AFM News
AFM to stay in Santa Monica through 2017
The Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) has extended its deal with the Loews Santa Monica following months of speculation over a mooted move to L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles Downtown.
Finecut closes more post-AFM deals for titles including Leafie
South Korean sales company Finecut has announced further deals from the AFM led by Leafie, Korea’s highest grossing animation, which sold to Ascot Elite for German-speaking territories and Conquest Filmes for Brazil.
Santa Monica Loews keen to keep AFM in 2013 and beyond
As uncertainty reigns over the future location of North America’s biggest film market, the managing director of Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel said he wants the establishment to host the event after the contract expires late next year.
Anchor Bay picks up North American rights to Touchback
The distributor initially planned to make the announcement during AFM regarding Don Handfield’s inspirational drama starring Kurt Russell.
eOne, Village Roadshow flock to Myriad's Goon
The ice hockey comedy starring Seann William Scott, Liev Schreiber and Jay Baruchel drew the buyers at AFM.
StudioCanal, Universum among Rush buyers for Exclusive
A busy AFM saw Exclusive Films International close a slew of deals on the upcoming F1 drama that Ron Howard will direct starring Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl. Peter Morgan wrote the screenplay.
High Fliers buys UK rights to Brake, Elevator at AFM
Brake stars Stephen Dorff, Tom Berenger and Chyler Leigh and centres on a government operative kidnapped by terrorists.
Dublin’s Fantastic Films, MPI Media Group to produce Stitches
Principal photography is set to begin later this year in Ireland on the story of a vengeful children’s clown.
Instinctive Film launches distributor Interactor Media
The new entity was unveiled at AFM and will focus on digital and home entertainment releases and mount theatrical campaigns for select titles.
Petition to keep AFM in Santa Monica gathers steam
Tom Ortenberg, Gregory Chambet and Bill Johnson are among those who have added their voice to the movement to keep the market by the beach.
RCR International to handle sales on Phantom
Todd Robinson’s submarine thriller stars Ed Harris, David Duchovny and William Fichtner and wrapped principal photography on Nov 28.
Green Isle adds $20m UK-Australia comedy to maiden slate
The new LA-based production company led by industry veterans Edwin Larson And Scott Vandiver is backing the $20m project A Monster Problem.
Goldwyn takes Island President, Strand Releasing acquires Unforgivable
A flurry of domestic distribution deals were announced on Monday [Nov 7], led by Samuel Goldwyn Films and Strand Releasing taking US rights to The Island President and Andre Techine’s Unforgivable, respectively.
eOne acquires Canadian rights to Hysteria
Tanya Wexler’s rom-com charts the invention of the vibrator and stars Hugh Dancy, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jonathan Pryce, Rupert Everett and Felicity Jones.
Jennifer Lynch talks Chained at AFM
It’s no surprise that Jennifer Lynch is smart and enjoys discussing the darker side of life but she is also disarmingly jolly considering that her credits include Boxing Helena and Surveillance.
Synergy buys Iron Sky for France
Stealth Media Group handling sales.
Ariztical Entertainment acquires Movie Star for US
The distributor has earmarked a spring 2012 release for the drama starring Shawn Doyle.
Love sells at AFM for VMI Worldwide
The sales agent has closed a raft of key sales on its space travel drama Love at AFM.
eOne takes UK on hot AFM seller 12 Years A Slave
The distributor has prevailed in a bidding war to acquire UK rights to Summit International’s sold-out prestige title to be directed by Steve McQueen.
Morena, Vaca now shooting Calparsoro's Invader
Daniel Calparsoro (The Absent) returns to the big screen with Invader, a thriller that sees a new collaboration between Morena Films and Vaca Films after their great success with Cell 211.
W2 Media acquires remake rights to Finnish prestige hit Princess
Busy W2 Media has taken English language remake rights to Arto Halonen’s acclaimed Finnish feature Princess, based on the true story of cabaret dancer Anna Lappalainen.
96 Minutes goes to ARC, XLrator for US
ARC Entertainment and XLrator Media have picked up all North American rights to the urban thriller 96 Minutes.
Myriad, STV get Seconds Of Pleasure with Figgis, LaBute
Myriad Pictures has brought a Mike Figgis project into the AFM, acquiring worldwide rights excluding the UK to Seconds Of Pleasure based on a screenplay by Neil LaBute. Shooting is set for summer 2012.
Solid AFM deal-flow despite lack of new high-end fare
AFM trade appeared to be solid at the half-way mark despite a dearth of new high-end packages that in light of an extraordinary Cannes market was perceived more as a foible of the production and financing cycle than any harbinger of doom.
