A recent addition to my project roster is emerging UK Label, Rope Ladder Fiction, which was established in 2022 by Sky’s former Head of Drama, Cameron Roach with one of its primary aims being to support and enable emerging and next generation talent. Our shared values and ambitions make this a project of which I am really proud.
Since being founded the Manchester based company has been listed as one of PACT’s Future 30 Independent Production Companies and has been commissioned to produce 38 hours of drama for the BBC, co-producing Waterloo Road for the broadcaster alongside Wall to Wall.
My first project has been to support Rope Ladder Fiction’s two short films ‘Osoro‘ and ‘Surprise, Baby!‘ a direct result of an ambitious outreach programme and a trainee scheme, in partnership with Wall to Wall and another client of mine, Screen Manchester. This milestone marks a first investment into film, and the company is keen to back at least two short films each year, as a way of stimulating the development pipeline.
‘Osoro‘, a co-production with Norto Productions is written and directed by Sheila Nortley and produced by Martina Russo. The film is set to captivate audiences when it makes its debut this summer exploring as it does magical realism whilst simultaneously delving into the poignant and resonant themes of grief, classism, and mythology.
‘Surprise, Baby!‘ is a co-production with Northern Fortress Films, written and directed by Zane Igbe and produced by Louisa Rose Mackleston. Diva Rodriguez serves as Executive Producer.
The film tells the story of parent-to-be Taye contemplating confiding in their pregnant partner Serena about their own gender identity on the day of their baby shower. Taye is unsure how to go about this but as the baby shower looms the ticking clock becomes more overwhelming.
I am supporting ‘Osoro’ and ‘Surprise, Baby!”s launches and industry screenings in the coming months as well as at international festivals.
There are so many short films out there vying for publicity but such is the interest in the work being done by Roper Ladder Fiction that so far we managed to capture the interest of Deadline Hollywood, Broadcast, Televisual, C21, The Knowledge, TBI Vision and Prolific North.
