Colin Kennedy's "I Love Luci" to screen in US! at Manhattan Short Fest

Big news as there is now a fantastic opportunity for many readers in the US to catch a screening of Colin Kennedy's multi-award-winning short film "I Love Luci" which is in competition at The Manhattan Short fest. Click here to read a new interview with Luci writer/director Colin Kennedy and learn more about this fun short film which was produced by Sigma and Brian Coffey.
Click here to see where the film is screening in your area (example while showing all over the place in the US late Sept, the film screens in hometown Glasgow on Sunday, 2nd October at the Glasgow Film Festival.
Manhattan Short organizers describe this truly world-wide film fest as follows:

An extraordinary global event takes place the week of September 23rd to October 2nd 2011 when over 100,000 people in over 250 cities across six continents gather in Cinemas, Galleries, Universities, Museums and Cafes for one purpose...to view and vote on our Finalists' Films in the Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival
Our mission is to unite audiences from all corners of the globe for one week via the most compelling short films submitted each year. Our tagline One World One Week One Festival is emblazoned within the rings that surround the Festival Logo and it is this mantra that sets us apart from any other film event of the year.

CONGRATULATIONS COLIN! GO LUCI GO GO GO GO SEE THIS FILM
Really, tis delightful off-beat original short film!

Snapshot: Colin Kennedy and Team I Love Luci at EiFF

As many of you already saw that follow along on Twitter, was very glad indeed to see photos now online via Flickr of Sigma Films' own Colin Kennedy who took part in the Noika shorts panel series at the recent Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Pictured: Colin, James Lees, Sigma's own Brian Coffey



...as they share their thoughts on their muli award-winning hit short film "I Love Luci" Colin let me know that the entire panel session was recorded by the folks at EiFF; for those like me who were unable to be there, am greatly hoping this video will be made available soon-updates to follow asap
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE LUCI PAGE on Sigma website for a roundup of recent awards and more :)

(ps once again the fates are against me; broken three toes this time round causing the delay...clearly this was the year I should have never gotten out of bed bleh)

Sigma in the Sun

Well here's a right sunny lovely gift from the good people at Sigma I heart heart so very much: a batch of exclusive photos of the team enjoying a bit of sun and fun at the Sundance Film Festival! :)
THANK YOU SO MUCH to the wonderful generous thoughtful people who sent this to me and gave permission for these to be posted, THANK YOU!

With the director of the Sundance Film Festival, here is Team Sigma, plus some very cool folks before the premiere of the film



Here's Colin Kennedy and Brian Coffey, they of the kick butt producer/director team behind "I Love Luci"-------->
Ewen and David
and Gillian below too




Love these two lovelies very much indeed :) ->
Brian (below) looking sharp! :)







Related: There was a bit of sunny good news today too
as Screen Daily reported Perfect Sense has now been picked up by Pretty Pictures for distribution in France. Quotage of interest:

Pretty Pictures president James Velaise said: “Perfect Sense is a great film which has everything we are looking for: a real high-end art house film with great actors, a great story, and cross over potential because of the paranormal storyline.”

During Sundance a deal was closed with IFC Films, who holds the North American rights, and just recently Kalinos Filmcilik from Turkey alsocame aboard.

Christine Langan, Creative Director BBC Films, added: “Perfect Sense is a beautiful and passionate film. BBC Films are delighted that the film’s fanastic debut at Sundance attracted two great distribution partners; IFC in the US and Pretty Pictures in France.”

Trust Nordisk pre-sold Perfect Sense to more than 15 territories before its Sundance premiere, amongst these Benelux, Brazil, Korea and the
Middle East.

Sigma Aint Afraid of No Snow

Sigma ain't afraid of no snow !!!!

