Berlinale’s upcoming European Film Market is promising to be one of the best attended editions in years on the basis of registration numbers to date and amid expectations of a post-Hollywood strikes boost.
“Around 600 companies will be exhibiting, with every official space sold out. There’s not a single corner left,” EFM director Dennis Ruh said of the market running in Berlin’s Gropius Bau exhibition center and the nearby Marriott Hotel from February 15-21.
This compares with 519 exhibitors at the same time last year. The number of territories represented has also increased from 59 to 69.
New territory exhibitors include Saudi Arabia, which will have an umbrella stand in the Gropius Bau, as well as New Zealand, Moldova and Greenland.
“I’m also happy to have India back at the market because they had no official delegation at the market last year. And this year, they will come with a big delegation,...
“Around 600 companies will be exhibiting, with every official space sold out. There’s not a single corner left,” EFM director Dennis Ruh said of the market running in Berlin’s Gropius Bau exhibition center and the nearby Marriott Hotel from February 15-21.
This compares with 519 exhibitors at the same time last year. The number of territories represented has also increased from 59 to 69.
New territory exhibitors include Saudi Arabia, which will have an umbrella stand in the Gropius Bau, as well as New Zealand, Moldova and Greenland.
“I’m also happy to have India back at the market because they had no official delegation at the market last year. And this year, they will come with a big delegation,...
- 1/30/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: XYZ Films has taken global distribution rights, excluding Canada, on the eco-thriller The Well, the first narrative feature by Academy Award-nominated documentary director Hubert Davis.
Recently filmed in Hamilton, Canada, The Well features a Canadian cast, including veterans such as Sheila McCarthy (Women Talking) and Arnold Pinnock (The Porter), who also executive produce. Shailyn Pierre-Dixon (Book of Negros) and Idrissa Sanogo (Robin Hood) also star. The ensemble, working outside of SAG jurisdiction, is rounded out by Joanne Boland (Handmaid’s Tale), Noah Lamanna (Dream Scenario), Natasha Mumba (The Last of Us), and Steven McCarthy (Mary Kills People).
Film’s synopsis reads: In a world where environmental collapse has left survivors to fight for the precious resources needed to survive, a young woman’s (Shailyn Pierre-Dixon) loyalties are tested by the arrival of a wounded man. When he discovers her family has a secret supply of fresh water it puts...
Recently filmed in Hamilton, Canada, The Well features a Canadian cast, including veterans such as Sheila McCarthy (Women Talking) and Arnold Pinnock (The Porter), who also executive produce. Shailyn Pierre-Dixon (Book of Negros) and Idrissa Sanogo (Robin Hood) also star. The ensemble, working outside of SAG jurisdiction, is rounded out by Joanne Boland (Handmaid’s Tale), Noah Lamanna (Dream Scenario), Natasha Mumba (The Last of Us), and Steven McCarthy (Mary Kills People).
Film’s synopsis reads: In a world where environmental collapse has left survivors to fight for the precious resources needed to survive, a young woman’s (Shailyn Pierre-Dixon) loyalties are tested by the arrival of a wounded man. When he discovers her family has a secret supply of fresh water it puts...
- 11/7/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
’Mr. Dressup: The Magic Of Make Believe’ wins doc award, ’Dicks: The Musical’ wins Midnight Madness.
The satire American Fiction starring Jeffrey Wright has won the Toronto International Film Festival’s (TIFF) 2023 People’s Choice Award, boosting the crowd-pleaser’s Oscar credentials heading into awards season.
‘American Fiction’: Toronto Review
Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut for Amazon/MGM stars Wright as a frustrated Black author whose deliberately dumbed-down novel about cliched Black characters becomes a hit. There are multiple screenings at TIFF Bell Lightbox today (September 17) from 2:30pm-9:30pm Et.
American Fiction follows last year’s recipient...
