Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy are to reunite to star in the adaptation of Enid Blyton’s ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’.
Based on The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, the project follows Polly and Tim and their children Beth, Joe and Fran – a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside.
Soon after the family arrives in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man. At the top of the tree, they are transported to spectacular and fantastical lands and, through the joys and challenges of their adventures, the family learn to reconnect and value each other for the first time in years.
Garfield will play Tim while Foy takes on the role of Polly. The pair have previously starred together in Andy Serkis’ 2017 offering ‘Breath’.
Also...
Based on The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, the project follows Polly and Tim and their children Beth, Joe and Fran – a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside.
Soon after the family arrives in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man. At the top of the tree, they are transported to spectacular and fantastical lands and, through the joys and challenges of their adventures, the family learn to reconnect and value each other for the first time in years.
Garfield will play Tim while Foy takes on the role of Polly. The pair have previously starred together in Andy Serkis’ 2017 offering ‘Breath’.
Also...
- 5/3/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Enid Blyton adaptation The Magic Faraway Tree has found key cast in the shape of two-time Oscar nominee Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spider Man) and two-time Emmy winner Claire Foy (All of Us Strangers).
Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group and Ashland Hill Media Finance are behind the movie which is being adapted by BAFTA-winner Simon Farnaby (Paddington 2) and will be directed by Ben Gregor (Britannia).
Based on The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, the feature will follow Polly and Tim and their children Beth, Joe and Fran – a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. Garfield will play Tim and Foy will take on the role of Polly.
Soon after the family’s arrival in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man. At the top of the tree,...
Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group and Ashland Hill Media Finance are behind the movie which is being adapted by BAFTA-winner Simon Farnaby (Paddington 2) and will be directed by Ben Gregor (Britannia).
Based on The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, the feature will follow Polly and Tim and their children Beth, Joe and Fran – a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. Garfield will play Tim and Foy will take on the role of Polly.
Soon after the family’s arrival in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man. At the top of the tree,...
- 5/3/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy will lead the film adaptation of Enid Blyton’s children’s classic The Magic Faraway Tree.
The story from the author, based on her The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, follows Polly and Tim and their children Beth, Joe and Fran — a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside.
Two-time Academy Award-nominee Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick…Boom!, Hacksaw Ridge) will play Tim and two-time Emmy Award-winner Claire Foy (All of Us Strangers, The Crown) will take on the role of Polly.
Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group, and Ashland Hill Media Finance will produce, with principal photography to begin in June 2024 and additional casting currently underway.
Screenwriter Simon Farnaby, British star of Wonka and Paddington 2, said: “To have two actors of the quality of Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy is a dream for any screenwriter.”
“I have long admired their warmth,...
The story from the author, based on her The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, follows Polly and Tim and their children Beth, Joe and Fran — a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside.
Two-time Academy Award-nominee Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick…Boom!, Hacksaw Ridge) will play Tim and two-time Emmy Award-winner Claire Foy (All of Us Strangers, The Crown) will take on the role of Polly.
Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group, and Ashland Hill Media Finance will produce, with principal photography to begin in June 2024 and additional casting currently underway.
Screenwriter Simon Farnaby, British star of Wonka and Paddington 2, said: “To have two actors of the quality of Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy is a dream for any screenwriter.”
“I have long admired their warmth,...
- 5/3/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy have joined the cast of magical family adventure feature “The Magic Faraway Tree,” based on Enid Blyton’s beloved children’s classic.
The film — from Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group and Ashland Hill Media Finance — has been adapted by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby (“Wonka” and “Paddington 2”) and will be directed by Ben Gregor. Palisades Park Pictures are handling sales in Cannes. Principal photography will begin in June, with additional casting currently underway.
Based on “The Faraway Tree” series of novels for children, “The Magic Faraway Tree” follows Polly (Foy) and Tim (Garfield) and their children Beth, Joe and Fran — a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. Soon after the family’s arrival in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man.
The film — from Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group and Ashland Hill Media Finance — has been adapted by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby (“Wonka” and “Paddington 2”) and will be directed by Ben Gregor. Palisades Park Pictures are handling sales in Cannes. Principal photography will begin in June, with additional casting currently underway.
Based on “The Faraway Tree” series of novels for children, “The Magic Faraway Tree” follows Polly (Foy) and Tim (Garfield) and their children Beth, Joe and Fran — a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. Soon after the family’s arrival in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man.
- 5/3/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy will lead the adaptation of Enid Blyton’s children’s book The Magic Faraway Tree, with principal photography to begin in June.
The film is produced by Pippa Harris for Neal Street Productions, with Danny Perkins of Elysian Film Group and Jane Hooks. Executive producers are Ashland Hill Media Finance’s Simon Williams, Joe Simpson and Jonathan Bross, and Palisade Park Pictures’ Tamara Birkemoe.
Ben Gregor is directing from a script by Wonka and Paddington 2 writer Simon Farnaby. The Magic Faraway Tree is based on Blyton’s The Faraway Tree novel series. It follows a...
The film is produced by Pippa Harris for Neal Street Productions, with Danny Perkins of Elysian Film Group and Jane Hooks. Executive producers are Ashland Hill Media Finance’s Simon Williams, Joe Simpson and Jonathan Bross, and Palisade Park Pictures’ Tamara Birkemoe.
Ben Gregor is directing from a script by Wonka and Paddington 2 writer Simon Farnaby. The Magic Faraway Tree is based on Blyton’s The Faraway Tree novel series. It follows a...
- 5/3/2024
- ScreenDaily
U.S. and U.K.-based global sales outfit Palisades Park Pictures has revealed a star-studded slate for Hong Kong’s film rights market FilMart.
John Travolta, Katherine Heigl and Christopher Walken lead romantic comedy “That’s Amore!,” which is in pre-production. Written and directed by “Green Book” writer Nick Vallelonga, the film follows two emotionally damaged people who attempt to date one another, and when their families get involved, comedy ensues.
The producers are Vallelonga (Vallelonga Prods.), Cassian Elwes (Elevated Films), Brenda Emmett and Vince Emmett (American Troubadours), David Polemeni; Tamara Birkemoe and Mark Damon, for Palisades Park Pictures, serve as executive producers.
Director Phillip Noyce has completed action-thriller “Fast Charlie,” starring Pierce Brosnan, Morena Baccarin and James Caan, and adapted from Victor Gischler’s novel “Gun Monkeys” by Richard Wenk (“The Equalizer”).
Brosnan plays Charlie Swift, a hitman who has been working for his aging mob boss, Stan (Caan), for two decades.
John Travolta, Katherine Heigl and Christopher Walken lead romantic comedy “That’s Amore!,” which is in pre-production. Written and directed by “Green Book” writer Nick Vallelonga, the film follows two emotionally damaged people who attempt to date one another, and when their families get involved, comedy ensues.
The producers are Vallelonga (Vallelonga Prods.), Cassian Elwes (Elevated Films), Brenda Emmett and Vince Emmett (American Troubadours), David Polemeni; Tamara Birkemoe and Mark Damon, for Palisades Park Pictures, serve as executive producers.
Director Phillip Noyce has completed action-thriller “Fast Charlie,” starring Pierce Brosnan, Morena Baccarin and James Caan, and adapted from Victor Gischler’s novel “Gun Monkeys” by Richard Wenk (“The Equalizer”).
Brosnan plays Charlie Swift, a hitman who has been working for his aging mob boss, Stan (Caan), for two decades.
- 3/11/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: UK Director Ben Gregor says his upcoming adaptation of Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree will tap into children’s post-pandemic anxiety and retreat into screens as it celebrates the joy of being outdoors in nature, in a subtext that will chime with parents worldwide.
Wonka and Paddington 2 actor and writer Simon Farnaby’s screenplay transposes Blyton’s 1943 classic – about the adventures of three children who discover a magic tree in an enchanted wood – to modern Britain.
The new version will revive the tree’s ragbag collection of characters such as Moonface, Saucepan Man, Dame Washalot, Silky, Angry Pixie and Mister Watzisname as well as the lands at the top of the tree including the Land of Goodies and the Land of Birthdays.
For its contemporary reboot, the three protagonists are uprooted from their hi-tech home in an ultra-modern London Nine Elms-Battersea Power Station-style development to a ramshackle...
