Dozens of top Hollywood creatives and activists have signed an open letter in response to the shuttering of production company Participant — imploring the industry to continue to effect change through film and television as the defunct company once did.
George Clooney, Aflonso Cuarón, Ava DuVernay, Jane Fonda, Regina King, Viola Davis, #MeToo founder Tarana Burke, civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson, Color of Change president Rashad Robinson and more are signators, in addition to groups like GLAAD and Human Rights Watch. The letter was coordinated by the National Domestic Workers Alliance (Ndwa), which collaborated with Participant and director Cuarón on a visibility campaign for his 2018 Oscar winner “Roma.”
“As we say goodbye to Participant, we must underscore that values-based storytelling is needed now more than ever,” the letter states. “There is a whole ecosystem of people, connected by the work of the last 20 years of Participant, ready to work with you.
George Clooney, Aflonso Cuarón, Ava DuVernay, Jane Fonda, Regina King, Viola Davis, #MeToo founder Tarana Burke, civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson, Color of Change president Rashad Robinson and more are signators, in addition to groups like GLAAD and Human Rights Watch. The letter was coordinated by the National Domestic Workers Alliance (Ndwa), which collaborated with Participant and director Cuarón on a visibility campaign for his 2018 Oscar winner “Roma.”
“As we say goodbye to Participant, we must underscore that values-based storytelling is needed now more than ever,” the letter states. “There is a whole ecosystem of people, connected by the work of the last 20 years of Participant, ready to work with you.
- 5/7/2024
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Christian Petzold’s anticipated Miroirs No.3 and Kaouther Ben Hania’s epic love story Mimesi are among the 19 projects awarded a total funding of almost €3.5m by Germany’s Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg (Mbb) at the second funding session of 2024.
Miroirs No.3 will star Paula Beer in her fourth collaboration with Petzold after Transit, Undine and Afire. She will play a young music student who has to restructure her life when her boyfriend dies in a car crash in the countryside.
The film, which is being produced by Petzold’s production company Schramm Film Koerner Weber Kaiser, received €500,000 in production funding from Mbb.
Miroirs No.3 will star Paula Beer in her fourth collaboration with Petzold after Transit, Undine and Afire. She will play a young music student who has to restructure her life when her boyfriend dies in a car crash in the countryside.
The film, which is being produced by Petzold’s production company Schramm Film Koerner Weber Kaiser, received €500,000 in production funding from Mbb.
- 4/30/2024
- ScreenDaily
The Match Factory has revealed multiple distribution deals for two Berlinale competition titles: German director Matthias Glasner’s “Dying,” which won the festival’s Silver Bear for best screenplay, and Russian director Victor Kossakovsky’s documentary “Architecton.”
“Dying,” which stars Lars Eidinger, Lilith Stangenberg and Corinna Harfouch, also picked up the Guild of German Arthouse Cinemas and the Berliner Morgenpost Readers’ Jury Award. Variety‘s review describes the film as “a profoundly affecting exploration of life and loss.”
The Match Factory closed deals for the film in France (Bodega Film), Italy (Satine Film), Benelux (September Film Distribution), Norway (Selmer Media), Poland (Aurora), Cis (Provzglyad), Ex-Yugoslavia (McF MegaCom Film), Hungary (Cirko Films), Greece (Cinobo), Romania (Freealize), Taiwan (Andrews Film) and South Korea (Pancinema). A U.K. deal has also been signed with the buyer yet to be announced. Wild Bunch will be distributing the film in Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland.
“Dying,” which stars Lars Eidinger, Lilith Stangenberg and Corinna Harfouch, also picked up the Guild of German Arthouse Cinemas and the Berliner Morgenpost Readers’ Jury Award. Variety‘s review describes the film as “a profoundly affecting exploration of life and loss.”
The Match Factory closed deals for the film in France (Bodega Film), Italy (Satine Film), Benelux (September Film Distribution), Norway (Selmer Media), Poland (Aurora), Cis (Provzglyad), Ex-Yugoslavia (McF MegaCom Film), Hungary (Cirko Films), Greece (Cinobo), Romania (Freealize), Taiwan (Andrews Film) and South Korea (Pancinema). A U.K. deal has also been signed with the buyer yet to be announced. Wild Bunch will be distributing the film in Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland.
- 2/26/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The Match Factory has acquired international rights to Russian director Victor Kossakovsky’s new documentary Architecton ahead of its Berlinale world premiere.
The film project follows the filmmaker’s farmyard doc Gunda, which played in Berlinale Encounters in 2020, and Aquerala, which world premiered Out of Competition In Venice in 2018.
The Match Factory describes Kossakovsky’s new film as “an epic, intimate and poetic meditation” on architecture and how the design and construction of buildings from the ancient past reveal mankind’s present destruction.
Focusing on a landscape project by the Italian architect Michele de Lucci, Kossakovsky reflects on the rise and fall of civilizations, using imagery from the temple ruins of Baalbek in Lebanon, dating back to Ad 60, to the recent destruction of cities in Turkey following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in early 2023.
“Victor Kossakosvsky possesses the remarkable ability to amplify seldom-heard voices on the screen. Demonstrating his mastery in previous works like Gunda and Aquarela,...
The film project follows the filmmaker’s farmyard doc Gunda, which played in Berlinale Encounters in 2020, and Aquerala, which world premiered Out of Competition In Venice in 2018.
The Match Factory describes Kossakovsky’s new film as “an epic, intimate and poetic meditation” on architecture and how the design and construction of buildings from the ancient past reveal mankind’s present destruction.
Focusing on a landscape project by the Italian architect Michele de Lucci, Kossakovsky reflects on the rise and fall of civilizations, using imagery from the temple ruins of Baalbek in Lebanon, dating back to Ad 60, to the recent destruction of cities in Turkey following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in early 2023.
“Victor Kossakosvsky possesses the remarkable ability to amplify seldom-heard voices on the screen. Demonstrating his mastery in previous works like Gunda and Aquarela,...
- 1/31/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
The Match Factory has acquired the international rights to the Russian director Victor Kossakovsky’s documentary “Architecton,” which world premieres in the competition section of the Berlinale. A24 financed the film and will distribute it in North America.
“Architecton” follows Kossakovsky’s highly acclaimed “Gunda,” which played in Berlinale Encounters in 2020, and “Aquarela,” which screened in Venice’s out of competition section in 2018.
“Architecton” is described as “an epic, intimate and poetic meditation on architecture and how the design and construction of buildings from the ancient past reveal our destruction — and offer hope for survival and a way forward.”
The film centers on a landscape project by the Italian architect Michele de Lucci, which Kossakovsky uses to reflect on the rise and fall of civilizations. He captures breathtaking imagery from the temple ruins of Baalbek in Lebanon, dating back to 60 Ad, to the recent destruction of cities in Turkey following...
“Architecton” follows Kossakovsky’s highly acclaimed “Gunda,” which played in Berlinale Encounters in 2020, and “Aquarela,” which screened in Venice’s out of competition section in 2018.
“Architecton” is described as “an epic, intimate and poetic meditation on architecture and how the design and construction of buildings from the ancient past reveal our destruction — and offer hope for survival and a way forward.”
The film centers on a landscape project by the Italian architect Michele de Lucci, which Kossakovsky uses to reflect on the rise and fall of civilizations. He captures breathtaking imagery from the temple ruins of Baalbek in Lebanon, dating back to 60 Ad, to the recent destruction of cities in Turkey following...
- 1/31/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The Match Factory has acquired international sales rights to Russian director Victor Kossakovsky’s documentary Architecton which world premieres next month in the Berlinale’s Competition section
Architecton is billed as a meditation on architecture and how the design and the construction of buildings from the ancient past reveal our destruction — and offer hope for survival and a way forward.
Kossakovsky’s previous films include 2020 Berlinale Encounters title Gunda and Aquarela, which played out of competition at Venice in 2018.
Architecton is produced by Heino Deckert for Germany’s Ma.ja.de. A24 financed and will distribute the film in North America.
Architecton is billed as a meditation on architecture and how the design and the construction of buildings from the ancient past reveal our destruction — and offer hope for survival and a way forward.
Kossakovsky’s previous films include 2020 Berlinale Encounters title Gunda and Aquarela, which played out of competition at Venice in 2018.
Architecton is produced by Heino Deckert for Germany’s Ma.ja.de. A24 financed and will distribute the film in North America.
