Screen
28 June 2012

View all stories from this issue.

Brake

Dir: Gabe Torres. US. 2012. 91mins
Day Of The Flowers

Dir: John Roberts. UK. 2012. 100mins
De Niro checks in to Tin Res’ action thriller Motel

John Cusack and Rebecca Da Costa are also on board the project to be set in the New Orleans area. Red Granite International is handling selling territories.
Film Movement takes domestic rights to Lucky

Avie Luthra’s South African drama follows an orphaned 10-year-old struggling to make something of his life in the big city.
French CDP takes The Fourth Direction at Paris Project

Indian film one of 26 projects presented at Paris co-production market aimed at connecting international filmmakers with French professionals.
French Fête du Cinéma sees 43% rise in attendees in rainy June

Dark clouds over northern half of France have silver lining for French exhibitors’ annual La Fête du Cinéma running June 24-27.
Gayby

Dir/scr: Jonathan Lisecki. US. 2012. 89mins
Good Vibrations

Dirs: Lisa Barros D’Sa, Glenn Leyburn. UK-Ireland. 2012. 97mins
Hay Road

Dir/scr: Rodrigo Areias. Portugal-Finland. 2012. 95mins
Ice Age 4 red hot on $78m as Spider-Man spins $50m

Fox International’s animation juggernaut shows no sign of slowing up as the latest episode inspired a mighty launch despite opening on a smaller initial footprint than its predecessor. Sony’s Spidey reboot also debuted strongly in a relatively limited first wave.
Karlovy Vary kicks off with Sweet Dreams, Good Vibrations and Helen Mirren’s call for girl power

The Thermal rocks with the sounds of 1970s punk as Terri Hooley opens the festival.
Katy Perry: Part Of Me

Dirs: Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz. US. 2012. 88mins
Mushrooming

Dir/scr: Toomas Hussar. Estonia. 2012. 95mins
People Out There

Dir/scr: Aiks Karapetjans. Latvia. 2012. 89mins
Production begins on SND rom-com Love Punch

Emma Thompson and Pierce Brosnan star in the Europe-set tale. Tim Perell and Nicola Usborne of Process Media are producing with Radar Film’s Clément Miserez and Love Punch Limited’s Jean-Charles Levy. SND is financing and handles worldwide distribution.
SPC, Almodovar back in business with I’m So Excited

The distributor has acquired all North American rights to Pedro Almodóvar’s upcoming comedy from El Deseo.
The Almost Man

Dir/scr: Martin Lund. Norway. 2012. 80mins
The Exam

Dir: Péter Bergendy. Hungary. 2012. 89mins
The Last Step

Dir/scr: Ali Mosaffa. Iran. 2012. 88mins
The Rise And Fall Of A White Collar Hooligan

Dir/scr: Paul Tanter. UK. 2012. 78mins
The Sweeney

Dir: Nick Love. UK. 2012. 107mins
To Kill A Beaver

Dir: Jan Jakub Kolski. Poland. 2012. 99mins
We Are Poets

Dirs: Daniel Lucchesi, Alex Ramseyer-Bache. UK. 2011. 82mins
5 Broken Cameras wins Sheffield Doc/Fest Audience Award

The 19th edition of the festival attracted a record number of delegates.
5 Broken Cameras, Insitu among winners at London's Open City Docs Fest

Second edition records 100% increase in ticket sales, with around 5,000 attendees.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Dir: Timur Bekmambetov. US. 2012. 105mins
Academy invites 176 new initiates to become members

Those being courted include Oscar winners Asghar Farhadi, Jean Dujardin, Michel Hazanavicius and Octavia Spencer as well as a strong British contingent led by John Battsek, Nigel Sinclair, Sean Bean and Andy Serkis.
Academy rings changes in foreign language rules

Entries must now be submitted to the Academy in 35mm or DCP but are no longer required to be exhibited in these formats in the countries of origin. A Separation (pictured) won this year’s Oscar.
Acosta dances into film lead

A British film which casts Cuban ballet star Carlos Acosta as a lead – and saw him play an integral role in securing film rights in his home country – premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Adam Tysoe to direct Dirty Money

The London set gritty thriller is being produced by Insight Films.
Alan Entwistle developing baby drama 24weekers

The feature film is based on his own experience of being a father to a severely premature baby and is currently out for casting.
Aluna

Dir: Alan Ereira. UK. 2012. 90mins
Amanda Palmer leaves Doha Film Institute

Amanda Palmer is stepping down as executive director of the Doha Film Institute, after three years running the Doha Tribeca Film Festival.
Arte backs Lars von Trier’s Nymphomaniac

Feature stars Charlotte Gainsbourg as a woman who recounts her erotic life from birth to 50-years-old.
Australia’s AMPCO acquires rights to The Alchemyst

Author Michael Scott will adapt his novel in anticipation of an early 2013 production start in Australia and New Zealand.
AV Pictures sells The Liability to Revolver, Grindstone

