Screen
27 May 2010

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A Hollow Clash

Tentpole movies are being cut down to the minimum narrative basics with no room for characterisation or nuance. But why should audiences care?
A Lonely Place gears up for Scottish shoot

Julian Gilbey’s film was previously known as The Grave At Angel’s Peak.
BBC, Script Factory to read winning screenplays from Circalit

Features screenplays will be judged by scriptwriter Tom Lazarus.
Belle Epine

Dir: Rebecca Zlotowski. France. 2010. 80mins
Ben Cahan launches new screenwriting online community

Final Draft co-founder Ben Cahan has set up a new online community dedicated to screenwriting.
Bille August to direct Karen Blixen biopic

The script for the biopic, entitled Tanne, will be penned by Danish playwright Peter Asmussen
Dog Pound

Dir: Kim Chapiron. Canada-France. 2009. 88mins
Dustin Hoffman teams up with BBC Films for directorial debut

Finola Dwyer to produce Quartet alongside Stewart Mackinnon of Headline Pictures
EFP selects candidates for Producers On The Move in Cannes

The line-up includes Son Of Babylon producer Isabelle Stead and Lauranne Bourrachot, who produced A Prophet.
Film Depot/Volga takes Preacher, Countryman from Lionsgate

Sergei Yershov’s outfit has acquired CIS distribution rights.
Film Festival Zlin plans special events for 50th anniversary

The Film Festival Ziln, the oldest festival devoted to cinema for young people, will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.The festival will run May 30-June 6 in Ziln, in the eastern Czech Republic.”We are expecing attendance at the Festival this year to be over one hundred thousand,” Film Festival Zlin artistic director Petr Koliha announced. “The 50th anniversary has already aroused much interest in the Czech Republic and abroad.”Events planned for this year incl
Finecut signs two new output deals

The Seoul based sales agent has signed with two Korean companies.
Global One takes Hindi remake rights to Alone

Parkpoom Wongpoom’s 2007 film was a hit across Asia.
Independent picks up SUS

UK based production and sales outfit will release Robert Heath’s political film to coincide with General Election
Liman’s Cannes competition debut among Ascot Elite acquisitions

The Swiss distributor has also secured rights to Soderbergh’s Knockout and Nigel Cole’s Made in Dagenham.
Locomotive chugs ahead with The Hot Potato

Ray Winstone will star in the British caper/thriller.
Mammuth heads to US for Funny Balloons

French sales company Funny Balloons has had a run on Berlin title Mammuth, which has been a runaway arthouse success in France.
Manolete

Dir/scr: Menno Meyjes. UK-Spain. 2007. 89 mins.
Metrodome's theatrical distribution arm to stay open

The UK outfit says it has no intention of closing its theatrical distribution arm, despite redundancies.
MIPTV 2010: Pushing for cross-media global partners

Collaboration and transmedia ideas were the hot topics at MIPTV; this year’s event may also be remembered for all the attendees stranded in Cannes by flight disruptions.
MPF&TV drives off with Spooner

The slate also include girls boarding school drama Tanner Hall and romantic comedy See You In September.
Mr Nice

Dir/scr: Bernard Rose. UK. 2010. 116 mins.
Petra Müller named managing director of Filmstiftung NRW

She replaces Michael Schmid Ospach as the head of the film fund.
Pimp

Dir: Robert Cavanah. UK. 2010. 84mins
R

Dirs/scr: Michael Noer & Tobias Lindholm. Denmark. 2010. 96 mins
Repo Men

Dir: Miguel Sapochnik. US. 2009. 111 mins
Sola Media launches Freddie Frogface

The German sales outfit has taken on world sales for the animated 3D feature, currently in production.
Sony Pictures to release new children’s film franchise Yoko

Franziska Buch will direct the German-Austrian-Swedish co-production about an 11 year old girl and her friendship with a yeti.
Stellar Megamedia to make 3D animation with Pathe

The company has also acquired Australian visual effects outfit Photon.
The Autobiography Of Nicolae Ceausescu

Dir:Andrei Ujica. Romania. 2010. 187mins
The Last Song

Dir: Julie Anne Robinson. US. 2010. 108 mins
The Losers

Dir: Sylvain White. US. 2010. 97mins
The Match Factory does brisk business with Palme d'Or winner Uncle Boonmee

New deals include Pyramide for France, Karma for Spain and BIM for Italy.
TIFF elects four new members to the board

Chetan Mathur, Geetu Pathak, Rod Phillips and Wayne Purboo join as Helen Burstyn, Brendan Calder, Ralph Lean and Dan Tanenbaum retire.
UK, New Zealand win Digital Emmy Awards

Winners of Digital Emmy Awards are announced at MIPTV in Cannes
Variance builds slate with Guy And Madeline and After The Cup

Variance Films has picked up all North American theatrical rights to the musical Guy And Madeline On A ParkBench (pictured) and football documentary After The Cup: Sons Of Sakhnin United.
Veteran German filmmaker Werner Schroeter dies at 65

The Golden Bear winning director had been battling cancer
Volcano casts cloud on Linz’s Crossing Europe

The seventh edition of the festival will be affected by the travel chaos
Wanda Films pick up Certified Copy, Enchantment for Spain

Leading producer/distributor Wanda Films has taken Spanish theatrical rights to Abbas Kiarostami’s Cannes competition title Certified Copy from MK2 and documentary The Field Of Enchantment from Wild Bunch.
‘The years of largesse and exuberance are over’

With more films than money in the marketplace, the situation in Europe is tough - budgets are contracting and fewer major deals are being made. But there are plenty of financiers still active, reports Geoffrey Macnab
1492, CJ Entertainment unveil first projects

Projects to come out of the three year partnership will include Killer Pizza and Carpe Demon
2S Films rounds out cast on Something Borrowed

Steve Howey, Ashley Williams and Jill Eikenberry have joined the cast of Alcon Entertainment-based 2S Films’ Something Borrowed.
53rd San Francisco International Film Festival bestows prizes

Lixin Fan’s Last Train Home claimed the Golden Gate Award for investigative documentary feature as the 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival came to a close last night [5].
A Matter Of Size to open LA Jewish Film festival

Israeli film-makers Erez Tadmor and Sharon Maymon’s A Matter Of Size will open the fifth annual Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival on May 8.
A Nightmare On Elm Street

Dir: Samuel Bayer. US. 2010. 96mins.
A Screaming Man

Dir-scr: Mahamat-Saleh Haroun. France-Belgium-Chad. 2010. 92mins
Aaron Eckhart, Alicia Keys, Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey among Tribeca jurors

Aaron Eckhart, Jessica Alba, Brooke Shields, Alicia Keys and Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey are among the jurors who will serve during the Tribeca Film Festival.
Academy sets 83rd Oscar telecast for February 27, 2011

The 83rd Annual Academy Awards will take place on February 27, 2011 at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.
Actress Lynn Redgrave dies at 67

The actress Lynn Redgrave has died in Connecticut following a long battle with breast cancer. She was 67.
Adrienn Pal (Pal Adrienn)

Dir: Agnes Kocsis. Hun-Neth-Aust-Fra. 2010. 136mins
AFAs to present Bachchan with Lifetime Achievement Award

Indian superstar Amitabh Bachchan will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 4th Asian Film Awards.
Affinity International gets into Cannes spirit with The Great Ghost Rescue

Affinity International has boarded sales rights heading into Cannes to The Great Ghost Rescue, set to begin eight weeks of principal photography in the UK and Hungary next week.
Alex Holmes goes to Hell with Bold, Affinity

Former head of BBC documentary programming Alex Holmes has signed to directed Bold Films’ thriller Into Hell, which Affinity International is selling here.
Alex Walton joins Exclusive as president of international sales

Alex Walton has joined Exclusive Film Distribution as president of international sales and distribution, effective May 1.
Alice aims to retain overseas crown as $200m beckons

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International’s Alice In Wonderland enters its second weekend as favourite to retain the international number one spot following a strong week.
Alice eases past $200m with $76m overseas weekend

Alice In Wonderland produced a mighty second weekend to stay atop the international chart as an estimated $76m boosted the running total to $221m after two weekends.
Alice In Wonderland faces Dragon attack overseas

Disney’s Alice In Wonderland faces its sternest test yet as PPI unleashes How To Train Your Dragon in more than 30 territories this weekend.
Alice is first release of 2010 to cross $200m in North America

Alice In Wonderland held on to the number one spot in North America and swept past $200m as $62.7m raised the early running total to $209.3m.
Alice rules overseas on $46m but feels Dragon's heat

Alice In Wonderland is well on course to cross $400m overseas as the fantasy adventure grossed a further $46m for $363m, while How To Train Your Dragon grossed $31m through PPI from 62% of the international marketplace.
Alice surges to $300m overseas in third weekend rule

Alice In Wonderland reached $300m according to early estimates from Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International (WDSMPI) as the film reigned supreme for the third weekend.
Alice, Dragon face 3D clash with Warner Bros titan

An intriguing three-way battle unfolds this weekend as an unprecedented 3D crush sees current overseas champion Alice In Wonderland take on newcomer Clash Of The Titans and How To Train Your Dragon.
All Good Children

Dir: Alicia Duffy. Ireland-Belgium-France-UK. 2009. 80mins
Alta Films take Spanish rights to Allen's Stranger

Alta Films has picked up theatrical rights for Spain to Woody Allen’s new drama You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger from Imagina ahead of its presence at Cannes in as an out of competition screening.
Amber Heard to receive first Dallas Shining Star Award

Amber Heard will receive the inaugural Dallas International Film Festival’s Shining Star Award.
Amphetamine

Dir/scr/prod: Scud. 2010. Hong Kong/China. 97 mins
Anchor Bay gains Altitude for US, UK, Australia

Anchor Bay Entertainment has acquired supernatural thriller Altitude for distribution in the US, the UK and Australia/New Zealand on the Anchor Bay Films label.
Anchor Bay, Lleju team up on Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema

Anchor Bay will release Lleju Productions’ South Africa-set Crime saga Gangster’s Paradise: Jerusalema in June.
Anders Anderson and Andy Steinman, A2 Entertainment

The team behind the $2m crime mystery Stolen discuss the challenges of being first-time film-makers and why Josh Lucas turned out to be so invaluable to the project.
Andy Vajna to receive career honour at LA's Hungarian Film Festival

The 10th Hungarian Film Festival Of Los Angeles will take place this year from November 11-18.
Animation studio A.Film will lay off six staffers in October

The move will come after the Danish studio has delivered The Olsen Gang Gets Polished.
Another Year

Dir-scr: Mike Leigh. UK. 2010. 129mins
Another Year tops Screen Cannes Jury

Screen’s reviews editor Mark Adams looks at the critical consensus behind Cannes 2010 Competition titles, with love for Mike Leigh, disappointment from Takeshi Kitano and admiration for Poetry star Yun Jung-hee.
Antony Root to head market at RomaFictionFest

Antony Root has been named head of industry sector for the RomaFictionFest, the annual showcase of Italian and international TV projects.
AON/Ruben makes push into Asia market

US entertainment insurance broker AON/Albert G. Ruben is making an aggressive push into the Asian market to tap into the region’s booming production industries.
Arclight adds Al Pacino King Lear project to slate

Al Pacino will play the lead in King Lear and reunite with writer-director Michael Radford in their second Shakespeare collaboration following The Merchant of Venice.
Arclight closes US deal with SPWAG for Berlin hit Red Hill

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group (SPWAG) has picked up all US rights from Arclight to the Berlin Panorama hit Red Hill.
Arclight to sell remaning territories on Salvation Boulevard

Arclight Films International will handle sales on all remaining territories on Mandalay Vision’s comedic thriller Salvation Boulevard, currently shooting in Michigan.
Armadillo

Dir: Janus Metz. Denmark. 2010. 90mins
Arsenal stocks up for Cannes with The Presence, Teenage Amnesiac

Yarek Danielak’s Arsenal Pictures is Cannes-bound with a new slate led by the supernatural thriller The Presence from the co-creator of The Blair Witch Project.
Artificial Eye takes four top titles from Cannes

Buys include Of Gods And Men, Certified Copy, Love Like Poison, We Are What We Are.
Aruba festival to show 15 film from Caribbean film-makers

The Islands of Aruba, Curacao, The Cayman Islands, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago and The Bahamas will be represented in the Aruba International Film Festival Spotlight.
ATO Pictures moves into North American distribution

ATO Pictures (Art Takes Over) is moving into North American distribution, extending its original remit to finance and produce films in the $3-10m range.
Au Revoir Taipei to open LA Asian Pacific Film Festival

Arvin Chen’s debut feature Au Revoir Taipei and Hong Kong’s box office hit Bodyguards And Assassins starring Tony Leung and Donnie Yen bookend the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.
Aurora

Dir-scr: Cristi Puiu. Rom-Fr-Swi-Ger. 2010. 180mins
Aurum takes Spanish rights to Agnosia

Alliance Film has now secured sales in three territories - UK, Canada and Spain.
Australian hit Mao's Last Dancer finds US distributor

Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired all US rights to Bruce Beresford’s Australian box office hit Mao’s Last Dancer.
Babelgum online festival to screen winning films at Tribeca

Jury to be headed up by directors Richard Linklater and Sally Potter
Babelgum, UbicMedia, TraderFilm bet on Floored

Mobile video content platform Babelgum, UbicMedia, and TraderFilm are partnering on the global day-and-date mobile, online, and legal progressive download premiere of James Allen Smith’s documentary Floored.
Babies

Dir: Thomas Balmes. France. 2009. 79mins
Baldwin, Madsen join faith-based Church Girl project

Stephen Baldwin, Michael Madsen, Michael Rivera and T-Bone have rounded out the principal cast on Reverence Gospel Media’s faith-based urban drama I’m In Love With A Church Girl.
Basner bulks up FilmNation's Cannes slate with I Love You Too

Glen Basner’s FilmNation has boarded sales rights ahead of Cannes to the Australian romantic comedy I Love You Too.
Bedrock teams up with Arcady Bay Entertainment on debut project

Cary Granat and Ed Jones’ new family content provider Bedrock Studios has unveiled its first project, teaming up with Arcady Bay Entertainment to acquire rights to The Flint Heart.
Benda Bilili

Dirs: Renaud Barret & Florent de la Tullaye. France. 2010. 86mins
Beneath Hill 60

Dir: Jeremy Hartley Sims. Aust. 2010. 122 mins
Berlinger goes to battle with Chevron over Crude footage

Film-maker Joe Berlinger and his production company Third Eye Motion Picture Company have filed legal papers opposing Chevron’s request for raw footage from the filming of Berlinger’s documentary Crude.
Bertino to direct This Man for Ghost House Pictures

The Strangers director Bryan Bertino will direct This Man for Ghost House Pictures based on his original screenplay.
Beta reports strong Cannes market sales

Hot sellers include Au Revoir Taipei, Vincent Wants To See and
Beyond the Pole

Dir: David L Williams. UK. 2009. 87 mins
Bi, Don't Be Afraid! (Bi, Dung So!)

