Britdoc moves into distribution with summer launch of Ping Pong

Britdoc, Channel 4’s non-profit documentary foundation, is handling its first UK theatrical release, Ping Pong, which will launch on July 6 (just before the 2012 Olympics).

The dpcumentary is about eight elderly people from around the globe competing in the World Table Tennis Championships in Inner Mongolia.

Hugh Hartford directs and Anson Hartford of Banyak Films produces. Brand consultancy Elevenfiftyfive is working on the film as well, and PUMA.Creative backed its development.

The project marks Britdoc’s first move into distribution, and special launch events are planned. The film will be released in partnership with Picturehouse Cinemas, Age UK, The English Table Tennis Association and Sports England, coinciding with both the Olympics and the EU’s ‘European year for active ageing’.

Jess Search, Chief Executive at BRITDOC, said: “Britdoc is building on our reputation for getting the best films made to start getting the best films seen. Documentaries are getting more attention than ever from the press and public and making more and more fans amongst movie audiences. That makes this the right time for us to start working with cinemas, media and brands to get these fresh new docs out there in fresh new ways.”