- 1/31/2024
- ScreenDaily
Oscilloscope Laboratories, the distribution company set up by late Beastie Boys member Adam Yauch, has acquired U.S. rights to The Universal Theory, which recently premiered in competition at the Venice Film Festival (as the title The Theory of Everything). A theatrical release is planned for 2024.
From director Timm Kröger, the German drama is set in 1962 at a quantum mechanics conference in an isolated lodge nestled amid the towering landscapes of the Swiss Alps, and is the story of a gifted young physicist, his curmudgeonly mentor and an enigmatic jazz pianist who knows things about our wunderkind scientist that he’s never told another living soul. As the description goes, the film is “driven by astonishing twists, improbable coincidences and Hitchcockian suspense,” and “considers the metaverse theory from a refreshingly intelligent point of view.”
The main cast includes Jan Bülow, Olivia Ross, Hanns Zischler, Gottfried Breitfuss, David Bennent, Philippe Graber and Imogen Kogge.
From director Timm Kröger, the German drama is set in 1962 at a quantum mechanics conference in an isolated lodge nestled amid the towering landscapes of the Swiss Alps, and is the story of a gifted young physicist, his curmudgeonly mentor and an enigmatic jazz pianist who knows things about our wunderkind scientist that he’s never told another living soul. As the description goes, the film is “driven by astonishing twists, improbable coincidences and Hitchcockian suspense,” and “considers the metaverse theory from a refreshingly intelligent point of view.”
The main cast includes Jan Bülow, Olivia Ross, Hanns Zischler, Gottfried Breitfuss, David Bennent, Philippe Graber and Imogen Kogge.
- 10/5/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Polish director is in Sarajevo this week pitching her documentary ‘Runa’.
Polish outfit Harine Films and German co-producer Heino Deckert have boarded She, the next fiction project from Polish producer-director Agnieszka Zwiefka.
The project has been developed by the European edition of The Writers Lab (Twl), the script development workshop for women and non-binary writers over 40 supported by Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman.
“It’s amazing the support they are giving. It was an amazing feeling of sisterhood, this lab,” Zwiefka said. Her tutor was the Oscar-nominated Polish director Agnieszka Holland.
She is about a widowed 50 year-old woman who...
Polish outfit Harine Films and German co-producer Heino Deckert have boarded She, the next fiction project from Polish producer-director Agnieszka Zwiefka.
The project has been developed by the European edition of The Writers Lab (Twl), the script development workshop for women and non-binary writers over 40 supported by Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman.
“It’s amazing the support they are giving. It was an amazing feeling of sisterhood, this lab,” Zwiefka said. Her tutor was the Oscar-nominated Polish director Agnieszka Holland.
She is about a widowed 50 year-old woman who...
- 8/17/2023
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
Timm Kröger’s second film is a German-language psychological thriller.
Charades and Anonymous Content are partnering on sales for German director Timm Kröger’s The Theory of Everything ahead of its world premiere in competition in Venice, announced today.
The genre-blending black and white thriller set in the world of quantum mechanics is Kroger’s second feature. Set in the Swiss Alps, it is about a physicist attending an international convention where an Iranian scientist plans to unveil a groundbreaking new theory in quantum mechanics. Intrigued by a mysterious jazz pianist who seems to know intimate details about him, he...
Charades and Anonymous Content are partnering on sales for German director Timm Kröger’s The Theory of Everything ahead of its world premiere in competition in Venice, announced today.
The genre-blending black and white thriller set in the world of quantum mechanics is Kroger’s second feature. Set in the Swiss Alps, it is about a physicist attending an international convention where an Iranian scientist plans to unveil a groundbreaking new theory in quantum mechanics. Intrigued by a mysterious jazz pianist who seems to know intimate details about him, he...
- 7/25/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
The trailer (below) for “Draw for Change!” – which was named best documentary series at Canneseries this week – has debuted. The feature film version of the first of its six episodes, “Behind the Lines,” will world premiere at Visions du Réel Film Festival on April 28.
The series, from creators Guillaume Vandenberghe and Vincent Coen, profiles six female cartoonists working in six geographic areas of the world, in six individual films and broadcast episodes. Female directors with close connections to each of the societies represented were chosen to tell the stories.
Autlook Film Sales is handling international sales.
“After decades of male directed series on male artists, this series brings us stories about female artists from a female perspective,” producer Hanne Phlypo said. “The stakes are very high for these artists, and championing them by telling their stories is our contribution to empowering global democracy – one laugh at a time.”
Vandenberghe and...
The series, from creators Guillaume Vandenberghe and Vincent Coen, profiles six female cartoonists working in six geographic areas of the world, in six individual films and broadcast episodes. Female directors with close connections to each of the societies represented were chosen to tell the stories.
Autlook Film Sales is handling international sales.
“After decades of male directed series on male artists, this series brings us stories about female artists from a female perspective,” producer Hanne Phlypo said. “The stakes are very high for these artists, and championing them by telling their stories is our contribution to empowering global democracy – one laugh at a time.”
Vandenberghe and...
- 4/21/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
28 selected projects pitched to sales agents and distributors.
A new documentary project from Prayers For The Stolen director Tatiana Huezo was among the prize-winners at the fifth edition of European Work in Progress (Ewip), held in Cologne October 17-19.
An international jury including mk2 films’ head of acquisitions Olivier Barbier, Directors’ Fortnight artistic director Julien Rejl and German director-producer-actress Saralisa Volm awarded in-kind prizes worth a total of €60,000, after the 28 selected projects had been pitched to sales agents and distributors.
The K13 Studios award of €10,000 in Dolby Atmos mixing went to Huezo’s documentary The Echo, a documentary about children...
A new documentary project from Prayers For The Stolen director Tatiana Huezo was among the prize-winners at the fifth edition of European Work in Progress (Ewip), held in Cologne October 17-19.
An international jury including mk2 films’ head of acquisitions Olivier Barbier, Directors’ Fortnight artistic director Julien Rejl and German director-producer-actress Saralisa Volm awarded in-kind prizes worth a total of €60,000, after the 28 selected projects had been pitched to sales agents and distributors.
The K13 Studios award of €10,000 in Dolby Atmos mixing went to Huezo’s documentary The Echo, a documentary about children...
- 10/19/2022
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Call comes as blasts continue to rock capital Kyiv.
More than 60 international film festivals and organisations have signed an open letter calling upon political representatives to work together to achieve the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and asking the international community to support Ukrainian journalists, filmmakers and artists as they document their reality in the face of the ongoing information war being waged against them.
Coordinated by the Prague-based Institute of Documentary Film (Idf), the Open Letter expressed its solidarity with the Ukrainian people, declaring that “no country has the right to violate the borders of a sovereign state...
More than 60 international film festivals and organisations have signed an open letter calling upon political representatives to work together to achieve the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and asking the international community to support Ukrainian journalists, filmmakers and artists as they document their reality in the face of the ongoing information war being waged against them.
Coordinated by the Prague-based Institute of Documentary Film (Idf), the Open Letter expressed its solidarity with the Ukrainian people, declaring that “no country has the right to violate the borders of a sovereign state...
- 2/25/2022
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
There are 30 projects in first physical event since 2019.
New works from One Child Nation director Jialing Zhang and Chuck Norris vs. Communism filmmaker Ilinca Calugareanu are among the 30 projects participating in Cph:forum, the financing and co-production market of Cph:dox film festival.
The Forum will run from March 28-31, and will be the first in-person edition since 2019.
Scroll down for the full list of titles
Massachusetts-based Chinese filmmaker Zhang is participating with German-Dutch co-production The Total Trust (working title), produced by Knut Jager through Germany’s Filmtank. The documentary will examine the growth of surveillance culture in China, from cameras to AI profiling.
New works from One Child Nation director Jialing Zhang and Chuck Norris vs. Communism filmmaker Ilinca Calugareanu are among the 30 projects participating in Cph:forum, the financing and co-production market of Cph:dox film festival.
The Forum will run from March 28-31, and will be the first in-person edition since 2019.
Scroll down for the full list of titles
Massachusetts-based Chinese filmmaker Zhang is participating with German-Dutch co-production The Total Trust (working title), produced by Knut Jager through Germany’s Filmtank. The documentary will examine the growth of surveillance culture in China, from cameras to AI profiling.
