22/02/2008

Two film distribution companies based in Scotland are among the beneficiaries from the latest round of awards from a fund designed to widen the distribution of non-blockbuster films.

Edinburgh-based CineFile have been awarded £5000 for the film, Change of Address/Changement d’adresse, described as “a sophisticated French comedy about the highs and lows of romantic encounters and relationships”, which originally was shown at last year's French Film Festival UK.

The fund is administered by the UK Film Council, is called the Prints and Advertising Fund and has an annual budget of four million pounds.

CineFile - who specialise in independent and world cinema -plan to release Change of Address in April. Before then, it can be seen at special preview screenings as part of this year's French Film Festival UK from the 7th to the 20th of next month.

Meanwhile, Glasgow-based Park Circus have received a similar sum for the re-release on new prints of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1938 film, The Lady Vanishes. Park Circus have scored considerable success with recent back catalogue releases, such as Carol Reed's The Odd Man Out and vintage musicals, Oklahoma and The Sound of Music.

The fund is also backing U2 3D, the first-ever feature length live action film shot and exhibited in breakthrough digital 3D. Released today by Revolver Entertainment, the film documents a concert in Buenos Aires by the band, U2. It is said to be "an exciting and immersive cinema-going experience unlike anything seen in cinema before".

Revolver Entertainment receives £150,000 for U2 3D, enabling the film’s release to widen from 30 to 62 screens.

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