Fifth Season has promoted Christopher Slager to head of film as it expands in-house production and development and announced that Alexis Garcia is leaving to set up his own venture with backing from the company.
Slager, who has been at Fifth Season for some time, previously served as a partner and SVP of film finance and sales at Endeavor Content, and before that worked at WME.
Prior to that he was at Focus Features. Credits include The Florida Project, Mudbound, The Banker, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Pig, and the Book Club franchise.
Slager will take charge of the film studio...
Slager, who has been at Fifth Season for some time, previously served as a partner and SVP of film finance and sales at Endeavor Content, and before that worked at WME.
Prior to that he was at Focus Features. Credits include The Florida Project, Mudbound, The Banker, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Pig, and the Book Club franchise.
Slager will take charge of the film studio...
- 3/27/2024
- ScreenDaily
Fifth Season has upped Christopher Slager to Head of Film as the studio expands its in-house production and development of feature films.
Slager will oversee the studio’s anticipated productions including Netflix/Artists Equity’s Animals, starring Matt Damon and directed by Ben Affleck, as well as the Samuel L. Jackson and Joel Kinnaman movie The Beast directed by Emmy winner James Madigan.
Alexis Garcia, who previously managed features, will launch a new venture with backing from Fifth Season, details to be announced down the road. Garcia will remain a consultant to the studio during his transition.
Among those titles on the horizon for Fifth Season under Slager’s watch are Stephen Chbosky’s Nonnas, starring Vince Vaughn, Susan Sarandon, and Linda Cardellini; Jan Komasa’s Anniversary, starring Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Dylan O’Brien, Zoey Deutch, Phoebe Dynevor, Madeline Brewer, Mckenna Grace, and Daryl McCormack; Nick Rowland’s She Rides Shotgun,...
Slager will oversee the studio’s anticipated productions including Netflix/Artists Equity’s Animals, starring Matt Damon and directed by Ben Affleck, as well as the Samuel L. Jackson and Joel Kinnaman movie The Beast directed by Emmy winner James Madigan.
Alexis Garcia, who previously managed features, will launch a new venture with backing from Fifth Season, details to be announced down the road. Garcia will remain a consultant to the studio during his transition.
Among those titles on the horizon for Fifth Season under Slager’s watch are Stephen Chbosky’s Nonnas, starring Vince Vaughn, Susan Sarandon, and Linda Cardellini; Jan Komasa’s Anniversary, starring Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Dylan O’Brien, Zoey Deutch, Phoebe Dynevor, Madeline Brewer, Mckenna Grace, and Daryl McCormack; Nick Rowland’s She Rides Shotgun,...
- 3/27/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Following the October parliamentary election that saw the defeat of the right-wing Law and Justice party and appointment of leader of the opposition party Donald Tusk as prime minister, Polish filmmakers are cautiously readying for change.
“So far, our cinema authorities have not changed. It remains to be seen whether they will change their approach to funding more topical or controversial projects. Recent years have been very difficult in this regard,” says acclaimed director Agnieszka Holland.
Holland’s latest film, refugee drama “Green Border,” had been attacked by the right-wing government last year. Her next film, “Franz,” about Franz Kafka, is a Czech-German-Polish co-production to be sold at EFM by Films Boutique.
“We know everything and nothing about Kafka. There are dozens of detailed biographies and the reasons for his growing importance remain a mystery. I am trying to put this film together like a scattered jigsaw puzzle,” she adds.
“So far, our cinema authorities have not changed. It remains to be seen whether they will change their approach to funding more topical or controversial projects. Recent years have been very difficult in this regard,” says acclaimed director Agnieszka Holland.
Holland’s latest film, refugee drama “Green Border,” had been attacked by the right-wing government last year. Her next film, “Franz,” about Franz Kafka, is a Czech-German-Polish co-production to be sold at EFM by Films Boutique.
“We know everything and nothing about Kafka. There are dozens of detailed biographies and the reasons for his growing importance remain a mystery. I am trying to put this film together like a scattered jigsaw puzzle,” she adds.
- 2/17/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
A Prayer For The Dying from UK-France outfit The Bureau and Good Boy, produced by Jeremy Thomas’s Recorded Picture Company, are among the seven international co-productions to receive backing from the UK Global Screen Fund (Ukgsf).
In addition, 23 UK screen content businesses have been awarded funds to boost their international activities.
Ukgsf is financed through the UK government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Dcms) and administered by the British Film Institute (BFI). The latest batch of awards sees over £1.3m being allocated through the international co-production strand and over £2m being allocated through the international business development strand.
In addition, 23 UK screen content businesses have been awarded funds to boost their international activities.
Ukgsf is financed through the UK government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Dcms) and administered by the British Film Institute (BFI). The latest batch of awards sees over £1.3m being allocated through the international co-production strand and over £2m being allocated through the international business development strand.
- 1/17/2024
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
The British Film Institute has revealed the list of TV, film, and animation companies that have won funding from its latest £3.3M ($4.2M) Global Screen Fund payout.
Thirty cash awards have been allocated this round, including seven new international co-productions and what the BFI has described as 23 UK screen content businesses. Financed through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Dcms), the latest batch of awards sees over £1.3 million allocated through the fund’s International Co-production strand and over £2 million allocated through the fund’s International Business Development strand.
The funding, awarded in the form of non-recoupable grants ranging between £50,000 and £150,000, is paid out over three years. This year, the International Co-production strand has, for the first time, supported collaborations with Hungary, Norway, and Spain. The funding will also support partnerships with Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, New Zealand, Poland and Sweden. Check out the full list of awardees below.
Thirty cash awards have been allocated this round, including seven new international co-productions and what the BFI has described as 23 UK screen content businesses. Financed through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Dcms), the latest batch of awards sees over £1.3 million allocated through the fund’s International Co-production strand and over £2 million allocated through the fund’s International Business Development strand.
The funding, awarded in the form of non-recoupable grants ranging between £50,000 and £150,000, is paid out over three years. This year, the International Co-production strand has, for the first time, supported collaborations with Hungary, Norway, and Spain. The funding will also support partnerships with Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, New Zealand, Poland and Sweden. Check out the full list of awardees below.
- 1/17/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Cj Enm remains majority stakeholder and endeavor a strategic shareholder.
Fifth Season, the producer and financier formerly known as Endeavor Content, has secured a $225m from strategic investment from Toho International.
The US subsidiary of Toho Co, which just released Godzilla Minus One which has grossed $25.6m after two weekends, owns a 25% equity stake in the company.
Cj Enm remains majority stakeholder and Endeavor Group Holdings continues as strategic shareholder.
Cj Enm and Fifth Season will work with Toho to produce global film and TV and participate in content produced in Japan, while Toho’s development and production executives will team with Fifth Season.
Fifth Season, the producer and financier formerly known as Endeavor Content, has secured a $225m from strategic investment from Toho International.
The US subsidiary of Toho Co, which just released Godzilla Minus One which has grossed $25.6m after two weekends, owns a 25% equity stake in the company.
Cj Enm remains majority stakeholder and Endeavor Group Holdings continues as strategic shareholder.
Cj Enm and Fifth Season will work with Toho to produce global film and TV and participate in content produced in Japan, while Toho’s development and production executives will team with Fifth Season.
- 12/12/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
South Korea’s Cj Enm retains majority ownership of the US company.
Japanese studio Toho has secured a 25% stake in Fifth Season, the US production and distribution company behind Severance and Tokyo Vice.
The $225m investment was made through Toho International, the US subsidiary of the studio behind current box office hit Godzilla Minus One, and South Korea’s Cj Enm will retain a majority stake in Fifth Season. Cj Enm paid $875m for an 80% holding in Fifth Season, formerly known as Endeavor Content, in January 2022. Endeavor Group Holdings remains a strategic shareholder.
The investment will see Toho, Fifth Season...
Japanese studio Toho has secured a 25% stake in Fifth Season, the US production and distribution company behind Severance and Tokyo Vice.
The $225m investment was made through Toho International, the US subsidiary of the studio behind current box office hit Godzilla Minus One, and South Korea’s Cj Enm will retain a majority stake in Fifth Season. Cj Enm paid $875m for an 80% holding in Fifth Season, formerly known as Endeavor Content, in January 2022. Endeavor Group Holdings remains a strategic shareholder.
