TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Wednesday 14 August 2024
Paramount TV Studios closes; Italy-France co-productions win grants; Apple's 'Wolfs' skips French theatres; Netflix funds Taiwan talent; Paz Vega debuts 'Rita'; Hong Kong action hit gets sequels.
Today’s Highlights:
Paramount Television Studios to Shut Down Due to Market Changes - Paramount Television Studios will close, transitioning projects to CBS Studios as part of a strategic plan reflecting changes in the TV and streaming marketplace.
Italian Institute DGCA Awards Grants to Italy-France Audiovisual Projects - The DGCA allocated funds to French-Italian co-productions, with additional grants available in September 2024.
Anna Marie Harding Receives Indigenous Documentary Placement - a Palawa woman and video journalist, Harding will work with ABC Indigenous to enhance her documentary production skills.
Corus Entertainment Unveils Specialty Channel Schedules Amid Uncertainty - Corus Entertainment released its new line-up, maintaining audience engagement despite uncertainties about the company's future.
Canadian Law Firm Hall Webber Launches AI-Assisted Script Clearance Service - The No Conflict Clearance Company, a digital platform integrating AI and legal oversight, is set to modernize script and title clearance for TV and film.
Apple's 'Wolfs' to Skip Theatrical Release in France - Due to France's strict windowing rules, Apple Original Films' Wolfs will go straight to streaming on Apple TV+ in France.
Netflix Launches Taiwanese Creative Fund - Netflix, in partnership with TAICCA, has launched a fund to support emerging Taiwanese talent, with a focus on underrepresented communities.
First Trailer Released for Paz Vega's Directorial Debut 'Rita' - The trailer for Vega's debut, Rita, has been released before its premiere at the Locarno Film Festival.
Dolly Grip Reflects on the Sustainability of a Career in Film - Diego Mariscal expresses concerns about the impact of AI and virtual shoots on traditional film roles.
'Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In' Director Plans Prequel and Sequel - Following the film's success, a prequel and sequel have been greenlit, revitalizing Hong Kong's martial arts genre.
Plus: News, Festivals, Insights, In Development, Deals, Renewals and Jobs with Industrial Light & Magic, BFI, Prime, Storytel, SVT, ProSiebenSat.1 & Warners.
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NEWS
Paramount Television Studios to Shut Down Due to ‘Significant Changes’ in TV Marketplace
Paramount Television Studios will shut down by the end of the week, affecting 20-30 employees. The decision, part of a strategic plan by co-CEOs Brian Robbins, George Cheeks, and Chris McCarthy, will transition all current PTVS series and development projects, including Prime Video’s Cross and Apple TV+’s Before and Murderbot, to CBS Studios. According to an internal memo from Cheeks, the move reflects changes in the TV and streaming marketplace, not PTVS's performance.
From: The Wrap
Italian Institute DGCA Awards Grants to Italy-France Audiovisual Projects
The Direzione Generale Cinema e Audiovisivo has released the rankings for the first session of the 2024 Call for Selective Grants, focused on French-Italian cinematographic and audiovisual series co-productions. With an annual budget of €1 million, the first round allocated €175,000 from the DGCA and €212,500 from the CNC across three eligible projects: La casa bianca, Rivo Alto, and Un anno di scuola. The second grant application round will be open from September 9-26, 2024.
From: Señal News
Anna Marie Harding Receives Indigenous Documentary Placement
ABC and the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) have named Anna-Marie Harding the 2024 recipient of the Indigenous Documentary Placement. A Palawa woman and award-winning video journalist at Indigenous Community Television, Harding brings extensive experience, including PAW Media and CAAMA Radio roles. She holds degrees in Journalism and Wildlife Documentary Production. During her four-month paid placement, she will work with the ABC Indigenous team to enhance her documentary and factual production skills.
