High Point Films, the theatrical sales arm of High Point Media Group, has taken international rights to the feature version of Kay Mellor’s A Passionate Woman.

The $5.1m (£3.2m) film has been adapted from Mellor’s critically acclaimed play. It will shoot in Leeds and is loosely based on the story of Mellor’s mother. It will be co-directed by Mellor and Antonia Bird and the cast includes Billie Piper, Sue Johnston, Alun Armstrong and Frances Barber.

A Passionate Woman tells the story of a young wife and mother, to be played by Piper, who falls in love with her Polish neighbour in 1950s Britain only for her affair to implode 30 years later on her son’s wedding day.

The project has received £250,000 backing from Screen Yorkshire.

Hugo Heppell, executive producer of A Passionate Women and head of production at Screen Yorkshire, said: “We are thrilled to be able to help Kay Mellor bring her much cherished worldwide smash hit play, A Passionate Woman, to the big screen. We believe the film will have huge appeal for international audiences and festivals.”

A Passionate Woman will be presented as a theatrical feature to international buyers. It is expected to be launched at Cannes next May.  In the UK, it will also be shown in as two 90 minute episodes on BBC TV.

“Kay Mellor has a deservedly robust reputation as one of the top dramatists working in the UK today,” added High Point managing director Carey Fitzgerald. “We are proud to be taking A Passionate Woman to the international market.”

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