TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Tuesday 18 June 2024

Sheffield DocFest awards top prize; UK forms Film & TV Welfare; 'Saint Clare' opens Taormina Fest; Hollywood stars in Sardinia; Buzz at Sydney Film Fest; Susan Seidelman's autobiography.

Today’s Highlights:

• Sheffield DocFest Awards Top Prizes: The Grand Jury Prize for International Competition at Sheffield DocFest goes to "At the Door of the House, Who Will Come Knocking" by Maja Novaković.

• UK Establishes Film & TV Welfare Association: Following the tragic suicide of a British true crime producer, the UK sets up an association to support wellbeing and mental health in the industry.

• European Box Office Hits in 2024: Ten European films, including local-language hits in France and Germany, are anticipated to impact the box office in 2024 significantly.

• 'Saint Clare' to Open Taormina Film Festival: Directed by Mitzi Peirone and starring Bella Thorne, "Saint Clare" is set as the opening film for Italy's Taormina Film Festival.

• Hollywood Stars at Filming Italy Sardegna: Brie Larson, Katie Holmes, and Harvey Keitel will attend the seventh Filming Italy Sardegna Festival in Sardinia.

• Prince Harry Talks Acting: Young "House of the Dragon" actor Harry Collett discusses his acting process and dream collaborators.

• Satisfaction Group's Growth: Arthur Essebag discusses the company's numerous acquisitions and partnerships, including ventures with Sony Pictures Television and James Corden's Fulwell 73 Productions.

• Buzziest Films at Sydney Film Festival: Young audiences boost ticket sales at the Sydney Film Festival, with several films gaining significant buzz.

• 'Missing From Fire Trail Road': Sabrina Van Tassel's documentary on crimes against Indigenous women premieres at NBC's Tribeca Festival.

• Susan Seidelman's Cinematic Contributions: Susan Seidelman, known for "Smithereens" and "Desperately Seeking Susan," discusses her career and new autobiography.

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NEWS

Sheffield DocFest Awards Top Prizes To ‘At The Door Of The House, Who Will Come Knocking,’ ‘The Boy And The Suit Of Lights,’ ‘No Other Land’

The Grand Jury Prize for International Competition at Sheffield DocFest has gone to At the Door of the House, Who Will Come Knocking, the feature directorial debut of Maja Novaković, a filmmaker from Bosnia-Herzegovina.

From: Deadline

UK establishes Film & TV Welfare Association following producer death

The tragic suicide of a British producer working in true crime has led to more calls for wellbeing & mental health support.

From: TV Tonight

10 European titles that could make a box office splash in 2024

Local-language films have already delivered some of the biggest hits of 2024 in France and Germany.

From: Screen Daily

Bella Thorne-Starrer ‘Saint Clare,’ Directed by Mitzi Peirone, to Open Italy’s Taormina Film Festival

U.S.-based Italian director Mitzi Peirone’s comic horror thriller “Saint Clare” has been set as the opening night film of Italy’s upcoming Taormina Film Festival with protagonist Bella Thorne in attendance.

From: Variety

Brie Larson, Bo Derek, Katie Holmes Among Hollywood Stars Headed to Filming Italy Sardegna

Brie Larson, Katie Holmes, Bo Derek, Harvey Keitel, Kate Beckinsale, John David Washington, Matt Bomer, and Colman Domingo are among the robust contingent of Hollywood stars set to disembark on the island of Sardinia for the upcoming seventh edition of the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival.

From: Variety

INSIGHTS

Prince Harry

Young House of the Dragon star Harry Collett, who plays Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, talks about his acting process, learning to sword fight, and his dream collaborators.

From: Drama Quarterly

Arthur Essebag On Satisfaction Group’s Acquisitions & Partnerships

Thanks to its various production companies, Satisfaction Group has an output of over 1,000 hours of shows every year—across all types of platforms in various time slots for a broad audience. Four years ago, the company acquired the French operations of Sony Pictures Television—Sony Pictures Television Production and Starling, specialising in the production of game and entertainment programs. A year later, it entered a JV with John de Mol and Talpa in France. In 2023, Satisfaction Group acquired a stake in Yes Yes Media, formed a joint venture with James Corden’s Fulwell 73 Productions and created Satisfaction Iberia.

