Hot projects on Screenbase

StudioCanal’s Donald Crowhurst biopic

StudioCanal is co-producing with Blueprint Pictures, BBC Films and Galatée. StudioCanal will co-finance with BBC Films. The film is based on the true-story of amateur yachtsman Donald Crowhurst’s involvement in the 1968 World Yacht Race.

The Theory Of Everything’s James Marsch will direct, while Colin Firth will star as Crowhurst. Principal photography is set to begin this spring.

Harry Wootliff’s Only You

Newly launched UK production outfit Crybaby Pictures will produce the love story alongside The Bureau. Writer-director Harry Wootliff’s first feature is currently casting and finalising its finance.

The drama will deal with a couple desperately trying to have a baby.

Gangster tale Sleeping Dogs

Crybaby Pictures will produce alongside Steel Mill Pictures. Adam Dewar’s script is about a man released from prison after 40 years.

Psychological thriller A Place To Bury Strangers

The Bureau is to produce with Crybaby Pictures. Al Mackay wrote the romantic-thriller revolving around a young English couple.

Xavier Giannoli’s upcoming Marguerite

This period-drama about a 1920s opera singer stars Catherine Frot. Memento Films International has sold the film in Europe, Asia and Brazil.

Marguerite is co-produced by Fidélité Films, Sirena Film, and Scope Pictures.

Carlo Cresto-Dina’s UK production Wildfire

Italian London-based producer takes on first UK production through Tempesta, alongside Cowboy Films. The Irish Film Board and the Wellcome Trust back the project.

The film is about the relationship between two sisters, played by Nika Mcguigan and Nora-Jane Noone.

Kids’ film Asino Vola (Donkey Flies)

Tempesta will also produce Italian feature Asino Vola, dealing with a poor boy dreaming of joining a brass-band. The film, currently in post-production, is sold internationally by The Match Factory.

Caterina Carone’s Fräulein

The Italian art-house feature marks a change of pace for actor Christian De Sica, who plays a guest checking into an abandoned hotel and falling in love with the owner.

Carlo Cresto-Dina will produce through Tempesta.

Irene Dionisio’s Le Ultime Cose

The film, set in a pawn shop, and starring some non-professional actors, is currently in pre-production.

Simon Pummell’s adaptation of Dogfight

Based on William Gibson’s sci-fi short story, Janine Marmot will produce through Hot Property Films.

Pummel described the film as “a film about gambling,” adding that “the backbone of the film is the idea that every idea of improvement, quality and happiness in our life can be accounted for in money.”

Jason Flemyng’s directorial debut Reign Of Blood

UK-based Evolution Pictures is to produce actor Jason Flemyng’s first feature. The vampire film is written by Danny King and shooting is set to begin in summer 2015.

Crime-thriller We Still Steal The Old Way

Evolution Pictures will also produce a We Still Kill The Old Way sequel, with a number of the original cast set to return. Principal photography is due to begin this spring.

Parc Media’s sci-fi epic StarSailor

The China-UK $60m co-production will be written and directed by Douglas Trumbull. It will use his new MAGI 3D process.

Sino-UK co-production Angel In The Dark

Parc Media is also teaming with China’s Central New Film Group to produce this $30m feature.