The satire American Fiction starring Jeffrey Wright has won the Toronto International Film Festival’s (TIFF) 2023 People’s Choice Award, boosting the crowd-pleaser’s Oscar credentials heading into awards season.
‘American Fiction’: Toronto Review
Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut for Amazon/MGM stars Wright as a frustrated Black author whose deliberately dumbed-down novel about cliched Black characters becomes a hit. There are multiple screenings at TIFF Bell Lightbox today (September 17) from 2:30pm-9:30pm Et.
American Fiction follows last year’s recipient...
- 9/17/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
’Mr. Dressup: The Magic Of Make Believe’ wins doc award, ’Dicks: The Musical’ wins Midnight Madness.
The satire American Fiction starring Jeffrey Wright has won the Toronto International Film Festival’s (TIFF) 2023 People’s Choice Award, boosting the crowd-pleaser’s Oscar credentials heading into awards season.
‘American Fiction’: Toronto Review
Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut from Orion and MRC stars Wright as a frustrated Black author whose deliberately dumbed-down novel about cliched Black characters becomes a hit. There are multiple screenings at TIFF Bell Lightbox today (September 17) from 2:30pm-9:30pm Et.
MGM distributes American Fiction in the...
The satire American Fiction starring Jeffrey Wright has won the Toronto International Film Festival’s (TIFF) 2023 People’s Choice Award, boosting the crowd-pleaser’s Oscar credentials heading into awards season.
‘American Fiction’: Toronto Review
Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut from Orion and MRC stars Wright as a frustrated Black author whose deliberately dumbed-down novel about cliched Black characters becomes a hit. There are multiple screenings at TIFF Bell Lightbox today (September 17) from 2:30pm-9:30pm Et.
MGM distributes American Fiction in the...
- 9/17/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
’Mr. Dressup: The Magic Of Make Believe’ wins doc award, ’Dicks: The Musical’ wins Midnight Madness.
The satire American Fiction starring Jeffrey Wright has won the Toronto International Film Festival’s (TIFF) 2023 People’s Choice Award, boosting the crowd-pleaser’s Oscar credentials heading into awards season.
‘American Fiction’: Toronto Review
Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut from Orion and MRC stars Wright as a frustrated Black author whose deliberately dumbed-down novel about cliched Black characters becomes a hit. There are multiple screenings at TIFF Bell Lightbox today (September 17) from 2:30pm-9:30pm Et.
MGM distributes American Fiction in the...
The satire American Fiction starring Jeffrey Wright has won the Toronto International Film Festival’s (TIFF) 2023 People’s Choice Award, boosting the crowd-pleaser’s Oscar credentials heading into awards season.
‘American Fiction’: Toronto Review
Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut from Orion and MRC stars Wright as a frustrated Black author whose deliberately dumbed-down novel about cliched Black characters becomes a hit. There are multiple screenings at TIFF Bell Lightbox today (September 17) from 2:30pm-9:30pm Et.
MGM distributes American Fiction in the...
- 9/17/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
American Fiction, Cord Jefferson’s drama starring Jeffrey Wright, Sterling K. Brown and Tracee Ellis Ross has officially moved ahead in the Best Picture race, winning the People’s Choice Award at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
In a statement, Jefferson said, “My gratitude towards everyone who watched American Fiction, discussed it afterwards among friends and colleagues is endless. The film is now in your hands and I’m so grateful that it was embraced in this way.” The film edged out runners-up The Holdovers (directed by Alexander Payne) and Hayao Miyazaki’s on-again-off-again “final” film The Boy and the Heron.
American Fiction is in some fantastic company by winning the People’s Choice Award at TIFF. Check out the last 10 winners: The Fabelmans, Belfast, Nomadland, Jojo Rabbit, Green Book, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, La La Land, Room, The Imitation Game, and 12 Years a Slave. That...
