TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Wednesday 29 January 2025
Cate Blanchett funds displaced filmmakers; UK eyes Creative Europe; Tarantino shifts to theatre; Pixar, Netflix adapt; Reeves backs LA film push; Disney, Sony, and AI ventures reshape entertainment.
Today’s Highlights:
Cate Blanchett Launches Fund for Displaced Filmmakers – Blanchett, in collaboration with IFFR’s Hubert Bals Fund, has introduced the Displacement Film Fund to support displaced filmmakers with €100,000 grants—the initiative debuts at the Rotterdam Film Festival.
BFI Confirms UK in Talks to Rejoin Creative Europe MEDIA – The British Film Institute is discussing the UK’s potential re-entry into the Creative Europe Media programme, which provided €80.5 million to the UK film industry before Brexit.
Pixar’s Pete Docter Reflects on Animation Journey and ‘Inside Out 2’ – Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer discusses the studio’s evolution, market shifts, and the record-breaking success of Inside Out 2, which grossed $1.7 billion globally.
Quentin Tarantino Eyes Theatre as His Next Creative Frontier – Tarantino revealed at Sundance 2025 that he is working on a play and sees theatre as the “last frontier” for immersive storytelling.
Netflix Optimises Content for Background Viewing Amid Changing Habits—Netflix is adjusting its content to accommodate multitasking viewers and incorporating expository dialogue to cater to passive audiences.
Keanu Reeves & Bette Midler Join "Stay in LA" Campaign to Revive Local Production – A-list celebrities support a campaign to restore LA’s film industry post-wildfires by advocating for tax incentives and reduced permit fees.
Disney France Faces Challenges Amid Canal+ Deal Expiration – Disney’s €250M deal with Canal+ has expired, affecting Disney Channel and Disneyland Paris while Disney+ remains competitive in the French market.
David S. Goyer Launches AI-Powered Sci-Fi Platform Incention—Goyer is creating an AI-driven collaborative storytelling platform backed by a16z. The platform will incorporate blockchain to track intellectual property rights.
Ruben Östlund’s The Entertainment System Is Down Starts Filming – Östlund’s dark satire, featuring Kirsten Dunst and Keanu Reeves, explores boredom on a long-haul flight after its entertainment system fails.
Sony Pictures Acquires Tsui Hark’s Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants—Sony has secured international rights to Tsui Hark’s adaptation of Jin Yong’s wuxia classic. A global release is planned for 2025.
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NEWS
Cate Blanchett Launches Fund for Displaced Filmmakers
Cate Blanchett and IFFR’s Hubert Bals Fund have launched the Displacement Film Fund to support filmmakers displaced by war or catastrophes. As a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Blanchett will help award €100,000 grants to five filmmakers for short film projects. Cynthia Erivo, Jonas Poher Rasmussen, and Agnieszka Holland joined her on the selection panel. The initiative debuts at the Rotterdam Film Festival to empower creative voices affected by displacement. Read More
BFI Confirms UK in Talks to Rejoin Creative Europe MEDIA
The British Film Institute (BFI) is discussing rejoining the Creative Europe Media programme, which the UK left after Brexit, with the UK government. BFI chair Jay Hunt noted more positive signals from the current government regarding re-entry. Previously, from 2014 to 2020, the UK received approximately €80.5 million from the programme, benefiting film distribution and production. In the interim, the UK Global Screen Fund was established to support the independent screen sector. Read More
INSIGHTS
Swedish Miniseries Smärtpunkten Explores a True Story of Tragedy and Ambivalence
Smärtpunkten (Pressure Point), a Swedish three-part drama, retells the true story of playwright Lars Norén and producer Isa Stenberg, who collaborated with dangerous inmates to create a play. While aiming for rehabilitation, their efforts backfired as neo-Nazi prisoners used their newfound freedom for bank robberies, ultimately forming a radical group responsible for a double police murder. The series, written by Pelle Rådström and directed by Sanna Lenken, reflects on faith in human redemption, the dangers of naive decisions, and the ethical complexities of adapting to real-life events. Distributed by Reinvent Studios, it stars David Dencik and Maria Sid. Read More
Pixar’s Pete Docter Reflects on Animation Journey and ‘Inside Out 2’
Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer, Pete Docter, has shaped animation history with hits like Inside Out and Up. He reflects on Pixar’s evolution, addressing challenges post-pandemic, diversity initiatives, and the studio’s approach to sequels like Inside Out 2, which became its highest-grossing film at $1.7 billion worldwide. Docter discusses his creative philosophy, market shifts, and Pixar’s future, including upcoming films like Elio. Read More
Prime Video’s Paatal Lok Returns with a Gritty Second Season
After nearly five years, Paatal Lok Season 2 has launched globally on Prime Video, quickly climbing top-10 charts in India and beyond. Created by Sudip Sharma, the Hindi-language drama follows Delhi cop Hathi Ram Chaudhary (Jaideep Ahlawat) and his former junior Imran Ansari (Ishwak Singh), who are investigating a political murder in Nagaland. Known for its gritty storytelling and social commentary, the series expands its setting and themes while maintaining its complex, nuanced narrative. Read More
Quentin Tarantino Eyes Theatre as His Next Creative Frontier
Quentin Tarantino made a surprise appearance at Sundance 2025, reflecting on his career and hinting at a shift to theatre. The Reservoir Dogs director revealed he’s working on a play that could become his final project if successful. Frustrated with the film’s short theatrical windows, he praised live theatre’s immersive experience, calling it “the last frontier.” At 61, he aims to end his career on a high, “leaving them wanting more.” Read More
Sundance Buzz: Lurker Explores Fame and Obsession in LA
