Screen
30 Dec 2010

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Beautiful Lies (De Vrais Mensonges)

Dir: Pierre Salvadori. France. 2010. 104mins
Berlinale announces 12 Generation titles

Among the 12 features are four world premieres and three international premieres. The full announcement will be made in early January.
Blood In The Mobile

Dir/scr: Frank Piasecki Poulsen. Den-Ger. 2010. 82mins
Break ke Baad

Dir: Danish Aslam. India. 2010. 133 mins
Digital Vision acquires Image Systems and appoints new CEO

Film and TV grading and restoration specialist Digital Vision has acquired motion analysis and film scanning company Image Systems.
Frederick Wiseman

Boston-born documentary film-maker Frederick Wiseman talks about his new project, Crazy Horse, which he shot in the legendary erotic cabaret club in Paris.
Incendies and Barney's Version among TIFF Canadian top 10

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) unveiled its tenth annual Canada’s Top Ten films today [14] and the list of features includes previous award winners such as Incendies (pictured) and Barney’s Version as well as relatively unknown titles like director Ingrid Veniger’s colourful debut feature Modra.
Les Emotifs Anonymes

Dir: Jean-Perre Améris. France-Belgium. 2010. 80mins
Lullaby For Pi

Dir/scr: Benoit Philippon. Canada-France. 2010. 104mins
My Barefoot Friend

Dir: Lee Seong-gyou. South Korea. 2010. 93mins
Saint (Sint)

Dir/scr: Dick Maas. Netherlands. 2010. 85mins
Sony joins Sergi Vizcaino's horror Scars

Sony will finance and co-produce alongside Spanish outfit Roday Y Rodar, which has revealed details of its new slate.
Tees Maar Khan

Dir: Farah Khan. India. 2010. 134 mins
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Dir: Michael Apted. US. 2010. 115mins
What’s In A Name

Dir/scr: Eva Kupper. Belgium. 2010. 70mins
You Don’t Like The Truth - 4 Days Inside Guantanamo

Dirs/scr: Luc Cote, Patricio Henriquez. Can. 2010. 99mins
Limbo

Dir/scr: Maria Sodahl. Norway. 2010. 105mins
13th Moet British Independent Film Awards, London

Award winners at the BIFA ceremony, Old Billingsgate Market, London (Dec 5, 2010).
14th Tallinn International Film Festival Black Nights, Estonia

Winners at the Black Nights Festival, Tallinn, Estonia.
2010 3D releases mitigate German admissions drop

Additional revenues generated by 3D releases in 2010 cushioned the negative effects of a year-on-year decline in film-going in Germany.
33 projects selected for Rotterdam's Cinemart

Films by Jan Švankmajer, Carlos Reygadas, Alex van Warmerdam, Andrei Zvyagintsev and Sergei Loznitza are amongst the 33 projects to have been selected for Rotterdam’s co-production market Cinemart (Jan 30-Feb 2).
3rd Fashion in Film Festival kicks off in London

The 3rd Fashion in Film Festival is underway in London, with a special focus on costume in European and American cinema.
678

Dir/scr: Mohamed Diab. Egypt. 2010. 100mins
A New Hope

The UK film industry is entering another new chapter courtesy of the new government. So now we know the plans, there’s an occasion for optimism.
A Somewhat Gentle Man wins in Les Arcs; festival to expand

Hans Petter Moland’s comedy-drama A Somewhat Gentle Man has been awarded the Crystal Arrow at the closing ceremony of the second Les Arcs Film Festival; Even The Rain took three prizes.
A View Of Love (Un balcon sur la mer)

Dir: Nicole Garcia. France. 2010. 109mins
AAM to broadcast Talking Heads concert film across UK

Arts Alliance Media will broadcast Kaleidoscope Entertainment’s UK premiere screening of Ride Rise Roar live via satellite to 50 UK screens on Jan 20, 2011.
Academy announces 41 songs on Oscar shortlist

Forty-one songs from eligible feature-length films are in contention for the original song Academy Award.
Academy declares 248 films eligible for best picture Oscar

Two hundred and forty-eight feature films have been deemed eligible for the 2010 Academy Award best picture category.
Academy unveils 15 films on effects shortlist

The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences announced today [10] that 15 films have been selected as semi-finalists for the visual effects Oscar.
Alan Maher

Irish Film Board production executive Alan Maher talks about the resilience of Ireland’s film industry and the rise of Irish documentaries.
All Dutch cinemas to be digital by 2012

All Cinemas in the Netherlands are to become digital by 2012, at a cost of $50.5m (€38m), it was announced today.
All Good Things

Dir: Andrew Jarecki. US. 2010. 101mins
Annies nominations put Dragon in front

How To Train Your Dragon dominates the Annie Awards nominations announced on Monday [6] for excellence in animation.
Armin Mueller-Stahl to receive Honorary Golden Bear at Berlin

It coincides with the acclaimed German actor’s 80th birthday.
Atletu earns jury and audience prizes as Bahamas Fest closes

