Large MPU – Page 1626
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UK's Optimum launches stand-alone DVD arm
Independent distributor Optimum Releasing is launching a stand-alone DVD arm under the banner of Optimum Home Entertainment.Stuart Henderson, previously at VCI, joins as the company as marketing manager: home entertainment as the first appointment to the division. Sales for the new label will be handled by Elevation Sales, with a ...
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Asian film commissions join forces to attract shoots
A group of leading film commissions from Asia have agreed to join together in a regional network to be called the Asian Film Commissions Network (AFCNet).The network intends to make it easier for local and international productions to shoot throughout the region by promoting co-operation among member film commissions, encouraging ...
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Infernal Affairs star backs gangster thriller
Andy Lau's Focus Films is co-financing a $5m (HK$40m) gangster thriller, Jiang Hu, which combines a stellar cast with one of Hong Kong's most promising new directors.The film, which started shooting earlier this month, reunites many stars from recent Hong Kong blockbuster Infernal Affairs including Lau himself, Eric Tsang, Edison ...
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Italy's Cinecitta launches acting academy
Rome's Cinecitta Studios has announced that it is setting up an Actors Studio-type academy for professional and emerging Italian talent.Named Campus, the 1000 square metre structure will be located inside the studios and will focus on theatre, cinema, TV, music and dance. It will kick off its activities in mid-March, ...
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UK's Entertainment sees profits leap on back of Rings
The UK's Entertainment Film Distributors has seen its post tax profits leap almost threefold to $61.5m (£32.6m) in the year to March 31, 2003, according to recent documents filed at official UK business registry, Companies House.The $61.5m figure compares to a post-tax profit of $24.5 for the year to March ...
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Oz's Accent takes My Flesh from Films Transit
Fledgling Australian distributor Accent Film Entertainment has struck a deal with Films Transit International for Australian rights to Jonathan Karsh's My Flesh And Blood.The film about a woman and her 11 adopted children, all of whom have various disabilities and special needs, won an audience award last year at Sundance ...
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Void sets British box office record as biggest ever doc
Kevin Macdonald's Touching The Void has overtaken Bowling For Columbine as the highest grossing documentary in UK box office history.Released by Pathe Distribution on December 12, and now in its eleventh week in cinemas, the Bafta winning film has so far taken $3.17m (£1.68m). By comparison, Bowling For Columbine took ...
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Gibson's Passion earns 18 certificate from UK censor
Mel Gibson's The Passion Of The Christ has received an 18 certificate from UK censor, the British Board Of Film Classification.The censor ruled that the film, which is expected to open through Icon Film Distribution on March 26, "contains extended scenes of strong violence."A spokeswoman for the BBFC cited an ...
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Frustration mounts as producers await tax decision
Producerswere forced to wait another day yesterday to hear if any transition arrangementswere to be made for films hit by last week's UK tax clamp down.Despitemany industry insiders being hopeful of news as early as Wednesday, sourcesclose to talks with the government said on Thursday that it was still"too close ...
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Lightning acquires teen horror Dead Scared
LosAngeles-based sales and distribution outfit Lightning Entertainment hasacquired international rights to Honey Creek Pictures' first feature production,the teen horror picture Dead Scared.Dead Scared will get a world premiere screening atthe AFM and centres on five college children trapped in a haunted mansion whoeach become possessed by a demonic spirit.It stars ...
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Stanton to get ShoWest award for animation director
Finding Nemo director Andrew Stanton has been named ShoWest 2004Animation Director of the Year and will collect his honour during the event,which runs in Las Vegas from Mar 22-25."To think that Nemo, Marlinand Dory were first introduced to the industry at ShoWest 2003 when Disney andPixar screened Finding Nemo isvery ...
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Renaissance takes the world on Cattaneo's third film
London-based financing andsales outfit Renaissance Films has acquired worldwide sales rights from theUK's Academy Features to Poppy And Dingan, the third film by British director Peter Cattaneo after The FullMonty and Lucky Break.Renaissance will bepre-selling the film at next week's AFM. Casting is now underway, withprincipal photography set to start ...
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Oz popstar signs for lead role in Hating Alison Ashley
Australian pop princess and former Neighbours star Delta Goodrem has made a move into movies by accepting the title role of Hating Alison Ashley, which goes into production in the first half of this year in Melbourne."I have been offered quite a few roles over the past two years and ...
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Irreversible clears Singapore censors uncut
Signalling that Singapore may be easing its strict film censorship stance, Gaspar Noe's controversial drama Irreversible has been cleared for an uncensored release in Singapore cinemas.The country's Film Appeals Committee overruled the Board of Film Censors' earlier decision to screen the film with some cuts.Committee chairman Pang Cheng Lian was ...
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New indie collectives preach cost efficiencies
Is small beautiful' Certainly not was the verdict of the panellists on "Collective Power: Buying and Selling Alliances," speaking this month at Screen International's Modernising European Cinema Summit at the Berlin Film Festival - all of whom are involved in the new wave of indie-combos set up across Europe in ...
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Almodovar's Educacion to open Cannes
Pedro Almodovar's Bad Education (La Mala Educacion) will open the 57th Cannes Film Festival on May 12 organisers announced on Friday.Festival organisers told ScreenDaily.com that they are as yet unsure if the film will be screened in competition.In a statement, Almodovar said, "The joy that has overcome me at the ...
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Czech festival to host Ondricek, Hrebejk premieres
Czech film festival "Finale" will screen 18 new features at this year''s event (April 10-16) including the international premieres of David Ondricek''s Recluses and We Have To Help Each Other by acclaimed young Czech director Jan Hrebejk who scored a domestic box office hit last year with Cosy Dens.The Pilsen-based ...
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Fortissimo orders up Super Size Me
Fortissimo Filmshas acquired all international rights to Morgan Spurlock's hit Sundancedocumentary Super Size Me and will represent the picture at next week's AFM."We are thrilledto be working with this creative and talented new director to bring SuperSize Me to the world,"Fortissimo co-chairman Michael J Werner said in a statement."Morgan Spurlockhas ...
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FCC commissioner Copps booked in for AFMA breakfast
FederalCommunications Commissioner Michael J Copps will attend an AFMA membersbreakfast to discuss US media consolidation at the Le Merigot Hotel in SantaMonica on Feb 26.Copps is one ofthe FCC's most outspoken opponents of consolidation and launched an impassionedstand during the FCC's 2001-2003 policy review hearings that resulted in looserlaws governing ...
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Quinn leaves Goldwyn for Magnolia
Tom Quinn isleaving his post as vice president of acquisitions at Samuel Goldwyn Films tohead up a more aggressive acquisitions effort at Magnolia Pictures.Effectiveimmediately, Quinn will represent the company at the AFM and will beresponsible for the day-to-day responsibilities of acquisitions, workingalongside Jeff Reichert (marketing and publicity) and John McCarron(distribution). ...