Screen
05 Aug 2010

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Cirkus Columbia

Dir/scr: Danis Tanovic. Bosnia and Herzegovina-France-UK-Slovenia-Germany-Belgium-Serbia. 2010. 115mins
Diago (Ao ge)

Dir/scr: Chi Zhang. China. 2010. 89mins
E1 Entertainment appoints Charlotte Thorp as head of TV sales

She will join the international distribution and production company’s UK office from Hanway Films.
Ewa

Dirs/scr: Adam Sikora, Ingmar Villqist. Poland. 2010. 108mins
Hitler In Hollywood

Dir: Frédéric Sojcher. France-Belgium-Italy. 2010. 85mins
Just Between Us (Neka Ostane Medju Nama)

Dir: Rajko Grlic. Croatia-Serbia-Slovenia. 2010 89mins
Katka

Dir/scr: Helena Trestikova. Czech Republic. 2010. 90mins
Latido secures Asian deals on top titles

Spanish sales outfit Latido Films has secured several deals for its films, especially in Asia, including Oscar winner The Secret In Their Eyes to Korea and India.
Marwencol

Dir: Jeff Malmberg. US. 2010. 84mins
Melanie Griffith joins cast of Spanish drama At 2:15

The actress has been confirmed to star alongside Nick Nolte in Maria De Kannon Cle’s debut feature.
Mission London

Dir: Dimitar Mitovski. Bulgaria. 2010. 107mins
Nacho Vigalondo to make English-language sci-fi thriller Windows

The Oscar-nominated Spanish director is in development on the project with 28 Weeks Later producer Enrique Lopez Lavigne.
Nuummioq

Dirs: Otto Rosing, Torben Bech. Denmark-Greenland. 2010. 98mins
Orion

Dir/scr: Zamani Esmati. Iran. 2010. 76mins
Palestine’s Cinema Jenin re-opens thanks to international support

Cinema Jenin, one of Palestine’s largest and most impressive movie houses, is re-opening today thanks to international support after remaining closed for more than 20 years since the first Intafada in 1987.
Predators

Dir: Nimrod Antal. US. 2010. 109mins
Sevdah For Karim (Sevdah na Karima)

Dir: Jasmin Durakovic. Bosnia and Herzegovina-Hungary. 2010. 95mins
Suspicions (Jaloux)

Dir/scr: Patrick Demers. Canada. 2010. 94mins
The Other Guys

Dir: Adam McKay. US. 2010. 101mins
The Wedding Party

Dir: Amanda Jane. Aust. 2010. 114mins
‘Financing is still predicated on foreign value’

The US business is in uncharted waters, with the global financial meltdown creating new paradigms and opportunities for independents. Screen’s US editor Jeremy Kay gathered a diverse group of luminaries to discuss the business in 2010
‘There is still capital flowing into domestic distribution'

In the second of two round-table debates on the new realities in Hollywood, Jeremy Kay speaks to executives about pre-sales, banks and the rise of international power hubs
14th edition of onedotzero festival to run in November

Highlights will include a programme showcasing female directors leading the way in animation.
14th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival
A Legendary journey

Launched six years ago, Legendary Pictures survived the economic crash and continues to bring private equity and hedge-fund investment to Hollywood movies. Jeremy Kay meets chairman and CEO Thomas Tull.
A return to common sense

Indie films may not be achieving the grosses of years gone by, but we shouldn’t judge them against the inflated goal posts of the past.
Academy revises rules on effects nominees, animation length

The governors of the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences have expanded the visual effects category from three to five nominees.
Accidents Happen, Charlie & Boots among Emerging PicturesAustralian showcase

Emerging Pictures has announced the line-up of the first three titles in the 2010 USA-Australia Film Showcase, its partnership with Screen Australia to bring previously unreleased Australian films to American audiences.
Adrian Grenier's producing partner launches Bert Marcus Productions

Adrian Grenier’s producing partner Bert Marcus has launched Bert Marcus Productions, the company behind the upcoming documentary Teenage Paparazzo, and announced its next few projects.
Advertisers invited to Meet Pursuit Delange

Journalist turned film-maker Howard Webster has come up with an innovative way to fund his first feature, a British musical comedy called Meet PursuitDelange which began life as a column in Broadcast magazine.
Aftershock sets Chinese-language box-office record

Chinese filmmaker Feng Xiaogang’s disaster drama Aftershock has become the biggest Chinese-language film in Chinese film history, taking $78.47m (RMB532m) in box-office grosses.
Alcon set to swim with family saga Dolphin's Tale

Warner Bros-based Alcon Entertainment has greenlit the family project Dolphin’s Tale.
Altadena takes on Saving Amy

Altadena Films has added ForgeFilms’ rite-of-passage drama Saving Amy to its international sales slate.
Andy Tennant to direct Heigl romance Adaline for Lakeshore, Kimmel

Lakeshore Entertainment and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment have hired Andy Tennant to direct the epic romance Adaline starring Katherine Heigl.
As If I Am Not There

Dir/scr: Juanita Wilson. Ireland-Macedonia-Sweden. 2010. 105mins.
Ascent Media brings in trio of key hires

