European production and sales studio Vuelta Group has bought German producer Telepool from Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook.
The deal, struck through Vuelta subsidiary SquareOne, will see a combined business operating under the SquareOne banner. SquareOne and Vuelta Group Germany CEO Al Munteanu will lead the banner, with Michael Heyd serving as CFO and COO.
Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but the combined group will boast a library of over 1,200 titles such as Drive, Intouchables, Olympus Has Fallen, Transporter 3 and the recently released One Life. It will form part of the growing Vuelta Group, which in July last year we revealed had formed through the acquisitions of SquareOne, Paris-based international sales firm Playtime Group and Nordic distributor-producer Scanbox.
Vuelta Group Chairman Jeromt Levy, who launched the group with $50M backing from an unnamed U.S. private equity firm, announced the news today along with Munteanu.
The deal, struck through Vuelta subsidiary SquareOne, will see a combined business operating under the SquareOne banner. SquareOne and Vuelta Group Germany CEO Al Munteanu will lead the banner, with Michael Heyd serving as CFO and COO.
Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but the combined group will boast a library of over 1,200 titles such as Drive, Intouchables, Olympus Has Fallen, Transporter 3 and the recently released One Life. It will form part of the growing Vuelta Group, which in July last year we revealed had formed through the acquisitions of SquareOne, Paris-based international sales firm Playtime Group and Nordic distributor-producer Scanbox.
Vuelta Group Chairman Jeromt Levy, who launched the group with $50M backing from an unnamed U.S. private equity firm, announced the news today along with Munteanu.
- 5/8/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
German distributor-producer SquareOne Entertainment, part of rising European film studio Vuelta Group, has acquired German film and TV production, distribution and licensing company Telepool, which was owned by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook.
The news was announced Wednesday by Vuelta Group chairman Jerome Levy and CEO of SquareOne and Vuelta Group Germany Al Munteanu.
Munteanu will spearhead the newly combined entity under the SquareOne banner with Michael Heyd serving as CFO/COO.
The newly combined SquareOne entity will boast a library consisting of over 1,200 titles such as “Drive,” “Intouchables,” “The Olympus Has Fallen,” “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” “Imitation Game,” “Lone Survivor,” “Book Club,” “Transporter 3,” “King Richard,” “Maurice the Tomcat” and the recently released “One Life” among others.
“For over 60 years, Telepool has been one of the leading global content houses and we are proud of the work we did with the company,” said Westbrook CEO Kosaku Yada.
The news was announced Wednesday by Vuelta Group chairman Jerome Levy and CEO of SquareOne and Vuelta Group Germany Al Munteanu.
Munteanu will spearhead the newly combined entity under the SquareOne banner with Michael Heyd serving as CFO/COO.
The newly combined SquareOne entity will boast a library consisting of over 1,200 titles such as “Drive,” “Intouchables,” “The Olympus Has Fallen,” “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” “Imitation Game,” “Lone Survivor,” “Book Club,” “Transporter 3,” “King Richard,” “Maurice the Tomcat” and the recently released “One Life” among others.
“For over 60 years, Telepool has been one of the leading global content houses and we are proud of the work we did with the company,” said Westbrook CEO Kosaku Yada.
- 5/8/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy and Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Epsilon Film, the recently launched world sales company led by former Global Screen executives Julia Weber and Alice von Einem, has revealed its Cannes Market lineup.
Heading the slate is animated feature film “Mimi&Harold – Out of Frame,” produced by Ulysses Filmproduktion, the company behind international sales and box office hit “The Amazing Maurice,” as well “Niko – Beyond the Northern Lights” and “Ooops! The Adventure Continues…”
The film follows Mimi, a scrappy crossbreed dog, who falls out of an old painting and is lost in the real world of a museum, the home of Harold, an art-loving but snobbish dog. Armed only with her determination and Harold’s friendship, Mimi jumps into paintings to find her beloved owner – and Harold becomes the hero he never dreamt of being.
On Friday, “Mimi&Harold – Out of Frame” won the German Animation Screenplay Award, for writers Giles New and Keiron Self, in Stuttgart,...
Heading the slate is animated feature film “Mimi&Harold – Out of Frame,” produced by Ulysses Filmproduktion, the company behind international sales and box office hit “The Amazing Maurice,” as well “Niko – Beyond the Northern Lights” and “Ooops! The Adventure Continues…”
The film follows Mimi, a scrappy crossbreed dog, who falls out of an old painting and is lost in the real world of a museum, the home of Harold, an art-loving but snobbish dog. Armed only with her determination and Harold’s friendship, Mimi jumps into paintings to find her beloved owner – and Harold becomes the hero he never dreamt of being.
On Friday, “Mimi&Harold – Out of Frame” won the German Animation Screenplay Award, for writers Giles New and Keiron Self, in Stuttgart,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Francesca Orsi Wins Series Mania Award
HBO programing boss Francesca Orsi is to be awarded Series Mania’s Woman In Series Award and will take the stage with Bad Wolf CEO Jane Tranter at the Lille confab later this month. Orsi, whose slate has included the likes of The Last of Us, The White Lotus and Euphoria, along with Bad Wolf-made shows such as Industry, will speak about her career and the industry during the Tranter chat. She is one of the biggest draws for the Lille event, which takes place in two weeks and is featuring the likes of Patricia Arquette and Narcos showrunner Chris Brancato. “Awarding Francesca Orsi with this award for 2024 was an easy decision and an obvious choice for us,” said Laurence Herszberg, Series Mania founder. “Francesca is a true leader and I am incredibly honored to be presenting her with our award this year.” Last...
HBO programing boss Francesca Orsi is to be awarded Series Mania’s Woman In Series Award and will take the stage with Bad Wolf CEO Jane Tranter at the Lille confab later this month. Orsi, whose slate has included the likes of The Last of Us, The White Lotus and Euphoria, along with Bad Wolf-made shows such as Industry, will speak about her career and the industry during the Tranter chat. She is one of the biggest draws for the Lille event, which takes place in two weeks and is featuring the likes of Patricia Arquette and Narcos showrunner Chris Brancato. “Awarding Francesca Orsi with this award for 2024 was an easy decision and an obvious choice for us,” said Laurence Herszberg, Series Mania founder. “Francesca is a true leader and I am incredibly honored to be presenting her with our award this year.” Last...
- 3/8/2024
- by Max Goldbart and Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Iceland’s Stockfish Film Festival has announced a new prize, the Eva Maria Daniels Award for Vital Filmmaking, which honors the legacy of the Icelandic filmmaker who died last year. With the support of Daniels’ partner Moritz Diller and son Henry, the festival will honor one standout producer or director in the shorts categories will receive the inaugural award commemorating her achievements and continued contributions to Iceland’s next wave of filmmakers. The prize includes a $1.5 million Icelandic krona award.
Daniels’ credits include “Reality” and “Joe Bell.” The 10th edition of the festival runs April 4-14.
“Eva’s approach to producing was to listen and support undeniable talent,” said her producing partner, Riva Marker, who will oversee the prize committee. “We will never know all the beautiful stories she would bring to audiences, but we’re honored to create an inaugural award endowed to storytellers that we believe Eva would have championed.
Daniels’ credits include “Reality” and “Joe Bell.” The 10th edition of the festival runs April 4-14.
“Eva’s approach to producing was to listen and support undeniable talent,” said her producing partner, Riva Marker, who will oversee the prize committee. “We will never know all the beautiful stories she would bring to audiences, but we’re honored to create an inaugural award endowed to storytellers that we believe Eva would have championed.
- 3/7/2024
- by Jaden Thompson, Caroline Brew and Diego Ramos Bechara
- Variety Film + TV
Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2023 Oscars Predictions:
Best Animated Feature
Weekly Commentary: Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” has garnered both the Golden Globes and BAFTA Awards, solidifying its status as a strong contender in the animated feature category. However, what’s intriguing is the absence of Miyazaki and his producer Toshio Suzuki at the award ceremonies,...
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2023 Oscars Predictions:
Best Animated Feature
Weekly Commentary: Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” has garnered both the Golden Globes and BAFTA Awards, solidifying its status as a strong contender in the animated feature category. However, what’s intriguing is the absence of Miyazaki and his producer Toshio Suzuki at the award ceremonies,...
- 3/7/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2024 Oscars Predictions:
Best Picture
Weekly Commentary: Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster biopic “Oppenheimer,” narrating the saga of the father of the atomic bomb, is poised to sweep the Oscars. Having clinched every major guild and industry accolade – BAFTA, Critics Choice, Golden Globes, DGA, PGA, and SAG – it’s the first...