Match Factory sees more sales on The Sleeping Voice
War drama goes to Brazil (Imovision), Colombia (Cineplex) and Latin American pay TV (Movie City).
Fortissimo keeps punching with Warrior sales
Fortissimo closes more deals on Warriors Of The Rainbow: Seediq Bale.
Dead Man Down scores multiple sales for IM Global
Stuart Ford’s sales, production and finance company has reported a roaring trade on its fully financed thriller to star Noomi Rapace and Colin Farrell.
PTZ's Headwinds blows to new territories
Headwinds sells to Australia, Benelux, Latin America among other territories.
Magnet Media attracts Joe Dante to direct O2
Joe Dante will direct the $50m sci-fi thriller O2, the first of three projects set up by Jeanette Buerling’s Magnet Media Group and effects house Prime Focus.
Scandinavian crime wave still surging for Svensk
Svensk sells ‘Scandinavian James Bond’ at AFM; Hypnotist goes to StudioCanal in UK.
TrustNordisk closes deals on Christiansen's ID:A
Trust closes UK, Germany, Korea and more on new crime-thriller from The Roommate director.
Michael Clarke Duncan, Rebecca Black join US voice cast for Legend of a Rabbit
Producers confirm voice cast and close pre-sales on Legend of a Rabbit 2.
Grindstone takes Golden Network double
Lionsgate’s genre label Grindstone takes US rights to The Sword Identity and SeeFood.
Sleepless Night selling a dream for Bac
Australian, Korean and Middle East deals latest for French sales outfit.
Song For Marion inspires string of sales for eOne
eOne Films International has reported a strong response to its comedy drama Song For Marion, which the Weinsteins are poised to buy for the US.
ITN Distribution picks up AFM sales title Weight Of The Heart
ITN Distribution has acquired international sales on $3m Bosnian dramatic thriller The Weight Of The Heart for AFM.
MPI Media Group picks up Bounty Hunters for US
Raven Banner Entertainment licensed rights during AFM to the action title which has been set for a spring 2012 release.
Dulac reveals further details of new Paris festival
Sophie Dulac, distributor and President of the new Paris Film Festival, and festival GM Isabelle Svanda, are attending AFM drumming up support for their new Paris Film Festival (June 6-12).
Lightning strikes key sales on Cat Run, Brake
Lightning Entertainment has closed key deals across its slate, led by sales on action comedy Cat Run to Quality Filmes for all Latin American rights excluding Brazilian DVD and to Ster Kinekor for South Africa.
VVS strikes Canadian deals for three thrillers
Buys include Killing Season, The Frozen Ground and Vehicle 19.
Hyde Park International studies Liberal Arts
The lighthearted drama stars Elizabeth Olsen who has been drawing awards heat for her breakout performance in Martha Marcy May Marlene.
Red Bull's Terra Mater plans 10 theatrical features
Terra Mater Factual Studios, the independent production company allied with the Red Bull Media House, plans to produce 10 cinema features in the next five years.
Miss Conspirator attracts buyers for 9ers
Sales also done for Never Ending Story, Merry Christmas North!, Late Blossoms.
Independent's Charles Swan flies for Germany, Switzerland
Independent has closed two deals on A Glimpse Inside The Mind of Charles Swan III, which it introduced to buyers here at the AFM.
Samantha Morton joins thriller The Mulo, sold by Intandem
Samantha Morton on board for UK thriller set in gypsy community.
Celluloid closes spate of deals on The Year of the Snake
Buyers hot for political thriller; deals with UK, France, Scandinavia, Benelux.
Genesis books new sales for A Lonely Place To Die
UK sales outfit also closes Japan deal on horror Evil Things.
Mission Pictures International adds pair of new titles
Principals Chevonne O’Shaughnessy and Cindy Bond have bolstered their family- and faith-based roster with The 5th Quarter and Seven Days In Utopia.
Jinga closes more deals for The Bunny Game; BBFC refuses to classify film
Jinga Films has sold horror The Bunny Game to Illusion Unlimited for Germany and Njuta for Scandinavia.
AFM Finance Conference: Eurozone crisis not disastrous for film deals
Executives on AFM panel note less top dollar projects at AFM but strike positive note on current market
Universal chomps on multiple territories for Content's Sweets
Universal Pictures Entertainment has acquired Content’s Hard Boiled Sweets for the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Benelux and Scandinavia.
Buyers take aim for Lotte's War of the Arrows
Korean box-office hit has sold to US, UK, German-Speaking Europe, Taiwan, Singapore and elsewhere.
