Screen
28 July 2011

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Attenberg wins Grand Prix at Wroclaw’s New Horizons

Greek filmmaker Athina Rachel Tsangari won this year’s Grand Prix for her feature debut Attenberg at the 11th edition of the New Horizons International Film Festival which sold more than 110,000 tickets in its eleven days from July 21-31.
BBFC orders cuts to 3D Sex and Zen

UK film censors order cuts to erotic 3D film banned in China.
Bekmambetov goes outside Russia for Six Degrees sequel

The sequel to Russian hit comedy Six Degrees Of Celebration has begun shooting with directors including Oksana Bychkova and Alexander Kott.
Deathly Hallows raises the bar for domestic debuts to $169.2m

The series finale dismissed the previous best North American opening weekend record of $158.4m set by Warner Bros stablemate The Dark Knight three years ago.
Delhi Belly

Dir: Abhinay Deo. India. 2011. 103mins
Film London launches Dickens-themed short film production fund

Three awards of up to £4000 will be handed out to the chosen short film projects as part of the initiative to mark the bicentenary of Charles Dicken’s birth in 2012.
Friends With Benefits

Dir: Will Gluck. US. 2011. 109mins
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Dir: David Yates. UK. 2011. 131mins
I Think It’s Raining

Dir: Joshua Moore. US. 2011. 92mins
Jack O'Connell, Sheridan Smith to star in London set feature Tower Block

The film is being directed by first time feature film-makers Ronnie Thompson and James Nunn from a script by James Moran.
MasterImage 3D signs deals with Gaumont Pathe and Toho

France and Japan’s largest cinema operators opt for 3D supplier MasterImage 3D
Peter Strickland

The British director talks about shooting his second feature, Berberian Sound Studio, a psychological horror starring Toby Jones and set in an sleazy Italian film studio.
Phantom Father

Dir: Lucian Georgescu. Romania. 2011. 90mins
Romeo Eleven

Dir: Ivan Grbovic. Canada. 2011. 89mins
SPC swoops on domestic rights to Darling Companion

The distributor has made a preemptive buy on all North American rights to Werc Werk Works’ dramedy directed by Lawrence Kasdan.
Sunflower Hour

Dir/scr: Aaron Houston. Canada. 2011. 85mins
The Monk

Dir: Dominik Moll. France-Spain. 2011. 100mins
The Pier

Dir/scr: Gerard Hurley. Ireland-US. 2011. 83mins
The Zero Hour

Dir: Diego Velasco. Venezuela. 2010. 102mins
Trap For Cinderella

British director Iain Softley tells Screen about his latest feature, a psychological thriller set in London and the South of France, starring upcoming Brit actresses Tuppence Middleton and Alexandra Roach which is being sold internationally by Ealing Metro.
UFA Cinema partners for first time with Warner Bros.

Also, Warner starts shoot for Ludwig II starring Sabin Tambrea.
UNIC gets new CEO, new members and Brussels HQ

Jan Runge elected head of cinemas union; Odeon, Cineworld among exhibitors to join
(UPDATED) Locarno Film Festival, Switzerland

Winners and attendees at the 64th Locarno Film Festival (August 3 - 13)
7th Grossman Fantastic Film and Wine Festival, 25 - 30 July

Spain reigns in vintage edition of Grossman Fantastic Film and Wine Festival
A billion for Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows sets WB record

The series finale became the first and last Harry Potter film to cross $1bn worldwide on Sunday [Jul 31], equaling Avatar’s 17-day speed record and reaching $690.4m internationally and $318.5m in North America.
A Little Help

Dir/scr: Michael J. Weithorn. US. 2010. 108mins
A Separation wins in Durban, First Grader takes audience award

Films by Farhadi, Hermanus and Chadwick among winners at South Africa-based film festival.
A Trip

Dir: Nejc Gazvoda. Slovenia. 2011. 85mins
AAMAS music academy launches in Singapore

Privately held Singaporean company MusicDNA Pte has announced the formation of the Asia Academy Of Music Arts & Sciences (AAMAS)
Academy re-elects Sherak as president, honours Oprah

Sherak will serve his third consecutive one-year term of the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
Adam Deacon to star in urban thriller Payback Season

Deacon will play a professional footballer in the film, which starts shooting in London on July 19.
Adam May, Vision 3

The co-director of London based 3D services company Vision 3 talks about working on projects from Pirates to Horrid Henry, the challenges facing the 3D market and why he’d love to see a Mike Leigh film in 3D.
Age Of Stupid, Burma VJ among finalists for PUMA/BRITDOC award

The finalists for the first annual PUMA Creative Impact Award have been announced, with the winning film-maker picking up €50,000 towards furthering the film’s social impact.
Aktis acquires KVIFF competitor Lollipop Monster

Aktis Film International has acquired the international distribution rights for Ziska Riemann’s feature debut Lollipop Monster which has its international premiere in Karlovy Vary’s main competition today (July 6).
Alicia Silverstone, Sharon Stone on board Gods for Big Beach

Production on the comedy Gods Behaving Badly is scheduled to begin in mid-July in New York.
Alison Meese promoted to head of UK acquisitions at Optimum

Alison Meese has been promoted to head of UK acquisitions at Optimum Releasing (soon to be rebranded StudioCanal). Also, Isabelle Stewart is promoted to Acquisitions Manager.
Amnesty

Dir/scr: Bujar Almani. Albania-Greece-France. 2011. 83mins
Another Earth

Dir: Mike Cahill. US. 2011. 92mins
Ascot Elite acquires German-speaking rights to Set Up

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Bruce Willis and Ryan Phillippe star in the revenge thriller about three friends torn apart by a brutal turf war
Asghar Farhadi to shoot next film with A Prophet's Tahar Rahim

Memento Films is producing Farhadi’s love story between an Iranian girl and North African boy set against the backdrop of Paris.
Asian indies still financed the old fashioned way

Despite the proliferation of new media platforms in Asia, the region’s genre filmmakers are sticking to tried-and-tested formulas to finance their films.
Atrix Films sells US rights to Remembrance

Anna Justice’s romantic drama has been picked up for theatrical release by Corinth Film.
Australia's CinemaLive to open UK office

The alternative content producer, which provides content such as music and sport to cinemas, is branching out into the UK, with a Soho based office.
Ave

Dir: Konstantin Bojanov. Bulgaria. 2011. 86mins
BAFTA LA to honour Helena Bonham Carter

The two-time Oscar nominee, back in action this weekend as the evil Bellatrix Lestrange in the final Harry Potter episode, will collect the Britannia Award for British Artist Of The Year at the 2011 Britannia Awards in Los Angeles on Nov 30.
Batman Returns... to Nottingham

Christopher Nolan has been shooting The Dark Knight Rises in Sarah Cooper’s hometown of Nottingham. Cue nostalgia.
Bedouin

Dir/scr: Igor Voloshin. Russia. 2011. 90mins
Beeban Kidron

UK film director Beeban Kidron tells Screen why she believes the fate of the future of cinema may lie with FILMCLUB, the after-school film club charity of which she is deputy chair.
Beginning Of The Great Revival