California-based Ascent Media Group has announced a series of key appointments, naming Larry Birstock senior vice-president of media services.
At Ellen’s Age

Dir: Pia Marais. Germany. 2010. 95mins
Avatar to return in August with extra eight minutes

Fox will release Avatar: Special Edition in theatres on August 27 in a limited engagement in 3D and IMAX 3D.
Babelgum announces tri-platform animation and anime competition

Digital broadcast network Babelgum has launched what it claims is the first tri-platform competition for online, mobile and offline covering animation and anime.
BAFTA, BFI to host screenwriters lecture series

David Hare, Ronald Harwood, Peter Morgan, Aline Brosh McKenna, Simon Beaufoy and Christopher Hampton are set to deliver lectures in a special series organized by BAFTA and the BFI.
BAFTA/LA, Warner Bros team up with Los Angeles for screening series

BAFTA/LA, Warner Bros and Warner Home Video are launching a free outdoor summer screening series in Los Angeles.
Belgian distributor Belga set to move into production

The news of Belga’s forthcoming foray into production and development comes as the company’s ownership structure has changed.
Bernal, Furstenberg start shooting thriller The Loneliest Planet

Gael Garcia Bernal and Hani Furstenberg have been cast as the leads in Julia Loktev’s thriller The Loneliest Planet, which is set to commence principal photography in the republic of Georgia on July 26.
BFI IMAX to screen Avatar: Special Edition

BFI IMAX is to screen a special edition of blockbuster Avatar with an extra 8 minutes of never-seen footage.
Boyle's 127 Hours set for Toronto

Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours is to get its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Brazil blooms

Screen editor Mike Goodridge introduces Elaine Guerini’s territory focus exploring the production and distribution scene in Brazil.
Breaking dawn for Summit

Summit Entertainment has succeeded where others have failed in creating a vibrant new independent with studio-level capabilities. Patrick Wachsberger and Robert Friedman tell Jeremy Kay how
Bye Bye Blondie

Emmanuelle Beart and Beatrice Dalle star in Bye Bye Blondie, the follow up to French writer/director Virginie Despentes’ controversial debut Baise Moi, which is currently shooting in France.
Cardiff screenwriter Stratton wins Big 5 Comedy award

The inaugural award carried a cash prize of $1600 from Working Title Films.
Caroline Stern joins Kaleidoscope Entertainment

UK-based Kaleidoscope Entertainment has appointed Caroline Stern as Director of International Sales and Acquisitions.
Cast set for Mandate's LOL

Mandate Pictures has rounded out the ensemble cast for Miley Cyrus coming-of-age comedy LOL, which recently began shooting in Michigan.
Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore

Dir: Brad Peyton. US. 2010. 85mins
Charlie St.Cloud

Dir: Burr Steers. US. 2010. 99mins
China, Singapore sign co-production agreement

China and Singapore have signed a film co-production agreement which covers feature films and telemovies across live-action, animation and documentaries.
Cinema Libre snaps up film rights to Economic Hit Man

Cinema Libre has acquired film rights to John Perkins’ explosive memoir Confessions Of An Economic Hit Man.
Ciudad Juarez murders tale Backyard to close 14th LALIFF

Carlos Carrera’s crime drama Backyard will close the seven-day 14th Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) on August 25, marking the culmination of a programme of 37 features and 36 shorts.
Columbia hires Wiseman to re-imagine sci-fi classic Total Recall

Len Wiseman is in final negotiations to direct a remake of the classic sci-fi action film Total Recall for Columbia Pictures after the studio secured the rights from Miramax.
Comic-Con International, San Diego
Congress measure spells end for futures trading lobby

A coalition of guild and industry professionals led by the MPAA has welcomed a move by the Senate today [15] that would ban futures trading on box office performance.
D Films appoints Doug Smith CFO

Doug Smith has been appointed CFO of Canadian distributor D Films Corporation and will oversee the company’s finance, accounting, and television licensing.
Daniel Radcliffe to star in Woman In Black

The Harry Potter actor will play young lawyer Arthur Kipps in Hammer Films’ feature adaptation of the best selling novel.
David Weisman

On the 25th anniversary of Kiss Of The Spiderwoman, its producer David Weisman talks about its ongoing legacy, and his current collaboration with Paul Schrader on the Bollywood/Hollywood fusion Xtreme City.
Deauville announces premieres, tributes

The Deauville American Film Festival has announced a line-up including Despicable Me, The Debt and You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger and tributes to Annette Bening, Terry Gilliam and Gregg Araki.
Del Toro thrills Comic-Con with Haunted Mansion announcement

Guillermo del Toro is developing a 3D feature for Disney based on the amusement park ride The Haunted Mansion – one of the first films under the Rich Ross regime.
Deluxe Digital London, SmartJog sign digital delivery pact

Deluxe Digital London has signed a deal with digital delivery service SmartJog’s pan-European network for the delivery of digital cinema packages to theatres.
Despicable Me topples Eclipse to lead weekend on $60.1m

Universal’s first 3D animation Despicable Me soared to the top of the charts on an estimated $60.1m over the weekend.
Desplat, Zimmer, Elfman, Powell and Burwell compete for Composer of Year

