TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Thursday 24 October 2024
Spain launches film campaign; Haugerud wins Nordic Prize; Asante adapts Smilla; MBC Studios grows; Metrograph drops Santosh trailer; Peck spotlights apartheid; Seine releases trio.
Today’s Highlights:
Spain's ICEX Launches New Campaign to Boost Film Locations Sector Through its Audiovisual Hub, Spain's government has invested €1.6 billion to attract global productions, improve financial tools, and support talent, focusing on women.
Dag Johan Haugerud won the Nordic Council Film Prize for 2024 with Sex Norwegian filmmaker Dag Johan Haugerud won the 2024 Nordic Council Film Prize for his film Sex, marking his second win after Beware Of Children in 2020.
Amma Asante Takes on TV with Smilla's Sense of Snow Miniseries Filmmaker Amma Asante adapts Smilla's Sense of Snow, a six-part crime drama set in futuristic Copenhagen, into a miniseries, marking her significant move into television.
Gabriela Rodríguez: From Intern to Oscar-Nominated Producer Gabriela Rodríguez, a Venezuelan producer, became the first Latin American woman nominated for an Oscar in Best Picture for Roma. She leads Alfonso Cuarón's production company and produced Disclaimer for Apple TV+.
Seine Pictures Marks 12th Year with Trio of Film Releases Latino-led Seine Pictures celebrates its 12th anniversary by releasing three films, including Invisible Nation, La Cocina, and Mistura, underscoring the company's achievements in film production.
The Future of Hollywood: A Reflection on AI and Industry Disruption Hollywood contemplates AI's potential to either bolster or disrupt the industry as licensing deals for AI rise, echoing previous tech disruptions like Netflix and Home Video.
Metrograph Releases Trailer for UK's Oscar Submission Santosh Santosh, directed by Sandhya Suri, is the UK's submission for the Oscars' international feature category. It follows a widowed police constable in India investigating caste-based violence.
Zeinab Abu Alsamh Leads MBC Studios and MBC Academy's Growth Zeinab Abu Alsamh, a leading figure at Saudi Arabia's MBC Studios and Academy, drives content production and talent development across the MBC portfolio.
Raoul Peck's Ernest Cole: Lost and Found Explores Photographer's Fight Against Apartheid Raoul Peck's documentary Ernest Cole: Lost and Found premiered in New York and Los Angeles. It spotlights the life of South African photographer Ernest Cole and his fight against apartheid.
ProSiebenSat. 1's Henrik Pabst and Epic Story Media's Jaka Benedičič Discuss Navigating the Streaming Shift Henrik Pabst of ProSiebenSat.1 and Jaka Benedičič of Epic Story Media addressed media industry challenges. Platforms like YouTube dominate, leading to shifts in distribution and engagement strategies for kids' content.
Plus: News, Insights, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals and Jobs with BAFTA, UKTV, Netflix, Roku, Disney, 101 Studios, Tubi, Amazon/MGM & Canal+.
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NEWS
Spain’s ICEX Launches New Campaign to Boost Film Locations Sector
Since launching the Spain Audiovisual Hub in 2021, Spain's government has invested €1.6 billion into its entertainment industry, driving foreign investments, improving financial tools, and fostering talent, particularly women. The country has made significant strides in attracting global productions and streamlining regulatory processes. Now honoured as MIPCOM’s 2024 Country of Honor, Spain's new campaign, Spain, Where Talent Ignites, aims to boost Spanish productions' global profile and marketability. Read More
Dag Johan Haugerud Wins Nordic Council Film Prize for 2024 with Sex
Norwegian filmmaker Dag Johan Haugerud has won the 2024 Nordic Council Film Prize for his film Sex, marking his second win after receiving the award in 2020 for Beware Of Children. The prestigious prize, which includes a 300,000 DKK award shared among the director, writer, and producers, honours the collaborative nature of filmmaking. Haugerud will receive the award during a Reykjavik, Iceland, ceremony on October 29. The film was selected from six nominees announced earlier this year. Read More
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INSIGHTS
Amma Asante Takes on TV with Smilla’s Sense of Snow Miniseries
Filmmaker Amma Asante makes her largest move into television with Smilla’s Sense of Snow, a six-part crime drama set in futuristic Copenhagen. Based on Peter Høeg’s novel, the series stars Filippa Coster Waldau as Smilla, a reclusive woman investigating the mysterious death of a young Inuit boy. Asante, who also serves as executive producer, shares the challenges of directing the entire series, particularly enduring freezing conditions while filming in Greenland. Read More
Gabriela Rodríguez: From Intern to Oscar-Nominated Producer
Gabriela Rodríguez, once Alfonso Cuarón’s assistant on Children of Men, rose to become the first Latin American woman nominated for an Oscar in the Best Picture category for Roma. Now running Cuarón’s production company, the Venezuelan-born, London-based powerhouse recently produced Apple TV+'s Disclaimer, starring Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline. Named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s 2024 Most Powerful Women in International TV, Rodríguez advises young women to embrace opportunities and persevere in the industry. Read More
Seine Pictures Marks 12th Year with Trio of Film Releases