Wonka and Paddington 2 actor and writer Simon Farnaby’s screenplay transposes Blyton’s 1943 classic – about the adventures of three children who discover a magic tree in an enchanted wood – to modern Britain.
The new version will revive the tree’s ragbag collection of characters such as Moonface, Saucepan Man, Dame Washalot, Silky, Angry Pixie and Mister Watzisname as well as the lands at the top of the tree including the Land of Goodies and the Land of Birthdays.
For its contemporary reboot, the three protagonists are uprooted from their hi-tech home in an ultra-modern London Nine Elms-Battersea Power Station-style development to a ramshackle...
- 2/16/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The long-gestating modern-day movie adaptation of Enid Blyton’s children’s classic The Magic Faraway Tree has got fresh impetus with new financiers and creatives aboard and a start date lined up for June of this year.
Elysian Film Group and Neal Street Productions are behind the project which is scripted by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby, riding high off the success of box office hit Wonka, which he co-wrote with Paul King.
Ben Gregor (Britannia) is newly aboard to direct the feature, based on the book series by beloved British author Blyton, also known for creating hit kids properties such as Noddy and Famous Five.
Casting is in process on the film, which will be repped for worldwide sales at next month’s EFM by Tamara Birkemoe’s US and UK-based Palisades Park Pictures. CAA Media Finance is co-repping domestic.
Updated for a contemporary audience, The...
Elysian Film Group and Neal Street Productions are behind the project which is scripted by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby, riding high off the success of box office hit Wonka, which he co-wrote with Paul King.
Ben Gregor (Britannia) is newly aboard to direct the feature, based on the book series by beloved British author Blyton, also known for creating hit kids properties such as Noddy and Famous Five.
Casting is in process on the film, which will be repped for worldwide sales at next month’s EFM by Tamara Birkemoe’s US and UK-based Palisades Park Pictures. CAA Media Finance is co-repping domestic.
Updated for a contemporary audience, The...
- 1/11/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Danny Perkins made waves in the British film industry back in 2018 when he left his long-time position as CEO of StudioCanal UK — a tenure that had seen him oversee major and beloved hits including Paddington 1 & 2, Tinker Tailer Soldier Spy and Shaun the Sheep Movie — to set up his own film and TV production company.
Elysian Film Group, which he launched with producer Kate Solomon (United 93), in early 2020 unveiled its distribution arm, backed by minority investment from CAA (the giant’s first investment in a U.K. distributor). The timing wasn’t great, however, coming less than a month before the first pandemic lockdown.
It was, understandably, a slow start on both the production and distribution front. But 2023 has seen the company — a nimble operation of just four staffers, including Perkins (who brings partners on board for big releases) — make some major noise. First up, it’s biggest in-house film to date,...
Elysian Film Group, which he launched with producer Kate Solomon (United 93), in early 2020 unveiled its distribution arm, backed by minority investment from CAA (the giant’s first investment in a U.K. distributor). The timing wasn’t great, however, coming less than a month before the first pandemic lockdown.
It was, understandably, a slow start on both the production and distribution front. But 2023 has seen the company — a nimble operation of just four staffers, including Perkins (who brings partners on board for big releases) — make some major noise. First up, it’s biggest in-house film to date,...
- 11/2/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Studio Ghibli animation proved a box office hit in Japan and opened this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Elysian Film Group, Anonymous Content and Bleecker Street have jointly acquired the UK rights to The Boy And The Heron, the latest film from Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki, from sales agent Goodfellas.
Elysian Film Group will theatrically release the film in the UK later this year, following a screening at the BFI London Film Festival next month. The deal marks the first time US outfit Bleecker Street has directly invested in UK distribution and also marks its first-ever animated film.
Elysian Film Group, Anonymous Content and Bleecker Street have jointly acquired the UK rights to The Boy And The Heron, the latest film from Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki, from sales agent Goodfellas.
Elysian Film Group will theatrically release the film in the UK later this year, following a screening at the BFI London Film Festival next month. The deal marks the first time US outfit Bleecker Street has directly invested in UK distribution and also marks its first-ever animated film.
- 9/12/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Elysian Film Group, Anonymous Content and Bleecker Street have jointly acquired the U.K. rights to “The Boy and the Heron,” the first film from legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki in a decade. Elysian Film Group will release the film in U.K. cinemas later this year. “The Boy and the Heron” premiered to strong reviews at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, where it was the opening night attraction.
The Studio Ghibli production already opened in Japan over the summer, where it surpassed the first four-day box office of “Spirited Away,” the 2001 film that is considered to be one of Miyazaki’s masterpieces. The film will have its U.K. Premiere as a special presentation at the London Film Festival next month.
“The Boy and the Heron” is a hand-drawn, original story written and directed by the Oscar-winning director. Set against the backdrop of World War II, if follows...
The Studio Ghibli production already opened in Japan over the summer, where it surpassed the first four-day box office of “Spirited Away,” the 2001 film that is considered to be one of Miyazaki’s masterpieces. The film will have its U.K. Premiere as a special presentation at the London Film Festival next month.
“The Boy and the Heron” is a hand-drawn, original story written and directed by the Oscar-winning director. Set against the backdrop of World War II, if follows...
- 9/12/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Elysian Film Group, Anonymous Content, and Bleecker Street have jointly acquired UK rights to The Boy and the Heron, the latest animated feature from celebrated Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki that opened the Toronto Film Festival.
Elysian will release the film in UK cinemas later this year. The Boy and the Heron will have its UK premiere as a special presentation at the London Film Festival next month and had its international premiere at TIFF last week.
The Boy and the Heron is Miyazaki’s first feature film in ten years and features a musical score from his long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi. The film’s plot follows a teenage boy and his psychological development through encounters with his friends and uncle. He enters a magical world with a talking gray heron after finding an abandoned tower in his new town.
In a break with tradition, Studio Ghibli released The Boy and the Heron...
Elysian will release the film in UK cinemas later this year. The Boy and the Heron will have its UK premiere as a special presentation at the London Film Festival next month and had its international premiere at TIFF last week.
The Boy and the Heron is Miyazaki’s first feature film in ten years and features a musical score from his long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi. The film’s plot follows a teenage boy and his psychological development through encounters with his friends and uncle. He enters a magical world with a talking gray heron after finding an abandoned tower in his new town.
In a break with tradition, Studio Ghibli released The Boy and the Heron...
- 9/12/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The Veterans is launching international sales on upcoming UK period comedy Fackham Hall at Toronto and has unveiled first members of the ensemble cast.
In the first significant deal announced during TIFF, Bleecker Street has acquired U.S. rights for the film.
First signings include Hero Fiennes Tiffin (The Woman King), Thomasin McKenzie (Last Night in Soho), Emma Laird (A Haunting In Venice) and Katherine Waterston, who appears in this year’s TIFF title The End We Start From alongside Jodie Comer and Benedict Cumberbatch.
Written by comedian Jimmy Carr in his screenwriting feature debut with Patrick Carr and the Dawson Brothers (The Bubble), Fackham Hall pokes fun at traditional period dramas like Downton Abbey and Gosford Park. The production is described as being “in the tradition of classic joke-a-minute spoof comedies like The Naked Gun series and Airplane!”.
Fiennes Tiffin will play a new porter who embarks on...
In the first significant deal announced during TIFF, Bleecker Street has acquired U.S. rights for the film.
First signings include Hero Fiennes Tiffin (The Woman King), Thomasin McKenzie (Last Night in Soho), Emma Laird (A Haunting In Venice) and Katherine Waterston, who appears in this year’s TIFF title The End We Start From alongside Jodie Comer and Benedict Cumberbatch.
Written by comedian Jimmy Carr in his screenwriting feature debut with Patrick Carr and the Dawson Brothers (The Bubble), Fackham Hall pokes fun at traditional period dramas like Downton Abbey and Gosford Park. The production is described as being “in the tradition of classic joke-a-minute spoof comedies like The Naked Gun series and Airplane!”.
Fiennes Tiffin will play a new porter who embarks on...
- 9/7/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Also opening is ‘Fleabag’ and ‘Pretty Red Dress’.
