Missing In Action Films, theUK production banner formed by Mia Bays, isplanningan early 2006 shoot for its first narrative feature film, Neil Hunter andNatalie Sirett's TheSycamores.

Thefilm is a mysteryset in the 1970s. Bays is producing with David Parfitt, producer ofShakespeare in Love, on board asexecutive producer.

"We have Natalie Press andPeter Mullan attached, and the script is out to twoother big names for the other key roles," Bays told ScreenDaily.com. "The idea is to have a heavyweight cast and maybeget some pre-sales."

TheSycamores has a budget of $7.2m (£4.2m)and will shoot in February or Marchin the Isle of Man (which is funding) and in the northwest of England. Bays said that40% of the finance was already raised.

Missing in Action is alsoproducing a feature-length documentary, Stephen Kijak's Scott Walker - 30th Century Man. The featureexplores the influence of cult musician Walker through interviews with Bowie,Brian Eno, Jarvis Cocker, Radioheadand other musicians.

Scott Walkeris 70% shotalready,with $100,000 of US private equity inplace and Bays seeking about $610,435 (£350,000) in finishing funds. Verve has alreadytaken UK rights to thefilm, whichshould be delivered in the fall.

Bays is also developing cinematographerBarry Ackroyd's feature directorial debut, a thrillerset in the world of trafficking of women, and Song of Songs director Josh Appignanesi'snext feature, Within, which shedescribed as a "psychological chiller in the style of The Shining."