TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Wednesday 19 February 2025
UK boosts film studios; Lynley returns; Corbet unpaid; Bitcoin doc on YouTube; LuckyChap expands; Ibicaba wins; Dune 3 films 2025; Dangerous Animals sold; DNEG buys AI firm; Eleven Film cuts jobs.
Today’s Highlights:
The UK Government’s 40% Business Rates Relief for Film Studios in England Takes Effect—The UK government’s 40% business rates relief for film studios has begun, aiming to boost expansion and attract major productions.
BritBox and BBC Revive Lynley with Steve Thompson and David Stern - BritBox and BBC are adapting Elizabeth George’s Lynley, with Steve Thompson writing and Leo Suter starring, launching global sales at BBC Studios Showcase.
Brady Corbet Says He Made “Zero Dollars” from The Brutalist—Despite critical success, Brady Corbet revealed he earned no money from The Brutalist, relying on commercials to finance his career.
Channel 4’s Bitcoin-Inspired Documentary and YouTube Release Strategy - Seeking Satoshi: The Mystery Bitcoin Creator will premiere on YouTube before TV, reflecting Channel 4’s digital-first strategy.
Milan Popelka Joins Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap as Partner - Former FilmNation COO Milan Popelka joins LuckyChap to oversee the strategy and expansion of its film and TV slate.
Andrea Štaka’s Ibicaba Wins Berlinale Co-Production Market Prize - Ibicaba – Visions of Paradise won the €20,000 Eurimages award at Berlinale, with Ukrainian and Turkish projects also recognised.
Dune 3 to Begin Filming in Mid-2025 with Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya—Dune 3 will start filming in mid-2025, with Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya returning under Denis Villeneuve’s direction.
IFC Films and Shudder Acquire Sean Byrne’s Dangerous Animals—IFC Films and Shudder acquired Dangerous Animals, a horror-thriller starring Jai Courtney. It will be released theatrically on June 6 before streaming.
DNEG Acquires AI Firm Metaphysic to Expand Brahma Division—DNEG’s AI division, Brahma, acquired Metaphysic, a company known for its deepfake technology, in a $1.43 billion deal backed by Abu Dhabi investors.
Eleven Film Faces Layoffs Amid Industry Challenges—UK producer Eleven Film, behind Sex Education, is preparing to lay off employees due to difficulties in the scripted TV market.
Plus: News, Insights, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Opportunities & Jobs with SBS, BBC, SISTER, Kudos, South Shore, Netflix, Channel 4 & A+E.
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NEWS
UK Government's 40% Business Rates Relief for Film Studios in England Takes Effect
The UK government’s 40% business rates relief for film studios in England has officially come into effect, providing significant financial support to the sector. The relief, announced in 2023, aims to boost studio expansion and attract more high-profile productions to the UK. Industry leaders have welcomed the move, citing its potential to enhance the country’s global film and television production competitiveness. Read More
INSIGHTS
BritBox and BBC Revive Lynley with Steve Thompson and David Stern
Elizabeth George’s literary detective Thomas Lynley returns to screens in Lynley, a new BritBox and BBC crime drama. Written by Sherlock’s Steve Thompson, the series stars Leo Suter as Lynley and Sofia Barclay as Barbara Havers. Produced by Playground (Wolf Hall), the show adapts four previously undramatised novels. BBC Studios handles global distribution and will launch sales at the BBC Studios Showcase on February 24. Read More
Viaplay’s Who Shot Otto Mueller? Brings Estonian Whodunit to the US.
Viaplay’s first Estonian original, Who Shot Otto Mueller?, is an eight-episode whodunit about a businessman and ex-Soviet wrestler murdered on his 65th birthday. Each episode explores a different family member’s perspective, revealing long-buried secrets. Written by Birk Rohelend and directed by René Vilbre, the series is now available to US viewers on Viaplay with English subtitles. Read More
Dandelooo’s Emmanuèle Pétry on the Future of Kids’ TV in 2025
Emmanuèle Pétry, head of international at Dandelooo, highlights the shift in kids’ viewing habits towards YouTube and gaming, impacting traditional TV. She predicts more reboots, book adaptations, and anime-style content to meet demand. Pétry stresses the need for ‘refuge’ programming to reassure children and families amid global uncertainty. Despite financial pressures on indie producers, she sees opportunities to create uplifting, high-volume content. Read More
Brady Corbet Says He Made “Zero Dollars” from The Brutalist
Brady Corbet, director of the Oscar-nominated The Brutalist, revealed on the WTF with Marc Maron podcast that he and his partner Mona Fastvold earned no money from their last two films. Corbet stated that he relied on directing commercials in Portugal for income while managing the financial strain of awards season. He highlighted the financial struggles many independent filmmakers face despite critical success. Read More
Ed Sayer Calls for Overhaul of TV Commissioning Model
Ed Sayer, former Head of Originals at Discovery International, argues that traditional TV commissioning is failing due to declining ad revenues and shifting audience habits. He proposes a new financial model where broadcasters co-finance digital-first content, allowing producers to retain monetisation rights. This would enable simultaneous releases on YouTube and TV, ensuring sustainability for indies while providing fresh content at lower costs. Read More
Channel 4’s Bitcoin-Inspired Experiment with Release Strategies
Channel 4's new documentary, Seeking Satoshi: The Mystery Bitcoin Creator, explores the elusive identity of Bitcoin's founder, Satoshi Nakamoto. In an innovative move, the series will premiere on YouTube on February 17, 2025, before being broadcast on traditional television. This release strategy reflects Channel 4's effort to engage a broader, digital-first audience. The documentary, produced by Keo Films, is described as a "surreal exploration" aiming to uncover potential conspiracies by Silicon Valley power brokers to undermine democracy. Executive producer Sacha Mirzoeff and director Will Anderson crafted the series to resonate with cryptocurrency enthusiasts and general viewers. This approach signifies Channel 4's commitment to adapting its content distribution to align with evolving media consumption habits. Read More
Tom Davis on TV Industry Gatekeeping: “It Can Feel Like a Closed Pub”
Tom Davis, star and co-creator of King Gary, has launched a mentorship program in collaboration with The King's Trust to support emerging talent in the television industry. Davis likens the industry to a "closed pub," emphasising the need for greater accessibility and guidance for newcomers. The initiative aims to provide mentees with insights into the creative process, networking opportunities, and practical advice to navigate the complexities of television production. By fostering a more inclusive environment, Davis hopes to break down barriers and cultivate a new generation of diverse voices in TV. Read More
Steven Knight Says BBC Should Compete More Boldly with Streamers
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight believes the BBC should be “strutting on the world stage” alongside streamers but acknowledges its financial struggles. His new series, A Thousand Blows, set in 1880s Victorian London’s illegal boxing scene, premieres on Disney+ on February 21. Knight remains committed to the BBC, working on future projects despite shifting industry economics. Read More
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