Davey Frankel and Rasselas Lakew’s Atletu won the Bahamas International Film Festival’s (BIFF) Spirit Of Freedom (Narrative) honour as the event closed at the weekend.
Avatar drives out-of-this-world $2.9bn overseas annual haul for Fox

The blue-blood natives of Pandora propelled Fox International to a new industry high for annual ticket sales in 2010.
BAFTA Youth Mentoring Programme, BAFTA, London

Screen rubbed shoulders with particpants from the BAFTA and Media Trust Youth Mentoring Programme at an event held at BAFTA’s Piccadilly headquarters in London on Thursday (March 17).The prgramme, now in its second year, pairs up young film-makers from minority backgrounds with industry professionals including producers Damian Jones and Pippa Harris, to help them make short films about culturally relevant subject matters. Organiser Niyi Akeju told Screen that the programme would defini
Berlin's Panorama selections include Elite Squad 2, Mothers

The Berlinale’s Panorama section has now unveiled almost half of its 2011 lineup for next month’s festival, including 10 world premieres of new films by such directors as Rosa von Praunheim, Alexander Zeldovich and newcomers Jan Schomburg and Marie Kreutzer.
Beyond leads nominees for Sweden's Guldbagge Awards

Other leading nominees include Simple Simon, Sebbe and Pure.
Black Swan seduces Broadcast Film Critics on 12 nominations

Black Swan has earned 12 nominations from the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) heading into the 16th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards on January 14, 2011.The psycho-thriller is in contention for best picture, actress for Natalie Portman, director for Darren Aronofsky, supporting actress for Mila Kunis, among others.True Gritand The King’s Speech earned 11 nods apiece, while Inception received ten and The Social Network – a
Blake Edwards dies at age of 88

Blake Edwards, the prolific film-maker behind some of the most memorable comedies of the past four decades, died on Wednesday 15 in Santa Monica from complications related to pneumonia. He was 88.
Blanchett returns to Middle Earth for Hobbit films

Cate Blanchett is returning to the fantasy realm and has joined the cast of New Line, Warner Bros and MGM’s The Hobbit.
Bob Hoskins to star in Brit comedy Weighed In

The 80’s set feature adaptation is being directed by Sacha Bennett.
Bold lines up Swaim, Metkina for Trouble in 2011

The company is teaming up with Paranormal Activity producer Jason Blum on the project, which co-president Gary Michael Walters described last night [9] as being like a throwback to Fatal Attraction.
Brand appeal

Branded film must appeal to audiences’ social motivations, says content & digital director at FRUKT Communications, James Poletti.
Britdoc/PUMA grants go to Woolcock, Smith, Weber, Kauffman

UK documentary director Penny Woolcock is one of 10 film-makers to benefit from Channel 4 Britdoc’s latest round of development grants, via its ongoing partnership with sports brand PUMA.
Bruno Barde

On the 10th anniversary of the Marrakech Film Festival, its artistic director Bruno Barde talks to Screen about choosing films, attracting celebrity guests and the future of the festival.
Canadian films must do better, urges Telefilm Canada chair

Ten years after industry leaders set a target of 5% local market share for Canadian films the goal remains elusive, Telefilm Canada (TFC) chair Michel Roy told shareholders last night [8].
Catherine Owens to develop Oscar Wilde 3D feature

The project, to be based on an Oscar Wilde short story, has received funding from the Irish Film Board.
CFI to honour The Fighter's Amy Adams

Amy Adams will attend the 33rd Mill Valley Film Festival to collect the California Film Institute Award on December 15.
Chasen case 'person of interest' kills himself in Hollywood

A man wanted for questioning by police in the investigation into the murder of publicist Ronni Chasen shot and killed himself in Hollywood last night [1].
China and Australia step up film talks

A delegation of two dozen Australians head to Beijing this week in time for a four-day Australia-China film industry forum starting on December 8.
China Box office up 61% in 2010 for a new record

The Chinese box office total gross in 2010 reached $1.51bn (RMB10 billion), up 61.29% on 2009. After 44% growth in 2009, the 2010 boom again sets a new record.
China’s Bona Film Group makes debut on Nasdaq

Chinese production, distribution and exhibition company Bona Film Group started trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange in New York on Thursday (Dec 9), with chairman Yu Dong and actress Gong Li on hand to ring the opening bell.
Cine Guilds GB launches crew-sourcing portal

Cine Guilds GB has launched a new web portal to allow incoming productions to source UK crew.
Cinema Komunisto

Dir/scr: Mila Turajlic. Serbia. 2010. 100mins
CMG bullish on sales prospects for House Of The Rising Sun

Edward Noeltner’s Beverly Hills-based Cinema Management Group has announced that principal photography started yesteday [November 30] on House Of The Rising Sun.
CMG concludes key sales on Sundance winner Gasland