- 2/10/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
German sales company Pluto Film is under new ownership following its sale by founders and former CEOs Heino Deckert and Torsten Frehse to Daniela and Benjamin Cölle.
Deckert and Frehse, who established the Berlin-based shingle in 2015, are stepping down to focus on the activities of their respective companies, the Leipzig-based production shingle Maja.de and Berlin film distributor Neue Visionen.
The new husband and wife team will head Pluto Film as co-CEOs, with Daniela Cölle also serving as head of acquisitions. Cölle has worked at the company since its launch, initially as festival manager.
“We are very thankful to Torsten and Heino for trusting in us as new owners and CEOs,” she said. “We believe in engaging global cinema by emerging talents, both arthouse and cross-over. We are devoted to bringing quality feature films to the international market and worldwide audiences.”
Benjamin Cölle previously worked as a creative producer and...
Deckert and Frehse, who established the Berlin-based shingle in 2015, are stepping down to focus on the activities of their respective companies, the Leipzig-based production shingle Maja.de and Berlin film distributor Neue Visionen.
The new husband and wife team will head Pluto Film as co-CEOs, with Daniela Cölle also serving as head of acquisitions. Cölle has worked at the company since its launch, initially as festival manager.
“We are very thankful to Torsten and Heino for trusting in us as new owners and CEOs,” she said. “We believe in engaging global cinema by emerging talents, both arthouse and cross-over. We are devoted to bringing quality feature films to the international market and worldwide audiences.”
Benjamin Cölle previously worked as a creative producer and...
- 1/26/2022
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
German director Timm Kröger’s mystery thriller “The Universal Theory” has started shooting at the ski resort of St. Jakob in Defereggen, Austria. The film’s first image has been released.
The cast is led by Jan Bülow, who starred in “Lindenberg! Mach dein Ding,” and Olivia Ross, a Paris-born, British actress whose credits include History’s “Knightfall,” Netflix’s “The Old Guard,” and the BBC’s “War and Peace” and “Killing Eve.”
Kröger previously directed Venice Critics Week entry “The Council of Birds.” The screenplay was written by Roderick Warich (“The Trouble with Being Born”) and Kröger.
Shot in Cinemascope, in black and white, the 1960s set story unfolds against the backdrop of the Alps. Johannes, a doctor of physics, travels with his doctoral supervisor to a scientific congress in the Alps. A series of mysterious incidents occur on site. He meets his femme fatale, Karin, a jazz pianist...
The cast is led by Jan Bülow, who starred in “Lindenberg! Mach dein Ding,” and Olivia Ross, a Paris-born, British actress whose credits include History’s “Knightfall,” Netflix’s “The Old Guard,” and the BBC’s “War and Peace” and “Killing Eve.”
Kröger previously directed Venice Critics Week entry “The Council of Birds.” The screenplay was written by Roderick Warich (“The Trouble with Being Born”) and Kröger.
Shot in Cinemascope, in black and white, the 1960s set story unfolds against the backdrop of the Alps. Johannes, a doctor of physics, travels with his doctoral supervisor to a scientific congress in the Alps. A series of mysterious incidents occur on site. He meets his femme fatale, Karin, a jazz pianist...
- 1/21/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Germany-based documentary sales outfit Deckert Distribution has named Liselot Verbrugge as its new CEO.
The former Autlook Sales executive takes the reins of the company as founder Heino Deckert shifts gears to focus fully on production. Deckert has also further expanded with the hire of sales and acquisitions executive Patrizia Mancini.
Verbrugge, who previously oversaw TV and VOD sales for Autlook, joined Deckert in early 2019 as head of sales and acquisitions. In her career, she has been responsible for the roll-out of double Academy Award-nominated “Honeyland” and for acquiring Francesco Montagner’s “Brotherhood” and Ahmet Necdet Cupur’s “Les Enfants Terribles.” She started in film production and worked for festivals such as IDFA and Cinekid before switching to international film sales in 2014.
Deckert, who founded the sales agent in 2003, will remain a shareholder in the outfit, and also serve as an advisor. He said that after several years of managing various companies,...
The former Autlook Sales executive takes the reins of the company as founder Heino Deckert shifts gears to focus fully on production. Deckert has also further expanded with the hire of sales and acquisitions executive Patrizia Mancini.
Verbrugge, who previously oversaw TV and VOD sales for Autlook, joined Deckert in early 2019 as head of sales and acquisitions. In her career, she has been responsible for the roll-out of double Academy Award-nominated “Honeyland” and for acquiring Francesco Montagner’s “Brotherhood” and Ahmet Necdet Cupur’s “Les Enfants Terribles.” She started in film production and worked for festivals such as IDFA and Cinekid before switching to international film sales in 2014.
Deckert, who founded the sales agent in 2003, will remain a shareholder in the outfit, and also serve as an advisor. He said that after several years of managing various companies,...
- 11/18/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Mubi has acquired rights to climate change documentary “Invisible Demons” and plans to release the film in select U.S. theaters and on the company’s streaming platform in 2022.
Directed by Rahul Jain, “Invisible Demons” premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and later played at the Zurich Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival. The movie will have its U.S. premiere at Doc NYC in November.
“Invisible Demons” shines a light on the increasingly urgent global climate crisis. Mubi, which functions as a streaming service, a film distributor and a production company, says the film offers new perspective on the clear and present climate realities. A press release about the movie reads: “Told through striking images and eye-opening accounts from everyday citizens fighting to survive, ‘Invisible Demons’ offers a new perspective on the clear and present climate reality. The film delivers a visceral and immersive journey...
Directed by Rahul Jain, “Invisible Demons” premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and later played at the Zurich Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival. The movie will have its U.S. premiere at Doc NYC in November.
“Invisible Demons” shines a light on the increasingly urgent global climate crisis. Mubi, which functions as a streaming service, a film distributor and a production company, says the film offers new perspective on the clear and present climate realities. A press release about the movie reads: “Told through striking images and eye-opening accounts from everyday citizens fighting to survive, ‘Invisible Demons’ offers a new perspective on the clear and present climate reality. The film delivers a visceral and immersive journey...
- 11/3/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
WestEnd Films is launching worldwide sales on crime drama “Rhino” from Ukrainian director Oleh Sentsov, which will premiere at the Venice Film Festival in the Orizzonti section.
Produced by Denis Ivanov and Sentsov, the film centers on a young man nicknamed “Rhino,” who starts out as a petty thief before rising in the ranks of Ukraine’s criminal underworld in the 1990s. Rhino has only known power and cruelty, but with nothing left to lose, could he finally find a chance at redemption?
The film stars newcomer Serhii Filimonov as Rhino, alongside Yevhen Grigoriev and Alina Zievakova. Crew members include Academy Award-nominated director of photography Bogumił Godfrejów.
“Rhino” was awarded best project and best pitching at the Sofia Meetings, and production was originally planned for 2014. However, Oleh was arrested by the Russian Federal Security Service in May 2014 and unlawfully sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment, giving rise to a global campaign for his release.
Produced by Denis Ivanov and Sentsov, the film centers on a young man nicknamed “Rhino,” who starts out as a petty thief before rising in the ranks of Ukraine’s criminal underworld in the 1990s. Rhino has only known power and cruelty, but with nothing left to lose, could he finally find a chance at redemption?
The film stars newcomer Serhii Filimonov as Rhino, alongside Yevhen Grigoriev and Alina Zievakova. Crew members include Academy Award-nominated director of photography Bogumił Godfrejów.
“Rhino” was awarded best project and best pitching at the Sofia Meetings, and production was originally planned for 2014. However, Oleh was arrested by the Russian Federal Security Service in May 2014 and unlawfully sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment, giving rise to a global campaign for his release.
- 7/26/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Indian filmmaker Rahul Jain, whose new film “Invisible Demons” has its world premiere at Cannes in the cinema for the climate special section, is prepping “Falling Star,” a limited fiction series.
Jain is developing the series, which is likely to consist of six or seven one-hour episodes, via his Jann Pictures. It will see him reunite with Heino Deckert’s Ma.Ja.De. FilmProduktion, who co-produced “Invisible Demons.”
The series was born out of Jain’s ongoing obsession with the concept of Anthropocene, a reference to the current geological age, during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment. Jain’s specific target is the smartphone.
