Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Weekend 1-2 March 2025
Motlys wins Berlinale; Netflix eyes video podcasts; Pinewood scales back; AI firms fight EU rules; Horgan, Pacino land major deals; Hollywood prop house shuts; BBC, Southern Cross make big moves.
Today’s Highlights:
Motlys Wins Golden Bear—Norwegian production company Motlys won the Golden Bear at Berlinale 2024 with Dreams (Sex, Love), directed by Dag Johan Haugerud. This marks a major milestone in the company’s commitment to thought-provoking cinema.
Netflix's Video Podcast Expansion—Netflix is exploring video podcast integration to compete with YouTube and Spotify. The company aims to boost user engagement and subscription retention.
Veni Vidi Vici Explores Capitalism's Excesses—Austrian filmmaker Daniel Hoesl's Veni Vidi Vici premiered at Sundance. The film uses dark humour to critique capitalism through the story of a billionaire played by Laurence Rupp.
AI Companies Push Back on EU’s AI Act—OpenAI, Meta, and MistralAI oppose Europe's AI Act, which requires transparency on AI-generated content and rightsholder notifications. They argue that it stifles innovation.
Hollywood’s Faux Library Prop House Closes—After 24 years, a specialist prop house specialising in faux libraries and set decoration is closing, reflecting the industry's shift away from practical effects.
Pinewood Studios Adjusts Expansion Plans—Due to a global production slowdown, Pinewood Studios has revised its expansion strategy and reassessed the demand for additional soundstages.
Sharon Horgan’s HBO First-Look Deal – Bad Sisters creator Sharon Horgan signed a first-look deal with HBO for a new comedy series exploring relationships, family, and personal reinvention.
Al Pacino Joins Gus Van Sant’s Dead Man’s Wire – Al Pacino has joined Gus Van Sant’s hostage thriller Dead Man’s Wire, based on the true story of Tony Kiritsis’ 1977 standoff.
Southern Cross Sells Regional TV Assets – Southern Cross Austereo has sold its last regional TV holdings to James Packer-backed ADH TV, marking a major shift in Australian media ownership.
BBC Studios Launches Training Programs – BBC Studios Drama Productions has introduced new industry training initiatives, including the Casualty Directors’ Scheme and various production department opportunities.
Plus: News, Insights, Festivals & Markets, Executive Moves, In Development, Deals, Renewals & Jobs with MUBI, Amazon, WBD, Netflix & BBC.
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INSIGHTS
Norwegian Powerhouse Motlys on Producing Dreams, Sex, Love and the Road to the Berlinale
Norwegian production company Motlys has achieved a significant milestone with their film Dreams (Sex, Love), directed by Dag Johan Haugerud, winning the prestigious Golden Bear at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival. This film marks the third instalment in a trilogy that delves into complex human relationships, sexuality, and societal norms. The narrative centres on Johanne, a teenager who develops an infatuation with her French teacher, leading to introspection within her family as they confront their unfulfilled desires. Despite initial challenges in securing sales agents and festival placements, Motlys remained steadfast in their belief in the project's artistic merit. Their perseverance has culminated in this esteemed recognition, underscoring the company's dedication to producing thought-provoking cinema. Read More
Netflix Expands Video Podcast Efforts Amid Streaming Wars
Netflix may soon host video podcasts on its platform. This shift is driven by the convergence of various media markets, with companies like YouTube, Spotify, Netflix, and Amazon vying for user engagement, subscriptions, and ad revenue. With Netflix's strategy centred on engagement, adding video podcasts could help diversify its content and maintain subscriptions, though concerns about exclusivity remain. Read More
Veni Vidi Vici Director Discusses Power, Billionaires, and Reality
Austrian filmmaker Daniel Hoesl and German partner Julia Niemann are known for their black comedies and documentaries on money and capitalism, highlighting social inequality. Their latest film, Veni Vidi Vici, debuted at Sundance 2024 and explores the excesses of capitalism with dark humour. Starring Laurence Rupp as billionaire Amon Maynard, the film juxtaposes deadly jokes with idyllic family scenes. Hoesl and Niemann discussed the film's timeliness and future plans. Read More
My Dead Friend Zoe Director on Military Veteran Representation
