SLEIGHT OF HAND

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Genre: Drama

LENA’s world spins off its axis when she is forced, within a few hours, to leave the life and person she’s come to love, before her real identity is uncovered.

Every morning, it takes Lena a split second to recall who and where she is.  Turning to look at Jamie lying next to her, it comes back to her. An unexpected phone call tells her that she has to leave and erase the life she has constructed over the last four years with Jamie, and as part of a community activist group – taking crucial information with her.  As the clock ticks, she realises she might not want to leave but there will be consequences if she doesn’t.  Lena has been in much more dangerous situations, but this exit is going to leave the most scars.

 

THE TEAM

 

Pier Wilkie (Writer/Director)

Pier spent a number of years as a script editor and television drama producer at the BBC working with the cream of writing, directing and acting talent.  Her work as a producer garnered many national and international awards including: the critically acclaimed  BAFTA-winning thriller CRIMINAL JUSTICE; MURDERED BY MY BOYFRIEND (BAFTA nominated, RTS winner) for which Georgina Campbell became the first black actress to win a Best actress BAFTA; and DON’T TAKE MY BABY, the true story of a disabled couple’s fight to keep their baby, which also won a BAFTA.

Most recently, directing has been Pier’s focus.  Her past work has given her the opportunity to learn from talented writers and directors first hand and has been an important part in her journey to finding her own voice as a writer/director.  Her work includes a ghost story called Number 13 for the BBC and five short films which have screened at festivals across the world. The most recent, SASHA AND JO ARE GETTING MARRIED, was supported by Film London and Brazen Productions.  She is currently developing projects with Channel Four and BBC.

 

Yvonne Isimeme Ibazebo (Producer)

Yvonne Isimeme Ibazebo started her media career in the publishing industry before moving into film and television. As a line producer her film credits include LOVE IS THE DEVIL (1998), the biopic of Francis Bacon starring Daniel Craig and Derek Jacobi; Harmony Korine’s fantastical MISTER LONELY (2007); HALF OF A YELLOW SUN (2013) based on the Orange Prize winning novel starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, John Boyega and Thandie Newton; David Farr’s psychological thriller THE ONES BELOW (2015); REMAINDER (2015), the directing debut of renowned artist Omer Fast, and Mira Nair’s QUEEN OF KATWE (2016) starring David Oyelowo and Lupita Nyong’o. Television credits include  POPPY SHAKESPEARE  (2008) starring Naomie Harris; TOP BOY (2011) the Channel 4 drama series starring Ashley Walters; and NATIONAL TREASURE, (2016) a 4-parter starring Julie Walters and Robbie Coltrane. Producing credits include SHOOT THE MESSENGER (2006) starring David Oyelowo and Daniel Kaluuya; FREE FALL (2009) starring Riz Ahmed and Dominic Cooper,  GUERRILLA, a 6-part series written by 12 YEARS A SLAVE Oscar winner John Ridley and starring Idris Elba. She is currently completing  TOP BOY, the new 10-part series for Netflix with Drake as one of the Executive Producers, as well as developing projects with DNA, Big Talk, Sky Studios and Scott Free.