StudioCanal hot for Relativity's Mirror Mirror
StudioCanal signs deals for the Relativity production for UK and Germany prior to AFM.
WestEnd packs punch with Hardwicke, Rapace's Knockout
Paradox Entertainment, Hepp Film and Malte Forssell produce love story starring Noomi and Ola Rapace.
Buyers attached to Celluloid Dreams' Detachment
Buyers hot for high-school drama Detachment starring Adrien Brody.
Cinemavault strikes new deals for Anderson Silva: Like Water
Transmission Films in Australia/New Zealand, California Filmes in Lat Am snap up doc
Mega-Vision announces Once Upon A Time In Shanghai, sells Naked Soldier
Mega-Vision’s next is $10m-budgeted period action starring Philip Ng, with acton choreographer Yuen Woo Ping
Wide sells Oliver Sherman for US; Eye on Films network expanding
EoF adds two features, closes distribution deals, announces Brussels meeting.
Hansel and Gretel 3D picked up by Bloomage for Korea
Michael Bay, Scott Gardenhour’s The Institute pre-sells live-action 3D fairytale.
Ronan Bennett writing bomb squad thriller for Unanimous/Stylopik
Ronan Bennett (Public Enemies) is writing a new London-set action thriller for Chris Coen’s UK-based Unanimous Entertainment and Los Angeles-based Stylopik, which is funding the development.
SC Global adds MoniKa, Annabelle
Shauna Shapiro Jackson and David Jackson’s SC Global Media is selling revenge action thriller MoniKa and Amy Weber’s drama Annabelle & Bear.
EMP, Le Vision join forces for Derek Yee project
Hong Kong’s Emperor Motion Pictures and Beijing-based Le Vision Pictures are joining forces to produce a murder mystery that will reunite Hong Kong director Lo Chi-leung and producer Derek Yee.
Sony takes North American rights to Bel Ami from Protagonist
Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquistions has taken on the film starring Robert Pattinson and Uma Thurman.
FilmNation scores major deals on The Raven, House
CEO Glen Basner announced at AFM on Thursday (3) that the company has virtually sold out its first two productions, The Raven and House At The End Of The Street.
AV cuts slew of deals for Mortician; Truth or Dare sold to UK
AV Pictures has sold its 3D project The Mortician to Grindstone for the US.
Films Boutique closes Faust deals in UK, Spain, France, beyond
After winning the Golden Lion in Venice, Alexander Sokurov’s Faust has been sold to multiple territories by Films Boutique.
WestEnd boards Byzantium and Siberian Education
WestEnd Films brings Gemma Arterton vampire thriller and John Malkovich crime-drama to the AFM.
Match Factory scores deals on The Sleeping Voice, Superclasico, Babycall
German sales outfit strikes deals on Danish foreign language Oscar hopeful and Noomi Rapace thriller
Celluloid's Chicken runs to SPC
Celluloid Dreams has closed a slew of territories on Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud’s Chicken With Plums, including a deal for US and Latin America with Sony Pictures Classics.
Cinemavault checks into State of Emergency
Toronto-based Cinemavault has acquired international rights to zombie thriller State of Emergency.
Mullen, O'Connell, Wareing join cast of The Liability
AV Pictures are handling international sales out of AFM on the road movie thriller which begins shooting in the UK later this month.
Sony strikes multi-territory deal for Winterbottom's Bailout with Ealing Metro
Ealing Metro has struck a multi-territory deal with Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) on Michael Winterbottom’s Bailout to star Jack Black [pictured].
Pictures Dept offers Sion Sono package
Pictures Dept is selling a package of Sion Sono’s films made before 2002’s Suicide Club.
NonStop adds Italian crime drama 5
NonStop Sales has added Italian crime drama 5 (Five) to its slate for AFM.
Freestyle Releasing launches VoD platform at AFM
Freestyle Digital Media will offer filmmakers a new digital platform and through a cloud-based service will enable DVD distribution across retail rental sites, kiosks, by-mail, subscription streaming, pay-TV and specialty markets like airlines, hotels and cruise ships.
IM Global flies with Jason Statham's Hummingbird
Steven Knight makes directorial debut; Paul Webster and Tracey Seaward to produce.
eOne takes multiple territories to Content's The Day
Content also closes Japanese deal for the thriller, which has its market premiere at AFM.
Stealth greenlights The Paddy Lincoln Gang
Four-week LA shoot gets underway this week, film to tour with new Glen Matlock band
Sierra / Affinity closes dozen territories on Europa
Nick Meyer confirmed at the AFM on Wednesday [2] that there had been heavy buyer action on the sci-fi adventure.