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2024 Oscars Predictions:
Best Picture
Weekly Commentary: Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster biopic “Oppenheimer,” narrating the saga of the father of the atomic bomb, is poised to sweep the Oscars. Having clinched every major guild and industry accolade – BAFTA, Critics Choice, Golden Globes, DGA, PGA, and SAG – it’s the first...
- 3/7/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Finalists have been announced for the 2024 British Animation Awards, which will take place on March 7 at London’s BFI Southbank.
Contending for best feature film are “Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget,” “A Cat Called Dom,” “Kensuke’s Kingdom,” “Puffin Rock and The New Friends” and “The Amazing Maurice.”
“Christopher at Sea,” “The Debutante” and “All Gucci My Broski” are nominated in the short film category.
Adjoa Andoh, Benedict Cumberbatch, Emilia Clarke, Idris Elba, Claire Foy, Tom Hollander and Hugh Laurie are among the ensemble cast members nominated for best voice performance for “Mog’s Christmas” “The Amazing Maurice” and “The Boy, the Mole, The Fox and the Horse.”
Baa also acknowledges achievement in television, with “Tweedy & Fluff,” “The Sound Collector – Harp Strings,” “The Rubbish World of Dave Spud – Moonbreaker” and “Lloyd of the Flies” nominated for best children’s series.
For best original music, composer David Arnold is nominated for “Mog’s Christmas...
Contending for best feature film are “Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget,” “A Cat Called Dom,” “Kensuke’s Kingdom,” “Puffin Rock and The New Friends” and “The Amazing Maurice.”
“Christopher at Sea,” “The Debutante” and “All Gucci My Broski” are nominated in the short film category.
Adjoa Andoh, Benedict Cumberbatch, Emilia Clarke, Idris Elba, Claire Foy, Tom Hollander and Hugh Laurie are among the ensemble cast members nominated for best voice performance for “Mog’s Christmas” “The Amazing Maurice” and “The Boy, the Mole, The Fox and the Horse.”
Baa also acknowledges achievement in television, with “Tweedy & Fluff,” “The Sound Collector – Harp Strings,” “The Rubbish World of Dave Spud – Moonbreaker” and “Lloyd of the Flies” nominated for best children’s series.
For best original music, composer David Arnold is nominated for “Mog’s Christmas...
- 2/14/2024
- by Jaden Thompson
- Variety Film + TV
Sola Media has boarded CGI animated movie “The Super Elfkins” as sales agent and will unveil first footage at the European Film Market in Berlin.
The film, which has a budget of Euros 9 million ($9.7 million), will be released in Germany in December 2024 by Tobis Film. It is a sequel to “The Elkfins – Baking a Difference,” which was sold to more than 200 countries worldwide, and won best feature film at Giffoni Film Festival.
In the new film, the world of the Elfkin girl Elfie is turned upside down when she discovers a technologically advanced Elfkin gang that surpasses her clan in fun and excitement. Can Elfie’s friendship with Bo, the youngest member of the rival gang, bridge the gap between the Elfkin clans that have been apart for over 250 years?
Solveig Langeland, managing director of Sola Media, said: “With a budget of Euros 9 million and enchanting character designs, this animation...
The film, which has a budget of Euros 9 million ($9.7 million), will be released in Germany in December 2024 by Tobis Film. It is a sequel to “The Elkfins – Baking a Difference,” which was sold to more than 200 countries worldwide, and won best feature film at Giffoni Film Festival.
In the new film, the world of the Elfkin girl Elfie is turned upside down when she discovers a technologically advanced Elfkin gang that surpasses her clan in fun and excitement. Can Elfie’s friendship with Bo, the youngest member of the rival gang, bridge the gap between the Elfkin clans that have been apart for over 250 years?
Solveig Langeland, managing director of Sola Media, said: “With a budget of Euros 9 million and enchanting character designs, this animation...
- 2/12/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The UK’s Embankment Films is heading into the European Film Market (EFM) with its first animated feature, Bollywoof.
The adventure is directed by Frederik Du Chau, the filmmaker behind 2005 animation Racing Stripes. It reunites The Amazing Maurice UK, Ireland and Canada-based producers Cantilever Media with Sky Cinema, which aims to distribute the feature theatrically in the UK-Ireland in 2026, alongside London-based animation studio Mikros Animation.
Mikros has credits spanning Orion And The Dark, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On The Run, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight.
UK’s Newscope Films co-produces alongside...
The adventure is directed by Frederik Du Chau, the filmmaker behind 2005 animation Racing Stripes. It reunites The Amazing Maurice UK, Ireland and Canada-based producers Cantilever Media with Sky Cinema, which aims to distribute the feature theatrically in the UK-Ireland in 2026, alongside London-based animation studio Mikros Animation.
Mikros has credits spanning Orion And The Dark, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On The Run, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight.
UK’s Newscope Films co-produces alongside...
- 2/9/2024
- ScreenDaily
Sales
Altitude is launching international sales on two films featuring iconic British band Blur at the Berlin European Film Market. The band, consisting of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bass guitarist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree, was formed in 1988 and tasted considerable success until it went on hiatus in 2015.
The first film is an untitled feature-length documentary depicting the return of Blur, captured across a year in which the band made a surprise return with their first record in eight years, the #1 album “The Ballad of Darren.” It follows the relationship of the bandmates of over three decades as they come together to record 10 new songs ahead of their sold-out shows at London’s Wembley Stadium in 2023. The second film is “Blur: Live At Wembley Stadium,” a two-hour concert film of the Wembley show.
Both films are directed by Toby L. and produced by Josh Connolly, via production...
Altitude is launching international sales on two films featuring iconic British band Blur at the Berlin European Film Market. The band, consisting of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bass guitarist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree, was formed in 1988 and tasted considerable success until it went on hiatus in 2015.
The first film is an untitled feature-length documentary depicting the return of Blur, captured across a year in which the band made a surprise return with their first record in eight years, the #1 album “The Ballad of Darren.” It follows the relationship of the bandmates of over three decades as they come together to record 10 new songs ahead of their sold-out shows at London’s Wembley Stadium in 2023. The second film is “Blur: Live At Wembley Stadium,” a two-hour concert film of the Wembley show.
Both films are directed by Toby L. and produced by Josh Connolly, via production...
- 2/9/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
This year, Sundance saw big deals go down for “A Real Pain”, “It’s What’s Inside”, “Presence” (Neon), and “My Old Ass” as well as smaller acquisitions for “Kneecap” (Sony Pictures Classics), “Ghostlight” (IFC Films), and “Ibelin”(Netflix).
It’s not the same bull market as the old days, but we’ll take it. And while streamers made their presence felt with the two largest acquisitions to date, it’s clear that for most of these films theatrical will be part of their lifecycles. But is that a smart move?
Based on last year’s results, the answer is: Could be. Domestic box office from all Sundance 2023 films was the best for any year since Covid. At around $100 million, it quadrupled the take from 2022 Festival titles (around $25 million). All told, about two thirds of the 2023 films have some sort of domestic distribution, including streaming outlets. Of these, about a dozen films have yet to open.
It’s not the same bull market as the old days, but we’ll take it. And while streamers made their presence felt with the two largest acquisitions to date, it’s clear that for most of these films theatrical will be part of their lifecycles. But is that a smart move?
Based on last year’s results, the answer is: Could be. Domestic box office from all Sundance 2023 films was the best for any year since Covid. At around $100 million, it quadrupled the take from 2022 Festival titles (around $25 million). All told, about two thirds of the 2023 films have some sort of domestic distribution, including streaming outlets. Of these, about a dozen films have yet to open.
- 1/27/2024
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Co-written and directed by Christopher Jenkins (a Disney alum who counts “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin” among his credits), “10 Lives” makes for an entertaining and easily digestible outlier at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. The computer-animated story of a cute but lazy cat — imagine Garfield but much cuddlier — who keeps coming back in different forms, “10 Lives” is hardly the first kid-focused toon to premiere in Park City. Still, it’s probably not what most people imagine when they hear the words “Sundance movie.”
First introduced in feline form, Beckett (voiced by Mo Gilligan) is adopted by a scientist named Rose (Simone Ashley) when she nearly runs him over with her car. Rose is working on a postgraduate dissertation focusing on finding ways to save the world’s bee population. Her boss, Professor Craven (Bill Nighy), tries to sabotage her project for his own nefarious reasons. Feeling jealous...
First introduced in feline form, Beckett (voiced by Mo Gilligan) is adopted by a scientist named Rose (Simone Ashley) when she nearly runs him over with her car. Rose is working on a postgraduate dissertation focusing on finding ways to save the world’s bee population. Her boss, Professor Craven (Bill Nighy), tries to sabotage her project for his own nefarious reasons. Feeling jealous...
