13 FILMS PICKS UP OSCAR® NOMINEE MICHAEL LENNOX’S

A PATCH OF FOG

THRILLER TO WORLD PREMIERE AT THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

 The Fyzz Facility is delighted to announce the World Premiere of director Michael Lennox’s A PATCH OF FOG at the forthcoming 2015 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).  Tannaz Anisi’s 13 Films has come on board to handle international rights to the feature film and will present the project to foreign buyers at the festival.

The film will be screened as part of TIFF’s Discovery section which last year saw the premiere of Yann Demange’s ’71 starring Jack O’Connell  and in 2008 Steve McQueen’s Hunger which went on to win a BAFTA. 

Academy Award® nominee Lennox won this year’s BAFTA for his acclaimed short film Boogaloo and Graham.  A PATCH OF FOG is his debut feature and stars Stephen Graham (Pirates of the Caribbean, Boardwalk Empire) opposite Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones).  A strong supporting cast includes Lara Pulver (Sherlock), Arsher Ali (Four Lions) and Ian McElhinney (Game of Thrones).

The tense neo-noir tale follows the story of a celebrated novelist and TV personality who finds his reputation on the line when he is caught shoplifting by a lonely security guard, intent on becoming his friend for life.  The script by John Cairns and Michael McCartney won Northern Ireland Screen’s New Talent Award for Best Screenplay.

The film is produced by Robert Jones (The Usual Suspects, Babylon), Wayne Marc Godfrey (The Survivalist, Cake) and David Gilbery (Bone Tomahawk) and was developed with the support of the BFI Film Fund and Northern Ireland Screen’s New Talent Focus Scheme.  The Fyzz Facility is handling domestic sales.

Director Michael Lennox is thrilled with the news, “I am extremely humbled and excited that A PATCH OF FOG will have its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, one of the biggest and most important film festivals in the world; it’s a privilege to be part of the line up with some of the greatest filmmakers in the world. There could be no better place to begin my feature career than debuting at TIFF.”

Producer Robert Jones said:  “An invitation from such a prestigious festival is a great endorsement for the film and for the talents of Michael and his team.  We are naturally thrilled.”

13 Films’ Tannaz Anisi said: “It is an honor to partner with The Fyzz Facility on this enthralling film showcasing one of UK’s most promising filmmakers. Toronto is the ultimate destination to share A PATCH OF FOG with both receptive audiences and buyers alike.”

Richard Williams, CEO, Northern Ireland Screen said: “To say we are delighted that A PATCH OF FOG has been selected for the Toronto International Film Festival would be something of an understatement.  Earlier this year, we were thrilled with a BAFTA win and an Oscar® nomination for director Michael Lennox; now, his feature debut will be shown at one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.  Everyone at Northern Ireland Screen could not be more proud of Michael, the writers Michael McCartney and John Cairns and all the extremely talented cast and crew.”

Natascha Wharton, Senior Production Executive for the BFI Film Fund said: “Supporting filmmakers make that leap from shorts to making their first feature is vital part of the BFI’s work for developing our next generation of filmmaking talent.  To receive a world premiere at Toronto is fantastic for Michael and his team - we are delighted for them and the partners in the film.”

The film was financed and produced by The Fyzz Facility, with funding from the BFI, Northern Ireland Screen and Goldcrest.