Screen
27 Jan 2011

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A Stoker

Dir/scr: Alexei Balabanov. Russia 2010. 80 mins
Adelaide competitors include Aboriginal drama Here I Am

Beck Cole’s drama Here I Am [pictured], about a young Aboriginal woman who has to find her feet after leaving prison, is the one world premiere that will be competing for the top prize at the Adelaide Film Festival (AFF), which opens on Feb 24.
Adventure land

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the International Film Festival Rotterdam remains a major champion of indie and experimental cinema — despite a difficult climate for arts funding in the Netherlands.
All Your Dead Ones

Dir: Carlos Moreno. Colombia. 2011. 90mins
An African Election

Dir: Jarreth Merz. 2010. US-Switzerland. 89mins
Film Factory takes sales rights to Dutch hit Saint

Barcelona-based Film Factory Entertainment has picked up international sales rights (excluding Benelux, US and Canada) to Dick Maas’ popular Dutch horror Saint, with LA-based XYZ Films handling North American rights.
From Prada To Nada

Dir: Angel Gracia. US. 2010. 107mins
Hobo With A Shotgun

Dir: Jason Eisener. Canada. 2011. 86mins
Japanese box office reaches record 220 billion yen in 2010

Tally up 7.1% while admissions up 3%; local films have 53% market share.
K5 takes on Nattiv's prizewinner Mabul

K5 International, the worldwide sales company based in Munich, London and LA, has picked up the rights for Israeli helmer Guy Nattiv’s second feature Mabul (The Flood).
Korean experts launch PIC

Korean film industry execs E.J. Cho, formerly of United Pictures, and Ji-yoon Lim, formerly of FineCut, have launched an international consulting agency for film and entertainment business, PIC (People In Communications).
Letters From The Big Man

Dir/scr: Christopher Munch. US. 2011. 115mins
Media Asia closes more sales on Bruce Lee, My Brother and Legend of The Fist

Hong Kong’s Media Asia has done a slew of deals on its titles, including for period biopic Bruce Lee, My Brother, directed by Raymond Yip and Manfred Wong.
No One Killed Jessica

Dir: Raj Kumar Gupta. India. 2011. 136mins
Nothing To Declare

Dir: Dany Boon. France. 2010. 108 mins
Pathé to co-produce, distribute Dany Boon's next three features

The French company has co-produced all of Boon’s features to date.
Poupoupidou

Dir/scr: Gerald Hustache-Mathieu. France. 2011. 103mins
Screen Australia engages YouTube's help to connect with audiences

Australians are encouraged to make short videos and share them online.
Spreading the word

Cannes Grand Prix winner Of Gods And Men was a breakout success in 2010, earning more than $30m. Key European distributors met at Les Arcs to discuss how they helped Xavier Beauvois’ film to attract audiences.
The Baron

Dir: Edgar Pera. Portugal 2011. 94mins
The Cinema Hold Up

Dir: Iria Gomez Conchiero. Mexico. 2011. 124mins
The glitch behind China’s gold rush

Investment is pouring into Chinese films, but the industry still relies too heavily on big-budget costume epics, many of which are losing money.
The Screen Illusion

Dir/scr: Mathieu Amalric. France 2010. 88mins
Toronto 2011: Fernando Meirelles

Fernando Meirelles’ 360 explores the mystery of coincidence and personal connection set against an international backdrop and boasts a diverse ensemble which includes Anthony Hopkins, Rachel Weisz, Vladimir Vdovichenkov, Jamel Debbouze, Moritz Bleibtreu, Ben Foster and Johannes Krisch.
Unafilm leaves behind Despair for new co-productions

Our Grand Despair’s German producer boarding new projects by Adrian Sitaru Xavier Simon, Norbert ter Hall
Universal to distribute Paramount Home Entertainment in Italy

Universal Pictures International Entertainment (UPIE) and Paramount Home Entertainment International (PHEI) announce distribution deal in Italy.
Vaca Films to make English-language sci-fi horror based on best seller

Cell 211 co-producers Vaca Films are set to make a big sci-fi horror project provisionally titled Welcome To Harmony, to be directed by Miguel Angel Vivas.
Weerasethakul checks into Mekong Hotel project

Palme D’Or winner Apichatpong ”Joe” Weerasethakul is hatching a new project. The film, at an early stage, is to be called Mekong Hotel.
"Committed activist" Penn earns PGA Stanley Kramer Award

The Producers Guild Of America (PGA) will bestow the Stanley Kramer Award on Sean Penn at its awards ceremony in Los Angeles on January 22.
26th SBIFF unveils roster of films, events

The US premiere of Sarah’s Keys and Carmen In 3D bookend the 26th Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF), which runs from January 27-February 6.
3 Backyards

Dir/scr: Eric Mendelsohn. US. 2010. 88mins
36 projects chosen for Berlin Coproduction Forum

New films by UK director Christopher Smith and French film-maker Benoit Jacquot are among the 36 projects selected for the European Producers Club (EPC)’s 45th Coproduction Forum at the Berlin Film Festival.
A Bigger Boat hires UK's Shankland to direct Dark Corners

British director Tom Shankland will direct horror project Dark Corners for Peter Block’s A Bigger Boat in association with GreeneStreet Films.
A Little Bit of Heaven

Dir: Nicole Kassell. US. 2011. 108mins
Abraxas

Dir: Naoki Kato. Japan. 2010. 113mins
Academy names seven films on make-up shortlist

The films in alphabetical order are: Alice In Wonderland, Barney’s Version,The Fighter, Jonah Hex, True Grit, The Way Back and The Wolfman.
After Dark brings horror fest to UK

Seven titles to be screened in UK as part of March horror festival.
Albert Nobbs

Glenn Close’s long awaited passion project Albert Nobbs is now shooting in Dublin, with Rodrigo Garcia directing an all-star cast including Mia Wasikowska, Aaron Johnson and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.
Alex Agran and Tom Stewart, Arrow Films

Alex Agran and Tom Stewart discuss the changing strategy at UK distributor Arrow Films, which is beginning to take a more active role in the UK theatrical market.
Alliance, Rhombus Media sign first-look deal

The arrangement follows previous collaborations on such films as Sundance world premiere Hobo With A Shotgun, The Red Violin, Blindness and Passchendale.
Amazon acquires LoveFilm

Amazon today announced that it has acquired the remaining shares in LoveFilm. Reports value the deal at $320m.
AMR, FUNimation seal VoD partnership for North America

US-based VoD distributor Asian Media Rights (AMR) has sealed a distribution partnership with FUNimation Entertainment, which is the largest distributor of Japanese animation in North America.
Anchor Bay takes select territories on Tanner Hall

Anchor Bay Films has acquired US, UK, Australia and New Zealand on the ensemble drama starring Rooney Mara.
Anchor Bay takes Sundance closing night film The Son Of No One

Anchor Bay has acquired US rights to Dito Montiel’s Sundance closing night film.
Andrea Picard to oversee curation for Toronto's Visions strand

Andrea Picard, Toronto International Film Festival Cinematheque Programmer and Wavelengths curator, will also now be responsible for the overall curation of Visions.
Anonymous Content takes a shine to Cutting For Stone

Abraham Verghese’s family saga charts the fortunes of twins born in an Ethiopian mission church and has been translated into more than 25 languages.
Antena 3 Films to co-produce Brain Drain and Three Meters Above The Sky sequels

Spain’s Antena 3 Films, the cinema production wing of broadcaster Antena 3, is set to co-produce sequels to the hugely successful local-language comedy dramas Brain Drain and Three Metres Above The Sky.
Arad, Merriman named partners at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz

Iddo Arad and Mark Merriman have been named partners to the Entertainment Group of Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.
Arterton, Garfield among nominees for BAFTA Orange Rising Star award

The 2011 BAFTA Orange Wednesdays Rising Star Award nominees are Gemma Arterton, Andrew Garfield, Tom Hardy, Aaron Johnson and Emma Stone.
Artificial Intelligence, Square One acquire Jerry Lewis remake rights

Artificial Intelligence and Social Capital Films have acquired remake rights to Jerry Lewis’ Paramount library.
ASC to present Julia Roberts with Board Of Governors Award

Roberts will be honoured at the 25th Annual ASC Outstanding Achievement Awards gala in Hollywood on February 13.
Asghar Farhadi

Iranian director Asghar Farhadi talks about his 2011 Berlin Golden Bear Nader And Simin, A Separation, the difficulty of making films in Iran and friends Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof.
Atrix takes on Remembrance

Munich based Atrix has taken on all international rights for Anna Justice’s drama Remembrance starring Alice Dwyer, Mateusz Damiecki, Dagamar Manzel and David Rasche among
Audrey Tautou lines up new romantic comedy Delicacy

French star Audrey Tautou will star opposite rising Belgian actor François Damiens (Heartbreaker) in Delicacy (La délicatesse).
Babelsberg to co-produce Paramount action movie

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters to star Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton [pictured].
BAFTA /LA re-elects Lythgoe as chairman

BAFTA / LA has re-elected Nigel Lythgoe as chairman and announced its board of directors for the new year which includes an expanded executive committee now with a fifth member.
BAFTA to give special honour to Harry Potter franchise

BAFTA will give this year’s Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema to the Harry Potter film series at this year’s Orange BAFTAs.
BAFTA, ICA team for industry masterclasses

Gareth Edwards [pictured], Nicolas Chaudeurge among participants.
Barney’s Version and Incendies lead Genie nominations

The only surprisefrom the Academy Of Canadian Cinema and Television’s nominations for the 31st Genie awards is that Barney’s Version garnered 11 nominations while the multiple award-winning Incendies (pictured) received 10.
Bavaria to start sales on London-set thriller I, Anna at EFM

The London-set thriller starring Charlotte Rampling [pictured] and Gabriel Byrne is the directorial debut of Barnaby Southcombe; Artifical Eye will release the film in the UK.
Bedlam partners with Lillavision for TV projects

The production company behind The King’s Speech has appointed co-production and co-financing specialist LillaVision to represent a selection of projects on their factual TV slate.
Behind The Red Motel Door

Dir/scr: TheWorldFamous Ike. US-Mexico. 2011. 92mins
Ben Ammar to produce Bouazizi feature

The film, which will shoot entirely in Tunisia, will tell the story of iconic figure Mohamed Bouazizi.
Bengali Detective, Knuckle lined up for remakes

Fox Searchlight announced its second worldwide Sundance deal of the day and its third of the festival, after swooping on worldwide remake rights to The Bengali Detective, as HBO took remake rights to Knuckle.
Berlin adds extra venue, Taxi Driver 4K to line-up

Berlin’s European Film Market (EFM) has added another venue to its existing screening facilities due to the increase in demand for screening slots.
Berlinale announces Forum titles

There are 24 world premieres and 12 international premieres among the 39 titles in the main programme.
Berlinale Forum Expanded announces further events

42 artists, filmmakers, performers and musicians from 16 countries will present exhibitions, screenings, radio broadcasts and stage performances.
Berlinale shorts section selects 25 films

Films by Spike Jonze and Park Chan-wook make the cut.
Bernd Eichinger dies at 61

The German film industry is in a state of deep shock at the news that film producer Bernd Eichinger has died at the age of 61 from a heart attack during a meal with family and friends in Los Angeles on Monday evening.
Best Laid Plans

Shooting has just wrapped on David Blair’s hard hitting feature about a friendship between two men, played by Stephen Graham and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, which is being sold internationally by AV Pictures.
Beta Cinema books several deals for Goethe!

