In the late 1990s Joker writer-director Todd Phillips, then applying his trade as an underground documentary filmmaker shot a non-fiction project titled Frat House, which nabbed the Grand Jury Prize for Documentary at Sundance before being promptly acquired by HBO Films.
“The premise of the documentary is that he pledged fraternities at colleges,” John Sloss, producer, founder and CEO of Cinetic Media, told an audience at the Sands Film Festival in St. Andrews, Scotland. He was discussing the pic as part of an onstage Q&a about the current state of documentary filmmaking alongside Molly Thompson, Head of Documentaries and Non-Fiction at Apple TV+, and Oscar-winning producer Melanie Miller.
Sloss had been representing Phillips at the time. Despite the early buzz surrounding the pic, it was never officially released. HBO shelved the project.
“What happened was that a separate chapter of the fraternity he [Phillips] pledged and made look...
“The premise of the documentary is that he pledged fraternities at colleges,” John Sloss, producer, founder and CEO of Cinetic Media, told an audience at the Sands Film Festival in St. Andrews, Scotland. He was discussing the pic as part of an onstage Q&a about the current state of documentary filmmaking alongside Molly Thompson, Head of Documentaries and Non-Fiction at Apple TV+, and Oscar-winning producer Melanie Miller.
Sloss had been representing Phillips at the time. Despite the early buzz surrounding the pic, it was never officially released. HBO shelved the project.
“What happened was that a separate chapter of the fraternity he [Phillips] pledged and made look...
- 4/20/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Scotland’s Sands International Film Festival Of St Andrews will open on April 19 with a double-bill screening of British writer-director Naqqash Khalid’s debut feature In Camera and Harry Holland’s short film Last Call, starring Tom Holland.
The titles make up the lineup of the festival’s third edition, which runs April 19-21. The festival will close with Maggie Contreras’ debut feature documentary Maestra, in which five female conductors from across the globe prepare for and compete in La Maestra – the world’s only competition for female conductors.
Elsewhere, Scottish actress and filmmaker Karen Gillan will take part in a talk on April 21 about her career, moderated by actor, playwright, and director Adura Onashile. Gillan is best known for working with the Russo brothers on Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers Endgame. Her other film credits include Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, in which she starred alongside Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black,...
The titles make up the lineup of the festival’s third edition, which runs April 19-21. The festival will close with Maggie Contreras’ debut feature documentary Maestra, in which five female conductors from across the globe prepare for and compete in La Maestra – the world’s only competition for female conductors.
Elsewhere, Scottish actress and filmmaker Karen Gillan will take part in a talk on April 21 about her career, moderated by actor, playwright, and director Adura Onashile. Gillan is best known for working with the Russo brothers on Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers Endgame. Her other film credits include Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, in which she starred alongside Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black,...
- 4/3/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
“The Problem With Jon Stewart” was the No. 1 unscripted series on Apple TV+ in October, a month after its debut, according to EW. But ever since, it has proved no match for its broadcast and cable TV competition and has been purging viewers.
The talk show had 180,000 homes tuning in its first week, Samba TV reported, but that number dropped 78 a mere 40,000 by its fifth episode. “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver,” meanwhile, drew 844,000 U.S. homes that same week, according to Samba TV.
While Apple has not shared viewership statistics for the talk show, Molly Thompson, head of unscripted and documentaries at Apple TV+ told Bloomberg. “We are thrilled that ‘The Problem with Jon Stewart’ has resonated with viewers all over the world. The series has sparked complex conversations about critical issues, and we’re proud to team with Jon for season two and beyond.”
According to Parrot Analytics,...
The talk show had 180,000 homes tuning in its first week, Samba TV reported, but that number dropped 78 a mere 40,000 by its fifth episode. “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver,” meanwhile, drew 844,000 U.S. homes that same week, according to Samba TV.
While Apple has not shared viewership statistics for the talk show, Molly Thompson, head of unscripted and documentaries at Apple TV+ told Bloomberg. “We are thrilled that ‘The Problem with Jon Stewart’ has resonated with viewers all over the world. The series has sparked complex conversations about critical issues, and we’re proud to team with Jon for season two and beyond.”
According to Parrot Analytics,...
- 4/19/2022
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Former Spotify exec Erika Clarke and ex-Lifetime exec Colleen Grogan have joined Apple TV+ as the streamer ramps up its non-scripted efforts.
The two hires are the first U.S.-based unscripted executives hired by Molly Thompson since the A& IndieFilms founder Molly Thompson joined as Head of Documentaries and Unscripted in 2019.
Both join as Unscripted Creative Executives reporting to Thompson.
Clarke, who joined in January, was previously exec producer at Spotify Studios, where she co-ran the company’s podcast studio division. Before that, she spent ten years at MTV, part of the team behind Cribs, and was also a producer and director of shows such as The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Travel Channel’s Follow Your Past and CNN Heroes. She was also nominated for an Emmy for her work on White People, a documentary for MTV’s Look Different strand. She will be based in LA.
Grogan,...
The two hires are the first U.S.-based unscripted executives hired by Molly Thompson since the A& IndieFilms founder Molly Thompson joined as Head of Documentaries and Unscripted in 2019.
Both join as Unscripted Creative Executives reporting to Thompson.
Clarke, who joined in January, was previously exec producer at Spotify Studios, where she co-ran the company’s podcast studio division. Before that, she spent ten years at MTV, part of the team behind Cribs, and was also a producer and director of shows such as The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Travel Channel’s Follow Your Past and CNN Heroes. She was also nominated for an Emmy for her work on White People, a documentary for MTV’s Look Different strand. She will be based in LA.
Grogan,...
- 4/5/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Apple TV+ is bolstering its nonfiction executive team.
Erika Clarke and Colleen Grogan have joined the tech giant’s streaming service as unscripted creative executives, reporting to head of documentaries and unscripted Molly Thompson. The two will take on developing and overseeing nonfiction TV projects for Apple TV+, with Clarke based in Los Angeles and Grogan in New York.
Clarke comes to Apple from Spotify, where she co-led the audio streamer’s in-house podcast studio and was an executive producer of original content and podcast development. Prior to that she spent 10 years at MTV, earning an Emmy nomination for ...
Erika Clarke and Colleen Grogan have joined the tech giant’s streaming service as unscripted creative executives, reporting to head of documentaries and unscripted Molly Thompson. The two will take on developing and overseeing nonfiction TV projects for Apple TV+, with Clarke based in Los Angeles and Grogan in New York.
Clarke comes to Apple from Spotify, where she co-led the audio streamer’s in-house podcast studio and was an executive producer of original content and podcast development. Prior to that she spent 10 years at MTV, earning an Emmy nomination for ...
Apple TV+ is bolstering its nonfiction executive team.
Erika Clarke and Colleen Grogan have joined the tech giant’s streaming service as unscripted creative executives, reporting to head of documentaries and unscripted Molly Thompson. The two will take on developing and overseeing nonfiction TV projects for Apple TV+, with Clarke based in Los Angeles and Grogan in New York.
Clarke comes to Apple from Spotify, where she co-led the audio streamer’s in-house podcast studio and was an executive producer of original content and podcast development. Prior to that she spent 10 years at MTV, earning an Emmy nomination for ...
Erika Clarke and Colleen Grogan have joined the tech giant’s streaming service as unscripted creative executives, reporting to head of documentaries and unscripted Molly Thompson. The two will take on developing and overseeing nonfiction TV projects for Apple TV+, with Clarke based in Los Angeles and Grogan in New York.
Clarke comes to Apple from Spotify, where she co-led the audio streamer’s in-house podcast studio and was an executive producer of original content and podcast development. Prior to that she spent 10 years at MTV, earning an Emmy nomination for ...
Exclusive: Greenwich Entertainment has acquired U.S. rights to Whirlybird from A&e IndieFilms. The doc, which premiered at last year’s Sundance, is the feature debut of Matt Yoka. It follows a husband-and-wife news helicopter team who covered some of Los Angeles’ most historic events.