The road trip thriller stars Tim Roth and Jack O’Connell.
AV’s Comedown acquired for Germany, South Korea

EXCLUSIVE: Thriller starring Adam Deacon sells to Capelight Pictures, Cine21.
Avid continues support of Sundance Directors Lab

Avid Technology will continue to support the Sundance Institute’s annual June Directors Lab, now taking place in Utah.
BAFTA board seeks membership shake-up

Members who have not worked in “a significant” production role in film, TV or video games in last five years will only be eligible to renew as associate (non-voting) members; membership categories to change.
BAFTA moves to two-round voting for film awards

BAFTA Film Committee approves move to two-round voting system; 2013 nominations to remain ahead of Oscars; online screenings to increase.
Ballplayer: Pelotero, Ghetta’Life scoop Aruba award

Baseball doc Ballplayer: Pelotero and Ghetta’Life win Caribbean Spotlight Series (CSS) Competition in Aruba.
BBC unveils download to own project proposals

The BBC is circulating a business plan for Project Barcelona as it looks to launch its premium download-to-own portal this year.
Before The Door Pictures’ Periods. to open Hollyshorts

The film from Zachary Quinto’s production company will kick off the event on Aug 9 at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
Ben Roberts to speak at Children's Media Conference

The event will take place July 4-6 in Sheffield.
Berberian Sound Studio

Dir/scr: Peter Strickland UK. 2012. 92mins
Bergman Week wraps with "steady increase" in visitors

Ninth edition had ticket sales on par with last year’s best-ever sales.
BFI reassures industry about UK's film tax schemes after Times scandal story

In a letter to the Editor of The Times, the British Film Institute has sought to reassure international producers that the UK Film Tax Credit is both stable and safe.
Borrowed Time

Dir/scr: Jules Bishop. UK. 2012. 86mins
Boy Eating The Bird's Food

Dir/scr: Ektoras Lygizos. Greece. 2012. 80mins
Branko Lustig to be honoured at Sarajevo

Croatian film producer Branko Lustig is to receive the honorary heart of Sarajevo award at this year’s Sarajevo Film Festival.
Brave hits target as $67m extends Pixar’s perfect score

The animation factory has now seen all 13 of its films open at number one through Buena Vista as $66.7m pulled off the second biggest June launch behind Toy Story 3.
Brian Robertson resigns as CEO of CTBF

Brian Robertson has resigned as CEO of the UK’s Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF), effective as of June 30.
Britdoc, New York Times join forces to support short form docs

The announcement was made at Britdoc’s Good Pitch Europe event in London today.
Camion

Dir/scr: Rafael Ouellet. Canada. 2012. 94mins
Cee Lo Green joins Can A Song Save Your Life?

The singer-songwriter joins Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, Grammy Award winner and Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine and Catherine Keener on the Exclusive Media project.
China’s TCL to be marketing partner on Iron Man 3

Chinese multinational electronics company TCL has confirmed that it will be an international marketing partner for Disney/Marvel’s Iron Man 3, which is shooting in China later this year.
Chris Fujiwara confirmed as EIFF artistic director for further three years

The decision was made by the EIFF’s board following the positive response to the 2012 edition, which wrapped last week.
Cockneys Vs. Zombies, Tulpa, May I Kill U? among 15 FrightFest world premieres

13th edition to screen a record 48 films, including 23 UK or European premieres.
Corrode wins top prize at SIFF’s Asian New Talent Awards

Indian filmmaker Karan Gour’s Corrode took home the top honours of best picture at the Asian New Talent Awards during the 15th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) yesterday.
Creative England awards £150,000 via Film Network Fund

Individual awards of up to £25,000 have been made to grass roots organisations across the UK which support and promote filmmaking activities.
D-Cinema advances push exhibitors to invest

With digital transition of the world’s 130,000 cinema screens expected to be complete in the major territories by 2015, technology suppliers are lining up the next big technical advance with which to entice further investment from exhibitors.
Dear Betrayed Friends secures finishing funds and is reinstated at Karlovy Vary

Hungarian feature Dear Betrayed Friends has been reinstated in the East of the West Competition in Karlovy Vary.
Designing 007: Fifty Years of Bond Style

This Screen reporter was as excited as a child in a sweet shop at a preview of the new and very impressive James Bond design exhibition at London’s Barbican, where we also sat down with infamous Bond and Batman designer Lindy Hemming who guest-curated the show.
Distribution round-up: The Babymakers, General Education

Millennium Entertainment has teamed up with Tugg on the upcoming release of its Jay Chandrasekhar comedy The Babymakers.
Docu Talents presenting in Karlovy Vary include homeless, Eugenics projects

Today in Karlovy Vary, the Docu Talents from the East presentation will include nine documentaries from Central and Eastern Europe in production or post-production.
Dogme director Kragh-Jacobsen to shoot thriller starring The Killing's Sofie Grabol