The World Soundtrack Academy has announced its nominees for the 2010 Awards, to be presented in three categories: Film Composer of the Year, Best Original Score of the Year and Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film.
Dinner for Schmucks

Dir: Jay Roach. US. 2010. 114mins
Disney close to selling Miramax, according to reports

It emerged late last night [8] that the Miramax sale is close to being completed for a sum in the region of $675m, several reports claimed.
Disney expands horizons with acquisition of social gaming developer Playdom

The Walt Disney Company has agreed to acquire online social gaming company Playdom Inc as it develops its digital gaming portfolio and uncovers new channels to reach consumers.
Disney to handle video distribution of UTV titles

The Walt Disney Company India has signed an agreement with UTV Motion Pictures under which it will handle home entertainment distribution for some key titles from UTV.
Ealing hands

One of the UK’s most commercially successful producers, Ealing Studios chief Barnaby Thompson has ambitious plans to bring a slate of big-budget commercial films to the independent marketplace. Geoffrey Macnab reports.
Eclipse looks to grow in second wave of overseas launches

A second big weekend awaits Summit International’s The Twilight Saga: Eclipse as it looks to build on its sizeable imprint from last week.
Eclipse poised to cross quarter-billion mark overseas

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is bidding to rule the overseas arena for the third consecutive weekend as it ventures into German-speaking Europe and stands at the cusp of $250m.
Eclipse rules overseas as $81m sinks tough competition

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse reigned supreme over a spectacular international weekend thanks to an estimated $81.1m fuelled by number one launches in the UK, France and South Korea.
Elephant Eye acquires US rights to Prince Of Broadway

New York-based Elephant Eye has picked up Sean Baker’s third feature, the comedy Prince Of Broadway, and has set a September 3 platform release in New York.
Emerging broadens alternative content slate with Opus Arte deal

Emerging Pictures and Opus Arte have signed a deal for Emerging to become the exclusive North American theatrical distributor of Opus Arte’s events programming.
Endgame partners with Glass and Forster to show faith in Heretics

Jim Stern’s Endgame Entertainment, This American Life writer-producer Ira Glass and his producing partner Alissa Shipp are teaming up with Marc Forster and Bradford Simpson’s Apparatus to produce Heretics.
Etienne Chatiliez to lead Dinard jury

Director Etienne Chatiliez will preside over the jury at this year’s Dinard British Film Festival (Oct 6-10).
Everywhere And Nowhere

Shooting wrapped this week on Menhaj Huda’s follow up to Kidulthood, a coming of age drama, inspired by the director’s love of music and his Asian/British background.
Expelled (Wydalony)

Dir: Adam Sikora. Poland. 2009. 103mins
FiGa Films sells Aardvark to Spain, with strong interest elsewhere

International sales agent FiGa Films has sold Kitao Sakurai’s Argentinian-US film Aardvark, a Locarno selection, to Madrid-based distributor Aquelarre.
Film Bridge International to handle sales on Winnie biopic

Ellen Wander’s Film Bridge International has picked up international sales rights to Ironwood Films’ Winnie Mandela biopic Winnie starring Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard.
Film Dept negotiating $200m finance deal

The Film Department has withdrawn its plan for an initial public offering and says it is in negotiation with investors “who prefer to keep the company in private hands” for $200m in equity and debt.
Film London’s Best of Boroughs Winners

L to R: Adrian Wootton (CEO, Film London), Rohan Green (Physical Education), Mark Gutteridge, Jack Tarling, Tom Clutterbuck (Assessment) and Eran Creevy (Shifty).
Film-makers descend on Bogota for BAM film and television market

Film and television executives from more than 35 companies in Colombia and the rest of Latin America, the US and Europe explored business opportunities at the recent Bogota Audiovisual Market (BAM).
Financing the Dream

In 2009, DreamWorks secured $825m for the next stage in its development. Jeremy Kay speaks to COO Jeff Small about the studio’s cost-conscious international focus and how new backers, including Reliance and Disney, fit in
Fincher's The Social Network gets world premiere slot at New York

David Fincher’s The Social Network will receive its world premiere on September 24 when it opens the 48th Annual New York Film Festival.
FIP hires Shebnem Askin-Schreger as sales activity grows

Fox International Productions (FIP) is expanding its sales activity and has hired Shebnem Askin-Schreger formerly of Cinetic International and 2929 International as senior vice-president of sales and production finance.
Former Senator Bob Kerrey, MPAA end CEO talks

Former Senator Bob Kerrey, who was considered by many to be the frontrunner to head the Motion Picture Association Of America (MPAA), has pulled out of the race.
Fourth Pirates Of The Caribbean film to shoot at Pinewood

The fourth instalment in the Pirates franchise will shoot in a number of UK locations.
Fox names Keith Feldman president of international home entertainment

Twentieth Century Fox has promoted Keith Feldman to president of its international home entertainment division.
Frank Marshall

Veteran producer Frank Marshall talks about shooting The Last Airbender with M Night Shyamalan in Greenland, tax breaks and his philosophy on producing.
Gavin Miller to lead Scotland's Centre for the Moving Image

Scotland’s new Centre for the Moving Image has appointed Gavin Miller as CEO and Graham Wallace as COO.
Germany holds key to overseas box office weekend

