The special effects company behind Life of Pi, which won the Bafta for best visual effects on Sunday, is filing for bankruptcy protection, according to reports.

California-based Rhythm & Hues is set to make a Chapter 11 filing in the wake of reports that a bid by three Hollywood studios to keep the business afloat with a £20m loan has failed.

Other hits produced with the help of Rhythm & Hues' visual trickery include The Golden Compass, an adaptation of a Philip Pullman novel, and Babe, the children's classic featuring a talking pig. Rhythm & Hues was not available for comment.