Laurence Guy – devizine.com

The second feature film for director Keith Wilhelm Kopp and writer Laurence Guy, First Christmas enters development, to be produced by Shropshire-based production company, Ask Seek Knock. We sent our Helen to the press screening of their award-winning first film, Translations, here’s what she thought…..

First Christmas is set to be filmed in Shropshire, with a primarily West Midlands based crew. The film is to be associate produced by West Midlands-based Emily DeJesus and Adam Fray. The synopsis, “a widowed man invites his three grown up children and their families for Christmas, in the hope that they stitch their fractured family back together.”

Luke Allen is a renowned young producer with a solid track record of short form productions. He is the writer and executive producer of Something Sketchy, a sketch show pilot, having previously worked as production manager on the heavily anticipated pilot Henry House (starring Peter Purves, Annette Badland and Mark Lewis Jones) and in other production office roles on the upcoming features Bjorn of the Dead (dir. Sara Sugarman, starring Ralph Brown and Amelia Eve) and Reckless (dir. Elliott Montello, starring Scott Adkins & Vinnie Jones). Luke’s short form credits include the drama Weightless Words and the darkly comic Got Your Nose, which recently screened at Raindance Festival.

Luke is set to make his feature film producing debut with First Christmas. He said, “when Keith approached me to produce this, it was an instant yes as I had so much fun working with him for a couple of days on Something Sketchy. Once I read Laurence’s beautiful script, I knew I had made the right decision – it’s an honour to be onboard and I can’t wait to bring this story to life!”

Laurence Guy is an award-winning Screenwriter, who has worked in collaboration with Keith Kopp on several films that have played in festivals around the world, as well as streaming online (SkyTV and Amazon Prime). Laurence’s play, ‘ZORIC’, was longlisted for the Bruntwood Prize in 2022, and his debut feature film ‘Translations’ won best screenplay at the Riverside International Film Festival, before gaining UK distribution in the summer of 2023. Laurence is represented by Steven Russell at Collective Talent.

Laurence stated that, “I’m really excited to be working with ASK on Keith and my second feature, First Christmas. After the success of Translations it felt like a natural step to bring this ensemble comedy drama to life in a way that I know audiences will love. It’s a real actor’s script, with character and heart at the centre of the story, that centres on a family brought together over Christmas after the death of the matriarch of the family.”

Keith Wilhelm Kopp is an award-winning film Director whose works have screened in festivals globally (Encounters FF, Belfast FF and Portland FF) and has had TV broadcast in the UK. His debut feature film Translations has received rave reviews and had a theatrical release in 20 UK cinemas. He is interested in films about redemption, transformation, and family dynamics. Keith is a BAFTA connect member.

Kopp said, “I look forward to bringing First Christmas alive because of the universality of families coming together during the holidays, overcoming their hardships and rediscovering the joy of spending time with people who know the joy and complexity of each other. This film has a lot of humour and humanity and I know there is a wide audience who will really engage with the story. I am especially excited to shoot First Christmas in Shropshire, a location that is wealthy in history and picturesque landscapes.”

First Christmas is currently in development and available for investment and sponsorship conversations. For more information, contact Luke on luke@askseekknock.co.uk