Dirs: Huang Jianxin, Han Sanping. China. 2011. 124mins
Beirut Hotel

Dir: Danielle Arbid. Lebanon-France. 2011. 98mins
Ben Foster to play John Gotti Jr for Barry Levinson

Ben Foster has signed on to play John Gotti, Jr. in Gotti: In The Shadow of My Father.
Ben Kempas joins Scottish Documentary Institute

The film-maker/co-host of The D-Word will take up the role of producer for marketing & distribution
Bergman Week, Faro (June 28 - June 3)

Istvan Szabo and Andrei Zvyagintsev were among attendees at the annual celebration of Swedish master Ingmar Bergman
Berlinale's World Cinema Fund backs eight projects

Malaysian director Liew Seng Tat has been awarded the biggest production award of 50,000 euros for In What City Does It Live?.
Berlin's Culinary Cinema idea travels to other festivals

Transatlantyk and San Sebastian plan culinary-themed strands.
Best Intentions

Dir: Adrian Sitaru. Romania-Hungary. 2011. 105mins.
Bevy of British stars sign up for Run For Your Wife film

Ray Cooney’s film adaptation of his own stage play will include cameos from Cliff Richard, Rolf Harris, Ray Winstone and Prunella Scales.
BFD was "victim of own success"

Details have emerged of the shock decision last month to break up Benelux Film Distributors (BFD).
BFI resurrects previously unseen Ken Loach documentary

1969 doc DOP’d by Chris Menges to screen as part of major BFI retrospective.
Black Blood, A Separation triumph at Kinoforum

Films from China and Iran took home the top prizes at the second edition of the Saint Petersburg International Kinoforum (Jul 10-15), which despite teething troubles was attended by 40,000 cinemagoers at six cinemas and other special venues.
Bond girls voted best for movie beachwear

Halle and Ursula voted ahead of Jolie when it comes to film beachwear
Breathing

Dir/scr: Karl Marcovics. Austria. 2011. 93mins
Brendan Fraser, Jessica Alba join cast for Escape From Planet Earth

Sarah Jessica Parker, Rob Corddry, James Gandolfini and Craig Robinson will also provide character voices in the 3D animated production from The Weinstein Company and Rainmaker.
Bridesmaids leads the procession at UK box office

Universal’s comedy wedded to top spot after grossing £3.4m on debut
Broken Mussels

Dir: Seyfettin Tokmak. Turkey. 2011. 93mins
Caetano Veloso named Telluride guest director

The renowned Brazilian musician, actor, writer and artist will select a series of films for the 38th annual festival in Colorado, set to run from Sept 2-5.
Cannes Critics Week title 17 Girls wins Priz Michel D'Ornano

The film’s directors Delphine and Muriel Coulin will receive the award at the Deauville American Film Festival in September.
Cannes hits Le Havre, Habemus Papam find US homes

Janus Films has acquired North American rights to Aki Kaurismaki’s Le Havre while Sundance Selects has taken the US on Nanni Moretti’s Habemus Papam.
Captain America knocks out Potter on $66m US debut

The last superhero release of the season acquitted itself well following generally positive reviews, teeing up next summer’s highly anticipated tag-team project The Avengers.
Captain America to premiere during Comic-Con

Star Chris Evans to introduce exclusive fan screening at 10am on Jul 21 during the annual San Diego jamboree, which otherwise is shaping up to be light on input from the US majors.
Captain America: The First Avenger

Dir: Joe Johnston. US. 2011. 124mins
Casting underway for New Zealand feature Kiwi Flyer

The New Zealand Film Commission backed project is being directed by Nelson-born filmmaker Tony Simpson.
Catching Rabies

Screen’s first day at Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival starts in Israel and ends up in Ireland.
Cate Shortland’s Lore backed by Germany‘s DFFF

Australian director’s WWII drama latest international co-production to benefit from DFFF incentive this year.
Chan, Mak launch HK production outfit Kudos Films

Veteran talent manager and producer Willie Chan has launched a Hong Kong-based production company, Kudos Films, in partnership with actor Juno Mak.
Chichester Film Festival to open with In A Better World

The line up will include John Madden’s The Debt, Lone Scherfig’s One Day and Tate Taylor’s The Help.
China Lion, Metrodome in UK pact for Sex And Zen 3D

The distributor of Chinese titles will release the erotic arthouse hit exclusively through the Odeon chain on Sept 2 and has enlisted Metrodome to manage the theatrical release.
Chris Cylke named MPAA director of federal affairs

The appointee joins the government relations department and will focus on advocating for the body’s federal legislative agenda.
Christian Grass steps down from role at Universal

Industry stalwart Christian Grass has stepped down from his role as President, Universal Pictures International Productions & Acquisitions.
Christmas comes early

The new trailer for Sony Pictures’ Arthur Christmas brings the festive spirit
Cinema Guild acquires US rights to comedy Natural Selection

Robbie Pickering’s film stars Rachael Harris as a housewife whose orderly life is turned upside-down when she decides to track down her husband’s estranged son.
Collaborator

Dir/scr: Martin Donovan. US. 2011. 87mins
Colombiana

Dir: Olivier Megaton. France. 2011. 108mins
Comes A Bright Day

The directorial debut of award-winning commercials director Simon Aboud is a romantic thriller set in the heart of London’s West End. It is produced by Christine Alderson of Ipso Facto and sold internationally by Intandem.
Connan McStay joins Lip Sync as senior editor

He is leaving London post production company Molinare to take up the post.
Cowboys & Aliens

Dir: Jon Favreau. US. 2011. 113mins
Cowboys and Aliens, Fright Night to bookend London fan-fest Big Screen

Cowboys and Aliens cast expected at UK premiere set to open Empire’s new Big Screen event at 02 Arena
Cowboys, Smurfs tie for US box office crown on $36.2m apiece

The pair of new arrivals dominated the domestic scene and the ultimate winner will be determined on Monday when the studios issue final results. Meanwhile Deathly Hallows: Part 2 crossed $1bn globally and became the biggest in the franchise at the North American box office, not to mention international and worldwide, too.
Cracks In The Shell

Dir: Christian Schwochow. Germany. 2011. 113mins
Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Dir: Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. US. 2011. 118mins
Cumberbatch, Cox, Harrison attached to Where There's A Will

The Ireland-set comedy is to be directed by Maurice Phillips from an original idea by actor/producer Danny Midwinter.
Daniel Brühl circling Niki Lauda role in Rush

The Spanish-born star is understood to be in talks to play the Austrian Formula One champion and arch rival to British racing icon James Hunt in the project from UK-based Revolution Films and Working Title and US financier Cross Creek Pictures.
Dark Knight Rises trailer debuts

Watch the trailer for the epic conclusion to Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.
Dark Of The Moon scores $40m-plus Chinese debut

With memories of Revenge Of The Fallen fresh in the mind, Paramount Pictures International (PPI) top brass approached the weekend with high expectations on China.
David Strathairn to play William Seward in Spielberg’s Lincoln

The actor joins Daniel Day-Lewis on the project, which DreamWorks has set for an autumn start in Virginia in time for a fourth quarter 2012 awards season release through Disney’s Touchstone division.
Deathly Hallows makes it a hat-trick at competitive UK box office

