TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Friday 27 September 2024
Mark Ruffalo’s Emmy wins, AI-backed film fund launch, child influencer laws, NBCUniversal's Netflix dominance, Format Awards finalists, Tribeca dates, Pedro Almodóvar honoured.
Today’s Highlights:
Mark Ruffalo Celebrates Emmy Wins for 'Lakota Nation vs. United States' - AMC+'s documentary wins two prestigious awards at the News & Documentary Emmys.
Runway Launches AI-Backed Fund for Filmmakers—Runway introduces The Hundred Film Fund, which offers filmmakers grants up to $1 million for AI-powered projects.
California Enacts Child Influencer Protection Laws - New laws protect child influencers, ensuring earnings are safeguarded and labour laws are followed.
NBCUniversal's Animated Films Dominate on Netflix—NBCUniversal animated films like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Minions are the most viewed on Netflix.
International Format Awards 2024 Finalists Announced—Key industry names are among the finalists for the awards, which will be held on October 20 in Cannes.
Teemu Nikki Makes English-Language Debut with 'Memory Lane' - Director Teemu Nikki's new film explores nostalgia and secrets through real-life reenactments.
UK Video Game Actors Advocate for Workplace Safety - SAG-AFTRA and U.K. performers highlight labour conditions and pay concerns in the video game industry.
Crystal Moselle's The Black Sea Trailer Revealed—Crystal Moselle's new indie film blends fact and fiction, following a man's unexpected journey in Bulgaria.
Tribeca Festival 2025 Dates Announced—The 2025 Tribeca Festival, which will be held June 4-15 in New York City, will feature new features like the Creators Forum.
Pedro Almodóvar Celebrates Career at San Sebastian—Pedro Almodóvar won the Donostia Award at the San Sebastian Film Festival, reflecting on his 44-year career.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals and Jobs with SBS, Flying Bark, Foxtel, Channel 4, WBD, BBC, UTA & SF Studios.
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NEWS
Mark Ruffalo Celebrates Emmy Wins for 'Lakota Nation vs. United States'
AMC+’s “Lakota Nation vs. United States” won Best Documentary and Outstanding Direction at the News & Documentary Emmys, directed by Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli. Netflix led with six awards, including “World War II: From the Front Lines,” “Victim/Suspect,” and “American Manhunt.” Nat Geo followed with five wins, while PBS took four, and Alex Gibney received a lifetime achievement award. Read More
Runway Launches AI-Backed Fund for Filmmakers
Runway, the generative AI company partnered with Lionsgate, has launched The Hundred Film Fund, offering grants of up to $1 million for AI-powered film projects. Filmmakers can receive $5,000 to $1 million, with decisions made in 14 days. Runway also offers $2 million in credits for its AI tools. An advisory panel, including Jane Rosenthal and will.i.am, will evaluate pitches. Read More
European Film Awards Adds 16 Titles, Including 'The Room Next Door'
The European Film Academy has added 16 more films to the longlist for the European Film Awards, bringing the total to 45. These films, including Venice award-winners like Pedro Almodóvar’s "The Room Next Door," will be considered for nominations, which will be announced on Nov. 5. Notable titles include Edward Berger’s "Conclave" and Mike Leigh’s "Hard Truths." The awards ceremony will be held on Dec. 7 in Lucerne, Switzerland. Read More
International Format Awards 2024 Finalists Announced
The International Format Awards 2024 finalists have been announced following voting by top format commissioners, buyers, and producers. The awards, a coproduction between C21Media, FRAPA, Entertainment Masterclass, and Mipcom, will be held on October 20 in Cannes. During the event, Cathy Payne, CEO of Banijay Rights, will receive the 2024 International Formats Business Gold Award. Read More
California Enacts Child Influencer Protection Laws
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two law bills to protect child influencers and performers on social media platforms. The new laws require parents to set aside a portion of their child’s earnings from sponsored content, similar to protections in place for child actors. Additionally, companies must obtain parental consent and adhere to labour laws when involving minors in promotional work. The legislation is critical in safeguarding child labour rights in the digital age.