Bavaria sells Hotel Lux to Italy; Nettelbeck starts shoot for Mr. Morgan
Bavaria closes deal at Rome Film Festival for Hotel Lux; Mr Morgan’s Last Love starts shooting in Paris with Michael Caine.
Wild Bunch picks up Geoffrey Fletcher debut Violet & Daisy
Wild Bunch is introducing the film to buyers this week at the AFM.
Alexandra Cocean promoted to Lightning vp of int’l sales
The executive previously served as director of international sales and will now handle sales for Asia, Eastern Europe, CIS, Turkey, Greece, Australia and New Zealand and Africa.
Market gets underway with slew of hot sales prospects
AFM kicks off today [Nov 2] with a number of commercial draws led by heavyweights like Summit’s Louis Leterrier heist project Now You See Me, IM Global’s gangster thriller Dead Man Down with Colin Farrell and Noomi Rapace and Lionsgate’s supernatural shocker Flight 7500.
Intandem brings Winstone thriller and Arterton comedy to AFM
Winstone to star in Harley Cokeliss adaptation of Melvin Burgess novel.
Salt pre-sells Twist 3D, new Aussie sci-fi Skylab
Buyers hungry for Salt slate, Wild Bunch bites on Twist for German speaking Europe.
Cinemavault thrills with Corridor, Apart
Toronto-based Cinemavault has taken international rights to Canadian sci-fi thriller The Corridor and US psychological thriller Apart.
Wild Bunch's slate includes new projects with James Gray, Jean Dujardin, Leos Carax
Wild Bunch is entering the AFM with a series of new films from James Gray, Jean Dujardin [pictured], Thomas Langmann and Leos Carax among many others.
Shoot starts for Independent's uwantme2killhim? with new cast
Jamie Blackley and Toby Regbo now lead the cast of the UK thriller, based on a real-life story.
Beta takes on Van Den Berg's Suskind
On the eve of the AFM, German sales powerhouse Beta Cinema has taken on world sales rights to Dutch movie Süskind, from director Rudolf Van Den Berg.
Finecut closes more deals for Leafie, Athena
Seoul-based Finecut has sold hit animation Leafie to Mediterranea Productions for Italian-speaking territories, with a plan for a 50-screen Italian release.
Stealth sees Blind Bastard Club, Locked In
Stealth Media Group has taken on The Blind Bastard Club, directed by Ash Baron Cohen [pictured].
Verhoeven's hit sequel among Beta's half dozen market premieres
Beta’s AFM slate includes Men In The City II, Summer In Orange, Westwind.
Village Roadshow's China venture working with Zhang, Chow
Village Roadshow Entertainment Group (VREG) has unveiled details of its new China operation, including a slew of partnerships and projects with talent including Zhang Ziyi and Stephen Chow [pictured].
FilmNation adds two more Malick projects to AFM line-up
Lawless will star Ryan Gosling, currently drawing heat for his performances in Drive and The Ides Of March, alongside Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. Bale and Blanchett will also star in Knight Of Cups.
AFM, IFTA top brass look ahead to buoyant market
As uncertainty continued to hover over a potential move for the AFM in 2013, managing director Jonathan Wolf was in bullish mood on the eve of this year’s market as he announced buyer registration was tracking 10% ahead of last year’s event.
Focus Features on mission with The Last Days On Mars
The sci fi feature about a mission to Mars is being directed by Ruairi Robsinson and produced by Qwerty Films; Focus will start sales at the AFM this week.
Little Film to begin international sales on A Doll’s House
Cinema Alterna’s present-day Henrik Ibsen adaptation and feature debut stars Ben Kingsley, Julian Sands, Jena Malone and Michele Martin.
Penthouse North, Flight 7500 join Lionsgate sales slate
Lionsgate has beefed up its roster on the eve of AFM with several titles including thrillers Penthouse North starring Michelle Monaghan and Michael Keaton and Flight 7500 from The Grudge creator Takashi Shimizu.
Maya Entertainment adds Ass Backwards to AFM line-up
The company will commence sales this week on the road movie starring Alicia Silverstone, Jon Cryer and Vincent D’Onofrio.
Octavia Spencer joins Untitled Diablo Cody Project
The star from The Help is the latest cast member on board Mandate Pictures’ comedy, which Lionsgate will introduce to buyers at the AFM this week. Cody (pictured) wrote the screenplay and makes her feature directorial debut.
