TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Tuesday 26 November 2024
Denmark unveils production rebate; NZ On Air backs drama; Netflix tackles Belle Gibson; AI sparks writer outrage; Dexter prequel debuts; BBC expands formats; Finnish Holocaust hero honoured.
Today’s Highlights:
Denmark to Introduce Production Rebate for Foreign Prodcos from 2026
Denmark's government announces a DKK125m (US$17.5m) annual production rebate to attract international film and TV productions, marking a historic boost for the Danish industry.NZ On Air Supports New Drama, Documentaries and Kids TV in the Latest Funding Round
NZ On Air funds four new dramas and 20 fiction projects, including Blue Murder Motel and Bust Up, alongside children's series Toi Time! and Mr Hugo's Little Library.Apple Cider Vinegar: Netflix’s Must-See Series on Belle Gibson’s Scandal
Netflix dramatizes Belle Gibson's fraudulent wellness empire in Apple Cider Vinegar, starring Kaitlyn Dever and Alycia Debnam-Carey, exploring social media’s influence on wellness culture.Never Alone Explores Finnish Holocaust Hero Abraham Stiller
Klaus Härö’s Never Alone examines Finnish Holocaust hero Abraham Stiller's efforts to save Jewish refugees, blending faith and film noir themes.Writers Outraged as AI Training Data Includes Over 139,000 TV and Film Scripts
The use of over 139,000 TV and film subtitles in AI training sparks backlash from writers like Shonda Rhimes and Ryan Murphy, leading to legal explorations.Patrick Gibson Steps Into Dexter’s Shoes in Dexter: Original Sin
Patrick Gibson stars as a young Dexter Morgan in Dexter: Original Sin, revisiting the character's first kill and exploring his origins with fresh twists.Prime Video Leverages AI for Enhanced Viewer Experience
Prime Video integrates AI for personalized recommendations, NFL insights, and episode summaries, refining its user experience for global audiences.Finding Lost Boys
BBC’s bilingual Welsh/English drama Lost Boys & Fairies explores queer adoption through the lens of a gay couple, inspired by Daf James’ personal adoption journey.BBC Studios’ Matt Forde Discusses Global Formats and Industry Trends
Matt Forde highlights the success of format unification and international expansion, citing hits like Silence is Golden and Weakest Link’s U.S. reboot.Klaus Härö’s Never Alone
Finnish director Klaus Härö explores the complex history of Holocaust-era Finland in his WWII drama, focusing on Jewish community leader Abraham Stiller’s efforts to save refugees.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals and Jobs with Netflix, ABC, ITV, BFI, Prime, Roku, SVT & Paramount.
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NEWS
Denmark to Introduce Production Rebate for Foreign Prodcos from 2026
Denmark will introduce a production rebate scheme worth DKK125m (US$17.5m) annually from 2026 to attract international film and TV productions. The Danish government aims to compete with neighbouring countries like Norway and Sweden, offering similar incentives. The rebate will cover some production expenses, making Denmark a more attractive filming location. The Producers’ Association and Nordisk Film Production have welcomed the move, calling it a historic day for the Danish film and TV industry. Read More
NZ On Air Supports New Drama, Documentaries and Kids TV in the Latest Funding Round
NZ On Air has committed to funding four new drama series and 20 new fiction television projects in its final funding round for 2024. Projects include an eight-part crime series, Blue Murder Motel, and a female buddy cop series, Bust Up. The funding round also supports children’s content, such as the fourth season of Toi Time! and Mr Hugo’s Little Library. NZ On Air chief Cameron Harland highlighted the quality and ambition of the funded projects, attributing this success to recent access to the Screen Production Rebate. Read More
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INSIGHTS
Finding Lost Boys
Lost Boys & Fairies is a BBC series by Daf James, inspired by his own adoption journey. It follows Gabriel and Andy, a gay couple, as they navigate adoption. The show, notable for being the first bilingual Welsh/English drama on BBC One, highlights queer adoption. A pivotal scene involves Gabriel meeting the birthmother, offering emotional depth and insight into the child’s background and future. Read More
Apple Cider Vinegar: Netflix’s Must-See Series on Belle Gibson’s Scandal
Netflix's upcoming series Apple Cider Vinegar, set to debut in 2025, dramatizes the extraordinary rise and fall of Australian "wellness" advocate Belle Gibson. Portrayed by Kaitlyn Dever, Gibson gained fame with her lifestyle app The Whole Pantry and fraudulent claims of battling brain cancer. Created by Samantha Strauss (Nine Perfect Strangers), directed by Jeffrey Walker, and filmed in Melbourne, the series explores the rise of wellness culture and social media’s impact, featuring Alycia Debnam-Carey as Milla, a fictional counterpart. Read More
Never Alone Explores Finnish Holocaust Hero Abraham Stiller
Klaus Härö’s WWII drama Never Alone delves into the life of Abraham Stiller, a Jewish community leader in Finland who tried to save refugees from deportation. Premiering at Tallinn and co-produced by MRP Matila Röhr Productions, the film highlights Finland’s complex Holocaust history. Härö combines themes of faith and film noir, drawing inspiration from classics like Casablanca. Read More
BBC Studios’ Matt Forde Discusses Global Formats and Industry Trends
Matt Forde, managing director of BBC Studios' global entertainment unit, highlights the benefits of restructuring to unify format operations across 11 territories, enabling seamless IP movement and production collaboration. The unit's international expertise spans live events, such as Glastonbury and royal ceremonies, and recent expansions in Spain and Australia. Despite industry risk aversion, Forde observes broadcasters still betting on quality ideas, citing successes like Silence is Golden for UKTV and Weakest Link's U.S. reboot with Jane Lynch. Read More
Writers Outraged as AI Training Data Includes Over 139,000 TV and Film Scripts
The Atlantic revealed that AI systems have been trained on subtitles from over 139,000 TV and film scripts, sparking outrage among writers and showrunners. Data sourced from OpenSubtitles.org includes works from Shonda Rhimes, Ryan Murphy, and Matt Groening, with dialogue from The Wire, The Sopranos, and Breaking Bad among many others. Subtitles from 2018 and earlier were used, impacting thousands of writers like Teen Titans’ David Slack, who called the practice “disgusting.” Writers are now exploring legal options and compensation systems. The issue raises questions for studios holding script copyrights, with industry attorneys and experts weighing in on potential next steps. Read More
Patrick Gibson Steps Into Dexter’s Shoes in Dexter: Original Sin
Irish actor Patrick Gibson stars as a young Dexter Morgan in Showtime’s prequel series Dexter: Original Sin. Known for The OA and Shadow & Bone, the 29-year-old embraces the role of the avenging serial killer. The prequel revisits Dexter’s first kill, featuring iconic flashbacks with a new twist on Michael C. Hall’s infamous wig. Gibson describes the bloody kill scenes as oddly therapeutic, reflecting Dexter’s moments of authenticity. The series showcases his transformation, including dyed red hair and new challenges acting with "visible" eyebrows. Read More
Prime Video Leverages AI for Enhanced Viewer Experience
Prime Video is harnessing AI to improve content discovery and personalisation for its 200 million global users. According to product VP Adam Gray, AI-generated features include summaries of episodes and seasons, real-time insights during NFL games, and tailored content recommendations. By integrating generative AI, Prime Video refines its ability to match shows and movies with user preferences, making content suggestions more relevant than ever. Read More
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