The Hunt and Submarino writer Tobias Lindholm has written thriller with Jonas T Bengtsson; principal photography on $3.7m project to get underway in late summer; The Match Factory handles sales.
Doha's new script development programme adds mentors including Routh, Doueiri

The Doha Film Institute is launching its new nationwide screenwriting development programme entitled Hezayah.
Dolby announces first European venue for Dolby Atmos

Barcelona’s Cinesa Diagonal Mar welcomes the new audio platform.
DOORS film summit, Moscow

The First International Travelling Film Market (DOORS) hosted a well-attended film summit on June 23 in Moscow.
Double Steps, Francine, Francophrenia among New Horizons competition

Urszula Antoniak, Naomi Kawase, Amat Escalante, Lav Diaz and Przemyslaw Wojcieszek comprise international jury; festival toopen with Haneke’s Amour.
Dream ticket

Lionsgate knew exactly how to get us in the mood last night at a special press screening of Magic Mike….
East meets East

Twenty budding young filmmakers from East London took part in a series of workshops led by award winning Romanian film-makers - the result is a short documentary about their experiences, which will screen at the East End Film Festival.
Edgar Ramirez to take lead in Arvelo's Libertador

Alberto Arvelo’s epic about the life of South American revolutionary Simon Bolivar will also star Maria Valverde and Danny Huston.
Edinburgh International Film Festival

Winners, attendees and industry events at the Edinburgh International Film Festival (20 June - 1 July).
Edinburgh's upbeat 2012 paves the way for rebuilding festival

The Edinburgh Film Festival closed this weekend on a relatively upbeat note - and with new festival Director Chris Fujiwara (whose one year contract ends in September) eager to stay at the helm.
Edouard Waintrop reappointed artistic director of Cannes Directors’ Fortnight

Waintrop’s initial one-year contract as head of Cannes’ parallel section extended to 2013 edition.
Elissa Greer joins FilmDistrict as svp publicity

Greer will oversee domestic theatrical publicity and promotional campaigns and reports to president of marketing Christine Birch.
Encounters Film Festival launches animation production scheme

Backed by Creative Skillset, the five day course will take place during the 18th edition of the festival in September.
eOne expands home entertainment division with key hires

Patrick McDonough arrives as svp of home entertainment sales and Suzanne Faber is appointed director of children’s marketing, effective immediately.
eOne Films US to partner with Tugg on Iron Sky

Timo Vuorensola’s genre tale will open through Tugg’s grassroots support network in in select cities in July.
EuropaCorp posts profit for first time in two years

Cost cutting measures, such as ditching animation, alongside strong international sales led by Colombiana put company back in the black.
Evelyn

Dir: Isabel de Ocampo. Spain. 2012. 96mins
Factory 25 takes world rights to Pavilion, signs O-Scope pact

Tim Sutton’s feature directorial debut screened at BAMcinemaFest, SXSW and the Munich Film Festival.
Fair Sex

Dir/scr: Martin Laroche. Canada. 2012. 89mins
Fantasia announces partnership with Festival Scope

Montreal genre festival also confirms a record number of industry attendees for this year’s edition, which runs July 19-August 9.
Fever Productions craft multi-channel launch for Smiley

The filmmakers have set a day-and-date theatrical and streaming release for Oct 11 that utilises Tugg and the horror-thriller’s online fanbase.
Film Armada sets sail as online destination, Nantucket partner

Digital distributor Film Armada has launched and the founders have announced it as the official streaming partner of the 17th Annual Nantucket Film Festival.
Film Festival Flix set for September launch

MouseTrap Films CEO Benjamin Oberman has unveiled plans to launch a monthly film series in September through his distribution platform Film Festival Flix (FFF).
Flower Buds

Dir/scr: Jdenek Jirasky. Czech Republic. 2012. 91mins
Flying Blind

Dir: Katarzyna Klimkiewicz. UK. 2012. 93 mins
Fox Int’l confirms $80m weekend launch for Ice Age 4

By the final reckoning the opening session generated a couple of million dollars more than original estimates, the studio said on Monday (Jul 2).
Frankenweenie to premiere at Fantastic Fest on Sept 20

Tim Burton’s stop-motion feature version of his 1984 short will open the event in Austin, Texas, ahead of the US release through Buena Vista on Oct 5.
Freestyle Digital Media takes DVD, digital rights to Munger Road

CEO Susan Jackson brokered the deal with executive producer Jeffery Smith of Insomnia Productions.
Future My Love

Dir/scr: Maja Borg. UK-Sweden. 2012. 93mins
George Entwistle named BBC DG

George Entwistle has been appointed the new director general of the BBC, ending months of speculation about who would get the top job in TV.
Germany brings back the drive-in with 1Live Autokino

Christie Digital projectors used in the series at four outdoor locations.
Glastonbury The Movie In Flashback

Dir: Robin Mahoney, UK. 2012. 92mins
GoDigital acquires supernatural comedy The Selling

Emily Lou directed from an original screenplay by Gabriel Diani about an estate agent who tries to sell a haunted house.
Good Pitch 2012 projects include Call me Kuchu, Big Boys Gone Bananas

