AMONG the films nominated for an award at next month's London Film Festival is a small Liverpool film, Reuben, Don't Take Your Love to Town. Just 12 minutes long and completed on a tiny budget, it has nevertheless been seen across the world. It was shown at Cannes and nominated for awards at other festivals including Barcelona. The story of a taxi driver played by Liverpool actor Neil Fitzmaurice, it is already establishing a cult following. The film was written and produced by Liverpool actress Tina Malone and directed by ex-Brookside star Dean Sullivan. The two ran their own agency and training school for a while - from where the film emerged - but the two have split professionally, "quite amicably", says Malone. A self-confessed film fanatic, Malone is determined to continue her film-making career under her new title To Be Frank Productions. She has written two other short films in the same series, both also about Liverpool taxi drivers. And she has got some big names interested, among them Julie Walters and Alan Rickman. After 15 years in the business, she has made all the right contacts and knows the right people. "The first film featured people like Johnny Vegas, Celia Imrie and Louise Emerick," she says.. Such was their enthusiasm for the project that they worked for no salary. Her problem now is finance. The first film was supported by the Liverpool property developer Illiad. "I did warn them that the only thing certain was death and taxes," she says. But they didn't back it for the money. They were interested in a project which gave 30 Liverpudlians work and which was good for the city, says Malone. Now she is looking for backers for her next two films. She has been around most of the agencies, got a lot of advice but little hard cash. With some of them she is quite bitter, having had numerous meetings but no results. The two films - when completed - will be followed by her own six-part television series East Village and eventually her feature film, Sexy Eyes. All have been written by her. But first she needs to get the two short films made. "They are about the important things in life, sexuality, love, marriage, relationships and friendship," she says. They will also be made in Liverpool, a city about which she feels as vehemently as she does films. Born in Percy Street and now living in Duke Street, apart from a short spell in Widnes, she has spent all her life in Liverpool. But while waiting for the film finance, she is continuing her Sunday morning theatre sessions for teams of students, held each week at Liverpool's Marriott Hotel. Anyone interested in financing her films or joining her student classes can contact Tina on 07909 862296. | 