Toy Story 3 is expected to cross $400m this weekend but will face a strong challenge from Inception for the overseas box office crown.
Golden Gate Creations sets up hubs in India, Los Angeles

Fledgling Indian production and distribution company Golden Gate Creations is set to release its first feature Soch Lo (Think About It!).
Good Pitch filmmakers to include Woolcock, Sington, Noujaim

The Channel 4 BRITDOC Foundation has selected the projects for the Good Pitch UK (scheduled for Sept 10 in London) and the Good Pitch at the Social Capital Markets Conference (Oct 3 in San Francisco).
Goteborg International Film Festival

The 34th edition of Sweden’s premier festival ran Jan 28 - Feb 7.
Grant Thornton promotes Bolton to lead corporate finance

Dominic Bolton will lead the firm’s corporate finance and entertainment division.
Grolsch and Little White Lies launch free film club

The club will feature in eight venues across the UK, with Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim Vs The World kicking off the initiative later this month.
Have funds, need audiences

Brazilian producers may find it easier today to get their films financed but improving local distribution is the next challenge they face. Elaine Guerini investigates.
HP backs Chinese user-generated content feature

The first feature to emerge from Hewlett-Packard China’s user-generated content campaign is to be released on August 28 in mainland China.
Hugh Dancy, Kathryn Hahn join cast of My Idiot Brother

Anthony Bregman of Likely Story and Peter Saraf and Marc Turtletaub of Big Beach have hired Hugh Dancy and Kathryn Hahn to join the comedy My Idiot Brother.
Icahn sues Lionsgate over debt-to-equity swap

Carl Icahn, the man who would be king of Lionsgate, is suing the studio over its move last week to convert $100m of debt into equity.
IFC lands North American rights to Tetsuo pair

IFC Films has acquired North American rights to two films from director Shinya Tsukamoto’s acclaimed Tetsuo trilogy: Tetsuo III: The Bullet Man and Tetsuo II: The Body Hammer.
IFP sets Gotham Awards date

IFP has announced that the 20th Gotham Independent Film Awards will take place on November 29, once again at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
Imax announces robust second quarter results

Imax Corporation revenues for the second quarter ending June 30 climbed 38% year-on-year to $55.6m compared to $40.4m in 2009.
IMAX DMR releases grossed $115m worldwide in second quarter

IMAX Corporation announced today [July 7] that second quarter worldwide box office for IMAX DMR releases reached $115m.
IMAX signs deal with Japan's United Cinemas for up to five theatres

IMAX Corporation and United Cinemas have announced a joint venture agreement to instal up to five digital IMAX theatre systems in Japan.
IMAX signs three-system deal with China's Lumiere Pavilions

In the latest in a slew of IMAX installation deals, the company announced it has partnered with Chinese exhibitor Pavilions to introduce three systems.
IMAX, Guangzhou Jinyi agree to build further four theatres in China

IMAX Corporation has expanded its footprint in China by signing an agreement with Guangzhou Jinyi Film & Television Group to open eight IMAX theatres.
Inception continues dreamy start with $28m US hold

Inception made it three weekends in a row at the top thanks to an estimated $27.5m haul that raised Warner Bros and legendary Pictures’ sci-fi thriller to $193.3m.
Inception crosses $20m in global ticket sales in Imax

Christopher Nolan’s number one North American film Inception was poised to cross the $20m worldwide box office mark in Imax theatres today [27].
Inception dreams on with $44m hold as Salt spices up charts

Inception’s estimated $43.5m number one hold in North America saw the sci-fi thriller race towards the $150m mark after barely two weeks in play.
Inception heads into weekend as overseas box office favourite

After crossing $200m by Thursday [5] Inception was expected to retain its crown. Warner Bros will look to keep momentum going with two significant launches in Spain and Brazil.
Inception reaches quarter-billion overseas on $48m hold

Inception maintained its winning ways as an estimated $47.8m hold from more than 8,144 screens in 61 markets helped the sci-fi thriller stay top overseas.
Inception rules as $55m dominates overseas box office

Christopher Nolan’s Inception claimed the overseas box office crown with a confirmed $55m weekend haul from more than 7,610 screens in 51 markets.
Inception soars to the top in North America on $60.4m

Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures’ sci-fi spectacle Inception from Christopher Nolan soared to the top in its opening weekend on an estimated $60.4m.
IndiePix expands by launching Los Angeles office

New York-based online distributor IndiePix is expanding operations and launching a West Coast office.
Industry in the balance

Be it recession, a shift in the entertainment habits of audiences or competition from TV, games and the internet - or a combination of all three - the film business is facing one of the most challenging periods of change in its 115-year history.
Inside America

Dir: Barbara Eder. Austria. 2010. 105mins
Inside Pictures at Paramount, Los Angeles
Jafar Panahi's short to open Venice Days

It is not known whether the Iranian film-maker, who spent two months in prison earlier this year, will be allowed to attend the festival.
Jasmina

Dir/scr: Nedzad Begovic. Bosnia and Herzegovina. 2010. 89mins
Jeremy Hunt says UKFC closure will cut out 'expensive bureaucracy'

The Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has hit back at critics of his plans to abolish the UK Film Council. In an article written for Sunday’s Observer newspaper, Hunt emphatically explains that the move was so that money earmarked for culture was spent on culture, not overheads.
Kim Dong-ho to step down from Pusan role

Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) founding director Kim Dong-ho will make this year’s edition his last.
Kimmel adds cast to comedy Cloudburst

Kristin Booth and Ryan Doucette have joined the cast of Sidney Kimmel Entertainment’s comedy Cloudburst.
Kurt Russell to play high school coach in Freedom's Touchback

Kurt Russell will play the head high school football coach in Freedom Films’ Touchback.
Leung, Chung join cast of Bruce Lee, My Brother

Tony Leung Ka-fai and Christie Chung have joined the cast of Hong Kong studio Media Asia Film’s Bruce Lee, My Brother, which is being made to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the late action star’s birthday.
Levinson boards Brother Jack human rights project for Columbia

Barry Levinson is attached to direct Brother Jack for Columbia Pictures, based on the life of human rights activist Jack Healey.
Lim joins Tiger Gate

Hong Kong pay TV channel operator Tiger Gate Entertainment has appointed of Jef Lim head of programming and production.
Lionsgate board throws out Icahn's $6.50 tender offer

Lionsgate said last night [2] its board of directors had rejected Carl Icahn’s unsolicited offer to buy up to all of the issued and outstanding common shares at $6.50 per share.
Lionsgate, Icahn renew hostilities as truce expires

In two dramatic twists in the ongoing tale of Lionsgate, Carl Icahn returned from the truce period between the parties with a $6.50 tender offer for common stock shortly before the studio announced last night [20] it had swapped $100m in debt for stock.
Locarno to honour Francesco Rosi

The 87 year old Italian director is to receive a career achievement award at the festival.
Locarno's Grande ambition

Under new artistic director Olivier Pere, the 63rd Locarno International Film Festival (which kicked off last night) is building its industry appeal with a wide-ranging programme that emphasises young talent.
Loeb & Loeb sets up Beijing office and offers entertainment legal services in China

US law firm Loeb & Loeb LLP announced that the firm has formally established its Beijing office at the city’s Central Business District.
Looking inward

The current uncertainty about the office of the British Film Commissioner is one worrying sign that US studios could soon find the UK less attractive for production.
Lorber acquires US rights to Who Is Harry Nilsson doc

Lorber Films has picked up all US rights to the documentary Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is EverybodyTalkin’ About Him)?
Lorber Films takes all US rights to Salt Of This Sea

Lorber Films has acquired all US rights from Pyramide International to Annemarie Jacir’s English and Arabic SaltOf This Sea.
Luna's Abel heads San Sebastian's Horizontes Latinos line-up

The San Sebastian film festival has announced all 11 of its Horizontes Latinos titles, which include Diego Luna’s Abel, Daniel and Diego Vega’s October and Pablo Larrain’s Post Mortem.
Lyn Goleby and Richard Eyre

City Screen Managing Director Lyn Goleby and acclaimed theatre and film director Richard Eyre reflect on the growing appeal of the “live” cinema experience.
Lynette Howell to co-produce Ecosse's On Green Dolphin Street

LA-based producer Lynette Howell is teaming up with UK company Ecosse Films to co-produce On Green Dolphin Street, a film adaptation of Sebastian Faulks’ Cold War love story.
Made in Brazil

From sequels to international breakouts through to buzzy directorial debuts, Elaine Guerini profiles some of the hottest new films coming out of the territory.
Made in Poland

Dir/scr: Przemyslaw Wojcieszek. 2010. Poland. 90mins
Magnolia takes world on Joaquin Phoenix doc I'm Still Here

Magnolia Pictures acquired worldwide rights from WME Global to Casey Affleck’s directorial debut I’m Still Here.
Mandeville, Top Cow have thriller Crosshair in their sights

Mandeville Films partners David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman announced today that the company has joined forces with Top Cow Productions to adapt Top Cow’s comic book Crosshair.
Matt Reeves

Cloverfield director Matt Reeves talks about his follow up, Let Me In, a remake of Swedish vampire tale Let The Right One In, which is currently in post production.
Melancholia Press Conference, Trollhättan, Sweden

Click on images for detail.
Metan enters into strategic relationship with China's Ruyi Film

Los Angeles-based Metan Development Group has entered into a strategic relationship with China’s Beijing Ruyi Xinxin Film Investment Company under which they will work together on film and TV projects.
Middle Men

Dir: George Gallo. US. 2010. 112mins
Millennium sells US rights on The Mechanic to CBS Films

CBS Films has acquired US rights from Millennium Films to The Mechanic starring Jason Statham and directed Simon West.
Morgen

Dir/scr: Mircea Crisan. Romania-France-Hungary. 2010. 100mins
Motovun Film Festival
Myriad hires Jeffrey Engelen as svp distribution

Jeffrey Engelen has joined production, finance and sales company Myriad Pictures as senior vice-president of distribution.
Network Releasing picks up Abel, Heartbeats

The UK distributor has secured Diego Luna’s directorial debut and Xavier Dolan’s I Killed My Mother follow up.
Never Let Me Go to open London Film Festival

