Shoestring Yorkshire film scores monster hit in US

In years gone by, crowds at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, in the American mid-west, have thrilled to the premieres of such classic indie films as Reservoir Dogs, Little Miss Sunshine and The Blair Witch Project.

But this year audiences and juries alike at what is now the largest independent film festival in the US have been captivated by a low-budget movie shot in a variety of rather more down-to-earth locations – such as the Staging Post pub in Swarcliffe, the Vodka Revolution bar in Leeds city centre, and along the Burley-to-Harrogate railway line.

Tyrannosaur is the directorial debut of British actor Paddy Considine, previously known for his performances in films such as Dead Man's Shoes, Hot Fuzz, The Bourne Ultimatum and Channel Four mini-series Red Riding.

The film, a painfully raw and emotional love story about a self-destructive man who finds the chance of redemption with a woman who works in a charity shop, was shot entirely in West Yorkshire at a range of locations including Cross Gates, Eccup, Harehills, Alwoodley, Leeds city centre and Wakefield, Widely lauded as the one of the stand-out films at this year's Sundance, Tyrannosaur's roaring success climaxed at the weekend when it scooped the World Cinema prizes for best dramatic director – for Considine – and best dramatic breakthrough actors, for its stars Peter Mulland and Olivia Colman.

Its success leaves it in pole position for even greater prizes over the coming year.

The film cost just 750,000 to make, and was in part funded by Screen Yorkshire, the publicly-backed screen agency which supports film and TV production across the region.

Tyrannosaur's double award success represent a notable triumph for the agency at a time when the Government is slashing funding for film projects and threatening the future of the entire organisation.

Hugo Heppell, head of production at Screen Yorkshire, said: "We are absolutely thrilled at the success of Tyrannosaur at the Sundance Film Festival, and congratulate Paddy Considine, Peter Mullan and Olivia Colman for their richly deserved awards."

The film, produced by Sheffield-based Warp X and due to be released in the UK later this year, tells the story of Joseph (Mullan), a man plagued by violence and a rage that is driving him to self-destruction. As his life spirals into turmoil, a chance of redemption appears in the form of Hannah (Colman), a Christian charity shop worker.

Their relationship develops to reveal she is hiding a secret of her own – with devastating results on both of their lives.

Following its triumph at Sundance, Tyrannosaur looks likely to become the latest in a string of hit movies filmed in Yorkshire.

It follows the success of The Arbor, a heart-breaking docu-drama about the life of playwright Andrea Dunbar filmed on a council estate in Bradford, and the King's Speech, the Oscar-nominated film about King George VI featuring Colin Firth filmed in locations including the Bradford Bulls Stadium and Elland Road, Leeds.

Mr Heppel said of Tyrannosaur: "This unflinching, wonderful film, shot entirely on location in Seacroft, Leeds, and part of Screen Yorkshire's long-term commitment to film made through its investment in Warp X, takes its place alongside The Arbor and The King's Speech among the most lauded films of the year, and shows that film is still very much alive in Yorkshire despite these difficult times."

Screen Yorkshire has played a crucial role over recent years in attracting major films and TV series to film on location in Yorkshire.

However, it is funded largely by the UK Film Council and regional development agency Yorkshire Forward – both of which are being abolished by the coalition Government as part of its wave of public spending cuts.

With the agency's funding in question after the end of March, it announced last month that it had entered into redundancy consultation with 15 of its 19 staff.

Chief executive Sally Joynson said: "We are facing challenging times and reviewing the staffing of the organisation to ensure future stability and support for the region's industry is a prudent move.

"Screen Yorkshire is looking at a number of options for the future, including a restructure of the organisation to reflect changing market conditions."