TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Tuesday 11 February 2025
Nicholas Verso adapts Invisible Boys, Netflix explores Belle Gibson, UK TV faces budget woes, Hollywood eyes relocation, Berlin EFM shifts focus, and Disney+ unveils A Thousand Blows.
Today’s Highlights:
Nicholas Verso Discusses 'Invisible Boys' Adaptation - Nicholas Verso shares insights into adapting Holden Sheppard’s novel Invisible Boys into a 10-part Stan Original series. The show, set in Geraldton, WA, explores themes of identity, sexuality, and family expectations. The series premieres on February 13.
Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar Explores Belle Gibson’s Rise and Fall - Netflix's Apple Cider Vinegar delves into the true story of Belle Gibson, the Australian influencer who falsely claimed to have cured terminal brain cancer through diet. After gaining fame through The Whole Pantry, she was exposed for fabricating her illness and failing to donate promised funds, leading to a $410,000 fine in 2017.
UK Scripted TV Faces Budget Crisis Amid Unproduced Projects—The UK television industry struggles with rising production costs, which has led to 15-20 scripted projects being stalled—an increase from five or six years ago. Industry leaders like Fremantle’s Jens Richter and BBC Studios’ Rebecca Glashow stress the need to adjust budget expectations as high-cost productions become unsustainable.
Hollywood Professionals Consider Relocation Post-Wildfires - Following severe wildfires, Hollywood professionals are debating leaving Los Angeles due to housing shortages and production delays. While some see relocation as necessary, others are committed to rebuilding and sustaining the industry in LA.
Flying Bark Productions Appoints Karen Vermeulen as Head of Development - Flying Bark Productions has named Karen Vermeulen as Head of Development and Executive Producer. With experience at On The Edge and Cloudco Entertainment, Vermeulen will oversee creative projects across the global studios. The company is working on an ABC animated adaptation of Shaun Tan’s Tales from Outer Suburbia.
The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent Highlights the 1993 Štrpci Massacre - The Oscar-nominated short film The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent, directed by Nebojša Slijepčević, dramatizes the 1993 Štrpci massacre during the Bosnian War. It follows Tomo Buzov, a retired Yugoslav officer who tries to stop the abduction of civilians by Serbian paramilitaries. The film won the Short Film Palme d’Or at Cannes 2024.
MoMI Announces Lineup for First Look Festival 2025—The Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) has revealed its 14th First Look Festival, which will run from March 12 to 16. The event will feature 38 films from 21 countries, including 20 features and multiple premieres. Highlights include Bonjour Tristesse, Diciannove, and Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958–1989.
Sky New Zealand Expands Originals Slate with New Scripted and Factual Series—Sky New Zealand is expanding its original programming with new scripted and factual content, including the psychological thriller The Ridge (co-produced with BBC Scotland) and Bust Up, a buddy-cop dramedy. Other projects include Small Town Scandal, Secrets at Red Rocks, and Miriam Margolyes in New Zealand.
Disney+ Unveils A Thousand Blows, a New Boxing Drama by Steven Knight - Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight’s new series A Thousand Blows follows two Jamaican friends in 1880s East London navigating the brutal underground boxing scene and starring Malachi Kirby, Erin Doherty, and Stephen Graham, the series debuts on Disney+ on February 21, 2025.
Berlin 2025 EFM Shifts Focus to Action and Horror Films—The European Film Market (EFM) at Berlinale 2025 is shifting away from art house films and focusing instead on commercial action, horror, and comedy. Major titles include Wife & Dog (starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Rosamund Pike) and Bad Boy (starring Ke Huy Quan and Lili Reinhart).