The investment will see Toho, Fifth Season...
- 12/11/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
South Korea’s Cj Enm retains majority ownership of the US company.
Japanese studio Toho has secured a 25% stake in Fifth Season, the US production and distribution company behind Severance and Tokyo Vice.
The $225m investment was made through Toho International, the US subsidiary of the studio behind current box office hit Godzilla Minus One, and South Korea’s Cj Enm will retain a majority stake in Fifth Season. Cj Enm paid $875m for an 80% holding in Fifth Season, formerly known as Endeavor Content, in January 2022. Endeavor Group Holdings remains a strategic shareholder.
The investment will see Toho, Fifth Season...
Japanese studio Toho has secured a 25% stake in Fifth Season, the US production and distribution company behind Severance and Tokyo Vice.
The $225m investment was made through Toho International, the US subsidiary of the studio behind current box office hit Godzilla Minus One, and South Korea’s Cj Enm will retain a majority stake in Fifth Season. Cj Enm paid $875m for an 80% holding in Fifth Season, formerly known as Endeavor Content, in January 2022. Endeavor Group Holdings remains a strategic shareholder.
The investment will see Toho, Fifth Season...
- 12/11/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Japanese studio Toho has taken a $225 million stake in Fifth Season, the U.S.-based independent studio known for producing Apple TV+’s hit series Severance and Max’s Tokyo Vice. The new partners unveiled the deal Monday, saying it will allow Fifth Season to “continue expanding its broad slate of premium content.” Korean entertainment giant Cj Enm will retain majority ownership in Fifth Season, while Toho becomes a 25 percent owner and Endeavor Group Holdings continues as a strategic shareholder.
The deal was unveiled by Fifth Season Co-CEOs Graham Taylor and Chris Rice and Toho President Hiro Matsuoka, who said the agreement will create new opportunities for collaboration between Cj Enm, Fifth Season and Toho, while “bolster[ing] the growth of Fifth Season as a major global studio encompassing East and West cultures.” The new partners will further collaborate on both global content and new titles produced in Japan, while “creative...
The deal was unveiled by Fifth Season Co-CEOs Graham Taylor and Chris Rice and Toho President Hiro Matsuoka, who said the agreement will create new opportunities for collaboration between Cj Enm, Fifth Season and Toho, while “bolster[ing] the growth of Fifth Season as a major global studio encompassing East and West cultures.” The new partners will further collaborate on both global content and new titles produced in Japan, while “creative...
- 12/11/2023
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Japanese studio Toho, producer of current box office hit Godzilla Minus One, is paying $225M to acquire a 25% stake in producer-distributor Fifth Season. The investment is being made through Toho’s U.S. subsidiary, Toho International.
Korea’s Cj Enm remains the majority shareholder in Fifth Season, following an acquisition of 80% of shares made last year, while Endeavor Group Holdings continues as a strategic shareholder. Following completion of the deal, Fifth Season will have a valuation of $900M.
Fifth Season declined to comment when asked about the new share of the company’s shareholdings following the transaction. However, it is understood the deal results in a dilution for the current shareholders.
Fifth Season Co-CEOs Graham Taylor and Chris Rice said the investment would empower the company to continue expanding its slate of premium content, as well as create opportunities for collaboration between Fifth Season, Toho and Cj Enm.
More specifically,...
Korea’s Cj Enm remains the majority shareholder in Fifth Season, following an acquisition of 80% of shares made last year, while Endeavor Group Holdings continues as a strategic shareholder. Following completion of the deal, Fifth Season will have a valuation of $900M.
Fifth Season declined to comment when asked about the new share of the company’s shareholdings following the transaction. However, it is understood the deal results in a dilution for the current shareholders.
Fifth Season Co-CEOs Graham Taylor and Chris Rice said the investment would empower the company to continue expanding its slate of premium content, as well as create opportunities for collaboration between Fifth Season, Toho and Cj Enm.
More specifically,...
- 12/11/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Phoebe Dynevor says she was “really naïve” about fame going into Netflix’s romantic drama “Bridgerton” – and her brief relationship with Pete Davidson – in a feature story for Elle’s October 2023 cover.
Dynevor says she was on the verge of giving up on her Hollywood aspirations and moving back to the U.K. when she was asked to read for the role of Daphne Basset in Shonda Rhimes’ adaptation of “Bridgerton.”
“I was really naïve. I don’t think there was a period of my life as an actress when I thought about fame,” Dynevor said in an interview conducted prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike. She noted her only goal at that time was to act without having to work other jobs. “And so I just didn’t expect it to change my world in the way that it did.”
Dynevor also said she had a lot to learn...
Dynevor says she was on the verge of giving up on her Hollywood aspirations and moving back to the U.K. when she was asked to read for the role of Daphne Basset in Shonda Rhimes’ adaptation of “Bridgerton.”
“I was really naïve. I don’t think there was a period of my life as an actress when I thought about fame,” Dynevor said in an interview conducted prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike. She noted her only goal at that time was to act without having to work other jobs. “And so I just didn’t expect it to change my world in the way that it did.”
Dynevor also said she had a lot to learn...
- 9/26/2023
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Poland will submit animated feature drama The Peasants for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.
The picture is the latest work from Dk Welchman (previously known as Dorota Kobiela) and Hugh Welchman, the creative duo behind the groundbreaking, Oscar-nominated, hand-painted biopic Loving Vincent.
The pair co-wrote The Peasants screenplay adaptation from Nobel Prize-winning writer Władysław Reymont’s classic 1905 novel of the same name about a young woman determined to forge her own path within the confines of a late 19th century Polish village.
Poland’s Oscar entry choice was made Monday by a selection committee overseen by the Polish Film Institute. There was a strong offering of Polish films this year, with other potential contenders including Agnieszka Holland’s migrant drama Green Border and Malgorzata Szumowska and Michal Englerts’ transgender drama Woman Of.
Related: Agnieszka Holland’s Migrant Crisis Drama ‘Green Border’ Posts Record Opening Weekend...
The picture is the latest work from Dk Welchman (previously known as Dorota Kobiela) and Hugh Welchman, the creative duo behind the groundbreaking, Oscar-nominated, hand-painted biopic Loving Vincent.
The pair co-wrote The Peasants screenplay adaptation from Nobel Prize-winning writer Władysław Reymont’s classic 1905 novel of the same name about a young woman determined to forge her own path within the confines of a late 19th century Polish village.
Poland’s Oscar entry choice was made Monday by a selection committee overseen by the Polish Film Institute. There was a strong offering of Polish films this year, with other potential contenders including Agnieszka Holland’s migrant drama Green Border and Malgorzata Szumowska and Michal Englerts’ transgender drama Woman Of.
Related: Agnieszka Holland’s Migrant Crisis Drama ‘Green Border’ Posts Record Opening Weekend...
- 9/25/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Minari director Lee Isaac Chung’s remake of the 1996 disaster epic Twister is now shooting, and one of the film’s stars — Good Luck to You, Leo Grande breakout Daryl McCormack — took a break from acting duties to pop over to Cannes, where he too accepted a Trophée Chopard prize from the jeweler and chatted with THR.
Have you been to Cannes before this trip?
I’ve been here once before, just last month I was here to be on the jury for [Cannes International TV Series Festival called Canneseries]. I watched a bunch of shows, which was amazing. It was my first experience in Cannes and this is my first time at the film festival.
You’re a veteran at this point …
At this point, yeah. [Laughs] Even though it was my first time on the Cannes red carpet last night, I was saying hello to some people that I had met last month and people were like,...
Have you been to Cannes before this trip?
I’ve been here once before, just last month I was here to be on the jury for [Cannes International TV Series Festival called Canneseries]. I watched a bunch of shows, which was amazing. It was my first experience in Cannes and this is my first time at the film festival.
You’re a veteran at this point …
At this point, yeah. [Laughs] Even though it was my first time on the Cannes red carpet last night, I was saying hello to some people that I had met last month and people were like,...