The 54th BFI London Film Festival, presented in partnership with American Express, will open on Oct 13 with the European premiere of Mark Romanek’s Never Let Me Go.
New Greek talents triumph despite country's financial woes

Confirming the rule that in times of crisis artistic production thrives, four Greek films will travel to the upcoming Venice film festival — overcoming financial crisis, internal industry feuding and lack of initiative by the Culture Ministry.
newportFILM launches with two outdoor screenings

Two outdoor film screenings in July will officially launch newportFILM as the organisation plans a year-round schedule of events.
Nolan, Sheen get BAFTA/LA honours

Christopher Nolan and Michael Sheen are to be honoured at the 2010 BAFTA/LA Britannia Awards in November.
NYFF selects The Tempest as centrepiece screening

The North American premiere of Julie Taymor’s The Tempest will screen as the centerpiece film at the 48th New York Film Festival on October 2.
Odense Film Festival to showcase 120 shorts in competition

The Odense International Film Festival kicks off Aug 23 in Odense, Denmark, and its 25th edition includes 120 short films in competition alongside a variety of special events.
Ofcom calls for UK movie channel probe

In a move that could have significant implications for UK pay TV giant BskyB, UK media regulator Ofcom has asked the country’s Competition Commission to investigate the sale and distribution of subscription premium pay TV movies.
O-Scope appeals against MPAA rating on Holocaust doc

Oscilloscope Laboratories will appeal on August 5 against the MPAA’s decision to give an R rating to the Holocaust documentary A Film Unfinished for “disturbing images of Holocaust atrocities including graphic nudity.”
O-Scope loses ratings appeal for An Unfinished FIlm.

The MPAA’s classification and rating appeals board has upheld the R rating given to the Holocaust documentary A Film Unfinished.
Picturehouse cinemas to screen live transmission of Fry autobiography

The Fry Chronicles Live will be broadcast from the Royal Festival Hall.
Pre-production of Buddha biopic placed on hold

Financier Dr. BK Modi and director Ashutosh Gowariker have announced that they’ve placed pre-production of their big-budget biopic Buddha on hold as they haven’t been able to find the right face to play the young Buddha.
Principal photography underway on Vamps as cast expands

More cast have joined Red Hour Films’ Vamps, Amy Heckerling’s vampire film that began shooting yesterday [2] in Detroit, Mchigan.
Producers Lab Toronto participants to include Tilic, Jackowski, Selen, Marr

The new Producers Lab Toronto will welcome 24 producers from Europe and Canada.
Production wraps on Atlas Shrugged - Part One

Production has wrapped on Strike Productions’ Atlas Shrugged – Part One based on Ayn Rand’s rousing 1957 novel about the collapse of American society after leading thinkers and creators go on strike.
Provincetown festival apppoints Deborah Magee associate executive director

Deborah Magee has been named associate executive director of the Provincetown International Film Festival.
Puro Casting develops 3D facility for auditions

The UK based casting agency is developing a facility which will allow producers and directors to watch auditions in 3D.
Quartet to adapt Will Eisner's graphic novel A Contract With God

Alex Rivera, Tze Chun, Barry Jenkins and Sean Baker are to direct the late Will Eisner’s graphic novel A Contract With God.
Reign Of Assassins

Currently in post production, John Woo and Su Chao-pin’s martial arts action thriller Reign Of Assassins stars Michelle Yeoh as a retired female assassin whose past returns to haunt her.The film will have its world premiere at Venice.
Relativity achieves studio goal following Overture deal

Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media has effectively become a studio overnight following a deal to acquire the distribution and marketing operations of Overture Films.
Relativity Media finds Safe Haven with Nicholas Sparks

Relativity Media has acquired Nicholas Sparks’ upcoming novel Safe Haven in a deal that will see the company share marketing and promotional support with Grand Central Publishing on the upcoming book launch.
Reliance MediaWorks adds Today's Special to the menu

Reliance MediaWorks has picked up US rights to New York-based Inimitable Pictures’ first US production Today’s Special.
Revitalised New Yorker Films acquires My Dog Tulip

The newly reopened New Yorker Films has announced its first acquisition, picking up all US rights to the animation My Dog Tulip.
Richard Sheffield's new distribution outfit Pinnacle picks up Snow Flower, Bang Bang Club

Veteran distributor Richard Sheffield was buying with a new hat on at Cannes but is only now willing to talk up Pinnacle Films, Australia’s newest name in distribution.
Robert Read promoted to SVP at Universal

Robert Read has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Worldwide HD Marketing for Universal Studios Home Entertainment (USHE) and Universal Pictures International Entertainment (UPIE).
Rosa Bosch

Rosa Bosch has spent the last year building B&W Films, a London-based management and production outfit, which looks after a small but prestigious stable of artists on their fiercely independent projects.
Salt

Dir: Phillip Noyce. US. 2010. 100mins
San Sebastian boasts eight world premieres in New Directors line-up

Constantin Popescu’s Principles Of Life, Hao Jie’s Single Man, Sophie Schoukens’ Marieke, Mariekeand Mikkel Munch-Fals’ Nothing’s All Bad are among the titles to world premiere in the New Directors section at San Sebastian.
Sarajevo Film Festival

