See-Saw Films

British-Australian film and television production company

See-Saw Films

Industry| Motion picture
Founded| 2008, 15 years ago
Founder| Iain Canning
Emile Sherman
Headquarters|

London, England, United Kingdom
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Key people

| Iain Canning
Emile Sherman
Products| Film production
Television production
Parent| Mediawan (51%)
Website| www.see-saw-films.com

See-Saw Films is a British-Australian film and television production company founded in 2008 by Iain Canning and Emile Sherman, with offices in London and Sydney. Their productions include The King's Speech, Top Of The Lake, Lion, The Power of the Dog, Slow Horses and the British teen series Heartstopper.

## History

[edit]

Producers Iain Canning and Emile Sherman co-founded See-Saw Films in 2008.[1]

In 2011, See-Saw won the Academy Award for Best Picture for their film The King's Speech directed by Tom Hooper. The film stars Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter.[2][3][4]

See-Saw's first television series was Top Of The Lake, directed by Jane Campion and starring Elisabeth Moss and Holly Hunter. The first series released in 2013 and was nominated for eight Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards.[5] The second series, Top Of The Lake: China Girl, also directed by Campion, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival 2017.[6] Elisabeth Moss reprises her role as Detective Robin Griffin in Top Of The Lake: China Girl, which also stars Nicole Kidman and Gwendoline Christie.[7]

See-Saw produced Lion, which premiered in 2016 at the Toronto International Film Festival and stars Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman and Rooney Mara.[8][9] The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, won two BAFTA Awards, and won 12 AACTA Awards.[10][11]

In 2019, See-Saw produced short-form British comedy series, State of the Union, which premiered on Sundance TV. The first season won three Emmy Awards and stars Rosamund Pike and Chris O'Dowd. In 2021, the series was renewed for a second season and stars Brendan Gleeson and Patricia Clarkson.[12]

In 2021 releases included British TV series The North Water, written and directed by Andrew Haigh, starring Jack O'Connell and Colin Farrell; and Australian TV series Firebite, written by Warwick Thornton and Brendan Fletcher and directed by Thornton, Fletcher and Tony Krawitz. Both series premiered on AMC+ in the United States.[13][14]

Toward the end of 2021, Netflix released The Power of the Dog, which is See-Saw's second collaboration with Jane Campion.[15] In 2022, the film won two BAFTAs including Best Film, and was nominated for 12 Academy Awards, with Jane Campion going on to win Best Director.[16] The film originally premiered at the 78th Venice International Film Festival and Campion was awarded the Silver Lion for Best Director.[citation needed]

TV released in 2022 include Slow Horses seasons one and two[17] and The Essex Serpent for Apple TV+, and Heartstopper season one for Netflix. See-Saw's films that released in 2022 were Operation Mincemeat and The Stranger.[18][19] Florian Zeller's The Son premiered at the 79th Venice International Film Festival and will release theatrically in early 2023.[20]

In March 2025, French media conglomerate Mediawan acquired a 51% majority stake in See-Saw Films in a cash and stock deal for an undisclosed sum.[21]

## People

[edit]

Iain Canning and Emile Sherman co-founded the company,[1] and as of June 2022[update] remain co-managing directors.[22]

Executive producer of television in the UK, Patrick Walters,[22] joined the company in 2014 and was promoted in 2018 to head of TV development in the UK, US and Australia as well as serving as executive producer on selected UK productions.[23]

Simon Gillis is chief operating officer.[22]

## Subsidiaries and associated companies

[edit]

See-Saw has an in-house sales arm, Cross City Films, which handles international sales of its titles in select territories.[24]

Between 2019 and 2020, See-Saw Films launched joint venture production companies I Am That with Lion director Garth Davis, and Picking Scabs with Samantha Strauss, creator and screenwriter of the Fox Showcase/Sky Atlantic television series The End.[25] I Am That's 50-50 partnership with See-Saw develops feature film and TV projects for Davis to direct and produce alongside See-Saw's managing directors, Canning and Sherman,[26] while Picking Scabs develops projects for Strauss to write and produce with See-Saw[25]

## Productions

[edit]

### Film

[edit]

Year | Film | Director  | Writer | Notes

|
|
|
|

2009  | Linear | Anton Corbijn |  |
2010  | Oranges and Sunshine | Jim Loach | Rona Munro |

* Nominated – AACTA Award for Best Film
* Nominated – AFI Members' Choice Award
* Nominated – FCCA Award for Best Film
* Nominated – Inside Film Award for Best Feature Film[27]

The Kings of Mykonos | Peter Andrikidis |  | Nominated – AFI Readers' Choice Award[28]
The King's Speech | Tom Hooper | David Seidler |

