Muslim Drag Queens, from director Marcus Plowright allows unprecedented insight into the clandestine gay Asian or ‘Gaysian’ community in the UK which provides a haven for young men who are unable to publically reconcile their sexuality with their cultural identity and traditions. Homosexuality is widely deemed to be forbidden within Islam and the exhibitionist nature of drag remains one of the ultimate taboos for many British Asians – forcing the entire scene underground. This sensitively-made film focusses on the stories of three of the 100-150 Muslim Drag Queens who face the seemingly insurmountable challenge of gaining acceptance and tolerance within their own wider communities.

“There is a whole community that is living in Britain which is hidden. Now is the time to come out. You’ve got to be big. You’ve got to be bold. And you’ve got to have balls of steel.” Asif Quaraishi /Asifa Lahore

Commissioning Editor David Brindley says: “This is an incredibly important, surprising and moving film. Those who have chosen to tell their stories have done so with immense bravery and speak so eloquently about the struggles they have faced. With piercing honesty, Muslim Drag Queens gets right to the heart of a community that has up until now remained hidden from the wider British public.”
Produced and Directed by Marcus Plowright
Executive Producers: Neil Cromboe and Joe Evans
Composer: Alexander Parsons
Production Company: Swan Films

I’m delighted to announce that the whole Grayson Perry’s Dream House soundtrack will be available to stream from the 20th-27th May, in advance of it’s general release.

“It’s like Grand Designs on acid.” The Times
“Fascinating television. Be amazed.” The Observer
“Grayson Perry’s Dream House was a very lovely thing…completely charming.” The Independent

Grayson Perry’s Dream House charts the creation of Grayson’s riskiest and most personal public artwork of his career: a loving tribute and celebration of his homeland of Essex inspired by his life and the people he grew up amongst. This is his tribute to Essex Women in all their glory and a powerful challenge to the reductive myth of the ‘Essex Girl.’

It is also Grayson’s biggest project to date, a creative collaboration with Charles Holland of FAT Architecture, that also involves a team of engineers, builders and crafts people. It’s taken three years to build and has involved hundreds of man-hours.

Broadcaster: Channel 4
Production Company: Swan Films
Produced and Directed by Neil Crombie
Filmed and Edited by Marcus Plowright
Music Composed by Alexander Parsons

I was delighted to hear that Dinopaws has been nominated for a Children’s BAFTA, in the pre-school category. The 52-part animated show features three young, charismatic dinosaurs named Bob, Gwen and Tony, whose boundless sense of curiosity always leads them on exciting and magical adventures. Each episode follows the dinosaurs on their discoveries, whether it’s a new friend, an important feeling or just a funny noise.  An original concept created and developed by Alan Gilbey, Kindle Entertainment and Impossible Kids, together with Guru Studio, Dinopaws presents a world seen through the eyes of pre-schoolers: a place brimming with magic, wonder and endless possibilities.

Across America, poodles are being crimped, pimped and dyed to compete in a multi-million-dollar activity. Extreme creative dog grooming is a fiercely competitive world where groomers vie to turn their dogs into ever more outlandish designs, with the owners as colourful as their canine creations.

Every year they come together at the world’s largest grooming event in Hershey, Pennsylvania: the Olympics of creative grooming.

The competition has always been dominated by big American groomers. But now, one British dog-lover, Su Eld-Weaver, travels with her poodle, Dobby, in an against-the-odds bid to beat the Americans.

For the first time in history, could a British dog triumph at Hershey? And could Dobby become the first non-American poodle ever to grace the cover of the industry’s prestigious Groomer to Groomer magazine?

First Broadcast: Channel 4 – 30th December 2013

Company: Swan Films
Producer: Joe Evans
Director: Marvyn Benoit
Music: Alexander Parsons

“Think of the movie Best in Show and ramp it up ten notches.” The Guardian
“Hilariously funny…Simon Callow’s straight-faced narration makes it unmissable.” The Observer
“Prepare for your jaws to drop… It’s like the film Best in Show but actual real life.” Heat