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THE GOLDFINCH TEAM

A family owned and operated group of companies. We back talent and ideas. Based in London and international in scope, we’re a commercially-minded team that gets things done.

MEET THE TEAM

THE GOLDFINCH TEAM

A family owned and operated group of companies.  We back talent and ideas. Based in London and international in scope, we’re a commercially-minded team that gets things done.

MEET THE TEAM

Kirsty Bell

CEO & Owner >

Kirsty Bell

Founder and driving force behind Goldfinch, Kirsty is that rarity of being both a qualified lawyer and accountant. Passionate about independent film and well aware of the financial difficulties that producers face, she founded Goldfinch with the aim of helping independent filmmakers. Since then, Goldfinch has enabled multiple film and TV projects and has assisted over 12 first-time directors to fly. In 2020, Kirsty made her directorial debut with multi-award winning A Bird Flew In - the first UK film to start shooting since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. The Capri Hollywood Film Festival awarded her BEST EUROPEAN DIRECTOR and the film was nominated for BEST UK FEATURE FILM at Raindance 2021 and BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE at Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival 2021. In 2021 Kirsty also produced the feature documentary Quant which opened in competition at BFI London Film Festival and Father of Flies which opened at Raindance 2021 and was released internationally in 2022. Most recently she produced ’The Wheels of Heaven’, starring Mickey Rourke. Principal photography took place in Los Angeles, London and Bulgaria.

Phil McKenzie

COO & Owner >

Phil McKenzie

Phil keeps Goldfinch ticking. Beyond that, his strength lies in negotiating and constructing deals at both a corporate (Epic Games, Talent House, Creative England, ITV) and production level (credited on 48 titles) as well as developing new revenue streams and exploiting opportunities for partnerships. Prior to joining Goldfinch, Phil worked in marketing, strategy and operations across a variety of sectors, including hospitality, food and drink, professional services and entertainment. He can build brands and businesses from the ground up and has a knack of spotting opportunities for innovation, development and partnership.

Sarah Poole

Group Manager >

Sarah Poole

One of the original members of the Goldfinch team, Sarah helps manage the day to day running of the Goldfinch group of companies. She deals with all incoming productions as well as managing relationships with investors and producers. Additionally, Sarah runs Goldfinch’s incubator programme for emerging filmmakers First Flights, ensuring Goldfinch meets and builds strong relationships with the next generation of content creators. Sarah has worked with the team at the British Urban Film Festival as one of their Best Script judging panel for two years running in 2020 / 2021. Building on her passion for helping to promote diversity in film / TV, Sarah was selected as a #Startwith8 UK 2022 mentor where she provided bespoke one-on-one advice to help further their projects & careers.

Ben Charles Edwards

Head of Production >

Ben Charles Edwards

British Producer, Writer and Director Ben heads up production at Goldfinch and is the co-founder of elevated genre slate The Number 44. Upon the release of Edwards' feature debut ‘Set The Thames on Fire’, the BFI remarked that "Charles Edwards’ has crafted distinctive, admirable work that seems to have emerged from the unseen margins of British cinema.” In 2020, Ben wrote, directed and produced the psychological horror Father of Flies, filmed in upstate New York and London which was in official selection at Raindance 2021. The film was released internationally in 2022. Also in 2020, Ben produced multi-award winning A Bird Flew In - the first UK film to start shooting after the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. In 2021 Edwards produced the feature documentary Quant which opened in competition at The BFI London Film Festival and is currently on theatrical release. Most recently Edwards created and directed ’The Wheels of Heaven’, starring Mickey Rourke. Principal photography took place in Los Angeles, London and Bulgaria.

Want to Join US?

We are always looking to expand our core team and those of our venture businesses with entrepreneurial, hardworking, straight-talking individuals from a range of backgrounds. 

 

If this sounds like you, send your CV in to info@goldfinch.co.uk or contact us below.

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Registered Office:
Hexham Villa, Egton Terrace, Birtley, Durham, DH3 1LX

CONTACT

e: info@goldfinch.co.uk

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