I’m off on Holiday for a week today. NY, NY for some much needed R&R. In my absence, I leave you with the first trailer that’s moved me to wonder since some little Hobbits took to the silver screen

I’ve loved this story in book, on stage, in script - and I’m so looking forward to seeing it on screen. Don’t disappoint me brothers Weitz.
Trailer here

And not just because the room is swaying from too many glasses of champagne.

We’re out of the closet: Slingshot Distribution is official. At least that’s what it says in the pages of  The Hollywood Reporter and Variety so it must be true.

Arvind Ethan David (CEO), Elizabeth Draper (Head of Distribution), Rachel Connors (Head of New Projects) and Jane Saunders (Marketing Manager) are in Cannes.

Messages can be left at the Hotel Montaigne, +33 (0)4 9706 0340.

We had a party a few days ago. It was good. There was a band. And a girl who did things with butterflies. But it wasn’t just a party. It was a totem. Here’s why.

Thank you to all who came to celebrate with us last Thursday, and to those who couldn’t make it; we know you were there with us in spirit, as we danced to jazz and toasted your health.

I just wanted to re-iterate what I said in my speech on the night - that the party, whilst marking the wrap on FRENCH FILM, our second movie in our second year of operation, was also a chance to pay tribute and give thanks to all of you who have supported the company and what we are trying to do. Making films is tough at the best of times. Doing it on no money whilst attempting innovation on every front is an exhausting business, and its only been possible for us because of your kindness and support and talent.

So, to the cast and crews of FRENCH FILM, like that of SUGARHOUSE before, who worked for a fraction of your usual rates, because you believed in the material, the vision and the philosophy of slingshot: film-making is free of bureaucracy, that develops a new breed of talent, where creativity and commerciality co-exist in synergy and not in opposition; a huge thanks for that leap of faith. We hope the experience was worth it, and that the back-end will be worth more…

Particularly thanks to our producing partners on FRENCH FILM, Jude, Jonny & Stew; to Jackie for her unwavering focus and passion; and to Ash for giving us this script and his friendship since day one.

And to all those who have helped us on a company level: our investors, Arts Alliance, CCF and the individuals who have backed our film fund - our partners, Met Film & TV, AAM, PAL, Lunar, APT, Skillset, LoveFilm, The Works, Moviehouse, Sarah Wilby, Martin Myers and many others; our superb lawyers at Olswang, our intrepid accountants at Shipley’s; our advisory board: Robbie, Matthew, Peter & Margaret; please know that your support is appreciated, your wisdom indispensable, your friendship sustaining - and that we look forward to doing more things together in the years to come.

Thanks to all those with whom we are collaborating on projects in development - we look forward to making them digital reality with you.

Most of all I have to thank team-slingshot; my founding partners Rachel, Luke and Thomas; and those who have joined us: Elizabeth, Cavan, Jane, Naomi, Yelena, Uz (the best party girl ever), Kate (uber), Guy (man to boy) and most recently Katherine (welcome!). I don’t say it enough, and I don’t say it loudly enough: you guys rock. As each of you has joined, slingshot has become a stronger and better company, and a happier place to be - I’m lucky to have you all as colleagues.

Now lets go to Cannes and sell these puppies….

…and then lets make some more movies —- Arvind