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INSIGHTS
Nicholas Verso Discusses 'Invisible Boys' Adaptation
Nicholas Verso, the writer and director of the upcoming Stan Original series Invisible Boys, has shared insights into adapting Holden Sheppard's award-winning novel for television. Set in Geraldton, Western Australia, the 10-part series delves into the lives of young adults grappling with identity and familial expectations in a small coastal town. Verso highlighted the writers' room's collaborative efforts, including Enoch Mailangi, Allan Clarke, Declan Griffin, and author Sheppard himself. Invisible Boys is scheduled to premiere on Stan on February 13. Read More
Malachi Kirby Stars in A Thousand Blows, Steven Knight’s New Disney+ Boxing Drama
Disney+ has unveiled A Thousand Blows, a six-part series set in 1880s East London, following two Jamaican friends drawn into the underground boxing scene. Starring Malachi Kirby, Erin Doherty, and Stephen Graham, the Steven Knight-created drama follows Hezekiah Moscow (Kirby) as he navigates the brutal fight world while attracting the attention of crime boss Mary Carr (Doherty) and veteran boxer Sugar Goodson (Graham). A Thousand Blows premieres on February 21, 2025. Read More
The True Story Behind Apple Cider Vinegar: Belle Gibson’s Rise and Fall
Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar explores the true story of Belle Gibson, the Australian influencer who falsely claimed to have cured her terminal brain cancer through diet and natural remedies. After gaining fame with The Whole Pantry app and book, she was exposed for fabricating her illness and failing to donate promised funds. In 2017, Gibson was fined $410,000 for misleading conduct, a sum she has yet to pay. Read More
UK's Rise as a Global Production Hub
Over the past decade, the United Kingdom has become a premier film and TV production destination. Attractive tax incentives, state-of-the-art facilities, and a skilled workforce have drawn major studios and streaming platforms to shoot high-profile projects in the UK, contributing significantly to the nation's economy. Read More
Trends in Prime-Time Entertainment Formats
Leading distributors discuss current trends shaping prime-time entertainment formats. They highlight the resilience of long-running hits and the importance of balancing innovation with familiarity to attract mass audiences. The discussion also touches on the challenges and opportunities in developing new formats in a competitive market. Read More
Hollywood Professionals Consider Relocation Post-Wildfires
In the aftermath of recent wildfires, many Hollywood workers contemplate relocating due to housing shortages and production slowdowns. While some see the fires as a final impetus to leave Los Angeles for more stable opportunities, others remain committed to rebuilding and revitalising the city's entertainment industry. Read More
The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent Explores a Chilling 1993 Wartime Incident
The Oscar-nominated short film The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent, directed by Nebojša Slijepčević, dramatizes the 1993 Štrpci massacre during the Bosnian War. The film follows Tomo Buzov, a retired Yugoslav officer who attempts to prevent the abduction of 20 civilians from a passenger train by Serbian paramilitary forces. It won the Short Film Palme d'Or at Cannes 2024 and is nominated for Best Live Action Short at the 97th Academy Awards. Read More
Common Side Effects Blends Conspiracy Thriller and Dark Comedy in Adult Swim’s New Animated Series
Adult Swim’s new animated series Common Side Effects follows Marshall Cuso, a scientist who discovers a rare hallucinogenic mushroom with miraculous healing properties, making him the target of Big Pharma and shadowy government forces. The series, created by Joseph Bennett (Scavengers Reign) and Steve Hely (Veep), mixes thriller, comedy, and existential sci-fi with stunning animation and sharp storytelling. Read More
UK Scripted TV Faces Budget Crisis as Unproduced Projects Surge
The UK’s television industry is facing a growing crisis, with between 15 and 20 scripted projects stalled due to budget shortfalls, up from five or six a year ago. Fremantle’s Jens Richter and BBC Studios’ Rebecca Glashow warn that budget expectations must be adjusted, as the current market no longer supports high-cost productions. Streamer participation is uncertain, and co-financing strategies are becoming essential. Read More
Indie Filmmakers Embrace Traveling Road Tours for Grassroots Distribution
Independent filmmakers increasingly turn to travelling road tours to showcase their work beyond festivals and streaming platforms. These tours, often targeting regions like the American Midwest and South, include live elements such as Q&A sessions, concerts, and performances to engage audiences. The approach allows filmmakers to maintain control over distribution while reviving a time-tested exhibition model. Read More
First Look at Carmen Maura in Psychological Horror 'Vieja Loca'
Spanish actress Carmen Maura stars in "Vieja Loca," an Argentinian psychological horror film directed by Martín Mauregui and produced by J.A. Bayona. The story follows Pedro, portrayed by Daniel Hendler, who is ensnared in a nightmare after agreeing to care for his ex-girlfriend's senile mother, played by Maura. The film was shot in Buenos Aires and is described as a claustrophobic horror fable exploring intergenerational violence. Read More
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