The 2012 Good Pitch Europe, organised by BRITDOC and The Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, has announced the 8 projects which have been selected to be part of its one day pitching event on June 25.
Gravitas acquires US rights to 3,2,1 … Frankie Go Boom

The rom-com will launch on VoD in September and open theatrically through Variance Films in October, marking the distribution partnership’s first theatrical release.
Grisly happenings in Oz cinema

A man accused of beheading his neighbour successfully auditioned for work on Ivan Sen’s Mystery Road, while paramedics were called to a screening of Oz horror Redd Inc.
Hamptons Int’l Film Festival to honour James Schamus

The 20th annual festival will present the Focus Features CEO with this year’s Industry Toast on Oct 5.
Hanka Kastelicová takes new docs post at HBO Europe

Kastelicová will oversee all aspects of HBO Europe’s documentary output.
Hans Lonnerheden joins Nice Drama

Swedish producer of 2003 drama Evil named head of production for Sweden’s drama arm of Nice Group.
Harold’s Going Stiff

Dir/scr: Keith Wright. UK. 2011. 76mins
Helen Mirren talks 'Hitchcock' and 'The Door'

Speaking in Karlovy Vary, the Oscar winning actress talks about her roles in Sacha Gervasi’s Hitchcock and Istvan Szabo’s The Door.
Here, Then and One Mile Away win top awards in Edinburgh

Festival closes with screening of Brave.
Hitchcock's The Lodger to screen via Cross Artform Venue Network

The BFI’s newly restored version of Hitchcock’s The Lodger: A Tale Of The London Fog will world premiere at the Barbican in London and simultaneously in cinemas across the UK.
Hong Kong box office soars by 19% in first half of 2012

Hong Kong’s box office increased by 19% to $97.22m (HK$753.97m) in the first half of 2012, compared to $81.65m (HK$633.19m) in the first half of last year.
Horror Stories, For Love’s Sake to bookend PiFan

Asia’s largest genre film fest, the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) has announced a line-up of 230 films from 47 countries for its 16th edition.
Hot projects on Screenbase

New films on Screenbase include Amour Et Turbulences starring Ludivine Sagnier as well as Francois Ozon’s latest production Jeune Et Jolie.
Icarus, dGenerate sign US distribution pact

Icarus Films president Jonathan Miller and dGenerate Films president Karin Chien have signed a deal for the former to release dGenerate’s Chinese catalogue in the US.
Ice Age 4 builds on muscular starts in France, Australia

UPDATE: As of Friday Fox International’s follow-up to the behemoth that is Ice Age 3 had grossed more than $11m from 12 of this weekend’s initial wave of 37 markets.
Ice Age 4 freezes competition at the UK box office

Fox’s 3D animation opens regionally - in Scotland and Ireland - and previews strongly nationwide.
Ice Age: Continental Drift

Dirs: Steve Martino, Michael Thurmeier. US. 2012. 87mins
imm sound used for You May Not Kiss The Bride

imm sound post-produces second film with its 3D immersive sound technology after Juan Antonio Bayona’s The Impossible.
Indomina lines up Aug 13 start on Cabin Fever: Patient Zero

Sean Astin, Brando Eaton and Ben Hollingsworth will be at the company’s new studio facilities in the Dominican Republic for director Kaare Andrews.
Industry photographer Harry Myers dies aged 84

Industry photographer Harry Myers has passed away aged 84.
Jacqueline Hurt, Olswang

Jacqueline Hurt talks about the role of the lawyer in film financing deals, the rise in the number of sales companies and the film policy review.
Jane Evans to head physical production for DreamWorks

The newly arrived evp most recently served in the same capacity at Focus Features.
Japan’s CCC takes 33% stake in Taiwan’s Deltamac

Culture Convenience Club (CCC), the company behind Japan’s largest video rental chain Tsutaya, has acquired a 33.4% share in Taiwanese film and video distributor Deltamac, a subsidiary of optical media giant CMC Group.
Jasmine Madatian secures top Academy publicity role

The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences announced on Tuesday (19) that Madatian has been appointed to the new role of managing director of communications, effective Jul 30.
Javor Gardev boards Theseus epic

Theseus epic to be produced by Kalliope Films and The Institute’s Scott Gardenhour; Avatar and Spiderman 2 crew on board.
Jerry Pierce to serve as NATO tech advisor

The former svp of Universal Pictures and founder and chairman of Inter-Society’s Digital Cinema Forum (ISDCF)will begin his consulting post on Jul 1.
Jiaflix signs streaming deal with China Movie Channel

The US-Chinese venture has partnered exclusively with M1905, the official internet subsidiary of China Movie Channel/CCTV6, to stream US, Chinese and international films on a subscription and transactional basis throughout China.
Joe Carnahan to receive 2012 HollyShorts Visionary Award