UK musical Greatest Days is taking on Warner Bros’ superhero title The Flash at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend as the two open in 603 and 670 locations, respectively.
Elysian Film Group is distributing Greatest Days, a jukebox musical using songs from boyband Take That, which follows a group of friends who reconnect 25 years later for the reunion concert of their teenage selves’ favourite band. It’s directed by Coky Giedroyc and adapted from the stage musical (The Band), with Aisling Bea leading the cast.
The Flash is opening marginally wider than Warner...
UK musical Greatest Days is taking on Warner Bros’ superhero title The Flash at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend as the two open in 603 and 670 locations, respectively.
Elysian Film Group is distributing Greatest Days, a jukebox musical using songs from boyband Take That, which follows a group of friends who reconnect 25 years later for the reunion concert of their teenage selves’ favourite band. It’s directed by Coky Giedroyc and adapted from the stage musical (The Band), with Aisling Bea leading the cast.
The Flash is opening marginally wider than Warner...
- 6/16/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
The 10th Sundance Film Festival: London runs July 6-9 and will feature an industry section with keynote sessions led by A24 Execs Harpa Manku and Tom Lazenby and new London Film Festival head Kristy Matheson.
The trio will all headline events during the festival alongside producers Tristan Goligher and Mary Burke; casting agent Heather Basten; composer Nainita Desai; Elysian CEO Danny Perkins; and Black Bear International’s Luane Gauer.
Filmmakers Alice Lowe, Zeina Durra, Gurinder Chadha, and Marianna Palka will also headline sessions. The festival has also added three panel events to the schedule, with speakers including Past Lives director Celine Song, Girl filmmaker Adura Onashile, Polite Society’s Nida Manzoor, and Molly Manning Walker, writer-director of the buzzy Cannes pic How to Have Sex. Ira Sachs, Gregg Araki, Ita O’Brien, intimacy coordinator and founder of Intimacy on Set, and Lío Mehiel, will shepherd a separate panel, while Anthony Bregman will host an industry keynote.
The trio will all headline events during the festival alongside producers Tristan Goligher and Mary Burke; casting agent Heather Basten; composer Nainita Desai; Elysian CEO Danny Perkins; and Black Bear International’s Luane Gauer.
Filmmakers Alice Lowe, Zeina Durra, Gurinder Chadha, and Marianna Palka will also headline sessions. The festival has also added three panel events to the schedule, with speakers including Past Lives director Celine Song, Girl filmmaker Adura Onashile, Polite Society’s Nida Manzoor, and Molly Manning Walker, writer-director of the buzzy Cannes pic How to Have Sex. Ira Sachs, Gregg Araki, Ita O’Brien, intimacy coordinator and founder of Intimacy on Set, and Lío Mehiel, will shepherd a separate panel, while Anthony Bregman will host an industry keynote.
- 6/15/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Guests to attend include Harris Dickinson, Emilia Jones, Anton Corbijn.
New BFI London Film Festival director Kristy Matheson, Elysian CEO Danny Perkins and producers Tristan Goligher and Mary Burke are among the recent additions to the industry programme at next month’s Sundance Film Festival: London (July 6-9).
All four will be speaking at the event, as will filmmakers Gurinder Chadha, Alice Lowe, Marianna Palka and Zeina Durra; composer Nainita Desai; and Screen Star of Tomorrow 2021 casting director Heather Basten.
Further new speakers include A24 executives Harpa Manku and Tom Lazenby; and Luane Gauer, SVP, international production and acquisitions at Black Bear International.
New BFI London Film Festival director Kristy Matheson, Elysian CEO Danny Perkins and producers Tristan Goligher and Mary Burke are among the recent additions to the industry programme at next month’s Sundance Film Festival: London (July 6-9).
All four will be speaking at the event, as will filmmakers Gurinder Chadha, Alice Lowe, Marianna Palka and Zeina Durra; composer Nainita Desai; and Screen Star of Tomorrow 2021 casting director Heather Basten.
Further new speakers include A24 executives Harpa Manku and Tom Lazenby; and Luane Gauer, SVP, international production and acquisitions at Black Bear International.
- 6/15/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Guests to attend include Harris Dickinson, Emilia Jones, Anton Corbijn.
New BFI London Film Festival director Kristy Matheson, Elysian CEO Danny Perkins and producers Tristan Goligher and Mary Burke are among the recent additions to the industry programme at next month’s Sundance Film Festival: London (July 6-9).
All four will be speaking at the event, as will filmmakers Gurinder Chadha, Alice Lowe, Marianna Palka and Zeina Durra; composer Nainita Desai; and Screen Star of Tomorrow 2021 casting director Heather Basten.
Further new speakers include A24 executives Harpa Manku and Tom Lazenby; and Luane Gauer, SVP, international production and acquisitions at Black Bear International.
New BFI London Film Festival director Kristy Matheson, Elysian CEO Danny Perkins and producers Tristan Goligher and Mary Burke are among the recent additions to the industry programme at next month’s Sundance Film Festival: London (July 6-9).
All four will be speaking at the event, as will filmmakers Gurinder Chadha, Alice Lowe, Marianna Palka and Zeina Durra; composer Nainita Desai; and Screen Star of Tomorrow 2021 casting director Heather Basten.
Further new speakers include A24 executives Harpa Manku and Tom Lazenby; and Luane Gauer, SVP, international production and acquisitions at Black Bear International.
- 6/15/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria will enable Institute to expand support to federally and non-federally recognised California-based tribes.
Sundance Institute has received the largest endowment gift in its history in the form of a $4m gift to its Indigenous Program from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (Figr).
The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria | Sundance Institute Endowment will provide support for Indigenous artists from California-based tribes who are both federally and non-federally recognised, enabling the Institute to expand what it already offers to artists through the Indigenous Program.
The endowment will create a new fellowship for emerging and mid-career Indigenous...
Sundance Institute has received the largest endowment gift in its history in the form of a $4m gift to its Indigenous Program from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (Figr).
The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria | Sundance Institute Endowment will provide support for Indigenous artists from California-based tribes who are both federally and non-federally recognised, enabling the Institute to expand what it already offers to artists through the Indigenous Program.
The endowment will create a new fellowship for emerging and mid-career Indigenous...
- 6/14/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Is Take That back for good?
“Greatest Days” — the screen adaptation of the British pop act’s stage musical “The Band” — has unveiled its first trailer, with a U.K. and Ireland release date set for June 16.
News of the movie’s release comes just a week after the band was revealed as one of the acts set for King Charles’ coronation concert next month.
The group will also perform at a London premiere for “Greatest Days” on June 15. The performance will be broadcast alongside previews of the movie, which will screen at cinemas around the country on June 15.
Starring Aisling Bea (“The Way Up”), Alice Lowe (“Black Mirror”), Jayde Adams (“The Outlaws”) and Amaka Okafor (“The Responder”), “Greatest Days” follows five best friends who have the night of their lives seeing their favorite boy band in concert.
Twenty-five years later, their lives have changed in many different ways as...
“Greatest Days” — the screen adaptation of the British pop act’s stage musical “The Band” — has unveiled its first trailer, with a U.K. and Ireland release date set for June 16.
News of the movie’s release comes just a week after the band was revealed as one of the acts set for King Charles’ coronation concert next month.
The group will also perform at a London premiere for “Greatest Days” on June 15. The performance will be broadcast alongside previews of the movie, which will screen at cinemas around the country on June 15.
Starring Aisling Bea (“The Way Up”), Alice Lowe (“Black Mirror”), Jayde Adams (“The Outlaws”) and Amaka Okafor (“The Responder”), “Greatest Days” follows five best friends who have the night of their lives seeing their favorite boy band in concert.
Twenty-five years later, their lives have changed in many different ways as...
- 4/20/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
French sales powerhouse company Wild Bunch International (Wbi) and Studiocanal UK have embarked on a legal battle in the U.K. High Court over rights to Studio Ghibli films in the territory.
Studiocanal UK has taken issue with the 2019 Netflix deal brokered by Wbi giving the platform worldwide streaming rights to much of the Studio Ghibli catalogue.