Beta Cinema is off to a flying start at this year’s European Film Market with sales concluded for Philipp Stölzl’s Goethe! to US distributor
Bigfoot Entertainment announces key executive hires

Bigfoot Entertainment CEO Kacy Andrews has announced a pair of senior executive hires as the company looks to expand operations
Bill Hicks film gets US release through Gravitas and Variance

Gravitas Ventures and Variance Films will jointly release in American: The Bill Hicks Story in theatres and on VOD on April 8.
Birch on to star in, produce dark comedy Petunia

Thora Birch will star in the dark comedy Petunia which is set to commence filming in New York on Jan 24.
Birds Eye View Festival includes Lucy Walker masterclass

Susanne Bier’s In A Better World will have its London premiere at the festival.
Black Swan, Inception among cinematography contenders

The American Society Of Cinematographers has made a good day for supporters of Black Swan (pictured), Inception, The King’s Speech and The Social Network even better.
Bobby Fischer Against The World

Dir: Liz Garbus. US. 2011. 93mins
Bosnia and Herzegovina joins European Audiovisual Observatory

The number of member countries within the Observatory is now 37.
Breakfast & Books returns to Berlin

For the first time individual meetings can be scheduled between producers and book representatives.
Breslin joins Moore in Killer/Bankside's Innocence

Abigail Breslin has joined the cast of Innocence for Killer Films and Bankside Films.
Brit actor Henry Cavill is Warner Bros' next Superman

British actor Henry Cavill will play Superman for Zack Snyder in Warner Bros and legendary Pictures’ tentpole project.
Brit director Christopher Smith takes a Detour

Black Death director Christopher Smith is developing Detour, a US-based road movie thriller with elements of film noir.
Bruckman wins FIND Sloan Producers Grant for Valley Of Saints

FIND has awarded Nicholas Bruckman its fourth annual Sloan Producers Grant for his feature film project ValleyOf Saints.
Bullets, Confessions lead nominations for Asian Film Awards

Japanese drama Confessions, directed by Nakashima Tetsuya, and Jiang Wen’s satirical action adventure Let The Bullets Fly topped the nominations for this year’s Asian Film Awards (AFAs), with six nods apiece.
Bullitt director Peter Yates dies, aged 82

British director Peter Yates, best known for directing the 1968 film Bullitt with Steve McQueen, has died.
Burning Palms

Dir-scr: Christopher Landon. US. 2010. 112mins
Buyers stir it up with Fortissimo’s Marley

Fortissimo Films has sold Kevin Macdonald’s Bob Marley project Marley to several key territories, including Germany (Kinowelt), France (Wild Side), South Africa (Nu Metro) and Switzerland (Ascot Elite).
Buyers storm The Front Line from Showbox

Korean distributor Showbox / Mediaplex has pre-sold war drama The Front Line to Showbox Media Group for UK and STG Multimedia for Thailand.
Buyers struck by Sahamongkolfilm's Bangkok Knockout

Sahamongkolfilm International has done a raft of pre-sales deals on action adventure Bangkok Knockout: BKO, due for a world premiere in Berlin Feb 12.
Cairo Exit

Dir: Hesham Issawi. Egypt-UAE. 2010. 100 mins
Call For Submissions: Screen's Berlin EFM 2013 Product Guide

Screen International Presents: Berlinale/EFM Product Guide
Cannes to open with Woody Allen’s Midnight In Paris

The comedy will get its world premiere on May 11, the same day it is due to open across France.
Cedar Rapids

Dir: Miguel Arteta. USA. 2010. 86mins
Celestial movie channels to be carried by Indonesia’s Skynindo

Hong Kong’s Celestial Pictures has signed carriage deals with Indonesia’s Skynindo PT for its pay-TV channels Celestial Movies and Celestial Classic Movies.
Chris Miller joins Exclusive as president of film finance ops and Spitfire

Chris Miller has joined Exclusive Media Group as president of film finance operations and the new President of Spitfire Pictures.
CinemaExpo changes name to CineEurope

The trade show changes name and renews partnership with UNIC.
Cinemavault's War Games sells to Japan and Australia

Ahead of its EFM premiere, Toronto-based Cinemavault has sold paintball action-thriller War Games to Australia (Transmission), Thailand (M Pictures),the Baltics/CIS (Noviy) and Japan (Nikkatsu).
Cinequest unveils opening and closing night films

John Turturro’s Italian music documentary Passione and Sean McNamara’s family feature Soul Surfer will bookend the Cinequest Film Festival, set to run in San Jose, California, from Mar 1-13.
Cinetic, Independent collaborate on new sales venture

Cinetic Media and Independent are collaborating on a new joint venture, Cinetic at Independent, to collaborate on world sales for each company’s slate.
Circumstance

Dir: Maryam Keshavarz. US-Iran-Lebanon. 2011. 105mins
CJ Entertainment makes pre sales on Sector 7

Korean distributor CJ Entertainment has pre-sold the 3D sea creature thriller Sector 7, its projected summer tentpole blockbuster.
Clay Jeter

Tennessee-born Clay Jeter talks to Jeremy Kay about his feature directorial debut Jess + Moss, which screens in Sundance’s New Frontier section this week.
CMG rides into EFM with foreign rights to Sundance hit Buck

Cinema Management Group heads to Berlin with one of the most admired films in Sundance after picking up sales rights to the audience award documentary winner Buck.
Coach14 takes international rights to Azazel Jacobs' Terri

Sundance competitor will have private screenings during EFM.
Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same

Dir/scr: Madeleine Olnek. US. 2011. 75mins
ContentFilm bolsters Berlin line-up with Spurlock doc

ContentFilm International has sealed its second acquisition of a popular Sundance entry, taking foreign rights to POM Wonderful Presents:The Greatest Movie Ever Sold.
ContentFilm takes foreign rights to Sundance doc Knuckle

ContentFilm International will represent foreign sales excluding the UK in Berlin on the hot World Cinema Dramatic Competition entry.
Craig, Mendes on board for Bond 23 for November 2012

EON Productions and MGM confirmed today [11] that the British actor will return as the superspy and Sam Mendes will direct when production is scheduled to kick off later this year.
Creative meets coal face

High Point Films’ Carey Fitzgerald says aspiring filmmakers need to understand the commercial world.
Cuban open to selling Magnolia Pictures 'for the right price'

With Sundance about to kick off this week, Screendaily has learned that Mark Cuban has turned down multiple bids for the distributor and remains open to a possible sale.
Curzon readies new London cinema in Westminster

Curzon Millbank to open on Feb 25.
Czech box office up almost 20%, sets new record

Sales at the Czech box office in 2010 grew nearly 20% from the previous year, a performance unlikely to be repeated this year.
Darryl Macdonald and Helen du Toit

As the 22nd Palm Springs International Film Festival gets underway, festival director Darryl Macdonald and director of programming Helen du Toit talk to Jeremy Kay about the fest’s international scope and this year’s programming trends.
Death Race 2

Dir: Roel Reine. South Africa. 2010. 96mins
Dennis Weinrich to leave Pinewood Studios

Giles Farley will assume the role of managing director of post production.
Dexter Fletcher

The Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels actor talks about the challenges of shooting his directorial debut, Wild Bill, starring Charlie Creed-Miles and Will Poulter.
DGA unveils documentary nominees

The Directors Guild Of America will unveil its winner at the awards gala on January 29.
Dirty Girl withdrawn from Berlin Panorama

Dirty Girl has been withdrawn from the Berlinale’s Panorama section, because the new version of the film has not been finished in time to screen.
Disney distribution head Chuck Viane to retire in July

Viane is the president of global distribution for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and has served at the studio for 25 years.
Disney seeks to build on Tangled rollout

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International top brass will be looking for another strong weekend as rival The Green Hornet hits key territories.
Distribution Workshop boards The Flying Machine

The Hong Kong sales firm has acquired rest of world sales rights together with BreakThru Films.
Double Negative’s Oscar VFX contenders

Three films featuring work from Double Negative have been nominated for a 2011 Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. Inception, Iron Man 2 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1.Double Negative was the main vendor contributing 500 shots to Christopher Nolan’s science fiction Inception. VFX Supervisor and founding member of Double Negative, Paul Franklin, were nominated along with SFX Supervisor, Chris Corbould, and DNeg’s VFX Supervisors, Peter Bebb and An
Dragonlore Trilogy wins AFM / People's Choice pitch contest

Neal Havener’s pitch of The Dragonlore Trilogy has won the AFM’s second annual Favorite Film Pitch contest.
du signs UAE VOD deal for StreetDance 3D

UAE telecom service provider du strikes deal with On Demand Group to deliver first ever 3D content to VOD users in Middle East.
Dublin Film Festival to open with Richard Ayoade's Submarine

Guests expected to attend the 9th Jameson Dublin International Film Festival include Jim Loach, Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez.
Duchovny, Farmiga join EFM-bound comedy Goats

David Duchovny, Academy Award nominee-Vera Farmiga, Keri Russell, Minnie Driver and Will Arnett have joined Red Crown Productions, Elliptical Films and Sandia Media’s coming-of-age comedy.
Dutch digital cinema project ready for rollout