- 6/9/2023
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Diane Lane (Man Of Steel), Kyle Chandler (The Wolf Of Wall Street), Madeline Brewer (The Handmaid’s Tale), Zoey Deutch (Zombieland Double Tap), Phoebe Dynevor (Bridgerton), Mckenna Grace (Ghostbusters), and Daryl McCormack have been set as the starry cast of thriller Anniversary.
The film is described as following a very close-knit family that is torn apart as new movement “The Change” envelops the U.S.
Lionsgate and Fifth Season are launching the project ahead of the Cannes market. The film represents a first collaboration between the two companies who are now looking into the possibility of a slate of films together.
Pic will be directed by Jan Komasa, the Polish director whose film Corpus Christi was recently Oscar nominated. Komasa also directed The Hater, which won Best International Narrative Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Screenplay is by Lori Rosene-Gambino, based on an original story by Komasa and Rosene-Gambino.
The film is described as following a very close-knit family that is torn apart as new movement “The Change” envelops the U.S.
Lionsgate and Fifth Season are launching the project ahead of the Cannes market. The film represents a first collaboration between the two companies who are now looking into the possibility of a slate of films together.
Pic will be directed by Jan Komasa, the Polish director whose film Corpus Christi was recently Oscar nominated. Komasa also directed The Hater, which won Best International Narrative Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Screenplay is by Lori Rosene-Gambino, based on an original story by Komasa and Rosene-Gambino.
- 5/12/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Lionsgate and Fifth Season have come together for the first time on what should be a hot Cannes package, lining up an all-star cast of established talent and fast-rising names for the upcoming suspense thriller Anniversary.
Diane Lane (Man of Steel, Feud: Capote’s Women), Kyle Chandler (The Wolf of Wall Street), Madeline Brewer (The Handmaid’s Tale), Zoey Deutch (Not Ok, Juror #2), Phoebe Dynevor (Bridgerton, Fair Play) Mckenna Grace (Ghostbusters: Afterlife) and Daryl McCormack (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, Bad Sisters) are set to star in the feature, which Lionsgate will be launching in the Marche du Film.
Jan Komasa, the Polish director who landed an Oscar nomination for his drama Corpus Christi and also helmed The Hater, directs from a screenplay by Lori Rosene-Gambino, based on an original story by Komasa and Rosene-Gambino. The film will be produced by Nick Wechsler (Magic Mike trilogy, The Magic Mike trilogy,...
Diane Lane (Man of Steel, Feud: Capote’s Women), Kyle Chandler (The Wolf of Wall Street), Madeline Brewer (The Handmaid’s Tale), Zoey Deutch (Not Ok, Juror #2), Phoebe Dynevor (Bridgerton, Fair Play) Mckenna Grace (Ghostbusters: Afterlife) and Daryl McCormack (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, Bad Sisters) are set to star in the feature, which Lionsgate will be launching in the Marche du Film.
Jan Komasa, the Polish director who landed an Oscar nomination for his drama Corpus Christi and also helmed The Hater, directs from a screenplay by Lori Rosene-Gambino, based on an original story by Komasa and Rosene-Gambino. The film will be produced by Nick Wechsler (Magic Mike trilogy, The Magic Mike trilogy,...
- 5/12/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Actress/supermodel Anja Rubik poses for the "Zara" Spring 2023 campaign, wearing cargo tops, heeled mules and a whole lot more:
"...since 2010, Rubik has made several appearances on 'Top Model', the Polish edition of 'America's Next Top Model'. In 2014, she became the host and a judge of the Polish version of the reality show 'Project Runway Poland'.
" In 2010, Rubik appeared as a judge in 'The Fashion Show', alongside Isaac Mizrahi, Iman and Laura Brown.
"In 2014, Rubik starred in a music video for the song 'Chleb' by Mister D., a music project of the Polish author Dorota Masłowska and film director Krzysztof Skonieczny.
"In 2014 Rubik appeared in the 'Black Atlass' music video to the 'Jewels' track, directed by Yoann Lemoine. In 2016, she starred in 'Lost Me', Mary Komasa's music video directed by Jan Komasa.
"In 2019, Rubik directed the music video to Mary Komasa's track 'Be a Boy'.
"...since 2010, Rubik has made several appearances on 'Top Model', the Polish edition of 'America's Next Top Model'. In 2014, she became the host and a judge of the Polish version of the reality show 'Project Runway Poland'.
" In 2010, Rubik appeared as a judge in 'The Fashion Show', alongside Isaac Mizrahi, Iman and Laura Brown.
"In 2014, Rubik starred in a music video for the song 'Chleb' by Mister D., a music project of the Polish author Dorota Masłowska and film director Krzysztof Skonieczny.
"In 2014 Rubik appeared in the 'Black Atlass' music video to the 'Jewels' track, directed by Yoann Lemoine. In 2016, she starred in 'Lost Me', Mary Komasa's music video directed by Jan Komasa.
"In 2019, Rubik directed the music video to Mary Komasa's track 'Be a Boy'.
- 1/23/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
European Film Promotion Unveils 2023 European Shooting Stars
Belgian actress Joely Mbundu, co-star of Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne’s Cannes 2022 feature Tori And Lokita, is among the eight rising talents selected for the 2023 edition of European Film Promotion’s European Shooting Stars initiative. The selection also includes Italy’s Benedetta Porcaroli, seen recently in Venice Horizons 2022 title Amanda, and Norway’s Kristine Kujath Thorp, who previously made her mark in Fanny, The Burning Sea and Ninjababy, and also won praise for her performance in Cannes Certain Regard 2022 selection Sick of Myself. The other spotlighted titles comprise Alina Tomnikov (Finland), Leonie Benesch (Germany), Yannick Jozefzoon (The Netherlands), Judith State(Romania), Gizem Erdogan (Sweden) and Kayije Kagame (Switzerland) Thorvaldur Kristjansson (Iceland). This year’s talents were selected by an eight-person jury featuring Polish director Jan Komasa, Dutch casting director Rebecca van Unen and Norwegian producer Maria Ekerhovd. The eight talents will participate in...
Belgian actress Joely Mbundu, co-star of Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne’s Cannes 2022 feature Tori And Lokita, is among the eight rising talents selected for the 2023 edition of European Film Promotion’s European Shooting Stars initiative. The selection also includes Italy’s Benedetta Porcaroli, seen recently in Venice Horizons 2022 title Amanda, and Norway’s Kristine Kujath Thorp, who previously made her mark in Fanny, The Burning Sea and Ninjababy, and also won praise for her performance in Cannes Certain Regard 2022 selection Sick of Myself. The other spotlighted titles comprise Alina Tomnikov (Finland), Leonie Benesch (Germany), Yannick Jozefzoon (The Netherlands), Judith State(Romania), Gizem Erdogan (Sweden) and Kayije Kagame (Switzerland) Thorvaldur Kristjansson (Iceland). This year’s talents were selected by an eight-person jury featuring Polish director Jan Komasa, Dutch casting director Rebecca van Unen and Norwegian producer Maria Ekerhovd. The eight talents will participate in...
- 12/14/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow and Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Joely Mbundu from ‘Tori And Lokita’, Kristine Kujath Thorp from ‘Sick Of Myself’ also in.
European Film Promotion (Efp) has selected 10 young actors for the 2023 edition of Shooting Stars, its talent portfolio for promising on-screen talent from the continent.
Selected actors for 2023 include Swiss actress Kayije Kagame, who made her feature debut in Alice Diop’s Venice 2022 feature Saint Omer. Kagame has received plaudits for her role as Rama, a novelist attending a trial at the Saint-Omer Criminal Court which she plans to use for a modern-day adaptation of the ancient myth of Medea.
Scroll down for the full list...
European Film Promotion (Efp) has selected 10 young actors for the 2023 edition of Shooting Stars, its talent portfolio for promising on-screen talent from the continent.
Selected actors for 2023 include Swiss actress Kayije Kagame, who made her feature debut in Alice Diop’s Venice 2022 feature Saint Omer. Kagame has received plaudits for her role as Rama, a novelist attending a trial at the Saint-Omer Criminal Court which she plans to use for a modern-day adaptation of the ancient myth of Medea.
Scroll down for the full list...
