MADE WITH HOPE, LOVE, HALF A SHOESTRING & PRIVATE EQUITY

SAXON was shot in summer 2005 and funded totally by private equity. The screenplay garnered rave reviews on Triggerstreet.com, Kevin Spacey’s website for screenwriters. The shoot finished on time and within the constraints of a very tight budget. Editing, original music and title design were completed in 2006. Test-screenings were successful. Postproduction – by St Anne’s Post, ASCENT MEDIA’s European flagship postproduction facility – was completed in August 2007. Distributor Peccadillo Pictures signed up to distribute the film in the UK.

SAXON had its world premiere on 22nd August 2007, having been officially selected for the Edinburgh International Film Festival and nominated for the Michael Powell Award. The industry screening generated a slew of positive reviews from film critics, online and traditional press. SAXON went on to further festival successes, including the Trailblazer and Best European Dramatic Feature awards.

We needed further investment for the final phase: the cost of a 35mm ‘blow-up’ to oil the wheels of theatrical release, overseas sales and film festival exhibition. £25,000 was the target. After that, there were funding schemes to cover the costs of further prints and advertising. But…

Months later (with an international credit crunch in the interim, not to mention a crisis in indie film distribution), we opted for dvd release. It made better business sense.

Saxonites worldwide celebrated a general release date of 12th January 2009. The press response was huge and warm. The roller-coaster part of the story was over.

The doors of Sillwood Films Ltd are now closed to new investors.

• WHO’S BEHIND SAXON?

  Film/media law:
  DREW & CO
  Vicarage House, 58-60 Kensington Church Street, Kensington, London W8 4DB

  Company law & share administration:
  BOLT-BURDON
  Providence House, Providence Place, London N1 0NT

  EIS & corporate accountancy:
  DEREK ROTHERA & COMPANY
  Units 15 & 16, 7 Wenlock Road, London N1 7SL

  Post-production:
  ASCENT MEDIA (ST ANNE’S POST)
  20 St Annes Court, London W1F 0BH

  UK Distribution:
  PECCADILLO PICTURES
  UNIT 11, Panther House, 38 Mount Pleasant, London WC1X 0AN