TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Tuesday 15 October 2024
Critics Choice nominees, Malala’s new film, Nine explores Stan ads, Student Academy Awards in London, Fremantle appoints Lloyd, Scorsese's Beatles doc, and Rio Fest winners.
Today’s Highlights:
Sugarcane, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, and Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story lead the Critics Choice Documentary Awards nominations.
Filming is underway for Reykjavik Fusion, a culinary drama directed by Hörður Rúnarsson.
Malala Yousafzai premiered The Last of the Sea Women at the Toronto Film Festival. The film focuses on South Korea's haenyeo divers.
Nine explores adding ads to Stan for new revenue amidst global streaming shifts.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer expands the Student Academy Awards to London for the first time.
Succession-themed corporate battles continue in Hollywood, with Sony's CEO transitioning from Tony Vinciquerra to Ravi Ahuja.
Fremantle appoints Nicola Lloyd as creative director of Naked, focusing on factual entertainment.
Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi bring the Beatles '64 documentary to Disney+.
Brazilian films Baby and Malu tie for Best Fiction Feature at the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival.
Mediawan strengthens its executive team with the appointments of Caroline Le Masne and Pablo Nakhlé Cerruti.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals and Jobs with WBD, Prime, Moonbug, Fremantle, ITV, CAA, Tubi, France Télévisions & ProSiebenSat.1.
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NEWS
'Sugarcane,' 'Superman,' 'Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story' Lead Critics Choice Documentary Awards Nominations
Sugarcane, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, and Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story lead nominations for the Critics Choice Association’s Ninth Annual Documentary Awards. Sugarcane received eight nominations, while Billy & Molly and Super/Man earned six each. All three are up for Best Documentary Feature, alongside films from Netflix, Focus Features, and Disney. Winners will be announced on November 10, 2024, at NYC’s Edison Ballroom. Read More
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INSIGHTS
Filming underway for Reykjavik Fusion, a culinary drama by Hörður Rúnarsson
Icelandic series Reykjavik Fusion follows Jónas, a chef and ex-convict, played by Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, who tries to rebuild his life and family by opening a restaurant funded by dirty money. Created by Hörður Rúnarsson and co-written with Birkir Blær Ingólfsson, the show blends elements of Breaking Bad and The Bear. Michelin-star chef Þráinn Freyr Vigfusson advises behind the scenes. Read More
Malala Yousafzai on Filmmaking’s Role in Activism
Malala Yousafzai, a globally renowned activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, premiered The Last of the Sea Women at the 2024 Toronto Film Festival. Produced by her company Extracurricular, the Apple TV+ documentary explores the lives of South Korea’s haenyeo divers, whose ancient tradition of harvesting sea life off Jeju Island is at risk. The film follows her previous work, including He Named Me Malala and the Oscar-nominated Stranger at the Gate. Read More
Nine Explores Adding Ads to Stan for New Revenue
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, and Binge offer cheaper, ad-supported subscription options in Australia, marking a shift from their original ad-free experiences. Disney+ has already introduced ads in the US and is expected to follow suit in Australia soon. This trend reflects a growing move by streaming platforms to offer lower-cost options subsidised by limited advertising. Read More
Academy CEO Bill Kramer on Expanding U.S. Awards to Global Stage
For the first time in its 51-year history, the Student Academy Awards are being held outside Los Angeles, taking place at London’s Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on October 14. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences initiative has launched the careers of past winners like Spike Lee and Robert Zemeckis. In partnership with the BFI London Film Festival, winners will gain access to panels, networking, and exclusive support from Academy members. Read More
Succession Battles Continue to Shake Hollywood
Succession might as well have been a documentary. The HBO series, about ruthless media mogul Logan Roy and the children who may or may not be equipped to inherit his empire, captivated audiences for four seasons. It may be over now, but the entertainment industry is still going through its succession dramas, sometimes with a reality that is stranger than fiction. Sony’s recent CEO transition from Tony Vinciquerra to Ravi Ahuja seems to have gone without a hitch. Read More
BBC’s Jonny Keeling discusses innovation in Big Cats 24/7
Jonny Keeling, head of BBC Studios' natural history unit, shares insights on Big Cats 24/7, a co-production with PBS that blends soap opera elements and social media strategies to engage younger audiences. As natural history content evolves with advances in camera tech, drones, and AI, Keeling emphasises the need for storytelling innovation to keep the genre relevant and captivating for modern viewers. Read More
Opting out of AI data scraping remains a challenge
AI companies have already scraped much of the web, making it difficult for users to opt out of having their data used for AI training. Niloofar Mireshghallah, an AI privacy researcher, highlights the secretive nature of AI companies and the complexity of removing data. Privacy policies from companies like Facebook and Google often include clauses allowing data to be used for AI, making opting out labour-intensive and unclear for most users. Read More
What Apple TV+ is Looking to Buy Now: Comedy and Drama
In the evolving TV landscape, pitching a show still requires an undeniable appeal, with the likes of George Clooney making ideas stand out. While demand six months ago centred on "prestige-Urals" and high-concept comedies, the market has now become busier, albeit cautious. A TV lit agent notes more projects are getting made despite ongoing turmoil at major players like Paramount, Skydance, and Disney, with original ideas facing resistance. Major networks like Netflix, Amazon, NBC, and HBO are refining their content needs in this shifting market. Read More
Telia Company focuses on strategic content placement across platforms
Telia Company, a key player in Nordic and Baltic telecommunications, owns Sweden's TV4, Finland's MTV, and the streaming service TV4 Play. Cathrine Wiernik, director of programs and acquisitions, oversees the programming strategy, focusing on fewer but larger-scale shows. Her teams prioritise the strategic placement of content across free TV, cable, AVOD, and SVOD tiers to maximize viewer engagement on both linear and digital platforms. Read More
"Only Murders in the Building" Season 1 Department Heads Break Down Their Crafts
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