Ed Noeltner’s Cinema Management Group (CMG) has closed further sales on Josh Fox’s award-winning documentary Gasland.
Columbia hires Craig to adapt Quebec hit Fathers And Sons

Columbia Pictures has hired Peter Craig to adapt the French-Canadian phenomenon Fathers And Guns.
Columbia hires Hill, Tatum for 21 Jump Street adaptation

Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum will star in a contemporary adaptation of the television series 21 Jump Street for Columbia Pictures.
Considine, Farmiga make director bows at Sundance

The directorial debuts of Paddy Considine, Vera Farmiga and Barry Levinson’s son Sam Levinson as well as new work from Sundance alumni James Marsh and Drake Doremus are among the Sundance 2011 competition line-up announced today [December 1].
Country Strong

Dir/scr: Shana Feste. US. 2010. 120mins
Cripps, Ochs to deliver keynotes at maiden CinemaCon

Paramount Pictures International president Andrew Cripps and Warner Bros International Cinemas president Millard L Ochs will deliver keynote addresses at CinemaCon’s International Day.
Curzon Artificial Eye launches on demand service

It will stream new films simultaneously with their cinema release.
Dawn Treader claims overseas crown, races to $80m

The Chronicles Of Narnia: Voyage Of The Dawn Treader dominated Harry Potter with a confirmed $66.2m launch through Fox International that firmly established it at the top of the international box office.
Dawn Treader wins snowy overseas session on $32m

Fox International’s Voyage Of The Dawn Treader clung on to the overseas box office crown on $31.5m despite a strong launch by Tron: Legacy as severe snow decimated ticket sales across Europe.
Deathly Hallows set to rule overseas for third weekend

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 will have too much for the international competition as it begins to climb towards $500m.
Deathly Hallows stays top overseas on $54.4m

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 extended its supremacy over the international arena for a third consecutive weekend thanks to a $54.8m haul confirmed on Monday [6] by Warner Bros Pictures International.
Digital cinemas heading to rural UK

A scheme for bringing digital cinema to the UK regions is due to kick off on December 13.
Disney unleashes Tron: Legacy in first overseas wave

All eyes will be on Tron: Legacy this weekend as Disney plots world domination and attempts to usurp The Chronicles Of Narnia heading into the holiday season.
Dubai kicks off with Firth, Mulligan on the red carpet

Colin Firth, Carey Mulligan and a host of Arab stars walked the red carpet at the opening of the seventh Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) at the Madinat Jumeirah on Sunday night (Dec 12).
European Film Awards, Tallinn, Estonia

Winners at the EFA, Talinn, Dec 4, 2010
European Ski Cup, Les Arcs Film Festival, France

Directors, producers, sales agents, distributors and festival programmers were among the competitors who took part in the European Ski Cup at the Les Arcs Film Festival, France.
Expanded Dubai Filmmart racks up more than 3,000 screenings

The Dubai International Film Festival’s Dubai Filmmart has announced that 3,193 screenings took place through its popular Cinetech trading platform, and at least two major deals were concluded during the week-long event (Dec 12-19).
Fighting Talk

A report after the packed screening of Leila Doolan’s brilliant documentary about Irish activist Bernadette McAliskey at the Galway Film Fleadh.
Film Agency For Wales launches producer development scheme

The four-month programme is being lead by Angus Finney; mentors include Paul Trijbits and Andrea Calderwood.
FilmDistrict, Netflix sign multi-year pay-TV deal

The agreement kicks off in 2011 and represents the latest coup for Netflix following a similar arrangement with Relativity Media and a deal with Epix that grants it streaming rights to films from Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM.
Filmyard Holdings completes Miramax buy from Disney

The Walt Disney Company and Filmyard Holdings have announced that Disney has completed the sale of Miramax Films to Filmyard for $663m.
Fox unleashes Dawn Treader around the world

Fox International’s holiday season release is the latest day-and-date launch in a busy year-end season. Tron: Legacy opens worldwide next weekend.
Frankie & Alice

Dir: Geoffrey Sax. US. 2010. 100mins
German culture and media minister Neumann agrees to finance boost

State Minister For Culture And Media Bernd Neumann handed German producers and the country’s reputation as film hub a boost after he agreed with the Reconstruction Credit Institute (KfW) to a package of financing instruments for development funding as well as intermediate and gap financing.
Global Film Initiative unveils line-up for 2011 Global Lens

US-based Global Film Initiative (GFI) has announced the line-up of nine films that it has selected to headline the Global Lens 2011 film series.
Gulliver’s Travels

Dir: Rob Letterman. US. 2010. 87mins
Gulliver’s Travels dwarfs rivals at UK box office

Fox International’s Gulliver’s Travels debuted top of the UK chart, towering over its opposition on the first weekend of 2011.
Hat-trick for Harry Potter at UK box office

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows made it three consecutive weeks at the head of the UK box office last weekend, leading the pack after taking $5.8m (£3.7m) for a week high screen average of $10,367 (£6,561) from 570 screens.
Headshot