“Tt was my biggest desire to find a way to tell a story by which a sixth grader can tell you how a smartphone is made — from the mines of Congo to a technology store,” Jain tells Variety. “I...
Jain is developing the series, which is likely to consist of six or seven one-hour episodes, via his Jann Pictures. It will see him reunite with Heino Deckert’s Ma.Ja.De. FilmProduktion, who co-produced “Invisible Demons.”
The series was born out of Jain’s ongoing obsession with the concept of Anthropocene, a reference to the current geological age, during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment. Jain’s specific target is the smartphone.
“Tt was my biggest desire to find a way to tell a story by which a sixth grader can tell you how a smartphone is made — from the mines of Congo to a technology store,” Jain tells Variety. “I...
- 7/11/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Participant and French sales agent MK2 Films have teamed up to jointly represent worldwide rights to Rahul Jain’s documentary feature “Invisible Demons.” The feature film will have its world premiere at Cannes in the cinema for the climate special section.
In “Invisible Demons,” Jain explores the dramatic consequences of India’s growing economy and what it means on the broader world stage.
Using Jain’s experimental style and strong visuals, the documentary zooms in on the situation in New Delhi, where climate change is impacting the daily lives and health of 30 million locals.
Set for July 12, the premiere will mark the Cannes debut of Jain, a rising filmmaking who made his critically acclaimed debut feature with “Machines,” which won Sundance’s best cinematography award in 2017. “Machines” went on to nab 17 international awards at more than 160 festivals.
Rob Williams, Participant’s VP of content sales, and Fionnuala Jamison, MK2 Films’ MD,...
In “Invisible Demons,” Jain explores the dramatic consequences of India’s growing economy and what it means on the broader world stage.
Using Jain’s experimental style and strong visuals, the documentary zooms in on the situation in New Delhi, where climate change is impacting the daily lives and health of 30 million locals.
Set for July 12, the premiere will mark the Cannes debut of Jain, a rising filmmaking who made his critically acclaimed debut feature with “Machines,” which won Sundance’s best cinematography award in 2017. “Machines” went on to nab 17 international awards at more than 160 festivals.
Rob Williams, Participant’s VP of content sales, and Fionnuala Jamison, MK2 Films’ MD,...
- 6/25/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Rahul Jain explores impact of Indian economy on climate.
Participant and French sales agent mk2 Films have teamed up to represent worldwide rights on Rahul Jain’s documentary Invisible Demons ahead of its premiere in Cannes’ Cinema For The Climate sidebar.
Jain explores the consequences of India’s growing economy on the climate and profiles a city in crisis while reflecting on the broader global picture.
Participant co-financed and served as executive producer on Invisible Demons, which Toinen Katse and Ma.Ja.De. FilmProduktion produced with support from Fff-Mdm-Yle-avek. Individual producers are Iikka Vehkalahti and Heino Deckert.
Participant and French sales agent mk2 Films have teamed up to represent worldwide rights on Rahul Jain’s documentary Invisible Demons ahead of its premiere in Cannes’ Cinema For The Climate sidebar.
Jain explores the consequences of India’s growing economy on the climate and profiles a city in crisis while reflecting on the broader global picture.
Participant co-financed and served as executive producer on Invisible Demons, which Toinen Katse and Ma.Ja.De. FilmProduktion produced with support from Fff-Mdm-Yle-avek. Individual producers are Iikka Vehkalahti and Heino Deckert.
- 6/25/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Rahul Jain explores impact of Indian economy on climate.
Participant and French sales agent mk2 Films have teamed up to represent worldwide rights on Rahul Jain’s documentary Invisible Demons ahead of its premiere in Cannes’ Cinema For The Climate sidebar.
Jain explores the consequences of India’s growing economy on the climate and profiles a city in crisis while reflecting on the broader global picture.
Participant co-financed and served as executive producer on Invisible Demons, which Toinen Katse and Ma.Ja.De. FilmProduktion produced with support from Fff-Mdm-Yle-avek. Individual producers are Iikka Vehkalahti and Heino Deckert.
Participant and French sales agent mk2 Films have teamed up to represent worldwide rights on Rahul Jain’s documentary Invisible Demons ahead of its premiere in Cannes’ Cinema For The Climate sidebar.
Jain explores the consequences of India’s growing economy on the climate and profiles a city in crisis while reflecting on the broader global picture.
Participant co-financed and served as executive producer on Invisible Demons, which Toinen Katse and Ma.Ja.De. FilmProduktion produced with support from Fff-Mdm-Yle-avek. Individual producers are Iikka Vehkalahti and Heino Deckert.
- 6/25/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The producers of Oleg Sentsov's Rhino are invited to speak about their collaboration and the financing of their film, which has received Eurimages support. The Co-production Podcast is a collaboration between Cineuropa and Eurimages. Each episode welcomes producers to share best practices and to inspire new industry-wide collaborations in Europe and beyond. In the second episode of the Co-production Podcast, Cineuropa’s editor-in-chief, Domenico La Porta, and producers Denis Ivanov, Dariusz Jablonski, and Heino Deckert discuss the production of Rhino, written and directed by Oleg Sentsov.Note: this episode runs 5 minutes longer than usual due to important contextual information related to the director, who was unjustly incarcerated at the beginning of the production process.
Ukrainian filmmaker’s third feature was postponed due to five years imprisonment.
Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov is to showcase footage from upcoming feature Rhino at Bulgaria’s Sofia Meetings, which is taking place virtually from March 17-24.
It marks the third feature from Sentsov and was originally pitched at the industry platform in 2012, before being abandoned when the filmmaker was arrested by the Russian Federal Security Service in May 2014 and later sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. Sentsov resurrected the project after being released from prison as part of a prisoner exchange in September 2019.
Set in 1990s Ukraine, the drama centres on...
Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov is to showcase footage from upcoming feature Rhino at Bulgaria’s Sofia Meetings, which is taking place virtually from March 17-24.
It marks the third feature from Sentsov and was originally pitched at the industry platform in 2012, before being abandoned when the filmmaker was arrested by the Russian Federal Security Service in May 2014 and later sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. Sentsov resurrected the project after being released from prison as part of a prisoner exchange in September 2019.
Set in 1990s Ukraine, the drama centres on...
- 3/19/2021
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
German sales outlet Deckert Distribution has acquired Chris Wright and Stefan Kolbe’s “Anamnesis,” ahead of its world premiere in the Forum strand of the Berlinale.
The making of “Anamnesis” started when the two directors first meet Stefan S. in 2015, in the therapy ward of Brandenburg Prison. Their first impression is that of a polite, shy man. A warder tells them that the prisoner is an ice-cold woman-killer.
Wright and Kolbe decide to follow him through the last four years of his prison term. Stefan completes the modules of the therapy program, one of the most progressive in Europe for the treatment of violent criminals and sex offenders.
As his release approaches, Wright and Kolbe ask themselves some uncomfortable questions: Can anyone really know what is going on inside this man? What can we really understand of his crime? How effective can any treatment for toxic masculinity be, in this world behind bars?...
The making of “Anamnesis” started when the two directors first meet Stefan S. in 2015, in the therapy ward of Brandenburg Prison. Their first impression is that of a polite, shy man. A warder tells them that the prisoner is an ice-cold woman-killer.
Wright and Kolbe decide to follow him through the last four years of his prison term. Stefan completes the modules of the therapy program, one of the most progressive in Europe for the treatment of violent criminals and sex offenders.
As his release approaches, Wright and Kolbe ask themselves some uncomfortable questions: Can anyone really know what is going on inside this man? What can we really understand of his crime? How effective can any treatment for toxic masculinity be, in this world behind bars?...
- 2/24/2021
- by Davide Abbatescianni
- Variety Film + TV
German project development event will showcase 28 projects from 34 countries.
The third edition of the European Work in Progress Cologne (Ewip) will unfold as a physical event in spite of the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, its organisers have announced.
Running October 5 to 7 within the framework of the 30th Cologne Film Festival, the meeting will showcase 28 projects from 34 countries.
“The experiences in Cannes and other industry events in this corona year have shown that the direct exchange of people, despite numerous digital communication possibilities, cannot be replaced by anything,” commented Torsten Frehse, a board member of German independent distributors’ association Ag Verleih.
The third edition of the European Work in Progress Cologne (Ewip) will unfold as a physical event in spite of the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, its organisers have announced.