Dir: Phan Dang Di.Vietnam-France-Germany. 2010. 96mins
Big-budget 3D trilogy planned for China's Creation of the Gods

Beijing-based financier Baiyi Chen, Shanghai’s Dream Tube Entertainment and Taiwan-based producer Steve Chicorel are joining forces for the project.
Bill Condon joins Twilight family for Summit

Summit Entertainment has confirmed speculation that Bill Condon will direct The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn.
Biutiful

Dir: Alejandro González Iñárritu. Mexico-Spain. 2010. 138mins
Black Heaven (L'Autre Monde)

Dir: Gilles Marchand. France-Belgium. 2009. 104mins
Bladesman cuts to Easternlight

Hong Kong based Easternlight Films has picked up international rights to Alan Mak and Felix Chong’s The Lost Bladesman.
Bleiberg heads to Cannes with Jacob Tierney’s The Trotsky

Bleiberg Entertainment has picked up international rights heading into Cannes to Jacob Tierney’s The Trotsky and will launch sales on the Croisette.
Blu-ray growth not as strong as expected, report says

Screen Digest’s research notes that total iInternational consumer spending on packaged media fell 2.9 per cent (at fixed exchange rates) to $17.1bn in 2009.
Bodyguards, Echoes dominate Hong Kong Film Awards

Teddy Chen’s action thriller Bodyguards And Assassins scooped this year’s Hong Kong Film Awards, winning eight prizes from its 18 nominations, although the much smaller drama Echoes Of The Rainbow also put up a brave fight by taking four awards.
Brendan Gleeson joins racehorse family adventure The Cup

Brendan Gleeson has joined the cast of family adventure The Cup that is set to commence production in Australia this summer and is being sold around most of the world by Myriad Pictures.
Bright, Klenert join forces to launch Prodigy PR

The ambitious duo of agency publicist Erik Bright (pictured) and independent distributor executive Alex Klenert (pictured) have teamed up to launch the Santa Monica-based publicity firm Prodigy PR.
British public invited to vote for National Movie Awards

Categories include most anticipated movie of the summer and best family movie.
Brittany Snow thriller 96 Minutes to shoot in Atlanta in May

Principal photography will commence in Atlanta in May on Perfect Weekend’s cautionary thriller 96 Minutes starring Brittany Snow and Evan Ross.
Buenos Aires festival bestows several awards on Cannes-bound The Lips

Ivan Fund and Santiago Loza’s film has been selected for the Un Certain Regard category at Cannes.
Burnt By The Sun 2: Exodus

Dir: Nikita Mikhalkov. Russia. 2010. 150mins
Buying movies today

The buyer-seller relationship is a delicate one of mutual dependency, rather like the buyers’ own subsequent bond with the exhibitor. Each has their own agenda, yet each needs the other to survive. The seller needs the buyer’s financial commitment to get a film made, the buyer needs the product to stay in business.
Camera takes Danish rights to Route Irish, Of Gods and Men, The Tree

Danish distributor also takes on Wiseman’s La Danse, hit Easy Money and A Somewhat Gentle Man.
Cameraman: The Life & Work of Jack Cardiff

Dir-prod: Craig McCall. UK. 2010. 86mins
Cameron to collect Visionary Award at Saturn Awards

James Cameron will receive the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy And Horror Films’ Visionary Award for Avatar at this year’s 36th Annual Saturn Awards.
Campanella follows up Oscar with 3D fussball animation

Argentinian director Juan Jose Campanella will follow his Oscar-winning thriller The Secret In Their Eyes with a 3D animation film called Futbolin.
Canadian regulators hand Icahn victory in latest bout with Lionsgate

Lionsgate remained defiant last night following a ruling by the British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) that its shareholders can vote on whether to accept Carl Icahn’s offer of $7 per share.
Cane Toads, Lemmy among five docs added to Dallas

The Dallas International Film Festival set to run from April 8-18 has added five documentaries to this year’s roster.
Cannes Directors Fortnight line-up announced

Familiar names making the fortnight grade include Christoffer Boe and Louis Garrel
Cannes unveils Critics Week selection

Seven films from first time directors will compete in main selection; Michel Leclerc’s The Names Of Love, starring Jacques Gamblin, named as opening film.
Cantor Exchange gets go-ahead for box office futures market

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has approved a second futures exchange within a week, giving the go-ahead to a new class of derivatives.
Carancho

Dir-prod: Pablo Trapero. Argentina. 2010. 107mins
Carlos

Dir: Olivier Assayas. France 2010. 319mins.
Carlos added to Cannes line-up

Olivier Assayas’ biography of famed terrorist Ilich Ramierez Sanchez will feature out of competition.
Casting complete on Likely Story, Olympus Pictures' The Oranges

Anthony Bregman of Likely Story and Leslie Urdang and Dean Vanech of Olympus Pictures have completed casting on their dark comedy The Oranges, drawn from the 2008 Black List of most promising unproduced projects.Film Nation holds international rights and CAA is representing North America on the project, which stars Hugh Laurie, Catherine Keener, Leighton Meester, Allison Janney, Oliver Platt, Alia Shawkat, Adam Brody and Sam Rosen.Julian Farino is directing from a scrip
Catherine Hardwicke

The Twilight director talks about her latest project, a gothic fairytale backed by Leonardo DiCaprio’s production house Appian Way and Warners Bros
Cemetery Junction

Dir/scr: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant. UK. 2010. 94 mins
Certified Copy

Dir-scr Abbas Kiarostami. Fr-Ital. 2010. 106mins
Chan, Tong plot Yuefai TV series

Jackie Chan and Stanley Tong are planning to produce a 30-part international TV series based on the life of Chinese war hero Yuefei.
Chantrapas

Dir-scr. Otar Iosseliani. France-Georgia. 2010. 122mins
Chatroom

Dir: Hideo Nakata. UK 2010. 97mins
Chongqing Blues (Rizhao Chongqing)

Dir: Wang Xiaoshuai. China. 2010. 110mins
Christian Slater boards Sacrifice for Voltage Pictures

Christian Slater has signed on alongside Cuba Gooding Jr to play a cameo in the crime thriller Sacrifice.
Cine Expo honours David Kosse as International Distributor of Year

Universal’s President, International, will receive the honour at a luncheon in Amsterdam on June 22 as part of Cinema Expo.
Cinefondation selects 13 student shorts for Cannes 2010

Cannes Cinefondation has selected 13 student short films from 11 countries to screen at the festival, including the first-ever selections from Belgium’s University of Sint-Lukas and Harvard University in the US.
Cinema Guild acquires US rights to SXSW doc winner Marwencol

The Cinema Guild has picked up US rights to Jeff Malmberg’s SXSW grand jury best documentary winner Marwencol.
Cinema Guild takes Putty Hill

The Cinema Guild has acquired US distribution rights to Matt Porterfield’s Putty Hilland set the drama for an autumn theatrical opening. The company has also picked up US DVD and VOD rights to Porterfield’s first film, Hamilton.
Cinema Libre goes South Of The Border with Oliver Stone

Cinema Libre Studio has pulled off a coup and acquired North American rights to Oliver Stone’s documentary South Of The Border.
Cinematographer Papamichael to receive career award

Veteran cinematographer Phedon Papamichael is to receive the Orpheus Award for Career Achievement at next month’s Los Angeles Greek Film Festival (LAGFF).
Cinemavault promotes John Dunstan to MD

Toronto-based sales agent and Canadian distributor Cinemavault has promoted John Dunstan to managing director.
Cinemavault takes on sales for Cinderella 3D

Yolande Moreau and Michel Boujenah will provide the leads for the computer animated film.
Cinepool's busy Cannes sales led by Legends of Valhalla and 7 Dwarves

Munich-based Cinepool made its first sales on two stereoscopic 3D animation films in a raft of deals at a busy Cannes market.
Cinereach Award goes to Richman Cohen's War Don Don

Cinereach, the New York-based not-for-profit film foundation, is presenting its annual award to Rebecca Richman Cohen for her work as director/producer of war crime court documentary War Don Don.
CIS Visual Effects Group acquires Postmodern Sydney assets

Hollywood and Vancouver-based CIS Visual Effects Group has acquired the assets of Postmodern Sydney.
Civil Rights doc Freedom Riders finds US home

Wendy Lidell’s International Film Circuit will distribute the Civil Rights documentary Freedom Riders.
Claire Denis retrospective to tour UK

French director’s collection of 13 feature films and documentaries will premiere at Watershed in Bristol.
Clash dominates overseas on $53.6m for $118.7m

A spectacular debut in Russia played its part in helping Clash Of The Titans hold on to the international crown as Warner Bros Pictures International’s titan shot past $100m in its second weekend.
Clash looks to extend overseas rule to third weekend

Warner Bros Pictures International’s sword and sandals remake Clash Of The Titans will seek to vanquish all before it as it approaches the third weekend of release.
Clash Of The Titans

Dir: Louis Leterrier. US. 2010. 108 mins
Clash restored to number one on $26.6m hold

Warner Bros’ Clash Of TheTitans was confirmed as the winner of the weekend box office with $26.6m, contrary to initial estimates on Sunday.
Clash surges past $200m as weekend approaches

Warner Bros Pictures International’s giant heads into the fourth weekend as favourite to stay on top.
CMG pledges allegiance to SXSW premiere Brotherhood

Ed Noeltner’s Cinema Management Group has acquired all international rights to Will Canon’s SXSW college fraternity thriller Brotherhood (pictured).
Coach 14 takes on Fortnight title All Good Children

The English language title, directed by Alicia Duffy, is screening in Director’s Fortnight.
Commission gives go-ahead to film futures exchange

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CTFC) has approved a proposal by Media Derivatives to set up a futures exchange trading in box office opening weekends.
Connelly, Kinnear join comedy thriller Salvation Boulevard

Jennifer Connelly and Greg Kinnear have joined Mandalay Vision’s comedy thriller Salvation Boulevard, which Myriad Pictures is selling overseas.
Controversial doc Armadillo tops Danish box office

Cannes hit was number one at the Danish box office with a three-day gross of $287,936 on 56 screens.
Crazy Heart producers Informant Media unveil slate

Riding high after their debut feature Crazy Heart won two Academy Awards including a best actor win for Jeff Bridges, Informant Media partners Judy Cairo, Michael A Simpson and Eric Brenner have unveiled their 2010 production slate.
Croatian Audiovisual Centre steps up funding for minority co-productions

The funding body will now offer 10% of a film’s budget.
Crossing Hennessy

Dir/scr: Ivy Ho. Hong Kong. 2010. 105 mins
Cuban threat to block Miramax deal elicits reply from TWC board member

In an open letter to the press, The Weinstein Company board member Richard Koenigsberg has responded to a veiled threat by billionaire Mark Cuban that he might try to block the company’s efforts to buy back Miramax.
Cyrus to open BAMcinemaFEST

The Fox Searchlight comedy Cyrus starring Jonah Hill and Marisa Tomei will open the BAMcinemaFEST that runs from June 9-20.
Czech director Marhoul acquires rights to Kosiński's The Painted Bird

The Painted Bird tells the story of young Jewish boy’s attempts to escape the Holocaust and the abuse he suffers at the hands at would-be rescuers.
D Films acquires Roller Town for Canada

D Films has acquired all Canadian rights to the comedy Roller Town featuring the film debut of the Canadian comedy troupe Picnicface.
D Films gets Monsters for Canada

D Films has acquired all Canadian rights to Monsters from Magnet Releasing, the genre arm of Magnolia Pictures.
D Films takes Canadian rights to South African biopic Winnie

D Films has acquired all Canadian rights in all media to South African film-maker Darrell Roodt’s upcoming Winnie Mandela biopic starring Jennifer Hudson.
D Films ventures into US distribution with Max Manus

Toronto-based distribution boutique D Films is entering the US market following its first acquisition of US rights.
Dance With Me

Dir-scr: Sasha C Damjanovski. UK. 2008. 82mins
Danny Huston in Playoff for Riklis

Eran Riklis to direct the real life inspired German-Israeli drama about a basketball coach for Germany’s Egoli Tossell.
Dare Filmz, Constantin prepare action comedy Honey Moon

Producing partners Marie-Amelie Rechberg and Bora Dagtekin at US-based Dare Filmz have announced the first feature to be produced under their first-look deal with Constantin Film.
Dark Horse Comics, Hammer Films form graphic novel alliance

Dark Horse Comics and Exclusive Media Group’s Hammer Films are partnering on a series of co-branded original graphic novels and comic books.
Date Night

Dir: Shawn Levy. US. 2010. 88 mins
David Rose to receive BFI Fellowship

The former Film Four commissioner will be presented with his award by Tess Ross
Dawn Airey becomes non-executive director of LoveFilm

Industry veteran is currently Chairman and Chief Executive of Five.
Day-long BritWeek Film & TV Summit set for April 23

The day-long BritWeek Film & TV Summit will take place in Beverly Hills on April 23 featuring Helen Mirren and a range of professionals and executives.
Deckert to sell Portrait Of A Man

The Leipzig based company has picked up worldwide sales rights to Finnish director Visa Koiso-Kanttila’s documentary.
Del Toro leaves Hobbit directing chair

Guillermo Del Toro has pulled out of directing the two-part film version of The Hobbit for New Line and MGM.
Delpy, Films Distribution soar with Skylab

Delpy will direct and star in the project alongside Aure Atika and Noemie Lvovsky.
Dennis Hopper dies at age 74

Dennis Hopper, who helped usher in a golden age of American independent cinema with 1969 landmark Easy Rider, has died aged 74.He died in his Los Angeles home, reportedly of complications from prostate cancer. Starting his Hollywood career in the fifties acting is such films as Rebel Without a Cause, Giant, Gunfight at the OK Corral and True Grit, Hopper teamed up with Peter Fonda and Terry Southern to write Easy Rider. Hopper direct
Disney enters production for Southern Indian audiences

The Walt Disney Company Indiais shooting a Telugu-language epic fantasy adventure, which marks the studio’s first production aimed at Southern Indian audiences.
Disney looks to Alice to rule overseas for third weekend

Disney’s Alice In Wonderland is expected to hold on to the overseas crown for the third successive weekend and should have little trouble racing toward the $285m mark.
Distribution Workshop lands What Women Want

Hong Kong-based Distribution Workshop is handling international sales on Chen Daming’s Chinese remake of Paramount romantic comedy What Women Want, which is set to star Andy Lau and Fan Bingbing (pictured).
Doors of perception

Locarno’s Open Doors co-production lab (Aug 7-10) is focusing on Central Asia in 2010, a region that remains something of an unknown quantity internationally despite a diverse production sector.
Double Edge, China Film Group team on Black & White

Taiwan-based Double Edge Entertainment has taken international rights to $10m action comedy Black & White which is the movie version of a popular TV series of the same title.The film will be directed by Yueh-hsun Tsai, the director of the TV series and will star Taiwanese heartthrob Mark Zhao (Monga), Ning Chang (Zoom Hunting) and Ivy Chen (Hear Me). The three are also lead actors in the TV series.China Film
Dragon scales box office heights in muted weekend on $15m

DreamWorks Animation’s How To Train Your Dragon continued its classic word of mouth run to end its fifth weekend at the top in a lacklustre session.
Draquila

Dir-scr:Sabina Guzzanti. Italy. 2010. 93mins
Dream Home

Dir: Pang Ho-cheung. Hong Kong. 2010. 96mins
Dwayne Johnson to star in $35m IM Global action thriller Protection