Thai director Pen-ek Ratanaruang recently started shooting his latest project, Headshot, a film noir about a hitman trying to forget his past.
Heisenberg's The Robber leads nominations for Austrian Film Awards

Hausner’s Venice and Roehler’s Jud Suess - Film Ohne Gewissen also have multiple nominations.
HFPA propels The King's Speech into awards race elite

The King’s Speech confirmed its robust awards potential today [Dec 14] as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association rewarded it with seven nominations, ahead of The Social Network and The Fighter on six apiece. Paramount’s Western remake True Grit from the Coen brothers was completely shut out.
High Point takes rights to In Our Name

The company will begin sales on Brian Welsh’s debut feature at Berlin; Curzon Artificial Eye to release in the UK.
Hot projects on Screenbase this week

No Tengas Miedo, The Comedian and Flying Blind are just a few of the newly added and updated films on ScreenBase this week.
Hot projects on Screenbase this week

Cheerful Weather For The Wedding (UK), Deviation (UK) and Rusty Knight (Ger) are among the new film listings on Screenbase.
How Do You Know

Dir/scr: James L Brooks. US. 2010.121mins
Hungarian Government plans drastic film industry cuts

The Hungarian film industry is bracing itself for huge cuts after the government announced in its 2011 budget that it would significantly reduce its funding of the Hungarian Motion Picture Foundation (MMK).
If You Are The One 2 to get US release on Dec 24

China Lion Film Distribution is to release Feng Xiaogang’s If You Are The One 2 in North America simultaneously with its China release on December 24.
IFC takes world on Swanberg's upcoming Sundance entry Uncle Kent

IFC Films has acquired worldwide rights to Joe Swanberg’s Uncle Kent, which will screen at Sundance next month in the Spotlight section.
IFFR competition titles available on VOD site before festival

Sales agents to be given chance to view International Film Festival Rotterdam’s Tiger Awards Competition titles on Festival Scope prior to their festival premieres.
IMAX announces record $546m global box office in 2010

IMAX Corporation, which has denied rumours that it is being courted by Sony in a possible takeover, reported today [Jan 3] that its gross global box office for 2010 more than doubled its previous record of $270m set in 2009.
In their own words

Imaginative, perceptive and characterful screenplays provided the blueprint for this year’s best films.Jeremy Kay assesses the the leading contenders in the original screenplay category.
India’s Scrabble Entertainment moves into the Middle East

India’s Scrabble Entertainment has signed non–exclusive D-cinema deployment agreements with five US studios to roll out digital screens in the Middle East.
Intandem announces profits in 2010

London based sales and financing company Intandem has announced its preliminary results for the year ending 30 June 2010.
Intandem picks up Irvine Welsh adaptation, Ecstasy

The company will handle international sales on Rob Heydon’s adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s book.
Ireland, Luxembourg sign co-production treaty

Luxembourg becomes Ireland’s first official European co-production partner
Irish Film Board escapes big budget cut

In a positive endorsement for the Irish film industry, the IFB’s 2011 budget will be cut by only 3% by the Irish government.
Jackson-Cohen, Gleeson join Intrepid's The Raven in Hungary

Intrepid Pictures has begun principal photography in Hungary on The Raven starring John Cusack, Alice Eve and Luke Evans.
Jana Bennett to join BBC Worldwide

She will take up her new post in February.
John Smithson

The creative director of London-based factual production company Darlow Smithson talks about working with Danny Boyle on 127 Hours.
Johnnie To, Asif Kapadia amongst Dubai jurors

They will join fellow film-makers and industry experts to judge the Muhr Awards at the upcoming Dubai International Film Festival; 75 films to compete across three sections.
Kaleidoscope picks up Forget Me Not

Kaleidoscope Entertainment have acquired Alexander Holt and Lance Roehrig’s directorial debut Forget Me Not for the UK.
King’s Of Devil Island, Corridor bookend Gothenburg Film Festival

The 34th Gothenburg International Film Festival (Jan 28 – Feb 7) announces opening and closing films ahead of its full programme announcement on Jan 11.
Korean cultural agencies set 2010 Dari Awards for Dec 13

The Korea Cultural Center Of Los Angeles (KCCLA) and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) will host the annual DARI Awards ceremony on December 13.
LA Film critics reward The Social Network

Los Angeles critics delivered an early fillip to The Social Network’s Oscar prospects as they anointed the drama their film of the year last night [12], with Carlos claiming the runner-up spot.
Leaving Baghdad

Dir/scr: Koutaiba Al-Janabi. UK-Iraq-UAE. 2010. 85mins
Ledoyen joins cast of Bohemia's The Last Beat

Virgine Ledoyen has joined Shawn Andrews on LA-based Bohemia Group’s rock and roll biopic The Last Beat.
Les Arcs Festival adds Work in Progress, transmedia sections

Third edition of French film festival in the Alps expands
Life In A Day, Devil's Double among Sundance Premieres

