Sigma Films
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Sigma Films[1] is a film company based in Glasgow, Scotland. The company was formed in 1996 by Gillian Berrie, David Mackenzie and Alastair Mackenzie - a producer, director and actor respectively.[2][3]
History
Together they made the shorts California Sunshine and Somersault before going on to make their debut feature The Last Great Wilderness, which was largely funded by lottery money and co-produced by Zentropa,[3] for which they were joined by new young producer Angus Pigott.
Following the success of their first feature David Mackenzie then went on to direct Young Adam while Gillian strengthened links with co-producer Zentropa, spawning a prodigious co-production relationship which has seen Sigma contribute to a huge number of films including Lars Von Trier's Dogville and Manderlay, Thomas Vinterburg's Dear Wendy and Oscar nominated After The Wedding from Susanne Bier.[4]
Furthering the relationship with Zentropa are Andrea Arnold's Red Road and Morag Mackinnon's Donkeys. Both films are part of the Advance Party scheme created from an idea by Gillian Berrie, Sisse Graum Jorgensen, and Lars Von Trier.[3]
Gillian and David's second collaboration was Hallam Foe, starring Jamie Bell and Sophia Myles. Always keen to experiment the production embraced the then zeitgeist medium of blogging. The erstwhile blogger Hugh Macleod mentored Colin Kennedy while he wrote a commentary on production aimed at providing a transparent account of the movie-making process.
In 2011, they celebrated their 15th anniversary with the release of David Mackenzie's You Instead.[2]
Sigma Films have also been home to the short films of Johnny Barrington (Trout and Terra Firma) - and the music video from Colin Kennedy for We Are The Physics[5] and Colin's first short film proper, I Love Luci. Colin Kennedy's first feature, Swung, is due to be released in 2015.[needs update]
As well as nurturing writing and directing talent Sigma also brings on new producers and have seen Anna Duffield (Trout, Terra Firma, Donkeys), Carrie Comerford (Red Road) and Brian Coffey (Swung, The Legend of Barney Thomson, Starred Up, Citadel, I Love Luci) begin their producing careers.
Sigma also co-produced Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin starring Scarlett Johansson. The company has been the producing vehicle for the majority of David Mackenzie’s features including Hallam Foe, Perfect Sense, You Instead and Starred Up, which has picked up more than 12 awards and 11 award nominations.
Sigma recently produced Robert Carlyle's directorial debut The Legend of Barney Thomson starring Robert Carlyle, Emma Thompson and Ray Winstone, opened Edinburgh International Film Festival and was released by Icon on July 24, 2015. The film won Best Film at the 2015 Scottish BAFTAs. Director Colin Kennedy’s first-feature, Swung, also premiered at EIFF and was released in the UK on December 11, 2015.
Sigma also have a charity arm, JUMPCUT, dedicated to providing opportunities in the screen industries to young people. The 2014 JUMPCUT Summer Production short film, Dropping Off Michael has won several awards from international film festivals.
Film City Glasgow
Sigma is also responsible for Film City Glasgow, a production and post-production facility located in the old Govan Town Hall.[4] The building is home to post-production companies Serious and Savalas and production companies including Keo, Finestripe and Hopscotch. It has also been used as a studio for television productions including CBBC's School of Silence and Channel 4's Iron Chef UK.[6]
Filmography
- Swung (2015) ... Production Company
- The Legend of Barney Thomson (2015) ... Production Company
- Dropping Off Michael (2015) ... Production Company
- Starred Up (2013) ... Production Company
- Ending (2013) ... Production Company
- Citadel (2012) ... Production Company
- You Instead (2011) ... Production Company (presents)
- Perfect Sense (2011) ... Production Company (production company)
- Citadel (2011) ... Production Company
- Donkeys (2010) ... Production Company
- I Love Luci (2010) ... Production Company
- Terra Firma (2008) ... Production Company
- Dog Altogether (2007) ... Production Company (co-production)
- Hallam Foe (2007) ... Production Company
- Trout (2007) ... Production Company
- When Children Play in the Sky (2006) ... Production Company
- Red Road (2006) ... Production Company (in co-operation with)
- After the Wedding (2006) ... Production Company (co-production)
- 1:1 (2006) ... Production Company (co-production)
- Zozo (2005) ... Production Company (co-production)
- The Judge (2005) ... Production Company (co-production)
- Manderlay (2005) ... Production Company (in co-production with) (as SigmaIII Films Ltd.)
