TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Friday 22 November 2024
Netflix sued; Neon supports filmmakers; UK funds films; Sony sues Wanda; Carnival expands slate; WBD grows Max; AI sparks concern; Gascon shines; Sundance uplifts; Villeneuve builds Dune saga.
Today’s Highlights:
Netflix Sued Over Streaming Issues During Tyson-Paul Fight - Netflix faces a class-action lawsuit over widespread streaming disruptions during the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight, raising questions about the platform's reliability in live events.
Neon and UFO Launch Residency for Underrepresented Filmmakers - The Neon X UFO Second Feature Development Residency, with Channing Godfrey Peoples as its inaugural participant, aims to support filmmakers creating sophomore projects.
UK Global Screen Fund Backs The Penguin Lessons and Kneecap - The UK Global Screen Fund supports globally appealing projects, including Steve Coogan's The Penguin Lessons and Kneecap, fostering international recognition of UK productions.
Sony Pictures Sues Wanda Kids for $49 Million - Sony Pictures filed a lawsuit over an unpaid acquisition deal, spotlighting international legal disputes within the entertainment industry.
Carnival Films Expands Slate With New Dramas and Downton Abbey Film - Carnival Films broadens its portfolio with new projects, including The Day of the Jackal, and announces a third Downton Abbey film.
Warner Bros. Discovery Expands Max Streaming in Asia - WBD launches Max in key Asian markets, marking its strategic push into competitive streaming territories dominated by Netflix and Disney+.
AI Training on TV and Film Writing Sparks Writer Concerns- AI models trained on extensive film and TV scripts raise concerns about their impact on creative writing and traditional industry roles.
Bruno Gascon's Irreversível Showcases Nordic Noir and Psychological Drama - Portuguese series Irreversível, blending Nordic noir with deep psychological storytelling, highlights emerging European crime dramas.
Sundance Native Lab Champions Indigenous Filmmakers - The Sundance Native Lab continues to empower Indigenous filmmakers, reinforcing authentic cultural representation in Hollywood.
Denis Villeneuve on Dune: Part Two and Dune: Messiah Vision - Denis Villeneuve reveals his plans for the Dune saga, exploring Paul Atreides' journey and the Fremen's survival in expansive adaptations of Frank Herbert's works.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals and Jobs with SkyShowtime, Netflix, BBC, ITV, Paramount, NBCUniversal & Hulu.
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NEWS
Netflix sued over streaming issues during the Tyson-Paul fight
In Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit Court, Netflix faces a class-action lawsuit over streaming glitches during the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight. The suit alleges widespread disruptions during the live event, which drew 60 million viewers. Plaintiffs claim breach of contract and deceptive practices, seeking damages for the “baddest streaming” experience. Despite the issues, Netflix hailed the fight as one of its most-watched live events. Read More
Neon and UFO launch second-feature residency for underrepresented filmmakers
Neon and UFO have unveiled the Neon X UFO Second Feature Development Residency, supporting filmmakers developing their sophomore projects. The inaugural participant is Miss Juneteenth director Channing Godfrey Peoples, who will refine her next script during the month-long program at Silver Sun Residence. The residency includes curated industry meetings and community engagement through a Miss Juneteenth screening and culminates with a week in New York City, aiming to uplift underrepresented voices in cinema. Read More
UK Global Screen Fund backs The Penguin Lessons and Kneecap
The UK Global Screen Fund has supported The Penguin Lessons, a drama starring Steve Coogan, and Kneecap, a film about an Irish-language hip-hop trio. Administered by the BFI, the fund fosters UK-based productions with global appeal. Kneecap also received P&A support for its international theatrical release. Additionally, the fund has hired Denitsa Yordanova to enhance its initiatives, promoting creative collaborations and industry growth. Read More
BAFTA Breakthrough 2024 Unveils New Talent
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has announced the 2024 cohort for its Breakthrough program, highlighting emerging talents across film, television, and gaming. This year’s selectees include Luna Carmoon, Sean Wang, and Nava Mau, among others. The initiative offers mentorship and industry opportunities to support and advance the careers of these rising stars. Read More
Sony Pictures Sues Wanda Kids for $49 Million