Fabrication Films adds five to AFM slate
The LA-based company will seek to tempt buyers with a new slate that includes the world war II epic Lidice and horror tale 6 Degree Of Hell.
The Boy From Nine Miles to be adapted into 3D animation
Based on the childhood of reggae legend Bob Marley, the feature will be pitched at the upcoming AFM.
Hunting Lane, Sierra / Affinity partner on Coward
Hunting Lane founder Jamie Patricof has acquired rights to the first book from the Criminal series of graphic novels with David Slade attached to direct. Sierra / Affinity is attached to finance and represents international rights
Exclusive to handle international sales on Outrun for AFM
Dax Shepard wrote and is directing the comedy about a getaway driver living in California under an assumed identity who is chased by police and his former gang as he drives his girlfriend to LA for her dream job.
Kirsten Dunst, Orlando Bloom join Cities for Roger Donaldson
As previously announced Clive Own and Anil Kapoor star in the international thriller set to begin shooting in spring 2012 in multiple cities including London, Mumbai and New York. Lisa Wilson’s Parlay Films is handling international sales.
Bavaria's Black Butterflies flutter to a dozen territories
Bavaria Film International has closed a host of deals for Paula van der Oest’s Black Butterflies, including a US/Canada deal with Tribeca Film.
StudioCanal to act as sales consultant for Annaud's Black Gold
Quinta Communications-Doha Film Institute production will be screening twice at AFM; StudioCanal handles available territories.
Comerica, GK Films, Endgame executives to appear in AFM panel series
The five-day strand presented by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and Entertainment Partners will cover major areas of the business including distribution, finance, marketing and specialty releasing.
Sean Penn to direct Robert De Niro in The Comedian
Kristin Wiig will also star in the drama, which was written by Art Linson and Jeffrey Ross and will be produced by Art Linson, John Linson, Jon Kilik and De Niro.
HPI to kick off AFM sales on 3D action thriller Thunder Run
Gerard Butler, Sam Worthington and Matthew McConaughey (pictured) will star in Freedom Films’ upcoming action thriller with Simon West set to direct. Hyde Park International and new preseident Ruzanna Kegeyan will start pre-sales at the market next week.
Vanguard Animation, Arc, SC Films partner on The Nut House
SC FIlms International chief Simon Crowe will commence sales at the AFM next week on the story of a plucky bid by forest animals to raid a packaging plant’s nut supplies.
HanWay picks up int'l sales on Diana Vreeland doc for AFM
Jeremy Thomas’ company will assume sales duties after striking a deal with Submarine, which has also licensed UK rights to StudioCanal, Australia and New Zealand to Madman and the Benelux to Home Screen.
Exclusive to introduce ensemble drama Disconnect at AFM
The latest prestigious addition to the slate is shooting now in New York and weaves together three storylines in the internet age. Jason Bateman, W.E. star Andrea Riseborough (pictured) and Michael Nyqvist are among the cast.
EFP brings umbrella office back to AFM, with 28 companies
EFP also backs European films with €81,000 in Film Sales Support.
Content takes on Mike Figgis' erotic thriller Suspension of Disbelief
Production will start in early 2012.
John Stockwell to direct Bin Laden thriller Code Name Geronimo for Voltage
The director of Turistas, Dark Tide and Into The Blue will base the action on a screenplay by Kendall Lampkin. Voltage will commence pre-sales at the AFM next week.
John Cusack joins The Numbers Station for Content
Malin Akerman will also star in the action thriller, which Kasper Barfoed is scheduled to start directing in mid-November. Content will commence pre-sales at the AFM next week.
Lightning Entertainment boards seven sales titles for AFM
The Santa Monica-based company has added a new line-up for next week’s market including the Stephen Dorff thriller Brake.
River Road boards McQueen’s Slave; Summit takes AFM sales
Bill Pohlad’s River Road Entertainment has joined Plan B as producer and will finance Twelve Years A Slave from red-hot Steve McQueen (pictured). Chiwetel Ejiofor, Brad Pitt and McQueen regular Michael Fassbender to star.
Focus Features International brings Nero Fiddled to AFM
Alison Thompson will introduce buyers to the eternally prolific Woody Allen’s latest film, his first to be financed by Medusa Film which wrapped production in Rome over the summer.
Content picks up Eduardo Sanchez’s Lovely Molly
Content Film has boarded Blair Witch director’s new feature after Toronto premiere; comprehensive transmedia campaign in place.
HSI Films brings Carnaval starring John Cusack, Johnny Knoxville to AFM
HSI Films president Eric Christenson will commence pre-sales at AFM on the comedy directed by Josh Stern.
