Filming begins for Army of Shadows in Liverpool

Filming for a new drama series Army of Shadows, co-produced by Studiocanal and Two Cities Television for Channel 4, has begun filming in Liverpool, Manchester, London and Paris.

FACILTIES FRIDAY: BRIDGING THE GAP

#FacilitiesFriday stops at Notorious DIT, the nationally recognised DIT organisation strengthening its presence in Liverpool while helping develop the next generation of industry talent. 

Founded in Newcastle, the company has been providing Digital Imaging Technician (DIT) and dailies services for productions across the UK and internationally since 2015. Its roots go back even further however, with founder Michael Pentney launching a sister post-production company in 2010 and becoming the first in the North East to offer dedicated DIT services during the industry’s shift to digital filmmaking. 

Today, Notorious DIT operates from offices in Liverpool, Glasgow and London, and recently joined the Molinare Creative Group as part of its continued growth. But despite expanding nationally and internationally, the company says supporting regional production remains central to its approach. 

“One of the things we always try to do is if we have a production that isn’t in London, we will always try to source local staff,” Karla from Notorious explained. “We recognise concerns across the nations and regions that work can feel overly concentrated in London, and we are actively working to ensure a more balance and inclusive approach” 

Liverpool became a natural choice for a permanent base as production activity in the region increased. The company already had DITs working regularly in the city and wanted a local hub that could support both on-set work and lab operations. “Although the DITs are quite often out on set, there’s another part of the process which is the lab part, and that generally requires a local office,” they said. 

The company’s Liverpool credits include Untold: Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul and Dexter Proctor, while its lab continues to support productions across the wider UK. 

Alongside work in the North West, Notorious DIT reach also takes them internationally, with recent projects taking staff to Ibiza and Malta. One recent standout production for the team was The Magic Faraway Tree, recently showing in cinemas. 

As the company continues to expand, developing new talent remains a key priority. Notorious DIT runs a six-month in-house training programme giving new entrants experience across the kit room, lab processes, and on-set data wrangling before progressing onto larger productions. “One of the things that Notorious have been incredibly good at in the past is growing talent,” say Karla. 

For those looking to enter the industry, the company recommends seeking trainee DIT or lab roles and taking advantage of training schemes wherever possible. 

For the team, DIT work offers crucial and unique role in the filmmaking process, sitting between production and post-production. “You get to work with the post house, but you’re also working at the front end with production,” they explained. “It’s the bridge between the two.” 

With a growing presence in Liverpool and an expanding portfolio of work across the UK and internationally, Notorious DIT continues to combine technical expertise with a strong commitment to regional talent development. Through investment in local crew, training opportunities and production infrastructure, the company is helping support the long-term growth of the screen industry both within the region and beyond. 

FACILTIES FRIDAY: BUILDING A WORLD OF SOUND

Tucked away on a quiet residential street in Formby, BHP Sound Post is making waves in the world of sound. 

£2.3m BFI National Lottery Funding for Screen Alliance North secured for another 3 years

Liverpool Film Office, North East Screen, Screen Manchester and Screen Yorkshire, the four screen agencies who make up Screen Alliance North (BFI Skills Cluster North of England), are delighted that funding, which secures training and development support for the screen sector in the North of England for the next 3 years, has been awarded.

First look at G’wed series 3

The first look and trailer of the brand-new series of BAFTA-nominated and award-winning comedy G’wed has been released by ITV ahead of the series launch next month.

Produced by Golden Path Productions, the trailer for series 3 includes a sneak-peak at the TV return of Brookside legend Jennifer Ellison, who reopens old wounds for beloved character, Aimee, when she enters the scene as her estranged mum, Anna, and turns her world upside down.

The series is set to return to ITV2 and ITVX next month with Reece (Dylan Thomas-Smith), Christopher (Jake Kenny-Byrne), Connor (Max Ainsworth), Ted (Dominic Murphy), Mo (Zak Douglas), Aimee (Amber Harrison), Mia-Louise (Gemma Barraclough) and The Brimble (Evie Ward-Drummond) reuniting for a series that’s funnier and bolder than ever. Tackling powerful and thought-provoking themes from the refugee crisis to women in sport and one of the series’ returning characters managing life with OCD. 