In a statement, Jefferson said, “My gratitude towards everyone who watched American Fiction, discussed it afterwards among friends and colleagues is endless. The film is now in your hands and I’m so grateful that it was embraced in this way.” The film edged out runners-up The Holdovers (directed by Alexander Payne) and Hayao Miyazaki’s on-again-off-again “final” film The Boy and the Heron.
American Fiction is in some fantastic company by winning the People’s Choice Award at TIFF. Check out the last 10 winners: The Fabelmans, Belfast, Nomadland, Jojo Rabbit, Green Book, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, La La Land, Room, The Imitation Game, and 12 Years a Slave. That...
- 9/17/2023
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
“American Fiction” has won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF organizers announced at an awards brunch on Sunday.
The Orion/MGM film by first-time director Cord Jefferson is a barbed satire that stars Jeffrey Wright as a writer who, to his dismay, achieves enormous success after as a joke writing a book filled with what he feels are the worst and most pandering cliches of Black representation. In its review, TheWrap called the film “an outlandishly assured directorial debut, a beautifully modulated film that takes a great actor, Jeffrey Wright, and gives him a spectacular showcase.”
While the film did not come into the festival as one of its highest profile selections, it was an immediate sensation after its Friday night premiere at the Princess of Wales Theatre, drawing some of TIFF’s most positive reviews. It currently stands at 86% positive on Rotten Tomatoes...
The Orion/MGM film by first-time director Cord Jefferson is a barbed satire that stars Jeffrey Wright as a writer who, to his dismay, achieves enormous success after as a joke writing a book filled with what he feels are the worst and most pandering cliches of Black representation. In its review, TheWrap called the film “an outlandishly assured directorial debut, a beautifully modulated film that takes a great actor, Jeffrey Wright, and gives him a spectacular showcase.”
While the film did not come into the festival as one of its highest profile selections, it was an immediate sensation after its Friday night premiere at the Princess of Wales Theatre, drawing some of TIFF’s most positive reviews. It currently stands at 86% positive on Rotten Tomatoes...
- 9/17/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The People’s Choice Award from the just-wrapped 2023 Toronto Film Festival has gone to Cord Jefferson’s American Fiction. First Runner-Up is Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers. Second Runner-Up is Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron. The Documentary Award goes to Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe, and the Midnight Madness winner is Dicks: The Musical.
Orion and MRC’s American Fiction stars Jeffrey Wright and comes from writer-director Jefferson. It is a scathing satire on the publishing industry and its treatment of serious works by Black writers, one whose name is Thelonious “Monk” Ellison. He travels back to his hometown of Boston to attend a book festival, but the turnout is low in favor of another book seminar with author Sintara Golden’s (Issa Rae) bestseller We Lives in Da Ghetto. It is scheduled to be released in theaters in November.
Voted by audience members since 1978 and...
Orion and MRC’s American Fiction stars Jeffrey Wright and comes from writer-director Jefferson. It is a scathing satire on the publishing industry and its treatment of serious works by Black writers, one whose name is Thelonious “Monk” Ellison. He travels back to his hometown of Boston to attend a book festival, but the turnout is low in favor of another book seminar with author Sintara Golden’s (Issa Rae) bestseller We Lives in Da Ghetto. It is scheduled to be released in theaters in November.
Voted by audience members since 1978 and...
- 9/17/2023
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
After a two week run that included a slew of buzzy world premieres and screenings of previous favorites from the international festival circuit, the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival has come to a close. Toronto is often considered the unofficial kickoff to Oscar season (along with the Venice and Telluride film festivals), so the films that take home the coveted People’s Choice Awards often get an early boost for their award campaigns.
The top prize went to “American Fiction,” Cord Jefferson’s publishing industry satire that stars Jeffrey Wright as a novelist who finds massive success after writing a deliberately stupid novel about Black life. Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers” and Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” were honored as the first and second runners up, respectively.
The MRC title could have a bright future at the Academy Awards, as 11 of the last 14 People’s Choice Award winners...
