TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Weekend 21-22 December 2024
A Welsh magistrate faces threats in Ar y Ffin. U.S. production drops. France’s levy adds €1B. Netflix promotes Squid Game S2. Mandela doc debuts. I’m Still Here explores resilience.
Today’s Highlights:
Ar y Ffin (Mudtown): Welsh Crime Drama Explores Family and Justice - A six-part bilingual drama following magistrate Claire Lewis Jones (Erin Richards) as she faces personal and professional challenges amidst criminal threats in Newport, South Wales.
U.S. Film Production Faces Challenges as Competitors Thrive - U.S. film production drops 26%, with producers shifting to countries offering better tax incentives and lower costs, sparking calls for a National Film and Television Office.
France's Streamer Levy Injects €1 Billion into Local Industry in Three Years—France's policy requiring streamers to invest 20% of their turnover in local production has bolstered the film and TV industry by €1 billion.
Netflix’s ‘Squid Game: The Experience’ Brings Immersive Thrills Ahead of Season 2 - Netflix’s live installation events in major cities promote the Dec. 26 launch of Squid Game Season 2, alongside mobile games and merchandise.
Channel 4 Commissions Free Nelson Mandela Documentary Series - A documentary series chronicling Nelson Mandela’s journey, supported by Channel 4’s Diverse Indies Fund and BBC Studios for global distribution.
Walter Salles Explores Resilience in ‘I’m Still Here’ - Salles’ film, based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s memoir, portrays a family's struggle during Brazil’s military dictatorship in the 1970s.
Def Jam Launches FAST Channel on Tubi to Celebrate 40th Anniversary—To mark its 40th anniversary, Def Jam debuts a music-focused FAST channel on Tubi and Samsung TV Plus, featuring iconic artists.
New Line Unveils Lee Cronin's The Mummy Reimagining for 2026 - A modern horror take on The Mummy by Lee Cronin is in development, aiming for a frightening reimagining of the classic franchise.
Dakota Johnson, Josh Hartnett, and Anne Hathaway will Star in Amazon MGM's Verity. The adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestseller Verity, directed by Michael Showalter, features a star-studded cast and explores a psychological thriller.
Mad World Acquires Worldwide Rights to Têtes Brûlées Ahead of Berlinale Premiere - The Belgian film, premiering in the Generation 14plus section, highlights a young girl’s creative coping after her brother’s death.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Renewals and Jobs with Amazon, Paramount, Netflix, Sky, WBD & MUBI.
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INSIGHTS
Ar y Ffin (Mudtown): Welsh Crime Drama Explores Family and Justice
Set in Newport, South Wales, Ar y Ffin (Mudtown) follows magistrate Claire Lewis Jones (Erin Richards) as she navigates personal and professional turmoil. When her daughter’s friend faces arson charges and notorious kingpin Saint Pete (Tom Cullen) resurfaces, Claire uncovers a dangerous web of criminality threatening her family. Produced by Severn Screen for S4C and UKTV’s U&Alibi, the six-part bilingual drama explores loyalty, justice, and familial bonds. Read More
Unstoppable: Wrestling Drama: Read the Screenplay
The screenplay for Unstoppable, an inspiring wrestling drama, is now accessible. Written by a team of acclaimed writers, the script delves into the struggles and triumphs of underdog athletes fighting for recognition in the sport. Read More
U.S. Film Production Faces Challenges as Competitors Thrive
U.S. film production is down 26% compared to 2021, with Los Angeles hit hardest. Producers are increasingly moving to Canada, the UK, and even Bulgaria due to stronger tax incentives and lower costs. States like Louisiana and Nevada are adapting by simplifying tax credits, building infrastructure, and prioritising indie projects. Industry leaders advocate for a National Film and Television Office to better compete globally and attract lost investment. Read More
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I Saw the TV Glow: Read the Screenplay
Jane Schoenbrun’s haunting screenplay, I Saw the TV Glow, has been released for readers. Blending psychological horror and technological commentary, the film continues Schoenbrun’s exploration of modern fears. Read More
Netflix’s ‘Squid Game: The Experience’ Brings Immersive Thrills Ahead of Season 2
