Press release from Optimism Films
OPTIMISM is a new UK and Australian film production company. Joining forces are 3 award-winning creative producers who champion talent, push boundaries and enjoy the process: Mish Armstrong (Movie Mischief), Alicia Brown (Honeymooner) and Melanie Coombs (Melodrama Pictures).
“We've created Optimism because we really want to enjoy creative collaboration and make inspired films in both Australia and the UK” said Alicia Brown,
“We believe film making should be creative, professional, fun and optimistic.” added Mish Armstrong.
“At Cannes we will be presenting our united slate and our new attitude,” said Melanie Coombs “and we are bringing great UK and Australian writing, directing and acting talent to market.”
Melanie Coombs, based in Melbourne and London, has produced award winning shorts, animation, documentaries and features since 1999 under her Melodrama Pictures banner.
Harvie Krumpet won 2003 Academy Award® for Best Short Animation. Mary and Max, opened 2009 Sundance, won Grand Cristal at Annecy and the Asia Pacific Screen Award APSA Best Animated Film 2009 and released worldwide. Melanie was awarded Screen Producers Association of Australia SPAA Feature Film Producer of 2009 Award.
Mish Armstrong is a Melbourne based producer who is currently developing features including The Sleeper with writer/ director Fin Edquist, which was selected for eQuinox Germany in 2009. Mish has produced TV docs including Out of Our Minds (SBS), The Kokoda Trail (SBS), Bowling for Gold and The Fitzroy Stars (Message Sticks, ABC). As a TV producer on Family Footsteps (Ghana & Peru), Australia's Got Talent, Project Runway, 7PM Project & is currently post-producer on Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation.
Alicia Brown, based in London, has just produced her first feature Honeymooner that premiered at the 2010 Edinburgh International Film Festival and was released in the UK through Soda Pictures in January 2011. Alicia was one of 6 up and coming European producers to participate in The Bureau's 'SOS' programme (Media EU) in 2010.
Launching at Cannes 2011 OPTIMISM will present the following projects
• XLR8 a fast and furious girl's own caper movie International Sales
• The Road Home international family action adventure International Sales
• The Suicide Bomber what makes a suicide bomber? International Sales
• By Any Other Name period revenge melodrama European Co-Producer