Running October 5 to 7 within the framework of the 30th Cologne Film Festival, the meeting will showcase 28 projects from 34 countries.
“The experiences in Cannes and other industry events in this corona year have shown that the direct exchange of people, despite numerous digital communication possibilities, cannot be replaced by anything,” commented Torsten Frehse, a board member of German independent distributors’ association Ag Verleih.
- 10/2/2020
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Agnieszka Zwiefka’s “Wika!” Angeliki Antoniou’s “Green Sea” and Wong Fei-pang’s “Dear Immigrants: What Was Your First Meal?” will all feature at the Marché du Film’s 2020 Goes to Cannes, one of the highest-profile industry events at the Cannes Film Market.
This year’s Goes to Event runs June 22-23, at the beginning of the Marché du Film added to what looks like a packed schedule of screenings.
A pix-in-post showcase traditionally running the second week of Cannes and frequented by sales agents, distributors and film fest heads, this year’s Goes to Cannes, now in its eighth edition, will source five features a piece from three traditional Goes To partners: the Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (Haf), Poland’s New Horizons International Film Festival, and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
Joining the Goes to Lineup for the first time is Nfdc Film Bazaar, organized by India...
This year’s Goes to Event runs June 22-23, at the beginning of the Marché du Film added to what looks like a packed schedule of screenings.
A pix-in-post showcase traditionally running the second week of Cannes and frequented by sales agents, distributors and film fest heads, this year’s Goes to Cannes, now in its eighth edition, will source five features a piece from three traditional Goes To partners: the Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (Haf), Poland’s New Horizons International Film Festival, and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
Joining the Goes to Lineup for the first time is Nfdc Film Bazaar, organized by India...
- 5/26/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Taking one big bull by the horns, the second online industry talk at Switzerland’s Visions du Réel debated Tuesday evening the impact of Covid-19 across pretty much the whole of the movie value chain.
At least five of the six panelists on the online round table, The Film Industry in Corona Times: Labs, Markets, Sales, Producers, were heads of institutions which already shape Europe’s industry. A sixth, German producer-sale agent Heino Decker, is positioned to have a highly informed sense of market demand. So, the take on key industry issues at the panel, moderated by Variety, were sometimes not just a matter of opinion but valuable pointers to its very future amid and after Covid-19. Following, 10 quick takeaways.
1. Cannes Film Market Online: Updates
Applauded by UniFrance managing director Daniela Elstner — “it’s very important to have something before the summer” – the June 22-26 Cannes Marché du Film will...
At least five of the six panelists on the online round table, The Film Industry in Corona Times: Labs, Markets, Sales, Producers, were heads of institutions which already shape Europe’s industry. A sixth, German producer-sale agent Heino Decker, is positioned to have a highly informed sense of market demand. So, the take on key industry issues at the panel, moderated by Variety, were sometimes not just a matter of opinion but valuable pointers to its very future amid and after Covid-19. Following, 10 quick takeaways.
1. Cannes Film Market Online: Updates
Applauded by UniFrance managing director Daniela Elstner — “it’s very important to have something before the summer” – the June 22-26 Cannes Marché du Film will...
- 4/29/2020
- by John Hopewell and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Documentary group Cinema Eye on Thursday unveiled nominations for the 2020 Cinema Eye Honors, with Netflix’s American Factory and Neon’s Apollo 11 leading the way with five nominations each. Netflix tops all distributors with 17 noms, the most ever in a single year.
Winners will be revealed at a ceremony January 6 at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens.
American Factory, which counts Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground among its executive producers, and Todd Douglas Miller’s deep dive into the 1969 moon mission Apollo 11 were nominated in the marquee Outstanding Nonfiction Feature category. They are joined there by For Sama, the PBS/Frontline Syrian drama from Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watt; Neon’s Honeyland, the Sundance-winning Macedonian beekeeper tale from Ljubomir Stefanov and Tamara Kotevsk; 1901 Media’s Mexico City ambulance industry pic Midnight Family; and Amazon Studios’ Sundance U.S. Grand Jury Prize-winning One Child Nation.
Last year,...
Winners will be revealed at a ceremony January 6 at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens.
American Factory, which counts Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground among its executive producers, and Todd Douglas Miller’s deep dive into the 1969 moon mission Apollo 11 were nominated in the marquee Outstanding Nonfiction Feature category. They are joined there by For Sama, the PBS/Frontline Syrian drama from Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watt; Neon’s Honeyland, the Sundance-winning Macedonian beekeeper tale from Ljubomir Stefanov and Tamara Kotevsk; 1901 Media’s Mexico City ambulance industry pic Midnight Family; and Amazon Studios’ Sundance U.S. Grand Jury Prize-winning One Child Nation.
Last year,...
- 11/7/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
“American Factory” and “Apollo 11” led all films in nominations for the 13th annual Cinema Eye Honors, a New York-based awards show created to pay tribute to all facets of nonfiction filmmaking.
The two films each received five nominations, including Outstanding Nonfiction Feature, from the Cinema Eye jury of festival programmers, as well as votes from this year’s eligible filmmakers.
The full slate of nominees in that category is a solid lineup of the year’s most acclaimed docs. In addition to Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert’s “American Factory” and Todd Douglas Miller’s “Apollo 11,” it includes Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts’ “For Sama,” Ljubomir Stefanov and Tamara Kotevska’s “Honeyland,” Luke Lorentzen’s “Midnight Family” and Nanfu Wang and Jialing Zhang’s “One Child Nation.”
Also Read: 12 Documentaries to Check Out This Fall, Including Films by Bruce Springsteen and Agnès Varda (Photos)
“American Factory,” “Apollo 11...
The two films each received five nominations, including Outstanding Nonfiction Feature, from the Cinema Eye jury of festival programmers, as well as votes from this year’s eligible filmmakers.
The full slate of nominees in that category is a solid lineup of the year’s most acclaimed docs. In addition to Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert’s “American Factory” and Todd Douglas Miller’s “Apollo 11,” it includes Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts’ “For Sama,” Ljubomir Stefanov and Tamara Kotevska’s “Honeyland,” Luke Lorentzen’s “Midnight Family” and Nanfu Wang and Jialing Zhang’s “One Child Nation.”
Also Read: 12 Documentaries to Check Out This Fall, Including Films by Bruce Springsteen and Agnès Varda (Photos)
“American Factory,” “Apollo 11...
- 11/7/2019
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Former Berlinale Forum head Christoph Terhechte named artistic director of Dok Leipzig film festival
Journalist and film critic to replace Leena Pasanen from January 2020.
Former Berlinale Forum head Christoph Terhechte is to succeed Leena Pasanen as the artistic director of Dok Leipzig film festival from January 1, 2020.
Terhechte will take up the post after the serving as the artistic director for the Marrakesh International Film Festival for the second and final time this year. Marrakech runs from November 29 to December 7. He took up the post last summer after 17 years at the helm of the Berlinale’s International Forum of Young Cinema.
In his new role he will also serve as the managing director of the festival’s organiser,...
Former Berlinale Forum head Christoph Terhechte is to succeed Leena Pasanen as the artistic director of Dok Leipzig film festival from January 1, 2020.
Terhechte will take up the post after the serving as the artistic director for the Marrakesh International Film Festival for the second and final time this year. Marrakech runs from November 29 to December 7. He took up the post last summer after 17 years at the helm of the Berlinale’s International Forum of Young Cinema.
In his new role he will also serve as the managing director of the festival’s organiser,...
- 9/24/2019
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Journalist and film critic to replace Leena Pasanen from January 2020.
Former Berlinale Forum head Christoph Terhechte is to succeed Leena Pasanen as the artistic director of Dok Leipzig film festival from January 1, 2020.
Terhechte will take up the post after the serving as the artistic director for the Marrakesh International Film Festival for the second and final time this year. Marrakech runs from November 29 to December 7. He took up the post last summer after 17 years at the helm of the Berlinale’s International Forum of Young Cinema.
In his new role he will also serve as the managing director of the festival’s organiser,...
Former Berlinale Forum head Christoph Terhechte is to succeed Leena Pasanen as the artistic director of Dok Leipzig film festival from January 1, 2020.
Terhechte will take up the post after the serving as the artistic director for the Marrakesh International Film Festival for the second and final time this year. Marrakech runs from November 29 to December 7. He took up the post last summer after 17 years at the helm of the Berlinale’s International Forum of Young Cinema.
