The first Pathe Production Prize has gone to Frankie's Comeback, a comedy that will now be produced through UK National Lottery franchise Pathe Pictures.

The project, written by former theatre actor Bernard Wright, was selected from the three winners of the inaugural Orange Prize for Screenwriting. It follows a washed-up showman on the comeback trail.

"Bernard is a truly original and imaginative writing talent, and we are delighted that the prize has given us the opportunity of working with him," said Andrea Calderwood, head of production at Pathe.