- 1/27/2024
- by Murtada Elfadl
- Variety Film + TV
321 films are in contention for this year’s Academy Awards, while 265 features are eligible in the best picture category, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Monday as it released its annual “reminder list” for members.
To be eligible in the general categories, films (meaning a runtime of more than 40 minutes) must open in a commercial theater in at least one of the following areas: Los Angeles County; the city of New York; the Bay Area; Chicago, Illinois; Miami, Florida; and Atlanta, Georgia, between Jan. 1, 2023 and Dec. 31, 2023. Additionally, it must complete a minimum qualifying run of seven consecutive days in the same venue.
To be eligible for the best picture category specifically, the movies must be eligible for the general entry and have “submitted a confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards entry form.” Additionally, the film must meet two of the four standards required, in addition to the theatrical component.
To be eligible in the general categories, films (meaning a runtime of more than 40 minutes) must open in a commercial theater in at least one of the following areas: Los Angeles County; the city of New York; the Bay Area; Chicago, Illinois; Miami, Florida; and Atlanta, Georgia, between Jan. 1, 2023 and Dec. 31, 2023. Additionally, it must complete a minimum qualifying run of seven consecutive days in the same venue.
To be eligible for the best picture category specifically, the movies must be eligible for the general entry and have “submitted a confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards entry form.” Additionally, the film must meet two of the four standards required, in addition to the theatrical component.
- 1/8/2024
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Longlists revealed today, Friday, January 5.
Harry Potter star David Tennant will host the 2024 Bafta Film Awards, which will take place on Sunday, February 18, with the full show broadcast as live.
Scottish actor Tennant will host the ceremony for the first time, at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London.
The show will be broadcast on BBC One and Iplayer as live - meaning in full at the time of occurrence, with a short delay for editing purposes.
“I am delighted to have been asked to host the Ee BAFTA Film Awards and help celebrate the very best of...
Harry Potter star David Tennant will host the 2024 Bafta Film Awards, which will take place on Sunday, February 18, with the full show broadcast as live.
Scottish actor Tennant will host the ceremony for the first time, at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London.
The show will be broadcast on BBC One and Iplayer as live - meaning in full at the time of occurrence, with a short delay for editing purposes.
“I am delighted to have been asked to host the Ee BAFTA Film Awards and help celebrate the very best of...
- 1/5/2024
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
The 36th European Film Awards took place in Berlin on Saturday, honoring the best cinema to emerge from Europe in 2023. The nominations, which were selected by the European Film Academy, were heavy on arthouse hits that emerged from the Cannes Film Festival including Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall,” Aki Kaurismäki’s “Fallen Leaves,” and Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest.” The results played out similarly to those from Cannes, with Triet’s Palme d’Or-winner taking the top prize of Best European Film.
“Anatomy of a Fall” additionally won the European Director award for Triet, who also shared the European Screenwriter award with Arthur Harari. Sandra Hüller was nominated twice in the European Actress category for her performances in “Anatomy of a Fall” and “The Zone of Interest,” ultimately winning for the former.
The results mirrored those of the 2022 European Film Awards, when “Triangle of Sadness” followed...
“Anatomy of a Fall” additionally won the European Director award for Triet, who also shared the European Screenwriter award with Arthur Harari. Sandra Hüller was nominated twice in the European Actress category for her performances in “Anatomy of a Fall” and “The Zone of Interest,” ultimately winning for the former.
The results mirrored those of the 2022 European Film Awards, when “Triangle of Sadness” followed...
- 12/9/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
The ceremony kicks off live from Berlin today (December 9) at 19:30 Cet.
The European Film Awards is taking place in Berlin tonight (December 9), and Screen will be revealing the winners live from the ceremony, kicking off at 19:30 Cet.
German actor Britta Steffenhagen is hosting the awards, which will take place at the Arena Berlin.
Screen will be live-streaming the ceremony below, or you can refresh the page and scroll down to read the winners as they are announced.
Three of the best European film nominees world premiered at Cannes. Justine Triet’s Palme d’Or winner Anatomy Of A Fall...
The European Film Awards is taking place in Berlin tonight (December 9), and Screen will be revealing the winners live from the ceremony, kicking off at 19:30 Cet.
German actor Britta Steffenhagen is hosting the awards, which will take place at the Arena Berlin.
Screen will be live-streaming the ceremony below, or you can refresh the page and scroll down to read the winners as they are announced.
Three of the best European film nominees world premiered at Cannes. Justine Triet’s Palme d’Or winner Anatomy Of A Fall...
- 12/9/2023
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
The Academy has revealed the list of eligible films for consideration in best animated, documentary and international feature of the year, encompassing a broad range of blockbusters and critically acclaimed titles.
GKids’ “The Boy and the Heron,” Pixar’s “Elemental,” Sony’s “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” and Illumination’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” are among the 33 animated films in the running. This is up from 27 in 2023, when “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” took home the prize.
The eventual five nominees are determined by members of the shorts and animation branch, and any Academy members outside the branch who wish to participate. The number of outside members who opt in is unknown. All films submitted for animated feature also qualify for the Academy Awards in other categories, including best picture.
Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Oscars predictions in all categories.
There are 88 films representing their countries for the international feature Oscar,...
GKids’ “The Boy and the Heron,” Pixar’s “Elemental,” Sony’s “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” and Illumination’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” are among the 33 animated films in the running. This is up from 27 in 2023, when “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” took home the prize.
The eventual five nominees are determined by members of the shorts and animation branch, and any Academy members outside the branch who wish to participate. The number of outside members who opt in is unknown. All films submitted for animated feature also qualify for the Academy Awards in other categories, including best picture.
Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Oscars predictions in all categories.
There are 88 films representing their countries for the international feature Oscar,...
- 12/7/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday unveiled the films eligible for consideration for the 2024 Oscars in the categories of Documentary Feature Film and International Feature Film and Animated Feature Film.
A total of 167 documentaries have made the cut for the 96th Academy Awards, while 88 countries are eligible for the International Feature. Shortlists of 15 films in both categories will be revealed December 21.
In the Animated Feature race, 33 films are eligible for the 2024 race.
Final Oscar nominations will be revealed January 23, 2024, with the 96th Oscars to air Sunday, March 10 on ABC hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
Here are the film lists revealed today, with AMPAS noting that not all have had their qualifying release yet, a requirement to advance in the voting process.
Animated Feature
The Amazing Maurice
Blue Giant
The Boy and the Heron
Chang’an
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget
Deep Sea
Elemental
Ernest & Celestine: A...
A total of 167 documentaries have made the cut for the 96th Academy Awards, while 88 countries are eligible for the International Feature. Shortlists of 15 films in both categories will be revealed December 21.
In the Animated Feature race, 33 films are eligible for the 2024 race.
Final Oscar nominations will be revealed January 23, 2024, with the 96th Oscars to air Sunday, March 10 on ABC hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
Here are the film lists revealed today, with AMPAS noting that not all have had their qualifying release yet, a requirement to advance in the voting process.
Animated Feature
The Amazing Maurice
Blue Giant
The Boy and the Heron
Chang’an
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget
Deep Sea
Elemental
Ernest & Celestine: A...
- 12/7/2023
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Jonathan Glazer’s harrowing Holocaust drama The Zone of Interest leads the nominations for this year’s European Film Awards (EFAs), picking up five nominations, including for best film and best director, in nominations announced via video on Tuesday.
Zone of Interest, the U.K. official entry for the 2024 Oscars in the best international feature category, also scored Efa nominations for best screenwriter, for Glazer, and best actress and best actor noms for leads Sandra Hüller and Christian Friedel.
Hüller will be competing against herself in the best actress category, having picked up a second Efa nom for her starring role in Justine Triet’s courtroom drama Anatomy of a Fall. The Palme d’Or winner recieved four Efa noms, including for best European Film, best director for Triet and best screenplay for Triet and co-writer Arthur Harari.
Other best European film nominees include Matteo Garrone’s refugee drama Io Capitano from Italy,...
Zone of Interest, the U.K. official entry for the 2024 Oscars in the best international feature category, also scored Efa nominations for best screenwriter, for Glazer, and best actress and best actor noms for leads Sandra Hüller and Christian Friedel.
Hüller will be competing against herself in the best actress category, having picked up a second Efa nom for her starring role in Justine Triet’s courtroom drama Anatomy of a Fall. The Palme d’Or winner recieved four Efa noms, including for best European Film, best director for Triet and best screenplay for Triet and co-writer Arthur Harari.