Warner Bros’ juggernaut breaks into the all-time UK top ten as Captain America and Horrid Henry debut in top five.
DIFF showcases Arab cinema at London Shubbak festival

Films from UAE, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, Egypt to screen during capital’s first festival of contemporary Arab culture
Disney offers to buy out partners in India’s UTV

The Walt Disney Company has made a $454m offer to buy out its partners in Mumbai-based UTV Software Communications, the parent company of film producer-distributor UTV Motion Pictures.
Djo Munga

Djo Munga’s Viva Riva! is one of the first features in decades to shoot in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has just been released in the US through Music Box.
Dogwoof picks up Bombay Beach for UK

UK outfit takes Tribeca Best Documentary Feature for UK
Don’t Be Afraid

Dir: Montxo Armendariz. Spain. 2011. 90mins
Drake Doremus, Felicity Jones reunite on Like Crazy follow-up

The filmmaker (pictured) is lining up an untitled drama with his Sundance special jury prize-winning actor alongside Guy Pearce and Amy Ryan. Indian Paintbrush is financing the project.
Dress to impress

Forget casual Friday. It’s all about National Film Friday, says MediCinema and Empire Big Screen.
EIFF to reinstate the Michael Powell Award, consider date change

The Edinburgh International Film Festival is advertising for a new “dynamic and innovative” artistic director following criticism of the 2011 edition.
Elizabeth Karlsen and Stephen Woolley, Number 9 Films

Number 9 producers Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen talk to Screen about Mike Newell’s adaptaiton of Great Expectations and the challenges of running an independent production company in the UK.
Emperor stakes out Lunar New Year release for Viral Factor

Hong Kong-based Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) has announced that its upcoming $25m thriller The Viral Factor will be released in time for Lunar New Year 2012.
Entertainment lawyer Lisa Logan joins Gateley as a partner

She will be based in the firm’s London office with a remit to expand the firm’s media practice.
Eran Creevy's Welcome To The Punch starts shooting

Peter Mullan, David Morrissey, Daniel Mays and Johnny Harris join the cast of the anticipated second feature from Shifty director Eran Creevy.
Estevez's The Way inspires PDA, ARC and AMC

John Sloss and Bart Walker’s Producers Distribution Agency and Trevor Drinkwater’s ARC Entertainment form strategic partnership with AMC to release Emilio Estevez’s The Way.
Europa Distribution elects new board, co-presidents

Lumiere, Gutek heads assume co-presidency of European indies organisation; Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu takes on Presidency of Honor role.
European Producers Club to partner with Russian Cinema Fund

The partnership aims to promote co-productions between Europe and Russia following Russia’s admission to Eurimages in March this year.
Film London backs three autumn festivals with PR fund

Film London’s Pilot Publicity Fund is backing three autumn film festivals. They are the London International Animation Festival (Aug 26-Sept 4), Hackney Film Festival (Sept 15-18), and the London Spanish Film Festival (Sept 23-Oct 6).
Film London shortlists 11 films for Best of Boroughs Awards

The awards will recognise the best short films to come out of the London Borough Film Fund Challenge
Film Movement takes North American rights to Prairie Love

Dusty Bias’ low-budget first feature tells the story of a drifter in NOrth Dakota who plots to steal a man’s penpal girlfriend.
FilmBuff strategises digital release for Rio Sex Comedy

FilmBuff has orchestrated a VoD release strategy for Jonathan Nossiter’s Toronto 2010 film on VoD starting Aug 30, to be followed by the Nov 15 DVD launch through FilmBuff and MPI Home Video.
FilmNation appoints Gregoire Gensollen to key international role

The former vp of international strategic and sales planning at Lionsgate will relocate from Los Angeles to New York in his new role as vp of international distribution and strategy.
FilmNation, McTeigue reunite on Message From The King

James McTeigue recently directed Edgar Allen Poe thriller The Raven for FilmNation and Intrepid Pictures, which Relativity will release on Mar 9, 2012.
Finland's Finnkino signs cinema deal with AAM

Finland’s leading cinema chain to be fully digitised within 18 months.
First look at Shame, Salmon Fishing stills

Impressive new photos from hot Toronto titles.
Found(ling): a live-action 3D short

Not too many live action 3D shorts out there… Found a good one
Francis Ford Coppola to present new film at Comic-Con

Twixt is about a young writer who gets caught up in murder while touring with his book in a small town.
FrightFest line up includes record number of British features

British films in the line-up include Ben Wheatley’s Kill List which screened earlier this year at SXSW.
Future Cinema pacts with California Tourism for '80s classics screenings

Event cinema specialists Future Cinema is planning a California-themed weekend in London to screen ‘80s classics The Lost Boys and Top Gun.
Galt Niederhoffer

Producer Galt Niederhoffer talks to Jeremy Kay about Robot & Frank, starring Frank Langella and Liv Tyler, the first feature to come out of new venture Park Pictures Features.
Gambit completes shoot, sells out internationally

CBS Films holds US rights to the Colin Firth and Cameron Diaz caper, while FilmNation has virtually sold out all international territories.
Gemma Arterton, Vanessa Redgrave to star in Williams' Song For Marion

Terence Stamp and Christopher Eccleston will also star in London to Brighton director Paul Andrew Williams’ comedy drama about a grumpy pensioner who joins a local choir.
German Films Previews to include films by Glawogger, Fehlmann, Thalheim

75 buyers set to attend the Hamburg event starting July 10.
Glasgow announces Margaret Tait winner, record admissions

Ticket sales increase 12% with festival generating £1.4m for Scotland
Graham Leggat steps down from San Francisco Film Society

Leggat had served as executive director since October 2005 and told colleagues he was leaving due to his ongoing battle with cancer after years of “unalloyed pleasure”.
Gypsy

Dir: Martin Sulik. Slovak Republic-Czech Republic. 2011. 107mins
Hala Lotfy honoured with Katrin Cartlidge Foundation Award

She was presented with the prize at the Sarajevo Film Festival by Charlotte Rampling, who curated this year’s award.
Harry Potter 7 Pt 2 races to $390m internationally

The franchise finale is showing no sign of letting up its scorching pace as Warner Bros Pictures International said it grossed a further $34m from 59 countries on Tuesday [19] following the confirmed $313.5m opening weekend.
Harry Potter may end Indonesia’s US film drought

Indonesian officials say that Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows - Part 2 will be released in Indonesia this weekend, ending a five-month dispute between MPAA members, the Indonesian government and local distributors.
Harry Potter scores $43.6m international opening day

Warner Bros Pictures International top brass have released the initial results from 26 countries and as expected there are a string of opening day records.
HBO to air Scorsese’s George Harrison doc in North America

The broadcaster plans to launch Martin Scorsese’s film in two parts on Oct 5 and 6. Exclusive Films International is handling foreign sales
Headhunters

Dir: Morten Tyldum. Norway-Demark-Germany. 2011. 101mins
Hemisphere launches studio co-fi fund, names first projects

Hemisphere Capital Management partners Jean-Luc De Fanti (pictured), Jeff Sagansky and Eli Baker have launched the Hemisphere Tentpole Co-Financing Fund and are on board The Smurfs, The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret of The Unicorn, Men In Black 3 and World War Z.
Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Camilla Rutherford star in Dimensions

