When an estimated 1,000 international TV buyers descend on Los Angeles for the annual TV event known as the LA Screenings, they will see a contracted market still recovering from the twin Hollywood strikes of last year and, to a somewhat lesser extent, the pandemic.
It kicks off with the LA Screenings Independents, held May 15-17 for smaller studios and distributors at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel, which are then followed by screenings at the major studios’ respective lots across May 18-22 where they present their latest shows. They may also host a variety of events for their clients during those days, which may include cocktail receptions and luncheons or dinners with talent and executives.
While stalled projects ramped up as soon as the strikes ended, some delays were inevitable. “A couple of months ago I was wondering if we were going to be entertaining [buyers],” says Lisa Kramer, president, International Content Licensing,...
It kicks off with the LA Screenings Independents, held May 15-17 for smaller studios and distributors at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel, which are then followed by screenings at the major studios’ respective lots across May 18-22 where they present their latest shows. They may also host a variety of events for their clients during those days, which may include cocktail receptions and luncheons or dinners with talent and executives.
While stalled projects ramped up as soon as the strikes ended, some delays were inevitable. “A couple of months ago I was wondering if we were going to be entertaining [buyers],” says Lisa Kramer, president, International Content Licensing,...
- 5/14/2024
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Kicking off on May 15-17 with the LA Independents, with a heavyweight Spanish-language presence, the LA Screenings then host Hollywood studio presentations. To help cut through the slates, – especially at the LA Independents but including some big studio plays – here’s Variety’s pick of 20 top titles:
“The Americas,” (NBCU, BBC Studios)
Narrated by Tom Hanks, his first unscripted narrator gig, and billed as an epic natural history series from “Planet Earth” producer BBC Studios Natural History Unit in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio. Scored by two-time Oscar winner Hans Zimmer and using groundbreaking technology to reveal the continent’s natural wonders. Previewed at MipTV, in a presentation which was one of the biggest events of the whole market.
“Amia,” (Dori Media Group)
Unfolding against the background of the terror attacks of 1992 on the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires and in 1994 against Amia, the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association, the...
“The Americas,” (NBCU, BBC Studios)
Narrated by Tom Hanks, his first unscripted narrator gig, and billed as an epic natural history series from “Planet Earth” producer BBC Studios Natural History Unit in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio. Scored by two-time Oscar winner Hans Zimmer and using groundbreaking technology to reveal the continent’s natural wonders. Previewed at MipTV, in a presentation which was one of the biggest events of the whole market.
“Amia,” (Dori Media Group)
Unfolding against the background of the terror attacks of 1992 on the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires and in 1994 against Amia, the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association, the...
- 5/14/2024
- by John Hopewell and Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Jack Bannon (Pennyworth) and Douglas Henshall (Shetland, Who is Erin Carter?) are among a group of actors who have joined the drama series The Darkness, starring Oscar nominee Lena Olin (Enemies, A Love Story, Hunters, Chocolat, The Artist’s Wife, Hilma) and directed by Oscar nominee Lasse Hallström (Chocolat, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Hilma).
Also joining the cast of the six-episode English-language series, which is a co-production from CBS Studios and Icelandic production firm Truenorth with Stampede Ventures, are Björn Hlynur Haraldsson (A Gentleman in Moscow), Thorsteinn Bachmann (Katla), Þorvaldur Davíð Kristjánsson (The Minister), Tora Hallström (Hilma), Ahd Tamimi (River City) and Árni Þór Lárusson.
Principal photography is underway in Reykjavík, Iceland, with Paramount Global Content Distribution selling the series outside Iceland.
The series reunites Olin with director Hallström in his first foray into television. The project was first unveiled at Rome’s Mia Market in the fall.
Suzanne Crowley...
Also joining the cast of the six-episode English-language series, which is a co-production from CBS Studios and Icelandic production firm Truenorth with Stampede Ventures, are Björn Hlynur Haraldsson (A Gentleman in Moscow), Thorsteinn Bachmann (Katla), Þorvaldur Davíð Kristjánsson (The Minister), Tora Hallström (Hilma), Ahd Tamimi (River City) and Árni Þór Lárusson.
Principal photography is underway in Reykjavík, Iceland, with Paramount Global Content Distribution selling the series outside Iceland.