;)

Neither storm nor hail nor budget crunches nor the wretched snow blitz that has befallen most of the UK and Europe of late can stop production on Sigma Film's latest effort: Citadel. In a press release issued by co-producers Blinder Films of Ireland, we heard from producers Katie Holly and Sigma's own Brian Coffey regarding the effect, if any, the terrible weather is having on the shoot for Citadel:

“In these truly Siberian conditions we’ve had to face all kinds of issues – cancelled flights, impassable roads, freezing conditions – a snow plough was even drafted in to preserve this already ambitious schedule. It’s ironic given that we’re shooting a film where the central character is afflicted with agoraphobia that we have to spend so much time out of doors! We’re just thrilled that we have such an amazingly resilient, adaptable and committed cast and crew who are battling the elements to get us through and we are literally ploughing on despite everything that has been thrown at us. Spirits are high, the performances are amazing, the material fantastic and Citadel’s off to Dublin come wind, hail or snow.”

No word on who might be manning that snowplow lol (prob Gillian who is afraid of NOTHING :D just kidding but still AWESOME!)

As first reported here on this blog earlier, production has indeed begun on Ciaran Foy's Citadel with production based out of Film City Glasgow and on location in the area for the next few weeks, then one week in Dublin (more at this link) Again, as noted previously, the new film "features Aneurin Barnard (Ironclad, Hunky Dory, Guinea Pigs) in the lead role of Tommy, alongside Scotland’s finest, James Cosmo (Braveheart, Troy, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Runway) and Wunmi Mosuka (I am Slave, One Night in Emergency ) as Marie. Co-stars include Ingrid Craigie and Amy Shiels"

Citadel is due to be released in theatres next fall

Sigma Begins Filming on Ciaran Foy's "Citadel"

A follow up on something first reported here months ago, I am thrilled to update with word that Sigma Films have officially begun filming on their newest project "Citadel." Yay!

In truly an international project, Ciaran Foy directs the latest movie which is described as a horror film of sorts, and features a wonderful cast, including rising star Welsh actor Aneurin Barnard in the lead role of Tommy, long time Sigma star & acclaimed Scottish actor James Cosmo as The Priest, the beautiful and talented Nigerian actress Wunmi Mosaku as Marie, and making his motion picture debut is young Jake Wilson (12) in his first role, that of Danny. A joint Scottish and Irish production, this film is produced by Katie Holly of Blinder Films, and Sigma Films' very own Brian Coffey, with the ever fabulous Gillian Berrie as Executive Producer. Both are producers on the rise and this is good news indeed for this feature film.

Summary of the film is as follows:
Citadel tells the story of widower and single father Tommy Cowley, a man inflicted with chronic agoraphobia since the day his wife was attacked. He was unable to protect her. He lives in Edenstown, the council estate from hell. Here he finds himself terrorized by a gang of syringe wielding feral children, who are intent on taking his baby daughter. With the help of a kind Nurse and a renegade Priest, Tommy learns the nightmarish truth surrounding these hooded children. He also learns that to be free of his fears, he must finally face the demons of his past and enter the one place he fears the most - The abandoned Tower block known as the Citadel..

Shooting on Citadel is now officially underway, with three weeks ahead RIGHT NOW in Glasgow and one week in Dublin. Citadel is based out of FILM CITY GLASGOW. Citadel is backed from the fine folks at the Irish Film Board and Creative Scotland.
Other Info:
*Citadel will be shot by Tim Fleming (Academy Award nominated Live action short The Door,) who filmed the most excellent (Academny Award winning) "Once" movie. Wow!!! Be sure to check out his demo reel here, well worth it I assure you!

*Wunmi Mosaku appeared in One Night in Emergency w/Jamie Sives and Kevin McKidd as the nurse too (save this factoid for points in the six degrees of Sigma Films game ;)

*ALL COMMENTS /REPORTS/PHOTOS WELCOME (annoy totally fine!) If you are so inclined PLEASE SEND IN YOUR PICS/UPDATES and I will be more than happy to post your reports for all us to enjoy!
Stay tuned, more Sigma goodness coming soon! :)

Sigma's Newest Movie "Citadel" to Film in November

A followup this morning on news first reported here back in April: Sigma's newest film is set to begin production in the next coming weeks with location filming to take place in Glasgow, Scotland. Under the direction of Ireland's own Ciaran Foy, Citadel, "psychological horror film is about an agoraphobic single father who wants to leave the area that haunts him," reports Screen Daily. A joint co-production, Sigma founder Gillian Berrie and Brian Coffey (I Love Luci)will be working closely with Katie Holly of Blinder films on the new movie which is set to be filmed in early November, with post to take place over in Dublin.