Encompassing high-profile stories of the 1980s and 90s such as the L.A. riots and the infamous O.J Simpson Bronco chase, the film shows how the pair captured the city’s recent history, and also shines a light on the adrenaline-fuelled culture of live news.
Pic was produced by Yoka and Diane Becker with executive producers Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, and Josh Braun. Elaine Frontain Bryant, Rob Sharenow, and Molly Thompson are executive producers for A&e IndieFilms.
Greenwich’s Andy Bohn negotiated the deal with Submarine’s Josh Braun and Matt Burke on behalf of the filmmakers.
“It’s an honor for Whirlybird...
Encompassing high-profile stories of the 1980s and 90s such as the L.A. riots and the infamous O.J Simpson Bronco chase, the film shows how the pair captured the city’s recent history, and also shines a light on the adrenaline-fuelled culture of live news.
Pic was produced by Yoka and Diane Becker with executive producers Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, and Josh Braun. Elaine Frontain Bryant, Rob Sharenow, and Molly Thompson are executive producers for A&e IndieFilms.
Greenwich’s Andy Bohn negotiated the deal with Submarine’s Josh Braun and Matt Burke on behalf of the filmmakers.
“It’s an honor for Whirlybird...
- 2/16/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
This captivating documentary focuses on the extraordinary bond between blind climber Jesse Dufton and his wife and climbing partner Molly Thompson
Alastair Lee’s adventure documentary is meant to be about an attempt by the ultra-high-achieving blind rock climber Jesse Dufton to scale the Old Man of Hoy, a formidable 450ft sea stack off Orkney. Born with a degenerative eye condition, Dufton can only distinguish between light and dark. Unusually for a non-sighted climber in a team of two, he is the lead, which means he goes first, taking the risks, placing the gear into cracks in the rock, clipping in the ropes. His climbing partner is his wife, Molly Thompson.
And here’s where the film really takes off, as a tender and moving portrait of a very English marriage. Dufton and Thompson are unsentimental plain-speakers: after the intoxicating thrill of a climb, don’t expect a high five,...
Alastair Lee’s adventure documentary is meant to be about an attempt by the ultra-high-achieving blind rock climber Jesse Dufton to scale the Old Man of Hoy, a formidable 450ft sea stack off Orkney. Born with a degenerative eye condition, Dufton can only distinguish between light and dark. Unusually for a non-sighted climber in a team of two, he is the lead, which means he goes first, taking the risks, placing the gear into cracks in the rock, clipping in the ropes. His climbing partner is his wife, Molly Thompson.
And here’s where the film really takes off, as a tender and moving portrait of a very English marriage. Dufton and Thompson are unsentimental plain-speakers: after the intoxicating thrill of a climb, don’t expect a high five,...
- 3/18/2020
- by Cath Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
Here's What's Popping This Week On Daily Pop The Podcast: Bill Clinton Talks Monica Lewinsky, Meghan & Harry Back in London, Wendy Williams Shames Ashley Graham - Daily Pop 03/06/20 Former Potus Bill Clinton explains what caused his Monica Lewinsky affair. What would happen in 2020 if an affair like this happened? Wendy Williams sounds off on Ashley Graham changing a baby diaper on the ground. Lady Gaga choreographer Richy Jackson shows us moves from her latest Stupid Love video. Plus, Lauren Paul and Molly Thompson, co-founders of Kind Campaign, stop by. Katy Perry is Pregnant!, Demi Lovato Talks Relapse, Love is Blind Interview - Daily Pop 03/05/20 Singer Katy Perry announces her...
- 3/6/2020
- E! Online
Not much positive news tends to come out of Afghanistan, but a pocket of it shines through in one of this year’s Oscar-nominated documentary shorts.
Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl), directed by Carol Dysinger, reveals a school in Kabul called Skateistan that offers kids the chance to study the three R’s and pick up skateboarding. For Afghan girls who are often deprived of an education—physical or academic—it’s an unheard of opportunity.
“It means the world to them. I’m a teacher, I’m a professor, and I have never in my life seen kids that were so hungry to learn and just so happy to learn, because they know it’s not a given and they like being engaged with their minds,” Dysinger tells Deadline. If not for Skateistan, she notes, the girls “would be very much in the...
Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl), directed by Carol Dysinger, reveals a school in Kabul called Skateistan that offers kids the chance to study the three R’s and pick up skateboarding. For Afghan girls who are often deprived of an education—physical or academic—it’s an unheard of opportunity.
“It means the world to them. I’m a teacher, I’m a professor, and I have never in my life seen kids that were so hungry to learn and just so happy to learn, because they know it’s not a given and they like being engaged with their minds,” Dysinger tells Deadline. If not for Skateistan, she notes, the girls “would be very much in the...
- 1/20/2020
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Apple’s Kim Rozenfeld is exiting his post as head of current scripted programming and unscripted at Apple, shortly after the launch of the tech giant’s streaming service, Apple TV Plus. The TV exec will now work with the Cupertino behemoth through his company Half Full Productions, as part of a newly inked first-look deal with Apple.
The former head of current programming at Sony Pictures Television, Rozenfeld boarded Apple in Sept. 2017, reuniting him with former bosses Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht at the streaming content division of the iPhone maker.
Matt Cherniss, Apple’s head of scripted development, will take the reins from Rozenfeld and oversee current scripted series, while Apple documentary head Molly Thompson will remain in charge of overseeing docu TV and film. Both are continuing in their current positions with no further changes, according to a source familiar with the matter. Cherniss is the former...
The former head of current programming at Sony Pictures Television, Rozenfeld boarded Apple in Sept. 2017, reuniting him with former bosses Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht at the streaming content division of the iPhone maker.
Matt Cherniss, Apple’s head of scripted development, will take the reins from Rozenfeld and oversee current scripted series, while Apple documentary head Molly Thompson will remain in charge of overseeing docu TV and film. Both are continuing in their current positions with no further changes, according to a source familiar with the matter. Cherniss is the former...
- 11/11/2019
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Just 10 days after the launch of Apple TV+, the tech giant has lost an executive: Kim Rozenfeld, head of current programming and unscripted, is leaving the company amid a realignment in the executive ranks, an individual with knowledge of the decision tells TheWrap.
Rozenfeld isn’t leaving empty-handed. He got a first-look deal with Apple for his company, Half Full Productions.
Head of scripted development Matt Cherniss will now oversee current scripted series. Molly Thompson, who joined Apple as head of documentaries in April, will continue to oversee documentary film and series programming, for projects in-development and current.
Also Read: 'Dickinson,' 'See' Renewed for Season 2 at Apple TV+
Rozenfeld was one of the first hires under Apple TV+ bosses Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht, who brought him over from Sony Pictures TV. Rozenfeld led current programming for Sony. Before that, he was scripted series producer at ABC Family,...
Rozenfeld isn’t leaving empty-handed. He got a first-look deal with Apple for his company, Half Full Productions.
Head of scripted development Matt Cherniss will now oversee current scripted series. Molly Thompson, who joined Apple as head of documentaries in April, will continue to oversee documentary film and series programming, for projects in-development and current.
Also Read: 'Dickinson,' 'See' Renewed for Season 2 at Apple TV+
Rozenfeld was one of the first hires under Apple TV+ bosses Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht, who brought him over from Sony Pictures TV. Rozenfeld led current programming for Sony. Before that, he was scripted series producer at ABC Family,...
- 11/11/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Following the November 1 launch of Apple TV+, the streamer is realigning its executive ranks under toppers Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht, combining development and current into a single-executive structure.
Kim Rozenfeld is leaving as head of current scripted programming and docu/unscripted content. He will return to his producing roots with a first-look deal at Apple for his company Half Full Productions.
Apple TV+ head of scripted development Matt Cherniss will now also oversee current scripted series. Molly Thompson, who joined Apple as Head of Documentaries in April, reporting to Rozenfeld, will continue to oversee documentary film and series programming, development and current.
Former Sony TV head of current programming Rozenfeld was one of the first executive hires after Van Amburg and Erlicht left Sony TV in 2017 to lead worldwide video programming for Apple.