Dwayne Johnson has signed on to star in and Simon West to direct the $35m action thriller Protection for IM Global.
E1 adds digital content for North America

Multi-territory content exploiter E1 Entertainment has signed North American digital distribution deals with UK-based providers ITV Global Entertainment and ContentFilm.
E1 Entertainment US picks up North America on Last Day Of Summer

E1 Entertainment US has acquired North American rights from New York-based The Vladar Company to Vlad Yudin’s Last Day Of Summer.
E1 to enter US theatrical distribution with Love Ranch

Canadian distributor E1 is wading into the US theatrical market following its acquisition of world rights on Taylor Hackford’s Love Ranch.
Eddie Egan announces marketing shake-up at Universal

Michael Moses has been promoted to co-president of marketing at Universal Pictures and will jointly run a team of 104 people alongside marketing president Eddie Egan.
Edinburgh plans online screenings with Projector.tv

Following the likes of Sundance and Tribeca, the Edinburgh International Film Festival will introduce an online element as part of this year’s festival.EIFF is partnering with online VOD site Projector.tv, owned by Future Film Group, which will create a secure, branded EIFF platform. Selections from past festivals as well as this year’s programme will be available.“Each year we look to do something new and different with the Festival, and this online partnership is just one exam
Edinburgh to host 22 world premieres among 163 features

In all the 64th Edinburgh International Film Festival will screen 163 features from 34 countries, representing 63 UK premieres.
EFP adds Alabanian National Center of Cinematography

European FIlm Promotion now has 31 members in 32 countries.
Eight films to open 2010 Dallas Int'l Film Festival

An unprecedented eight films will open the Dallas International Film Festival on April 8.
Eleonora Granata-Jenkinson to head FilmMaster US office

Italian production company FilmMaster has opened a US office in Los Angeles under the stewardship of Eleonora Granata-Jenkinson.
Elle Driver announces three new titles ahead of Cannes

The French sales house also has five films in official selection, including The Silent House and Adrienn Pal.
Elle Driver sells strong on Rubber, Silent House, The Assault

French sales company has a busy Cannes market, also including Women Are Heroes and In Your Hands.
Embattled MGM to review 'a number of bids'

The MGM ownership saga dragged on last night [March 22] as sources associated with the studio confirmed it had received several bids.
Emmett/Furla and Freedom Films strike three-film deal with Palo Verde

Emmett/Furla Films and Freedom Films have struck a three-film production and financing deal with hedge fund Palo Verde.
Endgame, Page on board adaptation of doc short Freeheld

James Stern’s Endgame Entertainment is to finance a feature version of Cynthia Wade’s Oscar winning documentary short Freeheld to star Ellen Page (pictured).
Epic finds new action with Thailand’s Film Frame

LA based Epic Pictures has signed a three-film deal with Film Frame Productions.
Eros, Illuminati re-team for Agent Vinod

The film will shoot in Mumbai, Morocco, Amsterdam, London, Prague and Delhi.
Ewan McGregor to play Edward VIII in Madonna's W.E.

Ewan McGregor has joined the cast of Madonna’s upcoming project W.E. to play Edward VIII.
Exclusive Media Group, Nunnari, Canton to partner on Julius Caesar epic

Gianni Nunnari and Mark Canton are teaming up with Exclusive Media Group on a potential franchise based on the life of Julius Caesar.
Fair Game

Dir: Doug Liman. US. 2010. 106mins
Fantastic Films readies Cannes slate with Back2Hell in 3D

Roxane Barbat and Fred deWysocki’s Los Angeles-based Fantastic Films International (FFI) has unveiled the cast on the 3D live-action adventure Back2Hell.
FCC approves select VOD launches of new releases before DVD and Blu-ray

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved a request by the Motion Pictures Association Of America (MPAA) that paves the way in some cases for VOD releases of new releases before their DVD or Blu-ray launch.
Film Independent hands out first Elizabeth Pena Fellowship

George Reyes will receive Film Independent’s first Elizabeth Pena Fellowship in Project:Involve.
Film London extends micro budget scheme Microwave

The Film London/BBC Films microbudget production scheme will run for a further 3 years from 2011.
Film Movement acquires US rights to comedy 1981

Film Movement has acquired US rights to Ricardo Trogi’s French-Canadian comedy 1981.
Film Movement buys Canada's Nurse

Film Movement has acquired Canadian feature Nurse.Fighter.Boy for a North American cable video-on-demand premiere this summer and DVD release in the autumn.
Film Movement picks up How I Ended This Summer, Come Undone

Film Movement has acquired US rights to Aleksei Popogrebsky’s How I Ended This Summer and will set a limited release in September.
Film Movement takes North America on Bomber

Film Movement has acquired North American rights to British film-maker Paul Cotter’s bittersweet road movie Bomber.
Film Movement takes quartet for VOD

Film Movement has picked up four titles for VOD in a sign of its move towards the new media platform.
Film Sales Company boards four titles for Tribeca

Andrew Herwitz’s Film Sales Company has rounded up four titles for sale at Tribeca Film festival, which kicked off last night [21] with the world premiere of Shrek Forever After.
Film Socialisme

Dir-scr: Jean-Luc Godard. Swi-Fr. 2010. 101mins
Filmax wakes up buyers with thriller Sleep Tight

James Balaguero’s pyshological thriller has sold to a crop of territories.
FilmBuff eyes early June kick-off for football doc Pelada

FilmBuff, the digital distribution label operated by Cinetic Rights Management, will release the documentary Pelada in June to coincide with the Fifa World Cup in South Africa.
Filming begins on CinemaNX motorcycle doc TT3D

The film will use the latest 3D technology to cpature the Isle Of Man’s infamous TT circuit
Filming ends on Cinemavault's Somewhere Tonight

Filming has wrapped in New York on Cinemavault’s drama Somewhere Tonight.
Filming starts in Texas on Chris Evans drama Puncture

Filming is underway in Houston, Texas, on the David Vs Goliath drama Puncture starring Chris Evans.
Filming underway on Farrelly's Untitled Comedy sketch series

Production is underway on Peter Farrelly’s (pictured) Untitled Comedy portmanteau boasting an all-star cast including Hugh Jackman and Kate Winslet.
Filming underway on iDeal's comedy Dirty Girl with Jovovich, Macy

Filming is underway in Los Angeles on iDeal Partners Film Fund’s comedy Dirty Girl with Milla Jovovich (pictured), William H Macy, Mary Steenburgen, Dwight Yoakam and Tim McGraw.
FilmNation sinks teeth into The Last Vampire

FilmNation Entertainment has picked up screen rights to Christopher Pike’s The Last Vampire series
Films Distribution runs with The Pack

The film stars Yolande Moreau and Emilie Dequenne.
Fire of Conscience

Dir: Dante Lam. HK. 2010. 115 mins
First day results for Iron Man 2 augurs well for weekend

Iron Man 2 grossed $2.2m from 960 sites in six territories on Wednesday, setting up a promising weekend as the action sequel prepares to touch down in more than 50 territories.
Five finallists compete for foreign student Academy Award

Five finallists selected from a record 61 entries from 36 countries will compete for the 2010 honorary foreign film award in the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences’ 37th Annual Student Academy Awards.
Focus Features, Random House Films sink claws into The Tiger

Focus Features and Random House Films are developing the adventure thriller The Tiger. Guillermo Arriaga is adapting the screenplay for producer Darren Aronofsky and his Protozoa Pictures from John Vaillant’s upcoming nonfiction book The Tiger: A True Story Of Vengeance And Survival.
Ford's IM Global looks to future with trio of key hires

Stuart Ford is expanding his ambitious LA and London-based sales company IM Global with three highly regarded additions to the executive suite and a new world cinema division set to be unveiled in Cannes.
Foresight slate adds Recoil, Flypaper

Mark Damon’s Foresight slate includes the $35m FBI thriller Recoilto be directed by Mark Steven Johnson. Shooting is scheduled for November.
Forget Me Not

Dirs: Alexander Holt, Lance Roehrig. UK. 2010. 93mins
Former Walden CEO Cary Granat and ILM executive Ed Jones unveil Bedrock Studios

Former Walden Media CEO Cary Granat and ILM stalwart Ed Jones have teamed up to launch the family oriented content provider Bedrock Studios.
Fortissimo Films gets Wasted

Fortissimo Films has picked up Australian high school drama Wasted On The Young, the debut feature from hot up-and-coming director Ben C. Lucas.
Fox International Productions, Germany's Pantaleon team up on What A Man

Fox International Productions (FIP) and Matthias Schweighoefer’s (pictured) Pantaleon Films will co-produce the romantic comedy What A Man that Schweighoefer will direct and star in.
Fox sets Vaughn to direct X-Men origins story for superhero summer 2011

It will be elbow-room only for superheroes next summer after Fox confirmed that Matthew Vaughn would direct the prequel saga X-Men: First Class and set the release for June 3, 2011.
Fox signs European satellite distribution deal with SmartJog

Twentieth Century Fox and digital delivery company SmartJog have signed a non-exclusive agreement for satellite distribution of Fox’s digital films to European theatres.
Fox Star prepares Indian follow-up to My Name Is Khan

Hot on the heels of its collaboration on the Indian smash My Name Is Khan, Fox Star Studios has teamed up with Ramesh Sippy Entertainment on an action thriller.
Fox to reboot Planet Of The Apes, sets June 24 2011 release

Twentieth Century Fox has set a June 24, 2011 release for its Planet Of The Apes reboot Rise Of The Apes.
Freeway takes on UKFC’s NFTC

The UKFC is selling off the National Film Trustee Company in a bid to reduce overheads.
Fresnadillo to direct Owen, Bruhl in Intruders for UPI, Antena 3

Juan Carlos Fresnadillo will direct Clive Owen and Daniel Bruhl in the English-language genre feature Intruders that Spain’s Antena 3 and Universal Pictures International (UPI) will finance.
Friedenson relocates to Paris as StudioCanal evp international marketing

Shyama Friedenson has been appointed executive vice-president of international marketing at StudioCanal.
From Childhood

Dir. Carlos Carrera. Mexico. 2009. 120mins
Funk-jazz doc to open 13th Sonoma International Film Festival

The world premiere of Coals To Newcastle: The New Mastersounds, From Leeds To New Orleans will open the 13th Sonoma International Film Festival on April 15.
Furry Vengeance

Dir: Roger Kumble. US. 2010. 91mins
Gaultier, Reno, Birkin topline the 11th Athens Francophone Film Festival

The French haute couture icon Jean-Paul Gaultier is the patron of the 11th Francophone Film Festival, which kicks off in Athens today [15].
Geddes donates Chinese film haul to Toronto University

Chinese cinema history has received a shot in the arm with the donation of more than 400 Hong Kong and Taiwanese feature films and trailers, collected by curator and festival programmer Colin Geddes, to the University of Toronto.
Georgina Lowe, producer

The producer of Mike Leigh’s Cannes competition title Another Year talks to Geoffrey Macnab about her long collaboration with the British director.
German box office up 18% in first quarter

German cinemas have reported that box office takings climbed 18% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2010 thanks to such 3D releases as Avatar and Alice In Wonderland.
Gerrymandering

Dir: Jeff Reichert. US. 2010. 77mins
Get Him To The Greek

Dir: Nicholas Stoller. US. 2010. 108mins
Gillian Wearing

The British artist tells Sarah Cooper about casting her first feature, Self Made, from a newspaper advert
Global Film Initiative unveils winter fund cycle recipients

The Global Film Initiative has announced the five film-makers awarded production funding during the winter granting cycle.
Good News Group to shoot Assassins

Marwan Hamad (pictured) is set to direct an ambitious project that will examine the origins of Islamic terrorism.
Gosling to narrate youth apathy doc ReGeneration

Ryan Gosling has signed on to narrate Phillip Montgomery’s ReGeneration, a documentary that explores the widespread cynicism and apathy among today’s youth and young adults.
Gowariker launches online search to find Buddha

Ashutosh Gowariker, the Indian filmmaker who is set to direct the upcoming biopic Buddha, has launched a global online audition to find a fresh face to play the role of the young Buddha.
Gravitas Ventures takes North American VOD rights to The Lottery

Ambitious VOD distributor Gravitas Ventures has acquired all North American VOD rights to Madeleine Sackler’s documentary The Lottery.
Grayson promoted to evp national publicity for Universal

Alissa Grayson has been promoted to executive vice-president of national publicity for Universal Pictures.
Greenbaum joins Searchlight as svp production

Fox Searchlight production chief Claudia Lewis has hired David Greenbaum as senior vice-president of production.
Greenwood to score Tran Anh Hung’s Norwegian Wood

Jonny Greenwood, the BAFTA and Grammy-nominated musician and member of rock band Radiohead, will compose the soundtrack to Tran Anh Hung’s upcoming Norwegian Wood.
Hahaha

Dir: Hong Sangsoo. South Korea. 2010. 116mins
Hamptons festival sets dates

The Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) has been set for October 7-11, the same Columbus Day holiday weekend as last year.
Handling, Bailey unveil "best in the business" TIFF programming team

Toronto International Film Festival director and CEO Piers Handling and co-director Cameron Bailey have unveiled the team of programmers for this year’s 35th annual event.
Hannover House gears up with Racing Dreams in North America

Hannover House, the new film and video distribution unit of Target Development Group, has acquired North American rights to Marshall Curry’s NASCAR documentary Racing Dreams.
Hannover plans innovative US release for The Wild Hunt

Alexandre Franchi’s The Wild Hunt is set for US theatrical distribution in May through new distribution outfit Hannover House.Hannover CEO Eric Parkinson picked up the picture following its US premiere at Slamdance in a deal negotiated with producer’s rep Marie-Claude Poulin of Montreal-based Item 7.The film, which won the Best Canadian First Feature at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival, tells the story of a young man who goes in search of his girlfriend, a p
Hardwicke set to shoot Riding Hood in Vancouver

Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke has received the greenlight from Warner Bros for her next film, The Girl With The Red Riding Hood.
Hayley Atwell cast as love interest in Marvel Studios' Captain America

Hayley Atwell has been cast opposite Chris Evans as Peggy Carter in Marvel Studios’ Captain America: The First Avenger.
HBO takes TV rights to Gibney's My Trip To Al Qaeda

HBO Documentary Films has acquired domestic television rights to the prolific Oscar winning documentary film-maker Alex Gibney’s My Trip To Al Qaeda.
Heartbeats (Les Amours Imaginaires)

Dir-scr: Xavier Dolan. Can-Fr. 2010. 102mins
Heartbreaker

Dir: Pascal Chaumeil. France. 2010. 102 mins
Heartbreaker, In The Beginning bookend 14th annual COL•COA

The 14th Annual City Of Lights, City Of Angels (COL•COA) Film Festival in Los Angeles will kick off with the North American premiere of Pascal Chaumeil’s romantic comedy Heartbreaker (L’Arnacoeur) (pictured).
Hong Kong International Film Festival chooses the High Life

Zhao Dayong’s The High Life picked up both the Silver Digital Award the FIPRESCI prize at the 34th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), while the Golden Digital Award went to Yang Heng’s Sun Spots.
Hong Kong ramps up 3D production

Hong Kong filmmakers and post-production professionals discussed the challenges that the territory faces in embracing 3D production at a Filmart conference on Tuesday (March 23).
Hong Kong’s Anyplex signs VoD deal with Sony