- 12/14/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
European Film Promotion, which represents film organizations in 37 countries, has revealed the up-and-coming acting talent who have been selected for the next edition of European Shooting Stars. They will be introduced to the international press, film industry and the audience during the 73rd Berlin Film Festival.
The four-day tailormade promotion and networking program, running Feb. 17-20, culminates with a celebration of the talent at an awards ceremony at the Berlinale Palast.
The European Shooting Stars 2023 — which includes eight women and two men — were selected from a pool of 27 nominees by an international jury, comprised of Polish director Jan Komasa, Dutch casting director Rebecca van Unen, Norwegian producer Maria Ekerhovd, former Spanish Shooting Star Veronica Echegui, and Variety’s international features editor Leo Barraclough from the U.K.. These five experts recognized the talents’ potential for an international career based on several factors, including their stellar work in feature films and drama series,...
The four-day tailormade promotion and networking program, running Feb. 17-20, culminates with a celebration of the talent at an awards ceremony at the Berlinale Palast.
The European Shooting Stars 2023 — which includes eight women and two men — were selected from a pool of 27 nominees by an international jury, comprised of Polish director Jan Komasa, Dutch casting director Rebecca van Unen, Norwegian producer Maria Ekerhovd, former Spanish Shooting Star Veronica Echegui, and Variety’s international features editor Leo Barraclough from the U.K.. These five experts recognized the talents’ potential for an international career based on several factors, including their stellar work in feature films and drama series,...
- 12/14/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Jury Duty
The jury for the 2023 edition of European Shooting Stars has been unveiled and it includes internationally-recognized directors, producers and actors as well as one of Variety‘s own editors, Leo Barraclough.
The jury, which was selected by European Film Promotion (Efp), will decide which of the 27 actors nominated for the European Shooting Stars will be selected to take part. Of the 27 who were nominated by their national Efp members, 10 will be chosen to go forward.
European Shooting Stars is set to run at the Berlin International Film Festival from Feb. 17-20, 2023. The Efp is made up of film promotion institutes and film centres across Europe.
As well as Variety‘s international features editor Leo Barraclough, the jury includes Oscar-nominated Polish director and screenwriter Jan Komasa, Oscar-nominated Norwegian producer Maria Ekerhovd, Goya-award winning Spanish actor and screenwriter (and former Shooting Star) Veronica Echegui and Dutch casting director Rebecca van Unen.
The jury for the 2023 edition of European Shooting Stars has been unveiled and it includes internationally-recognized directors, producers and actors as well as one of Variety‘s own editors, Leo Barraclough.
The jury, which was selected by European Film Promotion (Efp), will decide which of the 27 actors nominated for the European Shooting Stars will be selected to take part. Of the 27 who were nominated by their national Efp members, 10 will be chosen to go forward.
European Shooting Stars is set to run at the Berlin International Film Festival from Feb. 17-20, 2023. The Efp is made up of film promotion institutes and film centres across Europe.
As well as Variety‘s international features editor Leo Barraclough, the jury includes Oscar-nominated Polish director and screenwriter Jan Komasa, Oscar-nominated Norwegian producer Maria Ekerhovd, Goya-award winning Spanish actor and screenwriter (and former Shooting Star) Veronica Echegui and Dutch casting director Rebecca van Unen.
- 11/23/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Connecting Cottbus took place November 9-11.
Polish writer-director Sonja Orlewicz-Zakrzewska’s debut feature Dolphin was voted as the best pitch at the 24th edition of the East-West Co-Production Market Connecting Cottbus, which took place during FilmFestival Cottbus.
Orlewicz-Zakrzewska and her producer Magdalena Sztorc of Warsaw-based Before My Eyes also received the Croatian Audiovisual Centre’s Project Development Award of € 5,000 toward the project’s further development.
The project, described as “an intimate dramedy with a surreal touch”, sees a singer’s boyfriend coming back from holiday with a dolphin growing inside his belly. Orlewicz-Zakrzewska said that “using the role reversal...
Polish writer-director Sonja Orlewicz-Zakrzewska’s debut feature Dolphin was voted as the best pitch at the 24th edition of the East-West Co-Production Market Connecting Cottbus, which took place during FilmFestival Cottbus.
Orlewicz-Zakrzewska and her producer Magdalena Sztorc of Warsaw-based Before My Eyes also received the Croatian Audiovisual Centre’s Project Development Award of € 5,000 toward the project’s further development.
The project, described as “an intimate dramedy with a surreal touch”, sees a singer’s boyfriend coming back from holiday with a dolphin growing inside his belly. Orlewicz-Zakrzewska said that “using the role reversal...
- 11/11/2022
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
One year before its upcoming premiere in the Venice Film Festival’s Horizons section, Polish director Damian Kocur’s feature debut “Bread and Salt” screened for a select audience of industry tastemakers in Wrocław, Poland. In 2019, Jan Komasa’s “Corpus Christi” played in the same showcase for upcoming Polish films before launching its campaign for best international feature ahead of the 92nd Academy Awards.
It’s an indication of the growing muscle of Wrocław’s New Horizons Film Festival and its industry arm, Polish Days, that producers, festival programmers, sales agents and distributors from around the globe make the summer trek to the historic university city, with its Gothic and Baroque architectural marvels situated on the Oder River.
Since launching in 2013 in cooperation with the Polish Film Institute, Polish Days has become the premiere event to discover new Polish cinema, building on the “growing number of Polish films and growing...
It’s an indication of the growing muscle of Wrocław’s New Horizons Film Festival and its industry arm, Polish Days, that producers, festival programmers, sales agents and distributors from around the globe make the summer trek to the historic university city, with its Gothic and Baroque architectural marvels situated on the Oder River.
Since launching in 2013 in cooperation with the Polish Film Institute, Polish Days has become the premiere event to discover new Polish cinema, building on the “growing number of Polish films and growing...
- 9/6/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Polish auteur’s Jerzy Skolimowski’s latest film, Eo, which follows the adventures of a mule who is stubborn and wise and free-spirited, has been chosen by Poland as its contender for best international feature at the 2023 Academy Awards.
Eo debuted in competition at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize and the Soundtrack Award. The Polish film will also have a North American premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, before going onto to the New York Film Festival.
Skolimowski (Deep End, Moonlighting) directed the drama about a nomadic gray donkey named Eo. After leaving a traveling circus, Eo begins a trek across the Polish and Italian countryside, experiencing cruelty and kindness in equal measure.
On those travels, the donkey meets a cast of characters played by Lorenzo Zurzolo and Isabelle Huppert, among others. Ewa Piaskowska and Skolimowski wrote and produced the movie.
Polish auteur’s Jerzy Skolimowski’s latest film, Eo, which follows the adventures of a mule who is stubborn and wise and free-spirited, has been chosen by Poland as its contender for best international feature at the 2023 Academy Awards.
Eo debuted in competition at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize and the Soundtrack Award. The Polish film will also have a North American premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, before going onto to the New York Film Festival.
Skolimowski (Deep End, Moonlighting) directed the drama about a nomadic gray donkey named Eo. After leaving a traveling circus, Eo begins a trek across the Polish and Italian countryside, experiencing cruelty and kindness in equal measure.
On those travels, the donkey meets a cast of characters played by Lorenzo Zurzolo and Isabelle Huppert, among others. Ewa Piaskowska and Skolimowski wrote and produced the movie.
- 8/30/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Australian Film, Television and Radio School
Australia’s preeminent screen arts and broadcast school benefits from a beautiful setting in one of the most pleasant parts of Sydney, as well as a wealth of industry lecturers and connections to the country’s working film and TV world. Notable alumni include last year’s Oscar best director nominee Jane Campion (Power of the Dog) and Black Widow filmmaker Cate Shortland, in addition to a slew of past Oscar nominees and winners in technical categories, like David White (sound editing for Mad Max: Fury Road), Andrew Lesnie (cinematography for The Lord of the Rings) and Tony McNamara (best original screenplay with The Favourite).
Centro de Capacitacion Cinematografica (Mexico)
Mexico’s most prestigious film school prides itself on the gender parity of its student body (a goal it first achieved in 2020) and its track record in turning out world-class professionals,...