Colin Kennedy's "I Love Luci" Not Short on Continuing Success!

Sigma's own Colin Kennedy continues to have luck with I Love Luci, as the film has done well at some recent film festivals. Luci took second at the Rushes Soho Shorts festival in London last week (article on the winners here). Congratulations Colin, Brian and all! :)

Also, with the Motovun Film Festival now concluded, they are taking it on a brief tour in the Balkans, with Luci to screen as part of the 'Best of the Fest' collection. No word on how Luci did at the regular festival as of yet, but if you follow Colin on Twitter or read the official FB page, we know much fun was had at the festival with Luci recently.

Sidenote: Colin's work as an artist, this time visual was mentioned as his artwork for the "Donkeys" film poster from Sigma, was included as one of the Top 5 movie posters over at Central Station-article here; more from Colin, here.

Finally, because I got sidetracked with my family issues and missed some important things, I want to point out this FANTASTIC black and white portrait taken of Colin last year by One day alive. Colin is a very handsome guy it goes without saying, but there is something really striking about the expression on his face in this photo of the man, the filmmaker, the artist in a manner that makes me ponder-what is he thinking? what is going on here- a moment of reflection, triumph, frustration. Hard to read yet very interesting (or at least to me) I also really appreciate the subtle contrasts in this photo, one sleve up one down, the degrees of dark and light; very cool.

Rumor Alert: Sigma to Produce New "Citadel" Horror Film; Filming Due in July?

Rumor alert today, regarding a possible new production from Sigma. Often new projects are bandied about on websites and take ages (if ever) to come to light. That said, word has it that Sigma Films will be co-producing a brand new horror film called "Citadel." Directed by Ireland's own Ciaran Foy (also one of the directors tapped for the Advance Party II series) this possible new film will be produced by Katie Holly of Blinder films along with Sigma's own founder Gillian Berrie and producer Brian Coffey (I Love Luci). This report says the team will be at Cannes with filming due to begin this summer in July (Note: IMDB says this film is already in post which is dubious). So no idea if this is part of the Advance Party, a sep Sigma production or what is happening with this....thus...PLEASE KEEP IN MIND: This has NOT yet been officially confirmed, and will update with more when possible.

The summary (spoilerish!) as follows:

Citadel is pure terror. Gangs of feral teenagers prowl a dark urban landscape, terrorising society. Always concealed beneath hooded tops, they are silent, fast and unimaginably violent. They attack innocent adults with septic syringes, and abduct small children to swell their ranks. Edenstown is truly the council estate from Hell, home only to those with no other choice. Abandoned by the police, the community that remains is plagued by a brutal and growing teenage population that few truly understand. Emerging at night, the gangs attack indiscriminately, but are especially drawn to anyone showing fear - in fact they can see it. When Tommy's wife Joanne is viciously attacked it turns his world upside down. Not only is Joanne left in a coma, but Tommy suffers crippling agoraphobia, rendering him housebound and barely able to look after their infant daughter Elsa. When Joanne finally loses her battle and slips away, Tommy is devastated but at least he now has the opportunity to leave the violent and lawless suburb for good. He meets Marie, a nurse from the hospice, and with her help he tries to overcome his debilitating condition and learn to love his daughter.
Before he can escape however, Tommy's worst nightmare comes true - Elsa is kidnapped.
In order to save his daughter, with the help of a vigilante priest who understands the horrific truth about the gangs, Tommy must now face his greatest fear and walk into the lion's den itself - the place where the feral teenagers reside - an abandoned tower block called the Citadel.

Leaping for I Love Luci: My thoughts on the film

Since doing this blog I've been hugely lucky along the way to get some truly special gifts, such as from awesome Jamie and my photo from Sigma, and recently I got the dearest birthday card ever along with another very special gift....

I got to see Colin Kennedy's I Love Luci.

Then I started to write a review, no more factually, I wrote a review... and, because it sucked, I wrote it again... and then again and again. By this morning I counted and there were a dozen different drafts, all with different approaches different styles but nothing worked, really encapsulated what this film was about what it meant to me until I realized Luci is about a leap. So what I'm left with then still pretty much sucks, for surely it isn't a glowing polished review by any means, or a nifty blurb to quote and copy, but an entry where I write that to me this film represents all I've been doing here with this blog, what Sigma does each day, what FCG and the Scottish film industry does-and that is...keeping faith.