In a legal claim filed on November 3, the company says the accord had impacted its ability to exploit 15 Studio Ghibli titles in the U.K., included in a home entertainment deal signed in 2015, and renewed in 2017.
The 2019 Netflix deal for worldwide rights (excluding North America and Japan) to 21 Studio Ghibli titles was seen as ground-breaking at that time.
Up until that point, Studio Ghibli films had only been available theatrically and then via DVD, Blu-Ray, or terrestrial broadcast, because co-founders Hayao Miyazaki, late Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki had refused to sell the digital rights on a territory-by-territory basis.
Studiocanal UK has taken issue with the 2019 Netflix deal brokered by Wbi giving the platform worldwide streaming rights to much of the Studio Ghibli catalogue.
In a legal claim filed on November 3, the company says the accord had impacted its ability to exploit 15 Studio Ghibli titles in the U.K., included in a home entertainment deal signed in 2015, and renewed in 2017.
The 2019 Netflix deal for worldwide rights (excluding North America and Japan) to 21 Studio Ghibli titles was seen as ground-breaking at that time.
Up until that point, Studio Ghibli films had only been available theatrically and then via DVD, Blu-Ray, or terrestrial broadcast, because co-founders Hayao Miyazaki, late Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki had refused to sell the digital rights on a territory-by-territory basis.
- 12/21/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Roll up, roll up, Insiders. The Deadline International team have once again been travelling the world to bring you the latest news and analysis from the global film and TV biz, with Mel and Zac both in the Middle East. Max and I actually found the TV world descending on London for once, so we didn’t have to go so far for access. Read on.
London Calling
Jana Winograde
Tighten those belts: Straight over to Max Goldbart with this report — As news emerged repeatedly of mass layoffs at a wealth of legacy U.S. media companies this week, some of the most senior execs in the business were facing tricky questions about the economic headwinds at the Content London event in the UK’s capital. “Belt tightening is coming,” according to Showtime Entertainment President Jana Winograde, who teased her Paramount-owned network’s approach to the global macroeconomic crisis:...
London Calling
Jana Winograde
Tighten those belts: Straight over to Max Goldbart with this report — As news emerged repeatedly of mass layoffs at a wealth of legacy U.S. media companies this week, some of the most senior execs in the business were facing tricky questions about the economic headwinds at the Content London event in the UK’s capital. “Belt tightening is coming,” according to Showtime Entertainment President Jana Winograde, who teased her Paramount-owned network’s approach to the global macroeconomic crisis:...
- 12/2/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Universal starts ‘Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris’, Curzon has ‘Flux Gourmet’.
Paramount horror Smile heads the new releases at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend, looking to benefit from a marketing campaign that has combined innovative and traditional methods.
US filmmaker Parker Finn’s feature debut is adapted from the idea used in his 2020 short Laura Hasn’t Slept, which won a special jury award at SXSW.
Opening in 518 sites, Smile stars Sosie Bacon as a doctor who witnesses a traumatic incident involving a patient; then begins to experience frightening occurrences that she can’t explain, involving smiling faces. Kyle Gallner,...
Paramount horror Smile heads the new releases at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend, looking to benefit from a marketing campaign that has combined innovative and traditional methods.
US filmmaker Parker Finn’s feature debut is adapted from the idea used in his 2020 short Laura Hasn’t Slept, which won a special jury award at SXSW.
Opening in 518 sites, Smile stars Sosie Bacon as a doctor who witnesses a traumatic incident involving a patient; then begins to experience frightening occurrences that she can’t explain, involving smiling faces. Kyle Gallner,...
- 9/30/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
The challenge and opportunity of transatlantic production was the subject of a session at the Zurich Summit this morning, with the panel comprising Bert Hamelinck, head of films and global MD at Belgian-u.S. film and TV group Caviar, CAA Media Finance’s Benjamin Kramer, Elysian Film Group CEO Danny Perkins and Hype Studios founder Ilya Stewart.
Russian producer Stewart is riding high with latest production Sanctuary, which this week sold to Neon label Super for the US. The genre film, starring Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott, is an example of a US-European collaboration.
“Sanctuary started out with Rumble Films in the U.S. We came aboard with French sales firm Charades, putting together pre-sales and equity. It was a relatively low-budget and a great festival premiere was essential.”
The movie world-premiered at Toronto, where it earned strong reviews (it currently holds a 93 “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes).
Stewart acknowledged...
Russian producer Stewart is riding high with latest production Sanctuary, which this week sold to Neon label Super for the US. The genre film, starring Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott, is an example of a US-European collaboration.
“Sanctuary started out with Rumble Films in the U.S. We came aboard with French sales firm Charades, putting together pre-sales and equity. It was a relatively low-budget and a great festival premiere was essential.”
The movie world-premiered at Toronto, where it earned strong reviews (it currently holds a 93 “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes).
Stewart acknowledged...
- 9/24/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Former Lionsgate film chief Patrick Wachsberger, Carol producer Christine Vachon, Neon CEO Tom Quinn and SPC bosses Michael Barker and Tom Bernard will be among industry executives taking part in the Zurich Summit on Saturday in Switzerland.
The Zurich Film Festival’s flagship industry event, an all-day confab about the state of the independent film business, will gather around 100 top film professionals. Scroll down for the lineup and schedule in full.
For a full rundown of the day’s schedule click here.
As the Zurich Summit’s official media partner, Deadline will be on the ground covering and moderating panels, as well as providing exclusive interviews with key executives via the Deadline Studio. We’ll also have video from key panels.
The conference kicks off with the discussion “How to Finance Independent Films in the Age of Streamers” and a panel comprising UTA agent Alex Brunner, Memento International/Paradise City CEO Emilie Georges,...
The Zurich Film Festival’s flagship industry event, an all-day confab about the state of the independent film business, will gather around 100 top film professionals. Scroll down for the lineup and schedule in full.
For a full rundown of the day’s schedule click here.
As the Zurich Summit’s official media partner, Deadline will be on the ground covering and moderating panels, as well as providing exclusive interviews with key executives via the Deadline Studio. We’ll also have video from key panels.
The conference kicks off with the discussion “How to Finance Independent Films in the Age of Streamers” and a panel comprising UTA agent Alex Brunner, Memento International/Paradise City CEO Emilie Georges,...
- 9/23/2022
- by The Deadline Team
- Deadline Film + TV
Events include the inaugural Creative Investors’ Conference, a panel on crisis in streaming and a focus on Serbia.
The 70th San Sebastian International Film Festival (September 16-24) will mark a return to full form for its industry programme, with a higher industry attendance expected than ever before and the inaugural edition of the much-anticipated Creative Investors’ conference.
Some 2,009 industry delegates will attend in-person, with 1,956 on site, and just 53 participating online as the festival continues to offer an online-only industry accreditation.
Last year, 1,625 delegates from industry attended, with 140 participating online – a time when strict Covid restrictions were in-place, including mandatory mask wearing,...
The 70th San Sebastian International Film Festival (September 16-24) will mark a return to full form for its industry programme, with a higher industry attendance expected than ever before and the inaugural edition of the much-anticipated Creative Investors’ conference.
Some 2,009 industry delegates will attend in-person, with 1,956 on site, and just 53 participating online as the festival continues to offer an online-only industry accreditation.
Last year, 1,625 delegates from industry attended, with 140 participating online – a time when strict Covid restrictions were in-place, including mandatory mask wearing,...
- 9/16/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
The San Sebastian International Film Festival has long been one of the Spanish-speaking world’s most prominent film festivals and as the 70th edition of the festival is nearly underway, the much-loved European event has looked to beef up its industry components in a bid to attract a wider pool of delegates, notably from North America.
This year will see the launch of the new San Sebastian Festival Creative Investors’ Conference, which is co-organized with CAA Media Finance. The two-day conference, which runs September 19-20, will see a host of top global industry execs from companies such as 30West, A24, Anonymous Content, Focus Features, Mubi, Neon, Netflix and Wild Bunch International among others, touch down in the Basque Country.
“Something we’ve had in mind for some years now is to improve and enlarge our industry activities,” festival director José Luis Rebordinos tells Deadline, who says the initiative was organised...