Before joining Sony TV as Evp Current Programming in 2011, Rozenfeld was a scripted series producer based at ABC Studios,...
Kim Rozenfeld is leaving as head of current scripted programming and docu/unscripted content. He will return to his producing roots with a first-look deal at Apple for his company Half Full Productions.
Apple TV+ head of scripted development Matt Cherniss will now also oversee current scripted series. Molly Thompson, who joined Apple as Head of Documentaries in April, reporting to Rozenfeld, will continue to oversee documentary film and series programming, development and current.
Former Sony TV head of current programming Rozenfeld was one of the first executive hires after Van Amburg and Erlicht left Sony TV in 2017 to lead worldwide video programming for Apple.
Before joining Sony TV as Evp Current Programming in 2011, Rozenfeld was a scripted series producer based at ABC Studios,...
- 11/11/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Women may be the gatekeepers of the documentary arm of the entertainment industry, but this year marks the first time they have helmed the majority of awards season’s high-profile documentaries.
The filmmakers include Irene Taylor Brodsky (“Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements”), Petra Costa (“The Edge of Democracy”), Lauren Greenfield (“The Kingmaker”), Barbara Kopple (“Desert One”), Rachel Lears (“Knock Down the House”), Nancy Schwartzman (“Roll Red Roll”), Nanfu Wang and Lynn Zhang (“One Child Nation”).
In addition, there are also documentary frontrunners co-directed by women, including “Advocate” (Rachel Leah Jones), “After Parkland” (Emily Taguchi), “American Factory” (Julia Reichert), “For Sama” (Waad Al-Khateab), “The Great Hack” (Jehane Noujaim) and “Honeyland” (Tamara Kotevska).
In late October, when the Intl. Documentary Assn. announced the nominees for the 35th annual Ida awards, six of the 10 best doc nods and all of the films nominated in the inaugural director category were directed or co-directed by women.
The filmmakers include Irene Taylor Brodsky (“Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements”), Petra Costa (“The Edge of Democracy”), Lauren Greenfield (“The Kingmaker”), Barbara Kopple (“Desert One”), Rachel Lears (“Knock Down the House”), Nancy Schwartzman (“Roll Red Roll”), Nanfu Wang and Lynn Zhang (“One Child Nation”).
In addition, there are also documentary frontrunners co-directed by women, including “Advocate” (Rachel Leah Jones), “After Parkland” (Emily Taguchi), “American Factory” (Julia Reichert), “For Sama” (Waad Al-Khateab), “The Great Hack” (Jehane Noujaim) and “Honeyland” (Tamara Kotevska).
In late October, when the Intl. Documentary Assn. announced the nominees for the 35th annual Ida awards, six of the 10 best doc nods and all of the films nominated in the inaugural director category were directed or co-directed by women.
- 11/5/2019
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Last fall, documentary essayist Mark Cousins unveiled an ambitious new project: “Women Make Film: A New Road Movie Through Film,” which presents an alternative approach to film history exclusively through movies directed by women. The four hours presented at Tiff 2018 boasted a Tilda Swinton voiceover and the searing assertion that “film history is sexist.”
Now, Cousins has completed the project, and Tiff is giving it a lot of space: The entire 14 hours of “Women Make Film” will screen at the festival in five separate installments. “I think that the film is going to rewrite film history and how we understand the role of women directors,” Tiff Docs programmer Thom Powers said.
The previous installments screened quietly at the festival because “Mark was low key about it as he finished it,” Powers said. He wasn’t concerned about how moviegoers would make time for the finished product in the midst of a hectic festival schedule.
Now, Cousins has completed the project, and Tiff is giving it a lot of space: The entire 14 hours of “Women Make Film” will screen at the festival in five separate installments. “I think that the film is going to rewrite film history and how we understand the role of women directors,” Tiff Docs programmer Thom Powers said.
The previous installments screened quietly at the festival because “Mark was low key about it as he finished it,” Powers said. He wasn’t concerned about how moviegoers would make time for the finished product in the midst of a hectic festival schedule.
- 8/8/2019
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Apple TV+ subscribers will be going to the moon, according to the new trailer for “For All Mankind,” the platform’s upcoming alternate history drama.
“For All Mankind” will take place in an alternate timeline where the Ussr beat the United States to the moon. The drama, which will star Joel Kinnaman, Michael Dorman, Sarah Jones, Shantel VanSanten, Wrenn Schmidt, and Jodi Balfour, will debut on the video subscription service in the fall. A specific date for its release was not given. The show will examine how the continuing space race impacts the lives of Nasa astronauts, engineers, and their families.
Apple unveiled the trailer for the drama at the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose Monday morning.
The minds behind “For All Mankind” are no strangers to drama or science fiction: Emmy Award winner Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert (“Fargo”), and Ben Nedivi (“Fargo”) served as series creators. Seth Gordon (“Baywatch”) directed the series.
“For All Mankind” will take place in an alternate timeline where the Ussr beat the United States to the moon. The drama, which will star Joel Kinnaman, Michael Dorman, Sarah Jones, Shantel VanSanten, Wrenn Schmidt, and Jodi Balfour, will debut on the video subscription service in the fall. A specific date for its release was not given. The show will examine how the continuing space race impacts the lives of Nasa astronauts, engineers, and their families.
Apple unveiled the trailer for the drama at the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose Monday morning.
The minds behind “For All Mankind” are no strangers to drama or science fiction: Emmy Award winner Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert (“Fargo”), and Ben Nedivi (“Fargo”) served as series creators. Seth Gordon (“Baywatch”) directed the series.
- 6/3/2019
- by Tyler Hersko
- Indiewire
With the burgeoning Golden Age of documentaries, top non-fiction talent has never been more in demand. After landing a big promotion at A&E that put her charge of series as well as television, Molly Thompson got snapped up by deep-pocketed Apple TV to run their documentary content; one of the Silicon Valley giant’s first big buys was upcoming documentary “Elephant Queen.” And now MTV Studios has hired ex-HBO Documentary Films president Sheila Nevins to launch MTV Documentary Films.
There’s competition for top documentary talent and Nevins knows how to get it. Even in the specialty film world, documentaries are about the only thing working these days as theatrical narrative films are looking less and less commercially viable.
At HBO, Nevins reigned atop of the documentary pyramid for decades, adapting to more and more competition and new technology. Before Nevins’ exit from HBO a year ago, where she...
There’s competition for top documentary talent and Nevins knows how to get it. Even in the specialty film world, documentaries are about the only thing working these days as theatrical narrative films are looking less and less commercially viable.
At HBO, Nevins reigned atop of the documentary pyramid for decades, adapting to more and more competition and new technology. Before Nevins’ exit from HBO a year ago, where she...
- 5/7/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
With the burgeoning Golden Age of documentaries, top non-fiction talent has never been more in demand. After landing a big promotion at A&E that put her charge of series as well as television, Molly Thompson got snapped up by deep-pocketed Apple TV to run their documentary content; one of the Silicon Valley giant’s first big buys was upcoming documentary “Elephant Queen.” And now MTV Studios has hired ex-HBO Documentary Films president Sheila Nevins to launch MTV Documentary Films.
There’s competition for top documentary talent and Nevins knows how to get it. Even in the specialty film world, documentaries are about the only thing working these days as theatrical narrative films are looking less and less commercially viable.
At HBO, Nevins reigned atop of the documentary pyramid for decades, adapting to more and more competition and new technology. Before Nevins’ exit from HBO a year ago, where she...
There’s competition for top documentary talent and Nevins knows how to get it. Even in the specialty film world, documentaries are about the only thing working these days as theatrical narrative films are looking less and less commercially viable.
At HBO, Nevins reigned atop of the documentary pyramid for decades, adapting to more and more competition and new technology. Before Nevins’ exit from HBO a year ago, where she...
- 5/7/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
The verteran German director was giving a masterclass at Nyon’s Visions du Reel festival.
German director Werner Herzog voiced his reluctant support of film piracy during a masterclass at Switzerland’s documentary-focused Visions du Réel International Film Festival in Nyon which closed on April 13.