* Academy Award for Best Picture
* BAFTA Award for Best Film
* Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film
* PGA Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture
* Nominated – EDA Award for Best Picture
* Nominated – ACCA Award for Best Motion Picture
* Nominated – Davis Award for Best Motion Picture
* Nominated – European Film Award for Best Film
* Nominated – Online Film & Television Association Award for Best Film[29]

2011 | Shame | Steve McQueen | Steve McQueen;

Abi Morgan

* Nominated – Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film
* Nominated – European Film Award for Best Film
* Nominated – Online Film & Television Association Award for Best Film[30]

2012  | Dead Europe | Tony Krawitz  | Louise Fox  |

* Nominated – AACTA Award for Best Film
* Nominated – FCCA Award[31]

2013 | Tracks | John Curran | Marion Nelson  |

* Nominated – AACTA Award for Best Film
* Nominated – AFCA Award for Best Film
* Nominated – FCCA Award[32]

2015  | Life | Anton Corbijn | Luke Davies |
Macbeth | Justin Kurzel | Jacob Koskoff; Michael Lesslie; Todd Louiso |
Mr. Holmes | Bill Condon | Jeffrey Hatcher |
Slow West | John Maclean | John Maclean |
2016 | Lion | Garth Davis | Luke Davies |

* Nominated – Academy Award for Best Picture
* Nominated – AACTA International Award for Best Film
* Nominated – Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Picture
* Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama
* Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Film
* Nominated – Online Film & Television Association Award for Best Film
* Nominated – PGA Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures[33]

2017 | How to Talk to Girls at Parties | John Cameron Mitchell | Philippa Goslett; John Cameron Mitchell |
2018 | Mary Magdalene | Garth Davis | Helen Edmundson; Philippa Goslett |
Widows | Steve McQueen | Gillian Flynn; Steve McQueen |
2019  | The Day Shall Come | Chris Morris | Chris Morris; Jesse Armstrong |
2020  | Ammonite | Francis Lee | Francis Lee  |
2021  | The Power of the Dog | Jane Campion | Jane Campion  |

* BAFTA Award for Best Film
* Critics' Choice Award for Best Picture
* AACTA International Award for Best Film
* Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama
* Nominated - Academy Award for Best Picture
* Nominated - PGA Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures

2022  | Operation Mincemeat | John Madden | Michelle Ashford |
The Stranger | Thomas M. Wright | Thomas M. Wright  | Premiered in Un Certain Regard at 75th Cannes Film Festival
The Son | Florian Zeller | Florian Zeller, Christopher Hampton |
2023  | Foe | Garth Davis | Iain Reid and Garth Davis | [34]
The Royal Hotel | Kitty Green | Kitty Green and Oscar Redding | [35]
One Life | James Hawes | Lucinda Coxon and Nick Drake  | [36]
TBA  | Wizards! | David Michôd | David Michôd | [37]

### Television

[edit]

Year | Show | Writer | Director | Notes

|
|
|
|

2013  | Top of the Lake | Jane Campion, Gerard Lee | Jane Campion, Garth Davis |

* AACTA Award for Best Telefeature or Miniseries
* New Zealand Film and TV Awards for Best Television Feature or Drama
* Nominated – Emmy for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie
* Nominated – PGA Award for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television[38]

2015  | Banished | Jimmy McGovern, Shaun Duggan | Daniel Percival, Jeffrey Walker | Nominated – AACTA Award for Best Telefeature or Miniseries[39]
2016  | Codes of Conduct | Matthew Michael Carnahan | Steve McQueen |
Love, Nina | Nick Hornby, Nina Stibbe | S.J. Clarkson |
2017 | Top of the Lake: China Girl | Jane Campion, Gerard Lee | Jane Campion, Ariel Kleiman | Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
2018 | The New Legends of Monkey | Jacquelin Perske | Gerald Johnstone | Nominated - AACTA Award for Best Children's Television Series
2019  | State of the Union | Nick Hornby | Stephen Frears | Emmy Award for Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series[40]
2020  | The End | Samantha Strauss | Jessica M. Thompson; Jonathan Brough | Nominated - AACTA Award for Best Miniseries or Telefeature
2021  | The North Water | Andrew Haigh | Andrew Haigh |
Firebite | Warwick Thornton; Brendan Fletcher  | Warwick Thornton; Brendan Fletcher; Tony Krawitz  |
2022  | Slow Horses | Will Smith; Morwenna Banks; Mark Denton; Jonny Stockwood  | James Hawes |
Heartstopper | Alice Oseman | Euros Lyn | Nominated for nine Children's and Family Emmys
The Essex Serpent | Anna Symon  | Clio Barnard |
2024  | Sweetpea | Kirstie Swain  | Ella Jones  |