G’wed was commissioned by Nana Hughes, ITV’s Head of Comedy and written by Danny Kenny.

The Executive Producer is Marios Stylianides. The series is directed by Owain Pennington, making his directorial debut and BAFTA-Nominated Chloe English.

Since its’ launch, the show has built a loyal and growing fanbase thanks to its’ distinctive blend of heart and humour, amassing over 19 million streams and reaching 6.7 million viewers since 2024. It is the most-watched comedy on ITVX since Changing Ends and became ITV2’s second most popular show after Love Island.

First look at Liverpool-produced ‘Amazing Grace’ with worldwide sales onboarded by Screenbound

Starring Hannah Walters (Boiling Point; A Thousand Blows; EMMY winning and BAFTA nominated Adolescence), alongside scouser Daniel P. Lewis (Our Kid) as Walter, a man on the brink of suicide and deeply isolated who forms an unexpected bond with a crisis helpline volunteer who helps him confront the childhood abuse, addiction, and shame he has spent a lifetime trying to survive.

Directed by Ruth Carney (Shetland; Brassic) in her feature directorial debut and also written and produced by Daniel P. Lewis, Amazing Grace combines raw social realism with a restrained cinematic style, aiming to present an honest and human portrayal of emotional struggle, while ultimately offering a message of hope. Daniel has expressed how it was “really important that the film didn’t sugarcoat anything. I didn’t want to soften the edges or make it more palatable than it is. At the same time, I didn’t want to glamorise struggle either. It’s ongoing. It’s messy. It’s complicated. But within that, there are moments, sometimes very small moments, that can shift everything. That’s what I wanted to capture.”

Shot across 11 days, this British independent feature showcases the breadth of talent the sector is cultivating and the stories it can explore. Having been cast following a social media introduction, Hannah Walters has remarked on the importance of independent films “to make social commentary and by doing that they are raising a mirror to society on the issues that ordinarily you probably wouldn’t see in more financed films, but I think the subject matters that can be shown in independent films are a lot more socially grounded, in realism, in truth, in issues that are really relatable to a lot of people.”

Scouse talent joins the screen alongside Walters and Lewis, with the film featuring the BAFTA nominated duo James Nelson-Joyce (This City Is Ours; A Thousand Blows) and Sonny Walker (The Gathering; Legends), as well as Connor McIntyre, plus BAFTA Winner Chanel Cresswell (This Is England; The Gentleman) and Angela Lonsdale.

Produced by Daniel.P.Lewis, alongside Carley Armstrong with Shaun Robinson and Colin Cromby of Keystone Pictures and executive producers Dawn Tolcher and Sean O’Neil of Eryr Film.

Picturehouse Entertainment acquires UK rights to A Town In Nova Scotia

Picturehouse Entertainment has acquired the UK and Ireland rights to A Town In Nova Scotia, the first feature film to have received investment from the LCR Production Fund.

Plaza Community Cinema announce Q&A and book signing with Oscar award-winning cinematographer Roger Deakins

An event celebrating the launch of the latest book On Cinematography from award-winning cinematographer Roger Deakins will take place at the Plaza Community Cinema, Liverpool on Tuesday 4 August.

The event will feature a Q&A, book signing and special screening of The Shawshank Redemption.

On Cinematography offers readers an intimate and insightful journey through Deakins’ extraordinary career and creative philosophy. From his early years growing up in Torquay, England, to his groundbreaking work in documentary filmmaking and music videos, the book traces the evolution of one of cinema’s most influential visual storytellers. It also explores his defining collaborations with acclaimed filmmakers including Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Sam Mendes and Denis Villeneuve.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest cinematographers of all time, Deakins has received 16 Academy Award nominations and won two Oscars for his acclaimed work on Blade Runner 2049 and 1917. His masterful cinematography has shaped some of modern cinema’s most visually iconic films.

The event will provide film lovers and aspiring creatives with a rare opportunity to hear directly from Deakins about his career, artistic process and enduring passion for visual storytelling. Guests will also enjoy a screening of The Shawshank Redemption, one of the many celebrated films photographed by Deakins and widely considered among the greatest films ever made.

