Veteran film marketer launches Phoenix Film Finance to fund UK independents

Rob Deacon, a long-time specialist in movie marketing and publicity, announced the creation of Phoenix Film Finance to supply British independent filmmakers with affordable financing options, including tax-credit loans under £500,000 and cash-flow services for budgets of £2-3 million. He is partnering with Ian Davies, an executive producer at Initialize Films, to explore VAT cash-flow and selective equity or gap-financing deals.

Phoenix’s debut lineup features Carol Morley’s feature “7 Miles Out,” Ari Matikainen’s documentary “The Game of Chaos,” and Kuba Mikurda’s animated sci-fi project “Pale Pink.” Deacon, operating from Edinburgh and London, will attend the Venice Film Festival on Sept. 5-6 to meet potential partners. His résumé includes publicity campaigns for titles such as “The Artist,” “Mad Max: Fury Road,” and “Turning Red,” as well as a stint as interim head of communications at one outlet's Film.