Oh I know, pretty hefty and dramatic words heh! but after watching this delightful short film again for the third time I realised Luci is not just a comedy, but more about having faith. For just as the main protagonist (wonderfully played throughout in top notch and lovely wistful fashion by Colin Harris, bravo!) prays in his faith, so too is this film about a leap of faith. For leaps of faith, acts of believing abound in I Love Luci: seen in the slice of life tale of rather hapless junkies in an less than glamourous side of Glasgow who not only lose some teeth a bike and a dog, but may find something more precious along the way; faith reflected by the performance of beautiful actress (Camilla Rutherford) who takes on unenviable task of performing sans teeth and lends much humor to the film; faith by leadership writing and directing that all his years of training and natural talent played out here for all the world to see are paying off with this offbeat, original, and fairly amusing story that explores the errm ins and outs of a less than beautiful life with sly wry and perceptive humor (and one flat laugh out loud scene involving a dapper dentist fellow) adding in some nifty cinematography (night shots in the garden area -I've forgotten the name eep-are quite good) and the fine contributions of a solid supporting cast (Sanjeev Kohli is hilarious and all round perfect timing/sequence in that store lolz!) and hard working crew and company who make these small gems for all of us to discover and enjoy, all for very little notice pay or glory. PHEW! That's a heck of leap for most films and filmmakers, and here I think it works, works very well indeed! I noticed I took that leap and am very glad I did. Luci is a fun adventure, both ugly at times and others truly beautiful, where the laughs are on the hapless two but not on us and remind us that love, no matter its form, can bring a smile to face if you let it.

Eh a whole lot of leaping and a lot of faith for a short 13 minute film yea yea I know, but having been allowed to follow along with Colin thru his blog on this journey, I know full well that making this film sure as heck was not an easy journey (same holds true it seems for all of Sigmas films years go into getting them made) It requires a great deal of faith to write a movie that involves some things probably too crass for some (one ewww but funny moment and a quibble but one less messy toilet shot would have still gotten the point across) but overall added to the storyline, accents which might be hard for some ears at first but are well overcome by the action and plot of the film (really I mean if this shows up with subtitles in the US that will be a horrible shame bleh), a comedy and adventure in romance of sorts which can be quite the tricky business to pull off well and aren't cringeworthy-there's dozens of reasons why it could go awry and yet and yet and yet-yet with a leap of faith here is this fine short film, one well worthy of the precedent set by Sigma, and one I honestly hope you might take the time go see.

Most of all, Luci is about heart, foibles follies faults and all, and like a well needed kick in the butt, it reminded me again that having heart and having faith matters. Just like the song at the end I suppose, you can have a laugh on me reading all this, but you know what? I have no shame in saying I love what and who I write about here, about the people who share their talent and time both on the screen and along the way personally and from my heart Colin Kennedy and Brian Coffey thank you so so very much for sharing this beautiful piece of your heart and talent with me.
Much much love always
xoxoxox

You can learn more about Luci here on the official website, older get your people blog, facebook and the trailer below.

LUCI WINS MY HEART AND CLERMONT FERRAND FILM FESTIVAL!

LUCI WINS MY HEART! LUCI WINS AT CLERMONT FERRAND!

I could scarcely believe my eyes this morning when I read the news: I LOVE LUCI, the short film written and directed by the fabulous Colin Kennedy WON WON WON at the Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival. Omg Im so lame I actually cried just now. IM SO HAPPY THRILLED. GO LUCI GO CONGRATULATIONS COLIN, BRIAN, SIGMA FILMS of Glasgow, James (Hobo film) and ALL INVOLVED.
This is the sweetest, most super news today! YAY!
Note: Colin has now added the script for Luci online here at this link.
GAH TO READ OR NOT! 0_0 torn I am....

A Sigma Films production, I Love Luci was written and directed by Colin Kennedy, produced by Brian Coffey and stars the wonderful Camilla Rutherford and Colin Harris and so many more. You can learn more about this AWARD WINNING SHORT FILM AT THIS LINK!