Dutch Media Hub and EYE Film Institute have completed a pilot project for delivery of film content online to cinemas.The Pilot Digital Cinema project worked with Dutch companies including BT, Felton, Gofilex, inVision Subtitling, KPN Broadcast Services and Technicolor.This month sees the creation of the Digitalisering Nederlandse Cinema Foundation, created by EYE, NVB and NVF.The group is employing a unique funding model for exhibitors, distributors, The Netherlands Film
Ed Borgerding leaves Imagenation, Abu Dhabi Media Company

Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC) and Imagenation Abu Dhabi CEO stepping down with immediate effect, according to reports from the region.
Ed Gass-Donnelly lines up several projects to follow Murder Songs

Toronto-based Ed Gass-Donnelly has several projects in the works to follow up his festival hit Small Town Murder Songs (which premiered in Toronto and this week screens in Rotterdam).
EFP announces new board members

EFP president Eva Vezer will stay on for another term.
Egoli Tossell planning financial reorganisation

Just two weeks after winning a Golden Globe for its co-production of Olivier Assayas’ Carlos, Berlin-based Egoli Tossell Film (ETF) has announced the restructuring of the company’s finances via the German equivalent of Chapter 11 (Insolvenzplanverfahren).
Egyptian film 678 added to Rotterdam programme

Cairo-set film will screen in IFFR’s Bright Future section.
Eight receive Hot Docs funding support

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival and Shaw Media have announced the eight projects selected to receive a total of $203,000 in grants and no-interest loans.
Elijah Wood returns to Middle Earth in Hobbit role

Elijah Wood will reprise his role as Frodo in The Hobbit for Peter Jackson.
Emotional Smith vows to self-distribute Red State

The filmmaker delivered an impassioned speech against the studio marketing system that capped a busy night as Fox Searchlight confirmed it had acquired most of the world on Homework and the Weinsteins took territories on My Idiot Brother.
Empire to launch 3-day London film event at 02

Empire magazine teams with Clarion Events to launch summer film event at the O2 complex.
Entertainment One picks up McGuire's Foreverland for Canada

Entertainment One has picked up Canadian distribution rights to Maxwell McGuire’s directorial debut Foreverland about a man with Cystic Fibrosis who goes on a roadtrip, which is currently in production.
eOne Films Int'l to kick off sales at EFM on The Bengali Detective

eOne Films International has acquired foreign sales rights to Philip Cox’s hit Sundance documentary and will introduce to buyers in Berlin.
Epic Pictures takes on Julian Richards' Shiver

Here at the EFM, Epic Pictures Group, headed by Patrick Ewald and Shaked Berensen, is handling foreign sales on Shiver, the new “woman in jeopardy” thriller from Julian Richards (The Last Horror Movie).
Epic to unveil 11-11-11 footage at EFM as part of new slate

Patrick Ewald’s Epic Pictures Group heads to the EFM with a genre slate led by Darren Lynn Bousman’s apocalyptic thriller 11-11-11.
Essential Entertainment, John Woo team up on The Killer remake

Essential Entertainment has joined Lion Rock Productions in its remake of John Woo’s The Killer in 3D and will introduce the project at EFM.
European cinema attendance a mixed bag in 2010

2010 was “a year of mixed results” for cinema attendance in Europe, according to provisional figures collated by the Strasbourg-based European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO).
European Commission launches new production guarantee fund

MEDIA Production Guarantee Fund will help European audiovisual companies trying to get access to bank financing.
European exhibitors on Berlin Europa Cinemas jury

Four European exhibitors are on the Berlin Europa Cinemas jury.
Every Day

Dir: Richard Levine. US. 2011. 93mins
Ex-Cinemavault evp Michael Paszt returns with Raven Banner

The former Cinemavault Releasing International evp of worldwide acquisitions and Canadian distribution has resurfaced with James Fler and Andrew Thomas Hunt to form Raven Banner Entertainment.
Exclusive Films International taps acquisition fund, promotes Brunner

Exclusive Films International (EFI) has launched a film pick-up fund and has also announced that longtime executive Alex Brunner has become EFI’s new co-president.
Ex-Dune head Coote joins RGM Media

Pan Asian media and entertainment company RGM Media has appointed former Dune head Greg Coote director and chairman of the company.
EYE launches new online platform for experimental film

Instant Cinema project initiated by René Daalder.
Fame director Tancharoen directs Mortal Kombat digital series

The Warner Premiere series will debut this spring through online retailers.
Fandango Portobello starts pre-sales for Di Gregorio's Salt of Life

Fandango Portobello has kicked off international sales for The Salt Of Life (Gianni E Le Donne), the second film by Roman film-maker and Gomorrah co-writer Gianni Di Gregorio.
Fantastic International Voyage

The snowballing international box office numbers for The Tourist, Narnia and Gulliver’s Travels are showing that audiences outside the US are deciding what is a hit and what is not.
FCC signals go-ahead for Comcast-NBCU merger

The Federal Communications Commission has voted 4-1 in favour of the Comcast-NBC Universal merger.
Festivals can't be substitute for distribution, Rotterdam panel says

Film festivals should not become a replacement for distribution, festival experts said at today’s Rotterdam panel entitled Film Festivals, Who Needs Them?
Field Fisher Waterhouse appoints Kami Naghdi

He joins the London based law firm’s media department as a senior associate.
Film Agency for Wales announces production funding

It will invest $675,000 (£425,000) in four Welsh feature projects, including Dave McKean’s Port Talbot Passion starring Michael Sheen.
Film Agency for Wales launches business support programme

10 Welsh film companies will be selected for the scheme, which is to be headed by Jonathan Olsberg.
Film finance expert Jeff Steele launches Film Closings

The former Magnet Media Group CFO’s company will specialise in packaging and closing finance deals and will base his company in Los Angeles and Chicago.
Film Sales Co boards five Sundance titles heading into Park City

The Film Sales Company has acquired distribution rights to five Sundance titles ahead of their world premieres in Park City.
Film shoots up in Thailand despite political unrest

Thailand’s Department of Tourism has announced that the country earned $60m (baht1.8bn) from foreign shoots in 2010, doubling the $30m (baht900m) earned the previous year.
FilmDistrict schedules Insidious as first US release in April

FilmDistrict has confirmed it has slotted in James Wan and Leigh Whannell’s horror film for April 1 on 2,500 screens.
FilmNation reports King's Speech has reached $33m overseas

The awards contender is enjoying a regal international run and grossed an estimated $9.4m over the weekend from 655 screens in four territories.
FilmNation to kick off Berlin sales on Gambit with Diaz, Firth

Cameron Diaz has joined Colin Firth on the cast of the Gambit remake based on a script by Joel and Ethan Coen that Glen Basner’s FilmNation is pre-selling at the EFM next week.
FilmNation, Relativity strike sales deal ahead of EFM

The companies are in final negotiations to close an exclusive multi-year deal whereby FilmNation will oversee international sales and distribution on Relativity’s single picture titles outside of those pursuant to the co-financed slates set up at Universal and Sony.
Films Boutique, Media Luna, Telepool line up EFM slates

Films Boutique and Media Luna New Films are among the latest sales agents to add titles to their sales lineups for the forthcoming Berlinale.
Finding A Place In The Crowd

With all the buzz about crowdsourcing being one way to save the indie film sector, the International Film Festival Rotterdam this year put the concept to the test – with mixed results.
FineCut has busy pre-EFM sales

Korean sales agent FineCut has sold the recent Rotterdam Tiger Award co-winner The Journals Of Musan to Star Sands for Japan and S.N.R.T. for Morroco TV.
Finecut thrills buyers with Midnight F.M.

Korean sales company FineCut has announced a slew deals including last year’s Cannes title Bedevilled, which recently won the Grand Prix at the Gérardmer Fantastic Film Festival and sold to Distrib Films for France.
First 3D opera Carmen heading to more than 1,500 screens

Bizet’s Carmen to premiere as the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Closing Night Gala (Feb 6).
Flying Machine is first 3D feature with live action, stop motion

The first stereo 3D feature film to mix live action with stop motion animation is being readied for an early 2011 release.
Flypaper

Dir: Rob Minkoff. US. 2010 85mins
Foreigners In Hollywood

Golden Globes weekend was an opportunity for Hollywood to engage in an orgy of parties, networking and awards ceremonies. And there were even a couple of occasions for foreign talent to seize the spotlight.
Foresight Unlimited announces sales on Sundance premiere The Ledge

Mark Damon’s Los Angeles-based sales and production company has closed key territories on the starry US Dramatic Competition entry ahead of Friday’s [21] world premiere.
Fortissimo takes on Berlin competitor Come Rain, Come Shine

Lee Yoon-Ki’s relationship drama is the only Asian film in competition at Berlin.
Fox switches distributors in Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia

20th Century Fox has switched local theatrical distributors in three territories of former Yugoslavia: Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia.
Fox, China Lion to co-distribute Butcher in three territories

Fox International Productions (FIP) is teaming with China Lion Film Distribution to release Wuershan’s The Butcher, The Chef And The Swordsman in North America, Australia and New Zealand.
Fox's Gulliver looks to walk tall in six new lands

Fox International’s Gulliver’s Travels narrowly won the overseas race last weekend and arrives in half a dozen new markets this time around including Russia and South Africa. It has grossed more than $53m.
France leads pack in 2011 European Film Awards selection

The European Film Academy has revealed the 45 films selected for this year’s European Film Awards with France gaining 11 nods (8 of which are co-productions) followed by Germany and Spain.
Freestyle sets Mar 25 limited launch for Skateland

Freestlye Releasing will open Anthony Burns’ feature directorial debut Skateland in New York and Los Angeles on Mar 25.
French film foreign admissions drop 18% in 2010

France’s film export body, Unifrance, has reported export figures for 2010 with a 17.9% drop in foreign admissions from 2009.
Fujifilm Motion Pictures UK expands

The company’s new, larger London branch in 17 Soho Square has become the Head Office for European operations.
Funny Balloons sells Sundance hit Circumstance to France

Hit Sundance title Circumstance (handled in the EFM by Funny Balloons) is continuing to generate buyer buzz following its successful premiere in Park City.
Future Films, Zero Gravity Management team for London networking event

Industry networking scheme kicks off on Feb 3 at Pepper Post.
Future MEDIA Programme should promote ‘film literacy’