Hong Kong video-on-demand (VoD) service Anyplex has signed a content licensing deal with Sony Pictures Television (SPT), covering blockbuster titles such as 2012,Michael Jackson’s This Is It and Angels & Demons.
Hong Kong’s Celestial signs two-picture deal with Teddy Chen

Celestial Pictures has kick-started its move back into production by signing a deal with filmmaker Teddy Chen (Bodyguards And Assassins) who will direct and produce two features films for the Hong Kong studio.
Hot Tub Time Machine

Dir: Steve Pink. US. 2010. 99 mins
Housefull

Dir: Sajid Khan. India. 2010. 156mins
How To Train Your Dragon slays Alice in US with $43.3m launch

DreamWorks Animation’s How To Train Your Dragon opened top of the charts through Paramount on an estimated $43.3m.
Howl to open Outfest 2010 in Los Angeles

Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman’s Howl will open the 28th Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival on July 8.
Huston, Saint, Olson to celebrate classic film in LA

Anjelica Huston (pictured), Eva Marie Saint, Nancy Olson and writer-director Curtis Hanson are among the guests set to appear at the TCM Classic Film Festival inollywood in April.
Hyde Park Imagenation appoints key creative duo

Hyde Park Imagenation has hired creative executives Jason Mirch (pictured) and Yee Yeo Chang as the joint venture seeks to build a stable of commercially viable projects for the global market.
Hyde Park Imagenation hires two for Asia, Middle East

Hyde Park Imagenation, the joint venture between Imagenation Abu Dhabi and LA-based Hyde Park Entertainment, has hired two Asia-based creative executives, Jason Mirch and Yee Yeo Chang.
Hyde Park, Imagenation line up Gere, Grace in The Double

Topher Grace has joined Richard Gere in Hyde Park Entertainment Group and Imagenation Abu Dhabi’s thriller The Double.
I Killed My Mother, La Mission bookend Miami GLFF

The ten-day 12th Annual Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (MGLFF) will open with Xavier Dolan’s I Killed My Mother and close with La Mission starring Benjamin Bratt.The festival will screen more than 80 feature and short films from 17 countries, such as Bear Nation, The People I’ve Slept With, Hannah Free, and Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work.Sharon Gless will receive the 2010 Career Achievement Award before the screening of
I Love You Too

Dir: Daina Reid. Aust. 2009. 107mins
I Wish I Knew (Hai Shang Chuan Qi)

Dir: Jia Zhangke. China. 2010. 138mins
Ice Cube's Straight Outta L.A. named as Tribeca/ESPN Sports Festival gala

Ice Cube’s feature directorial debut on ESPN Films ‘30 For 30’ production Straight Outta L.A. will receive its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival next month.
ICM instals Schachter, Schweitzer as co-heads of film department

Scott Schachter and Adam Schweitzer have been promoted to jointly head ICM’s motion picture talent department in the wake of Toni Howard’s previously announced decision to step down.
IFC acquires North America and multi territories on Cold Weather

IFC Films has picked up North American, Asian, Middle Eastern and East central European rights to Aaron Katz’s mystery Cold Weather.
IFC adds Kaboom, We Are to Cannes haul

IFC Films has acquired US rights from Wild Bunch to Gregg Araki’s out-of-competition Cannes film Kaboom and Mexican filmmaker Jorge Michel Grau’s Director’s Fortnight entry We Are What We Are.
IFC falls for French hit Heartbreaker in US

IFC Films has acquired US rights to Pascal Chaumeil’s French hit Heartbreaker (L’Arnacoeur) ahead of its North American premiere at COLCOA in Los Angeles tonight [19].
IFC launches genre label Midnight

IFC Films has launched the genre label IFC Midnight and will debut four new films each month on VOD and premiere select titles simultaneously in theatres and on VOD.
IFC picks up US rights to Heartbeats, Prey from Rezo

IFC Films has acquired US rights here to two films from Rezo - Xavier Dolan’s Un Certain Regard entry Heartbeats and Antoine Blossier’s Prey.
IFC takes Made In China, Sorry for VOD

IFC Films has acquired North American rights to Made In China and Sorry, Thanks and will release both films on its video-on-demand platform in June.
IFC takes multiple territories on SXSW winner Tiny Furniture

IFC Films has acquired worldwide rights to Tiny Furniture excluding the UK, South Africa, Germany, France, Benelux, New Zealand and Australia.
IFP announces ten documentary lab projects

IFP has announced the ten projects selected for this year’s documentary lab that runs in New York from April 12 to 16.
IFP to run former B-Side's Festival Genius research and support software

IFP has licensed the online research and technology tool Festival Genius from New York-based Slated.
IM Global plays Safe with The Factory

Stuart Ford’s sales and financing powerhouse is introducing buyers to two hot titles on the Croisette.
IM Global reports strong start to Anthem world sales arm

IM Global chief Stuart Ford has reported a strong response here to the company’s new Anthem world sales division and rights acquisition vehicle Apsara.
Image takes North American rights to Eyeborgs

Image Entertainment has taken North American rights to Crimson Wolf Productions’ science fiction thriller Eyeborgs.
Imagenation Abu Dhabi unveils five more Emirati films

The diverse slate of films includes a drama, thriller, adventure comedy, romantic comedy and romance.
IMAX Corp signs deal with Russia's SBS for key Black Sea site

IMAX Corporation has signed an agreement with leading Russian retail and entertainment developer SBS to install an IMAX theatre in the Black Sea city of Krasnodar under the developer’s Seven Stars Cinemas brand name.
IMAX extends venture with Tokyu for five new systems in Japan

IMAX has struck a deal for five new locations in Japan.
IMAX to add new theatre in Hangzhou, China

A new IMAX system will be installed in the exhibitor’s new 16-screen multiplex in Hangzhou.
IMAX to roll out Iron Man 2 internationally on April 29

IMAX Corporation is partnering with Paramount on the international release of Iron Man 2 commencing April 29.
IMAX, Warner Bros strike deal for up to 20 films through 2013

IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros Pictures have completed an agreement to release up to 20 Warner Bros films in IMAX format through 2013.
Imperioli to star for Ledes in horror-thriller Foreclosure

Michael Imperioli will star in writer-director Richard Ledes’ horror-thriller Foreclosure, set to commence principal photography in New York next week.
IndiePix acquires Silver Lion winner Women Without Men for US

IndiePix has acquired Shirin Neshat’s Venice Silver Lion winner Women Without Men and will release in Los Angeles on April 9.
Industry event Tribeca All Access unveils 24 projects

The Tribeca Film Institute has announced the 24 projects selected for Tribeca All Access (TAA).
Industry pays respects to Latin American producing titan Oscar Kramer

Oscar Kramer, the widely respected Argentinian producer of such films as Carandiru, Chronicle Of An Escape and El Pasado, has died in Buenos Aires following an illness. He was 72.
Inferno boards sales on Paragraph's If I Were You

Inferno Entertainment has acquired sales rights ahead of Cannes to Paragraph Pictures’ drama If I Were You starring Marcia Gay Harden.
Inside Job

Dir-scr: Charles Ferguson. US. 2010.109mins
International cast joins WB / New Line's supernatural thriller The Rite

Ciaran Hinds, Toby Jones and Brazil’s Alicia Braga have joined New Line’s supernatural thriller The Rite that Mikael Hafstrom is directing.
Ip Man 2

Dir: Wilson Yip. Hong Kong. 2010. 90 min.
Iron Man 2

Dir: John Favreau. US. 2010. 125mins
Iron Man 2 adds $57.2m to fly past $190m overseas

Marvel Studios’ Iron Man 2 surged towards $200m in its second weekend as an estimated $57.2m from 10,774 sites in 61 territories boosted the tally to $194m.
Iron Man 2 brings heavy metal thunder on $100.2m overseas

Marvel Studios’ Iron Man 2 stormed across the world, grossing an estimated $100.2m through PPI from 6,764 sites in 53 territories.
Iron Man 2 stays top on $53m to vanquish Robin Hood

Iron Man 2 stayed top in its second weekend, beating back the challenge of Universal’s Robin Hood.
Iron Man 2 steals the show with $133.6m summer launch

Marvel Studios’ Iron Man 2 kicked off the summer season as it powered to the fifth biggest domestic launch in history thanks to an estimated $133.6m opening weekend through Paramount.
Iwai speaks English with Fortissimo

Fortissimo Films has acquired the first English-language feature from acclaimed Japanese director Shunji Iwai, whose credits include Love Letter and April Story.
Jackie Collins character Lucky Santangelo to get big screen treatment

Bestselling author Jackie Collins and Amber Entertainment partners Ileen Maisel and Mark Ordesky are joining forces to bring Lucky Santangelo to the big screen.
Japan’s Gaga Corp announces slew of acquisitions

Japanese distributor Gaga Corporation has announced a slew of acquisitions made since last September, including Buried, directed by Rodrigo Cortes, Sam Taylor Wood’s Nowhere Boy and Tom Ford’s A Single Man.
Japanese distributor Tornado Film shuts its doors

Japanese film distributor Tornado Film has filed for bankruptcy, the company announced today.
Jinga Films scares up A Serbian Film

Other films in Jinga’s Cannes line-up include Federico Zampaglione’s Shadow and Darren Ward’s A Day Of Violence.
Joan Rivers to close 53rd SFIFF

Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg’s Joan Rivers – A Piece Of Work will close the 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival on May 6.
John Carney & Kieran Carney

The brothers behind alien comedy Zonad talk to Jeremy Kay about following the success of Once and sharing directing duties.
Juan Jose Campanella

Argentinian director Juan Jose Campanella talks about his Spanish-Argentinean romantic thriller The Secret In Their Eyes (El Secreto De Sus Ojos), and the impact of winning this year’s foreign language Academy Award.
Judi Dench, Jamie Bell join Jane Eyre on eve of UK shoot

Judi Dench, Jamie Bell and Holliday Grainger have joined the cast of Focus Features and BBC Films’ Jane Eyre, which is scheduled to begin shooting in the UK next week.
Kaboom

Dir-scr: Greg Araki. US. 2010. 86mins
Karlovy Vary adds four competition titles

Selections include world premiere of Catherine Martin’s Mourning for Anna and international premiere of Daniel Burman’s Brother & Sister.
Karlovy Vary announces 2010 line-up

The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has announced seven competition titles for its 45th edition, including a new film from Oscar-winning Czech director Jan Sverák.
Karlovy Vary to honour Karel Vachek with retrospective

He will also host a masterclass at the July event.
Katalin Varga named best narrative feature at RiverRun

Peter Strickland’s Katalin Varga (Romania-UK) won the 12th Annual RiverRun International Film Festival’s narrative feature award and Klaus Haro’s Letters To Father Jacob (Finland) earned the BB&T Audience Award for best narrative feature.
Kate Hudson on board Alcon, 2S ensemble romance Something Borrowed

Kate Hudson (pictured) is in final talks to join the cast of Alcon Entertainment-based 2S Films’ Something Borrowed.
Kavanaugh shapes executive suite at Relativity Media

Longtime Universal executive Michael J Joe has joined Relativity Media as president of the company while Tucker Tooley has been promoted to president of worldwide production.
Kick Off, Dobuy among winners at third Gulf Film Festival

The third edition of the Gulf Film Festival wrapped last night in Dubai, with an awards ceremony for winners of the official and student competitions and Emirati Short Film Script Competition.
Kick-Ass snatches US box office title with $19.8m debut

Lionsgate’s action romp Kick-Ass won the weekend box office race in North American when all was said and done, opening top on $19.8m.
Kino International tracks down Winnebago Man

Kino International has acquired US rights to Ben Steinbauer’s documentary Winnebago Man and has set a July launch in New York.
Kino takes US rights to Lee Chang-dong's Poetry

Cannes screenplay winner scheduled to come to US cinemas this autumn.
KinoSmith buys slate for Canada

KinoSmith Inc has acquired rights in Canada for a slate of 12 features and documentaries including Hot Docs award-winner Jeff Malmberg’s Marwencol.
Kirsten Dunst's Bastard among Tribeca short films roster

The world premiere of Kirsten Dunst’s short film and a screening of this year’s live-action Oscar winner are among the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival’s short films line-up.
Kites remix hits UK, France opens three comedies

ScreenDaily’s weekly round-up of the local and independent openings in key European markets this week.
Kosmos

Dir: Reha Erdem. Turkey –Bulgaria. 2009. 122 mins
Kristin Scott Thomas named Cannes mistress of ceremony

The actress Kristin Scott Thomas will open the 63rd edition of the festival on May 12 by inviting the president Tim Burton and his jury on stage at the Palais Des Festivals.She will preside over the closing ceremony when the awards will be announced on May 23.Scott Thomas previously served in the role in 1999 and succeeds Edouard Baer, who held the position in 2008 and 2009.
LA Film Festival to premiere Eclipse, Despicable Me

Lisa Cholodenko’s The Kids Are All Right starring Annette Bening and Julianne Moore will open Film Independent’s Los Angeles Film Festival in Downtown LA on June 17.
La Mission secures domestic launch through Screen Media, GCD

Screen Media has acquired all North American DVD, TV and digital rights to Peter Bratt’s La Mission starring Benjamin Bratt.
La Pivellina wins Diagonale Grand Prix

Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel’s La Pivellina won the Grand Diagonale Prize for Best Austrian Feature Film at festival director Barbara Pichler’s second year heading up the annual national showcase of Austrian cinema in Graz.
Le Quattro Volte

Dir-scr: Michelangelo Frammartino.Ital-Ger-Swi. 2010. 86 mins
Leap Year (Ano bisiesto)

Dir: Michael Rowe. Mexico. 2010. 92mins
Legendary to revive Japanese cult favourite Godzilla

Legendary Pictures is bringing an English-language theatrical version of Godzilla back to the screen after acquiring rights from Toho to produce a feature.
Legendary, Warner have Mass Effect

Legendary Pictures has acquired theatrical feature film rights to Electronic Arts/BioWare hit videogame franchise Mass Effect.
Letters to Juliet

Dir: Gary Winick. US. 2010. 105mins
Letters To Juliet to close Newport Beach Film Festival

The World Premiere of Danny Buday’s drama Five Star Day and an advance screening of Gary Winick’s Letters To Juliet starring Amanda Seyfried bookend the 2010 Newport Beach Film Festival.
Life Above All

Dir: Oliver Schmitz. South Africa-Germany. 2010. 105mins
Lightning sells major territories on Needle ahead of Cannes

Santa Monica-based Lightning Entertainment has disclosed the first wave of deals on John V Soto’s voodoo thriller Needle.
Lightning snaps up Tribeca mystery The Chameleon for Cannes

Santa Monica-based Lightning Entertainment has acquired international sales rights excluding France heading into Cannes to US-French thriller The Chameleon.
Lightning to tempt buyers with Blood Hostage

Santa Monica-based Lightning Entertainment has boarded worldwide sales on the action adventure Blood Hostage
Lights Out (Simon Werner A Disparu)

Dir-scr: Fabrice Gobert. France. 2010. 91mins
Like a Dream

Dir: Clara Law. China. 2010. 118 mins
Lionsgate board recommends shareholders reject Icahn's share offer

