TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Weekend 24-25 August 2024
Kyrgyzstan's Oscar entry; NSW funds game developers; Austria backs big films; Skydance-Paramount tension; Sky's HBO future; Canada's factual TV woes; Venice debuts; martial arts at TIFF.
Today’s Highlights:
Kyrgyzstan's Oscar Entry - Kyrgyzstan selected "Heaven is Beneath Mother's Feet," directed by Ruslan Akun, for the Oscars.
Screen NSW Funding Recipients - Screen NSW awards $300,000 for Digital Games Seed Development, boosting local talent.
Austria's Filming Incentives - Austria's Fisa+ program grants over $7M to "Cliffhanger 2" and "The Fountain of Youth."
Skydance-Paramount Deal Threatened - Skydance Media may terminate its $8B deal to buy Paramount Global due to a breach of the agreement.
Observational Documentaries Debate - Edinburgh TV Festival discusses the relevance of traditional observational documentaries in the streaming era.
Canadian Factual Producers' Concerns - Uncertainty looms over Canadian factual producers due to Corus Entertainment's financial struggles.
Sky's Future Without HBO Deal - Sky CEO Cécile Frot-Coutaz is preparing for life without HBO, as their partnership may end in 2025.
Georgia's 'The Antique' at Venice - Georgian film "The Antique" debuts its trailer ahead of its Venice premiere, handled by MPM Premium.
'The Furious' Martial Arts Film -Tanigaki Kenji's martial arts film, "The Furious," was completed in Bangkok and is set to launch at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Norwegian Film Industry Spotlight - Thomas Robsahm, known for Oscar-nominated films, is preparing for an extensive film slate, including a Hollywood sequel.
Plus: News, Insights, Festivals, Executive Moves, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Events and Jobs with Rare TV, ABC, Warners, Virgin, Netflix, Disney, CAA, Roku, Screen Ireland & Red Bull.
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NEWS
International Oscar Race: Kyrgyzstan Proposes ‘Heaven Is Beneath Mother’s Feet’
"Heaven is Beneath Mother’s Feet" (aka "Beyish Enenin Tamanynda") has been selected to represent Kyrgyzstan in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars, as chosen by the Union of Cinematographers of Kyrgyzstan. Directed by Ruslan Akun, the film tells the story of a man whose mental development stopped at age eight and who embarks on a journey to Mecca with his mother to ensure her place in heaven. The film was released in Kyrgyzstan in March 2024 and later in Russia and Uzbekistan.
From: Variety
Screen NSW Reveals Recipients for $300,000 Digital Games Seed Development Funding
Screen NSW has announced the recipients of its Digital Games Seed Development Funding, awarding $300,000 to support innovative game development projects. The funding aims to nurture local talent and boost the digital games industry in New South Wales by providing financial assistance to emerging developers working on original game concepts.
From: IF
Austria's Filming Incentive Awards Over $7M to Cliffhanger 2 and Guy Ritchie's The Fountain of Youth
Austria's filming incentive program Fisa+ has granted over $7 million to two major productions: Cliffhanger 2 and Guy Ritchie's The Fountain of Youth. These funds aim to support the local film industry by attracting high-profile projects, contributing to the economy, and showcasing Austria as a prime filming destination. Since its January 2023 launch, Fisa+ has allocated €109.9m to 113 projects.
From: Screen Daily
Skydance Threatens to Drop Paramount Deal If Edgar Bronfman Talks Continue
Skydance Media threatens to terminate its $8 billion deal to buy Paramount Global if the company continues discussions with new suitor Edgar Bronfman Jr. Skydance’s legal team accused Paramount of breaching the agreement by extending the ‘go-shop’ period without notification. While Skydance hasn't yet terminated the deal, it reserves the right to do so. Bronfman recently increased his bid to $6 billion, complicating the ongoing sale process.
