TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Monday 14 October 2024

Australian TV grows in the U.S.; Denis Villeneuve on AI; Sean Baker on cinema; Roku's rise; SXSW Sydney lineup; Jason Isaacs' WWII role; Screen Australia criticism; Ready or Not 2; Tim Burton honored

Today’s Highlights:

• Australian Reality TV's Rising Popularity in America – Australian reality TV shows are finding success in the U.S., becoming the second-largest exporter of reality content and presenting growth opportunities for streaming platforms.

• Sean Baker Urges Audiences to Watch 'Anora' on the Big Screen—At the BFI London Film Festival, Sean Baker emphasized the importance of cinema for adult films like Anora, urging support for non-superhero content.

• Denis Villeneuve Praises Collaborative Filmmaking at 'Dune: Part Two' Screening—During a Dune: Part Two screening in London, Denis Villeneuve discussed the importance of human collaboration in filmmaking and warned about AI's impact on creativity.

• Are TV Broadcasters Sabotaging Themselves by Offering Free Streaming? – Concerns arise that broadcasters offering free streaming could devalue content and harm PayTV, with some arguing they are simply adapting to consumer demands.

• Roku's Smart TV Program's Inside Story—This book details Roku's rise to lead the U.S. smart TV market and provides critical insights from executives about the company's decade-long journey with TCL and Hisense.

• Screen Australia Faces Criticism for Limiting Filmmaker Funding Access – Screen Australia's management of the Producer Tax Offset has drawn criticism, with some arguing it limits access to essential filmmaker funding.

• Y2K and Unstoppable Among SXSW Sydney Lineup Additions – SXSW Sydney's Screen Festival announced last-minute additions with a diverse international lineup, including Y2K and Unstoppable.

• Jason Isaacs to Star in WWII Series' Castle of the Eagles' – Jason Isaacs is set to star in Castle of the Eagles, a WWII limited series about Allied POW escapes, presented at MIA Market in Rome.

• Benicio Del Toro and Monica Bellucci Honor Tim Burton at Lumière Festival – Benicio Del Toro and Monica Bellucci surprised the Lumière Festival crowd with an appearance by Tim Burton, celebrating his Beetlejuice sequel.

• 'Ready or Not 2' in Development with Samara Weaving Returning – A sequel to Ready or Not is in development, with Samara Weaving reprising her role in the cult horror hit directed by Radio Silence.

Plus: Insights, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Cancellations, Opportunities and Jobs with ILM, Disney, DirecTV, Sony, Studiocanal, Nordisk, K5 & Plaion.

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INSIGHTS

Australian Reality TV's Rising Popularity in America

Despite the competitive market, Australian TV shows have found surprising success in the U.S. Beyond the hit children's show "Bluey," reality shows from Australia are gaining popularity, suggesting opportunities for streaming platforms. Australia ranks as the third-largest exporter of TV shows to the U.S. among English-speaking countries and is second only to the U.K. for reality TV as of Q3 2024. Read More

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Sean Baker Urges Audiences to Watch 'Anora' on the Big Screen at BFI London Film Festival

Director Sean Baker encouraged moviegoers to see his Palme d'Or-winning film Anora on the big screen at the BFI London Film Festival. Joined by star Mikey Madison, Baker emphasized supporting adult films without superheroes or explosions. They discussed working together and Coney Island’s role in their twisted Cinderella story. Anora, a screwball dramedy, has premiered at major festivals, including Cannes, Telluride, and Toronto. Read More

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Denis Villeneuve Praises Collaborative Filmmaking at 'Dune: Part Two' London Screening

At a special screening of Dune: Part Two in London, director Denis Villeneuve highlighted the importance of collaboration in filmmaking, contrasting it with the rise of AI-generated movies. Speaking with filmmaker Joe Wright, Villeneuve emphasized the beauty of human creativity in cinema, which he fears may be lost with AI. He also shared how his background in biology influenced the design of the film’s iconic sandworms. Read More

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Are TV Broadcasters Sabotaging Themselves by Offering Free Streaming?

As traditional TV broadcasters like Disney Star, Zee, and Viacom18 rush to offer content on AVoD platforms shortly after airing, concerns arise over the potential devaluation of their content and its impact on PayTV. Cable and DTH operators warn that this shift encourages consumers to abandon paid TV for cheaper online alternatives, while broadcasters argue they are merely adapting to changing media consumption habits. Read More

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The Inside Story of Roku’s TV Program

Ten years ago, Roku launched its first smart TVs in collaboration with Hisense and TCL, two then-unknown Chinese brands in the U.S. Today, Roku leads the domestic smart TV market, with its partners becoming household names. Roku's VP of retail strategy, Chris Larson, and Roku TV VP of business development, Tom McFarland, who started on opposite sides of this venture, shared insights into the challenging journey of building Roku’s success in the U.S. market. Read More

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Screen Australia Faces Criticism for Limiting Filmmaker Funding Access

Under section 376 of the Taxation Act, the Producer Tax Offset allows filmmakers to claim up to 40% of production costs as a tax refund, serving as the government’s primary support for the Australian screen industry. While Screen Australia manages a range of funding programs involving subjective assessments, it also administers this offset for the tax office in a value-neutral capacity, ensuring impartiality. Read More

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'Flow' Director Gints Zilbalodis Talks Cat-Themed Environmental Fable

Latvian animator Gints Zilbalodis began his journey with a short film about a cat overcoming its fear of water, created while still in high school. Years later, he revisited the idea, resulting in his second animated feature, Flow. Set in a post-apocalyptic world without humans, the film follows a grey cat as it escapes danger and teams up with a diverse group of animals on a sailboat adventure. Read More

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Redbox Machines Are Gone, but Removing Them Is Now the Challenge

Matthew Taylor, owner of an Alabama moving company, has found a growing market for removing defunct Redbox DVD-dispensing machines from stores across the U.S. Weighing up to 890 pounds and posing potential environmental risks, these machines are a burden for store owners. Taylor’s team is hired to extract them, often needing an electrician to disconnect the units. Read More