This year will see the launch of the new San Sebastian Festival Creative Investors’ Conference, which is co-organized with CAA Media Finance. The two-day conference, which runs September 19-20, will see a host of top global industry execs from companies such as 30West, A24, Anonymous Content, Focus Features, Mubi, Neon, Netflix and Wild Bunch International among others, touch down in the Basque Country.
“Something we’ve had in mind for some years now is to improve and enlarge our industry activities,” festival director José Luis Rebordinos tells Deadline, who says the initiative was organised...
- 9/13/2022
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Karl Spoerri, Viviana Vezzani and Tobias Gutzwiller are officially launching production label Zurich Avenue, which will sit under the banner of their finance company SPG3.
Based in Zurich and LA, the production-specific label will focus on film and TV and currently has ten English and German-language projects in different stages of production.
Among the slate is Bill Pohlad’s Venice Film Festival title Dreamin’ Wild, which stars Casey Affleck, Zooey Deschanel, Walton Goggins, Chris Messina, Noah Jupe, Jack Dylan Grazer and Beau Bridges, and tells the true story of musicians Donnie and Joe Emerson.
Pic was produced in partnership with River Road Entertainment and Innisfree Pictures while SPG3 co-financed with River Road. Kim Roth, Bill Pohlad, Jim Burke, Karl Spoerri and Viviana Vezzani served as producers.
Currently in production are Greatest Days and Nyad. Coky Giederoic directs the former, the big screen adaptation of UK comedy musical The Band,...
Based in Zurich and LA, the production-specific label will focus on film and TV and currently has ten English and German-language projects in different stages of production.
Among the slate is Bill Pohlad’s Venice Film Festival title Dreamin’ Wild, which stars Casey Affleck, Zooey Deschanel, Walton Goggins, Chris Messina, Noah Jupe, Jack Dylan Grazer and Beau Bridges, and tells the true story of musicians Donnie and Joe Emerson.
Pic was produced in partnership with River Road Entertainment and Innisfree Pictures while SPG3 co-financed with River Road. Kim Roth, Bill Pohlad, Jim Burke, Karl Spoerri and Viviana Vezzani served as producers.
Currently in production are Greatest Days and Nyad. Coky Giederoic directs the former, the big screen adaptation of UK comedy musical The Band,...
- 8/31/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Films presented include Baltasar Kormákur’s Whaleman (At The Ends Of The Earth) and Gerardo Herrero’s Raqqa.
Executives from Wild Bunch, A24, Netflix and Focus Features are among those who will attend the inaugural two-day Creative Investors’ conference taking place at the San Sebastian International Film Festival (Ssiff), organised in collaboration with CAA Media and running from September 19-20.
Participants will include A24 Europe’s head of film and head of TV, respectively, Rose Garnett and Piers Wenger; Netflix’s head of international original film Teresa Moneo; Focus Features’ president of production and acquisitions Kiska Higgs; Mubi’s VP...
Executives from Wild Bunch, A24, Netflix and Focus Features are among those who will attend the inaugural two-day Creative Investors’ conference taking place at the San Sebastian International Film Festival (Ssiff), organised in collaboration with CAA Media and running from September 19-20.
Participants will include A24 Europe’s head of film and head of TV, respectively, Rose Garnett and Piers Wenger; Netflix’s head of international original film Teresa Moneo; Focus Features’ president of production and acquisitions Kiska Higgs; Mubi’s VP...
- 8/23/2022
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Co-organized with CAA Media Finance, a new San Sebastian Festival Creative Investors’ Conference will see many of the good and great of the international film business descend on September’s fest edition to be pitched 10 higher-budget Spanish movies by their producers.
The Conference will run Sept.19-20. In a cosmopolitan lineup, titles pitched include international co-productions such as “Whalemen (At the Ends of the Earth)” from “Everest” director Baltasar Kormákur as well as the latest from “Amama” helmer Asier Altuna and “Raqa,” from Gerardo Herrero, an Academy Award wining producer for “The Secret in Their Eyes.”
The conference’s high-profile international investors, producers, agents and executives take in Mubi’s Bobby Allen, Piers Wenger at A24 Europe, Focus Features’s Kiska Higgs, 30West’s Trevor Groth, Vincent Maraval at Wild Bunch International and Netflix’s Teresa Moneo.
Also confirmed are the Elysian Film Group’s Danny Perkins, Neon CEO Tom Quinn,...
The Conference will run Sept.19-20. In a cosmopolitan lineup, titles pitched include international co-productions such as “Whalemen (At the Ends of the Earth)” from “Everest” director Baltasar Kormákur as well as the latest from “Amama” helmer Asier Altuna and “Raqa,” from Gerardo Herrero, an Academy Award wining producer for “The Secret in Their Eyes.”
The conference’s high-profile international investors, producers, agents and executives take in Mubi’s Bobby Allen, Piers Wenger at A24 Europe, Focus Features’s Kiska Higgs, 30West’s Trevor Groth, Vincent Maraval at Wild Bunch International and Netflix’s Teresa Moneo.
Also confirmed are the Elysian Film Group’s Danny Perkins, Neon CEO Tom Quinn,...
- 8/23/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Short Film
Ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20, Unhcr, the Un Refugee Agency has released “Uprooted,” a powerful short film featuring and made by Ukrainian refugees now living in Germany. The film shows loud noises – a door slamming, the sirens of an ambulance, the bangs of a firework display – and how they can trigger terrifying memories of war. Some 50 refugees from Ukraine, including writers, choreographers, designers, casting producers, styling assistants, set dressing, make up, music and all the talent featured in the film, were involved in the project.
“Uprooted”, released Monday on Unhcr’s social media platforms, is being shown in select cinemas across the U.K. It was directed by Stink Films’ Andzej Gavriss who wrote the concept with Ukrainian choreographer, Konstantin Koval and Don’t Panic London’s creative partner, Rick Dodds. Production took place in Berlin, Germany.
Unhcr spokesperson, Joung-Ah Ghedini-Williams said: “The Ukrainian refugee cast...
Ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20, Unhcr, the Un Refugee Agency has released “Uprooted,” a powerful short film featuring and made by Ukrainian refugees now living in Germany. The film shows loud noises – a door slamming, the sirens of an ambulance, the bangs of a firework display – and how they can trigger terrifying memories of war. Some 50 refugees from Ukraine, including writers, choreographers, designers, casting producers, styling assistants, set dressing, make up, music and all the talent featured in the film, were involved in the project.
“Uprooted”, released Monday on Unhcr’s social media platforms, is being shown in select cinemas across the U.K. It was directed by Stink Films’ Andzej Gavriss who wrote the concept with Ukrainian choreographer, Konstantin Koval and Don’t Panic London’s creative partner, Rick Dodds. Production took place in Berlin, Germany.
Unhcr spokesperson, Joung-Ah Ghedini-Williams said: “The Ukrainian refugee cast...
- 6/13/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Beyond ‘Greatest Days’, Perkins has nine projects in development as part of Mews Films label
Danny Perkins is in Cannes, and he’s brought the remaining members of Take That with him. The Elysian Film Group founder and the band are introducing the first footage to buyers of Greatest Days, a musical set to the songs of Take That, based on the stage show The Band.
Greatest Days is the first title to come from Perkins’ Elysian Film Group, the production and distribution outfit he launched in 2018, following his departure as CEO from Studiocanal UK. After an 18-month delay owing to Covid,...
Danny Perkins is in Cannes, and he’s brought the remaining members of Take That with him. The Elysian Film Group founder and the band are introducing the first footage to buyers of Greatest Days, a musical set to the songs of Take That, based on the stage show The Band.
Greatest Days is the first title to come from Perkins’ Elysian Film Group, the production and distribution outfit he launched in 2018, following his departure as CEO from Studiocanal UK. After an 18-month delay owing to Covid,...
- 5/19/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Take That heart-throbs Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen are gearing up to conquer Cannes on Wednesday, the first time they’ve visited during the film festival. Let’s Pray that the sun will Shine and it will be their Greatest Day.
Fans of the (now middle-aged) boy band will know that Pray, Shine and Greatest Day are amongst the group’s biggest hits. It seems as if they wrote A Million Love Songs (that’s another one) that have stood the test of time since they formed over three decades ago.