Read More
INSIGHTS
Teemu Nikki Makes English-Language Debut with ‘Memory Lane’
"Euthanizer" director Teemu Nikki will debut his English-language film "Memory Lane," about an actress hired by a company that replaces bad memories with good ones using real-life reenactments. Set in the 1980s, the film explores nostalgia and secrets, with Nikki preparing for his biggest production yet. Italy’s I Wonder Pictures will co-produce, marking their third collaboration. Read More
DeAPlaneta's Diego Ibáñez Belaustegui on Developing Social Gaming
Diego Ibáñez Belaustegui, chief brand officer at DeAPlaneta Kids & Family, shared how the Spanish company incorporates a Roblox component into every show it develops, including titles like Milo and Maya and the Bee. As DeAPlaneta expands its digital focus, it recently appointed Jimena Tormo as head of gaming and interactive to enhance properties for platforms like Roblox and Fortnite. Ibáñez discussed these initiatives at the Cartoon Forum in Toulouse. Read More
NBCUniversal’s Animated Films Dominate on Netflix
NBCUniversal's Peacock saw significant boosts in July and August, driven by the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, while Netflix had a strong January to June, partly due to NBCUniversal’s animated films. Netflix’s recent data dump revealed that the top six animated films on the platform, including The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Minions, and The Boss Baby, originated from NBCUniversal studios. These titles dominated Netflix’s viewership, with Mario alone garnering over 80.3 million views globally in the first half of 2024. Read More
BlackBox Multimedia’s Chiara Cardoso on Creative Development
BlackBox Multimedia, known for developing and producing content in over five languages, focuses on bold, unique, yet commercially viable stories. The company prioritizes retaining IP and maximizing windowing opportunities, soft money, and tax incentives across different countries. Head of development, Chiara Cardoso, discussed how BlackBox balances entertaining, escapist content with relatable stories that resonate with viewers. Read More
Corus Entertainment’s Jennifer Abrams Discusses Digital Strategy
Global's fall 2024 lineup features a star-studded new series, 12 of spring’s top 20 programs, and more. The season began with Survivor on September 18, followed by the return of Canada’s top drama, 9-1-1, for season eight. Jennifer Abrams, senior VP of programming and multiplatform at Corus Entertainment, shared the strengths of Global’s mix of U.S. acquisitions and Canadian originals in their strategic programming. Read More
Flow Trailer Revealed: Cannes-Bound Animated Feature
"Flow," a wordless animated film about a cat's journey after a flood, is set to captivate both kids and adults. Premiering in New York and Los Angeles on November 22 and expanding to 200 theatres on December 6, the film has garnered critical acclaim since its debut at Cannes. Directed by Gints Zilbalodis, Flow combines expressive character animation and gestural storytelling, transcending language barriers and positioning itself as a strong Oscar contender for Best Animated and Best International Feature.
Read More
Helge Albers Discusses Hamburg’s MOIN Film Fund and Collaboration
Helge Albers, head of Hamburg’s MOIN Film Fund, shares insights into the fund’s upcoming projects and collaboration with Filmfest Hamburg. Albers strongly focuses on sustainability and supporting regional productions while attracting international co-productions. With a diverse slate, MOIN aims to balance supporting local filmmakers with facilitating major international collaborations. Albers emphasizes Hamburg’s unique position in the film industry, thanks to its infrastructure, talent, and support systems for creative projects. Read More
Joshua Jackson Talks New Medical Drama Doctor Odyssey
Ryan Murphy’s latest drama, Doctor Odyssey, premiered Thursday on ABC, bringing a lighter tone than his recent true crime hits. Starring Joshua Jackson, the medical procedural blends elements of 9-1-1 and The Love Boat, following Dr Max Bankman as he becomes the onboard doctor of the luxurious cruise ship Odyssey. He works alongside nurse Avery Morgan (Phillipa Soo), nurse Tristan Silva (Sean Teale), and Captain Robert Massey (Don Johnson). It's designed to be the most fun of Murphy’s fall lineup. Read More
Crystal Moselle's The Black Sea Trailer Revealed
Indie filmmaker Crystal Moselle, known for her Sundance-winning documentary The Wolfpack, co-directs The Black Sea with lead star Derrick B. Harden. Blending truth and fiction in a cinema verité style, the film follows Brooklyn barista Khalid (Harden), who moves to Bulgaria after a catfishing mishap. Stranded and penniless in a small Black Sea town, Khalid embarks on an unexpected journey, embracing cultural differences and hip-hop and discovering love in this unscripted, transformative story. Read More
UK Video Game Actors Advocate for Workplace Safety
With video games surpassing traditional film and TV in growth and revenue, labour protests by actors in the U.S. and U.K. are intensifying. SAG-AFTRA actors have been striking against major video game makers like Disney, Electronic Arts, and WB Games, drawing attention to U.K. performers. In response, the U.K. Union Equity recommended minimum rates for video game performers. However, without collective bargaining agreements like in the U.S., actors face increasing physical and mental demands in the growing $10.5 billion U.K. video game market, while AI looms as a potential threat to jobs. Read More
Amazon Media Buyers Discuss Ad Tier and Data Strategy
Amazon hosted its Connected Worlds presentation, unveiling upcoming features such as the ad-supported tier, new content on Prime Video, sports streaming rights, and e-commerce opportunities. Media buyers, including Hugh Davidson from PHD, Katherine Pochroj from EssenceMediacom, Sebastien Kriegel from UM Australia, and Paula Lopes from Avenue C, shared their insights on how these offerings could benefit their clients, highlighting the platform’s evolving potential in the industry. Read More
Has Cable TV Lost Relevance Amid Streaming Giants?
Streaming services have become the dominant way to watch shows, pushing traditional broadcasters to the sidelines. The rise of broadband internet and cord-cutting allowed streaming platforms to offer flexible, on-demand, and often ad-free viewing experiences that cable TV can’t match. As 65% of UK households pay for at least one streaming service, broadcasters struggle with declining ad revenue. To stay relevant, they must adapt by developing their own platforms and exclusive content, as viewers increasingly prefer personalised digital entertainment options. Read More
Tim Davie Defends BBC's Arts Coverage
BBC director general Tim Davie reaffirmed the broadcaster's commitment to arts and culture programming, unveiling major new TV commissions, including Jane Austen: Rise of Genius. Speaking at London’s Royal Academy of Arts, Davie refuted claims that the BBC has scaled back its arts content, revealing that 29 million viewers had engaged with the BBC’s arts shows last year. The new slate includes the docudrama Renaissance: The Blood and the Beauty, Civilisations: Rise and Fall, and a special series marking the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth in 2025. Additionally, the iconic Arena documentary series will celebrate its 50th anniversary with new films, and In My Own Words will return alongside a film for playwright Alan Bennett’s 90th birthday. Read More
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