THIRDROW Films

Established in 2004

NIGEL KARIKARI has worked in film and television for ten years, in a career spanning both sides of the globe. A London based commercials editor until 2003 he now lives and works in Melbourne, based at leading post-production house, Digital Pictures. His writing career was launched when he received the BAFTA Focus on Talent Screenwriting Award for his short screenplay Static. He went on to win a place in the elite BBC writing course, Sparks, as well as commissions from Radio 4 and BBC2.

Nigel's screenplay for The Deal was a finalist in the Hollywood International Screenwriting Competition in 2004 which attracted more than 2500 entries from 23 countries world-wide, and premiered in the coveted Opening Night slot at Melbourne’s St Kilda Film Festival on 30 May, 2006. His previous short film Trunk, was a semi-finalist at Sony Tropfest 2005. Nigel is currently developing two feature screenplays.

OLIVIA PENISTON-BIRD has been working in film production for 8 years. Her most recent short film, Goggles, was a finalist in Sony Tropfest 2006 and has also screened at Bergamo Film Festival (Italy) and Little Big Shots, Melbourne's International Childrens' Film Festival. Her previous short, Burst, features a star cameo by Daniel ‘Blonde Bond’ Craig and was included on the international DVD release of Enduring Love.

As London based Assistant Director for five years up until 2004, Olivia worked with some of England’s most outstanding filmmakers, including Roger Michell (Notting Hill, Changing Lanes), Sally Potter (Orlando, Yes) and Jonathon Glazer (Sexy Beast). Olivia is currently developing Teatime a ten minute drama written by Nigel Karikari, which she will be directing later this year.