¨Piracy has been the most successful form of distribution worldwide,” said Herzog in response to a comment from Ukrainian producer Illia Gladshtein of Phalanstery Films. Gladshtein said he was only able to access the filmmaker’s works via illegal Torrent sites in Ukraine.
“If you don’t get [films] through Netflix or state-sponsored television in your country,...
German director Werner Herzog voiced his reluctant support of film piracy during a masterclass at Switzerland’s documentary-focused Visions du Réel International Film Festival in Nyon which closed on April 13.
¨Piracy has been the most successful form of distribution worldwide,” said Herzog in response to a comment from Ukrainian producer Illia Gladshtein of Phalanstery Films. Gladshtein said he was only able to access the filmmaker’s works via illegal Torrent sites in Ukraine.
“If you don’t get [films] through Netflix or state-sponsored television in your country,...
- 4/16/2019
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Thompson founded A&E IndieFilms and has a string of documentary producing credits.
Molly Thompson, the founder of A&E IndieFilms and executive producer of documentary films including Jesus Camp, Life, Animated and City of Ghosts, has joined Apple as the tech giant’s head of documentaries.
Thompson founded A&E IndieFilms, feature production arm of Us cable channel company A+E Networks, where she also served as head of documentary films.
A&E IndieFilms releases have included the Watergate docuseries, Sundance entry Studio 54, Cartel Land and Murderball. Thompson also served as executive producer on The Tillman Story and The Imposter...
Molly Thompson, the founder of A&E IndieFilms and executive producer of documentary films including Jesus Camp, Life, Animated and City of Ghosts, has joined Apple as the tech giant’s head of documentaries.
Thompson founded A&E IndieFilms, feature production arm of Us cable channel company A+E Networks, where she also served as head of documentary films.
A&E IndieFilms releases have included the Watergate docuseries, Sundance entry Studio 54, Cartel Land and Murderball. Thompson also served as executive producer on The Tillman Story and The Imposter...
- 4/16/2019
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Thompson founded A&E IndieFilms and has a string of documentary producing credits.
Molly Thompson, the founder of A&E IndieFilms and executive producer of documentary films including Jesus Camp, Life, Animated and City of Ghosts, has joined Apple as the tech giant’s head of documentaries.
Thompson founded A&E IndieFilms, feature production arm of Us cable channel company A+E Networks, where she also served as head of documentary films.
A&E IndieFilms releases have included the Watergate docuseries, Sundance entry Studio 54, Cartel Land and Murderball. Thompson also served as executive producer on The Tillman Story and The Imposter...
Molly Thompson, the founder of A&E IndieFilms and executive producer of documentary films including Jesus Camp, Life, Animated and City of Ghosts, has joined Apple as the tech giant’s head of documentaries.
Thompson founded A&E IndieFilms, feature production arm of Us cable channel company A+E Networks, where she also served as head of documentary films.
A&E IndieFilms releases have included the Watergate docuseries, Sundance entry Studio 54, Cartel Land and Murderball. Thompson also served as executive producer on The Tillman Story and The Imposter...
- 4/16/2019
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Apple snagged a big fish to run their documentary content division. New York-based A&E Networks documentary veteran Molly Thompson will bring her expertise in supervising documentary films and TV series to Apple, which has recently ramped up its content production, mostly on the television side. As demand for documentaries grows, A&E is losing a valuable player.
Of course, Apple has not yet announced exactly how it plans to release its content, documentary and otherwise. At Apple’s recent presentation, Oprah Winfrey revealed that she’s prepping documentary projects for Apple TV+, including investigations of poisonous work environments and the mental health industry. Apple also acquired the documentary “Elephant Queen” at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. At Sundance, the filmmakers told me that the film has an ambitious and proactive social-action global release plan that could include theaters. One strategic Apple partnership with indie distributor A24, which will produce films for Apple,...
Of course, Apple has not yet announced exactly how it plans to release its content, documentary and otherwise. At Apple’s recent presentation, Oprah Winfrey revealed that she’s prepping documentary projects for Apple TV+, including investigations of poisonous work environments and the mental health industry. Apple also acquired the documentary “Elephant Queen” at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. At Sundance, the filmmakers told me that the film has an ambitious and proactive social-action global release plan that could include theaters. One strategic Apple partnership with indie distributor A24, which will produce films for Apple,...
- 4/15/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Apple snagged a big fish to run their documentary content division. New York-based A&E Networks documentary veteran Molly Thompson will bring her expertise in supervising documentary films and TV series to Apple, which has recently ramped up its content production, mostly on the television side. As demand for documentaries grows, A&E is losing a valuable player.
Of course, Apple has not yet announced exactly how it plans to release its content, documentary and otherwise. At Apple’s recent presentation, Oprah Winfrey revealed that she’s prepping documentary projects for Apple TV+, including investigations of poisonous work environments and the mental health industry. Apple also acquired the documentary “Elephant Queen” at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. At Sundance, the filmmakers told me that the film has an ambitious and proactive social-action global release plan that could include theaters. One strategic Apple partnership with indie distributor A24, which will produce films for Apple,...
Of course, Apple has not yet announced exactly how it plans to release its content, documentary and otherwise. At Apple’s recent presentation, Oprah Winfrey revealed that she’s prepping documentary projects for Apple TV+, including investigations of poisonous work environments and the mental health industry. Apple also acquired the documentary “Elephant Queen” at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. At Sundance, the filmmakers told me that the film has an ambitious and proactive social-action global release plan that could include theaters. One strategic Apple partnership with indie distributor A24, which will produce films for Apple,...
- 4/15/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Molly Thompson has joined Apple’s upcoming streaming service as its head of documentaries.
Thompson previously founded A&E Indie Films, the feature film production unit of A+E Networks. She was also previously the head of documentary films for A+E Networks. Recent documentaries she has executive produced include “The Clinton Affair,” Charles Ferguson’s “Watergate” docuseries, “Studio 54,” and “City of Ghosts.” She was also an executive producer on celebrated documentaries like “Life, Animated,” “Cartel Land,” “Murderball,” and “Jesus Camp.”
She also executive produced Amir Bar-Lev’s “The Tillman Story” and Bart Layton’s “The Imposter,” as well as two narrative features for Lifetime Films. Those were “Lila & Eve,” starring Viola Davis and Jennifer Lopez, and “Paris Can Wait,” starring Diane Lane and Alec Baldwin.
Additionally, Thompson served as executive producer on all feature films produced under the History Films banner, including Werner Herzog’s “Meeting Gorbachev” and “Cave of Forgotten Dreams,...
Thompson previously founded A&E Indie Films, the feature film production unit of A+E Networks. She was also previously the head of documentary films for A+E Networks. Recent documentaries she has executive produced include “The Clinton Affair,” Charles Ferguson’s “Watergate” docuseries, “Studio 54,” and “City of Ghosts.” She was also an executive producer on celebrated documentaries like “Life, Animated,” “Cartel Land,” “Murderball,” and “Jesus Camp.”
She also executive produced Amir Bar-Lev’s “The Tillman Story” and Bart Layton’s “The Imposter,” as well as two narrative features for Lifetime Films. Those were “Lila & Eve,” starring Viola Davis and Jennifer Lopez, and “Paris Can Wait,” starring Diane Lane and Alec Baldwin.
Additionally, Thompson served as executive producer on all feature films produced under the History Films banner, including Werner Herzog’s “Meeting Gorbachev” and “Cave of Forgotten Dreams,...
- 4/15/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Apple has hired A&E IndieFilms founder Molly Thompson as Head of Documentaries.
Thompson, who also served as Head of Documentary films for A+E Networks, has executive produced such projects as The Clinton Affair; the docuseries Watergate; City of Ghosts; Life, Animated; Cartel Land; Murderball; and Jesus Camp.
Thompson served as executive producer on all feature films produced under the History Films banner, including Werner Herzog’s Meeting Gorbachev — which will have its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival — and Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Janet Tobias’ No Place on Earth, Errol Morris’ The Unknown Known: The Life and Times of Donald Rumsfeld, Douglas Tirola’s Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon and the Johnny Knoxville-produced Being Evel.
