All News articles – Page 5375
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West 175 negotiates Natural Nylon investment
New Zealand-based media company West 175 Enterprises is in talks to invest in the UK's Natural Nylon, a spokesperson for the Britpack production outfit confirmed on Thursday.The talks could lead to West 175 taking a stake in the production venture founded by actors such as Ewan McGregor and Jude Law ...
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Frere joins M6's revamped board
Belgian financier Albert Frere, one of CLT-Ufa's main shareholders through his holding company Audiofina, has joined the newly-appointed supervisory board of M6 and been named vice president of the French free TV broadcaster.CLT-Ufa - now renamed RTL Group, following its merger with UK group Pearson's television interests - is a ...
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Nielsen, Amberwood form joint production venture
Actor Leslie Nielsen and Canadian animation house Amberwood Entertainment have entered into a joint venture to produce a range of family-oriented TV and video projects as well as a live-action theatrical feature with Nielsen in the lead.In all, the deal will see 390 half-hour animated episodes, three animated feature-length productions ...
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Karlovy Vary to feature Big Animal premiere
Highlights in the international competition section for the 35th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (July 5-15) include the world premiere of Big Animal, directed by well-known Polish actor Jerzy Stuhr from the first script by the late Krzysztof Kieslowski.Other world premieres at the leading film event in ...
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ITC waves through Carlton, United merger
The proposed merger between UK media conglomerates Carlton Communications and United News & Media got a thumbs up from the Independent Television Commission (ITC) today, when it said that it "would not operate against the public interest." However, the UK TV watchdog also found no reason to object to rival ...
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Toei Video resurrects Battles Without Honour
Japan's Toei Video is reviving its signature Battles Without Honor Or Humanity television series, originally launched by cult Japanese director Kinji Fukasaku in 1973. Based on true accounts of gang wars in Hiroshima, the nine-part series, which ran until 1979, not only established Fukasaku's reputation, but gave a new lease ...
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Parker renews first-look deal with Universal
UK film-maker Alan Parker may not have as much time as he would like to make films since taking up the chairmanship of the government's film super body the Film Council - but at least he can take his time.The director of Angela's Ashes, Evita and The Commitments has renewed ...
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Metro Tartan bags Mood For Love, Faithless
UK distributor Metro Tartan has picked up Cannes competitors In The Mood For Love and Faithless, plus Miike Takashi's extremist psycho-thriller Audition.The move follows USA Films' acquisition for North America of Wong Kar-wai's In The Mood from Fortissimo Film Sales at Cannes. Tony Leung, who stars in the Hong Kong ...
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Via Digital makes production move with Querejeta
Spanish digital satellite platform Via Digital has made its definitive entrance into the domestic production sector with the signing of a new accord with veteran producer Elias Querejeta.Under the terms of the deal, Via will co-produce and broadcast forthcoming feature films, TV series and documentaries from Querejeta's self-named, Madrid-based production ...
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Scott Thomas indulges in Original Bliss
UK actress Kristin Scott Thomas has optioned film rights to Original Bliss, A L Kennedy's acclaimed book about the complexities of sex or the lack of it.Eclipse Management, the production and management company recently launched by former William Morris Agency executives Charles Finch and Luc Roeg, confirmed the move, made ...
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South Australian government ups investment in film
South Australia's government has put aside an additional A$1m ($577,000) a year over three years to invest in Australian and international films that either shoot or undertake post-production in the state. The figure represents more than double the government's current commitment. Minister for Arts Diana Laidlaw announced the move as ...
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Chello delays stockmarket flotation
Chello, the Dutch broadband Internet group, has delayed its proposed flotation until at least next week while it enters into "strategic discussions" with UK cable operator Telewest, according to the UK's Financial Times.Chello is reportedly in talks with Telewest about a deal that would give the company a stronghold in ...
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United Artists notches up sales on hot trio
United Artists has sold Girlfight, Kingdom Come and Songcatcher to a raft of territories following the trio's sale to Shochiku for Japan at Cannes.Girlfight went to Australia (REP); South Africa (Ster-Kinekor); Portugal (Atalanta); Israel (Shani); Benelux (Cinelibre); and the Middle East (Almassa). The Sundance and Cannes title previously went to ...
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Grade takes up TV production chair at NFTS
Entertainment impresario Michael Grade has taken up the first Lew Grade chair of TV production at the UK's National Film And Television School (NFTS).Grade will take up the post, created in honour of his late uncle, in the autumn at the school's Beaconsfield site. He will work with students as ...
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FFC gets Skase in latest funding round
Australia's Film Finance Corporation (FFC) is backing comedy Let's Get Skase, which draws on events surrounding Australian media mogul Christopher Skase who is currently sheltering from legal action in Majorca, Spain.Skase headed the Qintex group, former owner of Australia's Seven Network and aspiring owner of MGM, which collapsed with debts ...
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SF Bio to open 14-screen multiplex in Malmo
Scandinavia's largest exhibitor SF Bio, has struck a deal with Krona Plc, to become an anchor tenant at the new Urban Entertainment Centre in Malmo, Sweden, where it plans to open a 14-screen multiplex.The 2,000-seat cinema will go into construction June next year in time for a 2003 opening. Geographically ...
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Spyglass in talks to buy part of Mann Theaters
Spyglass Entertainment, the two-year-old production and distribution operation that hit the jackpot last year with The Sixth Sense, is believed to be negotiating its first move into the exhibition business. In league with former exhibition and Fox Searchlight executive Jim Naify, Spyglass principals Roger Birnbaum and Gary Barber are in ...
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Israel's Sharanski set to close censorship board
Israel's interior minister Nathan Sharanski has announced that he plans to close the Israeli Film Censorship Board and replace it with a tougher movie ratings system based on age. The board has traditionally imposed outright bans on films thought unsuitable for Israeli audiences. However, Sharanski said he longer sees the ...
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Gateway founder commits $100m to Gold Circle Films
Gateway Computers co-founder Norm Waitt is making his first foray into filmmaking, committing up to $100m over the next two years towards the financing of independent features. Through his media company Gold Circle Entertainment - which owns 53 radio stations, five television stations and an advertising firm - Waitt has ...
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Ambergate to give UK's 2 Days US outing
US boutique distributor Ambergate has acquired British film 2 Days, 9 Lives for theatrical distribution. The film, which details 48 hours in the life of a group of people in rehab, is the first feature by commercials director Simon Monjack, who also takes co-writing and music composing credits. Ambergate plans ...