BBC backs comedy

The Beeb is throwing its weight behind the development of a slate of comedy films.

Jul  5 2006

Good news for fans of all things funny - the BBC is making a long-term commitment to developing comedy feature films for the future.

David Thompson, Head of BBC Films, and Kenton Allen, Creative Head of BBC Comedy Talent and Comedy North, today announced plans to work with the BBC Comedy team of writers and producers on a slate of comedy films.

Allen, who won an Oscar earlier this year for producing the brilliant short 'Six Shooter', will work with Head of Comedy John Plowman on a variety of projects.

They will include a combination of original ideas and the development of existing brands, perhaps paving the way for film versions of the likes of 'Little Britain' and 'Extras'.

Speaking of the project, Allen said 'Many of the comedy talent we work with ultimately want to paint on a bigger canvas, and this relationship with BBC Films means we can now offer them that opportunity.'

He continued: 'BBC Comedy has a fine tradition of developing iconic comic voices from Ronnie Barker to Ricky Gervais and I'm confident that this opportunity will lead to some truly original filmmaking.'