UKTI film competition winner goes Hollywood
Alexandra Bentley of Philm Company wins UKTI's Talent Goes to Hollywood competition.
Alex Bentley
One of the UK’s brightest film producing talents from north London is on her way to the United States to pitch her film to Hollywood.
Alexandra Bentley, who co-founded the Philm Company, beat off others from the UK film industry to win the all-expenses paid visit to the US, in the Talent Goes to Hollywood competition 2015, which was organised by UK Trade & Investment.
Alexandra won with her spec trailer for the new film she is producing, ‘Baptism’, an action thriller, about a hostage crisis on the London Underground, based on an acclaimed novel by Max Kinnings, to be directed by Phil Hawkins.
The visit to the US will see her attend the Britannia Awards, in Los Angeles at the end of this month and be connected to the leading industry figures who could help her realise her dreams.
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) staff will also arrange for one-to-one meetings and mentoring sessions to help Alexandra get the most out of her visit.
The judges included Ian Livingstone, the former head of Eidos, Andy Weltman from Pinewood Studios, and Kevin de la Noy, from Universal/Paramount Pictures. The head judge was Iain Smith, executive producer of Mad Max: Fury Road.
Head judge Iain Smith said:
We had a tough time on the panel, judging from an extremely impressive group of high quality applicants.
All things considered we felt that Alexandra’s project had the best chance of success in the business.
We congratulate her wholeheartedly on her win, and wish her well in what will undoubtedly be an exciting and productive trip to Hollywood.
Alexandra said:
I am immensely thrilled, honoured and grateful to have been selected by such an esteemed judging panel. The Talent Goes to Hollywood Competition represents a truly unique opportunity, and I sincerely thank UK Trade & Investment for all their support in helping to bring Baptism to the big screen.
The Britannia Awards take place in Hollywood on Friday October 30th.
Watch the winning trailer.
Alex’s Twitter handle is: @alexbarans
Notes to editors:
- UKTI (UKTI) is the government department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK’s economy – acknowledged as Europe’s best place from which to succeed in global business. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage.
- Contact James Clements at UKTI for more information on +44 (0)20 7215 2491.