Lionsgate’s board has recommended shareholders reject Carl Icahn’s offer of $7 per share and do not tender their shares into the offer.
Lionsgate board rejects Carl Icahn's takeover bid

Lionsgate’s board of directors has voted to reject Carl Icahn’s unsolicited bid to purchase the Santa Monica-based studio.
Lionsgate boards sales on Machine Gun Preacher for Cannes

Lionsgate will commence pre-sales in Cannes on the action drama Machine Gun Preacher that Marc Forster will direct starring Gerard Butler.
Lionsgate boards sales on Scott, Hadida thriller to star Mickey Rourke

Lionsgate has further bulked up its robust Cannes slate with Untitled Tony Scott crime thriller from Scott Free and Davis Films to star Mickey Rourke (pictured).
Lionsgate moves on US rights to The Lincoln Lawyer

In a preemptive move, Lionsgate has acquired rights from Lakeshore Entertainment and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment to the upcoming legal thriller. Lakeshore is handling international sales.
Lionsgate shareholders deliver blow to Icahn

Lionsgate shareholders have rejected Carl Icahn’s offer to buy the company’s common shares at $7 a share, the company said on Monday [10].
Lionsgate strikes home entertainment deal with Newmarket

Lionsgate has signed a deal to become the exclusive US home entertainment distributor of all theatrical releases from Exclusive Media Group subsidiary Newmarket Films.
Lionsgate takes US rights on Cannes market project One For The Money

Lionsgate has acquired US rights from Lakeshore and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment to the upcoming crime thriller One For The Money starring Katherine Heigl.
Lionsgate to appeal BCSC decision

Lionsgate has filed an application with the British Columbia Court Of Appeal to appeal the British Columbia Securities Commission’s (BCSC) decision on Tuesday to cease trade the Lionsgate shareholder rights plan.
Lionsgate UK, ITV Studios join DEGE

Lionsgate UK and ITV Studios Home Entertainment have joined the Digital Entertainment Group Europe (DEGE).
Lionsgate, Icahn trade blows as fight for studio heats up

The war of words between Lionsgate and the man who would own the Santa Monica-based studio stepped up on Wednesday [March 24] as both parties issued open letters.
Lionsgate, Saban form joint venture to expand Tiger Gate

Private equity player Saban Capital Group has formed a 50:50 partnership with Lionsgate to operate and manage Hong Kong-based film and TV venture Tiger Gate.
Little Baby Jesus of Flandr

Dir-scr Gust Van den Berghe. Belgium. 2010. 74mins
Little Film Co to handle sales for Luxembourg's Iris Productions

Robbie Little’s The Little Film Company is handling sales for Luxembourg’s Iris Productions here, led by Academy Award submission Refractaire.
Little Film Company adds Coming & Going to Cannes slate

The Little Film Company has taken international rights to Edoardo Ponti’s irreverent comedy Coming & Going and will commence sales in Cannes.
Little Film Company launches Accelerator genre label

LA-based The Little Film Company has launched the genre label Accelerator and will be talking up a number of titles in Cannes.
Little Red Wagon rolls

Principal photography has begun in South Carolina on Little Red Wagon, with Chandler Canterbury (Knowing), Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad) and Frances O’Connor (Mansfield Park) starring.
Lola, Alamar claim grand jury prizes at Miami

Lola, No One Knows About Persian Cats, To The Sea (Alamar), Undertow and Sins Of My Father were the big winners as the 27th Annual Miami International Film Festival came to a close over the weekend.
Lorber Films acquires US rights to SXSW trio

Lorber Films has picked up all US rights to three films bound for SXSW: Taqwacore: The Birth Of Punk Islam, Reel Injun, and Sound Of Insects.
Lorber Films takes US rights to David Holzman’s Diary

Lorber Films has picked up all US rights to Jim McBride’s 1973 satire on cinema verite, David Holzman’s Diary.
Los Angeles Film Festival moves to Downtown LA

The Los Angeles Film Festival is relocating to Downtown Los Angeles, one of the city’s fastest growing entertainment hubs, in the wake of concerns over the future of key theatres in its former Westwood base.
Love In A Puff

Dir: Pang Ho-Cheung. Hong Kong. 2010. 95 mins
Love Like Poison (Un Poison Violent)

Dir: Katell Quillévéré. Fr. 2010. 92mins
Luciano Barisone suceeds Jean Perret as director of Visions du Réel

Luciano Barisone, artistic director of Florence’s Festival dei Popoli since 2008, has been named the successor to Jean Perret as director of Nyon’s Visions du Réel.
Lucky Life

Dir: Lee Isaac Chung. US. 2010. 97mins
MacGruber

Dir: Jorma Taccone. US. 2010. 90mins
MacLaine, Bello, Ricci on board Peace Arch's Wild Oats

Shirley MacLaine, Maria Bello, Christina Ricci, John Corbett and Bill Pullman are attached to star in the action comedy Wild Oats that Peace Arch Entertainment is selling here.
Magnet attracted to Spanish horror sequel [Rec] 2.

Magnet Releasing has added Jaume Balaguero and Paco Plaza’s Spanish horror sequel to their slate.
Magnet takes worldwide rights to Mandrill

Magnet Releasing has acquired worldwide rights to Ernesto Espinoza’s martial arts release Mandrill starring Chile’s Marko ‘The Latin Dragon’ Zaror.
Magnolia acquires US rights to Berman and Pulcini's The Extra Man

Magnolia Pictures has acquired US rights to Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini’s The Extra Man starring Kevin Kline and Paul Dano.
Magnolia boards Freakonomics ahead of Tribeca world premiere

Magnolia Pictures has swooped on all North American rights to Freakonomics ahead of the documentary’s world premiere at Tribeca later this month.
Magnolia takes US theatrical rights to Night Catches Us

Magnolia Pictures has acquired US theatrical rights to Tanya Hamilton’s debut feature and Sundance premiere Night Catches Us.
Mama Eve takes inaugural Wouter Barendrecht Award

Kit Hung’s Mama Eve became the first recipient of the Wouter Barendrecht Award at the close of the 8th Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).
Man Beyond The Bridge earns juried narrative prize at 8th IFFLA

Laxmikant Shetgaonkar’s The Man Beyond The Bridge (Paltadacho Munis) was awarded the grand jury prize for best narrative as the 8th Annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles came to a close.
Mandalay Vision names Hardy Justice svp development and production

Mandalay Vision has expanded its New York office and hired Hardy Justice as senior vice-president of development and production.
Mandarin scores North American deal on Ip Man duo

Hong Kong’s Mandarin Films has sold North American rights to Ip Man and its sequel Ip Man 2 to Well Go USA Inc.
Mandate reunites with Diablo Cody, Mr Mudd on Young Adult

Mandate Pictures is back in business with Oscar winning Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody (pictured) after optioning rights to Young Adult.
Mandate, Rough House team up for second comedy project

Mandate Pictures has acquired an untitled comedy pitch based on an idea by Aziz Ansari and 30 Rock writer Matt Hubbard, to be produced by Rough House Pictures.
Mandrake teams with Queen Mary for MA in factual documentaries

The UK’s first MA course dedicated to producing specialist factual documentaries is to launch in September 2010 as part of a joint deal between the Film Studies Department at Queen Mary, University of London and Mandrake Films.
Mao’s Last Dancer to open Singapore film festival

This year’s Singapore International Film Festival (April 15-24) will open with Mao’s Last Dancer, directed by Bruce Beresford.
Marrakech festival to spotlight French cinema

Distinguished international filmmakers will programme a special retrospective of French films during the festival.
Martin Scorsese

The director speaks to Sarah Cooper about his forthcoming George Harrison project and how he balances making features and documentaries
Marvel Studios casts villain in Captain America: The First Avenger

Marvel Studios has found Captain America’s nemesis in its summer 2011 tentpole, Captain America: The FirstAvenger.
MarVista boards trio of theatrical titles

MarVista Entertainment has boarded a trio of films and will commence international theatrical sales imminently.
Matthews to develop horror project for Black and Blue Films

Steve Matthews joins UK production company as development consultant
Maui shoot underway on comedy Get A Job!

Principal photography is underway on the comedy Get A Job! by Brian Kohne and produced by Stefan Schaefer.
MDA unveils Cannes slate of 25 Singapore productions

Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA) will be promoting a slate of 25 new locally-produced films at the upcoming Cannes market, a 25% increase on last year’s slate, highlighting the growing production volume of the city state.
Media 8 commences sales on Undying starring Kurt Russell

Kurt Russell will star in the supernatural thriller Undying, formerly known as Reaper, which Media 8 will introduce to buyers on the Croisette.
Media 8, XYZ team up on action project Breaking Point

Media 8 Entertainment has partnered with XYZ Films to acquire worldwide rights to the upcoming action film Breaking Point.
Media Asia unveils Johnnie To, Gao Qunshu projects

Hong Kong’s Media Asia Films announced a packed slate of productions at Filmart, including a romantic comedy from Johnnie To (pictured) and Wai Ka-fai, and a new project from The Message director Gao Qunshu.
Memento picks up The Monk

The gothic suspense thriller stars Vincent Cassel and Deborah Francois
Metrodome announces appointments as part of restructure

The UK distributor has made three key appointments following the departure of its general manager and CEO.
Metrodome takes on The Last Seven

The film stars Danny Dyer and Tamar Hassan.
Metrodome's Cannes buys include Aftershock, The Monk and My Best Enemy

Deals were struck with Memento, Huayi Brothers, and Beta Film.
Mexico announces production incentives

The Mexican Film Commission has launched a scheme whereby productions in the country can apply for reimbursements of up to 17.5%.
MGM, Miramax buy time in separate ownership sagas

Deadline extension was the name of the game in Hollywood yesterday [March 31] as two unrelated ownership sagas involving storied Hollywood brands dragged on.
Mia Farrell to lead theatrical at Romley Davies Publicity

Farrell had previously been VP of international publicity at Paramount Pictures and DDA.
Michael Edelstein takes international TV post at NBC Universal

Michael Edelstein has been appointed President, International Television Production at NBC Universal International.
Micmacs, Joan Rivers bookend San Francisco Film Festival

Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Micmacs (pictured) and Rickie Stern and Annie Sundberg’s Joan Rivers – A Piece Of Work bookend the 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival on April 22.
Mike Leigh

The British director talks to Sarah Cooper about the challenges he faced making his Cannes Competition entry Another Year, and why he loves the festival.
Minkoff looks East for 3D spectacle Chinese Odyssey

Rob Minkoff is attached to direct and produce the 3D English language action adventure Chinese Odyssey.
MK2 boards web piracy doc Hackonomics ahead of Cannes

MK2 has announced a new documentary, Hackonomics - No Hacking, No Surfing, which will go into production in autumn of this year.
M-Line seals German, Benelux, Latin presales on Blades Of Blood

Korean sales company M-Line Distribution has pre-sold Blades Of Blood to Splendid for Germany and Benelux and to VIP888 for South America.Directed by Lee Joon-ik (King And The Clown), the film is based on the well-known Korean graphic novel Like The Moon Escaping From The Clouds. It depicts two legendary swordsmen who wanted to change the rotten world but have to confront each other after finding they had actually pursued different dreams.Cha Seung-won
Momentum wins big at Screen Marketing & Distribution Awards

Momentum, Warner Bros, Universal, Fox among winners at gala event in London.
Monga

Dir: Doze Niu. Taiwan. 2010. 140 mins
Montse Gil named MD of Paramount Pictures Spain

Montse Gil is leaving Fox to take up her new position as managing director of Paramount Pictures Spain.
Morawetz to join Kinowelt in Austria

Outgoing Disney manager to become Kinowelt’s new distribution partner in Austria.
MPF&TV heads to Cannes with world rights to Tanner Hall

Moving Pictures Film and Television (MPF&TV) has struck a deal to acquire worldwide rights to the coming-of-age drama Tanner Hall.
MRC signs US deal with Universal

Independent US film, TV and digital company Media Rights Capital (MRC) has signed a five-year deal with Universal for the studio to distribute 20 MRC films in the US starting next year.
MT Carney named Disney marketing president

Walt Disney Studios chairman Rich Ross has given Scottish media executive MT Carney the top marketing job at Disney, the studio confirmed today [21].
Multivisionnaire, Cinema Epoch strike North American ouput deal

US-based international sales company Multivisionnaire Media has acquired sales rights to Violent Blue and Playback from Cinema Epoch.
Music Box acquires US rights to Millennium trilogy sequels

Music Box has picked up US rights to the two hit sequels to the Scandinavian smash The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (pictured) that just opened in the US and will release them in the summer.
Music Box chimes to OSS 117 French spy spoof sequel

Music Box Films has acquired all US rights to Michel Hazanavicius’ OSS 117 – Lost In Rio (pictured).
My Brothers

Dir: Paul Fraser. Ireland. 2009. 84mins
My Joy (Schastye Moye)

Dir-Scr: Sergei Loznitsa. Ger-Ukr-Neth. 2010. 127mins
My Name Is Khan joins IFFLA line-up

Fox International’s director’s cut of My Name Is Khan has been added to the line-up at the 8th annual Indian Film Festival Of Los Angeles (IFFLA), which runs from April 20-25.
My Own Love Song

Dir/scr: Olivier Dahan. France-US. 2010. 101 mins
My Trip to Al-Qaeda

Dir: Alex Gibney. US. 2010. 86mins
Myriad drawn to Alabama Moon starring John Goodman

Myriad Pictures will handle international sales on the family drama Alabama Moon starring John Goodman and Jimmy Bennett.
Myriad jumps aboard Elektra Luxx for Cannes

Myriad Pictures will commence international sales in Cannes on Elektra Luxx, Sebastian Gutierrez’s comedy follow-up to Women In Trouble.
Nanny McPhee & The Big Bang

Dir: Susanna White. UK-US. 2009. 109 mins
National Geographic Entertainment acquires US rights to Restrepo

National Geographic Entertainment (NGE) has acquired US rights to Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington’s war documentary Restrepo.
National Society Of Film Critics calls for release of Jafar Panahi

The National Society Of Film Critics (NSFC) has added its voice to protests over the arrest early last month of Iranian director Jafar Panahi.
NBR shuffles executive suite

Melissa Farnum will be the new programme committee chair at the National Board Of Review and James Janowsky continues in his third year as the student grant committee chair.
New Films acquires Flying Lessons, Saving Grace B Jones

New Films has acquired US and international theatrical rights to Derek Magyar’s Flying Lessons and Connie Steven’s Saving Grace B Jones.
New player Inception Media Group takes US rights to 2:22

Fledgling distributor and producer Inception Media Group has acquired all US rights from Moonstone Entertainment to the action thriller 2:22 featuring Val Kilmer.
New South Wales pledges $16m per year for film production

State government sets aside A$20m per year to help entice international films and local productions from other parts of Australia to NSW.
New Spanish film law shakes up role of private broadcasters

The Spanish parliament has approved a new law that lowers the maximum level that private TV broadcasters are obliged to invest in film from 5% of their annual revenue to 3%, with the caveat that they invest more in independent projects.
New York African Film Festival to celebrate colonial independence

The 17th annual New York African Film Festival will celebrate the 50th anniversary of 17 African nations’ independence from colonial rule when it kicks off on April 7.
New York and Hungarian producers clash heads over Magic Boys