The top prize went to “American Fiction,” Cord Jefferson’s publishing industry satire that stars Jeffrey Wright as a novelist who finds massive success after writing a deliberately stupid novel about Black life. Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers” and Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” were honored as the first and second runners up, respectively.
The MRC title could have a bright future at the Academy Awards, as 11 of the last 14 People’s Choice Award winners...
- 9/17/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Vertical has nabbed U.S. rights to Clement Virgo’s feature film, “Brother,” following its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.
Virgo wrote the screenplay and adapted the story of two brothers facing questions of masculinity, family, race and identity from David Chariandy’s novel of the same name. The film stars Lamar Johnson, Aaron Pierre, Kiana Madeira (“Fear Street” franchise) and Marsha Stephanie Blake (“When They See Us”).
The film is slated for a day-and-date release this summer.
Here’s the official description: “Propelled by the pulsing beats of Toronto’s early hip-hop scene, ‘Brother’ is the story of Francis (Pierre) and Michael (Johnson), sons of Caribbean immigrants maturing into young men. A mystery unfolds during the sweltering summer of 1991, and escalating tensions set off a series of events that change the course of the brothers’ lives forever. ‘Brother’ crafts a timely story about the profound bond between siblings,...
Virgo wrote the screenplay and adapted the story of two brothers facing questions of masculinity, family, race and identity from David Chariandy’s novel of the same name. The film stars Lamar Johnson, Aaron Pierre, Kiana Madeira (“Fear Street” franchise) and Marsha Stephanie Blake (“When They See Us”).
The film is slated for a day-and-date release this summer.
Here’s the official description: “Propelled by the pulsing beats of Toronto’s early hip-hop scene, ‘Brother’ is the story of Francis (Pierre) and Michael (Johnson), sons of Caribbean immigrants maturing into young men. A mystery unfolds during the sweltering summer of 1991, and escalating tensions set off a series of events that change the course of the brothers’ lives forever. ‘Brother’ crafts a timely story about the profound bond between siblings,...
- 5/16/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
The BET+/CBC drama The Porter and the HBO Max/CBC comedy Sort Of were the big winners at the Canadian Screen Awards on Friday night.
The Porter, a civil rights drama about 1920s Black train employees in Montreal and Chicago, won for best TV drama, best drama direction for Charles Officer, best drama writing for Marsha Greene and Alfre Woodard picked up the trophy for best guest drama performance.
The first Canadian drama to boast an all-Black creative team also picked up a host of other trophies for best photography, original music, picture editing, make-up and hair and costume and production design. The Porter led the film and TV field for the Canadian Screen Awards with 19 nominations in all, including for best small-screen drama.
Also dominating the TV categories at the non-telecast Canadian Screen Awards was the Peabody Award-winning comedy Sort Of. The series about a gender fluid young...
The Porter, a civil rights drama about 1920s Black train employees in Montreal and Chicago, won for best TV drama, best drama direction for Charles Officer, best drama writing for Marsha Greene and Alfre Woodard picked up the trophy for best guest drama performance.
The first Canadian drama to boast an all-Black creative team also picked up a host of other trophies for best photography, original music, picture editing, make-up and hair and costume and production design. The Porter led the film and TV field for the Canadian Screen Awards with 19 nominations in all, including for best small-screen drama.
Also dominating the TV categories at the non-telecast Canadian Screen Awards was the Peabody Award-winning comedy Sort Of. The series about a gender fluid young...
- 4/15/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Second edition of the scheme will take place in Veneto in June and Amsterdam in September.
Lava Films’ Mariusz Wlodarski from Poland and Topkapi Films’ Frans van Gestel from the Netherlands are among 12 producers selected for the second edition of Ace Leadership Special, a business workshop hosted by the Ace Producers network.
The 2023 edition will take place in Italy in June and in the Netherlands in September, with online elements over the summer.