Australian Film, Television and Radio School
Australia’s preeminent screen arts and broadcast school benefits from a beautiful setting in one of the most pleasant parts of Sydney, as well as a wealth of industry lecturers and connections to the country’s working film and TV world. Notable alumni include last year’s Oscar best director nominee Jane Campion (Power of the Dog) and Black Widow filmmaker Cate Shortland, in addition to a slew of past Oscar nominees and winners in technical categories, like David White (sound editing for Mad Max: Fury Road), Andrew Lesnie (cinematography for The Lord of the Rings) and Tony McNamara (best original screenplay with The Favourite).
Centro de Capacitacion Cinematografica (Mexico)
Mexico’s most prestigious film school prides itself on the gender parity of its student body (a goal it first achieved in 2020) and its track record in turning out world-class professionals,...
- 8/5/2022
- by Scott Roxborough, Etan Vlessing, Patrick Brzeski and Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mubi has announced its lineup of streaming offerings for next month and amongst the highlights is a tribute to Tilda Swinton, featuring I Am Love and a trio of early films: Cycling Frame, The Box, and Egomania: Island Without Hope. There’s also a handful of notable festival favorites and new releases from the past year or so, including Maureen Fazendeiro and Miguel Gomes’ The Tsugua Diaries, Charlotte Gainsbourg’s Jane by Charlotte, Ted Fendt’s Outside Noise, Émilie Aussel’s Our Eternal Summer, and Kofi Ofosu-Yeboah’s Public Toilet Africa.
Also including films by Takashi Miike, Fatih Akin, Zhang Yimou, Albert Maysles, Andrew Dominik, Rick Alverson, and more check out the lineup below and get 30 days free here.
August 1 – Ichi the Killer, directed by Takashi Miike | Takashi Miike: A Double Bill
August 2 – Nest, directed by Hlynur Palmason | Brief Encounters
August 3 – Our Eternal Summer, directed by Émilie Aussel | Festival Focus:...
Also including films by Takashi Miike, Fatih Akin, Zhang Yimou, Albert Maysles, Andrew Dominik, Rick Alverson, and more check out the lineup below and get 30 days free here.
August 1 – Ichi the Killer, directed by Takashi Miike | Takashi Miike: A Double Bill
August 2 – Nest, directed by Hlynur Palmason | Brief Encounters
August 3 – Our Eternal Summer, directed by Émilie Aussel | Festival Focus:...
- 7/26/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Polish helmer Anna Kazejak – fresh off showing “Fucking Bornholm” at the Karlovy Vary Intl. Film Festival – is now focusing on her upcoming movie “Symmetry of the Island,” based on a fragment of Nobel Prize winner Olga Tokarczuk’s ‘Flights.’
Currently in development and eyeing a 2023 autumn shoot, it will be produced by Warsaw-based Friends With Benefits Studio and co-produced by Yorgos Tsourgiannis’ Horsefly Productions, also behind “Dogtooth” and “A Tale of Three Sisters.”
“We want to make it as soon as possible and with an international cast,” says Kazejak, who has already worked with the acclaimed writer on the Netflix anthology movie “Erotica 2022.” She will co-write the script with Filip Kasperaszek, in collaboration with Tokarczuk. At the moment, the film’s set to be shot in English.
The story will see a middle-aged man going on a foreign vacation with his wife and son when suddenly both of them disappear.
Currently in development and eyeing a 2023 autumn shoot, it will be produced by Warsaw-based Friends With Benefits Studio and co-produced by Yorgos Tsourgiannis’ Horsefly Productions, also behind “Dogtooth” and “A Tale of Three Sisters.”
“We want to make it as soon as possible and with an international cast,” says Kazejak, who has already worked with the acclaimed writer on the Netflix anthology movie “Erotica 2022.” She will co-write the script with Filip Kasperaszek, in collaboration with Tokarczuk. At the moment, the film’s set to be shot in English.
The story will see a middle-aged man going on a foreign vacation with his wife and son when suddenly both of them disappear.
- 7/9/2022
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
New Europe Film Sales has closed more deals for “Leave No Traces,” from Polish director Jan P. Matuszyński (“The Last Family”), which had its world premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival and will represent Poland in the 2022 Academy Awards race.
Produced by Aurum Film, the production house behind Jan Komasa’s Oscar-nominated “Corpus Christi,” pic has sold to Estonia (Estin Film), Slovakia (Slovak Film Clubs Assn.), former Yugoslavia (Demiurg), Portugal (Films4You) and Spain (Filmin).
New Europe previously sealed deals for the film in France (Memento Films Distribution), Benelux (Imagine Film Distribution), U.K. and Ireland (Modern Films), Lithuania (Scanorama), Hungary (Mozinet), Greece (Cinobo), Sweden (Lucky Dogs) and Czech Republic (Aero).
Set in Warsaw in the 1980s, “Leave No Traces” is based on the real-life story of a young man (Tomasz Ziętek) who witnesses the fatal beating of his friend (Mateusz Górski) by the police. Determined to testify about the killing in court,...
Produced by Aurum Film, the production house behind Jan Komasa’s Oscar-nominated “Corpus Christi,” pic has sold to Estonia (Estin Film), Slovakia (Slovak Film Clubs Assn.), former Yugoslavia (Demiurg), Portugal (Films4You) and Spain (Filmin).
New Europe previously sealed deals for the film in France (Memento Films Distribution), Benelux (Imagine Film Distribution), U.K. and Ireland (Modern Films), Lithuania (Scanorama), Hungary (Mozinet), Greece (Cinobo), Sweden (Lucky Dogs) and Czech Republic (Aero).
Set in Warsaw in the 1980s, “Leave No Traces” is based on the real-life story of a young man (Tomasz Ziętek) who witnesses the fatal beating of his friend (Mateusz Górski) by the police. Determined to testify about the killing in court,...
- 11/3/2021
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
The film screened in competition at Venice and is now at the BFI London Film Festival.
Modern Films has picked up UK and Ireland rights to Jan P. Matuszyński’s Venice competition title Leave No Traces from New Europe Film Sales.
The film is now screening at the BFI London Film Festival and is Poland’s entry to the best international film Oscar.
New Europe has also closed deals for the film in Hungary (Mozinet), Greece (Cinobo), Sweden (Lucky Dogs) and Czech Republic (Aero).
Leave No Traces is the second feature from Polish director Matuszyński following The Last Family. It...
Modern Films has picked up UK and Ireland rights to Jan P. Matuszyński’s Venice competition title Leave No Traces from New Europe Film Sales.
The film is now screening at the BFI London Film Festival and is Poland’s entry to the best international film Oscar.
New Europe has also closed deals for the film in Hungary (Mozinet), Greece (Cinobo), Sweden (Lucky Dogs) and Czech Republic (Aero).
Leave No Traces is the second feature from Polish director Matuszyński following The Last Family. It...
- 10/12/2021
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
New Europe Film Sales has closed several deals for “Leave No Traces,” from Polish director Jan P. Matuszyński (“The Last Family”), which has its world premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival. Variety has been given exclusive access to the film’s trailer.
Produced by Aurum Film, the production house behind Jan Komasa’s Oscar-nominated “Corpus Christi,” pic has sold to Imagine Film Distribution for Benelux and Scanorama for Lithuania. As previously announced, the film was also picked up by Memento Films Distribution for France.
Set in Warsaw in the 1980s, “Leave No Traces” is based on the real-life story of a young man (Tomasz Ziętek) who witnesses the fatal beating of his friend (Mateusz Górski) by the police. Determined to testify about the killing in court, he must stand up to the full force of a communist regime that employs the secret service, the police force, the media...
Produced by Aurum Film, the production house behind Jan Komasa’s Oscar-nominated “Corpus Christi,” pic has sold to Imagine Film Distribution for Benelux and Scanorama for Lithuania. As previously announced, the film was also picked up by Memento Films Distribution for France.
Set in Warsaw in the 1980s, “Leave No Traces” is based on the real-life story of a young man (Tomasz Ziętek) who witnesses the fatal beating of his friend (Mateusz Górski) by the police. Determined to testify about the killing in court, he must stand up to the full force of a communist regime that employs the secret service, the police force, the media...
