UK-based sales agency HanWayFilms has acquired international distribution rights to Kidulthood, aLondon teenage gang story that marks the debut of a promisingwriter-director-producer trio.

The film, which combines alove story, rites of passage and a tale of retribution, wrapped this week underthe direction of Menhaj Huda, a former commercials and TV director.

Produced by first-timerGeorge Isaac, Huda and the experienced Damian Jones, the film was written byNoel Clarke, winner of last year's Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for MostPromising New Actor.

Set on the streets ofLondon, it has an ensemble cast of largely unknown actors plucked straight fromschool.

"I waited for years tosee a British urban movie, and then this script landed on my desk," said Huda."Needless to say it went straight to the top of my pile and I knew I had to getthis film made before anything else and by any means necessary."

Huda and Isaac ended upfinancing the Stealth Films/Cipher Films production through private equity, withTMC Films coming on board. Other key crew include acclaimed director ofphotography Brian Tufano, whose credits include Billy Elliot, East Is Eastand Trainspotting.

See this week's ScreenInternational for full story

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