From: TV Formats

The buzziest films with Australian audiences at the Sydney Film Festival 2024

Artistic director Nashen Moodley said young audiences had returned and pushed up ticket sales.

From: Screen Daily

‘The State of Texas vs. Melissa’ Director Returns to Tribeca With ‘Missing From Fire Trail Road,’ Probing Crimes Against Indigenous Women

When writer/director Sabrina Van Tassel saw how underrepresented these victims were in the media and how ignored most were by the justice system, she created the documentary Missing from Fire Trail Road, which just had its world premiere at NBC’s Tribeca Festival. “Our goal is to make as much noise as we can," she says.

From: Variety

Susan Seidelman Brought American Indies to Cannes, Directed the ‘Sex and the City’ Pilot, and That’s Not All

The filmmaker of "Smithereens" and "Desperately Seeking Susan" has always been a trailblazer. However, as she discusses her new autobiography, the full depth of her cinematic contributions emerges.

From: IndieWire

‘The Rules of the World Seem a Bit Off’: Go Behind the Scenes of ‘Kinds of Kindness’ with Exclusive Video

Watch a featurette featuring Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos about making "Kinds of Kindness."

From: IndieWire

Tom Hardy on His Wild ‘Bikeriders’ Accent and Knowing ‘Furiosa’ Is ‘Special’ (Without Even Seeing It Yet)

Tom Hardy knows that his character in Jeff Nichols’ “The Bikeriders” may seem to be the badass, charismatic leader of a lawless motorcycle gang—but appearances can be deceiving, he warns.

From: Variety

Adam Rose: How Covid Catapulted Actor Into A Comedic, Blue Cardigan-Wearing Social Media Sensation – Crew Call Podcast

Like most working actors at the onset of Covid, Adam Rose saw the jobs come to a complete stop. But idle time at home, an old Blue Cardigan sweater, and his penchant for dancing wound up transforming Rose’s career; the actor had worked since childhood, beginning with the Woody Allen-directed 1997 movie Deconstructing Harry. What started with a dance became a meme that spread like wildfire across the web, with even Jessica Alba taking part.

From: Deadline

‘Embrace AI in TV now or risk tech industry getting there first’, says Lori McCreary

MCTVF: Revelations Entertainment CEO Lori McCreary has called for the screen industries to find the AI tools that can take their work to “the next level” before the technology industry gets there first. Speaking on a panel during the Monte-Carlo TV Festival’s Business Content programme, the executive producer likened the emergence of generative AI to the battle against movie piracy 20 years ago and urged the business to work with tech companies to find solutions before AI advances beyond control.

From: C21

Sasquatch Sunset directors David and Nathan Zellner | BFI IMAX Q&A

The directors of Sasquatch Sunset, a year-in-the-life drama about a family of Bigfoot, visit BFI IMAX to discuss their film. In the misty forests of North America, a family of Sasquatches, otherwise known as Bigfoot—possibly the last of their enigmatic kind—embark on an absurdist, epic, hilarious, and ultimately poignant journey over one year. These shaggy and noble giants fight for survival as they are on a collision course with the ever-changing world around them.

Camélia Jordana: a committed artist, from song to fiction

Singer-songwriter Camélia Jordana has distinguished herself as an actress and singer. A committed interpreter, particularly on mental health and feminism, Camélia Jordana speaks about the different facets of her career.

Inside The Fan-Owned Hollywood Studio

Is now the time for crowdfunding to play a significant role in content funding and distribution? Join Justin Crosby on TellyCast as he sits down with Paul Scanlon from Legion M, the world's first fan-owned entertainment company. Scanlon will discuss Legion M's business model and projects to date, featuring Star Trek legend William Shatner, Ed Harris, Morgan Freeman, and more.

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