New feature film funding announced by Film Agency for Wales

The Film Agency for Wales has announced production funding of £325,000 across three projects, including £150,000 for the latest movie from Rupert Friend, the star of ‘Young Victoria’ and Tom Hardy, the star of ‘Bronson’.

Produced by Margaret Matheson, Vaughan Sivell and Kelly Broad, ‘Barafundle Bay’ – a project that has been noted as one of the top as yet un-produced scripts by [Variety] -is written by Welsh born writer/producer Vaughan Sivell of Western Edge Pictures. Director Hattie Dalton, who is widely recognized as being rapidly on the rise, will work alongside Sivell. Her credits include ‘The Banker’ with Michael Sheen, ‘Heartlands’, ‘Stoned’ and ‘Layer Cake’. She has also recently been attached to direct the feature comedy ‘Little White Car’, written by the ‘Bond’ writing team Purvis and Wade.

‘Barafundle Bay’ is a touching and life affirming comedy about four friends re-forging the bond that they once enjoyed, as they take their last trip together along the coastline of West Wales. Starring alongside Friend will be Tom Hardy (‘Bronson’, ‘Rocknrolla’ and ‘Scenes of a Sexual Nature’) and Benedict Cumberbatch (‘The Other Boleyn Girl’, ‘Atonement’ and ‘Starter for Ten’).

"Having been born and raised in Pembrokeshire, I relished the opportunity to write a script that draws on the environment and values of this beautiful part of the world," explains Sivell who began his career, aged 14, as an actor before taking up writing and selling his TV series ‘Tiding’s Reach’ to BBC Wales. ‘Barafundle Bay’ will be his debut feature.

"‘Barafundle Bay’ tells the hilarious and moving story of a young man with terminal cancer who asks his three best friends to take him on one last riotous camping trip to his favorite beach. We’re delighted to have attached such a high profile cast along with Independent on board as sales agents"

An additional £150,000 has been awarded by the Film Agency for Wales to Rondo Media for the feature film ‘Driven’ by writer Catrin Clarke (‘Casualty’, ‘Mistresses’, ‘Moth’ and ‘Belonging’). Director Gareth Bryn and producer Eryl Phillips have attached Romola Garai (principal actress in Stephen Poliakoff’s forthcoming 1939, Atonement, ‘I Capture the Castle’ and ‘Inside I’m Dancing’) for the lead role of Beth.

A real life rebel without a cause, Beth is a non-conformist who relies on her sister to pick up the aftermath of her actions. But, this time she is left on her own with her 6 year-old nephew.

"‘Driven’ is a subtle, dark and ironic road movie about the wrong decisions that we can make in life," explains producer Eryl Phillips.

"With the early support of the Film Agency for Wales, we are excited about the potential of this debut feature – it is highly visual with some fast paced action. We hope that Romola’s attachment to the project will boost the profile of the film for international buyers. Berlin proved particularly productive for the project, prompting a number of conversations with high quality sales agents"

Finally, the Film Agency enhanced their previous funding offer of £75,000 for Gabriel Range’s ‘Little Matador’, granting a further £25,000. The emotionally charged feature documentary, which charts the hopes, fears and explores what drives a number of extraordinary child matadors, is due to commence principal photography in April 2009.

Directed by Sandra Jordan and Emmy Award winning, Gabriel Range of the Borough Picture Company, and produced alongside Ed Guiney’s Element Pictures from Ireland, ‘Little Matador’ will take the audience on an extraordinary journey.

BAFTA nominated Graham Smith will take the role of director of photography. His work includes Range’s award winning ‘Death of a President’. The editor is BAFTA winner Melanie Oliver whose credits include ‘Brick Lane’ and ‘Longford’.

"These awards, totaling £325,000, demonstrate our commitment to supporting Welsh talent – especially producers, writers and directors - with a real breadth of material that has a keen eye on the international market. Whilst we have relatively limited funds, these projects demonstrate that we have a lot of talent – and that, combined with a hands-on approach to facilitating projects wherever we are able, enables us to punch far above our weight" explains Pauline Burt, Chief Executive of the Film Agency for Wales.

The Film Agency for Wales is funded by the Arts Council of Wales, the UK Film Council and the Welsh Assembly Government, via Creative Business Wales, the latter of which was set up to support, encourage and increase the range and number of films being produced in Wales and to foster the abundance of creative talent in Wales.

Courtesy of Film Agency for Wales