Sundance Festival director John Cooper and director of programming Trevor Groth unveiled an array of riches today [December 2] in the form of the Premieres and inaugural Documentary Premieres line-up for the 2011 event.
Lionsgate confirms Greenberg departure

Sarah Greenberg has left Lionsgate as co-president of marketing, leaving Tim Palen in the role as sole head.
Lionsgate shareholders deal Icahn heavy blow

The corporate raider’s proposed take-over suffered a severe setback as shareholders voted in 12 of the company’s director nominees on to the board.
Little Fockers

Dir: Paul Weitz. US. 2010. 98mins
Little Fockers beats Tron, Narnia by a nose overseas on $27m

Little Fockers clinched the international crown in a hotly fought contest marred by extreme weather conditions across Europe as $27m narrowly beat Tron: Legacy and Voyage Of The Dawn Treader.
Little Fockers bids to spread festive cheer overseas

The third episode in the Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro comedy brand will be the one to watch this weekend as it launches through PPI day-and-date with North America in around 40 markets.
Little Fockers defies US storms to debut on $34m

Little Fockers weathered East Coast blizzards and a storm of critical disapproval to launch top of the US charts on an estimated $34m.
Little Fockers leads soft start to NA 2011 box office on $26m

An uninspiring start to 2011 at the North American box office saw Universal lead the way as Little Fockers clung on to its holiday season crown courtesy of an estimated $26.3m haul.
Lotte Cinema launches first theatre in China

Major South Korean exhibitor Lotte Cinema is set to launch its first theatre in mainland China.
LoveFilm adds Icon titles to streaming service

LoveFilm has struck a new exclusive streaming deal with Icon Film Distribution.
Magnet-TF1 US deal takes Sundance's Hobo off the shelf

Magnet Releasing has taken US rights to Hobo With A Shotgun ahead of its world premiere in Sundance’s Park City At Midnight section.
McGurk named CEO and chairman at digital company Cinedigm

Chris McGurk has resurfaced as CEO and chairman of Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp, the company formerly known as AccessIT that provides digital conversion and maintenance services through its satellite delivery platform.McGurk most recently led the now defunct Overture Films alongside Danny Rosett and had been linked with a possible role on the board at Lionsgate in the event of a takeover by Carl Icahn.“Once you digitise a screen it does so many things for studios, exhibitors and
MGM heads Birnbaum and Barber say restructure is finalised

MGM has announced that the company’s restructuring has become effective with exit financing of $500m in place.
Michael Lang named new Miramax CEO

Michael Lang has been appointed CEO of the reconstituted Miramax, effective immediately.
Miller, Savin line up untitled CBGB's project

The Bottle Shock film-making team of Randall Miller and Jody Savin have lined up an untitled project about legendary club CBGB’s and the birth of the New York punk scene.
Morena Films to produce portmanteau feature with seven leading directors

7 Days In Havana directors include Julio Medem, Laurent Cantet, Gaspar Noe, Pablo Trapero and Benicio Del Toro.
Mother of Asphalt

Dir: Dalibor Matanic. Croatia. 2010. 104mins
Moving Pictures, IFC, Film Movement active in busy day for acquisitions

Moving Pictures Film & TV (MPF&TV) has acquired all North American rights to Jonathan Newman’s romantic comedy Swinging With The Finkels, one of three independent acquisitions announced today [14].
MPAA appoints Thorland to anti-piracy post

The Motion Picture Association Of America (MPAA) has added Karen Thorland to its legal team as vice-president and senior content protection counsel.
MPAA overturns NC-17 rating for Blue Valentine

The MPAA’s classification and rating appeals board agreed to downgrade to R following a personal plea by Harvy Weinstein today [8].
My Idiot Brother, Kaboom among Sundance Film Festival USA tour

The Sundance Institute has unveiled the nine films that will go on the road for a da y as part of the Sundance Film Festival USA initiative.
Myriad licenses US on Good Neighbours to Magnolia

Magnolia Films has acquired all US rights from Myriad Pictures to Jacob Tierney’s thriller Good Neighbours.
Narnia leads UK box office; Optimum crosses £20m mark

Optimum has its biggest-ever opening with The Tourist; Vertigo’s Monsters passes $1m.
NBR crowns The Social Network best film of 2010

The Social Network hardly needed a leg-up this awards season but got it anyway in the form of four major prizes from the National Board Of Review.
Netherlands holds presidency for European Audiovisual Observatory

The European Audiovisual Observatory has announced that the Netherlands will hold its presidency for 2011.
New distributors launch in Sweden, Norway

Triangelfilm head Mattias Nohrborg returns with Tri Art; Norway’s Star Media moves into theatrical under Pal Krem.
New York critics award two top prizes to The Social Network

The New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) has honoured The Social Network as best film of 2010 and David Fincher as best director.
Nordisk buys back catalogue of Sandrew Metronome