- 9/1/2021
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Programme includes five completed films, six works-in-progress, nine development.
The programme for the 2021 edition of Polish Days industry event includes Lipstick On The Glass, the latest film from Polish director Kuba Czekaj.
Czekaj’s film, which is currently in post-production, is participating as one of six works-in-progress, alongside nine titles in development and five completed films.
The film follows a woman who is induced to abandon her gangster husband to join a feminist sect.
It is produced by Paweł Kosuń and Agnieszka Janowska for Poland’s Centrala Film, and Arek Gielnik for Germany’s Indi Film.
The film will be...
The programme for the 2021 edition of Polish Days industry event includes Lipstick On The Glass, the latest film from Polish director Kuba Czekaj.
Czekaj’s film, which is currently in post-production, is participating as one of six works-in-progress, alongside nine titles in development and five completed films.
The film follows a woman who is induced to abandon her gangster husband to join a feminist sect.
It is produced by Paweł Kosuń and Agnieszka Janowska for Poland’s Centrala Film, and Arek Gielnik for Germany’s Indi Film.
The film will be...
- 7/28/2021
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
365 Days probably wasn’t the film Poland was hoping would be its global calling card. After decades of art house acclaim from the likes of Andrzej Wajda (Man of Iron), Agnieszka Holland (In Darkness), Pawel Pawlikowski (Ida, Cold War), Jan Komasa (Corpus Christi) and Malgorzata Szumowska (Never Gonna Snow Again), the first Polish film that truly broke though to become a worldwide, mainstream success was a soft-core erotic thriller.
Blame the pandemic. Blame Netflix. Directed by Barbara Bialowas and Tomasz Mandes, and based on the Fifty Shades of Grey-style trilogy by Polish writer Blanka Lipinska, 365 Days was produced primarily for the local ...
Blame the pandemic. Blame Netflix. Directed by Barbara Bialowas and Tomasz Mandes, and based on the Fifty Shades of Grey-style trilogy by Polish writer Blanka Lipinska, 365 Days was produced primarily for the local ...
365 Days probably wasn’t the film Poland was hoping would be its global calling card. After decades of art house acclaim from the likes of Andrzej Wajda (Man of Iron), Agnieszka Holland (In Darkness), Pawel Pawlikowski (Ida, Cold War), Jan Komasa (Corpus Christi) and Malgorzata Szumowska (Never Gonna Snow Again), the first Polish film that truly broke though to become a worldwide, mainstream success was a soft-core erotic thriller.
Blame the pandemic. Blame Netflix. Directed by Barbara Bialowas and Tomasz Mandes, and based on the Fifty Shades of Grey-style trilogy by Polish writer Blanka Lipinska, 365 Days was produced primarily for the local ...
Blame the pandemic. Blame Netflix. Directed by Barbara Bialowas and Tomasz Mandes, and based on the Fifty Shades of Grey-style trilogy by Polish writer Blanka Lipinska, 365 Days was produced primarily for the local ...
Social media as a way of hiding ourselves and assuming a new identity is an increasingly familiar cinematic concept, and in most genre films, that flexibility can introduce a kind of threat. In Gia Coppola’s recent “Mainstream,” Jan Komasa’s “The Hater,” and Leo Gabriadze’s “Unfriended,” Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram allow for a veiling of users’ true identities.
Continue reading ‘Souad’: Ayten Amin’s Provocative Portrait of Social Media Isolation Is Empathetic & Sometimes Underformed [Tribeca Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Souad’: Ayten Amin’s Provocative Portrait of Social Media Isolation Is Empathetic & Sometimes Underformed [Tribeca Review] at The Playlist.
- 6/11/2021
- by Roxana Hadadi
- The Playlist
Oscar-nominated documentary maker called for “a free press” when accepting award.
Alexander Nanau’s documentary Collective has won the first Lux Audience Award – a new joint venture of the European Parliament and European Film Academy (Efa).
The documentary, which explores a 2015 Bucharest nightclub fire and the exposure of corruption at the heart of the Romanian state, was voted for by the European public and Members of the European Parliament.
It had been shortlisted alongside Jan Komasa’s Polish drama Corpus Christi and Thomas Vinterberg’s Danish Oscar-winner Another Round.
Accepting the award, Nanau paid tribute to the victims and families...
Alexander Nanau’s documentary Collective has won the first Lux Audience Award – a new joint venture of the European Parliament and European Film Academy (Efa).
The documentary, which explores a 2015 Bucharest nightclub fire and the exposure of corruption at the heart of the Romanian state, was voted for by the European public and Members of the European Parliament.
It had been shortlisted alongside Jan Komasa’s Polish drama Corpus Christi and Thomas Vinterberg’s Danish Oscar-winner Another Round.
Accepting the award, Nanau paid tribute to the victims and families...
- 6/10/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
The three finalists for the Lux Audience Award kick off their annual tour around Europe with several online screenings. After introducing a series of videos featuring different European stars and personalities encouraging people to vote (see news), the first edition of the Lux Audience Award, presented by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, is relaunching the Lux Film Days. This initiative will see the three finalists screened across Europe at different events, as wide as possible given the pandemic, and aiming to make the films available to a large audience during the Watch&Vote period, unfolding until 23 May. Despite all the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the three selected films will be touring the continent over the next couple of months. The Lux Film Days 2021 officially kicked off in Germany last...
The first edition of the new award is launching a campaign subtitled in 24 languages so as to reach all audiences in Europe. The Lux Audience Award is taking another step forward in its promotion of European cinema, embracing the multifaceted nature of the new prize. The Lux Film Days are currently under way, with screenings of the three nominated titles happening across Europe at different events and in various formats. After announcing the extension of the Watch & Vote period, during which audiences can cast their votes for their favourite films up until 23 May, the Lux Audience Award is now presenting a series of clips featuring a diverse group of European artists, politicians and film lovers, who come together to share their love for European cinema and encourage people to participate in the...
The coronavirus pandemic couldn’t have arrived at a worse time for Leszek Bodzak, the producer behind Jan Komasa’s Oscar-nominated “Corpus Christi.” With just five days to spare before principal photography was set to begin on “Leave No Traces,” the latest feature from acclaimed director Jan P. Matuszyński (“The Last Family”), Bodzak was forced to postpone the shoot.
Yet in the four months of hand-wringing before cameras finally began to roll last July, Bodzak’s French co-producer, Les Contes Modernes, was able to secure additional financing from Arte and regional French funds, giving the film’s budget a much-needed boost. “That was something unexpectedly good from the pandemic,” says Bodzak, whose Aurum Film is also prepping Komasa’s next project, “Shine of the Sun.”
That strange twist of fate is perhaps emblematic of these uncertain times for the Polish industry, in which producers determined to soldier through the pandemic...
Yet in the four months of hand-wringing before cameras finally began to roll last July, Bodzak’s French co-producer, Les Contes Modernes, was able to secure additional financing from Arte and regional French funds, giving the film’s budget a much-needed boost. “That was something unexpectedly good from the pandemic,” says Bodzak, whose Aurum Film is also prepping Komasa’s next project, “Shine of the Sun.”
That strange twist of fate is perhaps emblematic of these uncertain times for the Polish industry, in which producers determined to soldier through the pandemic...
- 3/2/2021
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Polish director Paweł Maślona (“Panic Attack”) is prepping a lavish period drama about the American Revolutionary War hero Tadeusz Kościuszko.
Produced by Leszek Bodzak and Aneta Hickinbotham for Aurum Film, the production house behind Jan Komasa’s Oscar-nominated “Corpus Christi,” the historical epic — with the working title “Scarborn,” from a script by Michał A. Zielinski — received development funding from the Polish Film Institute. Aurum is now searching for international co-production partners, with an eye toward filming in 2022.
The film tells the story of the war veteran Kościuszko, a trusted ally of Gen. George Washington’s and a colonel in the Continental Army, who returns to his native Poland with his valet and confidante, Jean Lapierre, a Black man who was known as Domingo. Together the duo fight to liberate Polish serfs from an oppressive feudal system, sparking a national uprising against the Russian Empire in 1794, a doomed effort that would...