Joining Roger on stage will be his wife and longtime creative collaborator James Deakins, who has played a vital role throughout his iconic career. Together, the pair will take part in an audience Q&A, sharing stories from behind the scenes of some of cinema’s most celebrated productions while answering questions from fans and filmmakers in attendance.

Tickets are available via the website https://plazacinema.org.uk/

FACILTIES FRIDAY: EMERGENCY SERVICES TO THE RESCUE!

Tucked away across a four-and-a-half-acre site in Secombe, Emergency Services Training Centre is not your standard production facility…

CREWSDAY TUESDAY: FEEDING THE SCREEN

Jo Fahy, head of Northern Food Stylist works at the point where food becomes storytelling. A self‑described member of “a bit of a hidden tribe,” she is a home economist, a role that quietly shapes the look, feel and authenticity of film and TV.

Play For Today returns to Merseyside!

Casting and episode details have been revealed for the second season of Channel 5’s returning anthology series, set to bring a strong Scouse flavour to screens once again with Liverpool’s LA Productions and LA Post producing and editing three of the season’s six episodes

Closing Time (w/t) follows Mo; played by Antonio Aakeel (Slow Horses, Sherlock & Daughter) a gifted migrant working in his uncle’s kebab shop. Mo has always kept his culinary ambitions hidden until, during a late night of service, he meets Laila played by Ellora Torchia (House of the Dragon, Ali & Ava, Midsommar), a thoughtful lawyer trapped in a stagnant engagement. Their chance encounter begins a passionate affair built on late-night conversations and cooking sessions. As Laila encourages Mo to pursue his dreams despite his pending visa renewal, he challenges her to confront the life she’s settled for. The episode was written by Mina Barber and directed by multi-award winning filmmaker Dan Sloan from Wallasey.

The Nine O’Clock Trot is a darkly comic, emotionally resonant drama starring Johnny Vegas (Benidorm, Home from Home, Red Dwarf) and Kalli Tant (Inside No.9, The Responder, The Gathering), this film follows Annie (Tant), a recent graduate who has spent six months caring full‑time for her grandfather. Isolated, unemployed and broke, Annie is left reeling when he dies — and facing a funeral bill she cannot afford. With no family support and nowhere to turn, she keeps his death a secret, refusing a council public health funeral she finds unbearable. Desperate to give him a proper send‑off, Annie turns to the local parish priest, only to become entangled with Father Adam (Vegas), a troubled man facing his own reckoning. What begins as an act of love spirals rapidly out of control, forcing Annie to confront just how far she’s willing to go. Honest, warm and darkly funny, the film explores grief, social care, and the unseen weight of caring – and the extraordinary lengths we go to for those we love. It was written by Liverpool’s Joe McNally in his debut TV production, following on from writing the play ‘Cosmic’ for the Royal Court Theatre, and directed by fellow scouser Harry Machray, a LIPA alum and current head of factual for LA Productions, making his fiction directorial debut.

The Castle follows three siblings left to fend for themselves after their mother suddenly disappears. Connor, Jamie, and Mia; played by Oliver Nelson (After the Flood, The Gathering), Dylan Hughes (Death by Lightening, Ludwig, Maternal) and Matilda Flower (Trying, Christmas at Plumhill Manor) try to keep their lives afloat, transforming their suburban house into a makeshift fortress as they wait for her return. Told through the eyes of wildly imaginative middle-brother Connor, The Castle traces fraying sibling relationships, survival strategies, and the grand stories children tell each other to feel safe. A tender, soulful story about growing up too soon, and rescuing yourself before it’s too late. Written by Jack Bradfield, it was directed by Liverpool’s Emma Turner, following on her directorial debut on last year’s Play For Today series.

Following a successful first run that delivered first credits for new writers, first time directors and early career crew, this new wave further cements Play for Today as a launchpad for the next generation of British talent and 5 as a major home of original British drama. The new films continue to open doors for talent traditionally under represented in the industry. Across the strand, writers and directors are making their broadcast debuts, while crews are drawn from a diverse range of backgrounds and supported to progress on set.