The European Union’s MEDIA Programme should be opened up to cultural goals and promote ‘film literacy’ in the support programme’s next generation from 2014, according to recommendations made during the European Culture Congress in the Polish city of Wroclaw at the weekend.
Gareth Unwin

One of the producers of The King’s Speech talks about the film’s 12 Oscar nominations and the box-office boom.
Gary Rubin joins Cohen Media Group

The former head of First Independent Pictures joins the new production and distribution company as senior vice-president.
Gasland director plans documentary trilogy

Oscar-nominated Gasland will be first in environment-based trilogy.
German producer Grunert readies third project with David Mackenzie

Berlin/Hamburg-based producer Malte Grunert is to embark on a third collaboration with director David Mackenzie after being one of the producers on Perfect Sense and You Instead which hav
GK TV series Camelot to screen at MIPTV

GK TV’s series Camelot, starring Eva Green and Joseph Fiennes, will launch at MIPTV (April 4- 7) in Cannes.
Glasgow to host world premiere of Mackenzie's You Instead

Francois Ozon’s Potiche will open the seventh Glasgow Film Festival and Kevin Mcdonald’s The Eagle will close.
Golden Globes 2011: The Social Network connects with HFPA

Sony’s Facebook drama emerged as the big winner at the 68th Golden Globes as it converted six nominations into four wins for dramatic picture, director, screenwriter and score.
Goldwyn takes US rights to Roland Joffe's There Be Dragons

Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired US rights to the epic adventure starring Dougray Scott, Olga Kurylenko, Derek Jacobi, Charlie Cox and Rodrigo Santoro.
Goteborg opens with lucrative Dragon competition

Audience expected to exceed 200,000 at the largest Scandinavian showcase.
Green Hornet dominates US charts on $34m launch

Sony’s The Green Hornet soared to the top of the US charts over Martin Luther King holiday weekend on an estimated $34m, taking almost twice as much as Universal’s comedy debutant The Dilemmain second place.
Greg Kinnear, Jane Curtin join TWC's I Don't Know How She Does It

The new arrivals join previously announced Sarah Jessica Parker and Pierce Brosnan on the comedy.
Gregor Muir appointed as ICA executive director

He will take up the appointment in February.
HAF unveils line-up of 28 projects

Hong Kong’s Stanley Kwan and Death Note director Shusuke Kaneko from Japan are among the filmmakers who have had projects selected for this year’s edition of the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).
Hamama

Dir: Nujoom Alghanem. UAE. 2010. 63mins
Hamptons 2011 moves back one week to avoid Yom Kippur holiday

The 2011 Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) will run from October 13-17.
Happy, Happy

Dir: Anne Sewitsky. Norway. 2010. 84mins
Harry Potter climbing all-time international chart, Reliance’s Singham scores well

Potter becomes 17th biggest international film after second weekend as Korea and India see local successes.
Hathaway to play Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises

Anne Hathaway, currently starring opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in Love And Other Drugs, will play the villain Catwoman in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming The Dark Knight Rises.
HBO, SPC, A&E Indiefilms move on Sundance trio

HBO has picked up all US rights to James Marsh’s Project Nim, while SPC has acquired North America and territories on Take Shelter and A&E Indiefilms took television rights to the Roger Corman documentary.
Hell And Back Again

Dir: Danfung Dennis. US-UK. 2010. 86mins
HERE

Dir: Braden King. US. 2010. 120mins
High Point shines light on Dusk

London-based sales outfit High Point Films has picked up worldwide rights to Dutch director Hanro Smitsman’s psychological drama, Dusk.
High Point to sell Israeli/Palestinian drama Last Dance in Berlin

The Australian set film will star veteran actress Gena Rowlands.
Higher Ground

Dir: Vera Farmiga. US. 2010. 109mins
Hoffman, Keener, Northam, Walken join A Late Quartet

Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Jeremy Northam and Christopher Walken have joined Yaron Zilberman’s upcoming directorial debut.
Homework

Dir/scr: Gavin Wiesen. US. 2010. 84mins
Hong Kong 2010 box office increases by 13%

Hong Kong’s total box office grew by 13% to $172m (HK$1.34bn) in 2010, thanks to a strong line-up of 3D and other releases, according to local industry body the Motion Picture Industry Association (MPIA).
Hong Kong film fest draws award-winning directors for Quattro

The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) is planning a second omnibus project, Quattro Hong Kong 2, with short films directed by Thailand’s Apichatpong Weerasethakul, the Philippines’ Brillante Mendoza, Malaysia’s Ho Yuhang and Hong Kong’s Stanley Kwan.
Hong Kong’s Celestial Pictures expands into Taiwan

Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has appointed Jeffrey Soong as managing director of its newly opened Taiwan office.
Hooper boosts Oscar chances with DGA win for The King's Speech

Tom Hooper won the Director’s Guild Of America top feature prize for The King’s Speech on Saturday night [29].
Hooper, Nolan, Fincher in the running for DGA prize

Tom Hooper (pictured), Christopher Nolan, Darren Aronofsky, David Fincher and David O Russell are the nominees announced by the Directors Guild Of America.Danny Boyle for 127 Hours and the Coen Brother for True Grit miss out in the uncannily accurate barometer of Oscar success. Only six times since the DGA award began in 1948 has the Guild’s winner not gone on to win the Academy Award for best director.This is the first nomination for Aronofsky for Black Sw
Hot projects on Screenbase

Passion and an as-yet-untitled Tom Green Stone Roses project are this week’s new additions to our online production listings Screenbase.
HSI Films brings Venezuelan smash The Zero Hour to EFM

Hollywood Studios International (HSI) has acquired worldwide sales rights excluding Venezuela to the record breaking thriller The Zero Hour (La Hora Cero).
I Melt With You

Dir: Mark Pellington. US. 2011. 122mins
Icon to handle international sales on James Marsh's Project Nim

The feature doc is in the World Cinema Documentary competition at next week’s Sundance Film Festival.
If Not Us, Who

Dir/scr: Andres Veiel. Germany 2011. 124mins
IFC Films falls for Dermot Mulroney's Love, Wedding, Marriage

The distributor has picked up North American rights to Chydzik Media Group’s rom-com starring Mandy Moore.
IFC Films to re-enter Void in LA, New York

The original version of Gaspar Noe’s startling drama Enter The Void is the one that played in French theatres and includes 20 minutes of footage unseen in the US.
IFC takes Brighton Rock for US

IFC Films has acquired US rights to Studio Canal’s gangster tale, which marks the directorial debut of Rowan Joffe.
IFC, SPWA take Boulevard as Sundance deals roll on

A slew of new deals emerged from Sundance today [27] as IFC and SPWA partnered on North American rights to Salvation Boulevard after Roadside Attractions moved on US theatrical and DVD rights to James Marsh’s documentary Project Nim.
IM Global to kick off sales in Berlin on Bigelow thriller

Stuart Ford’s sales company will introduce the thriller to buyers at the EFM next month, marking Kathryn Bigelow’s follow-up to her Oscar winning The Hurt Locker.
IM Global's Octane to shake up EFM with Red State, Salem

Stuart Ford’s IM Global will kick off sales in Berlin through its Octane genre division on the hot pair of Lords Of Salem from Rob Zombie and Kevin Smith’s horror debut and Sundance premiere Red State.
Image takes non-theatrical US rights to The Way Back

The epic adventure premiered at Telluride last autumn and is being released theatrically through Wrekin Hill and Newmarket on January 21.
Imams Go To School

Dir/scr: Kaouther Ben Hania. France-UAE. 2010. 75mins
IMAX signs first theatre deal in Egypt

IMAX inks deal with Misr International Films for Cairo theatre system.
IMAX to transfer common stock listing from NASDAQ to NYSE

IMAX Corporation announced on Monday [31] the pending transfer of the listing of its common stock from the NASDAQ Global Select Market to the New York Stock Exchange.
IMAX, Paramount strike four-film deal for 2011

The deal bolsters IMAX Corporation’s standing in the global tentpole business.
Incendies, Biutiful on Oscar foreign language shortlist

The Academy has announced the nine-film shortlist selected from 66 eligible titles, although France’s Of Gods And Men, China’s Aftershock and Germany’s When We Leave are notable omissions.
Inception leads VES nominations roster with four nods

Warner Bros’ sci-fi smash has earned four nominations from the Visual Effects Society heading into the awards gala on February 1.
Inception, HP7, Tron on Oscar effects shortlist

Seven films have made it on to the shortlist for the visual effects Academy Award.
India’s Inox takes management control of Fame

Indian exhibitor Inox Leisure has taken management control of rival Fame India following a protracted takeover battle which was resolved earlier this month.
Indian censors give Inshallah, Football an adult certificate

India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has issued an A (adult) certificate to Ashvin Kumar’s Kashmir-set documentary Inshallah, Football, which its director and producer say effectively blocks its release in India.
Insomnia takes on world sales for Just Ines

Paris-based Insomnia World Sales has taken on world rights (excluding North America) to Just Ines.
Intandem announces new investment, clears debt

Intandem has raised £684,000 through a placing of 11,400,000 new ordinary shares in the company.
International Box Office 2010 Wrap

The combined box office of the top 50 international territories in 2010 was $17.9bn* from 14,504 titles, a staggering 10.6% increase on 2009, when 14,466 titles grossed $16bn.
International Film Circuit acquires North American rights to Into Eternity

International Film Circuit has acquired US and Canadian theatrical rights to the nuclear storage documentary IntoEternity.
Irish Film and Television Award nominees announced

As If I Am Not There, Perrier’s Bounty and Swansong: Story Of Occi Byrne lead the pack in the film categories with four nods each.
Irish Film Board appoints new CEO

Lawyer James Hickey will take over as chief executive of the Irish Film Board from Simon Perry, whose contract ran out at the end of 2010.
Irish film tax scheme Section 481 extended to 2015

It had been due to expire in 2012.
Isabelle Huppert Captured by Mendoza project

French sales outfit Film Distribution will handle sales on the new Brillante Mendoza project Captured, which stars French acting legend Isabelle Huppert. The film is being produced through Swift Productions.
James Marsh, Simon Chinn

The film-making team behind Man On Wire talk about their latest feature doc, Project Nim, which will have its world premiere in the world cinema documentary competition at Sundance tonight.
Japan's TBS has a knockout with Tomorrow's Joe

