Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Friday 9 May 2025
Relativity returns, BBC warns of PSB crisis, Serkis leads new LOTR, Blanchett funds displaced filmmakers, and Portman spotlights Rosalind Franklin in Hooper’s Photograph 51.
Today’s Highlights:
Relativity Media Re-emerges with Fresh Financing Ahead of Cannes – Backed by UltraV Holdings and Sound Point Capital, Relativity Media returns to indie film acquisitions and development after years of restructuring.
Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema Confirm The Hunt for Gollum for 2027 – Andy Serkis will direct and star in a new Lord of the Rings film, set for a global theatrical release on 17 December 2027.
BBC Chief Tim Davie Flags ‘Borderline Crisis’ in PSB Funding – Tim Davie defends the licence fee and urges reforms amid government disinvestment in public service broadcasting.
Mubi and Our Films Strike Ambitious Co-Production Deal – Mubi has signed a three-year production agreement with Our Films, starting with a new feature by director Paweł Pawlikowski.
SBS Launches New Western Sydney Production Hub – With $5.9m in federal funding, SBS will open a facility to produce over 1,800 hours of content annually and support local talent development.
Cate Blanchett’s Displacement Film Fund Awards Five Filmmakers – Blanchett and the Hubert Bals Fund have granted €100,000 each to five displaced filmmakers, with premieres slated for IFFR 2026.
Sebastian Stan and Leo Woodall to Star in Burning Rainbow Farm – Directed by Justin Kurzel, the true story follows a couple’s clash with the FBI over their utopian cannabis commune.
Natalie Portman to Star in DNA Biopic Photograph 51 – Directed by Tom Hooper, the film will spotlight Rosalind Franklin’s overlooked role in the discovery of DNA’s double-helix structure.
ITV’s Code of Silence Breaks Ground with Deaf Lead and Inclusive Production – Rose Ayling-Ellis leads ITV’s new crime drama, praised for casting deaf, disabled, and neurodiverse talent both on and off screen.
David Mamet’s Henry Johnson Marks Shia LaBeouf’s Comeback – Streaming 9 May, Mamet’s first film in nearly 20 years stars LaBeouf as a prisoner in a critically praised return to form.
Plus: Insights, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Cancellations, Opportunities & Jobs with Netflix, Disney. Paramount, Sony, Prime, Google & WBD in Sydney, Melbourne, London, LA, Washington DC, Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen & Amsterdam.
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INSIGHTS
ITV’s Code of Silence Breaks New Ground in Crime Drama and Representation
Premiering May 18 on ITV and ITVX, and hitting BritBox in North America this July, Code of Silence stars Rose Ayling-Ellis in her first lead role as a deaf woman recruited for a covert police mission. Created by Catherine Moulton, the series is earning praise for its authentic inclusion of deaf, disabled, and neurodiverse talent, aiming to set a new standard for accessibility in mainstream TV. Read More
Dandelooo Shines with Award-Winning Shows and Bold New Series
Dandelooo cements its international animation presence with acclaimed titles like Jasmine & Jambo, praised for its heart, humour, and musical charm, now a three-time Quirino Awards nominee and double winner. Hyeo Jin Moon highlights new release Under the Sofa, a quirky comedy from Teidees set in a hidden world below furniture, blending 2D and 3D animation to create fast-paced, offbeat adventures for kids aged 7 and up. Read More
Inside Dhar Mann's Expanding Studio Empire in Burbank
Tucked near Disney and Warner Bros. studios, a repurposed airplane fuselage in Burbank now serves as a set for Dhar Mann’s uplifting scripted videos. Touring his 100,000-square-foot campus of three buildings, Mann showcases sets ranging from jails to mansions. With eight productions running at once, his nearly 200-person team stays busy creating content driven by his mission to inspire and spread positivity. Read More
Nick Viall’s $30M Deal Signals Podcasting’s Enduring Power
Podcasting remains a rare bright spot for major deals in Hollywood, even as announcements slow. While top-tier names like Joe Rogan and Alex Cooper have already locked in multi-year pacts, The Viall Files host Nick Viall recently signed a $30 million agreement with Libsyn. The Bachelor alum’s surprising deal underscores the medium’s momentum, as he expands his Envy Media banner into a growing slate of pop culture and relationship shows. Read More
Shia LaBeouf Returns to Form in David Mamet’s Henry Johnson
Streaming May 9 on HenryJohnsonMovie.com, Henry Johnson marks David Mamet’s first directorial project in nearly 20 years — a film adaptation of his 2023 play starring Shia LaBeouf as a captivating prisoner. Amid ongoing legal troubles, LaBeouf’s performance is earning praise, with critics calling it a powerful reminder of his talent. The film co-stars Evan Jonigkeit and showcases Mamet’s signature intensity and dialogue-driven storytelling. Read More
Relativity Media Eyes Comeback with Fresh Financing Ahead of Cannes
Once synonymous with Ryan Kavanaugh’s rise and fall, Relativity Media has quietly rebuilt under new ownership since emerging from bankruptcy in 2018. Now backed by UltraV Holdings and Sound Point Capital, the company is re-entering the spotlight with renewed ambitions in domestic acquisitions and development. Days before the Marché du Film in Cannes, Relativity has secured fresh financing to boost its activity and reclaim relevance in the indie film market. Read More
Altice USA Charts a Leaner Future for Cable Under CEO Dennis Mathew
In a tough year for Pay TV, Altice USA is betting on slimmer video bundles and customer-centric strategies to stay competitive. Led by former Comcast exec Dennis Mathew since 2022, the Optimum brand is expanding its fibre and mobile offerings while rethinking video. With over 4.5 million customer relationships, Altice is focused on flexible, streamlined packages tailored to shifting viewer habits in the New York metro area. Read More
BBC Chief Warns of ‘Borderline Crisis’ in Public Service Broadcasting Funding
BBC Director-General Tim Davie has raised concerns over public service broadcasting (PSB) funding, citing government disinvestment as a significant challenge. He defends the licence fee model but acknowledges the need for reform, including a progressive fee structure where wealthier households contribute more. The BBC plans to expand commercial partnerships and launch a public consultation to explore future funding options. Read More
‘Étoile’ Team Explains How Their Ballet-Centric Series Sounds Alarm On “Fragility Of The Arts”
Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino have embarked on their second foray into ballet with their latest series, Prime Video‘s Étoile. After previously working for one season on the 2012 drama Bunheads, Sherman-Palladino says her desire to tell another ballet-centric story was fueled by one thing: “vengeance.”
Carlos Diehz on His Pivotal Scene With Ralph Fiennes in 'Conclave'
Rebuilding Zig Zag Productions - Danny Fenton’s Comeback Story | TellyCast
Danny Fenton, CEO and founder of Zig Zag Productions, shares his journey of insolvency and reinvention, launching Zig Zag 2.0 with a focus on brand-funded content, AI training data, and international markets. His new approach aims to adapt to the digital-first content landscape, ensuring resilience in the evolving media industry.
KIDDING ABOUT TV with Jo Redfern: The Kids Content Revolution
Jo Redfern, Founder of Futrhood Media, discusses the radical transformation of youth content, from YouTube and Roblox to the creator economy’s growing dominance. With experience launching Peppa Pig and leading BBC Children’s brands, she highlights how IP owners must evolve into marketers, developers, and distributors. The conversation covers attention span shifts, audience-first storytelling, and the impact of Bluey, Miss Rachel, Amazing Digital Circus, and Kid Cowboy.
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