Shifty, a gritty new urban thriller set in London and charting an action packed 24 hours in the life of a young Asian crack cocaine dealer, will begin filming on 6 August continuing for three weeks on location in Borehamwood.
It’s the second film to be funded by Film London’s micro-budget feature film fund which provides London-based film-makers up to £75,000 of direct funding with a unique professional mentoring programme from leading industry figures including director Asif Kapadia (The Warrior) and producer/writer Peter Ettedgui (Kinky Boots).
Starring Riz Ahmed in the title role the screenplay charts an action packed 24 hours in the life of a young Asian crack cocaine dealer. The sudden return home of his best friend sets in motion a chain of events which sees Shifty’s life quickly spiral out of control.
Stalked by a customer desperate to score at all costs and with his family about to turn their back on him for good, Shifty must outrun and outsmart a rival drug dealer, played by Jason Flemyng (Layer Cake), intent on setting him up for a big fall.
As his long time friend Chris, played by Daniel Mays (Atonement), confronts the dark past he left behind him, Shifty is forced to face up to the violent future he’s hurtling towards. BAFTA-nominee and acclaimed stage and screen actress Francesca Annis (Revolver, The Libertine) also stars.
The film is set for a commercial release ahead of a BBC screening. Film London is the capital’s film and media agency and is funded by the UK Film Council and the London Development Agency.