Scroll down for the 2023 selection
Ace Leadership Special aims to help producers sustain solid business foundations, improve performance and prospects for their companies and develop their personal leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
Lava Films’ Mariusz Wlodarski from Poland and Topkapi Films’ Frans van Gestel from the Netherlands are among 12 producers selected for the second edition of Ace Leadership Special, a business workshop hosted by the Ace Producers network.
The 2023 edition will take place in Italy in June and in the Netherlands in September, with online elements over the summer.
Scroll down for the 2023 selection
Ace Leadership Special aims to help producers sustain solid business foundations, improve performance and prospects for their companies and develop their personal leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
- 4/12/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Also in the works is the next feature from ’Is There Anybody Out There?’ director and Screen Star of Tomorrow Ella Glendining.
UK production outfit Hot Property Films has unveiled a bustling slate of projects with partners and talent attached including The Worst Person In The World actor Anders Danielsen Lie and producer Emily Morgan.
Hot Property Films was set up in 1995 by producer Janine Marmot and writer-director Simon Pummell. Credits include Kieran Evans’ 2014 title Kelly + Victor, for which Evans won the Bafta for outstanding debut for a British writer, director or producer.
Lie is set to star in Grant Gee...
UK production outfit Hot Property Films has unveiled a bustling slate of projects with partners and talent attached including The Worst Person In The World actor Anders Danielsen Lie and producer Emily Morgan.
Hot Property Films was set up in 1995 by producer Janine Marmot and writer-director Simon Pummell. Credits include Kieran Evans’ 2014 title Kelly + Victor, for which Evans won the Bafta for outstanding debut for a British writer, director or producer.
Lie is set to star in Grant Gee...
- 12/7/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Stoked by raves and strong receptions to their world-premiering Toronto festival films, “Brother” producers Damon D’Oliveira and Clement Virgo, “Black Ice” producer Vinay Virmani, and “Alice, Darling” producer Noah Segal are warming up a new basketball-themed crime series, “The Count,” for this fall’s marketplace, Variety has learned.
A modern spin on French author Alexandre Dumas’ classic 19th-century novel of wrongful imprisonment “The Count of Monte Cristo,” the TV drama will bounce between Toronto’s basketball milieu and Haiti’s cultural mélange as it follows the transformation of a Haitian basketball player facing a life sentence for murder into to justice-seeking saboteur.
D’Oliveira and Virgo under their Conquering Lion Pictures company, The Good Karma Company’s chief content officer Virmani, and Elevation Pictures co-president Segal have signed on as executive producers on the series.
Virgo, who wrote and directed the Lamar Johnson-starring “Brother,” and Hubert Davis, director of...
A modern spin on French author Alexandre Dumas’ classic 19th-century novel of wrongful imprisonment “The Count of Monte Cristo,” the TV drama will bounce between Toronto’s basketball milieu and Haiti’s cultural mélange as it follows the transformation of a Haitian basketball player facing a life sentence for murder into to justice-seeking saboteur.
D’Oliveira and Virgo under their Conquering Lion Pictures company, The Good Karma Company’s chief content officer Virmani, and Elevation Pictures co-president Segal have signed on as executive producers on the series.
Virgo, who wrote and directed the Lamar Johnson-starring “Brother,” and Hubert Davis, director of...
- 9/15/2022
- by Jennie Punter
- Variety Film + TV
The Toronto Film Festival has programmed one of its strongest Canadian feature slates in recent years — films with head-turning performances, eye-catching artistry, and global market and audience appeal, from filmmakers who are subverting stereotypes, challenging or bypassing power structures, or transforming the industry ecosystem from the grassroots on up.
“Right now in our industry, tons of high-paying service work lets people pay their bills, but the quality work is coming through the Canadian independents,” says Conquering Lions Pictures’ Damon D’Oliveira, who has produced the Canadian work of director Clement Virgo, from his 1995 Cannes-premiering feature “Rude” to the series “The Book of Negroes” to their latest, “Brother.”
