Some moviemakers want to blow onto the international scene like a hurricane; Zephyr prefers to waft in gently. The production company specializes in international co-productions of films that qualify for UK government backing; co-production partners have included filmmakers from Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Spain. Since 1997 Zephyr Films has produced 20 films. The company was founded in 1990 by co-managing director Chris Curling, whose recent credits include Hannibal Rising (with Anthony Hopkins) and Death Defying Acts (with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Guy Pearce.)