Sparkle

Film Fund Unites Hollywood Stars And New Talent In Liverpool

Internationally renowned actors Bob Hoskins (Mrs Henderson Presents, 24:7, Mona Lisa) and Stockard Channing (Six Degrees Of Separation, West Wing) filmed on Merseyside due to an investment award from North West Vision's Merseyside Film and TV Fund (MFTVF).

The feature film titled 'Sparkle' stars rising Liverpool actor Shaun Evans in the lead role and is being made by Magic Light Pictures, which received an award from North West Vision to enable them to film on Merseyside.

Liverpool City Council's Film Office, (which was the UK 's first film office and is also managed by North West Vision) provided assistance with sourcing locations, gaining filming permissions and organising street closures for the seventeen-day shoot, which will see Liverpool become a double for London and Wirral as Canvy Island, Essex.

Alice Morrison, Chief Executive of North West Vision said:

"We at North West Vision are very excited about 'Sparkle' because, not only has it brought us Bob Hoskins and Stockard Channing, but it illustrates how North West Vision works to develop the film industry in the region. We were able to give Sparkle a whole package of support from our funding, PR and film office departments. This is another chance for Liverpool to shine, both onscreen and behind the scenes, and showcase what an impressive and versatile place it is to film."

'Sparkle' is expected to generate 100 jobs for local people with 38% of the jobs generated benefiting Merseyside based crew with the remaining 48% jobs benefiting crew from other parts of the Northwest.

'Sparkle' is a comedy from acclaimed writing and directing team Neil Hunter & Tom Hunsinger and is about an opportunistic young Liverpudlian who comes to London and decides to sleep his way to the top. Life gets complicated when he meets a powerful older woman, then falls for a girl of his own age.

Hunter and Hunsinger made their reputation with 'Lawless Heart' and are two of the most original and exciting talents of the new generation of British film-makers.

The producers are Martin Pope and Michael Rose who together run Magic Light Pictures. Rose executive produced 'Chicken Run' and most recently the Oscar winning 'Wallace & Gromit': Curse of the Wererabbit.

Lead actor Shaun Evans has just completed playing one of the leads in acclaimed director Ringan Ledwige's film 'Middle of Nowhere' for Working Title Films. Shaun's previous roles include 'Being Julia' opposite Annette Bening and Philip Haas's 'The Situation' and 'Boys from County Clare'.