The director of The Grey, The A-Team and Narc will collect the honour at opening night on Aug 9 at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
Joe Cornish to head Film4's Scene Stealers competition jury

Attack the Block writer/director Joe Cornish will head the jury of Film4’s Scene Stealers jury.
Jung appointed as head of CJ E&M’s film division

Korean giant CJ E&M Corporation has appointed former Showbox/Mediaplex executive Tae-sung Jung as head of the film division.
Kadokawa, Gaga announce executive movements

At the end of June and beginning of July there have been an unusually high number of corporate maneuvers in the Japanese film industry.
Kamihate Store

Dir: Tatsuya Yamamoto. Japan. 2012. 104mins
Karlovy Vary Q&A: Alicia Cano – El Bella Vista

Receiving its world premiere in the Karlovy Vary Documentary Competition section, El Bella Vista is a quirky yet moving documentary about Uruguayan brothel El Bella Vista, its transvestite inhabitants and the small village community that wants to remove them and change the brothel into a Catholic School.
Karlovy Vary Q&A: Marek Najbrt (Director), Polski Film

The film, exploring the boundaries of reality and fiction, offers a different style than other Czech productions.
Karlovy Vary Q&A: Robert Vinovskis, People Out There

Set to premiere in the East of the West competition, Aik Karapetjans’ People Out There is an intense Latvian film about a young man who dreams of a better life despite his difficult circumstances.
Karlovy Vary Q&A: Toomas Hussar, Mushrooming

Estonian film Mushrooming is an intriguing mixture of satire and drama as a politician, in the midst of being accused of expense fraud, finds himself lost in the woods.
Karlovy Vary Works In Progress includes new projects from Silent Souls producer, Foxes director

One project will win €10,000 package sponsored by Barrandov Studios.
Kevin McKidd, Ashley Jensen attached to star in Ward's Indian Summer

Michael Hamlyn’s Specific Films (the outfit behind Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert) is planning to begin production early next year on its new $4 million feature Indian Summer.
Korean admissions reach record 83m in first half of 2012

South Korean cinema admissions have hit a record high in the first half of 2012, increasing by 21% to 82.7 million, according to the Korean Film Council (KOFIC).
LAFF honours go to All is Well, Drought, Beasts

Signalling the climax of the 10-day event in Downtown Los Angeles, Pocas Pascoal won the narrative award for All Is Well and Everardo González collected documentary honours for Drought.
Latitude readies slate including Bondarchuk’s English-language debut The 8th Sea

New York-based production and finance company Latitude Media is readying three films in its development slate including Russian director Fedor Bondarchuk’s English-language debut The 8th Sea.
Latvian project Hybrid Vigor seeks Kickstarter support

US filmmaker Brandon Fowler directs the horror film which began principal photography in March and has already completed major sequences on Lake Peipus in Estonia and several locations in Latvia.
Leaner Madrid de Cine screenings event sparks sales

The Spanish Film Screenings 2012 was busy despite lower attendance due to the economic crisis. I Want You, Unit 7, Operation E and The Artist And The Model were among the biggest draws.
Leos Carax to be honoured at Locarno

French director Leos Carax is to receive the Locarno Film Festival’s Leopard of Honour (the Pardo d’onore Swisscom) at this year’s festival.
Lightning, Paladin strike US deal over The Revenant

Lightning Entertainment has licensed US theatrical distribution rights on D Kerry Prior’s award winning horror-comedy to Mark Urman’s Paladin, while Lightning Media will handle the day-and-date VoD launch.
Liv & Ingmar to open Nordic Focus in Haugesund

Liv Ullmann will be an honourary guest.
LoveFilm inks second-window film and TV deal with Fox

Film titles available to include Black Swan, X-Men: First Class and Never Let Me Go;TV titles include 24, Prison Break, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel.
LUX Prize's 10 finalists include Our Children, Barbara, Tabu

Here in Karlovy Vary Sunday evening, the official selection of the films competing for the European Parliament’s 2012 LUX Prize were unveiled.
M&C Saatchi partners with Goldsmiths, YouTube for 48 hour film challenge

Filmhack kicks off today in London.
Madagascar 3 seals third int’l box office win on $30.1m

DreamWorks Animation’s summer hit has reached an estimated $208.4m through PPI, while Huntsman brought in a further $22.6m for UPI and Disney reported a $13.5m haul from Brave’s initial forays. Sony’s MIB 3 has crossed $400m.
Madagascar 3 to cross $200m internationally

DreamWorks Animation’s Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted stands at $176.7m through PPI and executives will look for a number one hold in the third weekend.
Magic Mike

Dir: Steven Soderbergh. US. 2012. 110mins
Makhmalbaf among BIFF’s Asian Cinema Fund recipients

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has announced 31 Asian Cinema Fund (ACF) recipients this year, including Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s The Gardener for post-production funds.
Malik Bendjelloul

The Swedish director talks to Screen about Searching For Sugar Man, set for release in the UK on July 26 after gaining critical acclaim and awards on the festival circuit.
Masoumi wins best film for second time at SIFF