Other best European film nominees include Matteo Garrone’s refugee drama Io Capitano from Italy,...
- 11/7/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Restarted negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers that could mean an end to the actors strike have raised hopes for this year’s American Film Market, which runs Oct. 31-Nov, 5 in Santa Monica. What everyone is hoping for is, in the words of one leading indie producer, that “we can all get back to business.”
Even without a new SAG-AFTRA deal, there is a healthy batch of new titles on offer — a mix of international features and U.S. indie films that have secured interim agreements from the union to begin production. “In the last few days we’ve seen a waterfall of lineups,” says Nadiia Zaionchkovska, Cco of newly-founded Ukraine distributor Green Light Films, which will be making its market debut at this year’s AFM. “Lots of theatrical films, lots either in post or in pre-production, ready to shoot in the first...
Even without a new SAG-AFTRA deal, there is a healthy batch of new titles on offer — a mix of international features and U.S. indie films that have secured interim agreements from the union to begin production. “In the last few days we’ve seen a waterfall of lineups,” says Nadiia Zaionchkovska, Cco of newly-founded Ukraine distributor Green Light Films, which will be making its market debut at this year’s AFM. “Lots of theatrical films, lots either in post or in pre-production, ready to shoot in the first...
- 10/30/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Independents are out in force with high-profile fall festival fare from Pricilla to The Holdovers, a big Viva Pictures push with Inspector Sun (voiced by Ronny Chieng), Cannes documentary winner Four Daughters and Waikiki, the debut feature by Hawaiian filmmaker Christopher Kahunahana. the first homegrown feature to be shown there.
Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla from A24 is playing New York and Los Angeles this weekend including sold out Q&a’s with the director and star Cailee Spaeny, Best Actress winner at the Venice Film Festival where Priscilla premiered, see Deadline review. Jacob Elordi stars as Elvis.
The story of the singer’s romantic partner and only wife told from her perspective is based on the book Elvis And Me by Priscilla Presley following her early years as a teenage army brat stationed in West Germany to her surreal arrival at Graceland. Rolls out nationwide next week.
Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla from A24 is playing New York and Los Angeles this weekend including sold out Q&a’s with the director and star Cailee Spaeny, Best Actress winner at the Venice Film Festival where Priscilla premiered, see Deadline review. Jacob Elordi stars as Elvis.
The story of the singer’s romantic partner and only wife told from her perspective is based on the book Elvis And Me by Priscilla Presley following her early years as a teenage army brat stationed in West Germany to her surreal arrival at Graceland. Rolls out nationwide next week.
- 10/27/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Paul McCartney and Gaumont have assembled an all-star creative crew for “High in the Clouds,” the long-awaited feature adaptation of McCartney’s children’s adventure novel.
Boasting six original songs by McCartney, the family adventure movie, which is budgeted at €28 million, will be directed by Toby Genkel (“The Amazing Maurice”), scored by Michael Giacchino and penned by Jon Croker (“Paddington 2”), with Patrick Hanenberger tapped as production designer. McCartney will voice one of the main characters. Two other major music stars are in advanced talks to come on board.
Production will begin during the first quarter of 2024 and delivery is expected for the first quarter of 2026. Gaumont is producing with McCartney via his banner Mpl Communications.
The English-language feature follows the journey of a headstrong teenage squirrel, Wirral, who lives in Gretschville, a city where music has been banned by a diva-owl, Gretsch, who wants to be the only singer in town.
Boasting six original songs by McCartney, the family adventure movie, which is budgeted at €28 million, will be directed by Toby Genkel (“The Amazing Maurice”), scored by Michael Giacchino and penned by Jon Croker (“Paddington 2”), with Patrick Hanenberger tapped as production designer. McCartney will voice one of the main characters. Two other major music stars are in advanced talks to come on board.
Production will begin during the first quarter of 2024 and delivery is expected for the first quarter of 2026. Gaumont is producing with McCartney via his banner Mpl Communications.
The English-language feature follows the journey of a headstrong teenage squirrel, Wirral, who lives in Gretschville, a city where music has been banned by a diva-owl, Gretsch, who wants to be the only singer in town.
- 10/26/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The French animation film is the second in a franchise sold internationally by Snd.
Viva Kids has picked up North American rights to French family animation hit The Jungle Bunch - World Tour from France’s Snd, the feature film arm of broadcasting group M6, and will release the film in theatres in the US in January 2024.
France’s Tat Productions produced the 3D film (titled Les As de la Jungle 2 - Operation Tour du Monde in French) directed by Laurent Bru, Yannick Moulin and Benoît Somville and written by David Alaux, Eric Tosti and Jean-François Tosti.
It is the...
Viva Kids has picked up North American rights to French family animation hit The Jungle Bunch - World Tour from France’s Snd, the feature film arm of broadcasting group M6, and will release the film in theatres in the US in January 2024.
France’s Tat Productions produced the 3D film (titled Les As de la Jungle 2 - Operation Tour du Monde in French) directed by Laurent Bru, Yannick Moulin and Benoît Somville and written by David Alaux, Eric Tosti and Jean-François Tosti.
It is the...
- 10/2/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
A new animated feature adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost is on the way. Deadline reports today that Shout! Studios and Blue Fox have teamed up to bring The Canterville Ghost to theaters this Halloween.
While no release date has been set just yet, Deadline reports that Shout! Studios and Blue Fox “sets the film for a strategic rollout across multiple platforms, beginning with a theatrical launch timed for Halloween.” That might make this another great gateway horror entry for the whole family this spooky season.
The animated reimagining of Wilde’s short story tells “of a modern American family that moves to their recently purchased country home, Canterville Chase in England, only to find it is haunted by a ghost. Effectively, Sir Simon de Canterville (Stephen Fry) has been haunting the grounds of Canterville Chase successfully for over 300 years, but he meets his match when he tries...
While no release date has been set just yet, Deadline reports that Shout! Studios and Blue Fox “sets the film for a strategic rollout across multiple platforms, beginning with a theatrical launch timed for Halloween.” That might make this another great gateway horror entry for the whole family this spooky season.
The animated reimagining of Wilde’s short story tells “of a modern American family that moves to their recently purchased country home, Canterville Chase in England, only to find it is haunted by a ghost. Effectively, Sir Simon de Canterville (Stephen Fry) has been haunting the grounds of Canterville Chase successfully for over 300 years, but he meets his match when he tries...
- 8/28/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Exclusive: Shout! Studios and Blue Fox Entertainment have jointly acquired North American rights to the starry new animated feature The Canterville Ghost from Beverly Hills-based sales agent Cinema Management Group, Deadline has learned.
Emerging from a multi-year alliance between Shout! Studios and Blue Fox, the deal sets the film for a strategic rollout across multiple platforms, beginning with a theatrical launch timed for Halloween.
A Stephen Fry-led reimagining of the same-name short story by Oscar Wilde that screened as an Official Selection of the 2023 Annecy Animation Film Festival, The Canterville Ghost tells the story of a modern American family that moves to their recently purchased country home, Canterville Chase in England, only to find it is haunted by a ghost. Effectively, Sir Simon de Canterville (Fry) has been haunting the grounds of Canterville Chase successfully for over 300 years, but he meets his match when he tries to scare out the new arrivals.
Emerging from a multi-year alliance between Shout! Studios and Blue Fox, the deal sets the film for a strategic rollout across multiple platforms, beginning with a theatrical launch timed for Halloween.
A Stephen Fry-led reimagining of the same-name short story by Oscar Wilde that screened as an Official Selection of the 2023 Annecy Animation Film Festival, The Canterville Ghost tells the story of a modern American family that moves to their recently purchased country home, Canterville Chase in England, only to find it is haunted by a ghost. Effectively, Sir Simon de Canterville (Fry) has been haunting the grounds of Canterville Chase successfully for over 300 years, but he meets his match when he tries to scare out the new arrivals.
- 8/28/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Jan Naszewski’s Warsaw-based sales outlet New Europe Film Sales has sold its 3D family animation “A Mystery on the Cattle Hill Express,” directed by Will Ashurst, to Viva Kids for North America.
The third part in the “Cattle Hill” series is a detective story about the little cow Clara and her friend Gavin who join forces with the world famous detective Agatha Chichester to unveil the thief of a revolutionary Nano-seed stolen from a high-tech laboratory train.
New Europe has also sold the film to South Korea (First Run) and South Africa (Red Dot Digitals) and, as previously announced, France (Alba Films), Poland (New Horizons), JUST4KIDS in Benelux, Neo Films in Greece, Birfilm in Turkey, FILMS4YOU in Portugal and Arthousetraffic in Ukraine.