Produced by Leszek Bodzak and Aneta Hickinbotham for Aurum Film, the production house behind Jan Komasa’s Oscar-nominated “Corpus Christi,” the historical epic — with the working title “Scarborn,” from a script by Michał A. Zielinski — received development funding from the Polish Film Institute. Aurum is now searching for international co-production partners, with an eye toward filming in 2022.
The film tells the story of the war veteran Kościuszko, a trusted ally of Gen. George Washington’s and a colonel in the Continental Army, who returns to his native Poland with his valet and confidante, Jean Lapierre, a Black man who was known as Domingo. Together the duo fight to liberate Polish serfs from an oppressive feudal system, sparking a national uprising against the Russian Empire in 1794, a doomed effort that would...
- 3/1/2021
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
An online search tool where audiences can find information on where to watch the finalists in the different EU countries has been made available. Back in December, during the virtual ceremony of the 2020 European Films Awards, the Lux Audience Award announced the three finalists for its 2021 edition: Another Round by Thomas Vinterberg, Collective by Alexander Nanau, and Corpus Christi by Jan Komasa (see the news). Soon enough, one of these three titles will walk home with the prize, which has just updated its calendar and timeline for the upcoming months. The Lux Audience Award Ceremony, where the winner will finally be unveiled, was initially scheduled for April 2021. However, the uncertainty created by the Covid-19 pandemic has forced the physical event to be postponed until 9 June, during the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Meanwhile, the Watch & Vote period, which kicked off on 13...
Emmanuel Mouret’s Les Choses Qu’On Dit, Les Choses Qu’On Fait, aka Love Affair(s), leads France’s César Award nominations with a total 13 including each of the top acting categories as well as Best Director and Best Film. The official 2020 Cannes Film Festival selection is followed by Albert Dupontel’s comedy/drama Adieu Les Cons (Bye Bye Morons) and François Ozon’s Eté 85 (Summer Of 85) with 12 each. The latter was released locally last summer and played Toronto in September.
Other titles to make the cut this morning include the Oscar shortlisted Two Of Us (Deux) from Filippo Meneghetti with Best Actress nods for leads Martine Chevallier and Barbara Sukowa as well as Best Original Screenplay and Best Debut Feature.
In the Foreign Film category are Sam Mendes’ 1917, Todd Haynes’ Dark Waters, Thomas Vinterberg’s Another Round (also Oscar shortlisted on Tuesday), Jan Komasa’s La Communion...
Other titles to make the cut this morning include the Oscar shortlisted Two Of Us (Deux) from Filippo Meneghetti with Best Actress nods for leads Martine Chevallier and Barbara Sukowa as well as Best Original Screenplay and Best Debut Feature.
In the Foreign Film category are Sam Mendes’ 1917, Todd Haynes’ Dark Waters, Thomas Vinterberg’s Another Round (also Oscar shortlisted on Tuesday), Jan Komasa’s La Communion...
- 2/10/2021
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
by Nathaniel R
Though it's easy to lose track of great cinema, especially in this strange time of virtual festivals and very little traditional moviegoing, you won't want to miss Never Gonna Snow Again, when it arrives this Spring. The Polish hopeful in this year's Oscar's International Feature Film race is a hard-to-describe elusive wonder about a Ukranian massage therapist (Stranger Thing's Alec Utgoff) who a suburban community becomes obsessed with. We were thrilled to jump on the phone with its talented 47 year-old director Malgorzata Szumowska. She's forged a long and international career for herself with award winning films like Elles (with Juliette Binoche), Body, the LGBT drama In the Name of, and her first English language picture last year, the cult drama The Other Lamb.
She goes by 'Malgo'. "It's easier," she offers quickly, surely having heard her name mangled before. The director lives up to our expectations with...
Though it's easy to lose track of great cinema, especially in this strange time of virtual festivals and very little traditional moviegoing, you won't want to miss Never Gonna Snow Again, when it arrives this Spring. The Polish hopeful in this year's Oscar's International Feature Film race is a hard-to-describe elusive wonder about a Ukranian massage therapist (Stranger Thing's Alec Utgoff) who a suburban community becomes obsessed with. We were thrilled to jump on the phone with its talented 47 year-old director Malgorzata Szumowska. She's forged a long and international career for herself with award winning films like Elles (with Juliette Binoche), Body, the LGBT drama In the Name of, and her first English language picture last year, the cult drama The Other Lamb.
She goes by 'Malgo'. "It's easier," she offers quickly, surely having heard her name mangled before. The director lives up to our expectations with...
- 2/5/2021
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
When shooting wrapped last February on Poland’s Oscar entry Never Gonna Snow Again, its filmmakers and production team could never have predicted the bizarre physical and emotional journey that the indie title would undergo across the next 11 months as it was finished and then unveiled amidst a global pandemic.
The film, which played In Competition at the Venice Film Festival in September and was scheduled to premiere at Telluride before the event was cancelled, is hoping to get Poland another seat at the Oscar nomination table much like Pawel Pawlikowski’s Cold War and Jan Komasa’s Corpus Christi did in 2018 and 2019 respectively, even if this year’s seat will be a virtual one.
Born out of an idea from established Polish helmer Malgorzata Szumowska and cinematographer Michal Englert, who have worked together on films such as Berlin Silver Bear winner Mug and last year’s English-language title The Other Lamb,...
The film, which played In Competition at the Venice Film Festival in September and was scheduled to premiere at Telluride before the event was cancelled, is hoping to get Poland another seat at the Oscar nomination table much like Pawel Pawlikowski’s Cold War and Jan Komasa’s Corpus Christi did in 2018 and 2019 respectively, even if this year’s seat will be a virtual one.
Born out of an idea from established Polish helmer Malgorzata Szumowska and cinematographer Michal Englert, who have worked together on films such as Berlin Silver Bear winner Mug and last year’s English-language title The Other Lamb,...
- 2/1/2021
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
India’s Oscar entry is screening from Jan 27, 3pm UK time.
Screen International has partnered with film market platform Archipel Market on an exclusive series of screenings focused on the international feature awards race.
This initiative is designed to enable each country to organise an event around their submission.
The upcoming screenings are listed below, with more titles set to be added during this year’s awards season.
The screenings are open to awards voters and industry professionals and will be available for 24 hours after the start time.
Click here to RSVP or fill out the form below
For more...
Screen International has partnered with film market platform Archipel Market on an exclusive series of screenings focused on the international feature awards race.
This initiative is designed to enable each country to organise an event around their submission.
The upcoming screenings are listed below, with more titles set to be added during this year’s awards season.
The screenings are open to awards voters and industry professionals and will be available for 24 hours after the start time.
Click here to RSVP or fill out the form below
For more...
- 1/24/2021
- by Screen staff
- ScreenDaily
Salvador Calvo’s “Adú” leads the way at Spain’s annual Goya Awards nominations with 14 nods, including for best film and best director.
“Las niñas” and “Akelarre” followed with nine nominations each, while “Rosa’s Wedding” has eight.
In the running for the best film Goya are “Adú,” a Netflix acquisition; “Ane” by David Perez Sanudo; “La boda de Rosa” by Iciar Bollain; “Las niñas” by Pilar Palomero; and “Sentimental” by Cesc Gay.
Competing for the best direction Goya will be Salvador Calvo for “Adú”; Juanma Bajo Ulloa for “Baby”; Iciar Bollain for “La boda de Rosa”; and Isabel Coixet for “Nieva en Benidorm.”
In the running for best European film are Jan Komasa’s “Corpus Christi”; Florian Zeller’s “The Father”; Viggo Mortensen’s “Falling”; and Roman Polanski’s “An Officer and a Spy.”
Mortensen was the big draw at the 2020 San Sebastian Film Festival where “Falling” played, and where he received the Donostia Award.
“Las niñas” and “Akelarre” followed with nine nominations each, while “Rosa’s Wedding” has eight.
In the running for the best film Goya are “Adú,” a Netflix acquisition; “Ane” by David Perez Sanudo; “La boda de Rosa” by Iciar Bollain; “Las niñas” by Pilar Palomero; and “Sentimental” by Cesc Gay.
