WE ARE MAD AS BIRDS
Mad as Birds is an independent film & television production company based in the North West of England and North Wales. From within the MAB team there's a unique blend of expertise and experience that covers all aspects of filmmaking - from writing & development to finance, production to performance and post-production to sales.
MAB's debut feature was the critically acclaimed and award winning SET FIRE TO THE STARS, starring Elijah Wood and directed by Andy Goddard. Their next feature is the psychological thriller THE VANISHING (formally known as KEEPERS) which releases early 2019, starring Gerard Butler, Peter Mullan and directed by Kristoffer Nyholm.
The comedy POMS starring Diane Keaton and Jacki Weaver (with Sierra Pictures) and the period thriller SIX MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT starring Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent and Eddie Izzard have both recently completed filming and into post-production for release in 2020.
Pre-production is now set on the moving drama THE ALMOND AND THE SEAHORSE which will be directed by Guillaume Gallienne, on his first English language film.
Mad as Birds Films first TV series, MINOTAUR, is currently casting alongside its international production and sales partners Federation Entertainment, WME and The Welsh Government.
Mad As Birds is made up of Andy Evans, Celyn Jones, Ade Shannon, Alex Ashworth and Sean Marley. Working as one, each member of the team is heavily involved in every project. The company mantra is to be the place where artists can thrive, helping them fulfil their vision and make the films they set out to make. As a company we love alternative, surprising and different - we gravitate to material that tells a story in an unconventional way.
THE BIRDS
Celyn Jones
Celyn Jones is the Creative Director of MAB, a critically acclaimed, award winning actor and BAFTA nominated writer from Wales. The Times referred to him as ”the powerhouse writer/performer behind the greatest Dylan Thomas biopic yet”.
Andy Evans
Andy founded Mad as Birds with Celyn Jones after 20 years as a Producer in the digital and music industry of cross-platform content of world renowned artistic talent including Pink Floyd and U2.
Ade Shannon
Ade came to the industry late, having built up and exited two businesses in the digital space. He fulfilled a lifelong dream aged 40 when he joined Mad As Birds, a vehicle to make Set Fire to the Stars. In his role he is focused on the early stages of development across the whole slate.
Sean Marley
Sean was MD of Lime Pictures, the biggest independent TV Producer outside of London. He was responsible for their commercial growth and oversaw the diversification of Lime’s production slate across drama, children’s and reality output.
Alex Ashworth
Alex was Associate Producer at GSP Studios for 3 years and managed the process from development to delivery on over 7 feature films. Alex will focus on advancing all projects from development into production, as well as leading 20th Century Boy.
THE SLATE
COMPLETED
LATEST NEWS
Celyn Jones Wins Best Actor at BAFTA Cymru Awards 2019
Celyn Jones wins Best Actor award at the BAFTA CYMRU AWARDS 2019 for his role in MANHUNT.
See more here:
13th October 2019
Celyn Jones - Best Actor Nomination
MAB's very own Celyn Jones has been nominated for BAFTA Cymru 2019 Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Levi Bellfied in ITV's MANHUNT. He lines up alongside Anthony Hopkins, Micheal Sheen and Matthew Rhys - not bad company to be in.
The BAFTA CYMRU Awards take place in Cardiff on 13th October 2020. More details can be found here:
GOOD LUCK CELYN!
5th September 2019
'Sonny Liston' feature film - Announced
Based upon the book 'The Murder of Sonny Liston: A Story of Fame, Heroin, Boxing & Las Vegas' by Shaun Assael, Mad As Birds’ Celyn Jones (The Vanishing) will script the project. Ade Shannon, Sean Marley and Andy Evans will produce for the company. Trevor Beattie (Moon) will act as an executive producer, having held the same position on Mad As Bird’s upcoming Six Minutes To Minute. Author Assael will also serve as an exec producer.
25th September 2019
Top 5 Gerard Butler Movies
THE VANISHING has made it into The Hollywood News's all time TOP 5 Gerard Butler films.
"The Vanishing (previously known as Keepers) is arguably his best feature"
Read more here:
http://www.thehollywoodnews.com/2019/08/19/5-of-the-best-gerard-butler-movies/
19th August 2019
THE VANISHING - First Reviews
Critical acclaim for THE VANISHING Jan 4th US release.
"Excellent performances...Mullan is superb as ever. Swindell makes a strong debut. Butler’s a revelation"
"It's the details that matter in this richly textured slow paced thriller"
Hollywood Reporter.
Full review at: Hollywood Reporter
"Windswept photography…eye popping…skull shattering...All must be dealt with, the last entailing savage choices that will prove impossible to undo and ruinous to enact"
New York times
Full review at: New York Times
"Nyholm and his excellent cast tell the story well and on such a splendid set"
LA Times
Full review at: LA Times
“Phenomenally well-made thriller”
Vulture
Full review at : Vulture
11th January 2019
THE VANISHING Poster & Trailer released
US distributor Saban Films have released the trailer and poster for its January 4th release date.
Worldwide Dates to be confirmed soon.
26th November 2018
CONTACT
The Welsh Nest
Venue Cymru
Promenade
Llandudno
LL30 1BB
The Wirral Nest
6 The Quadrant
Hoylake
Wirral
CH47 2EE
COMMUNICATIONS POLICY
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