The three remaining members of the band – Robbie Williams and Jason Orange do their own thing – will kick up their trendy trainers on the Majestic Pier to launch the exuberant promo for film Greatest Days, about a Take That -inspired 1990s boy band and the lives of five 16 year old girls who are obsessed with them.
Fans of the (now middle-aged) boy band will know that Pray, Shine and Greatest Day are amongst the group’s biggest hits. It seems as if they wrote A Million Love Songs (that’s another one) that have stood the test of time since they formed over three decades ago.
The three remaining members of the band – Robbie Williams and Jason Orange do their own thing – will kick up their trendy trainers on the Majestic Pier to launch the exuberant promo for film Greatest Days, about a Take That -inspired 1990s boy band and the lives of five 16 year old girls who are obsessed with them.
- 5/16/2022
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
US producer Christine Vachon has been confirmed as keynote speaker.
Sundance Film Festival: London, the UK offshoot of Sundance, is to host its first industry programme, running concurrently with the festival at Picturehouse Central from June 9-12.
Industry passholders will have exclusive access to talks, events, round-table meetings, keynote speeches, masterclasses, panel discussions and daily networking drinks. Passholders will also have access to three public screenings of their choice.
“Sundance Film Festival: London has had industry talks and events in the past, but it’s great to formalise it and make it a real strand that offers the industry more,...
Sundance Film Festival: London, the UK offshoot of Sundance, is to host its first industry programme, running concurrently with the festival at Picturehouse Central from June 9-12.
Industry passholders will have exclusive access to talks, events, round-table meetings, keynote speeches, masterclasses, panel discussions and daily networking drinks. Passholders will also have access to three public screenings of their choice.
“Sundance Film Festival: London has had industry talks and events in the past, but it’s great to formalise it and make it a real strand that offers the industry more,...
- 4/13/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Relight My Fire! It required a little Patience but Take That movie Greatest Days, which will star Aisling Bea, has set its cast and financiers ahead of shoot next month. The question now is: Could It Be Magic?
Cast confirmed for the feel-good UK comedy-musical includes comedian and 2020 BAFTA winner Bea (This Way Up), Alice Lowe (Black Mirror), Amaka Okafor (The Responder), Jayde Adams (Serious Black Jumper), Marc Wootton (Nativity), Lara McDonnell (Belfast), Jessie Mae Alonzo (Little Joe), Nandi Hudson (Army of Thieves), Carragon Guest and Eliza Dobson.
The film’s boy band, modeled on Take That, will comprise newcomers Aaron Bryan, Dalvin Cory, Joshua Jung, Mark Samaras and Mervin Noronha.
Bron Releasing has boarded worldwide sales on the project, which heralds from Danny Perkins’ Elysian Film Group. Filming is set to get underway next month on location in London, Lancashire (Clitheroe) and Athens.
Karl Spoerri and Viviana Vezzani...
Cast confirmed for the feel-good UK comedy-musical includes comedian and 2020 BAFTA winner Bea (This Way Up), Alice Lowe (Black Mirror), Amaka Okafor (The Responder), Jayde Adams (Serious Black Jumper), Marc Wootton (Nativity), Lara McDonnell (Belfast), Jessie Mae Alonzo (Little Joe), Nandi Hudson (Army of Thieves), Carragon Guest and Eliza Dobson.
The film’s boy band, modeled on Take That, will comprise newcomers Aaron Bryan, Dalvin Cory, Joshua Jung, Mark Samaras and Mervin Noronha.
Bron Releasing has boarded worldwide sales on the project, which heralds from Danny Perkins’ Elysian Film Group. Filming is set to get underway next month on location in London, Lancashire (Clitheroe) and Athens.
Karl Spoerri and Viviana Vezzani...
- 3/24/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Senior producers and distributors took to the stage at the Zurich Summit to debate the future of film distribution.
Amid the rise of the streamers, collapsing theatrical windows and the shuttering of cinemas during the pandemic, they stressed the need for flexibility when planning the best way to release movies.
Danny Perkins, the CEO and founder of Elysian Film Group, said: “There’s more change than ever. There is flux. There’s a need to be flexible within it. Because if something’s rigid, like a former theatrical window, it’s only going to break.”
Perkins added: “It’s very hard to see, but there’s definitely opportunity in distribution.”
The panel, which was hosted by CAA agent Maren Olson, also debated how independent financiers and distributors could compete with the resources and reach of the global streamers.
Fears of a concentration of power in the hands of the streamers...
Amid the rise of the streamers, collapsing theatrical windows and the shuttering of cinemas during the pandemic, they stressed the need for flexibility when planning the best way to release movies.
Danny Perkins, the CEO and founder of Elysian Film Group, said: “There’s more change than ever. There is flux. There’s a need to be flexible within it. Because if something’s rigid, like a former theatrical window, it’s only going to break.”
Perkins added: “It’s very hard to see, but there’s definitely opportunity in distribution.”
The panel, which was hosted by CAA agent Maren Olson, also debated how independent financiers and distributors could compete with the resources and reach of the global streamers.
Fears of a concentration of power in the hands of the streamers...
- 9/30/2021
- by Tim Dams
- Variety Film + TV
Of all the topics raised during this year’s Zurich Summit, the fact that talent now sometimes favor a streaming release over a theatrical one provoked the most debate.
“There are some actors who don’t want to go theatrical, even though it could succeed, they’d rather go on Netflix,” said Dan Steinman Co-President and COO at 30West, echoing a comment made earlier in the day by MGM’s Pamela Abdy and Michael de Luca.
“They’d rather not have the pressure of opening weekend, sometimes it is for bottom line reasons, other times psychological reasons. Some people want to play in this new sandbox [of streaming]. This is a new phenomenon but a strong one, we have to contend with it,” Steinman added.
Robert Walak, President of Anonymous Content Studios, shared a similar experience. “For me the most shocking thing filmmakers now say is they’d rather go to a...
“There are some actors who don’t want to go theatrical, even though it could succeed, they’d rather go on Netflix,” said Dan Steinman Co-President and COO at 30West, echoing a comment made earlier in the day by MGM’s Pamela Abdy and Michael de Luca.
“They’d rather not have the pressure of opening weekend, sometimes it is for bottom line reasons, other times psychological reasons. Some people want to play in this new sandbox [of streaming]. This is a new phenomenon but a strong one, we have to contend with it,” Steinman added.
Robert Walak, President of Anonymous Content Studios, shared a similar experience. “For me the most shocking thing filmmakers now say is they’d rather go to a...
- 9/25/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
MGM Motion Picture Group president Pamela Abdy and chairman Michael De Luca are to open the Zurich Summit on Saturday with a keynote conversation with CAA Media Finance co-head Roeg Sutherland.
Billed as a boutique conference, the two-day Summit gathers around 100 film producers, sales executives and creators in film, TV and entertainment as well as technology entrepreneurs and financiers at The Dolder Grand.
The first day of the Summit features keynotes and panel sessions, while the second day includes networking activities such as a tennis tournament, a barbecue and a dinner.
Head of Zff Industry Reta Guetg says Zurich deliberately opts for a boutique feel to its Summit where people “have input on Saturday, and fun on Sunday and in the evenings” to create a point of difference with other major events in the festival and market calendar. The idea is to create an atmosphere where execs and creatives can...
Billed as a boutique conference, the two-day Summit gathers around 100 film producers, sales executives and creators in film, TV and entertainment as well as technology entrepreneurs and financiers at The Dolder Grand.
The first day of the Summit features keynotes and panel sessions, while the second day includes networking activities such as a tennis tournament, a barbecue and a dinner.
Head of Zff Industry Reta Guetg says Zurich deliberately opts for a boutique feel to its Summit where people “have input on Saturday, and fun on Sunday and in the evenings” to create a point of difference with other major events in the festival and market calendar. The idea is to create an atmosphere where execs and creatives can...
- 9/22/2021
- by Tim Dams
- Variety Film + TV
The Disney title will aim to shift ‘Peter Rabbit 2’ from the top spot.
Disney’s Cruella becomes the first title to debut in over 500 locations since UK cinemas reopened, as the number of releases grows following last weekend’s strong box office showing.