Among other projects, Thompson also Ep’d Amir Bar-Lev’s Emmy-winning The Tillman Story, Bart Layton’s BAFTA-winning The Imposter and two narrative features for Lifetime Films: Lila & Eve,...
Thompson, who also served as Head of Documentary films for A+E Networks, has executive produced such projects as The Clinton Affair; the docuseries Watergate; City of Ghosts; Life, Animated; Cartel Land; Murderball; and Jesus Camp.
Thompson served as executive producer on all feature films produced under the History Films banner, including Werner Herzog’s Meeting Gorbachev — which will have its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival — and Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Janet Tobias’ No Place on Earth, Errol Morris’ The Unknown Known: The Life and Times of Donald Rumsfeld, Douglas Tirola’s Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon and the Johnny Knoxville-produced Being Evel.
Among other projects, Thompson also Ep’d Amir Bar-Lev’s Emmy-winning The Tillman Story, Bart Layton’s BAFTA-winning The Imposter and two narrative features for Lifetime Films: Lila & Eve,...
- 4/15/2019
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Apple is continuing to fill out its executive ranks.
The streaming service AppleTV+ has hired former A+E executive Molly Thompson as the company's head of documentaries. She brings with her three decades of experience in the field, having founded A&E IndieFilms, the feature film production arm of A+E Networks, and served as head of documentary films for A+E Networks.
Thompson executive produced such titles as The Clinton Affair; Charles Ferguson’s docuseries Watergate; Studio 54; and City of Ghosts from Oscar nominee Matthew Heineman. Among the additional projects she has shepherded are Roger Ross Williams’ Emmy Award-winning Life, Animated; Cartel Land; Murderball; and Jesus Camp....
The streaming service AppleTV+ has hired former A+E executive Molly Thompson as the company's head of documentaries. She brings with her three decades of experience in the field, having founded A&E IndieFilms, the feature film production arm of A+E Networks, and served as head of documentary films for A+E Networks.
Thompson executive produced such titles as The Clinton Affair; Charles Ferguson’s docuseries Watergate; Studio 54; and City of Ghosts from Oscar nominee Matthew Heineman. Among the additional projects she has shepherded are Roger Ross Williams’ Emmy Award-winning Life, Animated; Cartel Land; Murderball; and Jesus Camp....
- 4/15/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
A&E IndieFilms and Sundance Institute have selected four recipients for their inaugural “Brave Storytellers Award,” an honor that is intended to provide financial support for documentary filmmakers. The winners are Cecilia Aldarondo, Jemka Autry, Margaret Brown, and Yoruba Richen.
Each honoree will receive $25,000 in seed funding, as well as year-round mentorship from staff of the Sundance Institute, a non-profit filmmaking organization. A&E IndieFilms will then work with Sundance Institute to support the recipients’ projects through development, production and distribution.
The projects being supported by the grants cover a range of subjects. Richen’s “American Reckoning” will grapple with the FBI’s recent series of investigations into hundreds of unsolved civil rights era murders. Autry’s “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” examines the prosecution of the jazz singer on drug charges. And Aldarondo’s “You Were My First Boyfriend” reexamines life in high school.
Brown’s project is dubbed “Africatown,...
Each honoree will receive $25,000 in seed funding, as well as year-round mentorship from staff of the Sundance Institute, a non-profit filmmaking organization. A&E IndieFilms will then work with Sundance Institute to support the recipients’ projects through development, production and distribution.
The projects being supported by the grants cover a range of subjects. Richen’s “American Reckoning” will grapple with the FBI’s recent series of investigations into hundreds of unsolved civil rights era murders. Autry’s “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” examines the prosecution of the jazz singer on drug charges. And Aldarondo’s “You Were My First Boyfriend” reexamines life in high school.
Brown’s project is dubbed “Africatown,...
- 1/25/2019
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
A film memoir of former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev featuring exclusive interviews has had its North American rights acquired by distributor The Orchard from History Films.
Meeting Gorbachev is a documentary directed by Werner Herzog and André Singer for Spring Films and Werner Herzog Film. The behind-the-scenes look at the eighth and last leader of the Soviet Union features interviews of Gorbachev by Herzog on three occasions across a six-month period, capturing a unique look at a politician who changed the world.
“Meeting Gorbachev is an enthralling look back at a fascinating leader and diplomat, all the more impactful based on what the world looks like today,” said Paul Davidson, The Orchard’s Evp film and television. “Werner and Andre’s own sensibilities make the film engaging and personal in a way no other filmmakers could.”
The documentary is produced by Lucki Stipetic and Svetlana Palmer. The executive producers...
Meeting Gorbachev is a documentary directed by Werner Herzog and André Singer for Spring Films and Werner Herzog Film. The behind-the-scenes look at the eighth and last leader of the Soviet Union features interviews of Gorbachev by Herzog on three occasions across a six-month period, capturing a unique look at a politician who changed the world.
“Meeting Gorbachev is an enthralling look back at a fascinating leader and diplomat, all the more impactful based on what the world looks like today,” said Paul Davidson, The Orchard’s Evp film and television. “Werner and Andre’s own sensibilities make the film engaging and personal in a way no other filmmakers could.”
The documentary is produced by Lucki Stipetic and Svetlana Palmer. The executive producers...
- 12/8/2018
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
The Orchard has acquired the North American distribution rights to “Meeting Gorbachev,” the documentary about former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev, which will be co-directed by Werner Herzog, the company announced Friday.
The Orchard is planning a theatrical release for early 2019, while History retains all television rights for the documentary.
Directed by Herzog and André Singer for Spring Films and Werner Herzog Film, “Meeting Gorbachev” conducts behind-the-scenes memoirs from Gorbachev, the eighth and final leader of the Soviet Union and one of the world’s most established politicians of the 20th century. Herzog interviewed Gorbachev on three separate occasions across a six-month period, each time capturing a look into Gorbachev’s career and his commitment to peace.
Also Read: Werner Herzog Says Mikhail Gorbachev Is Filled With 'Existential Solitude' (Video)
The documentary is produced by Lucki Stipetic and Svetlana Palmer. The executive producers are Richard Melman for Spring Films, and...
The Orchard is planning a theatrical release for early 2019, while History retains all television rights for the documentary.
Directed by Herzog and André Singer for Spring Films and Werner Herzog Film, “Meeting Gorbachev” conducts behind-the-scenes memoirs from Gorbachev, the eighth and final leader of the Soviet Union and one of the world’s most established politicians of the 20th century. Herzog interviewed Gorbachev on three separate occasions across a six-month period, each time capturing a look into Gorbachev’s career and his commitment to peace.
Also Read: Werner Herzog Says Mikhail Gorbachev Is Filled With 'Existential Solitude' (Video)
The documentary is produced by Lucki Stipetic and Svetlana Palmer. The executive producers are Richard Melman for Spring Films, and...
- 12/7/2018
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
It’s a meeting for the ages. In one corner, the architect of Perestroika. In the other, the director who nearly tamed Klaus Kinski.
“Meeting Gorbachev,” a nonfiction film documenting a series of interviews between filmmaker Werner Herzog and Mikhail Gorbachev, has been acquired by the Orchard. The indie distributor plans to release the film theatrically in 2019. “Meeting Gorbachev” premiered at the 2018 Telluride Film Festival and played at the Toronto International Film Festival. It is directed by Herzog and his longtime collaborator André Singer.
Herzog, famous for “Fitzcarraldo” and “Aguirre, the Wrath of God,” interviewed Gorbachev on three separate occasions over six months. He captured the last leader of the Soviet Union’s thoughts on peace and history.
“’Meeting Gorbachev’ is an enthralling look back at a fascinating leader and diplomat, all the more impactful based on what the world looks like today,” said Paul Davidson, the Orchard’s Evp of film and television.
