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DISPLACED SECURES U.S. DEAL

North West England-based Skylandian Pictures are exuberant after their visit to the prestigious American Film Market in Los Angeles which secured a distribution deal for their sci-fi action adventure feature `Displaced’.

Skylandian’s Producer, Mark Strange (Medallion, Twins Effect), flew out to LA with Director Martin Holland together with Associate Producer, Chee Keong Cheung from Intense Productions Ltd to promote the feature which is currently in post-production. The team were amazed by the level of interest shown in their debut film, which is now scheduled for release towards the summer of 2006.

The story behind `Displaced' follows Stel, a humanoid alien (Mark Strange), who teams up with a British soldier John Marrettie (Malcolm Hankey) to find a top secret file which holds information on advanced energy production, captured space crafts and their alien pilots including Stel's missing father, Arakawa (Geoff Coxhead), imprisoned on Earth by Core - a human paramilitary group. The displaced file falls into the hands of a renegade 'special forces’ leader, Wilson (Graham Brownsmith) whose plans are to sell the file to the highest bidder, leading to a deadly game of survival, combat, intrigue and deceit.

Mark, who has previously worked in action cinema with Jackie Chan (Shanghai Noon, Around the World in 80 Days) and Donnie Yen (Blade 2, Hero), said, “We had a tremendous response to Displaced at the American Film Market and many parties were seriously interested but US based company, Silverline Entertainment, Inc. were enthused by our work and offered a deal. This means that our debut feature will be distributed worldwide next year. It’s the news we’ve all been working so hard to hear and this will bring recognition to those who have been involved.”

Silverline Entertainment, Inc. has an established reputation for acquiring commercially-driven films, including thrillers such as `Ghost Rock’ (Gary Busey, Jeff Fahey), `Angels Don’t Sleep Here’ (Roy Scheider, Robert Patrick), `Lethal (Lorenzo Lamas, Frank Zagarino, Heather Marie Marsden) and ‘Finders Fee’ (James Earl Jones, Robert Forster, Matthew Lillard). Robert Yap, Vice President of Silverline Entertainment, Inc. states: “Displaced is a great action picture.”

Said Mark,“We are absolutely delighted to be working with Silverline Entertainment, Inc. They totally embraced the film and the energy behind the project.”

`Displaced' has been filmed on location in North West England. The team behind the project have worked tirelessly throughout, often struggling with budget constraints. Despite this, they have produced a feature film with high production values and the original concept has impressed the US.

The distribution deal will launch the film company into more active feature film production and the team hopes that this will attract more finance for future projects.

Support for the film has been gathering pace, especially after securing actor Sir Ian McKellen (Lord of the Rings, X-Men) to provide the opening voice-over sequence earlier this year. Industry professionals throughout the film world are impressed with what the fledgling company has achieved.

The film was conceived by Mark’s sister, and was intended as a short film but Skylandian's Martin Holland saw the potential for creating a feature film.
`Displaced' features a cast of rising talent plus a thousand extras from the region. Local businesses and individuals have got behind the feature film; Business Link, UK Trade and Investment and South Ribble Borough Council have also supported the project.

The production has engaged the services of a talented crew, including props and model-maker Richard St Claire (Troy, Die Another Day) and Armourer Joss Skottowe (Tomb Raider, Bond) and drawn business advice from a team of consultants, including Andrew Patrick, Regional Business Advisor for Creative Industries in the North West and former Chief Executive of the British Film Commission.

Together with the release of the feature film, there will also be a documentary on the making of `Displaced’ by film-maker Len Rice and a book which will be an insider’s guide to film production written by Mark and Carol Anne Strange.

Mark said, “`Displaced’ shows just what can be achieved with energy, vision and determination. It’s been a terrific struggle at times but has been an incredible journey so far. Cast and crew have been wonderful to work with; there is so much talent in the UK and especially here in the North West. We are hoping that this talent will be recognised with the release of the film and bring greater opportunities to those who have been involved. We would like to thank everyone who has supported the production and, in so doing, helped establish the region as a creator of formidable action movies.”

Skylandian Pictures is now engaged with post-production and all the finishing touches to ensure that `Displaced’ is a worldwide success, and the team are considering future plans.