Husband and wife writer/director team Ant Neely and Sloane U’Ren sold their house to finance the period/sci fi drama, which is currently in post.
Heritage

Dir: Andrzej Baranski. Poland. 2011. 124mins
Holidays By The Sea

Dir/scr: Pacal Rabate. France. 2011. 77mins
Hollywood, ISPs launch voluntary anti-piracy plan

The MPAA and its membership, internet service providers, IFTA and the leading music industry body the RIAA has launched a standardised protocol whereby ISPs will notify subscribers when their accounts are used for online copyright theft.
Hong Kong content, internet orgs unite to fight online piracy

Twelve Hong Kong associations, representing the content and online services industries, have pledged to work together to combat online copyright theft.
Horrible Bosses

Dir: Seth Gordon. US. 2011. 95mins
Horrid Henry: The Movie

Dir: Nick Moore. UK. 2011. 90mins
Hot projects on Screenbase

New additions to Screen’s European Film Index include French films Du Vent Dans Mes Mollets, Spanish feature La Voz Dormida as well as the UK’s Trance.
Hot projects on Screenbase

Simon Pegg is currently shooting the comedy A Fantastic Fear Of Everything in London, and Stephen Dillane will star in Papadopoulous & Sons, due to commence production next month.
Hot stuff

Screen went down to the West London set of Vertigo’s StreetDance 2 to watch the very flexible Sofia Boutella in action.
HP7 Pt 2 at $425m overseas; franchise crosses $7bn

The thunderous performance of the Warner Bros fantasy finale puts it at $640.2m globally to ensure the biggest franshise in Hollywood history has crossed $7bn.
HP7 Pt 2 reaches $600m at international box office

The family juggernaut would have crossed the milestone on Wednesday [27] after Warner Bros Picture International executives said it grossed a further $17.9m on Tuesday.
HPE, Imagenation sign co-fi deal with China's Angel Wings

Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park Entertainment and Imagenation Abu Dhabi are teaming up with the China-based company on a slate of English-language films.
Hugh Grant, man of the moment

Hugh Grant stars in perhaps his most impressive role in recent years: as a crusader in the UK phone hacking controversy.
Hugo trailer is here...

See the trailer for Martin Scorsese’s long-awaited foray into 3D, Hugo
ICM signs UK trio Jim Loach, Jon Wright and Joe Ahearne

Loach (pictured) is the son of British auteur Ken Loach and made his feature directorial debut with Oranges And Sunshine starring Emily Watson and Hugo Weaving. He is represented by Curtis Brown in London.
IFC Midnight pounces on Autoerotic

Joe Swanberg and Adam Wingard’s film stars Kate Lyn Shiel, Amy Seimetz, Lane Hughes, Kris Swanberg, Ti West and Frank V Ross.
IFC Midnight takes North America on Undocumented

Feature debut director Chris Peckover’s horror film follows a documentary crew on assignment with Mexican families who get detained during an illegal crossing into the US.
Imagenation pacts with Empire to distribute Emirati films

Imagenation Abu Dhabi has signed an exclusive deal with Beirut-based Empire International to distribute its locally-produced slate throughout the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region.
IMAX consolidates Russian exhibition footprint

The company announced today [27] it has signed deals with Kinomax and MORI dCinema to open a total of four digital IMAX theatres inside new multiplexes.
In Darkness chosen as Poland’s Oscar submission

Agnieszka Holland’s Second World War drama the unanimous decision of the Polish Oscar committee
India’s BIG Cinemas appoints Ganapathy as CEO

Reliance MediaWorks has appointed Ashok Ganapathy to the newly created post of CEO of its multinational exhibition arm BIG Cinemas.
Indian new wave filmmaker Mani Kaul dies

Mani Kaul, one of the leading figures of India’s new wave movement of the 1970s, died on July 7 of cancer. He was 66.
Indomina plans Afro Samurai adaptation with Samuel Jackson

The US and Dominican Republic-based entertainment company announced at Comic-Con it is moving into production, teaming up with Japan’s Gonzo Studios on a live-action project close to the actor’s heart.
Inward investment spend in UK rises, domestic production at record low

The number of co-productions in the first half of 2011 has risen, according to figures released by the BFI’s statistical unit; 70% of domestic productions shooting in UK in last six months had budgets of less than £500,000.
Ira Deutchman named chair of Columbia film programme

Deutchman has taught at the university’s school of the arts for 24 years and succeeds Jamal Joseph, who has stepped down after five years.
Joel Kennedy joins the UK's Metrodome as head of acquisitions

Former Revolver and Channel 4 executive takes over from James Brown
Just doing it

Sometimes all you have to do is ask says Just Do It director Emily James, who is self distributing her film around the UK.
Kaczmarek'sTransatlantyk Film and Music Festival kicks off in Poland

Oscar winning composer’s ecologically oriented festival features a Green Carpet as well as music competition.
Karen Gillan, Emun Elliott to star in Not Another Happy Ending

The indie comedy about a highly strung writer and her publisher is being directed by John Mckay (Crush) and produced by Synchronicity Films.
Ken Loach on Murdoch and the News International scandal

The acclaimed British director sounds off on the News International phone hacking scandal, the “timid” select committee, 3D and a lack of documentary funding.
Kristen Wiig is Imogene for Maven, Anonymous Content

Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini will direct the former Saturday Night Live alumnus hot off the heels of her starring role in Universal’s smash comedy Bridesmaids.
Larry Crowne

Dir: Tom Hanks. US. 2011. 99mins
Lars von Trier's Nymphomaniac being lined up for summer 2012 shoot

Nymphomaniac now looks certain to be Lars Von Trier’s next feature project, with production slated to begin in the summer of 2012.
Lasseter, Yates to receive Bafta LA’s Britannia Awards

The group’s highest accolade recognises “achievements honoring individuals and companies that have dedicated their careers or corporate missions to advancing the entertainment arts.”
Laurentia

Dirs/scr: Mathieu Denis, Simon Lavoie. Canada. 2011. 120mins
Le Havre, In A Better World amongst winners at Filmfest Munchen

Hell and In A Better World also picked up awards at the festival in St Petersberg.
Leilani Forby joins W2 Media in key acquisitions / distribution role

The new vp of acquisitions and North American distribution arrives from Wrekin Hill where she served as a consultant and played an integral role in the release of Peter Weir’s The Way Back.
LevelK adds Venice-bound Hail to slate

International sales company LevelK has added Amiel Courtin-Wilson’s Australian feature film debut Hail to its slate.
LGBT specialist Guest House moves into distribution

The LA-based company announced yesterday [28] it was moving into full-time distribution after self-releasing the feature Role/Play in February.
Lia Buman to head acquisitions at FilmDistrict

Buman most recently served as SPWA vp and played a key role in buying Insidious, Moon, Hannah and Machete, among others.
Liddell, Roadside eye awards run for Albert Nobbs

Mickey Liddell has jumped on board his latest US acquisition, teaming up with Roadside Attractions on rights to the Glenn Close-starrer.
Lionsgate to handle ancillary distribution on Red State