In his new role he will also serve as the managing director of the festival’s organiser,...
- 9/24/2019
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Film named best international competition feature at Nyon Visions du Réel this year.
New York-based documentary specialist Icarus Films has acquired North American rights to 2019 Berlin Forum winner of the Caligari Prize Heimat Is A Space In Time.
Thomas Heise directed the chronicle of three generations of the filmmaker’s family, set against the backdrop of dramatic events in German and global history dating back more than a century.
Germany’s Ma.ja.de. Filmproduktion produced Heimat Is A Space In Time in association with Navigator Film from Austria and Germany’s Zdf/3sat.
It was named best feature in...
New York-based documentary specialist Icarus Films has acquired North American rights to 2019 Berlin Forum winner of the Caligari Prize Heimat Is A Space In Time.
Thomas Heise directed the chronicle of three generations of the filmmaker’s family, set against the backdrop of dramatic events in German and global history dating back more than a century.
Germany’s Ma.ja.de. Filmproduktion produced Heimat Is A Space In Time in association with Navigator Film from Austria and Germany’s Zdf/3sat.
It was named best feature in...
- 7/15/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The Sundance Institute rounded out the lineup for the 2019 Sundance Film Festival by unveiling its New Frontier section, which “spotlights work at the dynamic crossroads of film, art and technology.”
While the feature, short-film and indie episodic lineups tend to attract most of the press at Sundance, New Frontier consistently hosts the festival’s most dynamic and innovative work, spanning a wide range of interactive, emerging technology and installation-based projects that encompass Vr, Ar, mixed reality (Mr) and AI.
No section of the festival changes more from year to year than New Frontier, as reflected in the recent decision to expand to two venues — New Frontier at The Ray and the neighboring New Frontier Central, including a dedicated Vr Cinema — where the projects will be viewable during the duration of the festival, accompanied by panels and other special events.
Those looking to the Sundance Film Festival to find the cutting-edge...
While the feature, short-film and indie episodic lineups tend to attract most of the press at Sundance, New Frontier consistently hosts the festival’s most dynamic and innovative work, spanning a wide range of interactive, emerging technology and installation-based projects that encompass Vr, Ar, mixed reality (Mr) and AI.
No section of the festival changes more from year to year than New Frontier, as reflected in the recent decision to expand to two venues — New Frontier at The Ray and the neighboring New Frontier Central, including a dedicated Vr Cinema — where the projects will be viewable during the duration of the festival, accompanied by panels and other special events.
Those looking to the Sundance Film Festival to find the cutting-edge...
- 12/5/2018
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
No word yet if Eminem will be showing up in Park City for one of those late night concerts that only happen at Sundance but the Oscar winning 8 Mile star is certainly part of the New Frontier slate for next year’s festival.
While it’s usually the films in competition and the premieres that attract a lot of the spotlight leading up to the Sundance Film Festival, but year after year it is the more experimental New Frontier offerings that often point most clearly towards the future. From Marshall From Detroit and 32 other projects from 10 countries, 2019 looks to be continuing that tradition, as Sff founder Robert Redford said today and as you can see by checking out the full slate below.
“For over a decade, New Frontier has pushed the boundaries of the possible, illuminating the potential of technology and storytelling,” Redford declared of the ever-expanding selection. “These independent...
While it’s usually the films in competition and the premieres that attract a lot of the spotlight leading up to the Sundance Film Festival, but year after year it is the more experimental New Frontier offerings that often point most clearly towards the future. From Marshall From Detroit and 32 other projects from 10 countries, 2019 looks to be continuing that tradition, as Sff founder Robert Redford said today and as you can see by checking out the full slate below.
“For over a decade, New Frontier has pushed the boundaries of the possible, illuminating the potential of technology and storytelling,” Redford declared of the ever-expanding selection. “These independent...
- 12/5/2018
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Programme will run at New Frontier at The Ray, inaugural New Frontier Central.
A Royal Shakespeare Company collaboration and new work from Chris Milk are among the Sundance New Frontier line-up of experimental media announced by Sundance Institute on Wednesday (5).
Exhibits, films and performances include Vr, Ar, mixed reality and AI. The line-up includes UK production The Seven Ages Of Man, Royal Shakespeare Company and Magic Leap explore theatre’s future with Magic Leap technology in a mixed reality production of the titular speech from Shakespeare’s As You Like It.
Chris Milk is a key collaborator on Emergence, an...
A Royal Shakespeare Company collaboration and new work from Chris Milk are among the Sundance New Frontier line-up of experimental media announced by Sundance Institute on Wednesday (5).
Exhibits, films and performances include Vr, Ar, mixed reality and AI. The line-up includes UK production The Seven Ages Of Man, Royal Shakespeare Company and Magic Leap explore theatre’s future with Magic Leap technology in a mixed reality production of the titular speech from Shakespeare’s As You Like It.
Chris Milk is a key collaborator on Emergence, an...
- 12/5/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all North American rights from Participant Media to “Aquarela,” a Russian nature documentary that premiered at the Venice International Film Festival.
Spc also picked up all rights in Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Scandinavia, South Africa, and India to the film and with plans for a 2019 release.
Russian director Victor Kossakovsky’s film looks at the transformative beauty and raw power of water. Water itself is the main character in the film, with Kossakovsky traveling between Russia’s Lake Baikal to Angels Falls in Venezuela and Miami during Hurricane Irma.
Also Read: Sony Pictures Classics Nabs Inspirational Documentary 'Maiden'
The film is also shot at a rare 96 frames-per-second as a means of capturing water’s force and visceral feeling in striking visual detail.
“For me, ‘Aquarela’ represents a personal journey that encapsulates every possible emotion – from joy and ecstasy to angst and awe – providing a...
Spc also picked up all rights in Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Scandinavia, South Africa, and India to the film and with plans for a 2019 release.
Russian director Victor Kossakovsky’s film looks at the transformative beauty and raw power of water. Water itself is the main character in the film, with Kossakovsky traveling between Russia’s Lake Baikal to Angels Falls in Venezuela and Miami during Hurricane Irma.
Also Read: Sony Pictures Classics Nabs Inspirational Documentary 'Maiden'
The film is also shot at a rare 96 frames-per-second as a means of capturing water’s force and visceral feeling in striking visual detail.
“For me, ‘Aquarela’ represents a personal journey that encapsulates every possible emotion – from joy and ecstasy to angst and awe – providing a...
- 10/19/2018
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Distributor plans 2019 release.
Spc has picked up all rights in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Scandinavia, South Africa, and India from Participant Media to Victor Kossakovsky’s Aquarela.
The film received its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival and also screened at the BFI London Film Festival. Spc plans a 2019 release.
Aquarela was shot in 96 frames-per-second and explores the transformative power of water in nature, from the frozen waters of Russia’s Lake Baikal, to Miami in the wake of Hurricane Irma, to Venezuela’s mighty Angels Falls.
“For me, Aquarela represents a personal journey that...
Spc has picked up all rights in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Scandinavia, South Africa, and India from Participant Media to Victor Kossakovsky’s Aquarela.
The film received its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival and also screened at the BFI London Film Festival. Spc plans a 2019 release.
Aquarela was shot in 96 frames-per-second and explores the transformative power of water in nature, from the frozen waters of Russia’s Lake Baikal, to Miami in the wake of Hurricane Irma, to Venezuela’s mighty Angels Falls.
“For me, Aquarela represents a personal journey that...
- 10/19/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North America, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Scandinavia, South Africa and India rights to Victor Kossakovsky’s Aquarela, a documentary that had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. The deal reunites Spc and producer Participant Media, which teamed on last year’s Foreign Language Oscar winner A Fantastic Woman.
Kossakovsky’s pic, filmed at 96 frames per second, takes audiences on a cinematic journey through the transformative beauty and raw power of water — a wake-up call that humans are no match for the sheer force of Earth’s most precious element. A 2019 theatrical release is planned.
The UK-Germany-Denmark production is produced by Aimara Reques, Heino Deckert and Sigrid Dyekjær and co-produced by Joslyn Barnes, Susan Rockefeller, Emile Hertling Péronard. Executive producers included Jeff Skoll, Diane Weyermann, Mark Thomas, Isabel Davis, Sawsan Asfari, Maya Sanbar, Madge Bray, Matthias Ehrenberg and Frank Lehmann.