At LA Productions, this commitment has translated into opportunities at every level. Building on series one, they have supported a returning first time director, delivered broadcast debuts for two additional directors and three new local writers, and enabled crew members to step up into more senior roles.

We’re also proud to have facilitated nine Youth Guarantee Trailblazers placements across both LA Productions and LA Post on the three episodes, providing the trainees with their first on-set experience.

Cast announced for new Beatles drama Hamburg Days

The cast of an upcoming six-part drama series about the formative years of The Beatles have been revealed ahead of filming in the city, facilitated by Liverpool Film Office.

Two Liverpudlians, Ellis Murphy and Patrick Gilmore star as Paul McCartney and Pete Best with Rhys Mannion (It Is In Us All, Freud’s Last Session) as John Lennon, Harvey Brett as George Harrison, Louis Landau (Rivals, Kennedy) as Stu Sutcliffe, Luna Jordan (Wild Republic, Sleeping Dog) as Astrid Kirchherr, and Casper von Bülow (Druck, Wann wird es endlich wieder so, wie es nie war) as Klaus Voormann, and Laura Tonke (22 Lengths, Amrum) as Nielsa Kirchherr.

Filming has begun in Hamburg, Munich and Liverpool.

Hamburg Days is set in the 1960s, in the smoke-filled clubs of Hamburg’s St. Pauli red-light district, where an inexperienced young rock ‘n’ roll band from Liverpool collide with two young artists, Klaus Voormann and Astrid Kirchherr. Together they help spark a transformation that turns a scrappy group of teenagers into the greatest music phenomenon the world has ever known: The Beatles.

Produced by W&B Television and Turbine Studios, and co-financed by AGC Television and German broadcaster ZDF, Hamburg Days is inspired by German artist Klaus Voormann’s autobiography and explores the band’s early evolution in 1960s Hamburg. The BBC have acquired the series for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

The series is developed by Benjamin Benedict (Generation War) and written by Jamie Carragher (Succession). Christian Schwochow (The Crown, Munich – The Edge of War) directs alongside Laura Lackmann (Call my Agent Berlin), with music curated by BAFTA-winning producer David Holmes (Killing Eve, Ocean’s franchise). Klaus Voormann serves as an exclusive consultant.

Executive producers are Benjamin Benedict, Quirin Berg and Max Wiedemann of W&B Television, Andrew Eaton and Justin Thomson of Turbine Studios and AGC’s Stuart Ford, Lourdes Diaz and Miguel A. Palos Jr. Isabel Haug and Katharina Haase serve as producers. At ZDF, the project is overseen by Alexandra Staib, Caroline von Senden und Sandra Dettki. The series production is supported by MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein and FilmFernsehFonds Bayern.

AGC International will handle worldwide sales outside the UK and Germany.

Pic: (L-R) Ellis Murphy at Paul McCartney, Patrick Gilmore as Pete Best, Rhys Mannion as John Lennon, Harvey Brett as George Harrison, Louis Landau as Stu Sutcliffe (Image: Gordon Timpen/ Hamburg Films Ltd)

FACILTIES FRIDAY: FROM SET TO SCREEN!

This week’s Facilities Friday dives deep into LA Post, the post-production arm of one of Liverpool’s longest running and most revered production companies LA Productions.

Screen Alliance North creates space to Lead

How an innovative programme for scripted film and TV companies across the North of England is helping build a more skilled and accessible joined-up screen sector.

As a new leadership programme for the screen sector, Into the Lead, comes to a close, Screen Alliance North is celebrating an exceptional group of SME leaders who are transforming the scripted screen sector in the North of England as they navigate industry changes, leverage new technologies and nurture positive workplace cultures.

Delivered by Under The Moon Ltd and Creaticity Ltd on behalf of the four Northern regional screen organisations that together make up Screen Alliance North, the programme set the stage for unprecedented collaboration, igniting fresh momentum and new possibilities among independent businesses across the North.

“Into the Lead has been a gamechanger for the scripted screen indies in the North, empowering leaders to dream bigger and act bolder and encouraging them to build a more sustainable future, one that embraces innovation and puts people, and the environment first. Collaboration is no longer just a buzzword – it’s the driving force behind our brightest creative breakthroughs,” says Penny Hall, partnerships lead at Screen Alliance North.