The mini-major will distribute Kevin Smith’s Sundance premiere in all packaged media, VoD, SVoD, EST and television in the US.
Lionsgate to handle foreign sales on Evil Dead remake

Thirty years after Sam Raimi made his name with the horror cult classic, the filmmaker last night [13] confirmed reports that he will remake the film with Ghost House Pictures business partner Rob Tapert and Bruce Campbell, who starred in the original.
Lionsgate to release The Big Wedding in US, UK

The Two Ton Films and Nu Image / Millennium Films production stars Robert De Niro, Susan Sarandon, Diane Keaton, Katherine Heigl, Amanda Seyfried, Robin Williams, Ben Barnes and Topher Grace.
Lionsgate to release The Cabin In The Woods in April 2012

The studio has set a Friday The 13th release for the horror film, which it acquired from MGM earlier this year. Lionsgate will release in North America and the UK and is selling remaining territories.
Locarno Film Festival, Switzerland

Winners and attendees at the 64th Locarno Film Festival (August 3 - 13)
Locarno launches post-production focus

Colombia first territory in the spotlight for new Locarno Industry Office scheme
Lollipop Monster

Dir: Ziska Riemann. Germany. 2011. 96mins
Love’s Kitchen

Dir/scr: James Hacking. UK. 2011. 93mins
LoveFilm to expand UK workforce by 20%

DVD service to expand in the wake of Amazon takeover
LoveFilm, eOne ink exclusive content deal

LoveFilm to be only subscription VOD service in the UK to stream eOne’s new catalogue for next five years
Made In Britain, but not set there

It’s a strong year for British movies as the upcoming festival season tells us, but why aren’t there any movies set in today’s Britain?
Man Without A Cell Phone

Dir: Sameh Zoabi. France-Belgium-Palestine-Israel-Qatar. 2011. 78mins
Mandate, Reiser, Levine reunite on Jamaica

Will Reiser teams up with longtime collaborators Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and Jonathan Levine to develop the comedy feature.
Mark Fisher appointed finance director for The Works Group

Fisher previously spent 10 years at the Icon Group
Mark Gill resurfaces as president of Millennium Films

The highly respected former co-head of The Film Department previously served as president of Warner Independent Pictures and Miramax LA.
Markovics' Breathing wins top award in Sarajevo

Other winners include A Cellphone Movie, Loverboy, Ave; Angelina Jolie attends to receive honours.
Media Asia expands into mainland China

Media Asia secures Chinese private equity funding through investment deal.
MGM, Forum Film seal Eastern Europe distribution deal

MGM has signed a long-term distribution deal with Forum Film, the distribution arm of Cinema City International NV (CCI).
Michael Radford attached to direct Castro’s Daughter

Il Postino director Michael Radford will direct biopic Castro’s Daughter for Mankind Entertainment.
Mikael Hafstrom to direct Wake for Exclusive's Hammer label

The genre director behind 1408 and The Rite will direct the thriller about a sociopath without any sense of fear.
Milada Kolberg returns to Senator Group

Tobias Alexander Seiffert also joins the Berlin-based Senator.
Millennium Entertainment closing on US rights to Bernie

Bill Lee’s company is understood to be in talks to acquire rights for just over $2m to US rights on Richard Linklater’s dark comedy.
Minds Eye to bring Captain Canuck to life

Kevin DeWalt’s Canadian entertainment venture has acquired rights to the Canadian comic book superhero from writer Richard Comely.
Mobile Polish Film Festival to take in six UK cities

The festival, which opened in Dublin, is now moving to the UK with the aim of promoting Polish cinema.
Monte Carlo

Dir: Thomas Bezucha. US. 2011. 109mins
Moscow Business Square (27 - 29 June)

Industry at the second edition of the Moscow Business Square
Mostar Round Trip

Dir/scr: David Fisher. Israel. 2011. 73mins
Mother’s Paradise

Dir: Aktan Arym Kubat. Kazakhstan. 2010. 80mins
Motovun Propeller goes to Bullhead, Bauer Award to Tilva Rosh

The 14th Motovun Film Festival (July 25-29) wrapped last night with Michael R. Roskam’s Bullhead winning the main prize, the Motovun Propeller.
MPAA president and COO Bob Pisano to leave

Pisano operated as interim CEO from January 2010 until Senator Chris Dodd was named chairman and CEO in March. He will leave on Sept 30.
Nader And Simin, A Separation to open 11th New Horizons Festival

The Wroclaw-based festival will close with Pedro Almodovar’s The Skin I Live In.
Nancy Fishman Film Releasing boards Romeo And Juliet In Yiddish

The San Francisco Bay Area-based distributor negotiated the deal with director and producer Eve Annenberg and holds US rights and non-exclusive broadcast and festival international rights.
Netflix shares tumble 10% after 2Q earnings report

Netflix shares dropped 10% after trading on Monday [25] in light of the results and comments by top brass that the controversial subscription price rise would lead to weaker than expected third quarter results.
Netflix stock soars as company announces LatAm plan

Netflix stock surged by more than 5% to reach an historic $293 today [5] as the company announced plans to expand into 43 countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean later this year.
Netflix, Open Road sign multi-year exclusive deal

Open Road’s inaugural slate so far includes Omnilab Media’s Jason Statham-Clive Owen thriller Killer Elite and 2012 release The Host.The deal means Open Road films will stream in the pay-TV window after their DVD release.“Netflix provides us the opportunity to bring Open Road Films titles to consumers in the most innovative ways possible, and this partnership is an important part of our new model for theatrical distribution,” Open Road CEO Tom Ortenberg said.“Netflix is h
New report identifies Ireland’s audiovisual growth opportunities

Report sees potential for Ireland’s industry to double turnover and jobs
Nitin Sawney to compose score for BFI Hitchcock restoration

Nitin Sawney among talent to compose scores for early Hitchcock restorations
Noel Clarke to direct and star in mixed martial arts feature

He has also written the script for the film, which will be in the vein of The Wrestler, The Fighter and Rocky.
Nordisk Film to launch digital post company in Sweden

The new company is a joint operation with Norwegian post production company Storm Studios AS and will be based in Stockholm.
Norway first country to go fully digital with all cinemas

Norway will no longer distribute 35mm prints as country’s 420 screens all go digital.
Nuno Bernardo

Cross-platform producer Nuno Bernardo talks to Screen about the opportunites afforded by transmedia and his work on Noel Clarke comedy The Knot.
Odyssey's John Foster announces $2m in Cannes deals

The Odyssey Pictures Corporation CEO said the company closed sales worth more than $2m during the recent Cannes market and secured considerable investment for the upcoming feature Hermie, Invasion Of The Bug Snatchers.
Open Road confirms US buy on The Grey

Joe Carnahan’s thriller stars Liam Neeson as an oilrig worker and his team stranded in snowbound terrain where they are chased by a rogue wolf pack.
Open Road takes US on Sundance horror Silent House

The ambitious fledgling distributor has struck its second deal with Liddell Entertainment following the earlier announcement on The Grey.
Optimum strikes UK deal for $25m Taiwanese epic with Fortissimo

Venice competitor now titled Warrior of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale.
Orchestra