A New York-based producer is seeking injunctions in the US and Europe to block the release of a contested $3m animated feature that he claims a business associate made behind his back.
New York shoot nears end on teen romance Homework

Shooting in New York is expected to wrap this week on Gigi Films and Mint Pictures’ teen romance Homeworkstarring Emma Roberts and Freddie Highmore.
Nick Meyer, Brett Ratner launch White Knuckle genre label

Nick Meyer’s return to the frontlines continues apace with news that the Sierra Pictures chief has teamed up with Brett Ratner to launch White Knuckle Pictures.
Nick Taussig, Revolver/Gunslinger

Wendy Mitchell sat down with Revolver Deputy Managing Director and Gunslinger head Nick Taussig to talk about the company’s next productions and its unique approach to connecting with young UK audiences.
Nicole Holofcener

The director of Please Give talks to Jeremy Kay about writing real characters and ad-libbing.
Nightmare returns as Warner Bros reports $32.2m US launch

Audiences lapped up the remake of A Nightmare On Elm Street with Jackie Earle Haley as the heinous Freddy Krueger as Warner Bros reported a $32.2m number one launch.
Ning Hao Lands at Fortissimo

Fortissimo Films has picked up Chinese director Ning Hao’s highly-anticipated road movie No Man’s Land, starring Yu Nan (Tuya’s Marriage) and rising mainland actor Huang Bo (pictured).
No Greater Love

Dir: Michael Whyte. UK. 2009. 100mins
Nordisk signs output deal with Rehnberg's StellaNova

First films under the deal include The Blood Spilt, new comedy from Peter Magnusson and biopic of Monica Zetterlund.
Norris replaces Luckwell as UK Screen Association chair

UK trade body UK Screen has announced that Steve Norris will replace Mike Luckwell as the group’s new chairman, effective immediately.
Northern Film & Media, NorthStar Equity launch $3.5m film fund

The first recipient of the fund is James Erskine’s football feature One Night In Turin.
Nostalgia For The Light (Nostalgia De La Luz)

Director Patricio Guzman.Chile-France-Spain-Germany. 2010. 90mins
Number one hold boosts Alice's domestic tally to $266m

Alice In Wonderland retained its North American box office crown as an estimated $35m in its third weekend was too strong for new releases from Fox, Sony and Universal.
Nunez to direct El Lector for Jane Startz, Lucky Monkey

Victor Nunez, winner of the Sundance grand jury award in 1993 for Ruby In Paradise, is attached to direct ElLector.
Of Love and Other Demons

Dir/scr: Hilda Hidalgo. Costa Rica-Columbia. 2009. 97 mins
Olive takes North American rights to Nothing Personal

Olive Films has picked up North American theatrical, TV, video and educational rights to Nothing Personal, the Irish-Netherlands co-production directed by Urszula Antoniak.
On Tour (Tournée)

Dir: Mathieu Amalric. France. 2010. 111mins.
Optimum strikes UK deal with Finecut for I Saw The Devil

The film also pre-sold to Bir Film for Turkey and Catchplay for Taiwan.
Oscar winning composer John Barry to receive lifetime award in Ghent

Four-time Oscar winning composer John Barry will receive a lifetime achievement award at the Ghent International Film Festival’s World Soundtrack Award Academy.
Oscilloscope picks up US rights to Howl

Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired US rights to Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman’s Howl starring James Franco.
O-Scope acquires North American rights to A Film Unfinished

Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired North American rights to Yael Hersonski’s documentary A Film Unfinished.
O-Scope acquires The Maid for DVD, digital and VOD

Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired US DVD, digital and VOD rights to Sebastian Silva’s Chilean dark comedy The Maid.
O-Scope goes Bananas*! for investigative documentary

Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired North American rights to Frederick Gertten’s courtroom documentary, Bananas!*
O-Scope, Specialty Films hire Zenovich for 1967 Oscar contenders doc

Oscilloscope Laboratories will partner with Specialty Films to develop and produce a feature-length documentary based on Mark Harris’ 2008 bestseller Pictures At A Revolution: Five Movies And The Birth Of The New Hollywood.
Our Life (La Nostra Vita)

Dir: Daniele Luchetti. Italy-France. 2010. 98mins
Outfest to honour Jane Lynch in July

Jane Lynch will collect Outfest’s 14th annual achievement award for her contribution to LGBT film and media.
Outrage

Dir: Takeshi Kitano. Japan. 2010. 109mins
Outside The Law (Hors La Loi)

Dir: Rachid Bouchareb. Algeria-France-Belgium. 2010. 137mins
Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow

Dir: Sophie Fiennes: UK-Holland. 2010. 105mins
Ozpetek retrospective in LA

The films of Turkish-born Italianate director Ferzan Ozpetek are to screen during a June 4-12 retrospective in Los Angeles.
Paladin on board to release Reliance BIG's Kites: The Remix

In a coup for Mark Urman’s Paladin, the fledgling distributor will release an English language version of Reliance BIG’s Bollywood film Kites: The Remix in the US on May 21.
Panorama scores deal to bring 3D World Cup to Asian cinemas

Hong Kong-based Panorama Entertainment Group has secured a deal to bring live 3D broadcasts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup to cinemas and select venues across Asia.
Parallel Media to self-distribute Sundance comedy High School

Parallel Media, the producers on Sundance premiere High School, will self-distribute the film in US theatres this autumn.
Paramount Famous takes North America on The Romantics

Paramount Famous Productions has made its first acquisition, taking all US and Canadian rights to Galt Niederhoffer’s Sundance premiere The Romantics.
Paramount switches Iron Man 2 world premiere to LA to avoid travel mayhem

Paramount has moved the world premiere of Iron Man 2 from London to Los Angeles after the spread of volcanic ash from Iceland shut down most airports across northern Europe.
Perpetuum Mobile

Dir: Nicolas Pereda. Mexico. 2009. 86 mins
PGA names conference mentors

The Producers Guild of America (PGA) has named more than 20 prominent producers who will participate in the Mentoring Roundtable sessions at the second annual Produced By Conference, set for June 4-6 at 20th Century Fox Studios in Los Angeles.
PGA names Producers' Challenge finalists

The Producers Guild of America (PGA) has announced the finalists for its 2nd Annual Producers’ Challenge contest, which is being held in connection with next month’s Produced By Conference (June 4-6) in Los Angeles.
PGA to launch co-production showcase in June

The Producers Guild Of America (PGA) will launch the inaugural International Film Co-Production Showcase (CoProShow) competition this summer.
PGA unveils CoProShow competition winners

The Producers Guild Of America (PGA) has announced the five winning film projects of the inaugural International Co-Production Showcase (CoProShow) competition.
PGA's 22nd annual awards set for January 22, 2011

The Producers Guild Of America’s (PGA) 22nd annual awards will take place on January 22, 2011.
Phase 4 acquires trio from TF1 sales slate

Phase 4 has acquired all rights from TF1 to Ultimate Heist and Cash, both starring Jean Reno, and Francis Veber’s A Pain In The Ass.
Phase 4 takes North America on SXSW audience favourite Brotherhood

Phase 4 Films has taken North American rights here to Will Canon’s South-By-Southwest audience award winner Brotherhood, screening in the market. Cinema Management Group is selling foreign rights.
Phase 4, Uwe Boll team up on three-film deal

Phase 4 Films has acquired North American rights to a trio of Uwe Boll features.
PiFan's project market selects 15 genre projects

The projects from eight countries include AM11:00 by director Shin Terra (Black House) and John Cairns’ Japanese project School Girl Apocalypse, with producer Yukie Kito (Tokyo Sonata) attached.
Pina

Wim Wenders 3D dance project Pina, about the legendary dance choreographer Pina Bausch who died before production began, is about to enter its second phase of shooting.
Pinewood submits appeal for expansion plans

The studio has submitted its appeal for Project Pinewood to South Buckinghamshire District Council.
Piracy to cost Europe $328m by 2015

Study predicts that 1.2m jobs will be lost due to piracy over the next five years
Pitching on the Croisette

Earlier this year, Berlin showed signs the international sales market was beginning to warm up. Now all eyes are on Cannes, and there is plenty of fresh product headed for the Marché. Jeremy Kay profiles some of the US projects premiering in the marketplace.
Poetry

Dir-scr Lee Changdong Korea. 2010. 139mins
Polytechnique dominates Genie Awards with nine-trophy haul

Denis Villeneuve’s Polytechnique was the big winner at Canada’s Genie Awards last night [12], taking nine prizes including best picture.
Pont Chafer appointed head of sales at Coproduction Office

She replaces Sarah Calderon who has left to join Karma Films
PPI renews Italian distribution deal with UPI Italy

Paramount Pictures International (PPI) has renewed its distribution contract for theatrical distribution of its films via Universal Pictures International Italy.
Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time

Dir: Mike Newell. US. 2010. 103mins
Prince rules, Sex hot at international box office

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time ruled the international box office this weekend with an estimated gross of $59m. And Sex and the City 2 made a strong international start with big openings in the UK and Germany.
Production begins on We Need To Talk About Kevin

Production is due to get underway this week in Connecticut on the psychological thriller We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lynne Ramsay.
Production underway on Dark Sky ghost story The Innkeepers

Production is underway on Dark Sky Films’ ghost story The Innkeepers from House Of The Devil director Ti West.
Production underway on SWAT: Fire Fight

Principal photography has commenced in Detroit on Neal H Moritz’s Original Film and Sony subsidiary Stage 6 Films’ SWAT: Fire Fight.
Puttnam to lead Asia Pacific Screen Awards jury

Lord Puttnam revealed as the president of the jury for this year’s Asia Pacific Screen Awards.
R U There

Dir: David Verbeek. Netherlands-France 2010. 87mins
Rebecca H. (Return To The Dogs)

Dir-scr: Lodge Kerrigan. Fr-US. 2010. 71mins
Recreation boards sales on Quinzaine entry Two Gates Of Sleep

Ariel Veneziano’s boutique sales agency Recreation has boarded international sales rights to Alistair Banks Griffin’s Directors Fortnight entry Two Gates Of Sleep.
Redick, Beaudoin in place as Tower Hill steps up operations

US-based Tower Hill Entertainment is stepping up operations and has placed Shaun Redick in charge of feature packaging and announced the hire of finance expert and former attorney Tony Beaudoin.
Relativity acquires US rights to sci-fi thriller Skyline

Relativity Media has acquired US rights to the sci-fi thriller Skyline in a deal that takes one of the most sophisticated effects-driven independent features off the market.
Relativity Media, digital ace Keyur Patel set up Mumbai entertainment hub

Relativity Media is setting up a Mumbai-based entertainment production, finance and distribution company with Keyur Patel of Fuse Capital.
Relativity reportedly offers $500m production fund for MGM

Reports were circling Hollywood last night that Relativity Media has thrown its hat into the ring and offered to set up a $500m production fund for MGM.
Reliance acquires 50% stake in UK games developer Codemasters

Reliance Big Entertainment has acquired a 50% stake in British video game developer and publisher Codemasters.
Reliance Big acquires majority stake in IM Global

The Indian giant has confirmed it has acquired an undisclosed majority shareholding of Stuart Ford’s LA and London-based sales and financing powerhouse heading into Cannes.
Reliance, IM Global, DNA partner up on $45m Judge Dredd

In the parties’ first full collaboration, Reliance BIG Pictures and IM Global will finance DNA’s 3D production of Judge Dredd, a $45m revival of the 2000AD comic book character.
Revamped, rebranded uMedia backs Stassen’s World

Motion Investment Group is metamorphosing into a fully integrated financing, production and distribution company.
Revolver loves Zombie Women

The film follows a group of misfits trapped in stocking-clad zombie cult.
Rob Letterman to direct, Nick Stoller to rewrite Stretch Armstrong

Monsters Vs Aliens director Rob Letterman will take the reins on Universal’s action adaptation Stretch Armstrongstarring Taylor Lautner.
Roberts set for Scream 4

Emma Roberts (Valentine’s Day) has joined the cast of Dimension Films’ Scream 4.
Robin Hood

Dir: Ridley Scott. US. 2010. 140mins
Robin Hood hits the target overseas on $74m launch

Cannes opening night film Robin Hood has grossed $74m from 6,944 venues in 56 territories in its first five days, according to initial estimates from Universal/UPI.
Robin Hood looks to vanquish Iron Man 2 overseas

Iron Man 2 will overtake the lifetime total of its 2008 predecessor this weekend as Paramount Pictures International anticipates a robust third weekend.
Route Irish

Dir: Ken Loach. UK-Fr. 2010. 109mins
Rubber

Dir-scr: Quentin Dupieux. US. 2010. 84mins
Saetre options Vida’s Northern Lights

New York and Norway-based producer Linda Saetre (pictured) of Saetre Film has optioned Vendela Vida’s award-winning book Let The Northern Lights Erase Your Name.
Salles' On The Road set to begin shooting in August

Walter Salles’ $25m long gestating adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s On The Road will now kick off at the start of August with Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund and Kristen Stewart confirmed in the leads.
Samuel Goldwyn Films takes US rights to The Double Hour

Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired all US rights to Giuseppe Capotondi’s psychological thriller The Double Hour (La Doppia Ora).
Samuel L Jackson heads to Giffoni

Susan Sarandon, Elijah Wood also set to attend Italy’s youth cinema event.
San Francisco Society to honour Robert Duvall

The San Francisco Film Society will present Robert Duvall with the Peter J Owens Award in honour of his “brilliance, independence and integrity.”
Sandcastle

Dir-scr: Boo Junfeng. Singapore. 2010. 90mins
Sarah Bolger joins Harron, Presman’s Moth Diaries

She will play alongside Lily Cole.
Schepisi heading into the Eye Of The Storm

Geoffrey Rush and Judy Davis to star in veteran director’s first Australian film since 1988
Schrader to direct The Jesuit

The revenge saga is being produced by Open Window Productions.
Scorsese in post with George Harrison doc

Exclusive Film Distribution is selling the project in Cannes.
Screen Media licenses Formosa Betrayed to Taiwan

Screen Media has licensed Tawaianese rights to Sky Digital Entertainment for Formosa Betrayed.
Screen's Global Top 10 - May 21-23

Screen International’s top 10 films worldwide this weekend.
Sean Astin to play racehorse trainer in And They're Off...