Competing for the best direction Goya will be Salvador Calvo for “Adú”; Juanma Bajo Ulloa for “Baby”; Iciar Bollain for “La boda de Rosa”; and Isabel Coixet for “Nieva en Benidorm.”
In the running for best European film are Jan Komasa’s “Corpus Christi”; Florian Zeller’s “The Father”; Viggo Mortensen’s “Falling”; and Roman Polanski’s “An Officer and a Spy.”
Mortensen was the big draw at the 2020 San Sebastian Film Festival where “Falling” played, and where he received the Donostia Award.
- 1/18/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
With a selection of 35 projects, including the new efforts by Jan Komasa, Fien Troch, Selma Vilhunen and Syllas Tzoumerkas, the 18th edition of the co-production platform is going digital. The 18th edition of the Berlinale Co-Production Market has invited along 35 new feature-film projects hailing from 25 countries for its upcoming edition. The teams behind them will thus have a chance to meet industry professionals during more than 1,000 meetings. An integral part of the European Film Market, the Berlinale Co-Production Market will run on the same dates as the EFM, from 1-5 March. For the official programme of the market, 19 projects, budgeted at between €750,000 and €4.5 million, have been selected from among the 301 submitted, with most of them being European productions. Two participating projects hail from Germany: Swiss-born Sophia Bösch is presenting her debut feature, Milk Teeth, while Berlin-based Greek filmmaker Nancy Biniadaki (The Surface...
The Berlin International Film Festival’s European Film Market (EFM) has confirmed details for how its online incarnation will work March 1-5.
As Deadline revealed, Dennis Ruh took the reins at the EFM in September 2020 and faces an unconventional first edition.
“International sales agents have filled their lineups for the start of the year and have an attractive variety of films on offer. Many films are also currently in production and ready for pre-sales. We want the digital EFM in 2021 to be an impulse for a new beginning in the international film industry,” said Ruh today. “Since the EFM is an integral part of an international convention calendar, and therefore part of an economic system that includes events such as the Marché du Film in Cannes and the American Film Market in Los Angeles, a later date is not an option.”
The Efm will condense the industry sessions from its...
As Deadline revealed, Dennis Ruh took the reins at the EFM in September 2020 and faces an unconventional first edition.
“International sales agents have filled their lineups for the start of the year and have an attractive variety of films on offer. Many films are also currently in production and ready for pre-sales. We want the digital EFM in 2021 to be an impulse for a new beginning in the international film industry,” said Ruh today. “Since the EFM is an integral part of an international convention calendar, and therefore part of an economic system that includes events such as the Marché du Film in Cannes and the American Film Market in Los Angeles, a later date is not an option.”
The Efm will condense the industry sessions from its...
- 1/15/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
The Berlin Film Festival’s European Film Market (Efm) is gearing up for its upcoming online edition, for which it has announced 35 promising feature film projects from 25 countries selected for its co-production market.
The Efm on Friday also unveiled details of the digital platform on which business will be done.
The Berlinale Co-Production Market selection comprises works in various stages from global helmers, most of whom are known on the fest circuit while several are Berlin regulars, such as Palestinian helmer Annemarie Jacir, who was on the Berlin jury last year.
The prolific Jacir will be presenting “The Oblivion Theory”; Turkish filmmaker Yeşim Ustaoğlu, who broke out in Berlin, will be pitching her new drama “Left Over”; Oscar-nominated Polish director Jan Komasa (“Corpus Christi”) will unveil “Shine of the Sun”; while New York-based Filipina filmmaker Isabel Sandoval, who made a splash with transgender drama “Lingua Franca,” will talk up her follow-up feature “Tropical Gothic.
The Efm on Friday also unveiled details of the digital platform on which business will be done.
The Berlinale Co-Production Market selection comprises works in various stages from global helmers, most of whom are known on the fest circuit while several are Berlin regulars, such as Palestinian helmer Annemarie Jacir, who was on the Berlin jury last year.
The prolific Jacir will be presenting “The Oblivion Theory”; Turkish filmmaker Yeşim Ustaoğlu, who broke out in Berlin, will be pitching her new drama “Left Over”; Oscar-nominated Polish director Jan Komasa (“Corpus Christi”) will unveil “Shine of the Sun”; while New York-based Filipina filmmaker Isabel Sandoval, who made a splash with transgender drama “Lingua Franca,” will talk up her follow-up feature “Tropical Gothic.
- 1/15/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Efm market screenings will be available in 120-minute windows.
The Berlinale’s European Film Market (Efm) has given details of its upcoming edition that is running online from March 1-5, including how its market screenings platform will work.
The Efm will also include a presentation of the Berlinale’s film selection.
Films will be available to watch by delegates within a 120-minute time window from a designated start time. These will be determined by local time zone. For example, a film available from 10.00-12.00 in Berlin would be available from 10.00-12.00 in any other global location.
Additionally, the online Efm...
The Berlinale’s European Film Market (Efm) has given details of its upcoming edition that is running online from March 1-5, including how its market screenings platform will work.
The Efm will also include a presentation of the Berlinale’s film selection.
Films will be available to watch by delegates within a 120-minute time window from a designated start time. These will be determined by local time zone. For example, a film available from 10.00-12.00 in Berlin would be available from 10.00-12.00 in any other global location.
Additionally, the online Efm...
- 1/15/2021
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
The filmmakers behind Poland’s official entry in the international feature film Oscar race, “Never Gonna Snow Again,” say they will be following in the footsteps of Polish winners and nominees like Paweł Pawlikowski and Jan Komasa (“Corpus Christi”). Academy voters watching their international film screeners at home should have plenty of time to catch the film before it’s released by Kino Lorber in the spring.
Malgorzata Szumowska (“Body”) co-wrote and co-directed with cinematographer Michał Englert, who makes his directorial debut. The story follows Alec Utgoff as Zhenia, a guru-like masseur who travels within an affluent neighborhood and meets clients, who open up to him about their lives. Englert uses wide framing as Zhenia makes his rounds, often appearing seemingly out of nowhere. “He is mysterious and had an air of secrecy to him,” Englert says. The inspiration, Szumowska notes, was a real-life masseur who wandered from house to...
Malgorzata Szumowska (“Body”) co-wrote and co-directed with cinematographer Michał Englert, who makes his directorial debut. The story follows Alec Utgoff as Zhenia, a guru-like masseur who travels within an affluent neighborhood and meets clients, who open up to him about their lives. Englert uses wide framing as Zhenia makes his rounds, often appearing seemingly out of nowhere. “He is mysterious and had an air of secrecy to him,” Englert says. The inspiration, Szumowska notes, was a real-life masseur who wandered from house to...
- 12/17/2020
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Thomas Vinterberg’s “Another Round” took home the top prize at the 33rd European Film Awards.
The Danish dramedy swept Saturday’s virtual ceremony, nabbing additional wins for best director and best actor for Mads Mikkelsen, who plays an alcoholic high school teacher. Vinterberg also won best screenplay for the feature, along with co-writer Tobias Lindholm.
When accepting the top award, Vinterberg said, “None of my films ever could ever have been made without the support systems of my country and of European filmmaking in general. My first film was about child abuse, my second one about the same and now we’ve made a film about four heterosexual white males teaching youngsters to drink. It could never have been possible outside of this continent and I’m super proud to be awarded in this continent.”
The filmmaker dedicated his win to the memory of his 19-year-old daughter Ida, who...
The Danish dramedy swept Saturday’s virtual ceremony, nabbing additional wins for best director and best actor for Mads Mikkelsen, who plays an alcoholic high school teacher. Vinterberg also won best screenplay for the feature, along with co-writer Tobias Lindholm.
When accepting the top award, Vinterberg said, “None of my films ever could ever have been made without the support systems of my country and of European filmmaking in general. My first film was about child abuse, my second one about the same and now we’ve made a film about four heterosexual white males teaching youngsters to drink. It could never have been possible outside of this continent and I’m super proud to be awarded in this continent.”
The filmmaker dedicated his win to the memory of his 19-year-old daughter Ida, who...
- 12/12/2020
- by Janet W. Lee
- Variety Film + TV
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