Endeavor Content and...
Kossakovsky’s pic, filmed at 96 frames per second, takes audiences on a cinematic journey through the transformative beauty and raw power of water — a wake-up call that humans are no match for the sheer force of Earth’s most precious element. A 2019 theatrical release is planned.
The UK-Germany-Denmark production is produced by Aimara Reques, Heino Deckert and Sigrid Dyekjær and co-produced by Joslyn Barnes, Susan Rockefeller, Emile Hertling Péronard. Executive producers included Jeff Skoll, Diane Weyermann, Mark Thomas, Isabel Davis, Sawsan Asfari, Maya Sanbar, Madge Bray, Matthias Ehrenberg and Frank Lehmann.
Endeavor Content and...
- 10/19/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Summer 1993 and My Happy Family also take home prizes from Ukrainian festival.
Peter Brosen and Jessica Woodworth’s fourth feature King Of The Belgians received the Golden Duke Grand Prix - based on voting by festival-goers - at the eighth Odesa International Film Festival (Oiff, July 14 - 22), which came to a close on Saturday evening.
The International Competition jury, headed up by German director Christian Petzold and including actress Sibel Kekilli and Romanian producer-director-festival organiser Tudor Giurgiu, awarded the prize for best international feature film to Catalan director Carla Simón’s autobiographical film Summer 1993.
Handled internationally by New Europe Film Sales, Simón’s film had its world premiere in the Berlinale’s Generation Kplus sidebar where it won the international jury’s grand prix and the Gwff best first feature award.
Meanwhile, My Happy Family by the directorial duo Nana & Simon continued its successful international festival career by picking up the jury’s awards for best director...
Peter Brosen and Jessica Woodworth’s fourth feature King Of The Belgians received the Golden Duke Grand Prix - based on voting by festival-goers - at the eighth Odesa International Film Festival (Oiff, July 14 - 22), which came to a close on Saturday evening.
The International Competition jury, headed up by German director Christian Petzold and including actress Sibel Kekilli and Romanian producer-director-festival organiser Tudor Giurgiu, awarded the prize for best international feature film to Catalan director Carla Simón’s autobiographical film Summer 1993.
Handled internationally by New Europe Film Sales, Simón’s film had its world premiere in the Berlinale’s Generation Kplus sidebar where it won the international jury’s grand prix and the Gwff best first feature award.
Meanwhile, My Happy Family by the directorial duo Nana & Simon continued its successful international festival career by picking up the jury’s awards for best director...
- 7/24/2017
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Amazon Studios has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Participant Media and AC Films’ Human Flow, directed by world renowned artist, activist and filmmaker Ai Weiwei.
Filmed in 23 countries over the course of more than a year, Human Flow chronicles the staggering breadth of the global refugee crisis. Weiwei captures the condition of today’s more than 65 million displaced individuals who fled their homes in search of new lives.
The film is produced by Weiwei, Chin-chin Yap and Heino Deckert. Participant Media’s Jeff Skoll and Diane Weyermann executive produced alongside Andy Cohen of AC Films.
Amazon will release Human Flow...
Filmed in 23 countries over the course of more than a year, Human Flow chronicles the staggering breadth of the global refugee crisis. Weiwei captures the condition of today’s more than 65 million displaced individuals who fled their homes in search of new lives.
The film is produced by Weiwei, Chin-chin Yap and Heino Deckert. Participant Media’s Jeff Skoll and Diane Weyermann executive produced alongside Andy Cohen of AC Films.
Amazon will release Human Flow...
- 6/16/2017
- by Tatiana Siegel
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Documentary on refugee crisis from prominent artist was shot in 23 countries including Afghanistan.
Lionsgate has added Ai Weiwei’s global refugee crisis documentary Human Flow from Participant Media and AC Films to a muscular Cannes slate that includes Chaos Walking and Flarsky.
The feature-length documentary is the latest title in the sales pact between Lionsgate International and Participant Media that kicked off in Berlin with José Padilha’s Untitled Entebbe Project and Rupert Wyatt’s sci-fi thriller Captive State.
Chinese activist and artist Ai Weiwei shot Human Flow in 23 countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sweden and Italy in a bid to capture the scale of the global refugee crisis.
The film, currently in post, focuses on the plight of some of the estimated 65 million forcibly displaced people who have fled their homes in search of better lives. UTA Independent Film Group handles North American rights.
The producer roster includes Ai Weiwei, Chin-chin Yap and [link...
Lionsgate has added Ai Weiwei’s global refugee crisis documentary Human Flow from Participant Media and AC Films to a muscular Cannes slate that includes Chaos Walking and Flarsky.
The feature-length documentary is the latest title in the sales pact between Lionsgate International and Participant Media that kicked off in Berlin with José Padilha’s Untitled Entebbe Project and Rupert Wyatt’s sci-fi thriller Captive State.
Chinese activist and artist Ai Weiwei shot Human Flow in 23 countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sweden and Italy in a bid to capture the scale of the global refugee crisis.
The film, currently in post, focuses on the plight of some of the estimated 65 million forcibly displaced people who have fled their homes in search of better lives. UTA Independent Film Group handles North American rights.
The producer roster includes Ai Weiwei, Chin-chin Yap and [link...
- 5/17/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The Gaze of the Sea, School Life, Stars of Gaomeigu also winners at Swiss fetsival.
Ziad Kalthoum’s second feature documentary Taste of Cement was awarded the Chf 20,000 Sesterce d’Or for the Best Feature-Length Film in the International Competition at the 48th edition of Visions du Réel in Switzerland’s Nyon.
According to the jury of filmmakers Joelle Bertosa, Lluis Minarro and Sergio Oksman, the film about Syrian construction workers building a skyscraper in Beirut uses expressed “the human capacity to create beauty, but also to destroy everything”.
The production by Germany’s Basis Berlin Filmproduktion with partners from Lebanon, Syria, UAE and Qatar is being handled internationally by the Canadian sales company Syndicado who had acquired the film ahead of its world premiere in Nyon.
The feature film in the International Competition went to Mexican filmmaker Jose Álvarez’s The Gaze of the Sea, about a journey to mourn the deaths of a group of fishermen...
Ziad Kalthoum’s second feature documentary Taste of Cement was awarded the Chf 20,000 Sesterce d’Or for the Best Feature-Length Film in the International Competition at the 48th edition of Visions du Réel in Switzerland’s Nyon.
According to the jury of filmmakers Joelle Bertosa, Lluis Minarro and Sergio Oksman, the film about Syrian construction workers building a skyscraper in Beirut uses expressed “the human capacity to create beauty, but also to destroy everything”.
The production by Germany’s Basis Berlin Filmproduktion with partners from Lebanon, Syria, UAE and Qatar is being handled internationally by the Canadian sales company Syndicado who had acquired the film ahead of its world premiere in Nyon.
The feature film in the International Competition went to Mexican filmmaker Jose Álvarez’s The Gaze of the Sea, about a journey to mourn the deaths of a group of fishermen...
- 5/2/2017
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
The dissident Chinese filmmaker is in post-production on the global refugee crisis documentary.
The film is in post and explores the catastrophe through footage and interviews from more than 22 countries shot by 25 films crews in Syria, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Italy and other regions.
Ai Weiwei, Chin-chin Yap, and Heino Deckert produce, while Andy Cohen of AC Films, Jeff Skoll and Diane Weyermann of Participant Media serve as executive producers.
It was not known at time of writing whether Human Flow would fall under Participant’s sales deal with Lionsgate International announced in January that covers all territories outside North America, including available non-output territories on the Amblin Partners slate.
Ai Weiwei said, “Human Flow is a personal journey, an attempt to understand the conditions of humanity in our days. The film is made with deep beliefs in the value of human rights.
“In this time of uncertainty, we need more tolerance, compassion and trust...
The film is in post and explores the catastrophe through footage and interviews from more than 22 countries shot by 25 films crews in Syria, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Italy and other regions.
Ai Weiwei, Chin-chin Yap, and Heino Deckert produce, while Andy Cohen of AC Films, Jeff Skoll and Diane Weyermann of Participant Media serve as executive producers.
It was not known at time of writing whether Human Flow would fall under Participant’s sales deal with Lionsgate International announced in January that covers all territories outside North America, including available non-output territories on the Amblin Partners slate.
