TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Thursday 16 January 2025
BAFTA noms for "Conclave," TikTok ban, Warner Bros. shake-up, Cannes president re-elected, Molly Parker's Doc, London Live closes, St Denis renewed, and new Italy-Tunisia film fund.
Today’s Highlights:
"Conclave" and "Emilia Pérez" Dominate BAFTA Film Awards Nominations - "Conclave" leads with 12 BAFTA nominations, followed by "Emilia Pérez" with 11, showcasing strong competition among films like "The Brutalist," "Anora," "Dune: Part Two," and "Wicked."
TikTok to Shut Down in the U.S. on January 19 Amid Ban—TikTok announced a complete shutdown for U.S. users on January 19, aligning with a federal law prohibiting app downloads and updates. This will impact 170 million monthly users.
Lockerbie: A Search for Truth Explores Jim Swire’s Fight for Justice - Sky and Peacock's series follows Dr. Jim Swire's decades-long pursuit of justice after the 1988 Lockerbie disaster, highlighting the personal toll of his mission.
Warner Bros. Reshuffles Exec Team Ahead of Auteur-Driven 2025 Slate—The leadership changes aim to support Warner Bros.'s focus on visionary filmmakers like James Gunn and Paul Thomas Anderson, signalling a renewed creative direction.
Molly Parker Leads Fox's New Medical Drama ‘Doc’ - Molly Parker stars in Fox's Doc, portraying a complex, enigmatic leader in a role that continues her tradition of tackling powerful, transformative characters.
Amanda Laing Joins Nine as Streaming and Broadcast Managing Director - Laing, previously with Foxtel, takes on a pivotal new role at Nine, overseeing Stan, 9Now, and other media platforms as part of a restructured leadership strategy.
Iris Knobloch Re-Elected as Cannes Film Festival President for Second Term—Knobloch secured a unanimous re-election, extending her leadership through 2028 as Cannes' first female president. She has been recognised for her achievements since 2023.
London Live to Shut Down After a Decade on Air—The regional network announces its closure due to long-standing viewer challenges. Its license is expected to transfer to Local TV Ltd.
NBC Renews 'St Denis Medical' for Season Two - NBC confirms the renewal of its top-rated mockumentary series, St Denis Medical, for a second season, continuing its comedic exploration of a struggling Oregon hospital.
Italy and Tunisia Launch Co-Production Fund for 2024 - A new €280,000 fund supports Italian-Tunisian cinematic co-productions, encouraging collaboration on fiction, animation, and documentaries for theatrical release.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Opportunities & Jobs with Netflix, VicScreen, WBD, Paramount, Prime, Disney, A+E, FX, Crunchyroll & Leonine.
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NEWS
"Conclave" and "Emilia Pérez" Dominate BAFTA Film Awards Nominations
"Conclave" leads with 12 BAFTA nominations, including Best Film and Director for Edward Berger, with Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini recognized. Close behind is Jacques Audiard's "Emilia Pérez," with 11 nods, including Best Film, Director, and Acting honours for Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, and Zoe Saldaña. Other contenders include "The Brutalist" (9), "Anora," "Dune: Part Two," and "Wicked" (7 each). Notable first-time nominees include Jeremy Strong, Ariana Grande, and Mikey Madison. Read More
TikTok to Shut Down in the U.S. on January 19 Amid Ban
TikTok will cease operations for U.S. users on January 19, coinciding with the enforcement of a law signed by President Biden banning the app. The law prohibits new downloads and updates from app stores but allows existing users to keep the app without updates. With 170 million monthly U.S. users, TikTok is taking a stricter stance by shutting down access entirely. Read More
INSIGHTS
Lockerbie: A Search for Truth Explores Jim Swire’s Fight for Justice and an Unlikely Friendship
Sky and Peacock’s Lockerbie: A Search for Truth recounts Dr Jim Swire’s 30-year pursuit of justice following the 1988 Lockerbie disaster, which claimed 270 lives. Colin Firth stars as Swire, whose relentless quest strains his family and belief in the justice system. Sam Troughton plays fictional journalist Murray Guthrie, an amalgamation of real-life figures whose evolving friendship with Swire highlights the human dimension amid the tragedy. Read More
Hollywood Struggles to Market Content in the Social Media Age
Trung Phan, a newsletter writer with 705,000 followers on X, highlights how Hollywood lags in online marketing. Phan's viral posts—analysing content like Irish Wish and Timothée Chalamet's podcast appearance—showcase a direct, gatekeeper-free approach to resonating with audiences. Meanwhile, Gen Z consumes more TikTok and YouTube than traditional media, yet much of that content involves remixing Hollywood’s output. Experts argue studios must adapt to spontaneous, authentic strategies to stay relevant. Read More
James Norton Reflects on His Busy Slate and Career Highlights
James Norton, currently filming House of Guinness with Steven Knight, juggles a packed schedule, including Playing Nice and King & Conqueror. Known for contrasting roles like Happy Valley's Tommy Lee Royce and Grantchester's Sidney Chambers, Norton has also starred in Little Women and A Little Life. His latest, Joy, celebrates the first IVF baby, now streaming on Netflix, showcasing his versatility and dedication to transformative projects. Read More
Evolving Media Processing: Simplifying Complex Workflows with Unified Platforms
Media companies aim to produce top-quality content, previously relying on custom workflows with diverse vendor tools. While flexible, this approach often leads to complexity and interoperability challenges, slowing processes. The industry is now shifting towards unified end-to-end platforms that integrate tools from various vendors. These solutions simplify workflows, automate tasks like transcoding and metadata logging, and ensure seamless integration, offering a scalable, efficient way to manage media production without sacrificing quality. Read More
Warner Bros. Reshuffles Exec Team Ahead of Auteur-Driven 2025 Slate
Warner Bros. is undergoing a significant shake-up as it braces for a 2025 slate packed with auteur-driven projects, including works from James Gunn, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Maggie Gyllenhaal. The exits of Worldwide Marketing President Josh Goldstine and International Distribution Head Andrew Cripps aim to bring fresh perspectives to support the studio's strategy of restoring its reputation as a home for visionary filmmakers following its controversial pandemic-era decisions. Read More
Molly Parker Leads Fox's New Medical Drama ‘Doc’
Molly Parker, known for roles in Deadwood and House of Cards, stars as the commanding and enigmatic lead in Fox’s Doc. The actress, celebrated for tackling transformative characters, calls this her biggest stage yet. Parker portrays a "hard-charging, powerful, and a little mean" boss who becomes a "total mystery to herself." With a history of daring roles, Parker continues her tradition of portraying complex, compelling women. Read More
Karla Sofía Gascón Breaks Down Three Scenes From 'Emilia Pérez' | Scene Stealers
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