Danish major, Nordisk Film, has added 130 Danish titles to its library, purchasing the back catalogue of Sandrew Metronome Denmark, the Danish arm of the Norwegian-owned distributor which is going out of business.
North American box office generates $10.5bn in 2010 as international soars

The studios’ combined North American gross revenues for the year finished marginally behind the $10.6bn record set in 2009 according to studio data issued last night [Jan 3], while the international take is projected to close out on $12.7bn compared to $10.7bn the year before.
Northern Screen agencies team for mentoring scheme

Vision+Media, Screen Yorkshire and Northern Film & Media have teamed on ‘Triangle’.
Odeon & UCI Group extends its reach in Italy

The cinema chain has acquired 3 multiplexes from Pathe.
Odeon/UCI acquires 9 multiplexes in Spain and Italy

European cinema chain acquires nine multiplexes with a total of 92 screens
Onir

Mumbai-based filmmaker Onir directed one of India’s first crowdsourced films, I Am, and is developing his latest project through the NFDC’s Screenwriters’ Lab.
Palm Springs FF announces first African Cinema line-up

The 2011 Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) has unveiled its inaugural African Cinema programme as well as films in competition.
Palm Springs Int'l Film Festival names Douglas Icon Award recipient

Michael Douglas, a Golden Globe supporting actor nominee for Wall Street 2, will receive the 22nd Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival’s (PSIFF) Icon Award.
Palm Springs to honour composer Diane Warren

Diane Warren will receive the 22nd annual Palm Springs International Film Festival’s (PSIFF) Frederick Loewe Music Award.
Park appointed to distribution role at Sony Pictures Television

Catherine Park, former head of sales at Korea’s Sidus IHQ, has been appointed executive director, distribution, Asia Pacific for Sony Pictures Television (SPT).
Paula Jalfon joins Shine Group from BBC Films

The Shine Group has appointed BBC Films’ Paula Jalfon as senior vice president of production.
Pete Postlethwaite dies at age 64

Actor Pete Postlethwaite died yesterday at the age of 64 after a battle with cancer.
PGA unveils documentary nominees

The Producers Guild of America (PGA) have announced the six documentary feature this week [3].
Police say ex-con killed Chasen in "robbery gone bad"

Police now believe Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen died in “a robbery gone bad” carried out by Harold Martin Smith, the ex-con who shot himself dead himself last week as officers approached for questioning.
Potiche, The First Grader bookend Palm Springs

Francois Ozon’s French farce Potiche starring Catherine Deneuve and Gerard Depardieu and Justin Chadwick’s UK drama The First Grader bookend the 2011 Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF), set to run from January 6-17.
PSIFF hands O Russell directors award

In a fillip for The Fighter’s awards campaign today [8] organisers at the 22nd annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) announced David O Russell will be named its director of the year.
Punch, Odenkirk, Sommer join The Giant Mechanical Man

Lucy Punch, Bob Odenkirk and Rich Sommer have joined the cast of The Giant Mechanical Man which began shooting in Detroit recently.
Raoul Ruiz awarded Louis Delluc prize

The director has been awarded with France’s prestigious Louis Delluc prize for his Mysteres De Lisbonne.
RealD to receive PGA's Vanguard Award

The 3D technology provider’s CEO and co-founder Michael V Lewis and president and co-founder Joshua Greer will collect the honour at the 22nd Annual PGA awards ceremony on January 22 in Beverly Hills.
Relativity, Channing Tatum sign two-year production deal

Relativity Media has closed a two-year production deal with Channing Tatum and producing partner Reid Carolin’s unnamed production company.
Reliance MediaWorks partners with Russian World Studios

India’s Reliance MediaWorks is to partner up with Russian World Studios (RWS) to outsource film restoration, image processing and enhancement work.
Rossellini, LaBute, Caouette among Sundance shorts entrants

Neil LaBute, Isabella Rossellini and Jonathan Caouette are among the film-makers whose shorts will screen at the Sundance Film Festival next month.
Rotterdam to open with Greek drama Wasted Youth

Greek drama Wasted Youth will open the 40th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), as a world premiere also in the festival’s Tiger Awards Competition.
Rush to receive Santa Barbara's Montecito Award

Geoffrey Rush, riding high on critical acclaim for his role in The King’s Speech, will receive the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Montecito Award.
SAG snubs Blue Valentine but True Grit stars make cut

Colin Firth, James Franco, Jeff Bridges, Annette Bening, Natalie Portman and Jennifer Lawrence are in contention for SAG awards, however Blue Valentine stars Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams are the shock omissions.
Savannah ready to roll for Miller, Slavin in 2011

Bottle Shock film-makers Randall Miller and Jody Savin have closed financing on writer-director Annette Haywood-Carter’s historical film Savannah.
Secret Sunshine's Jeon set to start shooting Countdown this month

Cannes award-winning actress Jeon Do-yeon (pictured) is set to star in Countdown, a drama/action film produced by the notable South Korean production company B.O.M.
Sheila Hancock wins Women in Film and TV lifetime achievement award