Sean Astin and Cheri Oteri will star in Scrambled Eggs Productions’ And They’re Off…, a comedy set in the world of thoroughbred horse racing.
Searchlight starts production on Payne's The Descendants

Fox Searchlight is scheduled to start principal photography in Hawaii today [March 15] on Alexander Payne’s The Descendants starring George Clooney (pictured), Judy Greer and Beau Bridges.
Searchlight, McCarthy join forces for Win Win situation

Principal photography on Fox Searchlight’s Win Win directed by Tom McCarthy (pictured) will begin in New York on March 15.
Secret Of Kells honoured at British Animation Awards

The Secret Of Kells and Lost And Found scoop top film awards at British Animation Awards
Seldin’s Locomotive adds Venus, Kiss to slate

Temple Of Venus is directed bt Peter Masterson, whilst A Kiss For Jed Wood has Maurice Linnane at the helm.
Senate Agriculture Committee approves bill to ban futures exchange

The Senate Agriculture Committee has approved a bill by Arkansas Democrat Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark) that proposes a ban on a box office futures exchange.
Sex 2 promises heat at international box office

Sex and the City 2 arrives in the international marketplace this weekend, opening in an initial 20 markets two years after the launch of its internationally powerful predecessor. Competition will come from Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, which expands to 30 more markets after launching in 19 last week.
Sex and the City 2

Dir: Michael Patrick King. US. 2010. 146mins
Sex Volunteer takes top prizes at Singapore’s Silver Screen Awards

Korean drama Sex Volunteer, directed by Cho Kyeong-duk, was awarded best film and best director in the Asian feature competition of the Silver Screen Awards at this year’s Singapore International Film Festival.
Sex, Prince not so hot in US

Shrek Forever After was top draw again at the North American box office this weekend as Sex and the City 2 and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time both had smaller than expected openings.
Sheehan, Hogg to star in road movie Acts Of God

Joe Stephenson’s Acts Of God is first feature to come out of UK production outfit B Good Picture Company
Sheffield Doc/Fest and Britdoc announce new workshops

Peter Broderick and Sandi DuBowski will lead the workshops on online opportunities.
Shelter

Dirs: Mans Marlind & Bjorn Stein. US. 2010. 112mins
Shia LaBeouf is Charlie Countryman for Mandate

Shia LaBeouf will star in romantic action project The Necessary Death Of Charlie Countryman for Mandate Pictures.
Shit Year

Dir-scr: Cam Archer. US. 2010. 95mins
Shooting begins on Bernie Madoff doc The Foxhounds

Production is underway on The Foxhounds, a feature documentary about the former securities industry executive who tried to warn Wall Street about Bernie Madoff a decade before the notorious fraudster’s Ponzi scheme was exposed.
Shooting begins on Site B, Arable's thriller A Horrible Way To Die

Shooting is underway in Columbia, Missouri, on Los Angeles-based Site B and Missouri-based Arable Entertainment’s debut film A Horrible Way To Die.
Shooting underway on Jonathan Newman's Foster

Toni Colette and Ioan Gruffud play a married couple grieving over the death of their son
Shoreline strikes for Joffe thriller

Morris Ruskin’s Shoreline Entertainment has acquired worldwide sales rights to several titles led by Roland Joffe’s thriller You And I starring Misha Barton, Anton Yelchin and Shantel VanSanten.
Shoreline takes foreign sales rights to Sundance premiere Homewrecker

Los Angeles-based Shoreline Entertainment has signed on to handle international sales on Todd and Brad Barnes’s romantic comedy Homewrecker.
Showbox in UK goes Into The Fire with Finecut

Korean sales company Finecut has announced a slew of deals including the big-budget war drama 71 – Into The Fire, directed by John H. Lee and starring Kwon Sang-woo, which pre-sold to Showbox for UK.
Shrek 4 opens big in US but behind predecessors

Shrek Forever Afterdominated the North American box office this weekend but its $71.2m opening was well short of opening takes for the two previous installments of the animated franchise.
Shrek Forever After

Dir: Mike Mitchell. US. 2010. 93mins
Shrek, Prince challenge Robin in international markets

Robin Hood was the top draw at the international box office again this weekend, though it was challenged in some markets by debutant Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Shrek Forever After, meanwhile, made a huge international start in Russia.
Sidney Kimmel, Mark Gordon team up on supernatural thriller Pay The Ghost

Sidney Kimmel Entertainment (SKE) will finance and join The Mark Gordon Company and Midnight Kitchen Productions in producing the supernatural thriller Pay The Ghost.
Sidus FNH picks up worldwide rights to The Showdown

South Korea’s Sidus FNH has picked up worldwide rights to The Showdown, a period action thriller produced by Bidangil Pictures whose credits include The Chaser.
Sigourney Weaver joins Amy Heckerling's Vamps

Sigourney Weaver has joined Alicia Silverstone and Krysten Ritter on Amy Heckerling’s Vamps.
Silverdocs festival reveals competition line-up

AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs Documentary Festival has revealed the line-up for three of the five sections in this year’s event, which runs June 21-27 in the Washington DC area.
Silverdocs reveals full line-up

AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs Documentary Festival has revealed the line-ups for its Silver Spectrum and Spotlight sections. The festival, which runs June 21-27 in the Washington, DC area, previously announced the entries in its three competitive sections.
Singapore’s MDA, Fremantle partner for animation fund

Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA) has launched a fund for animated TV series, telemovies and theatrical features in partnership with FremantleMedia Enterprises.
SKE and Lakeshore reunite on second Heigl project, Adaline

Lakeshore Entertainment and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment (SKE) are teaming up on their third project and the second to star Katherine Heigl, the epic romance Adaline.
SKE appoints Berenson president of production

Matt Berenson has joined Sidney Kimmel Entertainment (SKE) as president of production.
Skillset Media Academies start "build your own MA" programme

The new programme will be offered through 10 educational institutions with more than 75 modules on offer so far.
Sky Italia teams up with BBC, Kudos, Wildside on The Medici

International co-production The Medici will be set against a backdrop of Renaissance Florence
Sky short Dead Happy to air on channel timed to Edinburgh premiere

Sky Movies Indie HD is working with the Edinburgh International Film Festival to have mirror screenings of festival selection Dead Happy on the channel.
Sloss to self-distribute Banksy doc in limited US run

John Sloss will self-distribute the Banksy documentary Exit Through The Gift Shop in the US through his fledgling Producers Distribution Agency
Smaller exhibitors debate digital dilemma at ShoWest

For close to a decade the underlying question at ShoWest was when would digital cinema become a factor in film exhibition. And for years industry pundits responded that it was five to ten years in the future.
Smith joins Field Fisher Waterhouse as media partner

He will advise on a range of issues including finance, production and distribution.
Smuggler Films acquires stage and remake rights to Jean Anouilh's Becket

John N Hart, Brian Carmody and Patrick Milling Smith’s Smuggler Films has acquired the live stage and feature remake rights to Jean Anouilh‘s 1960 play Becket.
Social networking for screenwriters

Online screenwriting community CircaLit teams up with The Script Factory
Sons of Cuba

Dir: Andrew Lang. UK.. 2009. 88 mins
Sons of Perdition

Dirs: Tyler Measom, Jennilyn Merten. US. 2010. 85mins
Sony sets May 25 2012 release for 3D Men In Black III

Columbia Pictures announced today that Men In Black III will be released in 3D on May 25, 2012.
Spain's Vertice launches new international sales arm

The company has boarded Carlos Saura’s Amor De Dios and David Serrano’s With Or Without Love
SPC buys Of Gods And Men for US, Australia

Sony Pictures Classics (SPC) has acquired all rights for the US and Australia/New Zealand to Xavier Beauvois’ Cannes competition entry Of Gods And Men.
SPC charmed by Chomet's The Illusionist

Sony Pictures Classics (SPC) has acquired all North American rights from Pathe to Sylvain Chomet’s animated tale The Illusionist.
SPC complete filming on Cannes doc Inside Job

Sony Pictures Classics has completed production on Charles Ferguson’s documentary Inside Job, set to receive its premiere out of competition at Cannes.
SPC lands North American rights to Another Year

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North American rights from Focus Features International (FFI) to Mike Leigh’s much fancied Palme d’Or contender Another Year.
SPC swoops on North American rights to In A Better World

Sony Pictures Classics (SPC) has acquired all North American rights from TrustNordisk to Susanne Bier’s In ABetter World.
SPC takes US and multi-territory rights to Nigel Cole's Made In Dagenham

Sony Pictures Classics has made a pre-emptive move on US, Latin American, Spanish and Japanese rights to Nigel Cole’s Made In Dagenham starring Sally Hawkins and Rosamund Pike.
Sphinx

Dir: Nicolas Boukhrief. France. 2009. 105 mins
SPRI mulls international launch for Brazilian smash Chico Xavier

Sony Pictures Releasing International (SPRI) top brass believe the record Brazilian opening weekend for their local language hit Chico Xavier could set it up for a lucrative run outside its native country.
SPWAG promotes Lia Buman to vp acquisitions

Lia Buman has been promoted to vice-president of acquisitions for Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group (SPWAG).
SPWAG takes North American DVD rights to action comedy Transylmania

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group (SPWAG) has licensed US and Canadian DVD rights to the vampire action-comedy Transylmania.
Star sells 20 to Malaysian broadcaster

Regional broadcaster Star has sold a package of 20 titles from its Fortune Star movie library to Malaysian broadcaster Media Prima Berhad.
Star signs carriage deal with TMNet

Star Greater China has signed a multi-year non-exclusive distribution deal with Malaysian IPTV platform TM Net.Under the agreement, TM Net will distribute three of Star’s Mandarin-language channels – Star Chinese Channel, Star Chinese Movies 2 and Channel V Taiwan – on its IPTV platform effective from today (March 24).“Star is delighted to announce our cooperation with TM Net. We believe our channels carried through IPTV will meet the various needs of Malaysian viewers,” said Da
Stealth Media comes on for 7 Lives, finds cast for Wild East Trilogy

7 Lives is being billed as an urban re-telling of It’s A Wonderful Life.
Steers signs to direct Young Ceasar

Burr Steers (Igby Goes Down) has been signed to direct Exclusive Media Group’s Emperor: Young Caesar, the film version of The Gates of Rome, the first of Conn Iggulden’s best-selling Emperor novels.
Stephan Elliott to direct Arclight sales title A Few Best Men

Stephan Elliott (Easy Virtue, The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert) is getting ready to direct the comedy A Few Best Men back home in Australia, working with the producing and writing team behind Death At A Funeral.
Stockholm dedicates next festival to Dennis Hopper

The late actor, who visited Stockholm in 1991, will be honoured with a party during the November festival.
Stone and Latin American presidents join South Of The Border tour

The presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Venezuela will attend a series of premieres in Spain and Latin America to mark the international launch of Oliver Stone’s documentary South Of The Border.
Stones in Exile

Dir: Stephen Kijak. UK. 2010. 63mins
Straight Outta L.A.

Dir: Ice Cube. US. 2010. 51mins
Strand takes North American rights to Happiness Runs

Strand Releasing has acquired all North American rights to Adam Sherman’s semi-autobiographical childhood tale Happiness Runs.
Strand takes North American rights to Rivers Wash Over Me

Strand Releasing has acquired all North American rights to John Young’s Rivers Wash Over Me.
StreetDance 3D

Dir: Max Giwa & Dania Pasquini. UK. 2010. 98mins
StudioCanal and LoveFilm ink exclusive content deal for UK and Germany

All StudioCanal titles to be available to subscribers of LoveFilm’s streaming service at no extra cost
Sturridge, Garai join Marsan in Junkhearts

Tinge Krishnan, who made BAFTA winning short Shadowscan, makes his feature directorial debut on the project, now shooting in London.
Submarine sinks sales on Valentino: The Last Emperor

Submarine Entertainment and Acolyte Films have sold multiple territories including a deal with Optimum and the BBC in the UK for Matt Tyrnauer’s documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor.
Summit acquires iconic Men Are From Mars relationship franchise

Summit Entertainment has acquired worldwide film and television rights to the entire franchise based on communication expert John Gray’s book series Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus.
Summit boards Bayona's English-language debut The Impossible

Summit Entertainment will commence international sales in Cannes on The Orphanage director Juan Antonio Bayona’s new project, which will star Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor.
Summit enters Puzzle Palace from producers Temple Hill

Summit Entertainment is strengthening ties with Temple Hill after acquiring a pitch to the thriller Puzzle Palace.
Summit sells out The Three Musketeers 3D

Summit International reports it has sold out Constantin Film and Impact Pictures’ action adventure The Three Musketeers 3D from director Paul W S Anderson.
Summit to release Fair Game in North America

Summit Entertainment will release Doug Liman’s spy thriller Fair Game in North America following its competition slot in Cannes.
Sundance Institute unveils director and screenwriter lab projects

The Sundance Institute has announced the 13 projects selected for its annual June Directors and Screenwriters Labs, taking place in Utah from June 1-25.
Sundance Selects takes worldwide rights to Convention

Sundance Selects has taken worldwide rights to AJ Schnack’s documentary Convention and will release theatrically in select cities in June following a nationwide VOD roll-out on May 12.
Survey shows Hong Kong support for warnings from ISPs

A survey has found that 82% of Hong Kong internet users would be likely to stop illegal file-sharing after receiving a warning from their internet service providers (ISPs).The survey, by the International Federation Against Copyright Theft – Greater China (IFACT-GC), also found that 57% of participants were supportive of the implementation of a graduated response programme in Hong Kong. However, it also found that 60% of respondents had already shared unauthorised content such as movie
Tamara Drewe

Dir: Stephen Frears. UK. 2010. 109mins
Tanner Hall takes feature prize at 15th Gen Art Film Festival

Tatiana Von Furstenberg and Francesca Gregorini’s Tanner Hall won the Acura grand jury award for best feature as the 15th Gen Art Film Festival came to a close.
Ted Hope lends support to IFP 2010 Distribution Lab

IFP has expanded its Independent Filmmaker Labs to include the 2010 Distribution Lab in collaboration with Ted Hope and Jon Reiss.
Tender Son – The Frankenstein Project

Dir: Kornel Mundruczo. Hungary-Germany-Austria. 2010. 105mins
Teza takes top prize at Spain's Tarifa African Film Festival

Festival screened over 100 African films from by dozens of respected filmmakers and producers from Europe and Africa.
Thailand’s GTH pre-sells Knowing Me Knowing You

Thai producer-distributor GMM Tai Hub (GTH) has scored an early pre-sale on romantic comedy Knowing Me Knowing You, which has been acquired by Queen Film for Indonesia.
The Arbor

Dir: Clio Barnard. UK. 2010. 90mins
The Back-up Plan

Dir: Alan Poul. US. 2010. 106 mins
The Bounty Hunter

Dir: Andy Tennant. US. 2009. 111 mins
The Boys Are Back

Forget Stallone and Schwarzenegger. This year’s Cannes market unleashed a tsunami of action movies starring 21st Century tough guys like Gerard Butler, Jason Statham and Clive Owen.
The buzz from Europe

3D family movies are all the rage in the market but there are also new horror, comedy and drama titles being introduced by Europe-based sellers at Cannes. Geoffrey Macnab reports.
The Children of Diyarbakir

Dir-scr: Miraz Bezar. Germany. 2009. 102mins
The Dry Land, Waste Land win big in Dallas

Ryan Piers Williams’ The Dry Land won the Target Filmmaker Award for Best Narrative Feature and Lucy Walker’s Waste Land took the documentary honour as the 2010 Dallas International Film Festival ended.
The Extra Man to kick off 36th Seattle International Film Festival

Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini’s The Extra Man (pictured) and Aaron Schneider’s Get Low bookend the 36th Seattle International Film Festival, set to run from May 20-June 13.
The Extra Man, Hipsters bookend 12th RiverRun

The 12th annual RiverRun International Film Festival will open on April 15 with Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini’s comedy The Extra Man (pictured) starring Kevin Kline.
The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec

Dir/scr: Luc Besson. 2010. France. 105 mins
The Good Heart

Dir-scr: Dagur Kári. US-Iceland-France-Denmark-Germany. 2010. 94mins
The Housemaid (Hanyo)