Seine Pictures, a Latino-led production company, celebrated its 12th year with the release of three films in 2024. These include Invisible Nation, the Cinema for Peace Award-winning documentary; La Cocina, starring Rooney Mara and Raul Briones, which premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival; and Mistura, a period drama set in founder Ivan Orlic’s home country. Read More
Screenwriter Peter Straughan Discusses His Adaptation Journey and Upcoming Projects
For over 20 years, British screenwriter Peter Straughan has been the go-to talent for film adaptations, with works spanning from Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy to Frank and Our Brand Is Crisis. Straughan's latest project, Conclave, based on Robert Harris' novel, stars Ralph Fiennes and explores the Vatican's papal succession. Straughan is also returning to television with the much-anticipated second season of Wolf Hall, adapted from Hilary Mantel's novels, set to release soon. Read More
The Future of Hollywood: A Reflection on AI and Industry Disruption
As Hollywood faces a new wave of tech titans offering "easy money," the industry questions whether artificial intelligence (AI) will bring fortune or ruin. In the past, outsiders like Netflix and Home Video challenged the status quo with profitable yet disruptive technologies. AI's licensing deals are poised to skyrocket from $1 billion to $10 billion, leaving studios unsure whether this latest trend will bolster their industry or hasten its demise. Read More
Metrograph Releases Trailer for UK’s Oscar Submission Santosh
Metrograph Pictures has revealed the trailer and U.S. release date for Santosh, British Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri’s Cannes-premiered drama. The film, the UK’s submission for the Oscars' international feature category, stars Shahana Goswami as Santosh, a newly widowed police constable in northern India. Investigating the murder of an underage girl from a lower caste, Santosh partners with feminist inspector Sharma (Sunita Rajwar). Read More
Celebrity Substitute Web Series Debuts with Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh, and Lisa of Blackpink
The new web series Celebrity Substitute launched today on YouTube and other social platforms, featuring stars like Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh, and Lisa of Blackpink teaching school kids. Celebrities take on fun challenges in the series, from teaching acting to making music videos. Hosted by Recess Therapy star Julian Shapiro-Barnum, the show features celebrity guest appearances and is co-produced by industry talents like Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Read More
Zeinab Abu Alsamh Leads MBC Studios and MBC Academy’s Growth
Zeinab Abu Alsamh, recognized as one of The Hollywood Reporter’s 2024 Most Powerful Women in International TV, has been with Saudi Arabia’s MBC Group since 2021. As head of MBC Studios, she oversees premium content production and development while also serving as CEO of MBC Academy, which nurtures emerging talent. Before MBC, she was chief commercial officer of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority, managing programming strategies across its broadcast portfolio. Read More
Raoul Peck’s Ernest Cole: Lost and Found Explores Photographer’s Fight Against Apartheid
Raoul Peck’s Oscar-contending documentary Ernest Cole: Lost and Found uncovers the story of Ernest Cole, the Black South African photographer who captured the brutal realities of apartheid in his groundbreaking work House of Bondage. The film, which won the L’Oeil d’or prize at Cannes, examines Cole’s images of structural oppression in South Africa and the U.S. It opens in New York on November 22 and Los Angeles on November 29. Read More
Hagen Directors Discuss Adapting Centuries-Old Saga for Modern Audiences
Directors Cyrill Boss and Philipp Stennert were inspired by their childhood memories of Wolfgang Hohlbien’s Hagen von Tronje when approached to direct Hagen, a medieval fantasy drama. The series follows Hagen (Gijs Naber), a soldier torn between duty and forbidden love for Princess Kriemhild (Lilja van der Zwaag). The story unfolds as King Gunter (Dominic Singer) seeks power through marriage, leading to a dramatic clash involving legendary dragon slayer Siegfried (Jannis Niewöhner). The directors describe the show as more The Godfather than Game of Thrones. Read More
Demand for Spanish-Language Content Surges Amid Global Popularity
Spanish-language content is experiencing a boom, becoming the third most-watched globally, with 13.5 million viewing hours by June 2024, according to Omdia research. Hits like La Casa de Papel and Élite have driven demand, aided by Spain’s €1.6bn “Spain, Audiovisual Hub of Europe” plan to transform the domestic screen sector by 2025. This surge has fueled interest in TV adaptations of literary IP to tap into established fanbases. Read More
Why Los Angeles Is Becoming a Production Graveyard
Los Angeles faces historic lows in movie and TV production as insiders push for fewer restrictions to retain Hollywood’s prominence. Unlike California, the US version of MasterChef is relocating to Australia, which offers tax credits for unscripted programming. The move follows permit issues at the show’s L.A. soundstage, highlighting how the city’s regulatory environment drives big-budget productions—and their economic benefits—elsewhere. Read More
FX Drops First Trailer for “Say Nothing,” Adaptation of Patrick Radden Keefe’s Bestseller