Snapshot Clermont

Snapshot....France, where I LOVE LUCI screened recently at the Clermont Ferrand Film Festival. As noted by writer/director Colin Kennedy, there are a load of new pics up on the Facebook fanpage at this link, check em out!

Trailer for Colin Kennedy's "I Love Luci" Now Online

Excellent way to start off the new year: the trailer for Colin Kennedy's new short film "I Love Luci" is now online at this link!(Update: Cheers to Colin for letting us know load times are fixed, ENJOY IT or watch it here on youtube!




Well, dunno about you, but I was thrilled with this trailer (altho I could have done without the toilet shot eww lol) but it was so great to FINALLY see some footage of what we only saw stills of before. I didn't want to know too much because just for once I wanted to not be spoiled way in advance of a film, so I was delighted to see all those places written about before now on film. The cast and dog look great and that was a new one with the smooch, haha! Not sure who made the trailer, most likely Colin who is quite good at these things for sure, but I hope people will like it!

I Love Luci, the newest Sigma Films production will premiere THIS FRIDAY, January 8th in snowy London at the short film festival at 6:15pm, with tickets still available. If you are traveling there, please journey safely yikes!
Colin updated his blog to let us know that he, his producer Brian Coffey and stars Colin Harris and Camila Rutherford will be in attendance, Anyone going and lucky enough to see the film or meet in person any of these fine people please please send in your reports/photos! While I wish so badly to be there for this event, I AM WITH YOU COLIN in spirit, sending all good thoughts to you the entire cast and crew and Sigma
GO LUCI GO!
xxxxxx

I Love Luci to Compete at Clermont-Ferrand Festival

Sometimes good things happen to good people as witnessed by some great news for I Love Luci, the new short film written and directed by Colin Kennedy.

The new film has been selected for International Competition at the distinguished Clermont-Ferrand short film festival (more here at this link), which runs January 29 through February 6th in France. Described as something akin to Cannes, this is truly GREAT news!

Readers will recall of course Colin and his producer Brian Coffey traveled to Clermont in Feb of 08 before shooting Luci (some fun photos here and here with this classic video here) and now look!!! FULL CIRCLE!
I THINK THIS IS ALL CAP AWESOME NEWS! Thrilled, chuffed, joyful and very proud!... as daft as that may be, I really am! I've heard from Colin who was quite pleased, as are all of us I think, so happy for him!

You can learn more about I Love Luci at the official Facebook website here as well my posts on it here.

I Love Luci was written and directed by Colin Kennedy, produced by Brian Coffey and is a Sigma Films backed project.
Congrats again Colin WE ARE WITH YOU!
GO COLIN GO
GO LUCI GO !!!!
:)))))

Colin Kennedy's "I Love Luci" Part of Encounters Short Film Festival Scottish Showcase

I'm still reeling a bit and I know this is woefully late in coming sorry :( but the Encounters short film festival is taking place this weekend in Bristol. This is of some note because lucky delegates and industry members will be treated to a special "Scottish Showcase" which features some of the latest coming out of Scotland including none other than Colin Kennedy's I Love Luci! The film, written and directed by Colin and produced by Brian Coffey, is due to show on Friday, November 20.
You can learn more about Luci via Colin's blog here
or at the official Facebook group here.
woot!Sigma is well noted for their short film background, and I am fully confident this showing bodes well for the future of Luci in the days and months to come!

One random and unexpected delight turned up while reading the program, and it involves incredibly JAMIE SIVES! Yes, The Knickerman short film is screening Thursday, November 17th heee! classic...and speaking of pants :p those bellbottom type jeans Jamie sports in this film are hysterical...oh he wears them well lol but it looks so outdated now ...wonder if he got to keep those (or they were his own to begin with, I think most of us if we are honest probably owned a pair similar to those lol ) If you can't make it to the festival you can watch the entire thing below :D

The Knickerman from sonja phillips on Vimeo.