Other awards were presented to Andrea Arnold, Nira Park and Jane Goldman.
Singapore’s Forever to receive double world premiere

Wee Li Lin’s Forever will become the first Singaporean film to receive a double world premiere today (Dec 1) – screening at both the Jakarta and Cairo international film festivals.
Skillset backs 3-D training programme in London

Production outfit Principal Large Format (PLF) will run a three-day 3-D training event in London (Jan 25-7)
Sky announces Sky Atlantic as ‘home of HBO’ in UK

While 40% of the channel’s content will be HBO material, Sky is also in negotiations to acquire UK and US indie features.
Sony Corp extends Amy Pascal's contract

The Sony Pictures co-chairman first joined Columbia Pictures in 1988.
Source Code world premiere to open SXSW

The world premiere of Vendome Pictures and Mark Gordon’s sci-fi thriller Source Code starring Jake Gyllenhaal will open the 2011 South by Southwest film festival (SXSW).
Space Battleship Yamato foreign sales steam ahead

Wild Side Films has picked up rights for France, Splendid Film for Germany; Golden Harvest, Catchplay, Encore among those active in Asia.
SPE promotes Gumpert to top business affairs post at Columbia

Andrew Gumpert has been promoted to president of worldwide business affairs and operations at Columbia Pictures.
Speakers announced for animation event Forum Blanc

The two day forum will take place in Grand Bornand, outside Annecy.
Star Chinese Movies signs pay-TV deal with Huayi Brothers

Star Chinese Movies and Beijing-based Huayi Brothers have signed a deal under which Huayi will offer the channel exclusive cable TV, pay-per-view and VoD rights to its 2011 upcoming productions for Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.
Stephen Graham to star in David Blair's Best Laid Plans

The EM Media funded feature, about the bond between two best friends, has just started shooting in Nottingham.
Stray Bullet, Screaming Man take top prizes at 7th Dubai fest

Stray Bullet from Lebanon’s Georges Hachem took the first prize in the Muhr Arab competition at the 7th Dubai International Film Festival, while A Screaming Man was awarded the same honour in the Muhr AsiaAfrica section.
Sundance Channel to air Britannia awards in Europe, Asia

The Sundance Channel is to broadcast the Britannia Awards to viewers in Europe and Asia on December 17.
Sundance chooses 22 projects for documentary support

Sundance Institute today announced the 22 Documentary Film Program grant recipients for autumn 2010.
Sundance Institute names 12 for Screenwriters Lab

The Sundance Institute has selected 12 projects for the annual January Screenwriters Lab to be held from January 14-19, 2011 at the Sundance Resort in Utah.
Sundance unveils Midnight, Spotlight, NEXT

The final tranche of Sundance programming unveiled by John Cooper and Trevor Groth today [December 2] features genre fare such as the Rutger Hauer vigilante film Hobo With A Shotgun and acclaimed world cinema titles from 2010 such as Denis Villeneuve’s Incendies and Richard Ayoade’s Submarine.
SuperVision brings Lord Of The Dance 3D to global theatres

The 3D film of Michael Flatley’s stage phenomenon will arrive on screens around the world on St Patrick’s Day – March 17, 2011.
Swedish actor Per Oscarsson feared dead in fire

Swedish actor Per Oscarsson is feared dead in a house fire in southwest Sweden, reports say.
Swedish Film Institute MD steps down

Cissi Elwin Frenkel is stepping down to become chief editor of a newspaper.
Syfy, Universal team up for genre label Syfy Films

Syfy Ventures and Universal Pictures have created the genre label Syfy Films.
Tangled topples Potter at tepid US box office

A lacklustre weekend at the North American box office saw Disney’s animated release Tangled usurp Harry Potter from its perch on an estimated $21.5m.
Ten animated shorts progress in Academy voting

The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences today [30] announced that ten animated short films will advance in the voting process for the 83rd Academy Awards.
Tepid domestic weekend rewards Narnia's $24.5m debut

Walden Media / Fox’s The Chronicles Of Narnia won a diffident North American session at the box office thanks to an estimated $24.5m haul.
Terraferma

After the international success of Golden Door, acclaimed Italian director Emanuele Crialese returns with Terraferma, a modern take on immigration. Sheri Jennings reports from the set.
The Brave And The Bold

From epic period pieces and zeitgeist-riding drama to futuristic thrillers, the directors in the running for awards recognition in 2010 have shown brilliance and ambition.
The Dark Half

Shooting has just finished in Bristol on Alastair Siddons’ The Dark Half, the first project to come out of South West Screen’s microbudget iFeatures scheme.
The Green Wave

Dir/scr: Ali Samadi Ahadi. Ger. 2010. 80mins
The Guard among winners at Fleadh, festival boasts record admissions

The Guard, Parked and Charlie Casanova were among the feature winners at this year’s Galway Film Fleadh.
The Social Network strikes twice at RAFAs