The 15th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) closed last night with Iranian filmmaker Khosro Masoumi’s Bear taking the top prize, best feature film, in the Golden Goblet Awards.
Maven Pictures lines up Rudolph Nureyev biopic

Trudie Styler and Celine Rattray have teamed up with Italian producer Davide Azzolini to bring to life Colum McCann’s novel Dancer based on the life of the Russian ballet icon.
Millennium Entertainment sets Oct 5 release for Paperboy

The company, which as first reported by Screendaily in Cannes is being eyed by Exclusive for possible acquisition, is going ahead with the US release of Lee Daniels’ 1969-set steamy thriller.
Moscow's Grand Prix won by UK's Junkhearts

Eddie Marsan named Best Actor, Sokurov calls for 2bn rouble rescue package for Lenfilm Studios.
Mueller rings changes for Rome Film Festival 2012

Rome Film Festival (November 9 – 17) to feature “around sixty” world premieres and two new competition strands; Sandra Hebron joins selection committee; Business Street and New Cinema Network to continue.
Nine projects on Fast Track for Film Independent

The organisation has selected 19 filmmakers and nine projects for its tenth annual programme at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
Nora Ephron 1941-2012

The creator of an acclaimed body of work including iconic romantic hits When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless In Seattle has died in New York from complications arising from leukaemia. She was 71.
Norway's Breien to shoot Down's Detective in Prague

TrustNordisk to handle sales on the Norwegian-Czech-Danish-German co-production.
Noth to be among international guests at PiFan

Golden Globe-nominated actor Chris Noth will be on the red carpet at the 16th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) next month.
November Films takes UK rights to The Punk Syndrome

November Films has taken all UK rights to Finnish documentary The Punk Syndrome.
Ofcom issues UK anti-piracy measures

Ofcom unveils draft code in which ISPs will be required to send warning letters to alleged illegal downloaders of film, TV or music.
On the road to success

South East Europe has seen a boom in production in recent years, with regional hits such as The Parade, but the exhibition and distribution sectors still have to catch up.
One Mile Away

Dir: Penny Woolcock. UK. 2012. 90mins
Organic Marketing makes new appointments

Chris Warrington has been appointed head of UK marketing and Caragh Cook as head of UK publicity at London based company Organic Marketing.
Palm Springs ShortFest winners include Mirrors, Curious Conjunction, Mr Christmas

Julio O Ramos’ Peru-US entry Behind The Mirrors (Detras Del Espejo) won the 2012 Palm Springs International ShortFest’s Best Of Festival Award on Sunday (24).
Paolo Sorrentino to head up international jury at Torino Film Festival

Ken Loach will be awarded the festival’s Gran Premio Torino.
Paris Cinema Film Festival Opening Night

The stars were out at the opening of the Paris Cinema Film Festival, which runs June 29 to July 10.
Penny Wolf joins Mediabiz Capital investment committee

Former Goldcrest and Peace Arch exec assumes role on film fund committee.
Peter Strickland

Screen talks to British director Peter Strickland, who is in Edinburgh this week for the world premiere of his second feature Berberian Sound Studio.
Phase 4 takes North American rights to The Baytown Outlaws

LLeju Productions’ action comedy formerly known as The Baytown Disco stars Billy Bob Thornton and Eva Longoria. Phase 4 plans a theatrical release in early 2013.
Piazza Fontana: The Italian Conspiracy

Dir: Marco Tullio Giordana. Italy-France. 2012. 121mins
Pitch perfect

Screen headed down to the 2012 Good Pitch Europe in London yesterday, where attendees included Jemima Khan, Sam Branson and Rageh Omar.
Planet Of Snail, Only The Young triumph at Silverdocs

The AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs Documentary Festival unveiled its winners at the weekend as the seven-day event came to an end in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Polski Film

Dir: Marek Najbrt. Czech Republic-Poland. 2012. 113mins
Princess Diana biopic Caught In Flight renamed Diana

Shooting has begun on Oliver Hirschbiegel’s Princess Diana biopic, starring Naomi Watts.
Producers bulk up cast on Karl Urban thriller Overdrive

Screen UK Stars Of Tomorrow Sam Claflin, recently seen in Snow White And The Huntsman, and Emilia Clarke (pictured) from Games Of Thrones are on board. Pierre Morel is producing and Michael Brandt and Derek Haas wrote the screenplay.
Production begins in Toronto on Carrie for MGM, Screen Gems

Shooting is underway on the Stephen King adaptation starring Chloe Grace Moretz (pictured), Julianne Moore and Judy Greer.
Psykou's Antonis wins Karlovy Vary Works In Progress award

Karlovy Vary’s Works In Progress jury has given a new €10,000 prize to the most promising project, Elina Psykou’s The Eternal Return of Antonis P.
RealD denies waning interest in 3D, plans rollout of lighter glasses

