Independent film and TV production company, Mad as Birds, based across two locations in the North West – Hoylake, Wirral and North Wales, have, since 2014, developed, produced and released a number of feature films and commercial projects.
In a relatively short-time they have already established an impressive back-catalogue. Their debut feature was the critically acclaimed and award-winning SET FIRE TO THE STARS, starring Elijah Wood and Celyn Jones, directed by Andy Goddard.
Their second feature was the BAFTA/BIFA nominated thriller THE VANISHING (Gerard Butler, Peter Mullan, Connor Swindells), directed by Kristoffer Nyholm, released by Saban and Lionsgate in 2019. POMS, a feel-good comedy (Diane Keaton, Jacki Weaver) had a wide release in the US via STX Entertainment in 2019.
The period thriller SIX MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT (Dame Judi Dench, Eddie Izzard, Jim Broadbent) has recently been released by Sky Cinema and Lionsgate in the UK and IFC in the US.
The company are now in post-production on THE ALMOND AND THE SEAHORSE which was filmed across various local locations including Liverpool, Oxton, West Kirby, Hoylake and Wrexham, marks Rebel Wilson’s first dramatic role and also stars a phenomenal cast in Charlotte Gainsbourg, Trine Dyrholm, Celyn Jones and Meera Syal. They are also currently casting their next two feature films, as well as completing the final stage development and packaging on various TV projects.
As a tight, experienced, team of four – Mad as Birds, was founded by actor and writer, Celyn Jones and Producer, Andy Evans. Previous MD of Lime Pictures, Sean Marley joined as a Company Director along with Alex Ashworth as Head of Production.
Sean Marley said: “The company was started initially to make just one film, SET FIRE TO THE STARS. Once that film was made, it was decided to keep the company going to work on developing a new slate of films to take to the market.
“Like many other companies we have had to adapt due to the pandemic, we are a small team, but the main impact for us was putting the original plan back by a year as everything was literally on hold while we worked out next steps. Now that we’ve made THE ALMOND AND THE SEAHORSE – while in post-production for that, we’re working on getting the next projects off the ground.
“What’s next for us? Well, we have a well-developed slate of feature films and TV series and we’re working on getting those into production. We’re delighted to be working with some great talent, both on and off screen across those projects and are looking forward to getting them made.”