Dragon, the producers of Michael Winterbottom's Welcome To Sarajevo, have produced nine films since incorporating in 1995 are noted for their taste in interesting, challenging material.

Andell have a portfolio comprising media, communications, leisure and health interests in the US and Europe, including Vivendi Universal, Koor Industries and Sportal International.

Hauptman, the co-owner of Andell's film arm with wife Bronfman, will chair Mission which will take on Dragon's current projects, like Peter Hewitt’s Thunderpants, before producing 2-3 bigger budget productions annually with an international appeal with an unspecified chunk of investment and UK studios.

That private funding tallies with the Film Council Development Fund's £250,000 annual slate sum. Peter Czernin, the former president of Warner Bros-based Di Novi Pictures, joins Mission at the ground floor.