EFP to screen 12 European Oscar submitted films during AFM
European Film Promotion (EFP) will screen 12 European submissions for the foreign language Oscar during the American Film Market (AFM), Nov 2-9, in the Wilshire Screening Room in Beverly Hills.
Sixty-five world premieres among 395-strong AFM roster
The American Film Market is set to screen 395 features from Nov 2-9 in Santa Monica, including 65 world premieres and 295 market premieres.
Ealing Metro to handle Lamprell's Goddess starring Ronan Keating
Laura Michelle Kelley stars as a young mother who is poised for international stardom.
CMG takes on int’l sales for doc Forks Over Knives
Ed Noeltner’s Beverly Hills-based sales company will introduce the film to buyers at the upcoming AFM in November.
Relativity sinks teeth into US rights on Untitled 3D Shark Thriller
Relativity Media has acquired US rights to Sierra Pictures and Incentive Filmed Entertainment’s Untitled 3D Shark Thriller for wide release in 2011.
Bleiberg Entertainment sells prestige doc Precious Life at AFM
The Los Angeles-based sales and financing company has closed a slew of territories at AFM on its slate including the documentary Precious Life that last week became one of 15 titles to make it on to the Academy’s shortlist.
The Monk among strong AFM sellers for Memento Int'l
Memento Films International has announced strong sales following the AFM.
Optimum takes UK rights to $20m Spanish historical epic Lope
Wild Bunch has secured several key deals on Brazilian director Andrucha Waddington’s $20m historical epic Lope, including Optimum for the UK and Concorde for Germany.
Cinepool reports strong AFM sales on family films, German Oscar submission
Munich-based sales company Cinepool, a division of Telepool, has confirmed a number of deals out of the AFM.
StudioCanal secure key sales on Spanish titles Bruc and Tadeo Jones
French sales outfit StudioCanal has confirmed several deals on Daniel Benmayor’s historical drama Bruc and Enrique Gato’s animation Tadeo Jones at the AFM, including StudioCanal-owned ...
Celluloid Nightmares, Mongrel Media close three-film deal
Deals closed at AFM for Canadian rights to Jon Hewitt’s X, Fernando Barreda Luna’s Atrocious and The Orozco Brothers’ Greetings To The Devil. All three films are targeting festival premieres in early 2011.
Icon takes UK rights to Filmax thriller Kidnapped
Spanish studio Filmax has confirmed several sales deals of key titles at AFM, including Miguel Angel Vivas’ home invasion thriller Kidnapped to Icon for distribution in the UK.
Lightning strikes deals on ProdigyMovies slate
Michael Robertson’s ProdigyMovies and Lightning Entertainment plan to collaborate on a slate of Australian genre titles following the success at AFM of supernatural thriller Road Train.
AFM buyers flock Across The Line for Maya Entertainment
Maya Entertainment has closed a raft of sales at AFM on its upcoming release Across The Line: The Exodus Of Charlie Wright.
Myriad reports roaring trade on marquee Kevin Spacey title Margin Call
Myriad Pictures president and CEO Kirk D’Amico has reported a successful market for the financial thriller, closing numerous territories such as Germany, Italy and Australia.
Yershov's VolgaFilm closes key deals for Russia at AFM
Sergei Yershov’s recently renamed Russian distributor VolgaFilm has picked up several leading titles at the AFM.
NonStop takes The Trip, Let Me In and Barney's Version at AFM
Swedish distribution outfit NonStop Entertainment announces AFM acquisitions of The Trip, Let Me In and Barney’s Version.
IM Global sells Walking With Dinosaurs 3D to Fox for US and select territories
In what is believed to be one of the biggest deals in AFM history, Fox has picked up US and remaining territories to IM Global’s marquee sales title at the market.
Sunrise to bring Turgenev play Fortune's Fool to big screen
Sergei Bespalov’s production, financing, worldwide sales and distribution company Sunrise Entertainment will adapt Ivan Turgenev’s play Fortune’s Fool into a feature.
Vanguard strikes deal with Kung Fu Panda's John Stevenson
Vanguard Films CEO John Williams has closed an overall producing-directing deal with Kung Fu Panda co-director John Stevenson.
Hartnett to star for Joffe in Corsan's Singularity
Josh Hartnett has been set to star in Roland Joffe’s epic romantic adventure Singularity for Corsan as the film kicks off production today [8] in Australia.
eOne acquires UK rights for Harlin's 5 Days Of August
eOne has won a bidding war at AFM for UK rights to Renny Harlin’s political drama and action film 5 Days Of August.