From: IF
Corus Entertainment Unveils Specialty Channel Schedules Amid Uncertainty
Corus Entertainment has released its specialty channel schedules for the upcoming season, even as questions loom over the company's future. The new line-up includes returning favourites and fresh content to maintain audience engagement during a challenging time.
From: C21
Canadian Law Firm Hall Webber Launches AI-Assisted Script Clearance Service
Canadian entertainment law firm Hall Webber LLP has introduced The No Conflict Clearance Company (TNCCC), a service designed to modernise script and title clearance for TV, film, and content producers. Launching on September 9, TNCCC offers a secure digital platform integrating AI with expert legal oversight to streamline the clearance process, which is essential for obtaining errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. The service will be available in Canada, the US, UK, and English-speaking Europe.
From: C21
Mohammad Rasoulof’s 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' Makes Germany’s Oscars Shortlist
Germany has unveiled 13 films for consideration as its submission to the 97th Academy Awards, including Mohammad Rasoulof's Cannes award-winner The Seed Of The Sacred Fig. Other contenders include From Hilde, With Love by Andreas Dresen and Dying by Matthias Glasner, both of which competed at this year’s Berlinale; Fabian Stumm’s Sad Jokes, set to screen at Toronto; and Hollywoodgate, a documentary by German-based Egyptian filmmaker Ibrahim Nash’at that premiered at Venice in 2023.
From: Screen Daily
Apple’s 'Wolfs' to Skip Theatrical Release in France, Head Straight to Streaming
Apple Original Films has decided to bypass a theatrical release in France for Jon Watts' action-comedy Wolfs due to the country's strict windowing rules. In France, films released in cinemas must wait 17 months before becoming available on streaming platforms like Apple TV+. As a result, Wolfs will go straight to streaming on Apple TV+ in France, skipping a limited cinema run.
From: Screen Daily
Netflix Launches Taiwanese Creative Fund
In partnership with the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), Netflix has launched a fund in Taiwan to support emerging talent through the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity. The initiative includes a six-week series writing workshop, running from September 21 to October 26, led by screenwriter Hsu Jui-liang, with guest speakers Maya Huang and Netflix’s Chris Mack. This effort aims to cultivate and elevate creative storytelling in Taiwan, focusing on developing talent from underrepresented communities.
From: World Screen
FESTIVALS
Locarno’s Open Doors: Paz Encina, Ernesto Bautista Triumph at Awards Ceremony as Showcase Preps 2025-28 Focus on Africa
Paraguay's Paz Encina (“Eami”) and three debut feature directors from El Salvador, Cuba, and Peru shared the top prize at Locarno Open Doors. Encina and Bautista won most of a CHF50,000 ($58,000) grant sponsored by Visions Sud Est and Bellinzona. Announced Tuesday, the winning films marked the end of a three-year focus on Latin America. The program will now shift its focus to underrepresented African communities.
From: Variety
Santiago Loza and Natalia Meta Projects Selected for San Sebastian Co-Production Forum
Filmmakers Santiago Loza, Natalia Meta, and Martín Boulocq are returning to the San Sebastian Film Festival's Europe-Latin America Co-Production Forum (September 23-25) alongside the directors of Sundance prize winner Sujo. This marks Argentinian director Loza’s eighth participation, presenting Animales Del Desierto. Natalia Meta returns with The Spirit Of Law after her film The Intruder screened in 2020's Horizontes Latinos section.
From: Screen Daily
German, Georgian, Lithuanian, and Turkish Projects Selected for San Sebastian’s WIP Europa 2024
Turkish-Italian filmmaker Seyhmus Altun, Georgia’s Nino Akhvlediani, Lithuanian Jurgis Matulevicius, and Germany’s Sarah Miro Fischer have been selected for San Sebastian’s Wip Europa line-up. Wip Europa showcases European films in post-production, with the selected films screening to industry professionals like producers, distributors, and sales agents. The filmmakers will compete for the Wip Europa Industry Award, which supports post-production, and the Wip Europa Award, worth €10,000 for the film's main production company.