From: C21
INSIGHTS
Uncovering Secrets
Danish director Kaspar Munk reflects on the evolving television landscape that inspired his eight-part drama Secrets, which is about two siblings entangled in co-dependency and deceit. Having transitioned from feature films to TV with projects like Limbo and The Rain, Munk notes the rise of cinematic storytelling in Danish series over the past decade. However, with the decline of 'Peak TV,' unpredictability has emerged, especially as platforms like HBO Max and Viaplay scale back their scripted content.
From: Drama Quarterly
Disney Execs Looking Over Their Shoulder at PSB Rivals
Disney executives are increasingly aware of the competitive pressures of Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) in the UK, particularly as these broadcasters continue to innovate in content and distribution. This awareness reflects broader industry shifts where streaming giants must remain vigilant of the changing dynamics in traditional broadcasting.
From: Broadcast
15 Seconds: Grace Naoum on Her Unique Film Project
Grace Naoum discusses her latest project, 15 Seconds, a film that explores the fleeting moments that shape our lives. The film delves into the idea that pivotal decisions can be made in just a few seconds, altering the course of our lives in profound ways.
From: IF
Have Observational Documentaries Had Their Day?
In an era where society is captivated by the lives of ordinary people on social media, traditional observational documentaries seem outdated. With platforms like TikTok and YouTube offering instant access to real-life content, the humble "obs doc" appears redundant. This sentiment was echoed at the Edinburgh TV Festival, where a panel debated the relevance of such documentaries in a streaming era dominated by high-gloss, celebrity-led content. The question remains whether there’s still a place for fly-on-the-wall stories about everyday people in today’s risk-averse content market.
From: C21
What Are Australia’s Best TV Formats?
Australian television has produced some great shows, with several achieving international adaptations. Here, industry experts compile a list of the finest formats, considering factors like entertainment value and remake potential. While international success is notable, some shows, such as The Wiggles and Wilfred, are closely tied to their original cast, making it harder for them to adapt globally. The list also highlights the dominance of unscripted formats among these successful Australian exports.
From: TV Tonight
Canadian Factual Producers Await Fate of Corus Entertainment
Canadian factual producers anxiously await the outcome of Corus Entertainment's financial struggles. The uncertainty around Corus' future has significant implications for the Canadian factual production sector, which relies heavily on partnerships with the media giant.
From: C21
Stranger Eyes Director Yeo Siew Hua on His Venice Competition Drama
Yeo Siew Hua, the director of Stranger Eyes, shares his challenges in bringing his Venice Competition film to life. The drama, which almost got shelved, delves into complex themes and showcases Yeo's distinctive filmmaking style.
From: Screen Daily
Katz Chasing Viewers Online with Serial Killers and Celebs Poses Challenges to PSBs
A discussion of the challenges public service broadcasters (PSBs) face as they compete with online platforms that offer sensational content like serial killer documentaries and celebrity-driven shows. This trend has significantly impacted traditional broadcasters' ability to attract and retain viewers.
From: C21
Sky CEO Cécile Frot-Coutaz Prepares for Life Without HBO Output Deal
UK pay TV broadcaster Sky is considering various options for its partnership with HBO, which could end in 2025, according to Sky CEO Cécile Frot-Coutaz at the Edinburgh TV Festival. Sky's deal with HBO, which has been in place since 2014, has provided access to popular series like Succession and Game of Thrones. With HBO's parent company, Warner Bros Discovery, planning to launch its Max streaming service in the UK by 2026, industry insiders doubt the deal will be renewed. However, Frot-Coutaz assures that Sky is well prepared for any outcome.
From: C21
Analysis: How the Indie Sector is Being Turned Inside Out
An analysis of the dramatic changes within the indie production sector, where financial pressures and shifting market dynamics reshape how independent production companies operate and the implications for creativity and business sustainability in the industry.
From: Broadcast
Revealed: Fresh Efforts to Improve Working Life for Freelancers
New initiatives aim to improve working conditions for freelancers in the television industry. These efforts focus on creating a more sustainable work environment, addressing job security, mental health, and fair pay.