Nikola Lezaic (left), winner of the Heart of Sarajevo for best film for Tilva Ros and president of the jury Cristi Puiu (right).
Scenes from Bergman Week

The seventh Bergman Week offered guests unprecedented access to the legendary film director’s home and screening theatre — which have found a new lease of life as an artists’ retreat. Screen editor Mike Goodridge reports.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

Dir: Edgar Wright. US. 2010. 112mins
Screen Film Summit 2010

The Screen International Film Summit (October 13) provides access to the key figures in the restructuring of the UK Film industry and delivers insight from the leaders whose strong, diversified businesses offer lessons that will help you direct your film strategy.
Screen Scotland announces recipients for Audience Development Fund

Regional Screen Scotland, the development agency for access to the cinema-going experience for remote, rural, coastal and under-provided communities throughout Scotland, has announced the recipients for its Audience Development Fund.
Screen unveils nominees for UK Marketing & Distribution Awards

Films shortlisted include Four Lions, Streetdance 3D and Avatar. 190 entries were submitted by 29 companies; the winners will be decided by a panel of judges chaired by Lord Puttnam.
Secret Diaries, A Marine Story win at Outfest

James Kent’s The Secret Diaries Of Miss Anne Lister won Outfest’s grand jury award for outstanding international dramatic feature as the event closed over the weekend.
Sharma launches international sales outfit for Indian films

Former Reliance Big Pictures and Yash Raj Films executive Jawahar Sharma has launched a sales outfit in partnership with Cinergy Productions to handle international distribution of Indian films.
Sherak re-elected as Academy president

Tom Sherak has been re-elected president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
Shin to direct Hong Kong sci-fi epic Future Fighters

Korean filmmaker and animation producer Nelson Shin has boarded $10m 3D sci-fi epic Future Fighters, with Hong Kong’s Ken Siu as assistant director.
Showcase reports strong sales on family adventure White Lion

California-based Showcase Entertainment has concluded a raft of sales on its family adventure White Lion that launched at Cannes market.
Shrek topples Eclipse to lead overseas with $52.2m

DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek Forever After ruled the waves in the first post-World Cup weekend thanks to an estimated $52.2m haul from 8,063 sites through PPI in 57 territories.
Sixth Grossmann Wine and Film Festival, Slovenia

Directors Slobodan Sijan (left) and Coffin Joe (right).
Skip City International D-Cinema Festival, Japan

Award winners at the closing ceremony.
Sleep Tight

Filming is underway on Rec director Jaume Balaguero’s latest project, the $6m terror thriller Sleep Tight, which is being produced by Spanish studio Filmax.
Sony strikes digital deal with Odeon & UCI

Odeon & UCI Cinemas Group (Odeon/UCI) has agreed a non-exclusive digital film deal with Sony Pictures Releasing International Corporation (SPRI).
Step Up 3D

Dir: Jon M. Chu. US. 2010. 97mins
Strand takes US rights to Tribeca entry The Arbor

Strand Releasing has acquired all US rights to Clio Barnard’s Tribeca entry The Arbor from Wavelength Pictures.
Sucker Punch, Avengers, Other Guys captivate Comic-Con

The studios rolled out their big guns at Comic-Con over the weekend as panels from Warner Bros, Marvel Studios and Universal stirred up the crowd.
Summer Coda

Dir/scr: Richard Gray. Aust. 2010. 108 mins
Summit sets Breaking Dawn Part 2 for November 16 2012

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 will mark the culmination of the vampire series which has already grossed more than $1.7bn worldwide with two films still to open.
Summit sets release dates for Fair Game, The Darkest Hour

Summit Entertainment has scheduled the true-life spy drama Fair Game for a November 5 launch in North America.
Sundance Selects adds Colin Fitz Lives! to VOD pipeline

VOD platform Sundance Selects has acquired rights to Robert Bella’s dark comedy Colin Fitz Lives!
Sundance, Cinereach name first wave of new initiative grantees

The Sundance Institute and Cinereach today [27] announced the 2010 projects that have been awarded grants for development, production, or post-production as part of the partners’ $1.5m three-year initiative The Cinereach Project at Sundance Institute.
Swiss government suggests creation of new film funding body by 2012

Changes are afoot in Swiss cinema to reorganize the national film funding system from 2012.Also, Nyon festival announces changes.
Tavernier's Princess to close Montreal

Bertrand Tavernier’s The Princess of Montpensier has been set to close the 34th Montreal World Film Festival on September 6, with the French director in attendance.
The empire builder

In a short time, Relativity Media has become one of the biggest players in the business - and that now includes its own domestic distribution operation. Company founder Ryan Kavanaugh speaks to Jeremy Kay.
The Expendables

Dir: Sylvester Stallone. US. 2010. 103mins
The Expendables storms the UK Box Office

The Expendables fought its way to the top of the UK box office over the Aug 20-22 weekend, deposing the magnificent Toy Story 3 in the process.
The Experiment

Dir/scr: Paul T. Scheuring. US. 2010. 96mins
The Gertrude Stein Mystery or Some Like It Art

Dir/scr: Philippe Mora. US. 2009. 90mins
The land of promise

Vastly underscreened and with a fast-rising economy, Brazil has astonishing growth potential. But can the burgeoning film market overcome chronic piracy? Elaine Guerini reports.
The leading edge