The adaptation of David Chariandy’s novel tells the story of two Jamaican Canadian brothers in 1990s Scarborough. “We see this as a bookend to ‘Rude,’ which is set in the same period and is an adrenaline rush,” says D’Oliveira. “We’re returning...
“Right now in our industry, tons of high-paying service work lets people pay their bills, but the quality work is coming through the Canadian independents,” says Conquering Lions Pictures’ Damon D’Oliveira, who has produced the Canadian work of director Clement Virgo, from his 1995 Cannes-premiering feature “Rude” to the series “The Book of Negroes” to their latest, “Brother.”
The adaptation of David Chariandy’s novel tells the story of two Jamaican Canadian brothers in 1990s Scarborough. “We see this as a bookend to ‘Rude,’ which is set in the same period and is an adrenaline rush,” says D’Oliveira. “We’re returning...
- 9/10/2022
- by Jennie Punter
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: In a competitive situation, Clement Virgo has signed with WME in advance of the TIFF world premiere of Brother, starring Lamar Johnson, Aaron Pierre and Marsha Stephanie Black. His debut feature, Rude, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in Un Certain Regard and opened the Perspectives Canada program at TIFF. His credits includes the boxing drama Poor Boy’s Game, Lie With Me and Love Come Down.
On the TV side, he directed and co-wrote the six part miniseries adaptation of Lawrence Hill’s novel The Book of Negroes. The series debuted to record-breaking numbers on the CBC in Canada and on BET in the U.S. and went on to win twelve Canadian Screen Awards and earned two U.S. Critics Choice TV Awards nominations for Best Limited Series and Best Actress in a Limited Series (Aunjanue Ellis). He also directed the pilot of the drama series Greenleaf, and...
On the TV side, he directed and co-wrote the six part miniseries adaptation of Lawrence Hill’s novel The Book of Negroes. The series debuted to record-breaking numbers on the CBC in Canada and on BET in the U.S. and went on to win twelve Canadian Screen Awards and earned two U.S. Critics Choice TV Awards nominations for Best Limited Series and Best Actress in a Limited Series (Aunjanue Ellis). He also directed the pilot of the drama series Greenleaf, and...
- 9/6/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
“Me, My Mom & Sharmila,” the feature directorial debut of queer Muslim writer-director Fawzia Mirza, has set its cast.
The film will feature Amrit Kaur, the breakout star of Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble’s HBO Max series “The Sex Lives of College Girls”; Hamza Haq, who won best actor in 2021 and 2022 at the Canadian Screen Awards for CTV medical drama “Transplant”; and Nimra Bucha.
Set in 1999, the film follows Azra (Kaur) over 48 hours as she travels from her home in Canada to her parents’ homeland of Pakistan to bury her father (Haq). Azra struggles to connect with her conservative mother Mariam (Bucha), but her return to Pakistan launches her into memories both real and imagined that reveal their unexpected similarities.
Adapted from Mirza’s stage play of the same name, “Me, My Mom & Sharmila” is produced by Jason Levangie and Marc Tetreault for Shut Up & Colour Pictures (“Night Blooms...
The film will feature Amrit Kaur, the breakout star of Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble’s HBO Max series “The Sex Lives of College Girls”; Hamza Haq, who won best actor in 2021 and 2022 at the Canadian Screen Awards for CTV medical drama “Transplant”; and Nimra Bucha.
Set in 1999, the film follows Azra (Kaur) over 48 hours as she travels from her home in Canada to her parents’ homeland of Pakistan to bury her father (Haq). Azra struggles to connect with her conservative mother Mariam (Bucha), but her return to Pakistan launches her into memories both real and imagined that reveal their unexpected similarities.
Adapted from Mirza’s stage play of the same name, “Me, My Mom & Sharmila” is produced by Jason Levangie and Marc Tetreault for Shut Up & Colour Pictures (“Night Blooms...