Japan’s Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS) has done a slew of pre-sales on Tomorrow’s Joe, a live action feature based on a hit boxing manga from the 1960s and 70s.
Jay-Z, Overbrook form filmmaking partnership

Overbrook Entertainment partners James Lassiter, Ken Stovitz, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith have formed a joint venture with Shawn Carter, aka rapper Jay-Z.
JC Chandor

Writer-director JC Chandor talks to Jeremy Kay about making his feature directorial debut with financial thriller Margin Call, one of the first films to sell in Sundance.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan to star in Dibbuk Box for Lionsgate

Lionsgate has set an Oct 28 North American release date for Ghost House Pictures’ supernatural tale about a divorced man whose daughter buys a possessed antique box.
Jim Batchelor named new MD of Universal NZ and Australia

Universal Pictures International Entertainment has promoted Jim Batchelor to MD, Universal Pictures Australia and New Zealand.
Joe Matukewicz resurfaces as head buyer at Relativity Media

Relativity Media has found its top acquisitions person as the company announced the arrival of the former Paramount buyer.
Jonathan Glickman to head MGM motion picture group

Spyglass president Jonathan Glickman has joined his longtime colleagues Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum at MGM, where he becomes president of the motion picture group.
K5 International boards sales on Sundance drama HERE

The Germany company will commence sales on Braden King’s US Dramatic Competition entry at EFM next month.
Kenneth Branagh, Anthony Hopkins in talks for new Mankell adaptation

Production company Yellow Bird is in talks with Kenneth Branagh to direct the film version of the Henning Mankell novel Italian Shoes (2006).
Kidnapping, Robber big winners at first Austrian Film Awards

Separately, nominees announced for Swiss Film Prize.
King’s Speech has huge second weekend in UK

The King’s Speech posted a remarkable $7.1m (£4.4m) during its second weekend at the box office, a 25% week-on-week improvement.
King's Speech races towards $70m at overseas box office

The multiple Oscar nominee grossed a further $11.2m from 1,180 screens in 17 territories at the weekend as the international total surged to $67m.
Knuckle

Dir: Ian Palmer. Ireland. 2011. 93mins
Krumm options action script Gate of Scars

The former head buyer for the Weinsteins is packaging and will produce the action film after she optioned the script from writer LH Adonis.
Krumm, Josephson line up Wikileaks founder project

Harvey Weinstein’s former top buyer Michelle Krumm is bringing the story of the controversial Julian Assange to the big screen in partnership with Barry Josephson.
LA Italia festival plans De Laurentiis tribute

The career of Dino De Laurentiis will be celebrated on the opening day of the 6th annual LA, Italia – Film, Fashion And Art Festival on Feb 20.
Larry Charles, Sacha Baron Cohen reteam on The Dictator

Scott Rudin is on board to produce the comedy based on a novel purportedly written by Saddam Hussein.
Le Pogam leaves EuropaCorp but remains shareholder

EuropaCorp has announced the resignation of co-founding partner Pierre-Ange Le Pogam.
Legendary film composer John Barry dies aged 77

Five-time Oscar winning composer suffers heart attack in New York.
Life In A Day

Dir: Kevin Macdonald. UK. 2011. 90mins
Like Crazy

Dir: Drake Doremus. US. 2011. 89mins
Like Crazy, Oregon claim Sundance jury prizes

Drake Doremus’ romance Like Crazy sealed a successful Sundance following the worldwide acquisition by Paramount and Indian Paintbrush as the film won the grand jury dramatic prize.
Lionsgate takes North America on Sundance hit Devil's Double

The studio has closed a deal for North American rights on Lee Tamahori’s widely admired thriller, ending several days of conversations between the film’s representatives and multiple suitors.
Little Birds

Dir/scr: Elgin James. US. 2011. 94mins
Little Film Company to sell Comin' At Ya! 3D at EFM

The Little Film Company will handle worldwide sales on a digitised version of the 1981 spaghetti Western, set to receive its market premiere at the EFM.
London Critics to honour Kristin Scott Thomas

Kristin Scott Thomas will receive Dilys Powell Award for Excellence in Cinema.
Lord Byron

Dir: Zack Godshall. US. 2011. 94mins
LoveFilm and Ocado renew marketing deal

Internet retailer Ocado signs a 12-month direct marketing agreement with LoveFilm.
LoveFilm comes to Sony media player

LoveFilm partners with Sony to bring streaming service to the Sony network media player (Sony SMP-N100).
LoveFilm, blinkbox ink content deals with MoMedia

Subscription service LoveFilm and streaming site blinkbox have signed two-year deals for more than 200 films combined with content aggregator MoMedia.
Lucky Red's new acquisitions include Sex and Zen

Also takes on French hit Little White Lies.
Macdonald to direct authorised Bob Marley doc

Kevin Macdonald has chosen his next project, opting to direct Tuff Gong Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment’s long-in-the-works authorised documentary about the life of reggae superstar Bob Marley.
Madman goes crazy for Sundance pair Buck and Page One

Madman Entertainment has taken rights for Australia and new Zealand to Sundance entries Buck and page One in a pair of deals brokered by Submarine.
Magnolia Melts, Searchlight visits Earth and IFC sees Sense

Magnolia has acquired US rights to Mark Pellington’s I Melt With You and IFC took North America on David Mackenzie’s Perfect Sense after Fox Searchlight claimed English-speaking territories on Mike Cahill’s sci-fi drama Another Earth in the small hours of Wednesday.
Magnolia, Searchlight add to Sundance deal volume

A flurry of deals broke on Monday [24] as Sundance settled into its stride, with Magnolia Pictures and Participant Media acquiring US rights to Page One and Fox Searchlight bagging a second on-site deal with world rights to Martha Marcy May Marlene
Margin Call

Dir/scr: J. C. Chandor. US. 2010. 109mins
Mark Sonnenberg joins Maya Entertainment as COO

The former FX and E! executive will report directly to co-chairman and CEO Moctesuma Esparza and co-chairman Jeff Valdez.
Martha Marcy May Marlene

Dir/scr: Sean Durkin. US. 2011. 101mins
Matt Lucas joins Akerlund comedy Small Apartments

British comedian Matt Lucas will star in Jonas Akerlund’s comedy feature Small Apartments, set to start filming in late March.
Maya secures Time Warner VOD channel

Time Warner Cable will launch Maya At The Movies on its Movies On Demand and Español On Demand channels in early February, starting with six and rising to 14 features mostly in English.
Memento takes on Pen-ek Ratanaruang’s Headshot

Promo reel to launch at EFM.
Meyer, Schaberg team with Bold and OddLot on Sierra / Affinity

The partnership between Nick Meyer and Marc Schaberg’s Sierra Pictures, Michel Litvak’s Bold Films and Gigi Pritzker’s OddLot Entertainment heralds the arrival of a major new entity on the sales circuit in the run-up to Berlin.
Michael Marshall to head business affairs at Columbia

The appointee joined the studio in 2008 as senior vice-president of business affairs and previously served in a similar capacity at Our Stories Films and Marvel.
Mickey Liddell enters House, Participant takes Circumstance

Mickey Liddell has acquired most of the world on the Sundance horror film Silent House starring Elizabeth Olsen while the forbidden love drama Circumstance has sold to Participant Media for North America.
Microphone

Dir/scr: Ahmad Abdalla. Egypt. 2010. 120mins
Mike Cahill, Brit Marling, William Mapother

Another Earth writer-director-producer Mike Cahill, co-writer, producer and leading lady Brit Marling and lead actor William Mapother talk to Jeremy Kay about the story of a guilt-ridden girl who pins her hopes of redemption on winning a contest to visit a mirror planet.
Miller, Slavin line up top cast for Savannah

Jim Caviezel and Chiwetel Ejiofor have joined the cast of the true story of a white aristocrat who became business partners with a freed black slave.
Misha Manson-Smith to direct Sex Education

Misha Manson-Smith has signed on to direct Sex Education, the Brit list winning screenplay written by Jonathan Stern and Jamie Minoprio.
MoMA / Lincoln Center unveils first six in New Directors / New Films

The Museum Of Modern Art and the Film Society Of Lincoln Center announced today six official selections for the 2011 New Directors/New Films Film Festival.
Morgan Spurlock

The Super Size Me creator talks to Jeremy Kay about his new film on product placement, POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, which is screening in Sundance.
Mourning Eichinger

Bernd Eichinger wore many hats in his long career, but is celebrated here as a ground-breaking Germany-based producer of English-language films tailor-made for the international markets.
MPAA hires ex-Verizon executive to head technology policy

Paul Brigner has joined the Motion Picture Association Of America (MPAA) in the newly created post of senior vice-president and chief technology policy officer.
MPAA unveils content protection promotions

The Motion Picture Association Of America (MPAA) has announced key promotions in its content protection operations.
MPI nabs US rights to Howard Marks biopic Mr Nice

The distributor closed the deal today [21] in Park City, taking all US rights to the comedy-drama starring Rhys Ifans.
Mumbai film festival to take place October 13-20

The Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) has announced that the next edition of the Mumbai Film Festival will take place Oct 13-20.
My Idiot Brother

Dir: Jesse Peretz. US. 2011. 85mins
Nancy K. Fishman launches distribution company

The first film on her slate will be Israeli director Eytan Fox’s Mary Lou.
National Geographic, Tiger8 Media partner on nanotechnology film

National Geographic Entertainment has started production on Hidden Worlds, a 3D giant-screen film from the Cinema Ventures group.
Newell in talks for Nicholls' Great Expectations

Director Mike Newell is in advanced talks to direct a new adaptation of Great Expectations, written by David Nicholls.
New-look Miramax announces executive appointments

Miramax unveiled the first additions to its management team this week.
Night Fishing

Dir/scrs: Park Chan-wook, Park Chan-kyong. South Korea. 2011. 33mins
No Strings Attached

Dir: Ivan Reitman. US. 2011. 107mins
Norris, Pinewood, Framestore launch new production services company

The venture aims to fill a “gap in the market” to serve the needs of international film-makers wanting to shoot in the UK.
Norway's Jacobsen starts Theresienstadt epic

Norwegian Film Iinstitute has supported the project with $1.6 million (NOK 9.5 million) as part of a $14.2 million (NOK 83 million) package which has sparked off seven new productions totalling $39.5 million.
NSFC selects The Social Network as best film of 2010