High Fliers gets the point of Needle for UK as Lightning closes sales
Lightning Entertainment has sold John V Soto’s Australian horror film Needle to a raft of territories including the UK where High Fliers will distribute.
Talk turns to potential Berlinale 2011 selections
As the AFM begins to wind down, attention now turns to hot titles for the Berlinale.
Toei takes Japanese rights to Korean hit The Man From Nowhere
Japan’s Toei has acquired Korean hit The Man From Nowhere from Seoul-based M-Line Distribution which is handling Asian territories on the film.
Mann Made, Veneration merge
UK producer/director Scott Mann is partnering with composer/director James Edward Barker to co-own production company Mann Made Films.
NonStop flies with Wings of Fear sales
Scandinavian sales outfit NonStop has been doing brisk sales on its horror titles during the AFM. Sales executive Teresa Allden has now confirmed a multi-territory deal on Wings Of Fear, which has gone to Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia (Star Films).
Dead on Arrival launches with Martin Compston comedy
UK producers Andy Thompson and Simon Phillips have launched a new film company, Dead on Arrival Digital, which is backed by an Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS).
Ichnos strikes library deal with FilmSharks
Ichnos, the new digital distribution network launched during this year’s Venice Film Festival, has announced details of its latest projects.
Jinga sells The Hunt to Japan
UK sales outfit Jinga Films has sold Thomas Szczepanski’s debut horror The Hunt to New Select for Japan.
Wild Bunch reports flurry of AFM sales, led by The Grandmasters
French powerhouse Wild Bunch has announced multiple sales on its AFM slate. Wong Kar-Wai’s $25 million The Grandmasters will close in several major territories by the end of the market.
High prices, high ambition at bustling AFM 2010
A handful of marquee titles shone as sales agents and acquisitions teams offered differing views from a busy if not always hyper-productive market that saw the cautious return of Japanese buyers.
Myriad boards Panettiere, Reed thriller Downers Grove at AFM
Hayden Panettiere, Nikki Reed and Rebecca De Mornay have joined the cast of thriller Downers Grove that Myriad Pictures is introducing to buyers at AFM.
Tatum to star in Randall Wallace period adventure The Mercenary
Channing Tatum will star as a Virginia cavalryman who travels to the court of Catherine The Great on an undercover mission in Randall Wallace’s $65m adventure romance Love And Honor: The Mercenary.
Celluloid Nightmares closes key sales on Atrocious, Greetings To The Devil
Celluloid Nightmares has closed a multi-picture theatrical deal with Revolver in the UK and Senator in Germany for Atrocious and Greetings To The Devil.
Bespalov’s Sunrise closes Russia deal for Father Of Invention
Sergei Bespalov’s Sunrise Entertainment has licensed all Russian rights to Art Pictures Media for its Kevin Spacey comedy Father Of Invention.
Open, Vampire Boys generate AFM interest for Ariztical
Ariztical Entertainment has broadened its international sales slate and is talking to buyers about a roster of titles led by this year’s Berlinale Teddy Jury Award winner Open.
Moviehouse unearths Cavegirl to star Jennifer Stone
Here at the AFM, UK outfit Moviehouse is to handle sales on teen pic Cavegirl The Movie, starring fast rising teen Disney star Jennifer Stone.
CinemaNX cranks up TT3D
TT3D (working title), the hugely ambitious 3D event movie about the Isle of Man’s celebrated motorcycle race, is likely to receive its market premiere in Cannes.
Tele Munchen strikes German deal for thriller Ticket Out
Spotlight Pictures has closed a deal for action-thriller Ticket Out with Tele Munchen Group (TMG) for Germany.
KOFIC unveils new Korean film incentives
The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) unveiled its new location shooting and post-production incentives at a seminar at the AFM on Friday.
Empress Road takes on Snow & Ashes
Faisal Toor, ex-CAA and Arclight, and Galen Christy, ex-CAA, have launched a new LA-based sales company, Empress Road Pictures.
Buyers bark with Toei's Wasao
Japanese studio Toei has sold puppy drama Wasao to Hong Kong’s Golden Scene, Taiwan’s Catchplay and Encore Films for Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.
Finecut takes on Poongsan
Seoul-based sales company Finecut has picked up international rights to Poongsan, directed by Juhn Jaihong and produced by acclaimed filmmaker Kim Ki-duk.
StudioCanal has "strongest" AFM, led by Tinker, Tailor sales
By late Saturday afternoon, major deals were closed with Italy (Medusa) and Canada (eOne).
