Cylo Film, the UK production arm of newly-revamped New York-based commercials house the Atherton Group, has launched into feature development and production under recently-appointed head of film and TV Hans Baernhoft and managing director Susie Brooks-Smith.

Along with a multi-picture deal with Denmark's Zentropa Internationale, Cylo is developing family film Tooth, written and to be directed by Ed Nammour, a commercials director with credits including the recent Ford Millennium campaign. The UK's Robert Jones is executive producing.

Another commercials director, David Smith, is to direct the comedy Playdate from a script by Beth Worth. Cylo, formerly known as Branded Film, is also to produce animated feature The Stone Henge with the group's Australian animation studio, Detour Films. Additionally, Cylo is developing The Riders from Tim Winton's Booker Prize short-listed novel.

The move comes as the group, which has a 30% stake in the UK production outfit, is re-branding itself to Cylo. The company, founded by Julie Atherton, spans Los Angeles pop video producer Little Minx and Dallas-based Concrete Productions.