Netflix’s “Squid Game: The Experience,” a live installation in New York, immerses participants in the world of the hit South Korean series. Part of Netflix’s global promotions for the Dec. 26 launch of Squid Game Season 2, the initiative includes installations in Madrid, Sydney, and Seoul. Alongside mobile games, VR adventures, and merchandise tie-ins, Netflix aims to reignite excitement after the three-year hiatus since Season 1. Read More
Michelle Obama Brings Her Vision to Netflix’s ‘Later Daters’
Michelle Obama serves as executive producer of Netflix’s Later Daters, a reality series following six Atlanta singles aged 56-71 navigating modern dating. Produced by Higher Ground, the Obamas' company, the show debuted Nov. 29 and quickly entered Netflix's Top 10. Known for American Factory and Our Great National Parks, Higher Ground continues creating inclusive, broad-reaching content, recently expanding into projects with 20th Century Studios. Read More
Walter Salles Explores Resilience in ‘I’m Still Here’
Walter Salles’ I’m Still Here delves into a family’s resilience during Brazil’s 1970 military dictatorship. Based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s memoir, the film stars Fernanda Torres as Eunice, who holds her family together after her husband Rubens (Selton Mello) is taken by military police and never returns. Set in Rio de Janeiro, the seven-year project showcases Salles’ signature exploration of human journeys, both moral and emotional. Read More
All3Media International EVP Nick Smith Celebrates a Year of Format Success
Nick Smith, EVP of Formats and Licensing at All3Media International, highlighted a standout year for the company, marked by global achievements in scripted and unscripted formats. Liar reached 15 adaptations, including its first in Sub-Saharan Africa, while The Traitors expanded to over 30 versions worldwide, complemented by merchandise and an upcoming immersive experience. Iconic formats like 15 to 1 and Cash Cab celebrated milestones, showcasing All3Media's enduring global appeal. Read More
Peta Sykes Discusses the Success of Head to Head in the Nordics
Peta Sykes, VP for the Nordics at All3Media International, highlighted the enduring appeal of Head to Head, which has produced over 1,000 episodes since its 2019 Swedish debut. The quiz show’s mix of late-night comedy, a tournament-style structure, and unpredictable celebrity pairings has made it a hit across Scandinavia. With a Finnish version set to premiere, Sykes anticipates its clever humour and dynamic gameplay will resonate with new audiences. Read More
France's Streamer Levy Injects €1 Billion into Local Industry in Three Years
A report from the CNC and Arcom highlights the impact of France’s adoption of the EU's Audiovisual Media Services Directive (Avmsd). The law requires streamers to invest at least 20% of their turnover into local film and TV production. Over three years, the policy has provided the French industry with a significant €1 billion financial boost, underscoring the success of this cultural investment strategy. Read More
The Magic Formula for Fair Streaming Creator Payments
Former BBC Studios executives Simon Brown and Adrian Wills aim to revolutionise how streamers compensate creators through their Content Valuation Report. Using a simple formula — streaming revenue multiplied by a show’s viewership share — they determine fair payouts for IP owners. Highlighting underpaid successes like Peaky Blinders, they advocate for creators to leverage data-driven negotiations and bridge the gap in equitable payments for streaming hits. Read More
Ayo Edebiri Reflects on Directing The Bear for the First Time
Ayo Edebiri directed The Bear Season 3, Episode 6, "Napkins," embracing a steep learning curve. After training at the Directors Guild of America, she worked closely with cinematographer Andrew Wehde, production designer Merje Veski, and location manager Maria C. Roxas to align her vision with the show’s established style. Edebiri highlighted the importance of finding her communication style, “The only wrong way to direct is not finding your way.”Read More
Adrien Brody & Tilda Swinton | Actors on Actors
Adrien Brody ("The Brutalist") and Tilda Swinton ("The Room Next Door") recollect their time working with Wes Anderson on 'Grand ” and discuss Pedro Almodovar and Brady Corbet.
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