- Brothers (2004) ... Production Company (co-production)
- Dear Frankie (2004) ... Production Company (in association with)
- Dogville (2003) ... Production Company (in co-production with)
- Young Adam (2003) ... Production Company (in association with)
- Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2002) ... Production Company (in association with)
- The Last Great Wilderness (2002) ... Production Company
- Marcie's Dowry (2000) ... Production Company
- Somersault (2000) ... Production Company
- California Sunshine (1997) ... Production Company
- Wanting and Getting (1995) ... Production Company
Awards
| Year | Nominated Work | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | California Sunshine | Best Short Film | Nominated |
| 2003 | Young Adam | Best Film | Win |
| Best Director (David Mackenzie) | Win | ||
| Best Actor in a Scottish Film (Ewan McGregor) | Win | ||
| Best Actress in a Scottish Film (Tilda Swinton) | Win | ||
| 2004 | Dear Frankie | Best Director (Shona Auerbach) | Nominated |
| Best First Time Performance (Jack McElhone) | Nominated | ||
| 2006 | Red Road | Best Film | Win |
| Best Director (Andrea Arnold) | Win | ||
| Best Actor in a Scottish Film (Tony Curran) | Win | ||
| Best Actress in a Scottish Film (Kate Dickie) | Win | ||
| Best Screenplay (Andrea Arnold) | Win | ||
| 2007 | Hallam Foe | Best Film | Nominated |
| Best Screenplay | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor (Jamie Bell) | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress (Sophia Myles) | Win | ||
| 2011 | Donkeys | Best Feature Film | Win |
| Best Director (Morag McKinnon) | Nominated | ||
| Best Writer (Colin McLaren) | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor/Actress - Film (James Cosmo) | Win | ||
| Best Actor/Actress - Film (Brian Pettifer) | Nominated | ||
| Audience Award - Favourite Scottish Film | Nominated | ||
| Perfect Sense | Best Feature Film | Nominated | |
| Best Director | Nominated | ||
| Audience Award - Favourite Scottish Film | Nominated | ||
| You Instead | Audience Award - Favourite Scottish Film | Nominated | |
| I Love Luci | Best Short Film | Win | |
| 2012 | Citadel | Best Feature Film | Nominated |
| 2013 | Starred Up | Best Feature Film | Win |
| Best Directing in Film or TV | Win | ||
| Best Actor - Film (Jack O'Connell) | Nominated | ||
| 2015 | The Legend of Barney Thomson | Best Feature Film | Win |
| Best Directing in Film or Television (Robert Carlyle) | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor - Film (Robert Carlyle) | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress - Film (Emma Thompson) | Win | ||
| Swung | Best Actress - Film (Elena Anaya) | Nominated | |
| Best Actress - Film (Elizabeth McGovern) | Nominated | ||
| Dropping Off Michael | Best Short Film | Nominated |
References
- ^ http://screenbase.screendaily.com/production-companies/136
- ^ a b Mitchell, Wendy (2 March 2011). "You Instead premiere and Sigma Films anniversary party". Screen Daily. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
- ^ a b c Martin-Jones, David (2010). Scotland: Global Cinema : Genres, Modes and Identities. Edinburgh, UK: Edinburgh University Press. pp. 224–225.
- ^ a b Fielder, Miles. "Interview: David Mackenzie on Perfect Sense and You Instead". The List (Edinburgh/Glasgow). Retrieved 4 November 2013.
- ^ Soho Shorts blog, 30 June 2009
- ^ Bevir, George (23 May 2013). "Film City draws up plans to develop space in Glasgow". Broadcast.