Dir: Pjer Zalica. Bosnia and Herzegovina. 2011. 105mins
Outfest names winners of 29th festival

The grand jury award for outstanding international dramatic feature went to Andrew Haigh’s Weekend while Eric Brach’s Habana Muda earned top documentary honours as the LA event came to a close.
Paladin nets killer whale documentary

The Whale chronicles the adventures of a young killer whale who causes uproar when he tries to befriend humans in a small town.
Paramount first studio to cross $2bn international in 2011

As Transformers: Dark Of The Moon prepares to cross $1bn at the global box office any day now, the studio says it has become the first to cross $2bn.
Paramount launches animation division

Paramount Animation will release one film a year budgeted in the $100m range as uncertainty hovers over the future of its relationship with DreamWorks Animation.
Peel Group takes 71.1% shares in Pinewood Shepperton

It is not enough for the investment company to take private ownership of the studio group.
Periscope begins production on Would You Rather

Shooting is underway in Los Angeles on the thriller starring Brittany Snow and Jeffrey Combs.
Peter Mullan to star in urban thriller The Man Inside

He will star alongside actor/singer Ashley ‘Bashy’ Thomas and David Harewood in the film which is directed by Dan Turner and will shoot in the North East of the UK.
Picture Production Company opens LA office, appoints Ben Coplon

Creative production and marketing outfit PPC appoints Coplon Head of Client Services, US
Pirates 4 becomes sixth biggest global release of all time

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International sources confirmed today (14) that On Stranger Tides has finally overtaken stablemate Alice In Wonderland to reach $1.025bn.
Player one, start

Arcade fun and games with The FP at Fantasia International Film Festival
Policeman

Dir/scr: Nadav Lapid. Israel. 2011. 107mins
Polson, Hamilton to produce Sydney, I Love You

The latest omnibus feature will be a love letter to Sydney.
Potter adds $120m overseas, races past $560m in 12 days

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 maintained an iron grip on the international box office in its second weekend, generating 13.5m admissions from 19,000 screens in 59 territories and setting several regional records.
Potter bears down on $1bn at worldwide box office

As Warner Bros’ franchise finale charges towards the $700m international milestone, all eyes will be on when it will become the first in the franchise to cross the coveted $1bn worldwide mark this weekend.
PPI scores record weekend as Transformers 3 earns $220m

Paramount Pictures International reported its biggest opening weekend in history as the third Transformers escapade grossed a confirmed $219.8m overseas.
Producer/production designer Polly Platt dies at age 72

Oscar nominated for Terms of Endearment.
Production starts on Ira Sachs’ Keep The Lights On

The drama follows two men in a long relationship in New York City and stars Thure Lindhardt and Zachary Booth, who can be seen in Todd Solondz’s Venice-bound Dark Horse.
Project Nim, In A Better World to screen at Branchage Film Festival

The Jersey based film festival, now in its fourth year, continues its tradition of screening films in unusual venues.
Raindance launches postgraduate training programme

The course, which allows students to negotiate on the content and title of their final certificate, will run at the UK’s Staffordshire University
Red Dog

Dir: Kriv Stenders. Australia. 2010. 91mins
Red Flag takes US rights to The Green Wave

Ali Samadi Ahadi’s hard-hitting documentary premiered at Sundance and Red Flag plans a theatrical release in June 2012 to mark the third anniversary of the Iranian elections.
Reg Traviss to direct thriller Silvertown

The film about a faded boxer will shoot in East London in spring 2012 for Canyon Creek Films.
Relativity, Atlas team up on Voltron adaptation

President of worldwide production Tucker Tooley announced the project at Comic-Con on Thursday (21).
Reliance MediaWorks joins forces with Digital Domain

India’s Reliance MediaWorks (RMW) is teaming up with California-based Digital Domain to launch visual effects studios in India and London.
Remembrance

Dir: Anna Justice. Germany. 2011. 105mins
Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes

Dir: Rupert Wyatt. US. 2011. 105mins
Rob Cohen to direct $100m war epic for CJ, Grapevine

Korea’s CJ E&M Pictures and Grapevine Entertainment have attached Rob Cohen to direct $100m war epic 1950, described as the biggest-budget project ever undertaken by the Korean film industry.
Robert Katz appointed president of Dimension Films

The veteran executive most recently served in the same capacity at the now defunct The Film Department.
Russian producer puts $12m into new Billy Bob Thornton drama

Alexander Rodnyansky, a well-known Russian film producer, plans to invest up to $12m in the production of Billy Bob Thornton’s drama Jayne Mansfield’s Car, which will be Rodnyansky’s first project in the US.
Ryan Guzman, Kathryn McCormick join Summit’s Step Up 4

Guzman makes his acting debut while news about McCormick, a discovery from the TV show So You Think You Can Dance, broke several weeks ago when producer Adam Shankman announced it on Twitter. Summit will release domestically and handles international sales.
Salt White

Dir: Keti Machavariani. Georgia. 2011. 80mins
San Sebastian announce 15 Spanish titles

Five local titles will feature in official selection at the 59th San Sebastian Film Festival
San Sebastian to show festival hits including Tree of Life, Drive, Pina, Tyrannosaur

The San Sebastian International Film Festival has confirmed a number of titles for its Zabaltegi-Pearls section.
Sandra Hebron to step down as artistic director of BFI London Film Festival

The roles of artistic director of the LFF and artistic director of the BFI Southbank are to be merged, but Hebron has taken the decision not to apply for the combined role.
Sarajevo unveils Panorama programme for 17th edition

Paddy Considine’s Tyrannosaur and John Michael McDonagh’s The Guard are amongst the 25 titles screening in the Panorama programme.
Schwarzenegger to star for Lionsgate in The Last Stand

Lionsgate has confirmed that Kim Jee-Woon will make his English-language debut and the embattled former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will take the lead in the action tale about a sheriff in a sleepy border town who faces off a notorious fugitive.
Scott Shooman joins CBS Films as EVP of Acquisitions

Shooman worked at Sony Pictures for a decade; he will attend Toronto for CBS.
Screen Media acquires US rights to The Lie

Joshua Leonard’s dark comedy launched at Sundance and will get a limited theatrical and simultaneous VoD launch in autumn.
Seeing Double

Dominic Cooper and Ludivine Sagnier on the red carpet for the premiere of The Devil’s Double in London.
Shanghai

The second adaptation of Greek novel Z, Dibakar Banerjee’s latest project follows three characters from different backgrounds who become embroiled in the messy politics of a small Indian town.
Shaw Brothers movies to make debut on African pay-TV

Hong Kong’s Celestial Pictures has licensed a package of martial arts titles from its Shaw Brothers library to Sony Max, the 24-hour action and reality channel operated by Sony Pictures Television in Africa.
Sheffield Doc/Fest announces 2012 dates

The festival will once again take place in June, following its successful move from November this year
Sherry Hormann to direct one of Bernd Eichinger's last screenplays

The US born director of Desert Flower has been picked by producer-distributor Constantin Film to direct Kampusch, one of the last projects which Bernd Eichinger had been working on before his untimely death in January this year.
Shooting wrapped on Zentropa Poland’s first Polish-language project

