Sales veteran Pia Patatian used this year’s American Film Market to launch her production and sales banner, Noora Films.
In parallel with the announcement of the new company, Patatian will be responsible for the international rights to the alternative historical drama Mad Fabulous by BAFTA Cymru Award winner Celyn Jones (The Almonds and the Seahorse). Jones will direct from a script by Welsh author Lisa Baker, her feature debut.
Inspired by the life of the 5th Marquess of Anglesey, Mad Fabulous stars Callum Scott Howells (It’s a Sin, The Beautiful Game), Ruby Stokes (Lockwood & Company, The Rocks) and Rupert Everett (Napoleon, The Serpent Queen).
“‘Mad Fabulous’ is a moving ensemble cast film with a fun yet meaningful message,” said director Patatian. “Together with our great partners at Mad as Birds Films and director Celyn Jones, we are looking forward to introducing this great film to AFM’s international distributors, who we know will love it,” said Patatian, CEO of Noora.
The film, from Jones’ production company Mad as Birds, will be produced by Nadia Jaynes (Marcella, The Responder) and Sean Marley (Poms, Six Minutes to Midnight). Nicola Piercy (The Soldier’s Wife, The Almond and the Seahorse) will executive produce Picnic Entertainment alongside Paul Baker. Gersh’s Jay Cohen will handle U.S. rights.
“With its humor, heart, and sense of irreverence, ‘Mad Fabulous’ is a rare gem,” Cohen said. “This film is full of character and anchored by exceptional performances, and we are proud to bring it to buyers in the United States.”
Ms. Patatian most recently served as president of Cloud 9 Studios (formerly Concord Studios), which she launched last year, where she led the sales of titles such as Paul Schrader’s Cannes-competing film “O Canada,” Renny Harlin’s “Deep Water,” and the romantic comedy “Under the Stars,” starring Toni Collette and Andy Garcia, which she also produced. Previously, he was senior vice president of sales at Capstone Pictures, running the company’s operations in London, and previously served as director of international sales at Blue Box International (a label of Red Granite International). She began her career at Universal Pictures in Madrid, where she worked on Mamma Mia and Inglourious Basterds.
Noora Films has offices in Europe and the United States and aims to develop, produce and finance content for film and television.