Mega-Vision makes sales debut with All About Love, Naked Soldier
Hong Kong’s Mega-Vision Pictures (MVP), the production company founded by veteran producer Wong Jing, is making its debut as a sales company at the AFM.
Fortissimo hungry for Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Fortissimo Films has acquired all rights outside North America to David Gelb’s food-themed documentary feature Jiro Dreams Of Sushi.
New Films Cinema to release Rose McGowan thriller Dead Awake in US
New Films Cinema has added the supernatural thriller Dead Awake starring Rose McGowan, Amy Smart and Nick Stahl to its North American distribution slate.
Producers strike more deals for Last Seven
UK producers Andy Thompson and Simon Phillips have now sold their film The Last Seven to Scandinavia (Horse Creek) and for German-speaking Europe (Mediawith Classics).
ScreenSingapore unveils details of inaugural event
Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA) and Singapore Airshow & Events have unveiled further details of inaugural film showcase, ScreenSingapore, to be held in the city-state next June.
Arsenal Pictures closes territories on Five Minarets In New York
Yarek Danielak’s Arsenal Pictures has closed several key deals here on new acquisition Five Minarets In New York starring Danny Glover.
Lightning strikes major territory deals on Kill The irishman
Lightning Entertainment has announced major territory deals on its anticipated crime thriller Kill The Irishman (formerly The Irishman) starring Ray Stevenson.
Affinity International adds CBS Films romantic fantasy Beastly to slate
Affinity International has picked up international sales rights to CBS Films’ romantic fantasy Beastly starring Vanessa Hudgens, Alex Pettyfer, Mary-Kate Olsen and Neil Patrick Harris.
LevelK starts deals for Ronal The Barbarian
Here in Santa Monica, LevelK will be presenting buyers with English and Spanish-language teasers.
SC Films strikes deals for Swinging with the Finkels, F
US deal for Finkels; Wild Bunch takes multiple territories on hoodie youth film.
Jackie Chan's 1911 sells to US, UK
Jackie Chan’s Jackie & JJ Productions has sold historical epic 1911 to Well Go USA for North America and Showbox for the UK.
Pedersoli's Smile widens with US projects
Giuseppe Pedersoli’s Rome-based Smile Production has taken the leap into US production.
Metrodome climbs New Zealand's Devil's Rock
Metrodome has struck a UK deal for WWII horror film The Devil’s Rock, with NZ Film.
BAC's Sleepless Night wakes for German deal
BAC aso talking to buyers about Borderline and The Sandman and The Lost Sand of Dreams.
Buyers start biting for Celluloid's vampire hit We Are The Night
Five deals already closed and buyers lining up for other major territories.
Fortissimo scares up Rabbit Horror
Fortissimo Films has picked up worldwide rights, excluding Japan, to Takashi Shimizu’s 3D The Rabbit Horror.
Anchor Bays sinks claws into The Howling reboot for English-language territories
Fast-rising distributor Anchor Bay Films has acquired all rights for English-speaking territories to The Howling: Reborn.
Independent distributors have increased opportunity, AFM panel says
With the studios making fewer films and concentrating on higher budget “four quadrant” fare, the indies have the chance to step into the breach, panelists said.
Molly Hassell assembles cast on The Giant Mechanical Man
Vamps producer Molly Hassell has assembled a strong young ensemble for rom-com The Giant Mechanical Man, set to commence production in Detroit later this month.
Cortes unveils Red Lights vision to AFM buyers
Rodrigo Cortes outlined his vision for the psychological thriller Red Lights in a Friday morning [5] buyer presentation hosted by Lisa Wilson’s Parlay Films.
Singapore's MDA launching $50m fund with CJ, Bang, AMTC
Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA) is launching a $50m film fund in partnership with Korea’s CJ Entertainment, production company Bang Singapore and Singapore-based Asia Media & Technology Capital (AMTC).
Sex and Zen heats up AFM sales
Hong Kong producer Stephen Shiu’s 3D Sex And Zen: Extreme Ecstasy is raising temperatures at the AFM just a few days after it wrapped in Hong Kong.
Bruce Lee, My Brother strikes slew of deals for Media Asia
Media Asia Distribution has sold Bruce Lee, My Brother, a biopic of the Hong Kong action legend, to a slew of territories including North America which was snapped up by The Weinstein Co.
Stealth signs on for hiker thriller Dark Peak
Stealth Media Group has come on board another project here at the AFM, sci-fi thriller Dark Peak.
IFC Midnight strikes deal for Wrecked from eOne
IFC Midnight has continued its buying streak by taking on US rights to Wrecked from eOne.