“We are excited to bring ‘A Mystery on the Cattle Hill Express’ to audiences in North America,” Laura Prieto, Viva’s vice president, said. “With a strong story,...
The third part in the “Cattle Hill” series is a detective story about the little cow Clara and her friend Gavin who join forces with the world famous detective Agatha Chichester to unveil the thief of a revolutionary Nano-seed stolen from a high-tech laboratory train.
New Europe has also sold the film to South Korea (First Run) and South Africa (Red Dot Digitals) and, as previously announced, France (Alba Films), Poland (New Horizons), JUST4KIDS in Benelux, Neo Films in Greece, Birfilm in Turkey, FILMS4YOU in Portugal and Arthousetraffic in Ukraine.
“We are excited to bring ‘A Mystery on the Cattle Hill Express’ to audiences in North America,” Laura Prieto, Viva’s vice president, said. “With a strong story,...
- 6/15/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
London-based outfit Film Constellation has scored a first round of pre-sales on its upcoming family CG animated feature “The Growcodile” at the Annecy Animation Film Festival.
“The Growcodile” tells the story of a young girl and her rather unconventional pet, a crocodile named Gilbert. The feature is being adapted by Luuk van Bemmelenfrom from the bestselling children’s book “Crocodile came within!” from renowned Dutch author Paul Van Loon.
The animated film, which is expected to be delivered during the fourth quarter of 2025, has pre-sold to Poland (Kinoswiat), Eastern Europe (ProRom), Cis & Baltics (Volga), Portugal (Nos), Greece & Israel (Tanweer), Turkey & Mena (Italia Film), and Vietnam (Lumix), with several other territories under offer and in discussion. Kmbo will release it in French theaters.
Budgeted at $10 million, the CGI animated feature film will be directed by Cartoon Saloon alumni Joost Van Den Bosch and Erik Verkerk, who have previously collaborated on a...
“The Growcodile” tells the story of a young girl and her rather unconventional pet, a crocodile named Gilbert. The feature is being adapted by Luuk van Bemmelenfrom from the bestselling children’s book “Crocodile came within!” from renowned Dutch author Paul Van Loon.
The animated film, which is expected to be delivered during the fourth quarter of 2025, has pre-sold to Poland (Kinoswiat), Eastern Europe (ProRom), Cis & Baltics (Volga), Portugal (Nos), Greece & Israel (Tanweer), Turkey & Mena (Italia Film), and Vietnam (Lumix), with several other territories under offer and in discussion. Kmbo will release it in French theaters.
Budgeted at $10 million, the CGI animated feature film will be directed by Cartoon Saloon alumni Joost Van Den Bosch and Erik Verkerk, who have previously collaborated on a...
- 6/15/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
It’s a new month, and Hulu subscribers are getting a slew of new movies and TV shows to enjoy.
June 1 is jam-packed with more than 30 titles that have landed on the streamer, including the seventh and final season of Ava DuVernay’s “Queen Sugar,” the Jack Nicholson-led film “Hoffa,” Sacha Baron Cohen’s “Borat” and the entire “Twilight” franchise.
Mixing in a little of the old with new come goodies from 2023, like “Flamin’ Hot,” which tells the story of Mexican migrant Richard Montanez who came up with the idea for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos while working as a janitor at Frito Lay. The film lands on Hulu June 9.
Ending June with a bang will the be second season of “The Bear,” (June 22), Season 20 of “The Bachelorette” (June 27) and the sixth and final season of “Grown-ish.”
Here’s everything you can expect to hit Hulu this June.
Also Read:
The Best Free Movie Streaming Sites,...
June 1 is jam-packed with more than 30 titles that have landed on the streamer, including the seventh and final season of Ava DuVernay’s “Queen Sugar,” the Jack Nicholson-led film “Hoffa,” Sacha Baron Cohen’s “Borat” and the entire “Twilight” franchise.
Mixing in a little of the old with new come goodies from 2023, like “Flamin’ Hot,” which tells the story of Mexican migrant Richard Montanez who came up with the idea for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos while working as a janitor at Frito Lay. The film lands on Hulu June 9.
Ending June with a bang will the be second season of “The Bear,” (June 22), Season 20 of “The Bachelorette” (June 27) and the sixth and final season of “Grown-ish.”
Here’s everything you can expect to hit Hulu this June.
Also Read:
The Best Free Movie Streaming Sites,...
- 6/3/2023
- by Raquel "Rocky" Harris
- The Wrap
It’s summer time on Hulu and that can only mean one thing. With its list of new releases for June 2023, Hulu is bringing back last summer’s unexpected hit.
FX’s The Bear season 2 premieres all episodes on June 22. If you’re not already captivated by this intense culinary story about the little Italian beef shop that could, definitely catch up now. This time around, Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) and friends will attempt a major foodie rebrand. The only other Hulu series of note this month is the docuseries The Age of Influence. Premiering on June 5, this doc will examine the dark side of influencer culture.
Just like its corporate partner Disney+, Hulu will premiere Eva Longoria’s directorial debut, Flamin’ Hot, in June 9. The movie tells the true story of Frito-Lay janitor Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia) who created an iconic snack that forever changed the food industry. Also...
FX’s The Bear season 2 premieres all episodes on June 22. If you’re not already captivated by this intense culinary story about the little Italian beef shop that could, definitely catch up now. This time around, Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) and friends will attempt a major foodie rebrand. The only other Hulu series of note this month is the docuseries The Age of Influence. Premiering on June 5, this doc will examine the dark side of influencer culture.
Just like its corporate partner Disney+, Hulu will premiere Eva Longoria’s directorial debut, Flamin’ Hot, in June 9. The movie tells the true story of Frito-Lay janitor Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia) who created an iconic snack that forever changed the food industry. Also...
- 6/1/2023
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Animated Movie ‘Pirate Mo and the Legend of the Red Ruby’ Sells to Numerous Distributors (Exclusive)
Family animated movie “Pirate Mo and the Legend of the Red Ruby” proved to be a smash hit with international distributors during the Cannes Film Market, with sales agency The Playmaker Munich delivering the film to multiple buyers.
During the market, The Playmaker announced first presales to Benelux (Just4Kids), Turkey (Filmarti), Baltics (Gpi), Greece (Rosebud) and Bulgaria (Pro Films).
The company has now revealed further sales to Poland (M2 Films), Scandinavia (Njuta Films), Hungary and Romania (Ads), Portugal (Outsider Pictures), and Yugoslavia (Blitz Film).
The distribution partners also include German broadcaster Ndr, Dcm, which will distribute in Germany and Austria, and A Contracorriente Films, which will distribute in Spain.
The film has a planned release of early 2026.
It is produced by Ulysses Films, the company behind box office hits “Amazing Maurice” and “Niko & the Way to the Stars.”
The script for “Pirate Mo,” which is based on Kirsten Boie’s bestselling novel,...
During the market, The Playmaker announced first presales to Benelux (Just4Kids), Turkey (Filmarti), Baltics (Gpi), Greece (Rosebud) and Bulgaria (Pro Films).
The company has now revealed further sales to Poland (M2 Films), Scandinavia (Njuta Films), Hungary and Romania (Ads), Portugal (Outsider Pictures), and Yugoslavia (Blitz Film).
The distribution partners also include German broadcaster Ndr, Dcm, which will distribute in Germany and Austria, and A Contracorriente Films, which will distribute in Spain.
The film has a planned release of early 2026.
It is produced by Ulysses Films, the company behind box office hits “Amazing Maurice” and “Niko & the Way to the Stars.”
The script for “Pirate Mo,” which is based on Kirsten Boie’s bestselling novel,...
- 5/30/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Season 2 of last summer’s hit breakout series “The Bear” is set to premiere on Hulu on Thursday, June 22. After a tumultuous return to his family’s hole-in-the-wall Chicago restaurant, chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) and his staff transform the greasy sandwich joint into a first-class dining experience after he discovers the slush fund his brother left behind. Despite having the extra money to make his dreams a reality, the future proves to be both a personal and professional challenge for Carmy and the crew.
Watch the trailer for Season 2 of “The Bear”:
Beginning on June 14, the new series continuation of the beloved film “The Full Monty” arrives on Hulu. It’s 25 years later and the men and women of Sheffield, England, are in reboot mode, navigating life and family. The original 1997 movie focused on a group of down-on-their-luck, blue-collar men who put on a strip show to make ends meet.
