News

Gibson Group at Cannes Film Market 2014

07/05/2014

The Gibson Group’s chief executive Victoria Spackman is attending Cannes Film Festival and market to seek partners for several films. 

“I’m looking forward to meeting potential co-production partners and sales agents for our films, as well as finding out what our international colleagues are up to,” she says. 

The films Victoria is bringing to the market are:

                                                         

Grace Notes, which is based on an NZ novel of the same name, is a heart-warming story of an elderly woman whose comfortable but dull life is thrown into glorious chaos by an even-older man.  She learns to live again and, even after his sudden death, her life is richer and more fulfilling (and cheekier) than before. 

It’s a light drama aimed at the Silver Dollar audience of 55+ year olds (the fastest-growing audience in the Western world), with a female skew.  It is comparable in audience appeal and tone to Quartet or Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.  This film can have a cast of all New Zealanders, or an international male star (60s-70s) could be added to enhance international market and finance options. Victoria is looking for a sales agent and a co-producer if appropriate. 

LoveBooks is planned as a UK/NZ co-production.  This is written by well-regarded NZ writer Brendan Donovan and centres on a world-weary British novelist who escapes to rural New Zealand for inspiration, but is transformed by something far more potent – the secret of his true family. There is plenty of opportunity in the script for NZ landscapes and a gentle introduction to Maori culture. 

This one is at long treatment stage with a first screenplay due in June.

We hope to be able to secure a couple of strong UK actors for the male lead (50) and his estranged girlfriend (early 40s).  Again, this is a Silver Dollar audience with a female skew, plus the literati audience as one of the themes is the power of reading and imagination. In terms of tone, we look to A Good Year and Philomena.  Victoria is seeking a co-producing partner who can bring actors and finance from the UK territory. 

 

Steve the Surfing Vampire is a relationship comedy with horror elements. Sun-loving Aussie surfer Steve lives the carefree Bondi Beach lifestyle, but his long-suffering girlfriend Jen is ready to mature and move their relationship forward.  Steve has to decide if he wants to grow up or try to stay young forever … which is complicated by the fact that he has just been bitten by a beautiful and psychotic female vampire.  At first he quite enjoys the vampire experience, but it has its drawbacks. And will Jen put up with his new ‘lifestyle’?

This is a commercial Australia/NZ co-production aimed at the 18-45 year old audience with a male skew.  Comparisons include Shaun of the Dead and Knocked Up in tone.  This a joint project with New Holland Picture Two’s Mark Overett.  They are seeking a sales agent or other interested financiers. 

Fiasco is a caper film aimed at the “Silver Dollar” 55+ market with a male skew.  To impress the woman he loves, an aging funeral director recruits two tough old international crims to carry out an audacious bank robbery. Conceived as an NZ/UK/France co-production. Currently at treatment stage. Victoria is in Europe seeking early interest in this potential NZ/UK/France co-production from sales agents and co-production partners. 

If you are interested in any of these films or with meeting Victoria Spackman please contact her on +64 21 966 033 or victoria@gibson.co.nz.