RealD CEO Michael Lewis expects “more and more people to pay the premium” for a bigger cinematic experience; addresses dip in share price.
Rebecca O'Brien, Brent V Friedman to speak at Strategic Partners

The three day co-production market takes place September 13-16 in Halifax, Canada.
Remstar to release Don Jon’s Addiction, Two Mothers

The Montreal-based distributor expects to open the films in Canada in 2013. eOne will handle Canadian rights in all media in collaboration with Remstar excluding theatrical, VoD and French-language television rights in Quebec.
Responses published to EC Consultation on State Aid for film

Producers and film agencies have rejected the idea that there is “a subsidy race” going on across Europe.
Restored Fireman's Ball premieres in Karlovy Vary

Yesterday, the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival premiered the restored, digitised version of Milos Forman’s 1968 classic The Fireman’s Ball.
Revenue from shoots in Thailand surpasses 2011 total

The Thailand Film Office (TFO) has reported that revenue from all foreign productions shooting in Thailand has reached $46.5m in the first five months of 2012, which is a 17.5% increase over revenues for the whole of last year
Rob Reiner in talks to join The Wolf Of Wall Street

Red Granite owns the rights to Jordan Belfort’s best-selling memoir about his tumultuous life as a trader and is financing the project. Martin Scorsese will direct Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role.
Robert Lantos shuffles executive suite at Serendipity

Business affairs overlord Mark Musselman has been promoted to evp of Serendipity Point Films effective immediately (28) and will continue to manage the company’s business relations with financial partners, distributors and government agencies while seeking out new opportunities.
Roma ore 11 to screen as Venice pre-opening film

A restored copy of Giuseppe De Santis’ Roma ore 11 will screen on the pre-opening night (August 28) of the Venice International Film Festival.
Rosen, Armstrong take a walk Around The Block

Husband and wife producing team, former Film Finance Corporation chief Brian Rosen and Su Armstrong, are in their first week of filming Around The Block, starring Christina Ricci.
Ruby Sparks

Dirs: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris. US. 2012. 104mins
Ruminov, Litvinova projects among titles at first Moscow market

Films by Pavel Ruminov, Renata Litvinova and Avdotya Smirnova are among 20 titles to be screened at the first DOORS film market (June 21-24) which is being organised by Roskino and the Russian Film Commission USA as part of the Moscow International Film Festival (MIFF).
Russia On The Verge

The recent Moscow Business Square confirmed that Russia’s industry is still struggling to break out of its local borders but that a global explosion of stories and talent is inevitable.
Russia's Glavkino boasts largest sound stage in Eastern Europe

Glavkino’s in-house production division has already backed $16m action film August 8th.
Sam Anthony joins Sundog Pictures

He takes on the role of creative director at Sam Branson’s newly rebranded company Sundog Pictures.
San Sebastian partners with Cannes Producers Network, Ventana Sur

The San Sebastian Film Festival’s co-production forum has been boosted by two new strategic partnerships, with the Cannes Producers Network and Ventana Sur, Latin America’s biggest market.
Savages

Dir: Oliver Stone. US. 2012. 130mins
Screen Gems plans Think Like A Man sequel

The original comedy opened at number one in April in North America and starred Michael Ealy, Regina Hall, Taraji P Henson, Gabrielle Union and Kevin Hart. It went on to gross more than $91m domestically.
Screen Media takes doc Wild Horse, Wild Ride

President Suzanne Blech and David Fannon negotiated the deal for North American rights with Anne Atkinson of Pryor Cashman on behalf of the filmmakers.
Sean Lohan to oversee Americas for MasterImage 3D

The new vp of digital cinema at the technology company will drive all aspects of the business in North American and the fast-growing South American region including sales, operations management and international product development.
Sen’s Mystery Road starts shooting in Queensland

Aaron Pedersen, Hugo Weaving, Ryan Kwanten and veteran Jack Thompson are among the ensemble cast in Ivan Sen’s Mystery Road, which is in its first week of filming at Winton in Central Queensland.
Shangri-La Hotel Toronto Asian Film Summit set for Sept 10

Jackie Chan will attend as guest of honour, while MPAA chief Chris Dodd is among the first to confirm participation.
Shell withdrawn from Edinburgh line-up

The producers have withdrawn the film, which was due to have its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film festival, due to confusion over the Michael Powell Award criteria.
Shooting starts on Kevin Macdonald's How I Live Now

Adaptation of Meg Rosoff’s multi-award-winning novel shoots for eight weeks in England and Wales.
Shoreline takes the world on horror-thriller Torture Chamber

Dante Tomaselli wrote, directed and produced the story about a sinister bond between a mother and her two sons. Vincent Pastore stars.
SnagFilms takes US on Decoding Deepa

The guru’s son Gotham Chopra directed the account of the father-son road trip. SnagFilms has set an Oct 5 release in select theatres plus day-and-date VoD and digital roll-out.
Sony's Spider-Man weaves worldwide web of wonder