“Meeting Gorbachev,” a nonfiction film documenting a series of interviews between filmmaker Werner Herzog and Mikhail Gorbachev, has been acquired by the Orchard. The indie distributor plans to release the film theatrically in 2019. “Meeting Gorbachev” premiered at the 2018 Telluride Film Festival and played at the Toronto International Film Festival. It is directed by Herzog and his longtime collaborator André Singer.
Herzog, famous for “Fitzcarraldo” and “Aguirre, the Wrath of God,” interviewed Gorbachev on three separate occasions over six months. He captured the last leader of the Soviet Union’s thoughts on peace and history.
“’Meeting Gorbachev’ is an enthralling look back at a fascinating leader and diplomat, all the more impactful based on what the world looks like today,” said Paul Davidson, the Orchard’s Evp of film and television.
- 12/7/2018
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Theatrical release earmarked for early 2019. History retains all TV rights.
The Orchard has picked up North American rights from Submarine to the Mikhail Gorbachev documentary Meeting Gorbachev by Werner Herzog and André Singer.
Lucki Stipetic and Svetlana Palmer produced the production by Spring Films and Werner Herzog Film, and the executive producers were Richard Melman for Spring Films, and Molly Thompson and Eli Lehrer for History Films.
Meeting Gorbachev chronicles the eighth and final leader of the Soviet Union’s rise through the ranks to become general secretary of the governing Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. The...
The Orchard has picked up North American rights from Submarine to the Mikhail Gorbachev documentary Meeting Gorbachev by Werner Herzog and André Singer.
Lucki Stipetic and Svetlana Palmer produced the production by Spring Films and Werner Herzog Film, and the executive producers were Richard Melman for Spring Films, and Molly Thompson and Eli Lehrer for History Films.
Meeting Gorbachev chronicles the eighth and final leader of the Soviet Union’s rise through the ranks to become general secretary of the governing Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. The...
- 12/7/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Earlier this year, Bill Clinton undertook a publicity tour — his first in some time disconnected from his wife’s political career, and one designed to promote a thriller novel he’d co-written with James Patterson. But what perhaps was meant as the 42nd president’s sprightly display of charisma and distraction from the news generated by the 45th quickly became something for which he was, strangely, hardly prepared. Faced with questions about his treatment of White House intern Monica Lewinsky, he bobbled them badly, seeming defensive and aggressive, unwilling to let in any point-of-view other than his own narrative in which he’d long since been forgiven.
It was the sort of reckoning that has been a long time coming, first because of an ongoing revolution spurred on by movements like #MeToo and Time’s Up, and second because of our culture’s sudden interest in relitigating events of the 1990s.
It was the sort of reckoning that has been a long time coming, first because of an ongoing revolution spurred on by movements like #MeToo and Time’s Up, and second because of our culture’s sudden interest in relitigating events of the 1990s.
- 11/16/2018
- by Daniel D'Addario
- Variety Film + TV
Five years ago when Oscar-nominated documentarian Charles Ferguson (“Inside Job”) started deeply researching the 1972 Watergate break-in, he was chasing a documentary thriller that would be fun to watch. A & E and History were on board. But as the political climate dramatically transformed, he wound up with a more sober narrative, which debuted at the fall festivals ahead of an October theatrical run of the four-hour version. On television, the series airs in six one-hour episodes playing over three nights, starting November 2 as part of “History 100,” a History Channel documentary series comprised of 100 films focused on compelling historical events of the last 100 years.
When A&E commissioned “Watergate,” everyone expected Hillary Clinton was going to be president. “We had no idea how timely it would be,” said A&E chief Molly Thompson. “That’s the way things played out. Watching a cut of the film feels like watching the nightly news.
When A&E commissioned “Watergate,” everyone expected Hillary Clinton was going to be president. “We had no idea how timely it would be,” said A&E chief Molly Thompson. “That’s the way things played out. Watching a cut of the film feels like watching the nightly news.
- 11/3/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Five years ago when Oscar-nominated documentarian Charles Ferguson (“Inside Job”) started deeply researching the 1972 Watergate break-in, he was chasing a documentary thriller that would be fun to watch. A & E and History were on board. But as the political climate dramatically transformed, he wound up with a more sober narrative, which debuted at the fall festivals ahead of an October theatrical run of the four-hour version. On television, the series airs in six one-hour episodes playing over three nights, starting November 2 as part of “History 100,” a History Channel documentary series comprised of 100 films focused on compelling historical events of the last 100 years.
When A&E commissioned “Watergate,” everyone expected Hillary Clinton was going to be president. “We had no idea how timely it would be,” said A&E chief Molly Thompson. “That’s the way things played out. Watching a cut of the film feels like watching the nightly news.
When A&E commissioned “Watergate,” everyone expected Hillary Clinton was going to be president. “We had no idea how timely it would be,” said A&E chief Molly Thompson. “That’s the way things played out. Watching a cut of the film feels like watching the nightly news.
- 11/3/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Abramorama has sealed a U.S. distribution deal for Under the Wire, the feature documentary by Chris Martin that tells war photographer Paul Conroy’s story of he and Sunday Times war correspondent Marie Colvin’s fateful 2012 mission in Syria, where Colvin was killed while they were covering the siege of Homs. The pic, based on Conroy’s memoir, will hit theaters beginning November 16 in Los Angeles and New York.
That date comes just after Aviron opens A Private War, directed by Matthew Heineman and starring Rosamund Pike as Colvin; the feature is based on Arash Amel’s Vanity Fair article.
The Abramorama pact, made with Arrow Media, comes as the docu readies for a screening Friday at the Hamptons Film Festival.
“We are honored to be entrusted to introduce the American public to Marie Colvin and Paul Conroy’s harrowing true story of their dedication to truth so...
That date comes just after Aviron opens A Private War, directed by Matthew Heineman and starring Rosamund Pike as Colvin; the feature is based on Arash Amel’s Vanity Fair article.
The Abramorama pact, made with Arrow Media, comes as the docu readies for a screening Friday at the Hamptons Film Festival.
“We are honored to be entrusted to introduce the American public to Marie Colvin and Paul Conroy’s harrowing true story of their dedication to truth so...
- 10/4/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Us release set for December 7 after Us premiere at Nyff.
Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to A&E IndieFilms’ Divide And Conquer: The Story Of Roger Ailes ahead of its world premiere on Sunday (9).
Alexis Bloom directed the Tiff Docs selection about the late Republican svengali who, as chairman and CEO, worked to turn Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News into a hugely influential and divisive platform.
Magnolia senior vice-president of acquisitions John Von Thaden and executive vice-president Dori Begley brokered the deal with Cinetic Media on behalf of the filmmakers.
Magnolia is lining up a Us release on December...
Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to A&E IndieFilms’ Divide And Conquer: The Story Of Roger Ailes ahead of its world premiere on Sunday (9).
Alexis Bloom directed the Tiff Docs selection about the late Republican svengali who, as chairman and CEO, worked to turn Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News into a hugely influential and divisive platform.
Magnolia senior vice-president of acquisitions John Von Thaden and executive vice-president Dori Begley brokered the deal with Cinetic Media on behalf of the filmmakers.
Magnolia is lining up a Us release on December...
- 9/8/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to “Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes.” The deal comes in advance of the documentary’s world premiere on Sunday at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
The picture about the conservative cable news mogul was directed by Alexis Bloom, who previously oversaw HBO’s “Bright Lights,” a look at the relationship between Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. Magnolia will release the picture on December 7 following a fall festival run. A&E Network, which financed the film, retains television rights.
Ailes founded Fox News, pushing it to the top of the ratings heap by promoting a brand of right-leaning commentary and by nurturing the careers of Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity, two hosts with a taste for the jugular. However, he was ultimately ousted from power after several women, including anchors Megyn Kelly and Gretchen Carlson, accused him of sexual harassment and misconduct.
The picture about the conservative cable news mogul was directed by Alexis Bloom, who previously oversaw HBO’s “Bright Lights,” a look at the relationship between Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. Magnolia will release the picture on December 7 following a fall festival run. A&E Network, which financed the film, retains television rights.
