TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Tuesday 18 February 2025
Weiss & Morales crime drama, Itō’s Black Box Diaries, German film crisis, Hollywood’s virtual shift, Ruth Ellis series, DAZN’s Saudi deal, Nolan’s The Odyssey, Netflix’s N00b, EFM sales, ZDF’s digital
Today’s Highlights:
Weiss & Morales Crime Drama—Alfonso Blanco discusses the Spanish-German co-production Weiss & Morales, a sunlit buddy-cop procedural set in the Canary Islands. The film blends cultural contrasts.
Shiori Itō’s Black Box Diaries – The Oscar-nominated documentary faces distribution barriers in Japan despite international acclaim, highlighting systemic suppression of sexual assault narratives.
German Film Industry Uncertainty—Political upheaval and stalled funding reforms threaten Germany’s film industry, raising concerns about upcoming policies regarding diversity and sustainability.
Hollywood’s Shift to Virtual Pitches – Five years post-pandemic, in-person pitch meetings have nearly disappeared, with virtual formats becoming the new industry norm.
Lucy Boynton as Ruth Ellis – A Cruel Love revisits the story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman executed in the UK, reexamining her life and trial in an ITVX drama.
DAZN’s Stake in Saudi Arabia’s SURJ – The sports streaming giant’s deal with Saudi-backed SURJ expands its global influence, particularly in football and combat sports.
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey – A first look at Matt Damon as Odysseus in Nolan’s ambitious adaptation of the Greek myth sparks excitement.
Netflix Australia Acquires N00b – The Kiwi teen dramedy, which gained popularity on TikTok, lands on Netflix Australia, reinforcing the streamer’s investment in diverse youth content.
European Film Market (EFM) Sales Trends: The second week of EFM saw strong demand for marquee sales titles, including Lena Dunham’s Good Sex and Ke Huy Quan’s Bad Boy.
ZDF’s Digital Strategy Success – Germany’s largest broadcaster expands its reach among younger audiences through YouTube and TikTok, proving the effectiveness of long-form social video content.
Plus: Insights, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals & Jobs with Sony, Legendary, Netflix & Amazon.
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INSIGHTS
Portocabo's Alfonso Blanco on Bringing Crime Drama Weiss & Morales to Life
Alfonso Blanco, creative executive producer at Portocabo, shares how Weiss & Morales—a co-production between Spain’s RTVE and Germany’s ZDF—blends cultural contrasts in a sunlit buddy-cop procedural. Starring Miguel Ángel Silvestre and Katia Fellin, the four-episode drama unfolds in the Canary Islands, tackling crime while exploring identity, masculinity, and personal struggles. A Spanish-German writers’ room shaped the characters, balancing thrilling investigations with deep emotional arcs. Read More
Shiori Itō’s Black Box Diaries Faces Distribution Barriers in Japan Despite Global Acclaim
Oscar-nominated documentary Black Box Diaries, directed by Shiori Itō, has been embraced worldwide but struggles to secure distribution in Japan. The film, which recounts Itō’s pursuit of justice after being sexually assaulted by a prominent journalist, has faced pushback despite international recognition. Advocacy groups have launched a petition urging Japanese distributors to screen the film, highlighting the systemic suppression of such narratives. Read More
German Film Industry Faces Uncertainty Amid Political Upheaval and Funding Reforms
Germany’s film industry faces instability before the February 23 election, as economic struggles and political shifts disrupt long-awaited film funding reforms. A proposed overhaul—aiming for a centralised funding system, a 30% tax incentive, and streamer investment obligations—stalled after the governing coalition collapsed. The exclusion of diversity and sustainability initiatives has further alarmed industry groups, fearing setbacks under a potential far-right surge. Read More
How ZDF Is Using Social Video to Reach Next-Gen Audiences
ZDF Studios, the commercial arm of Germany’s largest broadcaster, is pioneering digital innovation in traditional TV, leveraging YouTube and TikTok to grow younger audiences. Linette Zaulich, head of unscripted FAST and D2C streaming, shares insights on using long-form content to drive engagement and successfully adapting TV models to digital platforms. With 73% of YouTube’s viewership now long-form, ZDF’s early investment in digital strategies is paying off. Read More
The Viral Sensation Behind ‘Temptation Island’ Spain’s “Montoya, Por Favor!”
José Carlos Montoya’s dramatic dash across a beach on La Isla de las Tentaciones has become a viral sensation, amassing over 320M views. The Temptation Island Spain contestant’s emotional reaction to his girlfriend’s infidelity has sparked memes featuring Whoopi Goldberg and NBA star Josh Hart. Producer Juan Ramón Gonzalo affirms Montoya’s authenticity, noting his deep connection with Anita Williams and her son. Read More
Lucy Boynton Stars as Ruth Ellis in ITVX’s ‘A Cruel Love’
Lucy Boynton leads A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, a four-part drama premiering on BritBox before its ITVX debut in March. Based on Carol Ann Lee’s A Fine Day for a Hanging, the series reexamines the story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman executed in the UK, from her perspective. Directed by Lee Haven Jones, it features Toby Jones, Laurie Davidson, and Juliet Stevenson. Read More
Hollywood’s Post-Pandemic Shift: Virtual Pitches Become the Norm
As Hollywood nears five years since the pandemic began, industry practices have permanently changed. Consumer habits shifted toward home viewing, and in-person pitch meetings became rare. The Boys EP Judalina Neira notes she’s done 40 virtual pitches since 2020, with no in-person meetings. While virtual pitches lack engagement, they offer convenience—marking a fundamental shift in how deals are made. Read More
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