Bankside raps with Drew's iLL Manors

Bankside Films has taken on worldwide sales for Ben Drew’s debut feature film iLL Manors.

Drew, better known as rapper and musician Plan B, makes his feature directorial debut with the music-heavy film about young people in London’s East End. (His song of the same name is featured in the film.)

Riz Ahmed is among the cast of the ensemble film, which explores multiple storylines including a young man drawn into gang violence, and a young mother trying to reunite with her child.

Bankside will have a private screening for buyers in Cannes Market.

Revolver will release in the UK on June 6, planning the company’s largest-ever theatrical launch with a release of over 200 prints.

Bankside’s Head of Sales & Marketing, Stephen Kelliher, commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to be involved with Ben Drew’s iLL Manors. From the moment we saw the film, we knew that a brilliant new voice in British filmmaking had been discovered and we are excited about bringing the film to the world’s buyers in Cannes. This is by far the best directorial debut to come from the UK in years.”

Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London added: “We are delighted to be working with Bankside Films and I am confident their expertise will provide this brilliant film the platform it deserves on the international stage. iLL Manors is an accomplished debut and all of us at Film London are proud of what Ben has achieved, and it is also another excellent addition to what is now a very strong slate of Microwave films.”

The film was supported by Film London’s Microwave scheme for low-budget productions.