There are 10 new films debuting in UK cinemas today, plus an additional one which opened on Wednesday. This is up on the five that opened last Friday; at least 11 films did come out on Monday 17 when cinemas reopened, although several of these had previously been released on VoD during the shutdown.
Cruella will be available on...
Disney’s Cruella becomes the first title to debut in over 500 locations since UK cinemas reopened, as the number of releases grows following last weekend’s strong box office showing.
There are 10 new films debuting in UK cinemas today, plus an additional one which opened on Wednesday. This is up on the five that opened last Friday; at least 11 films did come out on Monday 17 when cinemas reopened, although several of these had previously been released on VoD during the shutdown.
Cruella will be available on...
- 5/28/2021
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Golden Globe-winner Idris Elba and Riviera and Kick-Ass producer Kris Thykier are entering into a joint venture that will see their respective production companies, Elba’s Green Door Pictures and Thykier’s Archery Pictures, working together on multiple film and TV projects.
Through the new partnership with Archery, UK outfit Green Door hopes to ramp up its development and production slate following on from Sky comedy series In The Long Run and upcoming Netflix feature Concrete Cowboy, both starring Luther and Hobbs & Shaw actor Elba. The company is soon due to begin production on BBC non-scripted series Fight School, co-produced with WorkerBee.
London-based Archery is currently in post-production on war movie Operation Mincemeat starring Colin Firth, new fantasy series Fate: The Winx Saga for Netflix, and the third season of Sky Atlantic’s hit drama Riviera.
Elba said: “I’m excited to begin a partnership with Kris on upcoming film...
Through the new partnership with Archery, UK outfit Green Door hopes to ramp up its development and production slate following on from Sky comedy series In The Long Run and upcoming Netflix feature Concrete Cowboy, both starring Luther and Hobbs & Shaw actor Elba. The company is soon due to begin production on BBC non-scripted series Fight School, co-produced with WorkerBee.
London-based Archery is currently in post-production on war movie Operation Mincemeat starring Colin Firth, new fantasy series Fate: The Winx Saga for Netflix, and the third season of Sky Atlantic’s hit drama Riviera.
Elba said: “I’m excited to begin a partnership with Kris on upcoming film...
- 1/11/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
British star and producer Idris Elba’s Green Door Pictures and BAFTA-nominated producer Kris Thykier’s Archery Pictures are entering a multi-year joint venture to work together on select future film and TV projects.
Thykier was BAFTA-nominated for “The State” and “Trash.” Archery recently completed production on fantasy series “Fate: The Winx Saga” for Netflix, the third season of Sky Atlantic’s top-rated “Riviera,” and John Madden’s feature “Operation Mincemeat,” starring Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyen and Kelly Macdonald.
Green Door’s comedy series “In the Long Run” had a successful run on pay TV operator Sky, and the company’s Netflix-acquired feature film “Concrete Cowboy” is due a Spring 2021 premiere. Green Door is also due to begin production on the BBC non-scripted series “Fight School,” co-produced with WorkerBee. Through the partnership with Archery, Green Door intends to ramp up its development and production capabilities in keeping with its current growth trajectory.
Thykier was BAFTA-nominated for “The State” and “Trash.” Archery recently completed production on fantasy series “Fate: The Winx Saga” for Netflix, the third season of Sky Atlantic’s top-rated “Riviera,” and John Madden’s feature “Operation Mincemeat,” starring Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyen and Kelly Macdonald.
Green Door’s comedy series “In the Long Run” had a successful run on pay TV operator Sky, and the company’s Netflix-acquired feature film “Concrete Cowboy” is due a Spring 2021 premiere. Green Door is also due to begin production on the BBC non-scripted series “Fight School,” co-produced with WorkerBee. Through the partnership with Archery, Green Door intends to ramp up its development and production capabilities in keeping with its current growth trajectory.
- 1/11/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Evidence the sector is well-positioned to thrive in a post-pandemic, SVoD-driven market.
Producers dependent on UK independent distributors to finance their work and get it into cinemas have had a particularly anxious year. The pandemic has acclimatised audiences to watching films at home rather than in a cinema, and there have been major changes at some of the companies renowned for their commitment to the local film sector.
Zygi Kamasa has left Lionsgate UK, the company he co-founded as Redbus in 1997. Under Kamasa, Lionsgate UK was a staunch supporter of UK film, backing titles such as Bend It Like Beckham,...
Producers dependent on UK independent distributors to finance their work and get it into cinemas have had a particularly anxious year. The pandemic has acclimatised audiences to watching films at home rather than in a cinema, and there have been major changes at some of the companies renowned for their commitment to the local film sector.
Zygi Kamasa has left Lionsgate UK, the company he co-founded as Redbus in 1997. Under Kamasa, Lionsgate UK was a staunch supporter of UK film, backing titles such as Bend It Like Beckham,...
- 12/10/2020
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
Nick McKay has joined Elysian Film Group Distribution as head of distribution, while the company has acquired Studio Ghibli’s “Earwig and the Witch,” its first project for U.K. theatrical release.
McKay was previously head of distribution at Picturehouse Entertainment, where he worked on a theatrical and home entertainment slate including “The Wife,” “The Party” and “God’s Own Country.”
One of McKay’s first tasks at Elysian will be the early 2021 U.K. release of “Earwig and the Witch,” which Elysian acquired from Wild Bunch International. Based on the children’s novel of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones, the film is the iconic animation studio’s first entirely 3Dcg animated film. The film is directed by Goro Miyazaki and produced by studio co-founder Toshio Suzuki with planning from his father, Oscar winner Hayao Miyazaki.
The film, which was chosen earlier this year as part of the 2020 Cannes Film Festival Official Selection,...
McKay was previously head of distribution at Picturehouse Entertainment, where he worked on a theatrical and home entertainment slate including “The Wife,” “The Party” and “God’s Own Country.”
One of McKay’s first tasks at Elysian will be the early 2021 U.K. release of “Earwig and the Witch,” which Elysian acquired from Wild Bunch International. Based on the children’s novel of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones, the film is the iconic animation studio’s first entirely 3Dcg animated film. The film is directed by Goro Miyazaki and produced by studio co-founder Toshio Suzuki with planning from his father, Oscar winner Hayao Miyazaki.
The film, which was chosen earlier this year as part of the 2020 Cannes Film Festival Official Selection,...
- 12/3/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Archery Pictures, the U.K. outfit behind the Julia Stiles-fronted Sky Atlantic series “Riviera,” has teamed with Danny Perkins’ Elysian Film Group Distribution to form comedy label Mews Films.
Mews, a production label housed within Archery Pictures, will focus on developing a slate of comedy movies for the domestic U.K. theatrical market.
Kurban Kassam (pictured) joins as managing director of the new venture reporting into Archery Pictures CEO Kris Thykier, Perkins, chief operating officer Alex Marshall and creative director Judy Counihan. Development will be overseen by Archery Pictures, with Jon Champion acting as development co-ordinator in conjunction with Jed Benedict, Elysian’s head of development and acquisition.
Kassam’s producing credits include “The Party,” and he has also worked with a number of emerging directors through the Film London Microwave Scheme and iFeatures, producing “The Hungry”, which premiered at Toronto in 2017 and sold to Amazon Studios.
The multi-year...
Mews, a production label housed within Archery Pictures, will focus on developing a slate of comedy movies for the domestic U.K. theatrical market.
Kurban Kassam (pictured) joins as managing director of the new venture reporting into Archery Pictures CEO Kris Thykier, Perkins, chief operating officer Alex Marshall and creative director Judy Counihan. Development will be overseen by Archery Pictures, with Jon Champion acting as development co-ordinator in conjunction with Jed Benedict, Elysian’s head of development and acquisition.
Kassam’s producing credits include “The Party,” and he has also worked with a number of emerging directors through the Film London Microwave Scheme and iFeatures, producing “The Hungry”, which premiered at Toronto in 2017 and sold to Amazon Studios.
The multi-year...
- 11/11/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Kris Thykier’s Archery Pictures, which has credits including the upcoming Colin Firth-starring Mincemeat and Sky Atlantic series Riviera, is teaming with Elysian Film Group, the banner formed by ex Studiocanal UK boss Danny Perkins, to create a new label focused on producing comedy for the UK theatrical market.