In the screenplay for "My Dead Friend Zoe," writer/director Kyle Hausmann-Stokes left key lines blank in therapy session scenes, allowing veterans to tell their stories. Hausmann-Stokes, an Army veteran, cast about 90% veterans, including Morgan Freeman. The film depicts veterans' post-service lives and aims for honesty and humour rather than stereotypes. Winning the SXSW Audience Award, it’s backed by veteran-supportive nonprofits and concludes with a call-to-action campaign for veterans. Read More
TV’s Shift Toward Literary Adaptations
Writers Victoria Asare-Archer, Daf James, Georgia Lee, Sydney Sybilia, and Danielle Ward reflect on balancing their ideas with audience tastes in breakout series like Daddy Issues and Missing You. They emphasise staying true to their emotional truth while considering audience expectations. Asare-Archer and James discuss the importance of writing stories they are passionate about, while Lee and Sibilia highlight the need for quality and authenticity. Ward insists on writing comedy she finds funny, regardless of audience preferences. The writers believe taking risks and focusing on fresh ideas are key to creating engaging content. Read More
Streaming Giants Face Revenue and Subscriber Challenges
Netflix continues dominating the streaming battlefield, leading in revenue and subscriber numbers. With the latest quarterly earnings reports, Netflix remains the top streamer, adding a record 18.9 million subscribers, bringing its total to 301.63 million globally. Disney follows with 203.8 million subscribers across Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Starting next quarter, Netflix will no longer disclose its subscriber and average revenue-per-paid-member figures quarterly. Read More
Trudie Styler Unveils An Ode to Naples, Featuring Sting
Trudie Styler's documentary "Posso Entrare? An Ode to Naples," recently premiered on Hulu, explores Naples, known for its resilience, crime, and creative energy, with fresh eyes. The film features author Roberto Saviano, municipal councillor Alessandra Clemente, and women from Forti Guerriere, an anti-domestic organisation. It also includes a musical performance by Sting. Styler delves into Naples' complexities to dispel stereotypes and showcase the city's unique culture and vitality. Read More
AI Companies Face Pushback Over Europe’s AI Act
Nine months ago, the EU passed the AI Act, the world's first law regulating AI technology, requiring companies to inform the public when content is AI-generated. A key aspect is transparency, requiring AI companies to notify rightsholders when their works are used as training data. This has led to a battle between rightsholders seeking compensation and AI companies like OpenAI, Meta, and MistralAI, who argue the law hampers innovation. Read More
Japan Expands Global Co-Productions as Shōgun Finds Success
At the inaugural MIP London and London TV Screenings, attendees lamented the venues and timing compared to Cannes. Complaints aside, the focus was on navigating industry challenges and digital pivots. Highlights included Dan Reed’s Leaving Neverland sequel heading to YouTube, Barb measuring YouTube TV viewership, and Netflix adopting British YouTube formats. Partnerships with Asian countries, particularly Japan, are increasing, as shown by deals involving Endemol Shine Australia, TV Asahi, and Fremantle. Read More
Hollywood’s Faux Library Prop House to Close After 24 Years
A well-known Hollywood prop specialising in faux libraries and studio set decorations is shutting down after over two decades in business. The closure marks broader challenges, practical effects, and set design companies face in the streaming era. Read More
Pinewood Studios Revises Expansion Plans Amid Industry Slowdown
Pinewood Studios has adjusted its ambitious expansion plans due to the slowdown in global production. The UK-based facility, a hub for major franchises, is reassessing demand for additional soundstages amid shifting industry conditions. Read More
Kate Bulkley: The TV Industry Needs a More Sustainable Business Model
Media commentator Kate Bulemphasisessises the urgent need for a sustainable business model in the media industry. She highlights that recent challenges, including the LA fires, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the US writers' strikes, have disrupted traditional production and distribution methods. Bulkley advocates for creating repeatable shows with global appeal to ensure resilience against such disruptions and to meet the evolving demands of a diverse, worldwide audience. Read More
SPA Breakfast Takeaways | Wayne Garvie
SPA CEO Matthew Deaner is joined by President, International Production at Sony Pictures Television Wayne Garvie as he shares his perspectives on the current state of screen production.
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