Baby Blues is the second feature from Kasia Roslaniec, who was also participating in New Horizons Studio training programme in Wroclaw this week.
ShortsHD launches on DishHD in Taiwan

TV network dedicated exclusively to short movies expands to pay-TV platform in Taiwan
Simon Pegg to star in A Fantastic Fear Of Everything

The psycho comedy, which is currently shooting at Shepperton, is the first to be backed by Pinewood’s new initiative to support low budget British films. US and Domincan Republic-based Indomina is providing production financing and will handle US distribution.
Singapore’s Golden Village to screen Ayumi concerts

Singaporean exhibitor Golden Village is planning to screen two of Japanese pop star Ayumi Hamasaki’s recent concert tours at its flagship theatres.
Sitges opens with sci-fi Eva, line-up includes Balaguero latest

Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival opens with Kike Maillo’s Eva, starring Daniel Bruhl
Skillset launches Scottish training programme Screen NETS

The programme, which is supported by Creative Scotland, aims to train up five individuals who have recently entered theScottish film industry.
Sloan, Sagansky's Global Eagle adds two to board

Former Telemundo CEO Jim McNamara and venture capitalist and former Sony evp Dennis Miller have joined the board of Global Eagle Acquisition Corp.
Snow Flower And The Secret Fan

Dir: Wayne Wang. US. 2011. 102mins
Soda Pictures picks up psychological thriller Junkhearts

Tinge Krishnan’s London-set film about an ex soldier suffering from post traumatic stress disorder stars Eddie Marsan and Romola Garai.
Somewhere Tonight

Dir: Michael di Jiacomo. Netherlands-US. 2011. 85mins
Sony, Adam Sandler reunite for Hotel Transylvania

The comedian continues his long association with the studio and is set to voice the lead role in the film, set for release on Sept 21 2012.
Special relationship

UK marketing outfit FIVE33 has been making waves on both sides of the Atlantic. CEO Emily Castel talks about the company’s global ambitions.
Spots

Dir/scr: Aldo Tardozzi. Croatia. 2011. 93mins
Stan Lee to target Asian fanboys through Magic Storm

The comic book guru is getting into film financing as it emerged that Panda Media Partners, a joint venture between Lee’s POW! Entertainment and Fidelis Entertainment, has teamed up with Hong Kong-based Ricco Capital Holdings.
State of the art studio to open in Wroclaw, 2012

Wroclaw’s traditional feature film studios WFF is to be transformed into a state-of-the-art facility with a focus on innovative special effects techniques from 2012.
Stephen Dillane, Georgia Groome to star in Papadopoulous & Sons

The family comedy is the first feature to come out of new UK production company Double M Films, set up by brothers Marcus and Andrew Markou.
Stewart Till among three appointed to RHI office of the CEO

The non-executive chair at Icon UK and Skillset chair joins former MGM CFO Mike Corrigan and Lorimar Telepictures co-founder David Salzman.
Storm Over Jerusalem

Perhaps befitting the volatile nature of Israel itself, the Jerusalem Film Festival this year stirred up heated divisions for its films and its jury.
Strand acquires all US rights to Cirkus Columbia

Danis Tanovic’s latest film takes place in the days leading up to the Balkans War in the early 1990s as a man returns to his South Herzegovina hometown and befriends the son he never knew.
Stranger Things

Dirs: Eleanor Burke, Ron Eyal. US-UK. 2011. 77mins
Summer Fun

Paying tribute to cult hit Wet Hot American Summer.
Summit, Yellow Bird circle Headhunters adaptation

The US studio is in negotiations for film and television rights to Norwegian writer Jo Nesbo’s crime novel, a 2million-plus bestseller that is already the subject of a Nordic co-production.
Sundance Institute announces digital distribution plan

In an extension of its Artist Services programme, the Institute has partnered with digital content aggregator New Video and direct marketing specialist Topspin Media to offer a suite of online platforms for eligible feature filmmakers. Separately, festival director John Cooper shed a little more light for Screendaily on next year’s inaugural Sundance London.
Sundance Institute reveals details of first Comedy ShortsLab

The one-day symposium is set to take place in Los Angeles on Aug 6 and features panels, discussions and screenings.
Sundance Institute unveils 18 documentary film fellows

The fellows represent nine projects to take part in the eighth Documentary Edit and Story Lab running from Jun 24-July 2 and the ninth Composers + Documentary Lab running from July 6-12.
Sundance Selects swoops on Walk Away Renee

The North American deal returns Jonathan Caouette to the limelight after the filmmaker caused a sensation in 2003 with his autobiographical documentary Tarnation.
Swerve

Dir/Scr: Craig Lahiff. Australia. 2011. 87mins
Taiwan’s Apple to open summer edition of HKIFF

Taiwanese drama You Are The Apple Of My Eye will open the summer edition of the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), which runs August 9-23 in Hong Kong.
Taiwan’s Joint Entertainment targets Chinese mainland with wedding comedy Marry Go Round

Taiwanese Joint Entertainment and China’s Enterprising Dragon Entertainment unveiled romantic comedy co-production, due to shoot in Taipei, Paris and provincial Chinese city of Chongqing, to European producers at Paris Project.
Talking Perfect Sense

David Mackenzie talks about being “punch drunk on curveballs” and the Stasi of the film world at the Galway Film Fleadh.
TF1 and Spike Lee come to "mutually satisfactory" agreement over Miracle at St. Anna

Last month a French court fined TF1 €32 million over its failure to honour agreement to commercialise World War II drama at home and abroad in 2009.
TF1 to handle sales on Ol Parker's Now Is Good

Warner Bros will distribute in the UK, Sony Pictures Worldwide will handle US rights.
The Ascent

Dir: Nemanja Becanovic. Montenegro. 2011. 91mins
The British Guide To Showing Off

Dir: Jes Benstock. UK. 2011. 90mins
The digital debate over IP

The UK government has widely accepted Professor Hargreaves’ recommendations for renewing the UK’s intellectual property laws as set out in his independent review published in May and has revealed further details for the implementation of the long-delayed Digital Economy Act.
The Eye Of The Storm

Dir: Fred Schepisi. Australia. 2010. 119mins
The Flat

Dir/scr: Arnon Goldfinger. Israel-Germany. 2011. 73mins
The force is strong...