The series reunites Olin with director Hallström in his first foray into television. The project was first unveiled at Rome’s Mia Market in the fall.
Suzanne Crowley...
- 1/3/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Darkness is descending in Iceland.
Principal photography on the CBS Studios and Stampede Ventures’ six-part, English-language drama co-production for Icelandic telecoms and streaming company Síminn is underway in the country’s capital Reykjavík, and the cast has now rounded out.
Jack Bannon (Pennyworth), Douglas Henshall, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson (A Gentleman in Moscow), Thorsteinn Bachmann (Katla), Þorvaldur Davíð Kristjánsson (The Minister), Tora Hallström (Hilma), Ahd Tamimi (River City) and Árni Þór Lárusson have joined the cast, which Lena Olin is leading.
Suzanne Crowley and Gilly Poole are UK casting directors, with Tinna Aðalbjörndottir and Andrea Brabin in Reykavík covering casting for Iceland.
Based on the best-selling thriller series by Ragnar Jónasson, The Darkness follows Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir as she investigates a shocking murder case whilst coming to terms with her own personal traumas. Facing early retirement and forced to take on a new partner,...
Principal photography on the CBS Studios and Stampede Ventures’ six-part, English-language drama co-production for Icelandic telecoms and streaming company Síminn is underway in the country’s capital Reykjavík, and the cast has now rounded out.
Jack Bannon (Pennyworth), Douglas Henshall, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson (A Gentleman in Moscow), Thorsteinn Bachmann (Katla), Þorvaldur Davíð Kristjánsson (The Minister), Tora Hallström (Hilma), Ahd Tamimi (River City) and Árni Þór Lárusson have joined the cast, which Lena Olin is leading.
Suzanne Crowley and Gilly Poole are UK casting directors, with Tinna Aðalbjörndottir and Andrea Brabin in Reykavík covering casting for Iceland.
Based on the best-selling thriller series by Ragnar Jónasson, The Darkness follows Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir as she investigates a shocking murder case whilst coming to terms with her own personal traumas. Facing early retirement and forced to take on a new partner,...
- 1/3/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
English language series stars Lena Olin and will film in Iceland later this year.
Chocolat and The Cider House Rules director Lasse Hallstrom is making his first foray into TV drama series with Iceland-set mystery thriller The Darkness starring Lena Olin.
Based on the best-selling book by Icelandic author Ragnar Jónasson, the six-part English language series is a co-production between CBS Studios, Stampede Ventures and Iceland’s True North.
Icelandic broadcaster Síminn has boarded the project, which is being sold internationally by Paramount Global Content Distribution. The Darkness is written by Sam Shore, whose credits include Cbbc’s Mystic, and Jónasson serves as executive producer.
Chocolat and The Cider House Rules director Lasse Hallstrom is making his first foray into TV drama series with Iceland-set mystery thriller The Darkness starring Lena Olin.
Based on the best-selling book by Icelandic author Ragnar Jónasson, the six-part English language series is a co-production between CBS Studios, Stampede Ventures and Iceland’s True North.
Icelandic broadcaster Síminn has boarded the project, which is being sold internationally by Paramount Global Content Distribution. The Darkness is written by Sam Shore, whose credits include Cbbc’s Mystic, and Jónasson serves as executive producer.
- 10/12/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
CBS Studios is continuing its push into international drama.
The company is behind Icelandic series The Darkness, starring Enemies, A Love Story and Hunters star Lena Olin, for broadcaster Síminn.
Olin stars as Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir in the series, based on Ragnar Jónasson’s thriller book series. It follows Hermannsdóttir as she investigates a shocking murder case whilst coming to terms with her own personal traumas. Faced with an impending early retirement and forced to take on a new partner, Hulda is determined to find the killer, even if it means putting her own life in danger.
Sam Shore (Mystic) will write and Lasse Hallström will direct the six-part series. It is produced by CBS Studios and Stampede Ventures, as part of the two companies first-look deal, and Icelandic production company Truenorth. Jónasson serves as executive producer. The series will be distributed outside of Iceland by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
The company is behind Icelandic series The Darkness, starring Enemies, A Love Story and Hunters star Lena Olin, for broadcaster Síminn.