Master List of Last Word

Apparently there is a very brief listing online of David Mackenzie's The Last Word currently filming in Glasgow, Scotland. However from what I understand, the info is woefully lacking, and so I thought I would make this post a masterlist with updates to come as I can. For example the fabulous Giles Nuttgens is serving as Director of Cinematography, and Tom Sayer is Production Designer, but neither are on that page. Also missing are cast such as Stephen Dillane and Connie Nielsen. UPDATE: More are coming in; thank you lurking powers that be :))))

Here's what we have so far :

THE LAST WORD (working title)
Director: David Mackenzie
Screenplay: Kim Fupz Anderson

Cast:
-Ewan McGregor (Michael)
-Eva Green (Susan)
-Ewen Bremner (James)
-Stephen Dillane (Samuel)
-Alastair Mackenzie (Colin)
-Connie Neilsen (Jenny)
-Des Hamilton (Frank)
-Malcolm Sheilds (Patient)
-Denis Lawson (Detective)
-Caroline Paterson (Patient's wife)
-Shabana Akhtar Bakhsh (Nurse)
-Adam Smith (Virology Technician)
-James Watson (Bus Driver)
-Richard Mack (Michael's apprentice)

Producers:
-Gillian Berrie (Sigma Films)
Line Producer
Julia Valentine

- Malte Grunert
Co-Producers:
-Sisse Graum Jorgensen
-Tristan Orpen Lync

Exec. Producers:
-Peter Aalbaek Jensen
-Peter Garde
-Carole Sheridan
- Simon Perry
- Jamie Laurenson

Cinematography
-Giles Nuttgens

Production Design
-Tom Sayer

Film Editor
-Jake Roberts

Director's Assistant
-Amy Jackson

Producer's Assistant
-Brian Coffey

Casting
-Shaheen Baig

Makeup
-Donald McInnes

Art Direction
-Andy Thompson

Art Dept.
-Tony Sheridan (Props Master)
-Paul Lambie (Standby props)
-Philip Barratt (graphics)
-Zoe Wright (Standby art director)

Camera
-COLIN KENNEDY (2nd Unit Director)
-Catherine Dunne (2nd assistand Director)
-Barrie McCulloch (1st assistant director)
-Simon Baker (a-camera/steadicam operator)
-Wayne King (gaffer)
-Derrick Peters (1st Assistant Camera)
-Zoe Laing (3rd assistant director)
-Iain Johnstone (grip)
-Luke Coulter (2nd assistant camera)

Sound Department
-Barry O'Sullivan (production sound mixer)
-Colin Gregory (boom operator)

Special Effects
-Perry Costello (armourer)

Costume Design
-Trisha Biggar

Costume and Wardrobe
-Anna Lau (costume supervisor)
-Harriet Edmonds (standby supervisor)

Researcher
-Stephen Little

Editorial Department
Lorene Dewett

Other Crew
-Layla Mall (Production Coordinator)
Claire L Kenney (assistant accountant)


Filming end of August till mid/end of October.
Budget: £4.5 million (€4.89 million)
Post Production: Windmill Lane, Dublin, Ireland
Serious Facilities/Savalas Sound Film City Glasgow, Scotland


BBC Films, Scottish Screen, Irish Film Board, Zentropa, Papkassen, Danish Film Institute and Filmivast.

Reminder Sigma's Colin Kennedy in Competition at Soho Shorts Fest This Friday

A reminder that as posted previously, Sigma Films' own Colin Kennedy has a music video in competition at the Soho Shorts Festival. Produced by Brian Coffey of Sigma, blogger/director/all round cool guy Colin Kennedy of course directed the wonderful music video You Can Do Athletics, BTW for the We are The Physics band. The video is an official selection, in competition that is taking place THIS FRIDAY, JULY 24 at the festival in London; ticket info here. VIDEO HERE ON YOUTUBE

As a reminder here is what a press release says about the video shot at FILM CITY GLASGOW last year.

The video pays homage to 50’s sci-fi film Attack of the 50ft Woman. Set in Glasgow it features the band members running between burning cars and dodging crumbling buildings as a giant goddess punches an exploding helicopter out of the sky in George Square before ripping apart the city. The video was shot in two days and had a six week post-production period, compositing around 75 effects shots comprising live action, hand-drawn graphics and rostrum camera footage. These combined to create highly stylised cinematic black and white sequences intercut with graphic novel elements. The video was achieved on a minimal budget thanks to the support of production company Sigma Films (Hallam Foe, Red Road) and a dedicated crew. It now competes with significantly larger budget productions in one of the countries most prestigious competitions for music video work.