Sony Pictures’ Columbia Pictures Corporation Limited has filed a lawsuit against Wanda Kids Cultural Development Co., Limited, a subsidiary of China’s Wanda Group, seeking $49 million. The legal action, initiated in London’s High Court in March 2024, centres on a 2017 agreement in which Wanda Hong Kong, another Wanda subsidiary, agreed to purchase a 51% stake in Vampire Squid Productions, owned by Silvergate Group Holdings, for $38.25 million. Sony acquired Silvergate in 2019 and now alleges that Wanda failed to fulfil its payment obligations under the agreement. Read More
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INSIGHTS
Bruno Gascon’s Irreversível blends Nordic noir with psychological depth
Written and directed by Bruno Gascon, Portuguese drama Irreversível follows psychiatrist Júlia Mendes (Margarida Vila-Nova) and detective Pedro Sousa (Rafael Morais) as they investigate a brutal seaside murder while confronting their struggles. The six-part series, produced by Caracol Studios for RTP, also features Helena Caldeira as a mother searching for her missing daughter. With secrets buried deep, the crime series, inspired by Nordic noir, was showcased at MipDrama earlier this year. Read More
Carnival Films Expands Slate with New Dramas and Third Downton Abbey Film
Carnival Films, the UK production company behind “Downton Abbey,” is expanding its portfolio with several new projects. They recently launched “The Day of the Jackal,” featuring Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch, for Sky and Peacock. Upcoming dramas include “Lockerbie: A Search for Truth,” starring Colin Firth, and “All Her Fault,” marking Sarah Snook’s first series since “Succession.” A third “Downton Abbey” film is also slated for release in September 2025. Read More
Sundance Native Lab champions Indigenous filmmakers in Hollywood
The Sundance Native Lab, held at the Picuris Pueblo-owned Hotel Santa Fe, supports emerging Indigenous filmmakers with workshops and mentorship. The prestigious program, which has nurtured many prominent Native creatives in Hollywood, emphasised the importance of storytelling rooted in Indigenous communities. Amid growing recognition of Indigenous voices in the industry, the lab aims to ensure lasting impact, fostering authentic representation and cultural narratives. Read More
Read Azazel Jacobs' His Three Daughters Screenplay
Azazel Jacobs’ original screenplay for “His Three Daughters” is now available online, exclusively through IndieWire. The film follows estranged sisters Katie (Carrie Coon), Christina (Elizabeth Olsen), and Rachel (Natasha Lyonne) as they reunite to care for their ailing father (Jay O. Sanders) in his New York apartment, confronting past tensions and mending their relationships. After premiering to critical acclaim at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, Netflix acquired the film. Read More & Read the Screenplay
Ted Danson and Mike Schur hope for Season 2 of Netflix’s A Man on the Inside
Ted Danson stars as Charles, a retired professor-turned-undercover investigator in A Man on the Inside, on Netflix. Inspired by Maite Alberdi’s The Mole Agent, the series follows Charles as he solves a mystery in a retirement community. While envisioned as a limited series, Danson and showrunner Mike Schur express hopes for future seasons with new cases to explore. Read More
Warner Bros. Discovery's Asia Strategy
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max launched on Nov. 19 in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines, marking its debut in key Asian markets. Delayed by licensing agreements, including a Foxtel deal expiring in 2025, Max enters competitive streaming territories dominated by Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. WBD executives JB Perrette and James Gibbons highlight Max’s strategy and differentiation as it prepares for further expansion. Read More
Original Content Spending: Why Streaming Size Matters
The ideal streaming model relies on abundant original content to reduce churn and attract new subscribers. While Netflix offers 45 new titles in December, Paramount+ provides just three originals, reflecting its budget allocation toward live sports and cost-cutting measures. Paramount’s reduced spending highlights the challenge of balancing diverse content needs within a fixed budget, underscoring how limited investment in originals can disadvantage streamers in retaining and growing audiences. Read More
Denis Villeneuve on Dune: Part Two and His Vision for Dune: Messiah
Denis Villeneuve, director of Dune: Part Two, is nearing realising his dream since age 14—bringing Frank Herbert’s epic to life. The sequel delves into the Fremen’s survival, the majestic sandworms, and the love story between Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and Chani (Zendaya). With Dune: Messiah on the horizon, Villeneuve reflects on the challenges of desert filming and his deep connection to Herbert’s work. Read More
Chris Sanders and Raymond Zibach on Crafting The Wild Robot’s Unique Animation Style
