later on in the year under the Grimm label.
Did you have a "Cannes moment"?
Meeting Zack Coffman at the Estonian Drinks Party and scoffing all their chocolate which we just couldn't get enough of!
Well, there you have it. I've finally worked Cannes out of my system.
Written by Zack Coffman. Follow Zack's film marketing tips and adventures @choppertown on Twitter.
- 6/22/2012
- by Zack Coffman
- Sydney's Buzz
This Friday, September 3rd, Splintered, the debut feature from production company Not A Number and director Simeon Halligan, will be having its UK premiere in the best cinema in London, the Empire Leicester Square, and starting today tickets are on sale for the screening along with an exclusive after party.
Here are the details:
Splintered is beautifully shot and deserves to be seen on the big screen. So why not come see the movie alongside the director, producer, and cast? Here’s your chance to join them at the Empire Leicester Square on the evening of Friday the 3rd September. Tickets are on sale from Tuesday 31st of August, after midday. Click here for the Empire website.
Come rub shoulders with director Simeon Halligan, producer Rachel Richardson Jones, and the cast from the horror film described as "Horror for the Skins generation."
Make sure you look the part as you...
Here are the details:
Splintered is beautifully shot and deserves to be seen on the big screen. So why not come see the movie alongside the director, producer, and cast? Here’s your chance to join them at the Empire Leicester Square on the evening of Friday the 3rd September. Tickets are on sale from Tuesday 31st of August, after midday. Click here for the Empire website.
Come rub shoulders with director Simeon Halligan, producer Rachel Richardson Jones, and the cast from the horror film described as "Horror for the Skins generation."
Make sure you look the part as you...
- 8/31/2010
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
GrimmUpNorth is Manchester's premier, horror film festival, running from October 29th - November 1st and including the world premier of 'The Reeds' and screening of 'The Descent 2', with Q&A from cast and director. The festival will be taking place in Manchester's Printworks and Odeon Cinema.
Gerard Johnson's Tony, a film we all love here at Qe, will be playing. We highly reccomend it. Review here.
A full line-up can be found at the festival website, but other notable screenings include Faye Jackson's Romanian vampire film 'Strigoi' and a special screening of Hellraiser, including a chance to meet the 'Cenobites' themselves; Doug Bradley (aka Pin Head), Nicholas Vince (Chatterer) and Simon Bamford (Butterball) on the Friday.
Here's a list of films that will be screened over the weekend:
Thursday 29th
Decsent 2 + Tras Visillos (Short)
Friday 30th & Saturday 31st:
Gnaw
Tony + Excision (Short...
Gerard Johnson's Tony, a film we all love here at Qe, will be playing. We highly reccomend it. Review here.
A full line-up can be found at the festival website, but other notable screenings include Faye Jackson's Romanian vampire film 'Strigoi' and a special screening of Hellraiser, including a chance to meet the 'Cenobites' themselves; Doug Bradley (aka Pin Head), Nicholas Vince (Chatterer) and Simon Bamford (Butterball) on the Friday.
Here's a list of films that will be screened over the weekend:
Thursday 29th
Decsent 2 + Tras Visillos (Short)
Friday 30th & Saturday 31st:
Gnaw
Tony + Excision (Short...
- 10/13/2009
- QuietEarth.us
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