The National Society Of Film Critics became the latest group to anoint David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin’s Facebook drama the best film of 2010 and used the occaiosn to call on the MPAA to overhaul its “inconsistent and censorious” ratings system.
Odeon, Vue, Apollo to screen first live 3D Opera

3D opera Lucrezia Borgia, directed by Mike Figgis, will be broadcast on Feb 23.
On The Ice

Dir/scr: Andrew Okpeaha MacLean. US. 2011. 96mins
Orlando Bloom joins love triangle The Laureate for Media 8

Media 8 will begin talking to buyers at EFM about the recast drama next month.
Oscar nominees react

Academy Award contenders were celebrating and theorising in the wake of the Oscar nominations announcement on Tuesday morning.
O-Scope takes worldwide rights to doc Dark Days

Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired worldwide rights to Marc Singer’s portrait of a homeless population living in the underground train tunnels of New York City in the 1990s.
Other Angle takes on new trio

France’s Other Angle has added three films to its Berlin slate. All Our Desires, from director Philippe Lioret, is an adaptation of Emmanuel Carrère’s book, D’Autres Vies Que La Mienne, which matches Marie Gillain and Vincent Lindon as a novice and an experienced judge.
Pace adds three Quantel Sids

3D rig specialist Pace has purchased three Quantel Sid Stereo3D workstations for on-set post production.
Paddy Considine

UK actor-turned-director Paddy Considine talks to Sarah Cooper about making his directorial debut Tyrannosaur, which has its world premiere at Sundance on Jan 21.
Paladin, Lleju to release Lleju's Cat Run in US

Paladin has come on board to help LLeju Productions on the theatrical release of action comedy Cat Run starring Paz Vega on April 1.
Paolo Virzi

The director and co-writer of Italy’s foreign language Oscar submission The First Beautiful Thing, talks to Jeremy Kay about shooting in his home town Livorno and going up against Avatar at the box office.
Paramount and Icon to jointly handle UK release for The Resident

Hammer thriller The Resident starring Hilary Swank gets March 11 release in UK.
Pariah

Dir: Dee Rees. US. 2010. 84mins
Pariah finds friends in Focus, Earth wins Sloan Award

Focus Features has acquired worldwide rights to Dee Rees’ Sundance opening night drama and commissioned the director to write a separate original screenplay.
Pathe and Fox expand UK distribution deal

Pathé’s UK theatrical, home entertainment and television distribution to be exclusively executed by Twentieth Century Fox.
Pathe takes foreign sales on Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark

Pathe International has picked up foreign sales on the horror film Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark and will commence foreign sales at the EFM next month.
Perfect Sense

Dir: David Mackenzie. UK. 2011. 88mins
Pfeiffer joins DreamWorks comedy Welcome To People

The three-time Oscar nominee has come on board as Alex Kurtzman prepares to commence filming in Los Angeles next week.
PGA names The King's Speech best film of the year

The British period drama took the Darryl F Zanuck award for best film at last night’s [22] ceremony in Los Angeles.
Piano In A Factory goes to Film Movement for North America

Film Movement has taken North American rights to The Piano In A Factory, the second feature film from Chinese film-maker Zhang Men.
Pine, Jackman in all-star Guardians ensemble for DreamWorks Animation

Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher and Jude Law will star in DreamWorks Animation’s 3D project Rise Of The Guardians.
Pinewood to open LA sales office

The move comes as part of the UK studio’s ongoing international expansion.
Piven joins Exclusive's Miley Cyrus project So Undercover

Jeremy Piven and Mike O’Malley have joined Miley Cyrus on Exclusive Films’ action comedy.
Poland's Manana lines up next Jacek Borcuch film

Poland’s Manana is gearing up for its first feature film production, Jacek Borcuch’s Lasting Moments (working title).
Portman's magical week rolls on as Strings tops US on $20.3m

Paramount’s rom-com No Strings Attached starring Golden Globe winner Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher opened top on an estimated $20.3m.
Potiche to open Film Society and Unifrance's Rendez-Vous with French Cinema

Francois Ozon’s comedy starring Catherine Deneuve (pictured) will open the event at the Film Society of Lincoln Center, which runs in New York from Mar 3-13.
Project Nim

Dir: James Marsh. UK. 2011. 93mins
QED Int'l to woo EFM buyers with Alex Cross reboot starring Tyler Perry

Bill Block’s QED International will commence pre-sales next week on the thriller franchise reboot I, Alex Cross, which will star the family entertainer in a marked change of direction.
Rapace to star for Scott in Alien companion piece Prometheus

Ridley Scott will direct Noomi Rapace in the sci-fi project Prometheus inspired by Alien that is set to open worldwide through Fox on March 9, 2012.
Raven Banner picks up The Collapsed, Skull World for EFM

Fledgling Canadian distributor Raven Banner Entertainment has acquired worldwide sales rights to the pair of films by Unstable Ground and will introduce the titles at the EFM next month.
Raven Banner snaps up Ivory Tower for Berlin

Michael Paszt, James Fler and Andrew Thomas Hunt’s fledgling film company Raven Banner heads into Berlin with new acquisition Ivory Tower.
Rebirth

Dir: Jim Whitaker. US. 2010. 105mins
Red Crown lines up children’s book film franchise

Red Crown Productions is partnering with publisher Chooseco LLC, the owner of successful children’s book series Choose Your Own Adventure.
Red State

Dir/scr: Kevin Smith. US. 2011. 96mins
Reel Suspects checks into Club Zeus

Reel Suspects, the new Paris-based sales and coproduction company set up by Matteo Lovadina, has picked up international rights to David Verbeek’s Club Zeus.
Relativity acquires summer family release Judy Moody

Relativity Media has picked up the family film Judy Moody And The NOT Bummer Summer from Precious producers Smokewood Entertainment.
Relativity flies for Intrepid's The Raven

Relativity Media has acquired US rights to Intrepid Pictures’ The Raven starring John Cusack.
Relativity names Steve Bertram COO and CFO

Former Paramount Home Entertainment business operations head Steve Bertram has joined Relativity Media as COO and CFO.
Relativity promotes COO Marcus to chief strategy role

Relativity Media COO Andrew Marcus has been promoted to president of corporate development and strategy.
Relativity sets Nov 11 date for Immortals

Relativity Media will release the epic action film in association with Universal on November 11.
Relativity, Technicolor strike long-term partnership

The deal sees Technicolor provide services ranging from production, post-production and release printing to distribution services for theatrical and subsequent windows.
Reliance MediaWorks launches RMW Studios

The new Hollywood-compatible design comprises eight sound stages within Film City, Mumbai.
Restoration

Dir: Joseph Madmony. Israel. 2011. 105mins
Revolver takes The Round Up and What Love May Bring for UK

UK distributor takes all UK rights to Rose Bosch and Claude Lelouch-directed WWII-era dramas.
Revolver, Madman bowled over by Fire In Babylon

Revolver takes UK rights to Stevan Riley’s cricket documentary; Madman strikes for Australia and New Zealand.
Rialto has ear for Scorsese's Public Speaking

Rialto Pictures has acquired US theatrical rights to Martin Scorsese’s Public Speaking, the director’s portrait of author, social critic and acerbic wit Fran Lebowitz.
Rich Fox to receive CinemaCon's first Passepartout Award

The Warner Bros evp of international will receive the inaugural honour at the international day lunch on Mar 28 in Las Vegas.
ro*co films international boards Sundance doc Connected

Annie Roney’s ro*co films international has acquired foreign sales rights to Tiffany Shlain’s Connected: An Autoblogography About Love, Death & Technology, premiering in Sundance today [21].
Roadside takes US to Sundance opener The Music Never Stopped

Roadside Attractions has made a preemptive buy for US theatrical rights to the Sundance opening night gala film The Music Never Stopped.
Rotterdam CineMart awards go to Touch Me Not and Kid

Deals during CineMart include Le Pacte handling sales on Carlos Reygadas’ Post Tenebras Lux.
SAG honours Firth, Portman, Bale, Leo

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) gave Colin Firth’s Oscar campaign a fillip with the top prize for an actor at last night’s awards [30] in Los Angeles.
Salvation Boulevard

Dir: George Ratlif. US. 2010. 95mins
Samsung, BFI 3D screenings kick off with Tron: Legacy

The series of 3D screenings at the BFI IMAX will run from January through to September 2011.
Samuel Goldwyn acquires US rights to The Edge

Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired all US rights to the Golden Globes nominee and Russian Academy Award foreign language submission.
Sanctum

Dir: Alister Grierson. US-Australia. 2011.109mins
Savor sets Spanish remakes for Moccia projects

Adriana Chiesa has confirmed that Spanish remakes are in the offing for its Italian smash hit series of romantic comedies, Sorry If I Love You, Sorry I Want To Marry You and Amore 14.
Scarabee Films to launch US subsidiary

The Dutch company produced Leonard Retel Helmrich’s forthcoming Sundance feature doc Position Among The Stars.
Sci-Fi London has 'bigger and bolder' plans for 10th year

Festival plans special sci-fi screenings tied to Royal Wedding, as well as 48-hour film challenge to be judged by Edgar Wright [pictured].
Scorsese supports BFI's Hitchcock restoration campaign

The $275,000 donation from Martin Scorsese’s The Film Foundation in partnership with the Hollywood Foreign Press is the largest single donation to the campaign to date.
Scotland to start Silent Cinema festival
Screen Media, XYZ strike deal on Phasma Ex Machina

Screen Media Films acquired Matt Osterman’s debut feature Phasma Ex Machina, which has been a pupular player on the festival circuit.
Searchlight, UK's Ingenious strike production alliance

The partners will jointly develop, produce and finance British features under an initiative designed to create up to two or three titles per year.
Season Of The Witch

Dir: Dominic Sena. US. 2010. 95mins
Senator Entertainment taps new P&A fund

Senator Entertainment has signed an agreement with the newly established PandA fund to guarantee up to 70% of the P&A costs on the future releases of its distribution arm Senator Film Verleih.
Septien

Dir/scr: Michael Tully. US. 2011. 79mins
Shine Pictures announces Big Idea winners

The two winners of the UK screenwriting competition will each receive $39,000 (£25,000) towards developing their projects.
Shooting begins on Polanski's Carnage

The director’s screen adaptation of Yasmina Reza’s Tony award-winning comedy The God of Carnage is now shooting in Paris, starring Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz.
Shooting underway on Russell Owen's Welcome To The Majority

