Granada film arm trimmed back on parent losses

Granada Screen the producer of many films for both cinema and television release is to close up shop as an independent film production company.
Since the Oscar winning success of 'My Left Foot' in 1990, Granada Screen has had a leading role in 16 major productions. However, the film arm of Granada which was understood to have been profitable, was adversely affected by the dramatic collapse of ITV Digital, formerly OnDigital, earlier this year, and screen production is to be moved in-house.
Recent releases included 'The Hole' starring Thora Birch, a joint production between Cowboy Films/Granada Screen Production in association with Impact Pictures and 'Ghostworld' again starring Thora with Steve Buscemi, a co-production with John Malkovich's production company mr mudd. Ghostworld was nominated for an Oscar this year for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Premiered on ITV earlier this year was the less than successful though critically acclaimed 'Bloody Sunday', a feature film focusing on the events surrounding January 30 1972, which was co produced with Jim Sheridan's production company Hell's Kitchen. Starring James Nesbitt, Nicholas Farrell and Tim Piggott-Smith, the film lifted the audience award at the Sundance Film Festival and a Golden Bear for the best film at the Berlin Film Festival.
The latest production, staring Christina Ricci and Ioan Gruffudd, 'The Gathering' is to be distributed by Miramax. Previewed at Cannes this year the film is to be released next year.
The move by Granada to cutback film production comes just weeks after Channel 4 scaled back its FilmFour operation.
Granada chief executive Clive Morrison recently vacated his post.
(SP)