Features in Development

A Fantastic Fear of Everything

Writer/Director: CJ Mills

Co-Director: Chris Hopewell

Simon Pegg plays Jack, a children’s author turned crime novelist whose detailed research into the lives of Victorian serial killers has turned him into a paranoid wreck, persecuted by the irrational fear of being murdered.  When Jack is thrown a life-line by his long-suffering agent and a mysterious Hollywood executive takes a sudden and inexplicable interest in his script, what should be his ‘big break’ rapidly turns into his ‘big breakdown’, as Jack is forced to confront his worst demons; among them his love life, his laundry and the origin of all fear. 

Maps for Lost Lovers

Adapted from the Booker long-listed novel by Nadeem Aslam.

Awarded UK Film Council development funding.

In a forgotten provincial town in the North of England, a Pakistani couple battle for the souls of their children against the backdrop of an honour killing in their family.

Kaukab, an intensely religious but devoted mother struggles to preserve Islamic values in her home in opposition to her atheist-poet husband, Shamas.  They loved each other once.  Now her growing rigidity has alienated her from him and her children. For the children’s sake, she welcomes his brother, Jugnu into their world when he returns from the U.S.  And they adore this ‘fun’ uncle with his glow-in-the-dark hands.  But her welcome fades when she realises how his liberalism works against her.

Kaukab is furious when Jugnu persuades thrice-divorced Chanda to live with him next door.  She suspects Chanda's family will not endure this humiliation.  They don't. When the two lovers disappear unaccountably, people ‘see’ their ghosts by the lake.  Local police suspect an honour crime but Kaukab goes into absolute denial. Slowly, her husband and all her children defect.

Writer: Rukhsana Ahmad 
 

Time Flies

Whilst acting out their dream lifestyles over one night in a closed department store, five teenage kids have time to play, to dress up, to do what they want... or to exact a little misplaced revenge.

 A teen comedy/thriller. 

Writer/Director: Bevan Walsh 

Bevan won the Best Newcomer award at Rushes Soho Shorts in 2008 for ‘Love Does Grow on Trees’ (produced by Keel Films), which was subsequently nominated for a BIFA. The film has screened in festivals worldwide including London, Melbourne,Toronto and Tribeca Film Festival in New York.