FINGERS CROSSED, Sending our best to you Colin, Brian, the boys and all involved!

SWEET VIDEO: FIRST LOOK at Colin Kennedy's I Love Luci, plus 2 minute clip of Valhalla Rising with Mads Online!!!

Check it out!!!
Today we have quite a treat: our first look at I Love Luci!!!
A Sigma films short, you can see the first footage of Camila Rutherford and Colin at work in the new film written & directed by Sigma's own Colin Kennedy and produced by Brian Coffey of Sigma! LOL at all the sugar hahaha, SWEET Business indeed Colin!!!!xx

Part of a special promo being screened at Cannes, you can see the first footage below at 7:30 in to the spot. Bonus too is A NEW SCENE from Richard Jobson's New Town Killers, featuring a very dangerous Dougray Scott in pursuit of James Anthony Pearson (that starts at approx 1:42) Finally you can see A SHORTED VERSION OF the previously released TRAILER for Valhalla Rising at the end which stars Mads Mikkelsen- BOOOOOO YOU CUT OUT JAMIE SIVES, WHY???suckage.



VERY IMPORTANT! Please note that this same promo reel is on the UKfilmcentre.org.uk website WITH A BRAND NEW CLIP OF MADS IN VALHALLA RISING, but the SOUND DOES NOT WORK!!! AGGGH!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Uk film council/center/scottish screen people, can someone please fix that video????
You can see that video here, sans audio. While no Jamie Sives I could see alas, this Valhalla Rising clip is of Mads fighting when tied to the pole that we've seen in all those promo pics, tis freaking awesome, 2 minutes long, and its at the very end! Check it out!

Award Watch: Colin Kennedy Nominated for Scottish BAFTA New Talent

Great news today, for as noted on his I Love Luci blog, Sigma's own Colin Kennedy has been nominated at the Scottish BAFTA New Talent Award!!! Along with Brian Coffey, writer director Colin Kennedy has been nominated in the "Music Video" category for his work on the We Are The Physics "You Can Do Athletics-BTW" video!!! Recorded at Film City Glasgow last year (almost a year ago to this date 0_0), be sure to check out these entries on Colin's blog for more on the making of the video, which you can see below. The New Talent Awards will be presented on Friday 13 March 2009 at the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow, Scotland (Good luck I say, cause lmao its a day after my birthday woot lol), stay tuned (and PLEASE some one show mercy and post some pics from this, plllleaaase lol)

ALL CAP SUPER SUPER CONGRATULATIONS COLIN KENNEDY and Brian Coffey, and to the Physics, crew, Sigma and all involved. Awesome news!!! So so happy and proud of you,
GO COLIN GO!


Related: For those new to the blog, there is a fun "making of" video of Colin and the band creating this very video here. ENJOY (heart you Colin :D)




One last related award front news blurb: A movie blogger and part time b-movie producer (ie bad horror and lots of boobs tacky type of film) has issued a press release on his personal "Polished Apple" awards, and gave his best movie award to Mister Foe, noting lead actor Jamie Bell as a "wonderfully underrated actor" (where have we heard that before alas) and goes on to note that Mister Hallam Foe: “It’s not a creepy peeping tom film,” PollyStaffle.com senior editor Chad Freeman said. “It could have been, but it isn’t. Instead it’s a touching character study about love lost.” (Thanks for the reminder to post this Marit! Cheers!)

(Updated) Colin Kennedy's "I Love Luci" A Scottish Short Film Gem of the Year

Huzzah!!! Scottish Screen actually agrees with lowly me as today they have a new article online that in a nutshell means: Colin Kennedy's upcoming "I Love Luci" is one of the Short Film Gems of the year!

YES IT IS! :D

or will be, I firmly believe this!