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Emile Sherman - See Saw Films". See Saw Films. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
2. ^ "'The King's Speech' Reigns at Oscars". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
3. ^ Kilday, Gregg (27 February 2011). "'The King's Speech' Reigns at Oscars". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
4. ^ London, Tim Adler in (13 February 2011). "2011 BAFTA Winners: 'The King's Speech' Sweeps 7 Awards Including Best Film; David Fincher, Colin Firth, Natalie Portman, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter". Deadline. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
5. ^ Egner, Jeremy (18 July 2013). "Emmy Nominees: Elisabeth Moss of 'Mad Men' and 'Top of the Lake'". ArtsBeat. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
6. ^ "Top of the Lake: China Girl". www.festival-cannes.com. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
7. ^ "Who Is Nicole Kidman Playing in 'Top of the Lake: China Girl'? Watch the Trailer and Find Out". EW.com. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
8. ^ Erbland, Kate (26 July 2016). "TIFF Reveals First Slate of 2016 Titles, Including 'Magnificent Seven,' 'American Honey,' 'La La Land' and 'Birth of A Nation'". IndieWire. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
9. ^ "Rooney Mara". Retrieved 28 June 2017.
10. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (6 December 2017). "AACTA Awards: 'Lion' & 'Top Of The Lake' Sweep Oz Film & TV Prizes". Deadline. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
11. ^ "BAFTA 2017: Dev Patel wins Best Supporting Actor for Lion". India Today. 13 February 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
12. ^ Hersko, Tyler (28 January 2021). "'State of the Union' Season 2 Ordered at SundanceTV, Short-Form Emmy Winner Sets New Cast". IndieWire. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
13. ^ "AMC+ Releases Trailer and Key Art for The North Water, From See-Saw Films". 8 July 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
14. ^ "AMC+ Releases Trailer and Key Art for Firebite". 9 December 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
15. ^ Ritman, Alex (1 September 2021). "'Power of the Dog' Producers See-Saw Films: "We Would Have Made Whatever Jane Campion Wanted"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
16. ^ "Baftas 2022: The Power of the Dog wins best picture and director". The Guardian. 13 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
17. ^ P, Maddie (8 November 2022). "'Slow Horses' Season 2: Release Date, Cast, Trailer, and Everything We Know So Far". Collider. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
18. ^ Operation Mincemeat, retrieved 2 December 2022
19. ^ "Netflix Film 'The Stranger' Premieres on Netflix Globally in October". About Netflix. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
20. ^ Michael Balderston (7 September 2022). "The Son: release date, reviews, trailer and everything we know about the Hugh Jackman movie". whattowatch.com. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
21. ^ Keslassy, Elsa; Ritman, Alex (6 March 2025). "See-Saw Films Acquired by Mediawan as Euro Banner Takes Majority Stake in 'Slow Horses' Producer". Variety. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
22. ^ a b c "Patrick Walters". See Saw Films. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
23. ^ "See-Saw Films promotes Patrick Walters". IF Magazine. 13 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
24. ^ McNary, Dave (30 May 2019). "Netflix Buys 'Power of the Dog' Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Elisabeth Moss". Variety. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
25. ^ a b Frater, Patrick (22 September 2020). "Picking Scabs Production Venture Formed by See-Saw Films and Samantha Strauss (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
26. ^ "I Am That". Deadline. 4 November 2019. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
27. ^ Oranges and Sunshine, retrieved 5 July 2017
28. ^ The Kings of Mykonos, retrieved 5 July 2017
29. ^ The King's Speech, retrieved 5 July 2017
30. ^ Shame, retrieved 5 July 2017
31. ^ Dead Europe, retrieved 5 July 2017
32. ^ Tracks, retrieved 5 July 2017
33. ^ Lion, retrieved 5 July 2017
34. ^ Donnelly, Matt (3 February 2022). "Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal Sci-Fi Thriller 'Foe' Starts Production in Australia". Variety. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
35. ^ "Julia Garner, Jessica Henwick and Hugo Weaving to star in Kitty Green's thriller The Royal Hotel | Media centre". Screen Australia. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
36. ^ Bamigboye, Baz (1 September 2022). "Helena Bonham Carter Joins Anthony Hopkins And Johnny Flynn In Holocaust Rescue Drama 'One Life'; 'Black Mirror' Director James Hawes To Make Feature Debut". Deadline. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
37. ^ Kroll, Justin (17 May 2022). "Pete Davidson And Naomi Scott To Star In David Michôd's 'Wizards!' For A24 And Plan B". Deadline. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
38. ^ "Top of the Lake". IMDb. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
39. ^ "Banished". IMDb. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
40. ^ "State of the Union". Television Academy. Retrieved 25 March 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* "Obi-Wan Kenobi's Deborah Chow & Moses Ingram + the EP of Heartstopper + screenwriter Kodie Bedford" (Audio). ABC Radio National. The Screen Show. 2 June 2022. Includes interview with Patrick Walters.

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States
* Israel

Academics|

* CiNii