PickaXe Films
PickaXe Films is a Manchester based independent production company focused on producing compelling narrative film.
About
Driven by meaningful stories that have a commercial sensibility, PickaXe is a small company that aims to grow with every project made.
With a range of scripts in development, we want to work with other passionate creatives who revel in both the challenge and freedom that comes with independent film.
All great films start with a strong story and therefore anything produced will have undergone an extensive script development process. This ensures that when a project enters production, we're moving forward with a solid foundation to build upon.
Priding ourselves on high production value, we work both creatively and logistically to bring stories to life. Drawing on powerful performances, compelling cinematography, production and sound design, we understand the importance each element plays towards the finished film.
Previous productions include short drama, Choke as well as Brit-Grit Horror-Noir mini movie, Ends Meat. For which, the feature screenplay is currently being developed. Shooting in 2025 is taut and tense road-thriller, Last Strike.
We also aim to foster a collaborative and supportive working environment. As well as all else, we believe filmmaking should be fun!
Films
Ends Meat
Desperate to do right by his children, a debt-ridden taxi driver has just one night left to deliver on a lucrative, yet sinister promise.
Pete, a debt-ridden taxi driver and devoted father of two, found himself unable to say no when a chance encounter resulted in a dark proposition that would solve all of his woes. It would ultimately prove to be the greatest in a long line of mistakes however, as his moral code is shattered beyond repair. A good man driven to do very bad things, Pete now has only one final night to deliver on his sinister promise and ensure the future of his family...’
Produced and Directed by Helen Lyons-Curran
Written by: Kris Heys
Director of Photography: Craig Murfin
Composer: Graham J. Davison
Post Sound Mixer: Andrew Layfield
Executive Producers: Tariq Latif, Jordan M. Royce, Kris Heys, Oz Arshad
Co-Executive Producer: Peter Carroll
Starring Mark Vanhendrijk, Christopher Faith, Michael Birtwistle
and Julie Root
Run time: 30 minutes
Genres: Thriller, mystery, horror
Year: 2018
Choke
Poster designed by Grant Kempster
A woman's New Year's Eve plans are thrown off course in a taut and tense thriller.
Written and directed by: Helen Lyons-Curran
Producers: Helen Lyons-Curran & Kieron Moore
Director of Photography: Andrew Rush Walker
Composer: Izaak Hane
Run time: 14 minutes
Genre: Road-thriller, Crime
Year: 2025
Script and pitch deck available to potential backers and executive producers.
Forced by an over-bearing brotherly figure, young Lewis awaits his enemy. What unfolds will determine the kind of man he is to become.
Written and directed by: Helen Lyons-Curran
Director of Photography: Jo Lane
Executive Producers: Vincent Conwy, Jordan M. Royce
Starring: Vincent Conwy, Michael Birtwistle
Run time: 7 minutes
Genre: Crime
Year: 2019
In Development
Ends Meat
Stage: Development
Genres: Horror
Length: Feature, 90 pages approx.
The Unit
Stage: Script development
Genres: Thriller, Dystopian Sci-Fi
Length: Feature, 80 pages approx.
Estimated budget range: Micro
A bleak and tense thriller set in a dystopian, hostile Britain.
The Juggernaut
Stage: Script development
Genres: Western, Drama, Romance
Length: Feature, 90 pages approx.
A tender love story juxtaposed with harsh brutality amidst the American Frontier.
Summer of '76
Stage: Script Development
Genres: Drama, Coming-of-age.
Length:Feature, 80 pages approx.
A poignant road-movie set against the backdrop of the summer heatwave of 1976.
Contact
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PickaXe Films Ltd.
