Filmmakers Trevor Cawood and Ozan Biron have re-branded their production company Slice Films, re-launching it as Slime Force and adding director Neill Blomkamp, a longtime friend, to the roster for commercials, branded content and short films. Blomkamp has directed this summer’s highly anticipated blockbuster, Gran Turismo, which is slated to premiere in August.
“The three of us have been super close friends above being business partners for decades, yet the trajectories of our careers have always intertwined,” said Cawood. “It just feels right on so many levels for us to start Slime Force. I love the idea of building a ‘creative hub’ for our projects.”
Biron added, “We all love film, cars, art, and riding dirt bikes inside the studio. It’s never been boring. Can’t wait to grow our new company, and be a part of a place where friends and unique artists can be creative and have fun. Stoked for this.”
As a feature director, Blomkamp is best known for District 9 and Elysium. For the former, he received a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar nomination in 2010. His upcoming Sony tentpole film Gran Turismo stars Orlando Bloom, David Harbour (Stranger Things) and up-and-comer Archie Madekwe (Midsommar). The ultimate wish fulfillment tale, the film is based on a true story of a teenage Gran Turismo player whose gaming skills won a series of Nissan competitions, leading him to eventually become a professional race car driver.
“It’s awesome that the three of us are finally all working together, after 20 years of knowing one another and never fully being connected,” said Blomkamp. “Slime Force is now our home. I look forward to more insanity going forward.”
Cawood and Biron are now using “Slice” as the moniker identifying them as a directorial duo. They have collaborated on commercial projects for both U.S.-based and international brands including Shell/Pennzoil, Lexus, BMW, KIA, Hyundai, Toyota, Nissan, Cathay Pacific and Nissan. They have worked with agencies such as Saatchi, David&Goliath, Innocean, Team One USA, JWT and TBWAChiatDay.
Blomkamp had not been represented in the commercial production arena for a few years as he’s been largely busy with feature films and personal projects. He has spotmaking experience, though. Among his notable credits in the ad space is the action-packed BMW Films short, The Escape, which was a finalist for a Tribeca X Award in 2017.
With the addition of Blomkamp, Slime Force–a name which came from a comic book created by one of the company founders when he was a kid–has plans for more director signings over the coming year.