The film is being produced by Castle Valley Films.
Shoreline takes worldwide sales on Sundance Latin pair

Morris Ruskin’s sales company has bulked up its gorwing library of Latin titles, taking worldwide sales on The Cinema Hold Up (Asalto Al Cine) and All Your Dead Ones (Todos Tus Muertos) ahead of their premieres at Sundance.
Shorts International and Magnolia re-team for Oscar shorts distribution

The Oscar-nominated short films will be released in over 150 theatres in the US and Canada from Feb 11.
Showcase takes Sony 4k projector for digital rollout

The 276 Showcase cinemas across the UK are set to be fully digitial by 2012.
Sidus FNH on board for Im Sang-soo's next film

Follow-up to The Housemaid will be about a man who is hired by a rich family to take care of their private affairs and business.
Silverman's Electus announces distribution arm

Ben Silverman’s multimedia entertainment company Electus has acquired Engine Entertainment and formed in-house global distribution arm Electus/Engine Distribution.
Slasher Films lines up horror slate for Guns N' Roses axeman

The celebrated rock guitarist Slash has launched the aptly titled horror label in partnership with Michael Williams and Rob Eric of Scout Productions.
Sleep

Dir/scr: Sakaguchi Katsumi. Japan. 2011. 96mins
SnagFilms takes $10m capital infusion and hires Bingham Ray

New Enterprise Associates and Comcast investment arm Comcast Interactive Capital have invested $10m into SnagFilms and welcomed the former UA president into the fold.
Social Network wins best film at Critics Choice Awards

The Social Network, Colin Firth and Natalie Portman and David Fincher were the key winners in the 16th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards [14].
Social Network, King's Speech among PGA contenders

Reading like the top ten best picture list that may well emerge from the Academy later this month — despite the notable omission of Blue Valentine — the Producers Guild Of America (PGA) announced its awards contenders this morning [4].
Soho Film & Media to take over AIL talent agency

Soho Film & Media Group is to take over London-based talent agency Actors International Ltd (AIL), when AIL’s director Kay Potter retires in March.
Sony gives Social Network renewed push to reach global $200m

Sony is re-releasing its Oscar contender in the US to ensure the Facebook drama grosses the $3m required to cross $200m worldwide.
Sony unleashes international Green Hornet swarm

Sony’s action caper tale is likely to overthrow Disney’s Tangled as the international champion, although the latter is expected to soar past $200m.
Sony's Green Hornet rules overseas with $19m hold

The action release added $18.7m from 4,775 screens in 45 markets as the early running total climbed to $37.4m and Australia generated a $3.1m number one launch.
Sony's Hornet looks to sting rivals in Italy, Korea, Taiwan

Sony Pictures Releasing International’s The Green Hornet arrives in around 17 markets this weekend and studio chiefs will look to retain Hollywood’s overseas crown.
Spain’s Pontas to co-ordinate new Frankfurt Book Fair film programme

Barcelona based film and literary agency Pontas will help co-ordinate a new two day film programme at this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair aimed at attracting film producers to see the latest books on offer.
SPC takes Allen's latest, keeps mum about Spurlock

The North American deal on Woody Allen’s Midnight In Paris marks SPC’s fourth collaboration with the film-maker after You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger, Sweet And Lowdown and Whatever Wor
SPRI's Green Hornet delivers $16.1m sting overseas

Sony’s new action release was the international champion of a torpid weekend enlivened by a smattering of milestones as Disney’s Tangled soared past $200m, Fox’s Dawn Treader crossed $250m and
SPRI's Green Hornet rules overseas with $16m weekend

Sony Pictures Releasing International held on to the overseas crown thanks to an estimated $15.7m weekend haul, despite the close attention of Disney’s animated hit Tangled.
Spurlock to judge PUMA, Britdoc award

The $67,000 (50,000 euros) award for documentary film-makers is being launched at Sundance.
SPWA takes US and Canada on Spurlock Sundance doc

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) made the announcement today [20] over US and Canadian rights to The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, which is set to premiere in Sundance this weekend [22].
State Minister for Culture Neumann throws weight behind incentive extension

On the eve of this year’s Berlinale, State Minister for Culture Bernd Neumann has signalled his support for further extension of the German Federal Film Fund (DFFF) incentive programme.
Stefan Brunner leaves Imagenation Abu Dhabi

Imagenation Abu Dhabi COO Stefan Brunner has left the company after two and half years.
Steve Summersby becomes senior VP sales & distribution Europe at UPI

Steve Summersby has been named senior VP of sales and distribution Europe, for Univeral Pictures International (UPI).
Stewart Till

Stewart Till talks to Screen about his new role as chair of Skillset and the importance of training in the film industry.
Strong response to BFI’s search for new Trustees

The appointments will be made by the end of March.
Studio veteran Oren Aviv lands top marketing job at Fox

Aviv, who quit as Disney production head almost exactly one year ago following the arrival of Walt Disney Studios chairman Rich Ross, will work alongside the domestic marketing head and chief creative officer Tony Sella.
Summer Wars

Dir: Mamoru Hosoda. 2010. Japan. 114mins
Sundance Frontier's The Nine Muses goes to New Wave in UK

New Wave Films has acquired UK rights to Josh Akomfrah’s New Frontier entry.
Sundance honours short film, unveils Mahindra winners

The Sundance Film Festival announced its short film winners on Tuesday [25] at a ceremony in Park City.
Sundance Selects acquires five Sundance titles for theatrical and VOD

Mad Bastards, Septien and These Amazing Shadows among new acquisitions for Sundance Selects.
Sundance Selects acquires The Imperialists Are Still Alive!

VOD platform Sundance Selects has taken worldwide rights excluding the UK and Mexico to Zeina Durra’s political drama The Imperialists Are Still Alive!
Sundance Selects takes North America on Morris doc Tabloid

Sundance Selects has acquired North American rights to Errol Morris’ documentary Tabloid following its world premiere in Toronto last autumn.
Sundance, Mahindra join forces on two filmmaking initiatives

India’s Mahindra Group is tying up with the Sundance Institute to launch an annual Screenwriters Lab in India and the Mahindra Global Filmmaking Award.
Sundance's boom year

With more than $30m shelled out in minimum guarantees and countless more committed to p&a spends, one week into Sundance the festival was on a roll unlike any it had seen in years. Jeremy Kay analyses the deals and the market.
Tangled lets loose at UK box office

Disney comedy Tangled tops UK on $8.2m (£5.1m) from 445 locations.
Tangled rules overseas on $26.3m, Tourist passes $100m

Disney’s animated hit Tangled won the overseas crown thanks to an estimated $26.3m haul that beat Sony’s stewardship of GK Films’ The Tourist by the narrowest of margins.
Tchavdar Georgiev, Amanda Pope, Joyce Mandell, Michael King

At the inaugural film-maker retreat at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Jeremy Kay talks to the film-making teams behind two documentaries. Tchavdar Georgiev and Amanda Pope’s who made The Desert Of Forbidden Art and Michael King and Joyce Mandell whose project is The Rescuers.
Terri

Dir Azazel Jacobs. US. 2011. 101mins
TF1 acquires world sales rights to War of The Buttons

TF1 International will begin shopping the project at next month’s EFM with Yann Samuell on board to direct.
The Bakery debuts 3D lighting tool

French visual effects developer The Bakery is introducing Bakery Relight,a relighting and rendering suite for the production of stereo 3D animated features.The technology is based on the Academy Award winning work of The Bakery co-founder Arnauld Lamorlette and is the company’s first product.Released in time for technology show NAB in April the software is currently in beta
The Beaver to receive world premiere at SXSW

Jodie Foster directed and stars alongside Mel Gibson in Summit’s drama about a corporate leader who recovers from a meltdown with the aid of a hand puppet.
The Bengali Detective

Dir: Philip Cox. UK-India. 2010. 100mins
The Big Bang joins Anchor Bay 2011 slate

Anchor Bay Films is planning a second quarter US release on the thriller starring Antonio Banderas as a private eye hired to find a missing stripper.
The Big Trip

Dir: Jérôme le Maire. Belgium 2011. 98mins.
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-75

Dir: Goran Hugo Olsson. Sweden. 2011. 93mins
The Catechism Cataclysm

Dir/scr: Todd Rohal. US. 2010. 81mins
The Convincer

Dir: Jill Sprecher. US. 2010. 114mins
The Deep Blue Sea

British director Terence Davies is in post on his first fiction feature in 10 years.
The Details

Dir/scr: Jacob Aaron Estes. US. 2010. 91mins
The Devil's Double

Dir: Lee Tamahori. Belgium. 2011. 108mins
The Dilemma

Dir: Ron Howard. US. 2011. 101mins
The Dynamiter

Dir: Matthew Gordon. US. 2011. 73mins
The Eagle

Dir: Kevin Macdonald. UK-US. 2011. 114mins
The First Movie

Dir: Mark Cousins. UK-Canada. 2009. 76mins
The Flaw

Dir: David Sington. UK. 2011. 82mins
The Future

Dir: Miranda July. US. 2011. 91mins
The Greatest Movie Ever Sold

Dir: Morgan Spurlock. US. 2011. 90mins
The Green Hornet

Dir: Michel Gondry. US. 2011. 118mins
The Guard

Dir/scr: John Michael McDonagh. Ireland. 2010. 96mins
The King’s Speech continues sensational run in UK

The King’s Speech took a tremendous third-weekend haul of $6.7m (£4.2m).
The King’s Speech reigns at the UK box office

Momentum’s awards contender The King’s Speech eased into top spot at the UK box office over the Jan 07-09 weekend.
The King's Speech pulled from Rotterdam

International Film Festival Rotterdam now searching for a new closing night film.
The Lars picture show

The independent landscape may be tougher than ever but Lars von Trier’s films attract financing and pre-sales — despite their unpredictability. In the first of two case studies held at Les Arcs European Film Festival (Dec 11-18) and moderated by Geoffrey Macnab, some of the director’s associates discuss his forthcoming Melancholia.
The Last Godfather

Dir: Shim Hyung-rae. South Korea-US. 2010. 103mins
The Lover’s Guide 3-D - Igniting Desire

Dir: Kenneth D. Rye. UK. 2011. 66mins
The Mechanic

Dir: Simon West. US. 2010. 93mins
THE MILL & THE CROSS

Dir: Lech Majewski. Poland/Sweden. 2010. 92mins
The Netherlands delivers record box office in 2010