Fun and games at the launch of Empire’s new Big Screen event at the 02
The golden trailer

All hail Sony’s trailer for the Social Network, newly annointed Best In Show
The Interrupters

Dir: Steve James. US. 2011. 127mins
The Law In These Parts

Dir/scr: Ra’anan Alexandrowicz. Israel. 2011. 100mins
The Mexican Suitcase

Dir/scr: Trisha Ziff. Mexico-Spain. 2011. 89mins
The Mill and The Cross among UK premieres at Picturehouse festival

Six UK premieres at exhibitor and distributor Picturehouse’s cross arts event
The Perfect House to debut on Facebook platform FlickLaunch

Commencing Oct 1, the new platform will enable Facebook viewers to watch Kris Hulbert and Randy Kent’s horror feature as a seven-day rental for $5.
The Smurfs

Dir: Raja Gosnell. US. 2011. 103mins
Theatrical marketing evp Mike Vollman quits MGM

A spokesperson for the studio confirmed the move last night [18] after the veteran executive informed co-chairmen and co-CEOs Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum of his decision.
There’s a drumming noise inside my head…

Korean five drums performance wows during Fantasia.
Tony Leung to star in Mei Ah's spy thriller Windseeker

Hong Kong’s Mei Ah Entertainment will produce four new films set in mainland China, with budgets totaling $50m.
Toronto documentaries include Broomfield's Sarah Palin film

Other selections include Werner Herzog’s journey to death row, Mark Cousins’ 15-hour opus and Berlinger & Sinofsky’s follow-up on the West Memphis Three.
Toronto Vanguard, Midnight picks include new film from Blair Witch director Sanchez

The Toronto International Film Festival has announced dozens more films in its programme, across the Vanguard, Midnight Madness, City to City and Kids strands.
Transformers 3 aims to rule as Pirates 4 heads into history

DreamWorks’ Transformers: Dark Of The Moon will dominate the weekend box office but Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will make history when it crosses $1bn worldwide on Saturday [Jul 2].
Transformers 3 crushes opposition in UK

Transformers eclipses rivals who struggle with good weather and Wimbledon
Transformers 3 rules North America on $116.4m

A noisy six-day launch saw Paramount’s summer tentpole dominate the North American landscape with an Independence Day weekend record of $97.5m from Friday to Sunday, according to estimates, rising to $116.4m for the four-day weekend and $181.1m counting back to the Jun 29 launch.
Transformers 3 storms to $32.5m overseas opening day

Paramount Pictures International (PPI) said launch day figures for the DreamWorks action sequel were 38% ahead of Transformers 2 for the same markets. The overseas tally rises to $36.6m including previews, while North America stands at $42.8m and worldwide is $79.4m
Transformers and Bridesmaids remain solid in UK

It’s as-you-were among the top four, while The Guard posts big numbers in Ireland.
Transformers: Dark Of The Moon

Dir: Michael Bay. US. 2011. 154mins
Tricord Media to handle Canadian release of faith title Courageous

The company is a division of Crossroads Christian Communications and will partner with Sony Pictures Entertainment division Affirm Films and Sony Music Entertainment subsidiary Provident Films on the release.
TWC takes US, UK and other territories on Untouchable

TWC takes multiple territories on comedy Untouchable starring Francois Cluzet [pictured]; deals also done in Germany, Italy, Spain.
Twilight's Stephenie Meyer to produce rom-com Austenland

Meyer’s Fickle Fish, the production company the Twilight author runs with Meghan Hibbett, is financing the feature directorial debut of Jerusha Hess, who co-wrote Napoleon Dynamite with her husband Jared Hess.
twofour54 launches first 3D lab in the Middle East

Abu Dhabi’s twofour54 intaj has opened the first stereoscopic 3D lab in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Ty Warren joins Legendary as svp production

Warren arrives from Raleigh Films where he launched production services and initiated alliances in all the Raleigh Studios locations including Budapest, Detroit, Baton Rouge and Atlanta.
UK admissions up 0.7% in first half of 2011, according to BFI

BFI Statistical Yearbook reveals increase in half-year admissions.
UK box office up 3% in first half of 2011 despite drop in 3D revenues

UK 3D revenues fell 21% year-on-year in the first half of 2011
UK distributor Entertainment reveals packed autumn slate

Apollo 18, I Don’t Know How She Does It, Piranha 3DD among acquisitions from TWC.
UK shoot commences on Hyde Park On Hudson

Bill Murray and Laura Linney star in the historical tale which is being co-produced and co-financed by Focus Features and Film4.
Under the stars

Almodovar turned out for the opening night of Film 4’s open air cinema season at London’s beautiful Somerset House, although we were almost too busy with the mini scotch eggs to notice.
Universal hires Josh Goldstine as president of marketing

The former sevp of creative advertising at Sony will work closely with co-president of marketing Michael Moses and replaces Eddie Egan, who transitioned to Universal evp and head of marketing at Illumination.
UTV Motion Pictures to make first Tamil superhero movie

Mysskin will write and direct UTV’s first Tamil film with actors Jiiva and Narain starring in the lead roles.
Venice announces competition, out of competition official selections

Titles confirmed include Steve McQueen’s Shame, Madonna’s W.E., William Friedkin’s Killer Joe [pictured], Emanuele Crialese’s Terraferma, Aleksander Sokurov’s Faust and Yorgos Lanthimos’ Alps.
Venice line-up shows UK strength; surprise film and another last-minute film could be added

British cinema is back in competition at the 68th Venice Film Festival, where after a three-year absence, the UK brings three films to the Lido in a year which is dominated by English-language cinema, but which showcases exciting works from Germany, France, Israel, Greece, Russia, Japan, China and Taiwan among other territories.
Verve picks up fifth Microwave film

The British Guide to Showing Off picked up by Verve for UK
Voltage, Wildwood reboot Company with Shia LaBeouf

Voltage Pictures and Robert Redford’s Wildwood Enterprises are rebooting their long-gestating political action thriller and announced on Tuesday [19] that the veteran actor will play opposite LaBeouf, riding high on the global success of Transformers: Dark Of The Moon.
Walmart takes on Netflix with streaming service launch

The US retail giant on Tuesday [26] entered the streaming arena after integrating its VUDU VoD service on to its homepage.
Walter Morgan joins Canadian entertainment company TGNA

It is part of the company’s campaign to foster co-production opportunities between Canada and China.
Warner Bros revises HP7 Pt 2 overseas launch to $312.3m

The record breaking overseas opening weekend for Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 has come in more than $5m higher than Sunday estimates, earning $312.3m internationally and combining with the $169.2m confirmed North American debut for $481.5m worldwide.
Weekly International Box Office July 1 - 3

Transformers shuts out international opposition as China and India fly the flag for local fare
Weekly International Box Office June 24-26

Cars 2 in the driving seat as studios flex their muscles; local fare prospers in China
Weinsteins throw W.E. into awards race with December date

Madonna’s directorial effort will open on Dec 9 in Los Angeles and New York.
Well Go USA takes all rights to Let The Bullets Fly

The Asian cinema specialist picked up North American rights to four films from Hong Kong’s Emperor Motion Pictures.
Well Go USA, Netflix sign content deal

The multi-year agreement boosts Netflix’s burgeoning catalogue with an influx of Asian cinema.
Whit Stillman's Damsels In Distress to close Venice

American director Whit Stillman’s Damsels In Distress will be the closing film out of competition at the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival.
'You want to care about characters when they die...'

Filip Tegstedt talks about his debut feature Marianne which receives its world premiere at Fantasia International Film Festival
Zachary Quinto to produce horror The Banshee Chapter

The actor’s production company Before The Door Pictures partners on the tale of secret mind-altering drug tests with Sunchaser Entertainment and German producer Christian Arnold-Beutel.
Zhang Weiping

The Beijing-based producer talks about Zhang Yimou’s upcoming Heroes Of Nanking, starring Christian Bale, which FilmNation is handling internationally.
Zookeeper

Dir: Frank Coraci. US. 2011. 102mins

Screen28 July 2011

Screen
28 July 2011