From: Broadcast
Georgia’s ‘The Antique’ Debuts Trailer Ahead of Venice Premiere, MPM Handles Sales
Georgian filmmaker Rusudan Glurjidze's second feature, "Antikvariati" (The Antique), premieres at the Venice Film Festival in the Venice Days sidebar. It has launched its trailer, with MPM Premium acquiring international sales rights. Set 18 years ago in Russia, the film follows Lado, a Georgian man involved in smuggling antiques whose life unravels after his deportation during a crackdown on Georgians. Glurjidze claims "The Antique" may be the last film shot in Russia by foreign filmmakers, completed despite significant challenges.
From: Variety
Himesh Patel Talks Chemistry With Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Reuniting With Lily James in ‘Greedy People’
Himesh Patel reveals that the opportunity to work with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Lily James was a major draw for his role in Potsy Ponciroli’s latest comedy thriller, Greedy People. In the film, releasing in U.S. theatres on Friday, Patel and James play expectant parents who move to a sleepy island town. Patel's character, Will, starts his new job as a cop but soon faces chaos, including an accidental murder and a million-dollar discovery. Gordon-Levitt plays Will’s difficult partner, Terry, and their comedic chemistry brings camaraderie and chaos to the screen.
From: The Hollywood Reporter
‘The Furious,’ Asian Action Showstopper From Tanigaki Kenji and Bill Kong, Sets Toronto Market Launch
Japanese director Tanigaki Kenji has completed production on his upcoming martial arts film The Furious in Bangkok, Thailand. Written by Mak Tin Shu, the film stars Xie Miao as a tradesman battling criminals and agents to rescue his kidnapped daughter. Produced by Bill Kong (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), Frank Hui, and Shan Tam, the film features a pan-Asian cast, including Joe Taslim, Jeeja Yanin, and Yayan Ruhian. Edko Films will distribute in Hong Kong, Macao, and mainland China, with XYZ Films handling sales for other territories, set to introduce the film at TIFF.
From: Variety
Should France Submit ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ or ‘Emilia Perez’ to the Oscars?
After missing out on sending Anatomy of a Fall as its official entry, France's revamped Oscar committee faces high stakes in selecting its next contender for Best International Feature. Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Perez, a redemption thriller that won two major awards at Cannes, seems like an obvious choice. However, The Count of Monte Cristo, a sweeping epic by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de la Patellière, is also a strong contender, sparking debate over which film will represent France in the Oscar race.
From: Variety
‘Loveable’ Producer Thomas Robsahm on His Slate and Norway’s Best Kept Secret: Talent Hotbed Filmskapere
Norwegian producer Thomas Robsahm, known for over 50 films, including the Oscar-nominated The Worst Person in the World, is preparing for his busiest film slate. Following the successful delivery of Loveable and Explosions in My Heart, Robsahm is set for four new shoots. First up is Dancing Queen in Hollywood, a sequel to the award-winning Dancing Queen, set for a 2025 release. Robsahm, now with Nordisk Film Production Norway, also has My First Love in production, a debut film by Mari Storstein.
From: Variety
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Features in First-Look Image for ‘My Fathers’ Daughter,’ Set to Become the First-Ever Sámi-Language World Premiere at Toronto
My Fathers’ Daughter, the first Sámi-language feature to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, has released a first-look image featuring Game of Thrones actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who makes a cameo as himself. Directed by Egil Pedersen, the coming-of-age dramedy follows Elvira, a teenager who fantasizes that her father is a famous movie star, only to have her world turned upside down when her real biological father unexpectedly appears. The film is a Norway-Sweden-Finland co-production, with Pluto Film handling international sales.
From: Variety
Giovanni Ribisi Turns to Cinematography for ‘Strange Darling’ — and Creates a Modern Horror Masterpiece
Writer/director JT Mollner’s Strange Darling, released in theatres on August 23, is a horror film with vivid and intense imagery. The film, which follows the final months of a serial killer, opens with a terrifying black-and-white chase scene before shifting through bold palettes that redefine the central, unpredictable relationship. Shot on 35mm film, each richly textured frame highlights the importance of celluloid. A surprising twist comes in the credits, revealing Giovanni Ribisi, better known as an actor, as the cinematographer, a craft he's been quietly honing for 15 years.
From: IndieWire
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