Olin stars as Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir in the series, based on Ragnar Jónasson’s thriller book series. It follows Hermannsdóttir as she investigates a shocking murder case whilst coming to terms with her own personal traumas. Faced with an impending early retirement and forced to take on a new partner, Hulda is determined to find the killer, even if it means putting her own life in danger.
Sam Shore (Mystic) will write and Lasse Hallström will direct the six-part series. It is produced by CBS Studios and Stampede Ventures, as part of the two companies first-look deal, and Icelandic production company Truenorth. Jónasson serves as executive producer. The series will be distributed outside of Iceland by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
- 10/12/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
CBS Studios on Thursday unveiled new premium drama series The Darkness, a co-production from CBS Studios and Icelandic production firm Truenorth and executive producers Stampede Ventures, starring Oscar nominee Lena Olin (Enemies, A Love Story, Hunters, Chocolat, The Artist’s Wife, Hilma), which Oscar nominee Lasse Hallström (Chocolat, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Hilma) is set to direct.
The English-language six-episode series will start shooting in Iceland later this year for local broadcaster Síminn. The series reunites Olin with director Hallström in his first foray into television. The project was announced at Rome’s Mia Market.
Based on the best-selling thriller series by Icelandic author Ragnar Jónasson, The Darkness follows Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir “as she investigates a shocking murder case whilst coming to terms with her own personal traumas,” according to a plot description. “Faced with an impending early retirement and forced to take on a new partner, Hulda is determined to find the killer,...
The English-language six-episode series will start shooting in Iceland later this year for local broadcaster Síminn. The series reunites Olin with director Hallström in his first foray into television. The project was announced at Rome’s Mia Market.
Based on the best-selling thriller series by Icelandic author Ragnar Jónasson, The Darkness follows Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir “as she investigates a shocking murder case whilst coming to terms with her own personal traumas,” according to a plot description. “Faced with an impending early retirement and forced to take on a new partner, Hulda is determined to find the killer,...
- 10/12/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
One decade after injecting their relentless and bold style into the Evil Dead franchise (I'm still in awe of the Abomination's blood rainstorm), director/co-writer Fede Alvarez and co-writer Rodo Sayagues are bringing their talents to the Alien franchise in 20th Century Studios' new film that begins production in Budapest on March 9th, and we have a look at the cast list and brief synopsis:
Press Release: Burbank, Calif. – 20th Century Studios’ new “Alien” film starring Cailee Spaeny (“Mare of Easttown”) will begin production in Budapest on March 9. Joining Spaeny in the cast are David Jonsson (“Industry”), Archie Renaux (“Shadow and Bone”), Isabela Merced (“Rosaline”), Spike Fearn (“The Batman”) and Aileen Wu (“Away from Home”). Fede Alvarez directs from a screenplay he wrote with his frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues. Ridley Scott, who directed the original “Alien” and produced and directed the series’ entries “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant,” and Michael Pruss...
Press Release: Burbank, Calif. – 20th Century Studios’ new “Alien” film starring Cailee Spaeny (“Mare of Easttown”) will begin production in Budapest on March 9. Joining Spaeny in the cast are David Jonsson (“Industry”), Archie Renaux (“Shadow and Bone”), Isabela Merced (“Rosaline”), Spike Fearn (“The Batman”) and Aileen Wu (“Away from Home”). Fede Alvarez directs from a screenplay he wrote with his frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues. Ridley Scott, who directed the original “Alien” and produced and directed the series’ entries “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant,” and Michael Pruss...
- 3/5/2023
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Kristen Stewart To Direct Scott Free’s Adaptation Of ‘The Chronology Of Water’ Starring Imogen Poots
Exclusive: After making her short-film directorial debut with Scott Free, Kristen Stewart is set to reunite with the banner for her feature directorial debut as she is set to direct The Chronology of Water, with Imogen Poots set to star. Stewart also will co-adapt the script with Andy Mingo, which is based on the memoir by Lidia Yuknavitch.
A Reader’s Choice Award winner at the 2012 Oregon Book Awards and finalist for the Pen Center USA Creative Nonfiction Award, the memoir is a lyrical journey through a life saved by art. A young woman finds her voice through the written word and her salvation as a swimmer – ultimately becoming a triumphant teacher, mother and a singular modern writer. A survivor’s story and a sexually abrasive and honest coming of age, the film is a physical memory wash of Yuknavitch’s inner life.