Dir-scr: Im Sang-soo. Korea. 2010. 106 mins
The Kings of Mykonos: Wog Boy 2

Dir: Peter Andrikidis. Aust. 2010. 101mins
The Lips (Los Labios)

Dir-scr: Ivan Fund and Santiago Loza. Argentina. 2010. 103mins
The Loved Ones

Dir/scr: Sean Byrne. Aust. 2009. 84 mins
The Misfortunates wins Golden Tulip at Istanbul

In a decision that took the Istanbul Festival by surprise, its 2010 international jury picked Felix van Groenigen’s The Misfortunates from Belgium for the Golden Tulip award as the best film of this year’s competition.The jury, consisting of Austrian actor-director Klaus Maria Brandauer (president), Romanian actress Anamaria Marinca, Bosnian director Jasmila Zbanic, producer and Telluride chief Tom Luddy and Danish editor Anders Refn, added a second prize to Sandrine Kiberlain
The Myth of the American Sleepover

Dir: David Robert Mitchell. US. 2009. 93mins
The Names Of Love (Le Nom Des Gens)

Dir: Michel Leclerc. France 2010. 95mins
The Perfect Game

Dir: Willam Dear. US. 2009. 118mins
The Silent House (La Casa Muda)

Dir: Gustavo Hernandez. Uruguay. 2010. 78mins
The Strange Case of Angelica (O Estranho Caso de Angélica)

Dir-scr Manoel de Oliveira. Portugal-Spain-France-Brazil 2010. 104mins
The Tree (L’arbre)

Dir: Julie Bertuccelli. France-Australia, 2010. 100mins
The Wanderer (Ha-Meshotet)

Dir: Avishai Sivan. Israel. 2010. 86mins
The White Ribbon dominates Germany's Lola Awards

Michael Haneke’s The White Ribbon continued its run of awards by sweeping the board at this year’s German Film Awards with ten Lolas, including Golden Lolas for best feature film, direction, screenplay, cinematography and leading actor for Burghart Klaussner.
Thessaloniki to feature Weerasethakul restrospective

The Greek festival will focus on the Thai director’s work, which includes this year’s Cannes competition film Uncle Boonmee
Thieves by Law

Dir: Alexander Gentelev. Germany-Israel-Spain. 2010. 90mins
This Is England 86

Mark Herbert talks about making the switch from features to television with the follow up to Shane Meadow’s This Is England, which is currently in post and will be aired on the UK’s Channel 4 in the autumn.
This week's hot projects on Screenbase

New projects from Ermanno Olmi, Rodrigo Gudino, Xavier Gens, Lajos Koltai and Olivier Megaton.
Thunder Soul named audience favourite at Hot Docs

Mark Landsman’s Thunder Soul was named Hot Docs Audience Award winner as the event came to a close.
Tiger Gate channels launch in Hong Kong, Singapore

Hong Kong-based Tiger Gate Entertainment has secured distribution for its action channel KIX and thriller/horror channel Thrill in both Hong Kong and Singapore.
Tiny Furniture, Marwencol, Brotherhood among SXSW winners

Lena Dunham’s Tiny Furniture has won the SXSW narrative feature competition and Jeff Malmberg’s Marwencol has earned top documentary honours.
Titans overseas favourite despite Date Night onslaught

Clash Of The Titans heads into a strong second weekend as the favourite to retain its overseas crown despite a wide launch for Fox’s action comedy Date Night (pictured).
Titans slays Dragon, Alice with $45m overseas launch

Clash Of The Titans prevailed overseas to slay PPI’s dragon and reigning champion Alice In Wonderland thanks to an estimated $45m initial launch through Warner Bros Pictures International (WBPI).
Titans vanquishes Alice to stay top overseas on $33.5m

Clash Of The Titans ruled the roost yet again and edged out Alice In Wonderland thanks to a $33.5m confirmed weekend haul that boosted the running total to $242.6m.
Tom Boogaers lands UPIE general manager Benelux role

Universal Pictures International Entertainment (UPIE) has named Tom Boogaers as general manager of Universal Pictures Benelux, effective immediately.
Toy Story 3 to receive its international premiere at Edinburgh

The film will screen at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on June 19th.
Transmedia, eco-film-making on the agenda at Produced By Conference

Brand integration, green productions and transmedia storytelling will be among the talking points at the Producers Guild Of America’s second annual Produced By Conference in Los Angeles in June.
Tribeca All Access Creative Promise winners unveiled

The Tribeca Film Festival announced the winners of the seventh annual Tribeca All Access Creative Promise Awards in New York tonight.
Tribeca audience votes for Rush doc

RUSH: Beyond The Lighted Stage won the Tribeca Film Festival’s Heineken Audience Award.
Tribeca Film Institute announces Sloan grant recipients

The Tribeca Film Institute (TFI) has announced the films that will receive financial and creative support from the TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund provided by the Alfred P Sloan Foundation.
Tribeca Film slate heads to Los Angeles for two-week run

The ten films on the inaugural Tribeca Film slate will screen theatrically during a two-week repertory run at the at the Laemmle Sunset 5 in Los Angeles from June 25-July 8.
Tribeca unveils new work from Gibney, Shapiro and Carney

The fictional feature debut from Murderball director Dana Adam Shapiro, a second documentary from Alex Gibney, new work from Edward Burns and a radically different side to Once director John Carney are among the second wave of films to be announced by Tribeca top brass.
TriPictures takes Spanish rights to high profile duo

TriPictures has picked up Spanish theatrical rights to Lisa Azuelos’ US remake of her own French coming-of-age comedy LOL and Luc Besson’s adventure film The Extraordinary Adventures Of Adele Blanc-Sec.
Tuesday, After Christmas (Marti, Dupa Craciun)

Dir: Radu Muntean.Romania. 2010. 99mins
Udaan

Dir: Vikramaditya Motwane. India. 2010. 137mins
UKFC's new Film Fund launches with £15m

Wharton, Francke, Collins confirmed as executives working under Seghatchian in newly streamlined fund.
UK's Robin Hood campaign starts short film competition

Young film-makers and advertising professionals are being asked to make a 60-90 second film suggesting why a tax on banks is a good idea. Richard Curtis will lead the competition jury.
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives

Dir-scr: Apichatpong Weerasethakul. UK-Thai-Ger-Fr-Sp. 2010. 113mins
United Pictures gets Superhuman

Seoul-based United Pictures (UP) has picked up sales on fantasy action film The Superhuman, starring Gang Dong-won from the recent hits Secret Reunion and Woochi (pictured) and Goh Soo from The White Night.Produced by Eugene Lee and her company Zip Cinema (Bittersweet Life, Woochi), the film is in pre-production with plans for local release this winter.Short film award-winn
Universal unveils major release date shuffle

The Matt Damon-Emily Blunt sci-fi romance The Adjustment Bureau has been shunted out of the summer to make way for the Zac Efron grief drama Charlie St Cloud, as Universal announced key changes and new release dates late last night [27].
UPI acquires major territories from Relativity to 3D epic Immortals

Universal Pictures International (UPI) has struck a deal with Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media on a raft of territories for the 3D adventure Immortals.
US distributor Arthouse dives in to Waste Land

Arthouse Films has acquired all US rights to Lucy Walker’s Sundance and Berlinale audience award winner Waste Land.
US theatre chain AMC dips toes in specialty waters

AMC Theatres has launched an initiative to foster greater interest among patrons in independent cinema.
UTV titles in US VOD deal

Content aggregation company Gravitas Ventures has announced a deal with Indian film studio UTV Motion Pictures that will make the latest UTV features available via video-on-demand in the US.
Vertigo, NFTS start shoot for Guinea Pigs

Ian Clark writes and directs, with Megan Stuart and Mat Wakeham producing. The trio are all NFTS alumni.
Verve strikes UK deal for The Arbor; Wavelength takes on international sales

Clio Barnard’s film is a fiction-documentary hybrid which will have its world premiere on April 25 at Tribeca.
Village Roadshow secures $1bn credit facility

In a deal that may suggest an improving outlook for film finance, Village Roadshow Pictures has closed a $1bn credit facility that it will use to fund current and future films.
Virgil swallows North American rights to Chow Down

Virgil Films & Entertainment has acquired North American rights to Julia Grayer and Gage Johnston’s heart disease documentary Chow Down.
Visit licenses The Taqwacores to Strand in North America

Visit Films has licensed North American rights to The Taqwacores to Strand Releasing and French rights to Bac Films ahead of its weekend slot at SXSW.
Visit to sell Critics Week entry The Myth Of The American Sleepover

New York-based Visit Films has acquired international rights to Cannes Critics Week selection The Myth Of The American Sleepover.
Visual Factory adds three European titles ahead of Cannes

London-based sales company Visual Factory has taken on three new European features ahead of Cannes.They are Grandfather Mountain (Narciso); The Silk Merchant’s Woman (Il mercante di stoffe); and Warriors of Chaos (Chaos Tage).Italian title Grandfather Mountain directed by Marcello and Dario Baldi stars Roberto Herlitzka as a lonely old man in the Alps who gets a surprise visit from his estranged son and the son’s new Indian family.T
Voltage targets Hurt Locker downloaders

In the latest move by film producers against individual illegal downloaders, Voltage Pictures has filed a copyright infringement action against up to 5,000 people who, the suit says, downloaded pirate copies of the company’s multiple Oscar winner The Hurt Locker.
Von Sydow, Mikkelsen join cast of Moomins

The film is due to premiere at Cannes next month
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Dir: Oliver Stone. US. 2010. 131mins
Walt Disney Studios greenlights second Monsters, Inc

Disney has greenlit a second Monsters, Inc film and will release it in North America on November 16, 2012.
Walter Salles to collect San Francisco Society's Founder's Award

Walter Salles will receive the San Francisco Film Society’s Founder’s Directing Award at the 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival.
Waltz to direct rom-com for Fox International Productions

Christoph Waltz, riding high on his recent Oscar win for Inglourious Basterds, will make his feature directorial debut on a Fox International Productions romantic comedy.
Warner Bros' Titans rules US on $61.4m debut weekend

Warner Bros’ sword and sandals remake Clash Of The Titans dominated the North American box office with an estimated $61.4m haul including Thursday night previews.
Warner hits international $1bn in record time

Warner Bros Pictures International (WBPI) has passed the $1bn mark in total international box office takings in less than five months, a record for the studio.
Warp Films picks up Trash Humpers

The film, directed by Harmony Korine, will be released in the UK in June.
WBPI reports higher $55.3m overseas weekend for Clash

Clash Of The Titans held on to pole position at the box office and grossed $55.3m at the weekend as Warner Bros Pictures International (WBPI) confirmed results were almost $2m higher than initial weekend estimates.
WBPI's Monique Esclavissat expands role, relocates to Burbank

Senior Warner Bros Pictures International (WBPI) executive Monique Esclavissat is expanding her role and relocating from London to Burbank headquarters.
Weekly International Box Office - May 21-23

ScreenDaily brings you the weekly international box-office news.
Weinsteins "working towards" Miramax deal

The Weinsteins and their backers have said they are still “working towards a deal to purchase and operate Miramax.”
Weinsteins' Miramax talks reportedly over

The Walt Disney Company has reportedly reopened negotiations with another bidder for Miramax after the collapse of talks with the Weinstein brothers and their financial backers.
Weinsteins take multi-territory rights to Swedish hit Easy Money

The Weinstein Company (TWC) has acquired multiple territory rights to the latest red-hot Scandinavian property in the wake of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy.
Welcome To The Rileys finds US home

Apparition and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group (SPWAG) have taken domestic rights to Sundance premiere Welcome To The Rileys starring Kristen Stewart, James Gandolfini and Melissa Leo.
WestEnd flies on Albatross

WestEnd Films has added another title to its Cannes slate.
WestEnd makes 11-title Woody Allen library play

Fast-growing London-based sales outfit WestEnd Films has snapped up exclusive international rights to an eye-catching batch of 11 films from Woody Allen.
WestEnd soars with Little Birds starring Juno Temple

Up and coming actresses Juno Temple (pictured) and Jay Panabaker are attached to star in the lead roles.
When We Leave named Tribeca best narrative winner

Feo Aladag’s German entry When We Leave (Die Fremde) has won the ninth annual Tribeca Film Festival’s Founders Award for best narrative feature.
Wild Bunch heads to Cannes with 9 official selection films

Cannes slate includes Beauvois’ Of Gods and Men and Mikhalkov’s Burnt By The Sun 2.
William Monahan

The Oscar winning screenwriter of The Departed talks to Jeremy Kay about his feature directorial debut on GK Films’ crime drama London Boulevard, starring Colin Farrell and Keira Knightley, which is being sold in the market at Cannes.
William Vincent

Dir-scr: Jay Anania. US. 2010, 108mins
Winnie

The biopic of Winnie Mandela, starring Jennifer Hudson and Terence Howard, is due to start shooting in South Africa on May 31, despite the threat of legal action. Sarah Cooper reports.
Wiseman to receive Silverdocs honour

AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs Documentary Festival will honour Frederick Wiseman at the Charles Guggenheim Symposium.
Witherspoon's Type A Under The Bridge with Rhombus, Brightlight

Reese Witherspoon’s Type A Films is joining with Vancouver-based Brightlight Pictures and Toronto-based Rhombus Media to produce the feature Under The Bridge.
Woman In The Fifth

Ethan Hawke and Kristin Scott Thomas star in Pawel Pawlikoswki’s supernatural thriller Woman In the Fifth, currently shooting in Paris.
Women's International Film & Arts Festival in Miami to host Indian panel

Film-maker and actor Paras Chaudhari will join Zee Cinema executives for an Indian panel at the 5th Annual Women’s International Film & Arts Festival in Miami.
World premiere of Freakonomics to close Tribeca on April 30

The world premiere of Freakonomics will close the 9th Tribeca Film Festival on April 30 as festival top brass unveiled three gala screenings.
You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger

Dir-scr: Woody Allen. US. 2010. 98mins
Young Girls In Black (Des Filles En Noir)

Dir-scr:Jean Paul Civeyrac. France 2010. 85mins
Yun’s Homerun corrals hot Asian talent in debut slate

Former Raintree Pictures head Daniel Yun has unveiled the debut slate of his new venture, Homerun Asia, including collaborations with leading filmmakers such as Peter Chan, Terence Chang and John Woo, and Australia’s Tony Ayres.
Zac Efron to star in US remake of Snabba Cash

The Swedish thriller, based on Jens Lapidus’ Stockholm Noir, is being remade in the US by Warner Bros
Zegers on board Myriad's Great Education

Kevin Zegers has joined Emma Roberts, William Mosely and Ben Kingsley in Myriad Pictures’ coming-of-age tale A Great Education.
Zeitgeist acquires US rights to von Trotta's Vision

Zeitgeist Films has acquired US rights to Margarethe von Trotta’s Vision starring Barbara Sukowa that screened on April 21 as the opening night film of the Kino! 2010: New Cinema From Germany series.
Zhang Yimou starts shooting Hawthorn Tree Forever

The screenplay is adapted from Chinese author Aimi’s novel of the same name.
Zonad

Dirs-scr: John Carney, Kieran Carney. Ireland. 2009. 78mins

Screen27 May 2010

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27 May 2010