Watch the trailer for Season 2 of “The Bear”:
Beginning on June 14, the new series continuation of the beloved film “The Full Monty” arrives on Hulu. It’s 25 years later and the men and women of Sheffield, England, are in reboot mode, navigating life and family. The original 1997 movie focused on a group of down-on-their-luck, blue-collar men who put on a strip show to make ends meet.
- 5/24/2023
- by Fern Siegel
- The Streamable
Film from ‘The Amazing Maurice’ producers Cantilever Productions.
International sales firm Pink Parrot Media has secured key sales on animated musical comedy Unstable, including a US distribution deal with Viva Pictures.
The film has also sold to Cis and Baltics (Volga), Scandinavia (Mis Label), Bulgaria (Pro Films), Romania (Idea Films), Spain (Flins y Piniculas), Portugal (Nos Lusomundo), Poland (Monolith), Middle East (Front Row), former Yugoslavia (Blitz) and Ukraine and Baltics (Adastra Cinema).
Unstable follows a disillusioned police horse who undergoes a dramatic makeover and seeks justice with a new friend, 7-year-old dressage enthusiast Luna. Directed by Benoit Godbout and co-written...
International sales firm Pink Parrot Media has secured key sales on animated musical comedy Unstable, including a US distribution deal with Viva Pictures.
The film has also sold to Cis and Baltics (Volga), Scandinavia (Mis Label), Bulgaria (Pro Films), Romania (Idea Films), Spain (Flins y Piniculas), Portugal (Nos Lusomundo), Poland (Monolith), Middle East (Front Row), former Yugoslavia (Blitz) and Ukraine and Baltics (Adastra Cinema).
Unstable follows a disillusioned police horse who undergoes a dramatic makeover and seeks justice with a new friend, 7-year-old dressage enthusiast Luna. Directed by Benoit Godbout and co-written...
- 5/20/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Veteran media executive Yoko Higuchi-Zitzmann took over as CEO of Telepool in January, barely a year after Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook took full control, in December 2021, of the German rights giant.
The appointment was a bit of a coup. The Japan-born, Germany-educated Higuchi-Zitzmann has more than a quarter century of experience in some of Europe’s biggest media companies. She was an acquisitions exec for Constantin Film — scoring Olivier Dahan’s Oscar winner La Vie En Rose for the German market among other deals — and producer at renowned German groups Ziegler Cinema — where she delivered sleeper hit My Blind Date With Life, a romantic comedy that earned more than $5 million at the German box office for distributor StudioCanal — and Studio Hamburg, where her hits included Herzogpark, a Desperate Housewives-style series for leading German network Rtl. She joined Telepool from Matthias Schweighöfer’s production outfit Pantaleon Films...
The appointment was a bit of a coup. The Japan-born, Germany-educated Higuchi-Zitzmann has more than a quarter century of experience in some of Europe’s biggest media companies. She was an acquisitions exec for Constantin Film — scoring Olivier Dahan’s Oscar winner La Vie En Rose for the German market among other deals — and producer at renowned German groups Ziegler Cinema — where she delivered sleeper hit My Blind Date With Life, a romantic comedy that earned more than $5 million at the German box office for distributor StudioCanal — and Studio Hamburg, where her hits included Herzogpark, a Desperate Housewives-style series for leading German network Rtl. She joined Telepool from Matthias Schweighöfer’s production outfit Pantaleon Films...
- 5/19/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Global Screen has closed further presales for “Lassie — A New Adventure,” the sequel featuring the most famous dog in the history of cinema.
The film, directed by Hanno Olderdissen, has sold to A Contracorriente for Spain; Ads Service for Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Moldavia; Turkey’s Bir Film; Gpi for the Baltic states; Bulgaria’s Pro Films; Karantanija for ex-Yugoslavia; and Greece’s Zinos Panagiotidis. Poland and Benelux are in negotiation.
Sales were previously concluded with Lucky Red (Italy), Ab Svensk Filmindustri (Scandinavia) and Film House (Israel).
The prequel “Lassie Come Home,” which was also directed by Olderdissen, was sold to every territory around the world.
“Lassie — A New Adventure” tells a heartwarming story about the friendship between a boy and his dog. The family entertainment film will be released in German cinemas in July by Leonine, which also served as a co-producer on the film.
Inspired...
The film, directed by Hanno Olderdissen, has sold to A Contracorriente for Spain; Ads Service for Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Moldavia; Turkey’s Bir Film; Gpi for the Baltic states; Bulgaria’s Pro Films; Karantanija for ex-Yugoslavia; and Greece’s Zinos Panagiotidis. Poland and Benelux are in negotiation.
Sales were previously concluded with Lucky Red (Italy), Ab Svensk Filmindustri (Scandinavia) and Film House (Israel).
The prequel “Lassie Come Home,” which was also directed by Olderdissen, was sold to every territory around the world.
“Lassie — A New Adventure” tells a heartwarming story about the friendship between a boy and his dog. The family entertainment film will be released in German cinemas in July by Leonine, which also served as a co-producer on the film.
Inspired...
- 5/17/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Film Constellation is launching sales at Cannes on $10 million family CG animated movie “The Growcodile,” about a young girl and her pet crocodile, who embark on a wild adventure.
Bridget is a gifted young girl with a big secret: she has a pet crocodile, Gilbert, that she hides in her room. However, no matter how sweet, the little crocodile grows bigger and more difficult to care for. What to do when your parents don’t like pets, and your father, who owns a shoe store, loves crocodile leather? With the help of Grandma Nell, the duo set out on a wild adventure to find the perfect home for Gilbert.
“The Growcodile” is produced by Fantabulous, the newly founded French joint venture between distributor Kmbo (“The Amazing Maurice”), and production outfit Fabrique d’Images.
The film will be directed by Cartoon Saloon alumni Joost Van Den Bosch and Erik Verkerk, who have...
Bridget is a gifted young girl with a big secret: she has a pet crocodile, Gilbert, that she hides in her room. However, no matter how sweet, the little crocodile grows bigger and more difficult to care for. What to do when your parents don’t like pets, and your father, who owns a shoe store, loves crocodile leather? With the help of Grandma Nell, the duo set out on a wild adventure to find the perfect home for Gilbert.
“The Growcodile” is produced by Fantabulous, the newly founded French joint venture between distributor Kmbo (“The Amazing Maurice”), and production outfit Fabrique d’Images.
The film will be directed by Cartoon Saloon alumni Joost Van Den Bosch and Erik Verkerk, who have...
- 5/17/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Global Screen has racked up presales to multiple territories for the animated family adventure movie “Niko — Beyond the Northern Lights,” the third in the box office hit franchise about a flying reindeer.
The sales agency will be showing a first scene to buyers at Cannes Film Market.
The animated movie has been picked up Kino Swiat for Poland, Bluelabel for South Korea, Just4Kids for the Benelux, Gpi for the Baltic states, Karantanija for ex-Yugoslavia, Zinos Panagiotidis for Greece, Bad Unicorn for Romania, Bohemia Motion Pictures for Slovakia and the Czech Republic, Pro Film for Bulgaria and Bir Film for Turkey.
As previously announced, Telepool will release the film in Germany, and Bac Films in France.
In the new film, Niko is now a pre-teen. His biggest dream is to become a member of Santa’s Flying Forces, but he is challenged by the super talented reindeer girl Stella, who shatters that dream.
The sales agency will be showing a first scene to buyers at Cannes Film Market.
The animated movie has been picked up Kino Swiat for Poland, Bluelabel for South Korea, Just4Kids for the Benelux, Gpi for the Baltic states, Karantanija for ex-Yugoslavia, Zinos Panagiotidis for Greece, Bad Unicorn for Romania, Bohemia Motion Pictures for Slovakia and the Czech Republic, Pro Film for Bulgaria and Bir Film for Turkey.
As previously announced, Telepool will release the film in Germany, and Bac Films in France.
In the new film, Niko is now a pre-teen. His biggest dream is to become a member of Santa’s Flying Forces, but he is challenged by the super talented reindeer girl Stella, who shatters that dream.
- 5/16/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
A few new titles open this weekend, some quite moderately, in the hopes of offering something unique to rival “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” Remember, it’s Mother’s Day on Sunday, where the moms get to pick the movie for once. Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.
Regardless of the number of new entries this weekend, Marvel’s “Guardians,” directed by James Gunn, will remain above the rest with a second weekend of around $50 million or more, capitalizing on positive word-of-mouth from audiences from its opening.
Released by Focus Features into 3,000 theaters is the comedy sequel “Book Club: The Next Chapter,” once again starring Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candace Bergen and Mary Steenburgen, along with Andy Garcia, Don Johnson and Craig T. Nelson. In the movie, once again written and directed by Bill Holderman and Erin Simms, Bergen’s Sharon is getting married, and her...