Related Story Cailee Spaeny Circling New ‘Alien...
A Reader’s Choice Award winner at the 2012 Oregon Book Awards and finalist for the Pen Center USA Creative Nonfiction Award, the memoir is a lyrical journey through a life saved by art. A young woman finds her voice through the written word and her salvation as a swimmer – ultimately becoming a triumphant teacher, mother and a singular modern writer. A survivor’s story and a sexually abrasive and honest coming of age, the film is a physical memory wash of Yuknavitch’s inner life.
Related Story Cailee Spaeny Circling New ‘Alien...
- 11/16/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Former Netflix executive Tania Zarak Quintana has joined Iceland’s Truenorth, one of the leading production services companies in the Nordics, as it looks to ramp up development of original content.
The production outfit is developing a slate of original shows including “Starlungar,” a 10-part series it’s dubbed “‘The Godfather’ of the 13th century” that follows four wealthy and powerful clans as they fight to gain power over Iceland, and “Eyland,” a dystopian series set in present-day Iceland that questions what would happen if communication with the rest of the world suddenly stopped.
Truenorth is also attached to co-produce a feature-film adaptation of bestselling Icelandic author Ragnar Jónasson’s thriller “Outside,” which was optioned by Scott Free Productions.
Quintana worked in 2018-19 as a manager in Netflix’s international originals division. In 2020, she relocated to Iceland due to the coronavirus pandemic. As VP of development, she’s been tapped...
The production outfit is developing a slate of original shows including “Starlungar,” a 10-part series it’s dubbed “‘The Godfather’ of the 13th century” that follows four wealthy and powerful clans as they fight to gain power over Iceland, and “Eyland,” a dystopian series set in present-day Iceland that questions what would happen if communication with the rest of the world suddenly stopped.
Truenorth is also attached to co-produce a feature-film adaptation of bestselling Icelandic author Ragnar Jónasson’s thriller “Outside,” which was optioned by Scott Free Productions.
Quintana worked in 2018-19 as a manager in Netflix’s international originals division. In 2020, she relocated to Iceland due to the coronavirus pandemic. As VP of development, she’s been tapped...
- 8/26/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Scott Free Productions has promoted Vera Meyer, Sam Roston and Rebecca Feuer and hired Avital Siegel to the company’s film division. The changes come at a busy time for the company as its founder, Ridley Scott, wraps production on his Napoleon film for Apple and the team preps an impressive slate of upcoming projects.
Roston has been upped to Senior VP of Film, Feuer has been promoted to VP of Film and TV, Meyer has been upped to Creative Exec of Film, and Siegel joins as Director of Development for Film.
Roston started at Scott Free in late 2015, where he served as a Director of Development and as a Vice President. He recently oversaw the development and production on Boston Strangler starring Keira Knightley, which is now in post-production for 20th Century Studios. Prior to that, Roston was a co-producer on Chase Palmer’s feature directorial debut Naked Singularity...
Roston has been upped to Senior VP of Film, Feuer has been promoted to VP of Film and TV, Meyer has been upped to Creative Exec of Film, and Siegel joins as Director of Development for Film.
Roston started at Scott Free in late 2015, where he served as a Director of Development and as a Vice President. He recently oversaw the development and production on Boston Strangler starring Keira Knightley, which is now in post-production for 20th Century Studios. Prior to that, Roston was a co-producer on Chase Palmer’s feature directorial debut Naked Singularity...
- 7/27/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
German investment and co-production outfit Night Train Media has fully acquired Swedish distributor Eccho Rights, buying Korean media group Cj Enm’s majority stake in the business in the process, Variety can reveal.
The Stockholm-headquartered Eccho Rights is best known for a rich catalogue of Turkish content — which travels extremely well internationally — as well as Scandinavian, Western European and Korean programs. Cj Enm bought a majority stake in the company in December 2018 as part of a drive to expand in Europe, but has now fully sold that stake into Night Train Media.
The deal for Eccho comes almost exactly a year after Night Train Media, which is backed by private equity company Serafin Group, bought a majority stake in Paul Heaney’s London-based distribution outfit BossaNova. It also comes amid a period of significant consolidation within global TV distribution, which recently saw Blue Ant Media take 100 ownership of U.K.