Attendance at its highest number in 30 years.
The Nine Muses

Dir/scr: John Akomfrah. UK. 2010. 92mins
The Oregonian

Dir/scr: Calvin Lee Reeder. US. 2010. 81mins
The Redemption of General Butt Naked

Dirs: Eric Strauss & Daniele Anastasion. US. 2011. 84mins
The Rite

Dir: Mikael Håfström. US. 2011. 113mins
The Rite earns passage to top in US on $15m

New Line’s exorcism drama The Rite starring Anthony Hopkins opened top in a weak weekend in North America through Warner Bros on an estimated $15m.CBS Films’ action remake The Mechanic starring Jason Statham and Ben Foster debuted in third place behind Paramount’s erstwhile champion No Strings Attached on $11.5m.The Academy Awards contenders are all playing well. The Weinstein Company/FilmNation’s The King’s Speechranks fifth on $72.2m after w
The Salesman

Dir/scr: Sebastien Pilote. Canada. 2011. 107mins
The Senate opens Soho office

London, Twickenham-based VFX boutique The Senate Visual Effects has opened a second studio in Soho. Located in the same building as audio house De Lane Lea, the facility will offer shot reviews, screenings and other VFX processes.The main software packages available at the new office are Maya, Nuke, Shake, After Effects and Framecycler.“The Soho location is convenient for our clients and also puts us in the middle of London’s thriving visual effects community,” says CEO Sarah H
The Skin I Live In

Spanish auteur Pedro Almodovar reunites with his Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down star Antonio Banderas in this hotly anticipated thriller, currently in post.
The Unjust

Dir: Ryoo Seung-wan. S Korea. 2010. 119mins
The Yellow Sea

Dir: Na Hong-jin. South Korea-US. 2010. 156mins
TIFF’s new Rising Stars programme shoots to “bridge” Canadian talent to the world

The Toronto International Film Festival is launching a Rising Stars programme at this year’s event (September 8-18) to showcase four as-yet-unidentified up-and-coming Canadian actors to the world.
Time Warner, Sundance Institute launch Power Of Story

The partnership extends Time Warner’s support for the Institute and includes artist support, fellowships and public programming at the Sundance Film Festival.
Toast

Helena Bonham Carter and director SJ Clarkson will be in Berlin to promote Toast, an adaptation of UK food writer Nigel Slater’s memoirs of his childhood, produced by Ruby Films.
Tonino Guerra named WGA Jean Renoir Award honoree

Screenwriter Tonino Guerra will be feted at the 2011 Writers Guild Awards West Coast ceremony on Feb 5 in Hollywood.
Toronto critics name Incendies best Canadian film

Canada’s hopeful for the Oscars won the Toronto Film Critics Association’s (TFCA) Rogers Best Canadian Film Award on Wednesday [12], accompanied by a C$15,000 cash prize.
Transit Cities

Dir: Mohammed Al Hushki. Jordan. 2010. 71mins
Travellers

Dir/scr: Kris McManus. UK. 2011. 84mins
Tribeca Institute announces educational programmes

The Tribeca Film Institute has unveiled two new initiatives as part of its 2011 educational programme.
Tribeca, Miramax partner on US release of Last Night

Tribeca Film and Miramax will partner on the US release of Last Night starring Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington, Eva Mendes and Guillaume Canet.
Trinity to distribute Red, White & Blue in UK

The UK distributor has picked up rights to Simon Rumley’s thriller from Celluloid Nightmares.
True Grit crosses $100m in US to lead sluggish weekend

True Grit’s remarkable run continued as the Western closed out the first full weekend of 2011 on top courtesy of an estimated $15m gross.
Truly Indie, Magnolia Home Ent to re-release doc Dumbstruck

Wagner/Cuban Company’s Truly Indie and Magnolia Home Entertainment are re-releasing Mark Goffman’s documentary Dumbstruck in theatres and DVD.
Twelve Sundance shorts to screen via YouTube

Sundance Institute and YouTube will make 12 short films from the festival available in the YouTube Screening Room, running from January 6 to February 3.
Tyrannosaur

Dir/scr: Paddy Considine. UK. 2011. 91mins
UGC starts 'catch-up' screenings in France

First selections are Potiche [pictured], Le nom des gens and The Social Network.
UK child's complaint leads to ban on Saw 3D advert

A television advert for Lionsgate’s horror film Saw 3D has been banned in the UK after a 10-year-old child complained that it was “distressing” and “inappropriately scheduled”.
UK domestic production drops as inward investment hits record highs

Inward investment in UK film production was up to record levels in 2010, according to figures published by the UK Film Council today; domestic production and co-productions on the decrease.
UK VOD site Projector.tv to manage Bollywood.tv

Deal lays foundation for combined Projector.tv library of 6,000 titles.
UKFC Export Unit sets up office for UK sellers at Sundance

More than 150 British films are being offered to international buyers at Sundance.
Vampire

Dir/scr: Iwai Shunji. Canada/US. 2010. 101mins
Viacom 18 unveils new slate including Kashyap gangster musical

Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, the new film division of India’s Viacom 18 joint venture, has unveiled its slate for 2011, including Anurag Kashyap’s two-part gangster musical, Gangs Of Wasseypur.
Visit Films to handle foreign sales on Sundance premiere Jess + Moss

Visit Films has acquired international sales and festival rights to Clay Jeter’s directorial debut Jess + Moss ahead of its world premiere in Sundance on Sunday [23].
Voltage adds James Franco drama Maladies to EFM roster

Nicolas Chartier and his team will kick off talks with buyers in Berlin on the drama, which also stars Catherine Keener and Fallon Goodson.
Voltage boards Chris Evans thriller Puncture for EFM

Voltage Pictures has picked up worldwide rights on the upcoming legal thriller Puncture starring Chris Evans and Vinessa Shaw.
Warner Bros joins Fox on $2.9bn overseas tally for 2010

Warner Bros International Pictures (WBPI) gross revenues for 2010 amounted to $2.93bn including $70m from Village Roadshow territories, the company claimed today [4].
Warner Bros to create Harry Potter Tour at Leavesden

The US studio has employed design company Thinkwell Group to oversee the development of the attraction.
Warner Bros to handle global release of Hobbit films

Warner Bros and MGM have confirmed that the former will handle the bulk of worldwide distribution on Peter Jackson’s return to Middle Earth.
Wasted Youth

Dirs/scr: Argyris Papadimitropoulos, Jan Vogel. Greece. 2011. 98mins
Wasted Youth team plans EFM screening

Rotterdam opening film (and Tiger competitor) has no sales company attached yet; Nutopia to release in Greece in March.
Wavelength takes on doc about Robert Flaherty

UK-based Wavelength Pictures has taken on international sales rights to A Boatload of Wild Irishmen, a documentary about Robert Flaherty.
Weekly international box office Jan 21 – 23

Sony’s action-comedy The Green Hornet weaved into top spot over the Jan 21-23 weekend, taking $18.5m.
Weekly international box office Jan 28 – 30

Disney’s Tangled on top at international box office after grossing $17m.
Weekly international box office, January 14-16

Disney’s animated-comedy Tangled was the top performer over a lacklustre weekend at the international box office.
Weinsteins buy 25% equity stake in Starz Media

The deal gives Harvey and Bob Weinstein a home entertainment and digital distribution berth and includes a multi-year North American home entertainment and digital pipeline through Starz Media subsidiary Anchor Bay.
Weinsteins pay $7.5m for world rights to The Details

The Weinstein Company capped a fine day following the 13-strong haul of Oscar nominations as it acquired worldwide rights to Jacob Aaron Estes’ Sundance Premieres entry The Details.
Weinsteins take US rights to Fiennes' Coriolanus

The Weinstein Company has acquired all US rights and pan Asian pay TV from Icon to Ralph Fiennes’ directorial debut Coriolanus, ahead of its world premiere in Berlin on Monday.
Wenders' Neue Road plan his next feature to shoot in Canada

Wim Wenders’ Berlin-based Neue Road Movies, the producer of his 3D dance film Pina, is planning to shoot two films in Eastern Europe this year and preparing Wenders’ next f
Werner Herzog

The German maverick talks about working in 3D for his new documentary The Cave of Forgotten Dreams.
Wesley Snipes to star in Julius Styles

Wesley Snipes is to star in a new action game for the iphone and iPad, Julius Styles: The International, which looks set to be made into a feature film.
Westfeldt starts filming in New York on Friends With Kids

Jennifer Westfeldt and Jon Hamm’s Point West Pictures and Riza Aziz and Joey McFarland’s Red Granite Pictures have commenced principal photography in New York on Friends With Kids.
WGA rules create glaring omissions in nominees roster

The Writers Guild Of America has unveiled its feature nominees [4] ahead of the awards gala on Feb 5, with major absentees due to Guild rules.
What Went Wrong?

The box office holiday season in North America was a big letdown, as a series of major box office hopes stumbled by the wayside. The problem lies not with the audience but with the films.
What Women Want

Dir: Chen Daming. China. 2011. 116mins
Whatsoeverly

Dir: Giulio Manfredonia. Italy. 2011. 96 mins
Whistleblower, Louder Than A Bomb win PSIFF audience honours

Larysa Kondracki’s The Whistleblower starring Rachel Weisz and Greg Jacobs and Jon Siskel’s Louder Than A Bomb have won the 22nd Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival’s (PSIFF) narrative and documentary audience awards.
Wieland Speck

Wieland Speck, who heads up the Panorama section at the Berlin Film Festival, talks about 30 years on the job.
Wim Wenders

The German director talks about his 3D film Pina, world premiering out of competition in Berlin this week, which explores the work of the renowned choreographer Pina Bausch.
Win Win

Dir/scr: Tom McCarthy. US. 2010. 106mins
Wisit Sasanatieng

Thai filmmaker Wisit Sasanatieng is having a busy Rotterdam, presenting his new film The Red Eagle, pitching his next project at CineMart, and serving on the Tiger jury.
Zoe Lewis to take over as MD, First Movies

She takes over the position from Louise Chater, who founded the company in 2000.
Zou, Grinder join DDA as company expands domestic reach

Alice Zou and Alyssa Grinder have joined DDA Public Relations’ domestic publicity division in Los Angeles.

Screen27 Jan 2011

Screen
27 Jan 2011