All News articles – Page 3823

  • News

    Moxie Makers narrows Big Pitch to six finalists

    2008-05-20T05:49:37Z

    Low-budget UK studio Moxie Makers has announced the final six feature projects in its Big Pitch competition which comes with a $500,000 prize.The projects are Red Sleigh Down from writers Ian Gilbertson and Stephen Atherton; Different Shades Of Graham from Brad Watson, Keith Lynch, David T Lynch (writer/directors) and Simon ...

  • News

    Relativity Media looks to tie up international partners in Cannes

    2008-05-20T05:48:00Z

    Relativity Media chief Ryan Kavanaugh is attempting to step into the void left by the demise of New Line International and is closing long-term partnerships in major territories here.The network will channel a high-octane slate of commercial fare that currently features new work from Lasse Hallstrom, Keanu Reeves, Jet Li ...

  • News

    Labadie's Le Pacte picks up Sundance favourite Young@Heart

    2008-05-19T21:34:00Z

    Jean Labadie's Le Pacte has picked up Stephen Walker's Young@Heart for international sales in a deal concluded ahead of Cannes.The documentary, about the Young@Heart chorus of senior citizens who sing rock songs to rapt audiences, traces the preparation of a new show boasting covers of Hendrix, Coldplay ...

  • News

    Pathe strikes UK deal for Steve McQueen's Hunger

    2008-05-19T21:33:00Z

    Un Certain Regard opener Hunger has, as expected, struck deals with several territories. A North American deal was said to be in advanced negotiations.Icon Entertainment International has signed a UK and Ireland deal with Pathe, which beat out several other interested UK distributors. Sue Bruce Smith of Film4 also helped ...

  • News

    Optimum kicks off Dark Castle deal with Whiteout

    2008-05-19T21:15:55Z

    UK-distributor Optimum Releasing, has struck a multi-picture deal with Joel Silver's Dark Castle (which already has a relationship with Optimum parent Studio Canal).The first title in the deal will be Dominic Sena's action thriller Whiteout. Based on the graphic novel, Kate Beckinsale stars in the story of a US marshall ...

  • News

    Katapult dives in for Ocean Flame

    2008-05-19T21:13:00Z

    Katapult Film Sales has picked up Chinese director Liu Fendou's Un Certain Regard title Ocean Flame, produced by Hong Kong 's Filmko Entertainment. Liu previously gained international acclaim for Green Hat, which won best film and best director at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2004. Based on Wang Shuo's ...

  • News

    Japanese buyers take Antique, Love First

    2008-05-19T21:06:00Z

    Korean sales agent Fine Cut has pre-sold Min Kyu-dong's Antique to Showgate in Japan for a mid six-figure sum. In addition, Japan 's SPO Entertainment has snapped up romantic drama Love, First from Fine Cut, founded by former Cineclick Asia chief Youngjoo Suh. Currently in post-production, Antique is ...

  • News

    Valencia increases financial incentive

    2008-05-19T21:05:10Z

    Valencia has announced a new incentive for producers. The incentive is open to European and Spanish producers and offers between 16% and 20% of spend in Valencia. To get the full 20%, producers' local spend must be at least $12.5m or they can form a multi picture deal to shoot ...

  • News

    Ken Loach's son to take on UK/Australian co-production

    2008-05-19T21:04:36Z

    Camilla Bray, who works with Rebecca O'Brien and Ken Loach at Sixteen FIlms, has plans for her second film as a lead producer to be directed by Jim Loach, Ken's son who is a British TV veteran. The UK/Australia co-production is written by Rona Munro, who also wrote Ken Loach's ...

  • News

    Juppiter back in business at Cannes

    2008-05-19T20:43:00Z

    Italian production outfit Juppiter is back in business. Here in Cannes, the production outfit behind several classic Italian movies including key works by Ettore Scola and Tornatore has relaunched with a three film slate.Roberto Bessi, CEO of Juppiter Generale Cinematografica, is aiming to take advantage of new fiscal incentives likely ...