Director Chris Sanders was captivated by the hand-crafted, painterly concept art created for The Wild Robot. Inspired by its essence of nature, Sanders and production designer Raymond Zibach ensured the final animation retained the art’s emotional depth. Zibach explains how his team’s approach captured nature’s beauty and Roz’s transformation, blending artistry with storytelling to bring the film’s world to life. Read More
Jane Featherstone on Kaos and Making Mainstream Fashionable
Jane Featherstone, founder of Sister Pictures, recently discussed the cancellation of Netflix’s series “Kaos” and her vision for mainstream television. “Kaos,” a modern retelling of Greek mythology starring Jeff Goldblum as Zeus, was cancelled after its first season due to moderate viewership numbers, despite appearing in Netflix’s top 10 charts during its initial weeks. Featherstone emphasised the importance of creating content that appeals to broad audiences, stating her mission to “make mainstream fashionable again.” She noted a shift in television commissioning towards less risky, long-form projects with dedicated TV talent instead of relying on movie stars who may not prefer the demanding schedules of television production. This approach aims to cultivate new TV stars and maintain a sustainable production ecosystem. Read More
AI Trained on Decades of TV and Film Writing Sparks Concerns for Writers
Recent revelations confirm AI systems have been trained on dialogue from over 53,000 films and 85,000 TV episodes, including The Godfather, The Simpsons, Seinfeld, The Wire, and every Best Picture nominee from 1950-2016. Companies like Apple, Meta, and Nvidia have leveraged this dataset to develop large language models. These practices raise concerns about AI mimicking creative writing, potentially reducing demand for traditional TV and film production writers. Read More
Director Chouwa Liang Explores AI Relationships and Gender in New Feature Replica
Chinese director Chouwa Liang draws on her three-year relationship with an AI entity, Norman, as inspiration for her upcoming feature Replica. Building on her 2022 New York Times short doc My AI Lover, Liang’s film examines themes of modern love, gender, and societal pressures in China. Replica explores how work-life imbalance and evolving technology reshape intimacy and relationships in a rapidly changing world. Read More
European Audiovisual Observatory: Blockbusters in Decline
A new report by the European Audiovisual Observatory warns that European blockbusters are becoming endangered due to streaming dominance, funding challenges, and shifts in audience behaviour. The report advocates for innovative strategies to sustain European cinema. Read More
NBCU Networks Split as Comcast Spins Off Cable Channels
Comcast’s spinoff of most cable networks has split NBCUniversal’s linear channels into two groups. NBC, Bravo, Telemundo, and streamer Peacock remain with Comcast, while USA Network, Syfy, E!, MSNBC, and others move to the standalone SpinCo under Mark Lazarus. The division reflects streaming priorities, with NBC and Bravo titles like Law & Order: SVU and Real Housewives dominating Peacock’s Top 10 shows, influencing their retention within Comcast. Read More
Get Millie Black: Marlon James and Tamara Lawrance Discuss the Series
Booker Prize-winning author Marlon James aimed to highlight the “richness” of queer Caribbean communities in his debut television series, Get Millie Black, premiering on HBO on November 25, 2024. The crime noir drama, starring Tamara Lawrance, intertwines traditional detective narratives with nuanced portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters, reflecting their life challenges and vibrancy. Read More
BAFTA Breakthrough: Spotlighting Tomorrow’s Top Talent
BAFTA’s Breakthrough initiative, supported by Netflix, has elevated future stars like Florence Pugh, Josh O’Connor, and Tom Holland. Beyond performers, the program champions diverse behind-the-scenes talent, including writers, designers, and composers, offering professional development opportunities. Endorsed by industry icons like Olivia Colman and Tilda Swinton, the initiative continues to shape the careers of emerging creatives, reinforcing its reputation as a launchpad for the next generation of A-listers. Read More
Mediawan Rights on Building Auteur-Driven Documentaries
Mediawan Rights, under the leadership of Head of Documentary Sales Arianna Castoldi, strategically focuses on developing a slate of auteur-driven documentaries. This approach emphasises innovation and international collaboration, aiming to produce compelling narratives with global appeal. By partnering with esteemed filmmakers and leveraging Mediawan’s extensive distribution network, the company seeks to deliver high-quality documentaries that resonate with diverse audiences worldwide. Read More
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