FX has released the first trailer for Say Nothing, adapted from Patrick Radden Keefe’s acclaimed book on “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland. The series explores the rise of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the mystery of a missing mother of 10, focusing on the “Disappeared.” Starring Lola Petticrew and Hazel Doupe as the Price sisters, it delves into their roles in the IRA, with Anthony Boyle and Josh Finan portraying key figures Brendan Hughes and Gerry Adams. Read More
ProSiebenSat.1’s Henrik Pabst and Epic Story Media’s Jaka Benedičič Discuss Navigating the Streaming Shift
ProSiebenSat.1 includes national free-to-air networks, Joyn Streamer, and Seven.One Studios is transforming the media landscape from traditional linear to streaming. The group’s chief content officer, Henrik Pabst, discussed these changes at Mipcom in Cannes. Jaka Benedičič of Epic Story Media also addressed the challenges of engaging kids in a world dominated by platforms like YouTube as the company expands into Roblox, mobile games, and more. Read More
Carol Burnett Still Focused on Fun at 91, Steals Scenes in Apple TV+ Comedy
At 91, Carol Burnett remains committed to having fun in her work. With a career that includes 25 Emmy nominations, two Peabodys, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom, Burnett continues to entertain. She recently starred in Palm Royale on Apple TV+, stealing scenes as a scheming aunt. Burnett’s long career began in 1958 on The Garry Moore Show, leading to her legendary 10-year CBS variety run. Read More
MGM’s Chris Ottinger Discusses Success of Original Titles with Female Audiences and Post-Apocalyptic Series ‘Earth Abide’
Chris Ottinger, president of worldwide distribution and acquisitions at MGM, highlighted the studio’s success in attracting female audiences with titles like The Idea of You and The Summer I Turned Pretty. At MIPCOM Cannes, MGM spotlighted Earth Abide, a post-apocalyptic series starring Alexander Ludwig and Jessica Frances Dukes. Ottinger also noted that MGM’s original projects, such as The Tomorrow War, have rivalled major blockbusters in global markets, outperforming films like Aquaman and Wonder Woman: 1984. Read More
John Turturro Reflects on Personal Experience While Preparing for Role in Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door
John Turturro drew from his experience supporting his late brother Ralph, who battled mental illness and cancer, for his role in Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door. Turturro stayed by his brother’s side, using humour and impersonations to distract him during treatments. Ralph’s passing in 2022 deeply affected Turturro, informing his portrayal of Damian, a man aiding his lover (Julianne Moore) as she helps a terminally ill friend (Tilda Swinton) in the film. Read More
Netflix Surpasses NBCUniversal in TV Demand Share
In a significant milestone, Netflix surpassed NBCUniversal in Corporate TV Demand Share during the third quarter, capturing 9.6% compared to NBCUniversal’s 9.0%. This metric evaluates the demand for original TV content and highlights Netflix’s rapid rise in just 12 years since launching its first original series. This achievement underscores the long-term value and licensing potential of Netflix’s growing TV library, which now surpasses NBCUniversal’s legacy programming dating back to the 1940s. Read More
Hollywood Faces Resistance to Full Office Return Amid Amazon’s New Policy
Amazon’s recent mandate requiring employees to return to the office five days a week has sparked significant backlash, with 73% of Amazon workers considering quitting. The entertainment industry, which thrives on in-person collaboration, is grappling with the impact of hybrid work models. While Amazon and Lionsgate push for full office returns, other studios remain hesitant, fearing employee revolt. Hollywood’s future work culture remains questioned as the industry navigates post-pandemic challenges. Read More
Power Women in Hollywood 2024: Celebrating Industry Leaders
Variety’s 2024 Power Women in Hollywood list spotlights the industry’s most influential female leaders. The feature profiles executives, producers, directors, and creatives shaping film and television's future. These women have excelled in their respective fields, driving change and pushing for more diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. Read More
Tom Bateman Aims for Suspense in Neo-Noir Thriller “Magpie”
Screenwriter Tom Bateman’s debut, Magpie, follows the crumbling marriage of Anette (Daisy Ridley) and Ben (Shazad Latif) after their daughter is cast alongside movie star Alicia (Matilda Lutz). As Anette’s suspicions of Ben’s infatuation grow, buried secrets unravel, leading to a shocking climax. Inspired by Ridley’s on-set experiences, Bateman crafted this tense thriller to make audiences squirm as they sense something is amiss. Directed by Sam Yates, Magpie promises a captivating neo-noir experience. Read More
Bela Bajaria’s Global Influence at Netflix: Leading a $17 Billion Content Budget
Bela Bajaria, one of the world’s most influential media executives, oversees Netflix’s $17 billion content budget for 2024, larger than the GDP of several nations. She manages a vast team across 27 countries, producing series and films in 50 languages. Bajaria’s experience in programming has led her to a C-suite role with unprecedented global scope, commissioning an unparalleled volume of non-English content and expanding Netflix’s international reach. Read More
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