Ai Weiwei said, “Human Flow is a personal journey, an attempt to understand the conditions of humanity in our days. The film is made with deep beliefs in the value of human rights.
“In this time of uncertainty, we need more tolerance, compassion and trust...
- 2/10/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Participant Media and AC Films are partnering with Chinese filmmaker and outspoken critic Ai Weiwei on a feature documentary, Human Flow, a film about the global refugee crisis shot in 22 countries.
The doc, unveiled Friday at the Berlin Film Festival, promises footage and interviews of people worldwide forced out of their homes by war, famine and climate change. Human Flow is produced by Weiwei, Chin-chin Yap, and Heino Deckert.
Andy Cohen of AC Films with Jeff Skoll and Diane Weyermann of Participant Media are executive producing. The film is currently in post-production.
"Human Flow is a personal journey,...
The doc, unveiled Friday at the Berlin Film Festival, promises footage and interviews of people worldwide forced out of their homes by war, famine and climate change. Human Flow is produced by Weiwei, Chin-chin Yap, and Heino Deckert.
Andy Cohen of AC Films with Jeff Skoll and Diane Weyermann of Participant Media are executive producing. The film is currently in post-production.
"Human Flow is a personal journey,...
- 2/10/2017
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Participant Media and AC Films are teaming on documentary Human Flow from activist and filmmaker Ai Weiwei. The feature explores the global refugee crisis using footage and interviews shot in over 20 countries. Ai is producing with Chin-chin Yap and Heino Deckert. AC’s Andy Cohen and Jeff Skoll and Diane Weyermann of Participant are executive producing. The film is currently in post-production. Filmed over one year, the doc was shot by 25 film crews in Afghanistan…...
- 2/10/2017
- Deadline
Producer-director Andrey Silvestrov’s The Ice Hole was named the winner of the first Screen International Best Pitch Award at the Moscow Business Square (Mbs).
The €400,000 comedy by Silvestrov’s new company Cooperation Propub is based on characters who are typical to the modern world: an artist, an oligarch, the Russian president and an alcoholic.
The ironic and tragic view of modern Russia also received an award sponsored by the Russian company Cosmosfilm.
In addition, the Finnish post-production house Post Control offered production services as a prize to Elizaveta Stishova’s Suleiman Mountain by Trikita Entertainment, which is being developed as part of the B’Est training programme.
The Mgap entertainment legal practice donated a prize of legal advice to the documentary project Baubxy about the Bauhaus and Vkhutemas movements by Sergei Shanovich.
Valeriy Polienko’s 1990s-set drama Kosa was selected by the Russian crowdfunding platform Planeta.ru to receive professional advice on its production.
The award-winning...
The €400,000 comedy by Silvestrov’s new company Cooperation Propub is based on characters who are typical to the modern world: an artist, an oligarch, the Russian president and an alcoholic.
The ironic and tragic view of modern Russia also received an award sponsored by the Russian company Cosmosfilm.
In addition, the Finnish post-production house Post Control offered production services as a prize to Elizaveta Stishova’s Suleiman Mountain by Trikita Entertainment, which is being developed as part of the B’Est training programme.
The Mgap entertainment legal practice donated a prize of legal advice to the documentary project Baubxy about the Bauhaus and Vkhutemas movements by Sergei Shanovich.
Valeriy Polienko’s 1990s-set drama Kosa was selected by the Russian crowdfunding platform Planeta.ru to receive professional advice on its production.
The award-winning...
- 6/24/2015
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Berlinale serves as launchpad for new German sales outfit Pluto Film.
Torsten Frehse of German distributor Neue Visionen Filmverleih and producer Heino Deckert of ma.ja.de Filmproduktion have joined forces to launch the Berlin-based world sales and festival distribution company Pluto Film.
The new company, which will be managed by Patricie Pouzarova and Jana Wolff handling sales and acquisition, is using this year’s Berlinale as a launchpad for its first title, Ivan Ostrochovsky’s feature debut Koza, showing as a world premiere in the Forum.
Speaking exclusively to ScreenDaily, Frehse said that Pluto Film wants “to fill what we perceive is a gap in the market”.
“The focus of our programme will be on feature films, firstly for arthouse titles with festival potential that can also generate sales,” said Deckert.
“My film In The Crosswind is a good example of the type of film we are looking for. It premiered...
Torsten Frehse of German distributor Neue Visionen Filmverleih and producer Heino Deckert of ma.ja.de Filmproduktion have joined forces to launch the Berlin-based world sales and festival distribution company Pluto Film.
The new company, which will be managed by Patricie Pouzarova and Jana Wolff handling sales and acquisition, is using this year’s Berlinale as a launchpad for its first title, Ivan Ostrochovsky’s feature debut Koza, showing as a world premiere in the Forum.
Speaking exclusively to ScreenDaily, Frehse said that Pluto Film wants “to fill what we perceive is a gap in the market”.
“The focus of our programme will be on feature films, firstly for arthouse titles with festival potential that can also generate sales,” said Deckert.
“My film In The Crosswind is a good example of the type of film we are looking for. It premiered...
- 2/4/2015
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Film-makers across Europe are “in shock” after learning the news that the Nipkow Programm has not received backing from the EU’s Creative Europe programme for 2015-2016.
Speaking exclusively to ScreenDaily, Nipkow Programm managing director Petra Weisenburger explained that the Berlin-based training initiative had not been successful in the latest round of funding for the next two years and would explore alternative strategies for a survival plan.
In the current financial year, Creative Europe had provided nearly 46% (€180,400) of Nipkow’s overall budget, with the remaining €215,543 coming from Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg (Mbb) and Germany’s State Minister for Culture and the Media (Bkm).
Weisenburger said that Mbb’s CEO Kirsten Niehuus had already indicated a desire to see the Nipkow Programm continue to exist, but the situation remains unclear about the funding from Bkm for 2015 onwards.
She added that the Nipkow Programm jury of experts will meet during the next Berlinale in February to discuss the initiative’s future...
Speaking exclusively to ScreenDaily, Nipkow Programm managing director Petra Weisenburger explained that the Berlin-based training initiative had not been successful in the latest round of funding for the next two years and would explore alternative strategies for a survival plan.
In the current financial year, Creative Europe had provided nearly 46% (€180,400) of Nipkow’s overall budget, with the remaining €215,543 coming from Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg (Mbb) and Germany’s State Minister for Culture and the Media (Bkm).
Weisenburger said that Mbb’s CEO Kirsten Niehuus had already indicated a desire to see the Nipkow Programm continue to exist, but the situation remains unclear about the funding from Bkm for 2015 onwards.
She added that the Nipkow Programm jury of experts will meet during the next Berlinale in February to discuss the initiative’s future...
- 11/12/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Deckert Distribution sells Martti Helde’s debut feature to Arp.
Leipzig-based sales company Deckert Distribution has sold Estonian feature In The Crosswind to Arp for France.
Martti Helde’s feature has its international premiere in Toronto’s Contemporary World Cinema programme.
Helde’s inspiration for the film was a diary he found by a young woman who was separated from her husband and child during Stalin’s mass deportation to Siberia in 1941.
“I first heard of the project at a documentary pitch in Riga, Latvia,” said Heino Deckert, managing director of Deckert Distribution.
“Since then it has not only evolved into a feature film in which Martti so ingeniously visualises the main character’s state of mind, but the subject of Soviet-style aggression has become very topical recently. In The Crosswind is a great addition to our slate and I’m very glad that Arp has picked up the film ahead of Tiff.”
Deckert negotiated...
Leipzig-based sales company Deckert Distribution has sold Estonian feature In The Crosswind to Arp for France.
Martti Helde’s feature has its international premiere in Toronto’s Contemporary World Cinema programme.
Helde’s inspiration for the film was a diary he found by a young woman who was separated from her husband and child during Stalin’s mass deportation to Siberia in 1941.
“I first heard of the project at a documentary pitch in Riga, Latvia,” said Heino Deckert, managing director of Deckert Distribution.
“Since then it has not only evolved into a feature film in which Martti so ingeniously visualises the main character’s state of mind, but the subject of Soviet-style aggression has become very topical recently. In The Crosswind is a great addition to our slate and I’m very glad that Arp has picked up the film ahead of Tiff.”
Deckert negotiated...
- 9/5/2014
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.