The UK's Parallax Pictures has established a Scottish production base through a partnership with Edinburgh-based Makar Productions. The two companies are already collaborating on Makar's first National Lottery-financed feature, the $3.9m Child Of Air.

Parallax's Sally Hibbins will executive produce the feature with Makar's Eddie Dick producing. Pat Harkins, who recently wrapped DNA Films' The Final Curtain, is attached to direct.

The on-going partnership will see Parallax using Makar's office as its production base in Scotland, while Makar will benefit from the London-based company's well-established network of international distributors and sales agents.

Parallax has become a key player within the Scottish film community, producing five features in Scotland over the past four years including Ken Loach's Carla's Song and My Name Is Joe and Philip Davis' Hold Back The Night.

The company's move to establish a Scottish base comes closely on the heels of Ecosse Films' announcement that it will open an Edinburgh office this autumn (Screen International, August 11).