Elaine Guerini shines a spotlight on the hottest producers at work in Brazil.
The Other Guys arrests Inception with $36m debut

Sony’s Will Ferrell comedy The Other Guys usurped Inception for the first time in four weeks as it opened top on an estimated $35.6m.
The Silence (Das letzte Schweigen)

Dir/scr: Baran Bo Odar. Germany. 2010. 114mins
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Dir: Jon Turteltaub. US. 2010. 110mins
The talent packagers

Media Rights Capital has carved a place in Hollywood as a provider of major movies with aggressive deals for talent. Jeremy Kay speaks to co-founder Modi Wiczyk
The Veteran

Rising Brit actor Toby Kebbell stars in The Veteran, an action thriller about a soldier trying to fit back into society after returning from Afghanistan, which is currently shooting in London, directed by Matthew Hope.
This week’s hot projects on Screenbase

New productions by France’s Christophe Ruggia, Germany’s Til Schweiger and Romania’s Adrian Sitaru stand out on Screenbase this week.
Tibet In Song gets US release through Guge

Guge Productions will release Ngawang Choephel’s documentary Tibet In Song in New York on September 24 ahead of a nationwide roll-out.
TIFF unveils doc and Wavelengths line-ups

Errol Morris’ Tabloid, Werner Herzog’s Cave of Forgotten Dreams and Thom Zimny’s The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town are to get their world premieres in the documentary line-up of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Tilva Ros

Dir/scr: Nikola Lezaic. Serbia. 2010. 100mins
Tomorrow Will Be Better (Jutro bedzie lepiej)

Dir/scr: Dorota Kedzierzawska. Poland-Japan. 2010. 118mins
Tomorrow, When The War Began

Dir/scr: Stuart Beattie. Australia. 2010. 103 mins
Toy Story 3 continues to dominate UK box office

Toy Story 3 became the second film this year to spend four weeks in first place at the UK box office, and only the third film since November 2008 to achieve four consecutive weeks at number one.
Toy Story 3 heads UK box office for third week

It was a familiar story at the UK box office over the Aug 06 – 08 weekend as Disney’s Toy Story 3 resolutely held on to the top slot.
Toy Story 3 holds firm in UK

Disney’s Toy Story 3 remains king of the UK box office, recording the biggest second week of 2010.
Toy Story 3 trumps Inception with $62m overseas weekend

An estimated $62m weekend haul propelled Toy Story 3 to $351m overseas and while it is stretching it to say the animation’s prospects could reach infinity and beyond, at this pace a long and prosperous life looks guaranteed.
Undiscovered country

Brazil is a fast-rising market — but cinema expansion has so far been slow outside of the major cities. Elaine Guerini explores the issues holding back the territory’s theatre development.
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan projects take top awards at Locarno's Open Doors

Films from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan were the winners at the end of this year’s Open Doors event in Locarno, which was dedicated to projects from Central Asia.
Vamps cast adds Kristen Johnston as Michigan shoot starts

Kristen Johnston has joined the cast of Amy Heckerling’s Vamps, which is about to start shooting this week in Detroit, Michigan.
Venice adds Skolimowski's Essential Killing to competition

The Venice Film Festival has finalised the competition line up, adding Essential Killing by Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski with the Biennale saying the film will now be “finished in time for Venice.”
Venice picks The Tempest to close festival, completes competition jury

American director Julie Taymor’s William Shakespeare adaptation The Tempest boasting an all-star cast including Helen Mirren, Alfred Molina and David Straithairn will close the Venice Film Festival, playing out of competition.
Virgin Produced launches in LA, partners with Relativity

Richard Branson’s brand new film and television company Virgin Produced has entered into a joint venture with Relativity Media’s Rogue Pictures.
Warner Bros hires ESPN's Lynne Frank to key international marketing role

Lynne Frank has been named executive vice-president of international marketing at Warner Bros Pictures
Warner’s world-wide web

Warner Bros remains the studio with the most consistent run of franchise tentpoles and worldwide mega-hits. Jeremy Kay asks studio chiefs Alan Horn and Jeff Robinov how their business is changing
Watchmen producer pounces on film rights to comic book The Untamed

Watchmen and Hellboy producer Lloyd Levin has acquired film rights to Stranger Comics’ The Untamed ahead of the comic’s publication.
WGA sets 2011 awards timeline

The 2011 Writers Guild Awards will take place on February 5, 2011 at simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York.
White, White World (Beli, Beli Svet)

Dir: Oleg Novkovic. Serbia-Germany-Sweden. 2010. 121mins.
Wolkoff named development chief at LA-based Bekmambetov Projects

Michele Wolkoff has joined Timur Bekmambetov’s Los Angeles-based Bekmambetov Projects (BPL) as president of development.
Womb

Dir/scr: Benedek Fliegauf. Germany-Hungary-France. 2010. 107 mins
Yelmo strikes 370-screen digital deal with Arts Alliance

Spanish exhibitor Yelmo Cines has struck a deal with digital distribution service Arts Alliance Media (AAM) to digitise 370 of its screens.

Screen05 Aug 2010

Screen
05 Aug 2010