Alex Russell’s Lurker, one of Sundance 2025’s most talked-about debuts, stars Théodore Pellerin as Matthew, a parasocial obsessive drawn into the world of pop star Oliver (Archie Madekwe). Set in LA’s fame-driven culture, the psychological drama explores the blurred lines between admiration and exploitation. Russell, known for Beef and The Bear, crafts a tense, homoerotic thriller that resonates with Hollywood’s influencer-obsessed reality. Read More
Keanu Reeves & Bette Midler Join the "Stay in LA" Campaign to Revive Local Production
The "Stay in LA" campaign, launched to boost local production post-wildfires, has gained over 15,000 signatures, including Keanu Reeves, Bette Midler, and other A-listers like Rian Johnson and Zooey Deschanel. The initiative, led by Alexandra Pechman and Sarah Adina Smith, proposes uncapping tax incentives, reducing permit fees, and addressing insurance restrictions. It urges California officials to back these measures to support LLA’srecovery and revive its entertainment industry. Read More
Disney France Faces Challenges Amid Canal+ Deal Expiration
Disney France is navigating turbulent waters in 2025 following the expiration of its €250M Canal+ partnership. This marks a pivotal moment as Disney re-evaluates its assets across French markets. Disneyland Paris faces slower growth due to cost hikes and the Olympics. Initially slated for closure, Disney Channel was salvaged via deals with Orange and Free, but Disney Junior and NatGeo Wild shuttered. Disney+ continues competing strongly, solidifying its place among top French streamers. Read More
Netflix Optimises Content for Background Viewing Amid Changing Habits
Netflix is adapting its content to match viewer habits, with reports suggesting the streaming giant is creating shows and movies optimised for "second-screen viewing." This approach caters to the 91% of Americans who multitask while watching TV, according to a 2023 YouGov study. Subtle changes, such as overly expository dialogue, are reportedly being made to ensure viewers can follow along while distracted. Netflix’s shift aligns with the rise of "ambient TV"—programmes designed to be easy to watch passively, like Emily in Paris. This strategy has contributed to Netflix’s success, with a 16% revenue increase and 19 million new subscribers in Q4 2024. Read More
Thomas Vinterberg Adapting Astrid Lindgren’s The Brothers Lionheart
Danish filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg is adapting Astrid Lindgren’s classic novel The Brothers Lionheart, collaborating with British writer Simon Stephens. The story, set in the mystical land of Nangijala, explores themes of faith and doubt, resonating deeply with Vinterberg. The filmmaker, honoured at the Göteborg Film Festival, sees the adaptation as a courageous exploration of life and death. While he has worked in English-language films before, he remains undecided about returning to Hollywood. Read More
Brian And Maggie: How Baby Cow Overcame Funding Challenges
Baby Cow Productions faced hurdles securing international co-production for Brian And Maggie, a drama about Margaret Thatcher’s pivotal 1989 interview with Brian Walden. Despite strong support from Channel 4 and distributor BBC Studios, no major US buyers came on board, forcing Baby Cow to work within a tight budget. By reducing locations, focusing on period authenticity, and leveraging industry relationships, they maintained production quality while keeping costs down. Read More
Horror-Comedy ‘Video Nasty’ Explores 80s Censorship and Modern Parallels
Set in 1980s Dublin, Video Nasty follows teens Billy and Con as they chase banned horror films, only to face real-life terror. Inspired by the UK’s "video nasties" moral panic, the series reflects on modern censorship debates. Executive producer Ailish McElmeel highlights its relevance to today’s media regulation concerns, drawing parallels between past and present fears over media influence. Read More
Channel 4’s ‘My Deepfake Sex Tape’ Exposes AI Abuse and Calls for Action
Deep Fusion Films collaborated on My Deepfake Sex Tape, a Channel 4 documentary highlighting the dangers of AI-generated deepfake pornography. Featuring Vicky Pattison, the project demonstrates how easily fake explicit content can spread online. Deep Fusion’s Benjamin Field emphasised their commitment to ethical AI, legislative reform, and digital consent protections. The documentary aims to raise awareness and push for stronger laws to combat deepfake exploitation. Read More
Hans Rosenfeldt Adapts Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter for Viaplay
Hans Rosenfeldt, creator of The Bridge and Marcella, has adapted Astrid Lindgren’s Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter into a six-part live-action series, available on Viaplay U.S. Produced by Filmlance, the fantasy adventure was a hit on Netflix in Europe in 2024, topping charts in 15 countries, including Sweden. Set in medieval Scandinavia, the coming-of-age story follows Ronja’s defiance of a family feud and a looming threat to robbers in the region. Read More
Ryan Coogler Unveils Sinners Trailer, Teases Genre-Bending Vampire Story
Ryan Coogler has revealed new details about Sinners, his upcoming Warner Bros. film starring Michael B. Jordan, set for release on April 18. While vampires play a role, Coogler describes the film as “genre-fluid,” incorporating supernatural elements, American music, and Jim Crow-era history. Inspired by his Mississippi family roots, he calls it his most personal film, exploring deep existential questions. Read More
David S. Goyer Launches AI-Powered Sci-Fi Platform Incention
David S. Goyer, known for The Dark Knight and Foundation, is launching Incention, an AI-driven platform backed by a16z. His sci-fi world Emergence invites creators to contribute ideas, aided by AI co-pilot Atlas, with potential profit-sharing. Initially wary of AI, Goyer now sees it as a tool for collaborative storytelling. The platform uses blockchain to track rights, redefining how IP is built. Read More
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