North West Films Nominated for London Film Festival Awards

Nowhere Boy Premiere tickets for sale visit Imagine Appeal Charity website

Two North West films have been nominated for awards as part of the prestigious Times BFI 53rd London Film Festival.

Nowhere Boy, the eagerly anticipated film depicting the early years of John Lennon’s life, has been nominated for ‘Best Film’. Meanwhile, Director Lindy Heymann and writer Leigh Campbell have both been shortlisted as ‘Best British Newcomer’ for ‘KICKS’, a tale about two teenage girls obsessed by celebrity and fame.

The festival, taking place from 14 - 20 October, showcases films from around the world. This is the first year that the festival will feature a dedicated awards ceremony to recognise and reward both emerging filmmakers and established feature-film and documentary makers. The awards take place on 28 October.

Nowhere Boy, which world premieres on the closing night of the festival, is renowned artist Sam Taylor-Wood’s directorial debut and was written by North West based Matt Greenhalgh, whose previous hits include Ian Curtis’ profile ‘Control’.

The film is set in 1950’s Liverpool and follows the life of a 15 year-old Lennon on the cusp of forming the Beatles. It features acting newcomer Aaron Johnson as the young Lennon as well as Kristen Scott-Thomas, North West actor David Morrisey and Anne-Marie Duff, who found fame acting in Manchester drama Shameless.

Part funded by Northwest Vision and Media, which works on behalf of the digital and creative industries in the region, ‘Nowhere Boy’ joins Wes Anderson’s ‘The Fantastic Mr. Fox’ and the Coen Brothers’ ‘A Serious Man’ in the ‘Best Film’ category at the awards.

‘KICKS’, a film about society’s obsession with celebrity, tells the story of two teenage girls who bond over a mutual crush on a Liverpool footballer. The film features a fresh ensemble of new acting talent led by Kerrie Hayes, Nichola Burley and Jamie Doyle.

Northwest Vision and Media funded ‘KICKS’ though its Digital Departures scheme in partnership with the Liverpool Culture Company, BBC Films and the UK Film Council. The competitive project awarded three film makers £250,000 to make a feature film in Liverpool.