Regardless of the number of new entries this weekend, Marvel’s “Guardians,” directed by James Gunn, will remain above the rest with a second weekend of around $50 million or more, capitalizing on positive word-of-mouth from audiences from its opening.
Released by Focus Features into 3,000 theaters is the comedy sequel “Book Club: The Next Chapter,” once again starring Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candace Bergen and Mary Steenburgen, along with Andy Garcia, Don Johnson and Craig T. Nelson. In the movie, once again written and directed by Bill Holderman and Erin Simms, Bergen’s Sharon is getting married, and her...
- 5/10/2023
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
The Playmaker Munich has signed with producer Ulysses Films to handle international sales for its upcoming family animation project “Pirate Mo & the Legend of the Red Ruby,” which has a planned release of early 2026.
Ulysses produced animation box-office hits such as “The Amazing Maurice” and “Niko & the Way to the Stars.”
The script for “Pirate Mo,” which is based on Kirsten Boie’s bestselling novel, was written by Richie Conroy, and the director is Florian Westermann, co-director of “The Amazing Maurice.”
The Playmaker team will present “Pirate Mo” at the Marché du Film in Cannes, and will deliver the first teaser presentation at their booth, and at their upcoming highlights market screening on May 18.
Emely Christians, one of the film’s producers, and CEO of Ulysses, said: “I’m really happy that we’ve found a great ‘world sales port’ for our ‘Pirate Mo’ film. The project is very close to my heart.
Ulysses produced animation box-office hits such as “The Amazing Maurice” and “Niko & the Way to the Stars.”
The script for “Pirate Mo,” which is based on Kirsten Boie’s bestselling novel, was written by Richie Conroy, and the director is Florian Westermann, co-director of “The Amazing Maurice.”
The Playmaker team will present “Pirate Mo” at the Marché du Film in Cannes, and will deliver the first teaser presentation at their booth, and at their upcoming highlights market screening on May 18.
Emely Christians, one of the film’s producers, and CEO of Ulysses, said: “I’m really happy that we’ve found a great ‘world sales port’ for our ‘Pirate Mo’ film. The project is very close to my heart.
- 5/8/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The recently launched Toonz Feature Film and China’s Golden Valley Films have struck a co-production and co-financing deal for six animated pictures over the course of the next three years.
The companies will also jointly oversee the sale and distribution of the titles, kicking off at the upcoming Cannes Market where executives of both companies will work side-by-side out of the same offices.
The titles include Pierre The Pigeon-Hawk, led by songwriter and rapper will.i.am as the titular protagonist in the voice cast with other members including Jennifer Coolidge, Luis Guzmán, Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Dogg, Whoopi Goldberg and Howie Mandel.
The film, which is due for delivery in 2024, was previously announced as being sold internationally by The Highland Group but the company is no longer involved in the project. CAA Media Finance is handling domestic sales.
The slate also features Toonz and Gold Valley China’s previously announced co-production Little Emma.
The companies will also jointly oversee the sale and distribution of the titles, kicking off at the upcoming Cannes Market where executives of both companies will work side-by-side out of the same offices.
The titles include Pierre The Pigeon-Hawk, led by songwriter and rapper will.i.am as the titular protagonist in the voice cast with other members including Jennifer Coolidge, Luis Guzmán, Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Dogg, Whoopi Goldberg and Howie Mandel.
The film, which is due for delivery in 2024, was previously announced as being sold internationally by The Highland Group but the company is no longer involved in the project. CAA Media Finance is handling domestic sales.
The slate also features Toonz and Gold Valley China’s previously announced co-production Little Emma.
- 5/3/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Munich-based sales agency Global Screen has acquired “You’re Not Me,” the debut feature of the directors Moisés Romera and Marisa Crespo, for worldwide theatrical distribution. It is a dark elevated genre thriller with elements of satire, focusing on two of the filmmakers’ obsessions: family relationships and social differences.
In the film, Aitana returns home for Christmas, for the first time in three years, to find that her parents have replaced her with an unknown woman. She is her own age, sleeping in her bed, wearing her clothes, living in her house, and treated by her parents as if she were their daughter.
From that moment on, torn by jealousy, suspicion, and misunderstanding, Aitana tries to find out what is happening and who the intruder is that has taken her place in the family – until she discovers an unexpected and disturbing truth that is darker and way bloodier than she would ever have thought possible.
In the film, Aitana returns home for Christmas, for the first time in three years, to find that her parents have replaced her with an unknown woman. She is her own age, sleeping in her bed, wearing her clothes, living in her house, and treated by her parents as if she were their daughter.
From that moment on, torn by jealousy, suspicion, and misunderstanding, Aitana tries to find out what is happening and who the intruder is that has taken her place in the family – until she discovers an unexpected and disturbing truth that is darker and way bloodier than she would ever have thought possible.
- 4/28/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
German film and TV distribution and licensing company Telepool, which is owned by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook, is moving into lead producing movies and series, its CEO Yoko Higuchi-Zitzmann tells Variety exclusively in her first interview since joining the company in January.
Munich-based Telepool is celebrating its 60th anniversary on Wednesday, and although it has a barrel-load of experience in selling, distributing, licensing, financing and co-producing movies and series, this shift into initiating and lead producing represents a significant step for the company. It also forms part of Westbrook’s broader strategy for international expansion, which – in part – lay behind its acquisition of Telepool in December 2021.
Higuchi-Zitzmann seems ideally suited to the task as she has worked for several leading German film and TV companies, giving her experience in both distribution and production. Most recently, she served as the managing director of Pantaleon Films, whose founders include German star Matthias Schweighöfer,...
Munich-based Telepool is celebrating its 60th anniversary on Wednesday, and although it has a barrel-load of experience in selling, distributing, licensing, financing and co-producing movies and series, this shift into initiating and lead producing represents a significant step for the company. It also forms part of Westbrook’s broader strategy for international expansion, which – in part – lay behind its acquisition of Telepool in December 2021.
Higuchi-Zitzmann seems ideally suited to the task as she has worked for several leading German film and TV companies, giving her experience in both distribution and production. Most recently, she served as the managing director of Pantaleon Films, whose founders include German star Matthias Schweighöfer,...
- 4/14/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Viva Kids has nabbed North American rights to the animated family film Rally Road Racers (formerly Silk Road Rally), featuring the voices of Jimmy O. Yang (Patriots Day), J.K. Simmons (Whiplash), Chloe Bennet (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and more, slating it for a nationwide theatrical release on 1,500 or more screens on May 12.
Related Story Neon Acquires Domestic Rights To Anne Hathaway Sundance Movie ‘Eileen’ Related Story 'Interior Chinatown': Ronny Chieng And Chloe Bennet Join Hulu Series From 20th Television, Charles Yu Related Story Hulu Orders 'Interior Chinatown' To Series; Jimmy O. Yang Star And Taika Waititi To EP, Direct Pilot
The film comes on the heels of the critically acclaimed, animated indie The Amazing Maurice, featuring the voices of Emilia Clarke and Hugh Laurie, which played at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and was released in around 2,000 theaters the following month by Viva,...
Related Story Neon Acquires Domestic Rights To Anne Hathaway Sundance Movie ‘Eileen’ Related Story 'Interior Chinatown': Ronny Chieng And Chloe Bennet Join Hulu Series From 20th Television, Charles Yu Related Story Hulu Orders 'Interior Chinatown' To Series; Jimmy O. Yang Star And Taika Waititi To EP, Direct Pilot
The film comes on the heels of the critically acclaimed, animated indie The Amazing Maurice, featuring the voices of Emilia Clarke and Hugh Laurie, which played at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and was released in around 2,000 theaters the following month by Viva,...
- 3/27/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Attendees at the 25th edition of the pitching and co-production forum returned to pre-pandemic levels.
The 25th edition of Cartoon Movie wrapped on March 9 in Bordeaux, returning to pre-pandemic levels of attendance - in spite of a French general strike.
The pitching and co-production forum for animated feature films registered 876 attendees, including 282 buyers from 35 different countries. 58 animated features were presented.
The pitching sessions that registered the highest attendance from buyers this year were: Back To Tomioka, lead-produced by France’s Foliascope; Julián, a co-production led by Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon; and Ninn by France’s TeamTo.
Children’s animation Back...
The 25th edition of Cartoon Movie wrapped on March 9 in Bordeaux, returning to pre-pandemic levels of attendance - in spite of a French general strike.