From: Screen Daily
TIFF Speaker Panels Include Cate Blanchett, Zoe Saldaña, Steven Soderbergh & More
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) announced its speaker lineup for the 49th edition, including the In Conversation With… series, TIFF Industry Conference panels, and events to foster future collaborations. Notable speakers include Cate Blanchett, Zoe Saldaña, Steven Soderbergh, Hyun Bin, and Lee Dong-wook. TIFF runs from Sept. 5–15. Chief Programming Officer Anita Lee highlighted the series' goal to inspire and impact through discussions with global trailblazers like Alfonso Cuarón, Pete Docter, and Malala Yousafzai.
From: Deadline
Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis,’ Films From Pedro Almodovar and Max Minghella Join Toronto Film Fest
The Toronto Film Festival has finalized its 2024 lineup, featuring the North American premiere of Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis and the world premiere of Nick Hamm’s medieval drama William Tell. Both films will have Gala premieres at Roy Thomson Hall. William Tell, starring Claes Bang, Ben Kingsley, Rafe Spall, and Jonathan Pryce, adapts Friedrich Schiller’s play. The festival will also showcase 12 Special Presentations, including world premieres of On Swift Horses, Paul Anka: His Way, Shell, and The Salt Path.
From: The Hollywood Reporter
Ji.hlava’s Emerging Producers Reveal Pitches for Upcoming Projects
The Ji.hlava Documentary Film Festival has unveiled the projects from its 2024 Emerging Producers program participants. Since 2010, the festival has selected 18 emerging documentary producers (17 European and one non-European) to receive educational, networking, and promotional support. The Emerging Producers portal now features over 200 alumni profiles. The next group of Emerging Producers will be announced at the Sarajevo Film Festival on Sunday.
From: Variety
Sony Pictures Entertainment Chief Tony Vinciquerra to Receive the Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom
Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman-CEO Tony Vinciquerra will receive the Variety Vanguard Award in October at the Mipcom global content market in Cannes. This award honours leaders who have significantly impacted the global entertainment industry. Vinciquerra will be presented the award during a keynote conversation on Oct. 21, moderated by Variety Co-Editor-in-Chief Cynthia Littleton. The presentation will conclude an afternoon of C-Suite Conversations, a new initiative by Variety and Mipcom to guide industry leaders through the evolving content landscape.
From: Variety
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INSIGHTS
Who's the Daddy?
Writer Danielle Ward, director Damon Beesley, and executive producer Phil Gilbert share insights on their BBC Three series Daddy Issues, starring Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey. They discuss the challenges of launching a new comedy in the streaming era, where audience preferences are swift and unforgiving. Despite these challenges, the team feels optimistic about the show's success as it premieres on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer this Thursday.
From: Drama Quarterly
What’s Next for Streaming After Paramount’s Acquisition and Merger Deals?
The streaming landscape remains fiercely competitive, with Netflix maintaining its lead while several production companies have either exited or merged with larger players. Following a turbulent few years, Paramount is among four major streamers striving for profitability in 2024. The remaining people may finally see a path to sustainable success as the dust settles.
From: Advanced Television
Premium VOD Gains Popularity in Korea and Southeast Asia
In the first half of 2024, TVING led Korea's premium VOD market, while Korean, Chinese, and Japanese content boosted engagement in Southeast Asia, according to Media Partners Asia (MPA). Premium VOD in Southeast Asia saw a 4% increase in viewed minutes, reaching 230 billion, with subscription and ad revenues rising 11% to $895 million. Netflix captured 50% of the region's viewership and 40% of revenues, followed by Viu and WeTV, among other key local players.