UPDATE: The arachnid has grossed $104m through Sony Pictures Releasing International and is poised to deliver a sophomore thump in more than 60 new territories day-and-date with North America this weekend.
Spanish films grossed $235m internationally in 2011

Spanish cinema fared better abroad than at home in 2011, grossing $235m internationally, twice as much as in the local market.
SPT poised to snap up £40m Left Bank

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is on the brink of acquiring Wallander producer Left Bank Pictures in a deal thought to be worth in excess of £40m.
Stand up and be counted

Dinah Caine, chief executive of Creative Skillset, urges the industry to take part in its first census since 2009.
Star Chinese Movies boards Wedding Diary sequel

Star Chinese Movies (SCM) will co-finance the highly-anticipated sequel to Singapore-Malaysian box office hit The Wedding Diary, directed by Malaysia’s Adrian Teh.
Steve Jobs biopic bulks up cast

Ron Eldard, John Getz, Lesley Ann Warren and James Woods have joined Ashton Kutcher on jOBS, which is currently shooting in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Storage 24

Dir: Johannes Roberts. UK. 2012. 87mins
Strand Releasing takes US rights to My Worst Nightmare

Anne Fontaine’s comedy stars Isabelle Huppert, Benoit Poelvoorde and Andre Dussollier and will open this autumn.
StudioCanal signs Alan Partridge

StudioCanal has acquired UK theatrical rights to The Alan Partridge Movie with plans to release in August 2013.
Sundance Institute’s Film Forward heads to Colombia

The sixth stop-off in the Institute’s programme designed to advance cultural dialogue is set to reach the Latin American market from Jul 9-14.
Ted

Dir: Seth MacFarlane. US. 2012. 106mins
Ted scores biggest R-rated US comedy launch on $54.1m

Universal’s potty-mouthed cuddly toy harnessed enough of a following to knock The Hangover off its perch in the original R-rated comedy pantheon.
The 94th Element

‘94 elements’ is a new cross-media project launched by director Mike Paterson that aims to raise awareness for the rate at which we are consuming our mineral resources through studying our relationships with them.
The Amazing Spider-Man

Dir: Marc Webb. US. 2012. 137mins
The Five-Year Engagement romances UK box office

Universal’s comedy knocks Prometheus off top spot with estimated $1.8m debut; Fox’s action horror Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter opens closely behind on $1.7m.
The Stoning Of St Stephen

Dir: Pera Vila I Barcelo. Spain-France. 2012. 80mins
Toby Stephens, Caity Lotz to star in The Machine

The film is being sold worldwide by Content.
Tortoise in Love gets £30,000 rural release boost from BFI

UK crowd-funded comedy featuring a cameo from culture minister Ed Vaizey gets a £30,000 P&A boost from BFI.
TWC announces $225m in revolving credit facilities

The company’s strategic initiatives, investments and banking (SIIB) division has closed two separate deals “to act on opportunities worldwide as they become available.”
UK box office update: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter stakes number one

Final figures confirm Fox’s action horror opens top; Universal’s The Five-Year Engagement charts third; eOne’s horror The Pact crosses £2m.
UK premiere of Arena: Amy Winehouse to open East End Film Festival

Documentary is one of 35 UK premieres at the 11th edition of the festival, which will also host 14 world premieres.
UK to host talks from Fellner, Bevan, Heyman during Olympic business series

As part of UK Trade & Investment’s international business legacy programme during the Olympic Games, film experts will be talking about the UK industry to global business leaders.
UNIC annual report notes that Russian box office grows 18%

The report shows total EU box office returns remaining stable at €6.4 billion and the digital rollout making progress.
UPI checks in for French transatlantic flight romcom Amour et Turbulences

Alexandre Castagnetti’s Amour et Turbulences is among three French productions boarded by Universal Pictures International for 2013 slate.
Walk Away Renee

Dir/scr: Jonathan Caouette. US-France. 2012. 87mins
Warner Bros sets Oct 26 domestic release for Cloud Atlas

The studio announced the date on Tuesday (19), throwing another potential awards contender into what is shaping up to be a prestige season. Warner Bros has also acquired rights for the UK, France, Spain, Australia and Japan and will release in those territories in early 2013.
Wasteland

Screen 2011 Star of Tomorrow Rowan Athale makes his feature directorial debut with this story of friendship and a heist, starring Luke Treadaway, Iwan Rheon, Gerard Kearns, Matthew Lewis, Timothy Spall, Vanessa Kirby and Neil Maskell.
Your Beauty Is Worth Nothing…

Dir/scr: Huseyin Tabak. Austria. 2012. 85mins
YouView service set for launch this month in UK

YouView set-top boxes are to go on sale by the end of July for £299 as the broadcasters’ delayed £70m connected TV service was officially unveiled today.
YouView sets launch date; plans for linear streaming

Internet-connected TV service YouView, which will launch next week after two years of delays, will allow broadcasters to stream linear channels after an initial VoD-only offering.

Screen28 June 2012

Screen
28 June 2012