UK regional critics have voted The Social Network Best Film and Best Screenplay at the fifth annual Richard Attenborough Awards.
The Social Network to receive Palm Springs ensemble award

The 22nd annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will bestow the Ensemble Performance Award upon The Social Network.
The Social Network, Kids among AFI best of 2010

The American Film Institute (AFI) unveiled its annual selection of the year’s outstanding films last night [12] and gave two special awards to The King’s Speech and Waiting For ‘Superman’.
The Tourist

Dir: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. US. 2010. 102mins
The Warrior’s Way

Dir: Sngmoo Lee. US-South Korea-New Zealand. 2010. 100mins
Thomas Vinterberg

Dogme co-founder Thomas Vinterberg talks to Andreas Wiseman about his next film, The Formula; his recent departure from Nimbus Film; the state of Danish cinema and his collaboration with Lars von Trier.
Toronto critics heap praise on The Social Network

Hot on the heels of top honours from the Boston and New York film critics, the Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) has awarded five top prizes to The Social Network.
TRON Legacy

Dir: Jospeh Kosinki. US. 2010. 125mins
Tron: Legacy opens top in North America on $44m

Buena Vista’s Tron: Legacy easily dominated the North American charts on an estimated $43.6m while Relativity Media’s heavyweight Academy Awards contender The Fighter surged 15 places to number four on $12.2m.
True Grit

Dirs/scr: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen. US. 2010. 110mins
True Grit to open 61st Berlinale

The 61st Berlin International Film Festival will open with the out of competition international premiere screening of the Coen brothers’ Western.
Twenty-five films added to Library Of Congress preservation list

The Exorcist and Airplane!, starring the late Leslie Nielsen who died in November, are among the annual 25 additions to The National Film Registry Of The Library Of Congress.
UGC announces cut-price ticket scheme

French distributor UGC will show 26 top titles from 2010 at a reduced rate of €3 for one week in January.
UK/China Animation Forum kicks off in Beijing

The forum, which begins today, brings together animation specialists from China and the UK.
Universal appoints first multicultural marketing chiefs

Fabian Castro and Talitha Watkins have joined Universal Pictures as vice-presidents of multicultural marketing.
UPI on board to co-finance Clavier's directorial debut

Universal Pictures International (UPI) is partnering with UPI France and Les Films du Kiosque and Ouille Productions on the new French-language comedy You Don’t Choose Your Family (On Ne Choisit Pas Sa Famille).
US bankruptcy court approves MGM plan

The US Bankruptcy Court For The Southern District Of New York has approved MGM’s pre-packaged plan of reorganisation, paving the way for the company and its subsidiaries to emerge from Chapter 11 in short order.
Vanguard signs Johnson to direct Oz Wars

Vanguard Films has signed Corpse Bride co-director Mike Johnson to direct its CG/stop-motion hybrid feature Oz Wars.
VES announces venue and date change

The Visual Effects Society has changed the date and location of its ninth Annual VES Awards to the international ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 1, 2011.
Warner Bros tops 2010 UK market share; total box office up

The UK box office crossed the 1bn mark for the second year in a row, after totalling $1.682bn (£1.077m) in 2010.
WBPI strikes Nordic deals in wake of Sandrew Metronome restructure

Warner Bros Pictures International has partnered with two Nordic licensees to distribute the studio’s upcoming product commencing April 1, 2011.
Weekly International Box Office - December 03 - 05

Deathly Hallows summoned a further $57.1m from 62 territories at a screen average of $4,026 to retain its international crown for a third consecutive week.
Weekly International Box Office - December 10 - 12

Fox’s The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader’s $66.2m bounty from 10,159 screens in 58 territories was enough to end Harry Potter’s three-week reign at the top of the international box office.
Weekly International box office Dec 17-19

Fox’s Chronicles Of Narnia: Voyage Of The Dawn Treader continued to dominate the international market in its third week, taking $31.5m from 10,107 screens in 61 territories.
Wild Side picks up French rights to Pen-ek’s Headshot

Wild Side Films has acquired French rights to Headshot, the new film from acclaimed Thai director Pen-ek Ratanaruang.
Winter's Bone dominates 2011 Independent Spirit nominations

Debra Granik’s good day got better as her widely admired drama earned seven nods as the nominees were announced in Los Angeles today [30].
Women On The Verge

With some memorably strong roles for women in 2010, the best actress race is particularly impressive.
Worldview joins Voltage as co-financier on dark comedy Killer Joe

New York City-based finance and production company Worldview Entertainment has come aboard the dark comedy Killer Joe.
Yogi Bear

Dir: Eric Brevig. US. 2010. 80mins
Yuet-fung Ho appointed as director of Asian Film Awards

The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) has announced that Yuet-fung Ho has been appointed as director of the Asian Film Awards.
Zephyr

Dir/scr: Belma Bas. Turkey. 2010. 93mins

Screen30 Dec 2010

Screen
30 Dec 2010