From: World Screen
'Bad Monkeys' Adds Natalie Martinez and Ronald Peet to Cast
Apple TV+’s new drama Bad Monkey debuts on August 14, with weekly episodes through October 9. Based on Carl Hiaasen's best-selling novel, the series stars Vince Vaughn as former detective Andrew Yancy, who was demoted to a health inspector, investigates a tourist-found human arm in hopes of reclaiming his police job. The show also features Natalie Martinez as coroner Dr Rosa Campesino and Ronald Peet as Bahamian Neville Stafford. Martinez and Peet discuss their roles, working with showrunner Bill Lawrence, and the series' deeper themes.
From: TV Drama
First Trailer Released for Paz Vega’s Directorial Debut 'Rita' Ahead of Locarno Premiere
The first trailer for Paz Vega’s feature directing debut Rita has been revealed, ahead of its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival’s Piazza Grande on August 16. Known for her roles in Sex And Lucia and Talk To Her, Vega now steps behind the camera for this Spain-set drama. The film centres on a seven-year-old girl and her five-year-old brother as they navigate the chaos that ensues when Spain reaches the quarter-finals of the 1984 European football championships.
From: Screen Daily
Dolly Grip Reflects on the Sustainability of a Career in Film
San Diego native Diego Mariscal, a lifelong "Star Wars" fan, moved to Hollywood at 19 with dreams of working in the film industry and became a dolly grip on over 80 films and TV shows, including The Mandalorian and Ahsoka. Now 41, he's concerned that the rise of AI and virtual film shoots could render his decades of specialised on-set experience obsolete, leaving him with few transferable skills.
From: The Wrap
Bowen Yang, Charlamagne Tha God, Rachel Maddow and More Reveal Their Podcasting Secrets
THR's annual list of podcasting's most powerful players includes insights from honorees like Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Alex Cooper, and Kara Swisher. Each was asked to complete a questionnaire about the industry's current state, its challenges, their recording habits, and the most underrated podcasts. Here are some of the favourite responses from these influential voices in podcasting.
From: The Hollywood Reporter
‘Drag Me to Hell’ Star Alison Lohman Opens Up About Her Decision to Trade Acting for a Life on the Farm
After starring in Sam Raimi’s 2009 horror film Drag Me to Hell, Alison Lohman faced a pivotal decision: did she want to be a household name? She didn’t. Despite an impressive run in the 2000s with roles in White Oleander, Big Fish, and Matchstick Men, Lohman chose to step back from the spotlight. Now married to director Mark Neveldine, with three kids, she lives in Arizona, teaches online acting classes, and occasionally shares throwbacks on social media while discussing topics like crypto, which she believes is "definitely the future."
From: IndieWire
‘Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In’ Director Soi Cheang on Reviving Hong Kong Action Cinema, Plans for Prequel and Sequel
Since its May release, Soi Cheang’s Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In has become Hong Kong’s second-biggest domestic hit, grossing $13.7 million in a city of 7.2 million. The film has revitalized Hong Kong’s martial arts genre and brought the Kowloon Walled City, once the world’s most densely populated area, back into the spotlight. Set in 1984, the movie features a star-studded cast and follows a young refugee seeking refuge in the Walled City, leading to a gang war. After earning $95 million in mainland China and receiving acclaim at Cannes, a prequel and sequel have been greenlit.
From: The Hollywood Reporter
‘Omni Loop’ Trailer: Ayo Edebiri and Mary-Louise Parker Unlock Quantum Physics in a Time Travel Comedy
In Omni Loop, writer/director Bernardo Britto reimagines the "Groundhog Day" concept with a dark twist centred on terminal illness. Mary-Louise Parker stars as a quantum physicist who repeatedly discovers she has only a week to live, realizing, "This has happened before. Many times." The film, which premiered at SXSW and will be released by Magnolia this fall, follows Parker's character as she teams up with a gifted student, played by Ayo Edebiri, to save her life and unravel the mysteries of time travel. The cast includes Hannah Pearl Utt, Chris Witaske, and Harris Yulin.
From: IndieWire
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