  • News

    Rome will go ahead after film fest head and Mayor

    2008-05-19T19:10:00Z

    Following a meeting between the President of the Rome Film Fest Goffredo Bettini and the new Mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno, it has been confirmed that the third edition of the Rome Film Fest will go ahead as planned from October 22-31.This meeting follows the outspoken criticisms of the festival ...

  • News

    IFC Films takes US rights to South Korean smash The Chaser

    2008-05-19T17:39:00Z

    IFC Films has picked up US rights to Na Hong-Jin's South Korean box office hit The Chaser, which plays as a midnight film in official selection.The Chaser centres on a corrupt detective turned pimp who races against time to find a young woman kidnapped by a serial killer.IFC's director of ...

  • News

    Focus Features International reports big sales on Milk, Serious Man

    2008-05-19T17:17:00Z

    Focus Features International sales chief Alison Thompson has reported multiple territory deals on a robust slate that includes Gus Van Sant's Milk starring Sean Penn as the assassinated gay rights campaigner Harvey Milk.Thompson has been screening a promo from Milk to great success and closed deals with Constantin in Germany, ...

  • News

    First Look picks up North American rights to Stiletto

    2008-05-19T17:10:00Z

    First Look Studios has acquired North American rights from Strategic Film Partners to the thriller Stiletto starring Tom Berenger, Tom Sizemore, Kelly Hu and Amanda Brooks.Nick Vallelonga directed from Paul Sloan's screenplay and produced with Warren Ostergard.Strategic's Lawrence Silverstein and Alex Barder brokered the deal with Gary Hirsch on behalf ...

  • News

    Rubin's First Independent acquires US rights to Sixty Six

    2008-05-19T17:06:00Z

    Gary Rubin's First Independent Pictures has acquired US rights from Working Title Films to the coming-of-age comedy Sixty Six.Paul Weiland's tale of a boy's bar mitzvah that coincides with the day England wins the football World Cup Final will open on August 1 in New York and stars Helena Bonham ...

  • News

    Chinese cinemas close to mourn earthquake victims

    2008-05-19T16:41:00Z

    Cinemas in China began a three-day suspension from today until Wednesday, as part of national mourning for the people killed in the earthquake which struck the south-west of the country on May 12. China's State Council on Sunday ordered a nationwide display of respect for the dead. All public amusements ...

  • News

    RISE, Casarotto launch new talent initiative in UK

    2008-05-19T08:17:00Z

    UK production company RISE Films and agency Casarotto Ramsay & Associates are launching a new initiative for emerging screenwriters, also with support from Sight & Sound.The initiative will kick off with a competition starting early in June. Unrepresented writers will submit first drafts of feature film scripts and one will ...

  • News

    Anna J Foerster to direct Secret Hunter

    2008-05-19T08:01:00Z

    Crevasse Films has attached Los Angeles-based German director Anna J Foerster to its new action thriller Secret Hunter.Screenwriter Adam Preston is adapting the script based on British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes' novel. The story is about an American ice climber and games designer who witnesses the murder of his father ...

  • News

    Opix plans Toy Soldiers with Kit Ryan

    2008-05-19T07:58:00Z

    Shepperton Studios-based Opix Films Ltd is again working with Irish director Kit Ryan on Toy Soldiers. The project, about child soldiers in Africa, will shoot in Cape Town starting October 2008.Ryan's last comedy thriller with Opix and Silver Pictures, Botched starring Stephen Dorff, went to Warner Bros in the US ...

  • News

    Shoreline sells The Adventures Of Power to Transformer in Japan

    2008-05-19T07:56:00Z

    Morris Ruskin's Shoreline Entertainment has sold Sundance title The Adventures Of Power to Transformer in Japan.Ari Gold directs and stars as a small town dreamer who aspires to become the world's greatest air drummer. Entourage's Adrian Grenier also stars alongside Michael McKean and Jane Lynch.Shoreline's Brian Sweet brokered the deal ...