Ailes founded Fox News, pushing it to the top of the ratings heap by promoting a brand of right-leaning commentary and by nurturing the careers of Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity, two hosts with a taste for the jugular. However, he was ultimately ousted from power after several women, including anchors Megyn Kelly and Gretchen Carlson, accused him of sexual harassment and misconduct.
- 9/8/2018
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
A&E IndieFilms announced today that Magnolia Pictures has acquired domestic rights to Alexis Bloom’s documentary Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes about the late Fox News Chairman and CEO. Magnolia will open the movie on Dec. 7 after a fall festival run. A&E Network has television rights to the film.
Take a look at a clip from the film above featuring former Fox News show host Glenn Beck reflecting on his emotional departure from the network, and his sitdown with Ailes.
Divide and Conquer sheds light on the current moment in American political life by following the arc of Ailes, the long-time Republican svengali and controversial founder of Fox News. He coached an unrivaled stable of politicians over the course of 50 years, greatly impacting Republican politics, and steering the conservative movement from Nixon, to the Tea Party, to Trump. Under his tutelage, anger and fear became the coin of the realm,...
Take a look at a clip from the film above featuring former Fox News show host Glenn Beck reflecting on his emotional departure from the network, and his sitdown with Ailes.
Divide and Conquer sheds light on the current moment in American political life by following the arc of Ailes, the long-time Republican svengali and controversial founder of Fox News. He coached an unrivaled stable of politicians over the course of 50 years, greatly impacting Republican politics, and steering the conservative movement from Nixon, to the Tea Party, to Trump. Under his tutelage, anger and fear became the coin of the realm,...
- 9/8/2018
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Magnolia Pictures has landed North American theatrical rights to A&E IndieFilms’ “Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes.”
Magnolia, which announced the deal at the Toronto Film Festival, has slated a December 7 theatrical release. A&E retained TV rights for the film following its theatrical run.
The film, described as “no-holds-barred,” was directed by Alexis Bloom (“Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds”), who produced alongside Will Cohen of Jigsaw Productios.
Also Read: Daniel Craig, Rian Johnson Murder Mystery 'Knives Out' Sells to Mrc
“Divide and Conquer” will premiere at Tiff on Sunday, and counts Alex Gibney and A&E IndieFilms head Molly Thompson as executive producer.
Read a full synopsis and watch a clip below:
A&E IndieFilms announced today that Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to”Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes.” from director Alexis Bloom. The no-holds-barred feature documentary on the...
Magnolia, which announced the deal at the Toronto Film Festival, has slated a December 7 theatrical release. A&E retained TV rights for the film following its theatrical run.
The film, described as “no-holds-barred,” was directed by Alexis Bloom (“Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds”), who produced alongside Will Cohen of Jigsaw Productios.
Also Read: Daniel Craig, Rian Johnson Murder Mystery 'Knives Out' Sells to Mrc
“Divide and Conquer” will premiere at Tiff on Sunday, and counts Alex Gibney and A&E IndieFilms head Molly Thompson as executive producer.
Read a full synopsis and watch a clip below:
A&E IndieFilms announced today that Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to”Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes.” from director Alexis Bloom. The no-holds-barred feature documentary on the...
- 9/8/2018
- by Matt Donnelly
- The Wrap
Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to the doc Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes from A&E IndieFilms at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Directed by Alexis Bloom (Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds), the doc centers on the controversial and hugely influential former chairman and CEO of Fox News. Magnolia is planning a Dec. 7 release following a fall festival run. A&E Network retains television rights to the film.
Divide and Conquer was also produced by Bloom with Will Cohen of Jigsaw Prods. A&E IndieFilms’ Molly Thompson, Elaine Frontain Bryant and Robert Sharenow ...
Directed by Alexis Bloom (Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds), the doc centers on the controversial and hugely influential former chairman and CEO of Fox News. Magnolia is planning a Dec. 7 release following a fall festival run. A&E Network retains television rights to the film.
Divide and Conquer was also produced by Bloom with Will Cohen of Jigsaw Prods. A&E IndieFilms’ Molly Thompson, Elaine Frontain Bryant and Robert Sharenow ...
Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to the doc Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes from A&E IndieFilms at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Directed by Alexis Bloom (Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds), the doc centers on the controversial and hugely influential former chairman and CEO of Fox News. Magnolia is planning a Dec. 7 release following a fall festival run. A&E Network retains television rights to the film.
Divide and Conquer was also produced by Bloom with Will Cohen of Jigsaw Prods. A&E IndieFilms’ Molly Thompson, Elaine Frontain Bryant and Robert Sharenow ...
Directed by Alexis Bloom (Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds), the doc centers on the controversial and hugely influential former chairman and CEO of Fox News. Magnolia is planning a Dec. 7 release following a fall festival run. A&E Network retains television rights to the film.
Divide and Conquer was also produced by Bloom with Will Cohen of Jigsaw Prods. A&E IndieFilms’ Molly Thompson, Elaine Frontain Bryant and Robert Sharenow ...
A&E has pulled off a coup by securing Monica Lewinsky to feature in six-part documentary The Impeachment of Bill Clinton (w/t).
The cable network has ordered the series from Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions, Jemina Khan’s Instinct Productions and Emmy-winning director Blair Foster (Rolling Stone: Stories From The Edge). It will weave together never-seen-before archival footage with exclusive new interviews, of which Lewinsky’s appearance is the most high-profile.
Beginning November 18, the limited doc series will explore the biggest political scandal of its generation and look at broader topics including media, feminism, politics and power. It will investigate the history leading up to the impeachment trial and chronicles the role each of these forces played in this story of sex, power, money, lies and ideological warfare.
The doc series comes a few months after A&E sister network History scrapped its planned drama series, The Breach, about the same subject.
The cable network has ordered the series from Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions, Jemina Khan’s Instinct Productions and Emmy-winning director Blair Foster (Rolling Stone: Stories From The Edge). It will weave together never-seen-before archival footage with exclusive new interviews, of which Lewinsky’s appearance is the most high-profile.
Beginning November 18, the limited doc series will explore the biggest political scandal of its generation and look at broader topics including media, feminism, politics and power. It will investigate the history leading up to the impeachment trial and chronicles the role each of these forces played in this story of sex, power, money, lies and ideological warfare.
The doc series comes a few months after A&E sister network History scrapped its planned drama series, The Breach, about the same subject.
- 9/5/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
A&E IndieFilms has unveiled documentary feature film “Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes” from Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions.
The project is directed and produced by Alexis Bloom (“Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds”) and described as “origin story” told through the triumph and downfall of the late Roger Ailes, founder of Fox News. He launched the careers of TV news figures including Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, and Megyn Kelly, then resigned in 2016 amid multiple accusations of sexual harassment. He died in May, 2017, at the age of 77.
“’Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes’ is a fascinating look at a man who was at times brilliant and at times divisive, but whose impact on American politics and media will be felt for generations to come,” said Molly Thompson of A+E Networks. “This film is highly relevant for the times we are living in and...
The project is directed and produced by Alexis Bloom (“Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds”) and described as “origin story” told through the triumph and downfall of the late Roger Ailes, founder of Fox News. He launched the careers of TV news figures including Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, and Megyn Kelly, then resigned in 2016 amid multiple accusations of sexual harassment. He died in May, 2017, at the age of 77.
“’Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes’ is a fascinating look at a man who was at times brilliant and at times divisive, but whose impact on American politics and media will be felt for generations to come,” said Molly Thompson of A+E Networks. “This film is highly relevant for the times we are living in and...
- 8/7/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
A&E IndieFilms and Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions are teaming on Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes, a feature documentary to be directed by Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds helmer Alexis Bloom. The pic plans to tell the story of the current moment in American life, told through the triumphs and precipitous downfall of the Fox News founder.
Ailes, was a TV producer-turned-political consultant to Richard Nixon before launching Fox News with Rupert Murdoch, driving Republican politics for decades while turning the network into a cable juggernaut. He resigned in 2016 amid allegations of sexual harassment, the start of a rash of lawsuits and high-profile exits. Ailes died in May 2017 at age 77.