- 8/24/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The drama is set in Toronto’s 1990s hip-hop scene.
Brother by Canadian filmmaker Clement Virgo will receive its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which takes place September 8-18.
The mystery drama is set in Toronto’s 1990s hip-hop scene and follows two sons of Caribbean immigrants who find themselves involved in a series of life-changing events.
Brother stars Lamar Johnson, Aaron Pierre, Kiana Madeira and Marsha Stephanie Blake.
Virgo adapted the screenplay from David Chariandy’s novel of the same name and is producing the film with his company Conquering Lion Pictures. Aeschylus Poulos and Sonya...
Brother by Canadian filmmaker Clement Virgo will receive its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which takes place September 8-18.
The mystery drama is set in Toronto’s 1990s hip-hop scene and follows two sons of Caribbean immigrants who find themselves involved in a series of life-changing events.
Brother stars Lamar Johnson, Aaron Pierre, Kiana Madeira and Marsha Stephanie Blake.
Virgo adapted the screenplay from David Chariandy’s novel of the same name and is producing the film with his company Conquering Lion Pictures. Aeschylus Poulos and Sonya...
- 7/6/2022
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
The Clement Virgo directed movie Brother will make its world premiere at the 47th Toronto International Film Festival which runs Thursday, Sept. 8 through Sunday, Sept. 18.
Adapted for the screen by Virgo from David Chariandy’s prize-winning novel of the same name, Brother is the story of Francis and Michael, sons of Caribbean immigrants maturing into young men amidst Toronto’s pulsing 1990’s hip-hop scene. A mystery unfolds when escalating tensions set off a series of events which changes the course of the brothers’ lives forever.
The pic stars Lamar Johnson (The Hate U Give), Aaron Pierre (Underground Railroad), Kiana Madeira (Fear Street) and Marsha Stephanie Blake (When They See Us).
Brother is produced by recently announced member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, Damon D’Oliveira, as well as Virgo, of Conquering Lion Pictures, along with Aeschylus Poulos and Sonya Di Rienzo of Hawkeye Pictures. EPs are Aaron L. Gilbert...
Adapted for the screen by Virgo from David Chariandy’s prize-winning novel of the same name, Brother is the story of Francis and Michael, sons of Caribbean immigrants maturing into young men amidst Toronto’s pulsing 1990’s hip-hop scene. A mystery unfolds when escalating tensions set off a series of events which changes the course of the brothers’ lives forever.
The pic stars Lamar Johnson (The Hate U Give), Aaron Pierre (Underground Railroad), Kiana Madeira (Fear Street) and Marsha Stephanie Blake (When They See Us).
Brother is produced by recently announced member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, Damon D’Oliveira, as well as Virgo, of Conquering Lion Pictures, along with Aeschylus Poulos and Sonya Di Rienzo of Hawkeye Pictures. EPs are Aaron L. Gilbert...
- 7/6/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Clement Virgo’s Brother is set to have its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, organizers said on Wednesday.
Adapted for the screen by Virgo from David Chariandy’s novel of the same name, Brother is the story of Francis and Michael, sons of Caribbean immigrants maturing into young men amid Toronto’s 1990s hip-hop scene. A mystery unfolds when escalating tensions set off a series of events that changes the course of the brothers’ lives forever.
Brother stars Lamar Johnson (The Hate U Give), Aaron Pierre (Old), Kiana Madeira (Fear Street) and Marsha Stephanie Blake (When They See Us). The film is produced by Virgo and longtime business partner Damon D’Oliveira of Conquering Lion Pictures, along with Aeschylus Poulos and Sonya Di Rienzo of Hawkeye Pictures.
Executive producers are Aaron L. Gilbert and Steven Thibault of Bron and Laurie May...
Clement Virgo’s Brother is set to have its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, organizers said on Wednesday.