The 17 scripted Into the Lead participants selected for the programme are already leveraging new knowledge and connections they’ve gained – creating original IP, pioneering innovative formats, securing new funding and breaking down regional boundaries for the first time.

“It’s such a powerful statement about leadership, ambition and creative confidence outside London,” says one participant, with another adding “This programme has arrived at exactly the right time, offering me space to reflect, not just on projects but on how to lead people and ideas in a shifting industry.”

Most remarkable of all, this cohort has forged an enduring peer network – a powerhouse of advice, opportunity and unwavering support, continuing well beyond the formal programme.

As a third participant says, “I can already see how the peer network created through this training will be an important source of support, insight and collaboration going forward.”

In a sector undergoing rapid transformation, Into the Lead sends a rallying call: leadership development, strategic vision and regional collaboration aren’t just desirable – they’re the bedrock of a bold, accessible and sustainable screen industry.

Running between January and March 2026, Into The Lead consisted of an in-person networking event and six modules featuring presentations, industry speakers and collaborative challenges. It was specifically designed to upskill business leaders in good working practice, sustainability and inclusivity and to help business leaders respond to shifting commissioning models, longer development cycles and growing pressure to diversify income – challenges that have become increasingly familiar across the UK screen industry. Specific sessions were delivered in partnership with partners BAFTA Albert and the BFI’s Workwise for Screen Programme.

“Strong companies need strong leaders. Programmes like this are the lifeblood of creative business – powering survival, adaptation and dynamic growth,” says Ruth Pitt, Programme Director.

The programme was funded by Screen Alliance North, a BFI Skills Cluster, supported by the BFI awarding National Lottery funding.

First look at A Town In Nova Scotia with worldwide sales launch at Cannes

A first-look image of upcoming feature film A Town In Nova Scotia has been released ahead of the worldwide sales launch at Cannes.

The feature, directed by Babak Jalali and produced by Paradise City Films including Liverpool’s own Jennifer Monks of The Fold, stars Bill Nighy and Makram J Khoury. It is the first feature to receive investment from the LCR Production Fund and filmed across the Liverpool City Region earlier this year.

The film was co-written with Carolina Cavalli who collaborated with Jalali on Fremont. Further creatives include Saint Maud production designer Paulina Rzeszowska, Great Freedom cinematographer Crystel Fournier who also worked on Céline Sciamma’s movies Girlhood and Tomboy, Adolescence and Boiling Point costume designer Jessica Schofield, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie hair and makeup designer Caroline Rose and Aftersun BAFTA winning casting director Lucy Pardee.

The synopsis for the feature is as follows: Following a plea from his daughter to join her in Nova Scotia, widowed Irish senior Leon instead launches a crusade to make his aging Liverpool building safer after news of a tower fire in London. On a mission alongside his neighbour and closest friend, Saleh, Leon turns their fellow residents’ quiet lives upside down in a warm story of friendship, stubbornness and small acts of defiance.

Speaking about the feature, Babak Jalali said: “A Town in Nova Scotia is about community and camaraderie in the latter phase of life, and choosing how and with whom you want to spend that particular phase.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Paradise City Sales again after the wonderful experience I had with the whole team there on my previous film Fremont. I couldn’t wish for a more thoughtful, ambitious, dedicated and kind set of people to take this film out into this big, strange world.”

A Town In Nova Scotia is being produced by Naïma Abed and Émilie Georges for Paradise City (Call Me By Your Name), and Jennifer Monks for The Fold. The film is financed by BBC Film, BFI (awarding National Lottery funding), Liverpool Film Office (through the LCR Production Fund), Calculus, Hoopsa Films and Desmar.

Executive Producers are Kristin Irving for BBC Film, Ama Ampadu for the BFI, Christopher Moll for Liverpool Film Office, Sonny Gill and Peter O’Leary for Hoopsa Films, Naomi Despres and Michèle Marshall for Desmar, Brad Noel and Mariyah Dosani for Calculus. The film was developed with BBC Film.

UK distribution to be announced.