In a piece about the great short films we can expect to see this year (and funded in part from SS I believe) they mention Sigma's own Colin Kennedy and the new short film he and Brian Coffey and co have made. Quotage:

I Love Luci is a witty, tender tale of missing teeth, unrequited love and one dog’s potential to shape the fortunes of a couple destined never to be together. The film is written and directed by Colin Kennedy and produced by Brian Coffey for Sigma Films, one of the most exciting production companies in Scotland.

LET"S REPEAT THAT LAST PART:
SIGMA FILMS, ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING PRODUCTION COMPANIES IN SCOTLAND

Damn straight it is ! wheeeee!

As we know, Sigma has a long tradition of quality short films, as David, Al and Gillian Berrie have a firm background in making these films before later branching out into full length films. With their involvement with the Advance Party initiatives, they have worked with some directors who did wonderful short films (such as Andrea Arnold and Morag Mckinnon, Johnny Barrington, Paddy, Colin etc and now Adrian McDowall and the others who form the AP 2 project). I APPLAUD them for being brave and taking this step-you never know unless someone gives you a chance, and this is precisely what Sigma is doing: taking those upcoming directors and working with them to create fresh, original full length films BRAVO!!
You can learn more about some of the films Sigma has made in the past via this link to the official Sigma website.

It should be noted that Colin Kennedy is the author of the Hallam Foe blog and is a full fledged filmmaker of his own right. At last word, the special effects are done on I Love Luci, and (possibly Savalas???) sound work is being done on the new film.
I Love Luci is written and directed by Colin Kennedy, and stars Colin Harris (The Damned United) and Camilla Rutherford (Gosford Park).

UPDATE: The Evening Times ran a great new profile on actor Colin Harris, who stars in Luci, and will be making his first major motion picture appearance in The Damned United which opens on March 27. While there is no mention of Luci alas, the article mentions the new film co-stars Martin Compston (Sigmas Red Road, Donkeys) and has a fun quote what it was like for actor Colin Harris the first day he arrived to film the football (soccer) movie.

"I checked into the hotel and the guy said The Damned United lot are just round here'. I walked in and there were Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall and Martin Compston. I thought, I think I'm in a wee bit over my head here!"

For his part Colin had to undergo an hour-long transformation, including a 70s-style wig.

He said: "The wig caused some problems - if I had to head the ball half the wig came off!"

Colin Kennedy's I Love Luci Film Looks Good for February

Update today regarding the newest short film from Sigma: I love Luci seems to be on track for completion by mid-February.

ROLL ON ENTRY FOR CANNES I SAY :D

Written and Directed by Sigma's own Colin Kennedy, produced by Brian Coffey, as well as someone named James Lees (The Hobo Film Company), early word is that it may have an approximate running time listed of 11 minutes. This is great!

The film stars Camilla Rutherford and Colin Harris

Now on a related note, Colin Harris is due to be part of another film
called The Damned United.
Right up front I will state this I HAVE NO NO NO IDEA ABOUT ENGLISH/SCOTTISH FOOTBALL. I know this a failing on my part but there you go. I dont know who this team is that the film is about, i dont know the story and have not yet read the book, I am openly quite the hell ignorant on this subject matter of football lol (us yes, this what we call soccer I guess NO) and yea totally I know Jamie Sives is a die hard fan of the sport and apparently his cousin or something is a well known player but again no idea what goes on with that. egads.

What I do know, or have been able to read is that this new film stars the excellent Michael Sheen, and will feature Colin Harris, who of course is the lead in I Love Luci, as well as Martin Compston (Sigma's Rounding Up Donkeys, Red Road and yes later season of the wonderful Monarch of the Glen which of course starred Sigma's own Alastair Mackenzie... got all that? :D) Ooh yes too I think Maurice Roeves is in the United movie, and lord knows he made a hilarious and brilliant turn in Sigmas HALLAM FOE... give yourself 5 bonus points if playing the six degrees of Sigma films game at home :D
wheeeeee!

Anyway, looks to be a good year for Mr Harris as Luci will be out sometime soon I hope! and Untied set for a March 27 release in the UK... and I totally predict the young girls are going to be all aswoon over Mr Harris in the near future too :)

DONT FORGET: Read the GetYourPeople Blog for the official word, and join the I Love Luci Facebook group for more too! :)