Pullman supports 'Butterfly' adaptation

OXFORD, England, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- British author Philip Pullman has thrown his support behind the Dutch company making an independent film based on his novel "The Butterfly Tattoo."

"I'm impressed with the enthusiasm and professionalism of the team at Dynamic Entertainment and happy to support their efforts to bring 'The Butterfly Tattoo' to the screen," Pullman said in a statement.

The contemporary love story is shooting in Oxfordshire with a budget of $271,400 -- a stark contrast to the upcoming, big-budget Hollywood adaptation of Pullman's fantasy adventure, “His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass,” which stars Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig.

Due for a summer 2008 release, the production team said it first intends to premiere "The Butterfly Tattoo" at the Cannes Film Festival next year.

Dynamic Entertainment was created to provide educational opportunities for trainees in the film-making industry.

Award-winning British director Phil Hawkins is directing the project.

Hawkins was hand-picked by Hollywood's Steven Spielberg to appear on DreamWorks’ reality television show, "On the Lot."

Screenwriter Stephen Potts, a former Oxford student who knows the film's setting well, wrote the adaptation of "Butterfly."