Mews Films will be run by MD Kurban Kassam, who has credits including Sally Potter’s The Party. He will report into Thykier, Perkins and Alex Marshall, COO, and Judy Counihan, Creative Director of Archery Pictures. Development will be overseen by Archery Pictures, with Jon Champion acting as Development Co-Ordinator in conjunction with Jed Benedict, Elysian’s Head of Development and Acquisition.
A multi-year agreement has been struck for Archery and Elysian to provide development funding for established and emerging talent, with the aim of producing commercial comedy films for UK theatrical. The team say they will are looking to...
Mews Films will be run by MD Kurban Kassam, who has credits including Sally Potter’s The Party. He will report into Thykier, Perkins and Alex Marshall, COO, and Judy Counihan, Creative Director of Archery Pictures. Development will be overseen by Archery Pictures, with Jon Champion acting as Development Co-Ordinator in conjunction with Jed Benedict, Elysian’s Head of Development and Acquisition.
A multi-year agreement has been struck for Archery and Elysian to provide development funding for established and emerging talent, with the aim of producing commercial comedy films for UK theatrical. The team say they will are looking to...
- 11/11/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Top executives from the US and Europe gathered in Zurich.
The Zurich Summit, organised in the first weekend of the 16th Zurich Film Festival in Switzerland, brought together experts including CAA’s Roeg Sutherland, director Yann Demange, Pulse Films founder Thomas Benski, Film I Vast’s CEO Mikael Fellenius, Totem Films partner Agathe Valentin, Srg director general Gilles Marchand, Anton’s Cecile Gaget and Berlinale head Carlo Chatrian for the first in-person event of its kind during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the title Kick-Starting a New Era, the topics under discussion including the changing financing landscape, the rise of local-language content,...
The Zurich Summit, organised in the first weekend of the 16th Zurich Film Festival in Switzerland, brought together experts including CAA’s Roeg Sutherland, director Yann Demange, Pulse Films founder Thomas Benski, Film I Vast’s CEO Mikael Fellenius, Totem Films partner Agathe Valentin, Srg director general Gilles Marchand, Anton’s Cecile Gaget and Berlinale head Carlo Chatrian for the first in-person event of its kind during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the title Kick-Starting a New Era, the topics under discussion including the changing financing landscape, the rise of local-language content,...
- 9/28/2020
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
UK producer and executive Nicola Shindler, who most recently served as Chief Creative Officer of Studiocanal UK, is leaving the Euro studio to launch a scripted label within ITV Studios.
Based in Manchester, the label will see her develop and produce premium drama for the UK and international market. She will join and launch the label in 2021 with international distribution handled by ITV Studios.
Shindler is known for her work on series including Happy Valley, Last Tango In Halifax and Queer As Folk. She won her first of seven BAFTAs as producer on Hillsborough for ITV.
The respected producer joined Studiocanal in 2018 following the departure of long-time UK chief Danny Perkins. However, there was less room at the inn after the arrival of former eOne UK boss Alex Hamilton earlier this year, an appointment which saw Shindler’s role shift from UK CEO to UK Chief Creative Officer.
We’re...
Based in Manchester, the label will see her develop and produce premium drama for the UK and international market. She will join and launch the label in 2021 with international distribution handled by ITV Studios.
Shindler is known for her work on series including Happy Valley, Last Tango In Halifax and Queer As Folk. She won her first of seven BAFTAs as producer on Hillsborough for ITV.
The respected producer joined Studiocanal in 2018 following the departure of long-time UK chief Danny Perkins. However, there was less room at the inn after the arrival of former eOne UK boss Alex Hamilton earlier this year, an appointment which saw Shindler’s role shift from UK CEO to UK Chief Creative Officer.
We’re...
- 9/14/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Ruth Wilson (The Affair), Cush Jumbo (The Good Fight), and Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) are in negotiations to star in Greatest Days, the film adaptation of the hit stage musical The Band, about record-breaking UK pop group Take That.
Sierra/Affinity has come on board to handle international sales on the film and will be introducing it for the first time at this week’s Cannes virtual market. Domestic rights of the film are being handled by CAA Media Finance.
Inspired by the songs of Take That, one of the world’s biggest pop acts, the feel-good film has been developed with the support of Universal Music Group so will include a number of Take That songs. The story focuses on five schoolgirls who have the night of their lives at a concert from their favorite boy band. 25 years later their lives have changed in a myriad of ways...
Sierra/Affinity has come on board to handle international sales on the film and will be introducing it for the first time at this week’s Cannes virtual market. Domestic rights of the film are being handled by CAA Media Finance.
Inspired by the songs of Take That, one of the world’s biggest pop acts, the feel-good film has been developed with the support of Universal Music Group so will include a number of Take That songs. The story focuses on five schoolgirls who have the night of their lives at a concert from their favorite boy band. 25 years later their lives have changed in a myriad of ways...
- 6/23/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Ruth Wilson, Cush Jumbo and Rosamund Pike are in negotiations to star in Greatest Days, the film adaptation of the stage musical The Band.
Sierra/Affinity is shopping the music-driven project about the English boy band Take That to international buyers starting at the Cannes virtual market. Coky Giedroyc is directing Greatest Days from a script by Tim Firth.
Danny Perkins and Kate Solomon will produce alongside Damian Jones. Take That, David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers will executive produce the feel-good project.
"Greatest Days is a captivating story featuring the iconic music of Take That that we know will transport and resonate with audiences ...
Sierra/Affinity is shopping the music-driven project about the English boy band Take That to international buyers starting at the Cannes virtual market. Coky Giedroyc is directing Greatest Days from a script by Tim Firth.
Danny Perkins and Kate Solomon will produce alongside Damian Jones. Take That, David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers will executive produce the feel-good project.
"Greatest Days is a captivating story featuring the iconic music of Take That that we know will transport and resonate with audiences ...
- 6/23/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Ruth Wilson, Cush Jumbo and Rosamund Pike are in negotiations to star in Greatest Days, the film adaptation of the stage musical The Band.
Sierra/Affinity is shopping the music-driven project about the English boy band Take That to international buyers starting at the Cannes virtual market. Coky Giedroyc is directing Greatest Days from a script by Tim Firth.
Danny Perkins and Kate Solomon will produce alongside Damian Jones. Take That, David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers will executive produce the feel-good project.
"Greatest Days is a captivating story featuring the iconic music of Take That that we know will transport and resonate with audiences ...
Sierra/Affinity is shopping the music-driven project about the English boy band Take That to international buyers starting at the Cannes virtual market. Coky Giedroyc is directing Greatest Days from a script by Tim Firth.
Danny Perkins and Kate Solomon will produce alongside Damian Jones. Take That, David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers will executive produce the feel-good project.
"Greatest Days is a captivating story featuring the iconic music of Take That that we know will transport and resonate with audiences ...
- 6/23/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
First production will be musical ’Greatest Days’.
Elysian Film Group, the UK producer-distributor founded by former Sudiocanal CEO Danny Perkins, has appointed Jed Benedict as head of acquisitions and development.
Benedict previously worked with Perkins at Studiocanal, where he was most recently vice president of international acquisitions and production.
He joined Studiocanal in 2012 as senior acquisitions manager, acquiring David Mackenzie’s Hell Or High Water and Yeon Sang-ho’s Train To Busan for UK release among others.
Benedict began his career at John Schmidt’s production, distribution and sales company ContentFilm in 2008 where he worked for Jamie Carmichael as international...
Elysian Film Group, the UK producer-distributor founded by former Sudiocanal CEO Danny Perkins, has appointed Jed Benedict as head of acquisitions and development.
Benedict previously worked with Perkins at Studiocanal, where he was most recently vice president of international acquisitions and production.
He joined Studiocanal in 2012 as senior acquisitions manager, acquiring David Mackenzie’s Hell Or High Water and Yeon Sang-ho’s Train To Busan for UK release among others.
Benedict began his career at John Schmidt’s production, distribution and sales company ContentFilm in 2008 where he worked for Jamie Carmichael as international...
- 5/1/2020
- by 1100453¦Michael Rosser¦9¦
- ScreenDaily
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