The pitching and co-production forum for animated feature films registered 876 attendees, including 282 buyers from 35 different countries. 58 animated features were presented.
The pitching sessions that registered the highest attendance from buyers this year were: Back To Tomioka, lead-produced by France’s Foliascope; Julián, a co-production led by Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon; and Ninn by France’s TeamTo.
Children’s animation Back...
- 3/14/2023
- by Emilio Mayorga
- ScreenDaily
Capping a milestone Cartoon Movie showcase that saw Europe’s animation sector in rude and robust form, the sprawling team behind continental co-production “No Dogs or Italians Allowed” shared the Producer of the Year prize, “Oink” auteur Mascha Halberstad claimed the Director trophy and Paris-based Kmbo took top honors in Distribution at this year’s 25th edition of Cartoon Movie, which ran over March 7 – 9 in Bordeaux.
An audience and jury favorite at last year’s Annecy Animation Film Festival, and winner of the most recent European Film Award, the stop-motion feature “No Dogs or Italians Allowed” comes courtesy of director Alain Ughetto and a whopping five production countries. France’s Les Films du Tambour de Soie, Vivement Lundi, and Foliascope joined Italy’s Graffiti Film, Switzerland’s Nadasdy Film, Belgium’s Lux Fugit Film, and Portugal’s Ocidental Filmes to bring this claymation immigration saga to life. Most parties were...
An audience and jury favorite at last year’s Annecy Animation Film Festival, and winner of the most recent European Film Award, the stop-motion feature “No Dogs or Italians Allowed” comes courtesy of director Alain Ughetto and a whopping five production countries. France’s Les Films du Tambour de Soie, Vivement Lundi, and Foliascope joined Italy’s Graffiti Film, Switzerland’s Nadasdy Film, Belgium’s Lux Fugit Film, and Portugal’s Ocidental Filmes to bring this claymation immigration saga to life. Most parties were...
- 3/9/2023
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” held on to top spot at the South Korean box office. But the overall market continued to soften despite a slew of new release titles.
Nationwide theatrical grosses totaled just $7.26 million. That made it the slowest box office weekend in over three months.
“Quantumania” collected $2.0 million between Friday and Sunday, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic), and enjoyed a 27% market share. The second weekend increment lifted its 12-day total to $10.6 million.
Long-running Japanese animation title, “The First Slam Dunk” earned $1.36 million in its eighth weekend on release. Since Jan. 4 it has accumulated $28.0 million.
Local sports drama film “Count” led the list of newcomers. It earned $1.12 million over the weekend and $1.63 million since release on Wednesday. It accounted for 15% of the weekend total.
It was followed by U.S. tech thriller “Missing” with $1.01 million over the weekend...
Nationwide theatrical grosses totaled just $7.26 million. That made it the slowest box office weekend in over three months.
“Quantumania” collected $2.0 million between Friday and Sunday, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic), and enjoyed a 27% market share. The second weekend increment lifted its 12-day total to $10.6 million.
Long-running Japanese animation title, “The First Slam Dunk” earned $1.36 million in its eighth weekend on release. Since Jan. 4 it has accumulated $28.0 million.
Local sports drama film “Count” led the list of newcomers. It earned $1.12 million over the weekend and $1.63 million since release on Wednesday. It accounted for 15% of the weekend total.
It was followed by U.S. tech thriller “Missing” with $1.01 million over the weekend...
- 2/27/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Marketing teams working on projects from The Batman and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to Wednesday and A League of Their Own were honored Saturday at the second annual World Trailer Awards.
The ceremony honoring the world’s top creators and entertainment marketers took place at the Tivoli Marina Vilamoura in Algarve, Portugal, where winners were announced across the worlds of TV, cinema, games and streaming. More than 70 countries participated in the competition (see the regional winners list here), with winners selected by a panel 450-plus international entertainment opinion leaders and industry experts. Deadline is the event’s media partner.
This year’s event was hosted by Michael Beavan, founder of Production Publicity Ltd, and Alejandro Barrios, World Trailer Awards’ Latam Regional Director.
Watch the full ceremony exclusively above.
Among the winners, The Batman won Best Trailer, created by Bond, in the Cinema field, while in TV the Best Online...
The ceremony honoring the world’s top creators and entertainment marketers took place at the Tivoli Marina Vilamoura in Algarve, Portugal, where winners were announced across the worlds of TV, cinema, games and streaming. More than 70 countries participated in the competition (see the regional winners list here), with winners selected by a panel 450-plus international entertainment opinion leaders and industry experts. Deadline is the event’s media partner.
This year’s event was hosted by Michael Beavan, founder of Production Publicity Ltd, and Alejandro Barrios, World Trailer Awards’ Latam Regional Director.
Watch the full ceremony exclusively above.
Among the winners, The Batman won Best Trailer, created by Bond, in the Cinema field, while in TV the Best Online...
- 2/26/2023
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
This month sees the U.S. release of The Amazing Maurice, a feature length adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s acclaimed 2001 YA novel. Though Pratchett has been adapted a handful of times for television, most recently with Amazon’s Good Omens (excellent) and BBC America’s The Watch (patchy), this will be the first true big-screen take on a Pratchett book*, which is frankly astonishing when you consider that Sir Terry has been a bestseller since the mid-‘80s, with a series of accessible and cinematic comic fantasy hits, most of which would lend themselves to the screen.
Pratchett even writes cinematically—almost all of his adult novels are written without chapters, skipping scene-to-scene just as a movie does. Some of these books were adapted in the ‘90s for the stage, three successful video games, and even a prog rock album. Meanwhile several of his novels have been made successfully for the small screen,...
Pratchett even writes cinematically—almost all of his adult novels are written without chapters, skipping scene-to-scene just as a movie does. Some of these books were adapted in the ‘90s for the stage, three successful video games, and even a prog rock album. Meanwhile several of his novels have been made successfully for the small screen,...
- 2/21/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” dominated the Korean box office charts over the latest weekend with a 4.91 million opening weekend. Nationwide box office rose to 9.78 million, up from 7.85 million a week earlier.
The film played on over 2,000 screens and enjoyed a 50.1 market share between Friday and Sunday, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council. The film earned 7.1 million in its full five day run since opening on Wednesday.
“Quantumania” landed ahead of “The First Slam Dunk,” the Japanese animation that opened at the beginning of the year and had taken the top spot for the previous two weeks. “Slam Dunk” earned 2.17 million, another strong hold, and down from 2.67 million the previous weekend. Its cumulative total since Jan. 4 stands at 26 million.
Propelled by the film’s popularity, the underlying Japanese comic has now sold over one million copies in Korea, the local publisher Daiwon C.
The film played on over 2,000 screens and enjoyed a 50.1 market share between Friday and Sunday, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council. The film earned 7.1 million in its full five day run since opening on Wednesday.
“Quantumania” landed ahead of “The First Slam Dunk,” the Japanese animation that opened at the beginning of the year and had taken the top spot for the previous two weeks. “Slam Dunk” earned 2.17 million, another strong hold, and down from 2.67 million the previous weekend. Its cumulative total since Jan. 4 stands at 26 million.
Propelled by the film’s popularity, the underlying Japanese comic has now sold over one million copies in Korea, the local publisher Daiwon C.
- 2/19/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
It has sold to sold in France, Italy, Scandinavia, Portugal and Turkey.
London and Paris-based outfit Film Constellation has pulled in a raft of pre-sale deals on computer generated family adventure The Last Dinosaur.
It has sold to sold in France to Kmbo, Italy to Eagle Pictures, Scandinavia to Selmer, Portugal to Nos Audiovisuais and Turkey to Italia Film.
The animation had previously sold in Australia and New Zealand (Icon), Latin America (Bf Distribution), Poland (Forum Film), Former Yugoslavia (McF Megacom), Cis & Baltics (Volga), Greece & Cyprus (Filmtrade), Israel (Red Cape) and Middle East (Italia Film).
Rex, son of the king of dinosaurs,...
London and Paris-based outfit Film Constellation has pulled in a raft of pre-sale deals on computer generated family adventure The Last Dinosaur.
It has sold to sold in France to Kmbo, Italy to Eagle Pictures, Scandinavia to Selmer, Portugal to Nos Audiovisuais and Turkey to Italia Film.
The animation had previously sold in Australia and New Zealand (Icon), Latin America (Bf Distribution), Poland (Forum Film), Former Yugoslavia (McF Megacom), Cis & Baltics (Volga), Greece & Cyprus (Filmtrade), Israel (Red Cape) and Middle East (Italia Film).
Rex, son of the king of dinosaurs,...
- 2/19/2023
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
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