PickaXe Films
PickaXe Films is a UK based independent production company focused on producing compelling narrative film.
About
Driven by meaningful stories that have a commercial sensibility, PickaXe was founded by award-winning filmmaker, Helen Lyons-Curran, whose background in directing and producing underpins the company’s commitment to visually distinctive films with character-driven narratives. Our films are designed to be both artistically rewarding and commercially viable.
PickaXe has recently partnered with another venture to produce female-led, road-thriller, Last Strike and Brit-Grit Horror-Noir feature, Ends Meat.
From gritty thrillers to distinctive genre films, we love story, and believe that all great films start with a strong screenplay, therefore all concepts undergo 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 creatively, logistically, and collaboratively to bring stories to life. Drawing on powerful performances, compelling cinematography, and sound design, we understand the importance each element plays towards the finished film.
Specialising in script development and early-stage producing, we bring projects to a point where they are ready for packaging, attracting production partnerships - ready to move into financing and pre-production. As a young company with a range of projects on our slate, we thrive on collaboration and actively seek the right producing partners. We want to work with passionate teams and individuals who revel in both the challenge and freedom that comes with independent film. We believe in powerful stories with vision, craft, and the right team to bring them to life.
We have various female and queer-led genre features on our slate, and are actively seeking financial partners and executive producers who align with our focus.
Released
Current slate
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Blood, Wrath, and Mercy
Writer, Director: Helen Lyons-Curran
Producers: Helen Lyons-Curran & Miguel Hathiramani
Script consultant: Kris Heys
Composer: Izaak Hane
Format: Feature
Genres: Western, Romance, Drama
Stage: Packaging. Seeking co-production and financing.
Screenplay, pitch deck, and director's treatment available.
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 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...’
Producer & Director: Helen Lyons-Curran
Writer: 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
Forced by an over-bearing brotherly figure, young Lewis awaits his enemy. What unfolds will determine the kind of man he is to become.
Writer, Director & Producer: 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: Drama, Crime
Year: 2019
A woman's New Year's Eve plans are thrown off course in a taut and tense thriller.
Writer & Director: Helen Lyons-Curran
Producers: Helen Lyons-Curran, Kieron Moore
Executive Producers: Jordan M. Royce, Rose Royce, Kris Heys
Director of Photography: Andrew Rush Walker
Composer: Izaak Hane
Starring: Julie Root, Ryan Gilmartin, Steven Gidwaney and Roger Conneff
Format: Short
Genre: Road-thriller, horror, Crime
Stage: Post production
Poster designed by Grant Kempster
Feature length expansion into the Ends Meat universe.
Director: Helen Lyons-Curran
Writer: Kris Heys
Producers: Helen Lyons-Curran, Kris Heys
Executive producers: Jordan M. Royce, Rose Royce
Composer: Christian Cosgriff
Format: Feature
Genres: Horror, thriller
Stage: Optioned
Summer of '76
Writer, Director, Producer: Helen Lyons-Curran
Script consultant: Kris Heys
Format: Feature
Genres: Crime-drama, Coming-of-age
Stage: Script development
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