The Stockholm-headquartered Eccho Rights is best known for a rich catalogue of Turkish content — which travels extremely well internationally — as well as Scandinavian, Western European and Korean programs. Cj Enm bought a majority stake in the company in December 2018 as part of a drive to expand in Europe, but has now fully sold that stake into Night Train Media.
The deal for Eccho comes almost exactly a year after Night Train Media, which is backed by private equity company Serafin Group, bought a majority stake in Paul Heaney’s London-based distribution outfit BossaNova. It also comes amid a period of significant consolidation within global TV distribution, which recently saw Blue Ant Media take 100 ownership of U.K.
- 7/21/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
From Icelandic author Ragnar Jónasson, the winter thriller Outside is being published this coming June 28, and Deadline reports that a movie adaptation is already in the works. The rights to Outside have been optioned by Ridley Scott‘s Scott Free Productions for a planned feature film adaptation. Henrik Hansen is in talks to direct the […]
The post Ridley Scott Producing Film Adaptation of Icelandic Thriller Novel ‘Outside’ appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.
The post Ridley Scott Producing Film Adaptation of Icelandic Thriller Novel ‘Outside’ appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.
- 4/7/2022
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Exclusive: Scott Free Productions has optioned the rights to the acclaimed thriller Outside from bestselling Icelandic author Ragnar Jónasson for feature adaptation. Commercial director Henrik Hansen from Scott’s Rsa Films is in talks to direct the project.
The novel will be released April 28 in the UK and stateside in June.
The story follows four friends seeking shelter in a small abandoned hunting lodge during a deadly Icelandic storm. Miles from help, and knowing they will die outside in the cold, they break open the lock and make their way inside, hoping to wait out the storm until morning. But nothing can prepare them for what they find behind the door.
Ridley Scott, Tom Moran, and Vera Meyer of Scott Free Productions will produce alongside Leifur Dagfinnsson and Kristinn Thordarson of Truenorth Productions.
“Working with Ridley Scott, one of the great visionaries of cinema, is an immense honor,” said Jónasson.
The novel will be released April 28 in the UK and stateside in June.
The story follows four friends seeking shelter in a small abandoned hunting lodge during a deadly Icelandic storm. Miles from help, and knowing they will die outside in the cold, they break open the lock and make their way inside, hoping to wait out the storm until morning. But nothing can prepare them for what they find behind the door.
Ridley Scott, Tom Moran, and Vera Meyer of Scott Free Productions will produce alongside Leifur Dagfinnsson and Kristinn Thordarson of Truenorth Productions.
“Working with Ridley Scott, one of the great visionaries of cinema, is an immense honor,” said Jónasson.
- 4/7/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. International Television Production Germany (Wbitvp Germany) has acquired the exclusive international rights to bestselling Icelandic author Ragnar Jónasson’s “Dark Iceland” series of crime novels and will co-produce with Herbert L. Kloiber’s Night Train Media.
The “Dark Iceland” series comprises six novels — “Snowblind,” “Blackout,” “Rupture,” “Whiteout,” “Nightblind” and “Winterkill” — published between 2010 and 2020. Set in a remote Icelandic fishing village, they follow protagonist Ari Thór Arason — a rookie detective on his first posting — troubled by a complex past that he is unable to leave behind.
Jónasson said: “I am incredibly honoured and thrilled to be working with Warner Bros. Itvp Germany and Night Train Media. It will be a dream come true to see Ari Thór and the ‘Dark Iceland’ series brought to life on the screen, and I believe that in Warner — with its strong vision and long history of fantastic storytelling — we have found the perfect partner for that adventure.
The “Dark Iceland” series comprises six novels — “Snowblind,” “Blackout,” “Rupture,” “Whiteout,” “Nightblind” and “Winterkill” — published between 2010 and 2020. Set in a remote Icelandic fishing village, they follow protagonist Ari Thór Arason — a rookie detective on his first posting — troubled by a complex past that he is unable to leave behind.
Jónasson said: “I am incredibly honoured and thrilled to be working with Warner Bros. Itvp Germany and Night Train Media. It will be a dream come true to see Ari Thór and the ‘Dark Iceland’ series brought to life on the screen, and I believe that in Warner — with its strong vision and long history of fantastic storytelling — we have found the perfect partner for that adventure.
- 8/6/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
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