The accounts of Ailes’ female accusers will comprise the heart of the movie, the filmmakers said. The documentary will air on A&E following a festival and theatrical run, with Cinetic Media handling sales.
Ailes, was a TV producer-turned-political consultant to Richard Nixon before launching Fox News with Rupert Murdoch, driving Republican politics for decades while turning the network into a cable juggernaut. He resigned in 2016 amid allegations of sexual harassment, the start of a rash of lawsuits and high-profile exits. Ailes died in May 2017 at age 77.
The accounts of Ailes’ female accusers will comprise the heart of the movie, the filmmakers said. The documentary will air on A&E following a festival and theatrical run, with Cinetic Media handling sales.
- 8/7/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Tonight, A&E IndieFilms’ latest documentary, Matt Tyrnauer’s “Studio 54,” opens Outfest in Los Angeles before hitting theaters via Zeitgeist Films and Kino Lorber in October. Unusually, A&E IndieFilms senior VP Molly Thompson believes in theatrical play for her documentaries as a way to build awareness before they hit the air.
With streaming, she said, “it’s harder for the films to stand out. Theatrical is good for films. You have a whole year to go out to festivals and theaters before they come to A&E. We’re the opposite of HBO and Netflix.”
All these funding and distribution options make it “a great time for documentary filmmakers,” she said. “Even seven years ago people were starving. It was a difficult time. We were a big whale for filmmakers. Now they have so many options, and people are able to pay their bills.”
Thompson’s first job was...
With streaming, she said, “it’s harder for the films to stand out. Theatrical is good for films. You have a whole year to go out to festivals and theaters before they come to A&E. We’re the opposite of HBO and Netflix.”
All these funding and distribution options make it “a great time for documentary filmmakers,” she said. “Even seven years ago people were starving. It was a difficult time. We were a big whale for filmmakers. Now they have so many options, and people are able to pay their bills.”
Thompson’s first job was...
- 7/12/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Tonight, A&E IndieFilms’ latest documentary, Matt Tyrnauer’s “Studio 54,” opens Outfest in Los Angeles before hitting theaters via Zeitgeist Films and Kino Lorber in October. Unusually, A&E IndieFilms senior VP Molly Thompson believes in theatrical play for her documentaries as a way to build awareness before they hit the air.
With streaming, she said, “it’s harder for the films to stand out. Theatrical is good for films. You have a whole year to go out to festivals and theaters before they come to A&E. We’re the opposite of HBO and Netflix.”
All these funding and distribution options make it “a great time for documentary filmmakers,” she said. “Even seven years ago people were starving. It was a difficult time. We were a big whale for filmmakers. Now they have so many options, and people are able to pay their bills.”
Thompson’s first job was...
With streaming, she said, “it’s harder for the films to stand out. Theatrical is good for films. You have a whole year to go out to festivals and theaters before they come to A&E. We’re the opposite of HBO and Netflix.”
All these funding and distribution options make it “a great time for documentary filmmakers,” she said. “Even seven years ago people were starving. It was a difficult time. We were a big whale for filmmakers. Now they have so many options, and people are able to pay their bills.”
Thompson’s first job was...
- 7/12/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
The International Documentary Association has announced the keynote speakers for the biennial Getting Real ’18 conference which takes place Sept. 25-27 in Los Angeles.
The three-day conference will welcome acclaimed curator and film scholar Chi-hui Yang, award-winning filmmaker and human rights attorney Michèle Stephenson, and Executive Producer and founder of A&E IndieFilms Molly Thompson.
Getting Real is the largest conference in North America focused on documentary storytelling. It will feature a 10-year anniversary screening of Robert Kenner’s Food Inc. and a Masterclass with acclaimed filmmaker Frederick Wiseman. The conference will also host the first-ever convening of filmmakers with disabilities and a panel discussion with Jennifer Brea, Lawrence Carter-Long, Day Al-Mohamed, and James Lebrecht.
The three-day conference will welcome acclaimed curator and film scholar Chi-hui Yang, award-winning filmmaker and human rights attorney Michèle Stephenson, and Executive Producer and founder of A&E IndieFilms Molly Thompson.
Getting Real is the largest conference in North America focused on documentary storytelling. It will feature a 10-year anniversary screening of Robert Kenner’s Food Inc. and a Masterclass with acclaimed filmmaker Frederick Wiseman. The conference will also host the first-ever convening of filmmakers with disabilities and a panel discussion with Jennifer Brea, Lawrence Carter-Long, Day Al-Mohamed, and James Lebrecht.
- 6/25/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Three-day conference to run in Los Angeles in September.
Documentarian Frederick Wiseman will take part in a masterclass and A&E IndieFilms founder and head Molly Thompson will deliver a keynote at the International Documentary Association’s (Ida) three-day Getting Real ’18 conference in Los Angeles in September.
The event, held in partnership with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is a biennial conference on documentary media and takes place from September 25-27.
Getting Real ‘18 will kick off with a pre-conference screening to mark the 10th anniversary of Robert Kenner’s Food, Inc., presented by the Academy, Participant Media and River Road Entertainment.
Documentarian Frederick Wiseman will take part in a masterclass and A&E IndieFilms founder and head Molly Thompson will deliver a keynote at the International Documentary Association’s (Ida) three-day Getting Real ’18 conference in Los Angeles in September.
The event, held in partnership with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is a biennial conference on documentary media and takes place from September 25-27.
Getting Real ‘18 will kick off with a pre-conference screening to mark the 10th anniversary of Robert Kenner’s Food, Inc., presented by the Academy, Participant Media and River Road Entertainment.
- 6/25/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
You look “Marvelous”! That’s what “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” is saying to women-led companies and organizations in New York and Los Angeles as part of its latest Emmy campaign. Amazon has created 11 installations, each with an eight-foot display of block letters spelling out “Marvelous” in front of businesses and locations representative of female empowerment. Those installations went up on June 12 and will remain up for a week. That coincides with Emmy voting, which started on June 11 and ends on June 25.
“The character Midge Maisel is a strong, talented woman who strikes out on her own to forge a new path, and in the spirit of ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,’ we are excited to shine a light on other fantastic, entrepreneurial women,” said Amazon’s head of marketing Mike Benson in a statement. “We hope that this campaign will inspire others to find their unique voice.”
The women being spotlighted...
“The character Midge Maisel is a strong, talented woman who strikes out on her own to forge a new path, and in the spirit of ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,’ we are excited to shine a light on other fantastic, entrepreneurial women,” said Amazon’s head of marketing Mike Benson in a statement. “We hope that this campaign will inspire others to find their unique voice.”
The women being spotlighted...
- 6/13/2018
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
The BBC is going inside the Bank of England and exploring gun crime in Britain in a series of factual commissions. The public broadcaster has also picked up feature doc Under The Wire, which tells the story of Sunday Times war correspondent Marie Colvin and photographer Paul Conroy’s mission to Syria.
The shows were revealed at the Sheffield Doc/Fest by Alison Kirkham, Controller BBC Factual Commissioning.
Inside The Bank of England (w/t) lets cameras inside the financial institution throughout 2018 as Governor Mark Carney and his staff try to revive the UK economy. The two-part series, which will air on BBC Two, will look at how the bank’s decisions impact people’s lives and aims to demystify central banking and explores the gold and incredible architecture of the fortress-like Threadneedle Street building. The series is produced by Gold Rush producer Raw and was commissioned by BBC Two Controller Patrick Holland,...
The shows were revealed at the Sheffield Doc/Fest by Alison Kirkham, Controller BBC Factual Commissioning.
Inside The Bank of England (w/t) lets cameras inside the financial institution throughout 2018 as Governor Mark Carney and his staff try to revive the UK economy. The two-part series, which will air on BBC Two, will look at how the bank’s decisions impact people’s lives and aims to demystify central banking and explores the gold and incredible architecture of the fortress-like Threadneedle Street building. The series is produced by Gold Rush producer Raw and was commissioned by BBC Two Controller Patrick Holland,...
- 6/11/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
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