Adapted for the screen by Virgo from David Chariandy’s novel of the same name, Brother is the story of Francis and Michael, sons of Caribbean immigrants maturing into young men amid Toronto’s 1990s hip-hop scene. A mystery unfolds when escalating tensions set off a series of events that changes the course of the brothers’ lives forever.
Brother stars Lamar Johnson (The Hate U Give), Aaron Pierre (Old), Kiana Madeira (Fear Street) and Marsha Stephanie Blake (When They See Us). The film is produced by Virgo and longtime business partner Damon D’Oliveira of Conquering Lion Pictures, along with Aeschylus Poulos and Sonya Di Rienzo of Hawkeye Pictures.
Executive producers are Aaron L. Gilbert and Steven Thibault of Bron and Laurie May...
- 7/6/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
More than 40 of the group are women and 50 come from outside the US.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 397 artists and executives, half of them from outside the US, to join its ranks.
Among the 30 actors invited are recent Oscar winners Troy Kotsur, from Coda, and Ariana DeBose, from West Side Story, along with Caitríona Balfe, Jessie Buckley, Jamie Dornan, Amir Jadidi, Kajol, Vincent Lindon, Hidetoshi Nishijima and Renate Reinsve.
Twenty-one directors were invited, including Pawo Choyning Dorji (Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom), Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard), Ryusuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car), Sian Harries...
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 397 artists and executives, half of them from outside the US, to join its ranks.
Among the 30 actors invited are recent Oscar winners Troy Kotsur, from Coda, and Ariana DeBose, from West Side Story, along with Caitríona Balfe, Jessie Buckley, Jamie Dornan, Amir Jadidi, Kajol, Vincent Lindon, Hidetoshi Nishijima and Renate Reinsve.
Twenty-one directors were invited, including Pawo Choyning Dorji (Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom), Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard), Ryusuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car), Sian Harries...
- 6/28/2022
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Rising actors Lamar Johnson (The Hate U Give), Aaron Pierre (The Underground Railroad), Marsha Stephanie Blake (When They See Us) and Kiana Madeira (Fear Street Trilogy) have been set to star in feature drama Brother, which is filming in and around Toronto.
Written and directed by Clement Virgo (Greenleaf) and based on David Chariandy’s novel, Brother is set against Toronto’s early hip hop scene. The film charts the story of Francis and Michael, sons of Caribbean immigrants, who are maturing into young men during the sweltering summer of 1991. Escalating tensions set off a series of events that change the course of the brothers’ lives forever.
Producing are Virgo and Damon D’Oliveira of Conquering Lion Pictures, along with Aeschylus Poulos and Sonya Di Rienzo of Hawkeye Pictures.
The pic will be distributed in Canada by Elevation Pictures. Foreign sales will be handled by Bron Releasing. Filming will run...
Written and directed by Clement Virgo (Greenleaf) and based on David Chariandy’s novel, Brother is set against Toronto’s early hip hop scene. The film charts the story of Francis and Michael, sons of Caribbean immigrants, who are maturing into young men during the sweltering summer of 1991. Escalating tensions set off a series of events that change the course of the brothers’ lives forever.
Producing are Virgo and Damon D’Oliveira of Conquering Lion Pictures, along with Aeschylus Poulos and Sonya Di Rienzo of Hawkeye Pictures.
The pic will be distributed in Canada by Elevation Pictures. Foreign sales will be handled by Bron Releasing. Filming will run...
- 10/15/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
BlockFilm, a Canada-based financing platform, is bringing private investors and content creators together via a safe financing online platform using digital security tokens, the company announced today.
Digital security tokens using blockchains to connect private investors with content creators are something fairly new that has been used in real estate, for example, says Pauline Couture, co-ceo of BlockFilm. Together with Suzette Couture, no relation, she set up the global platform that they started working on in 2019 with backing from the Canada Media Fund. Pauline is based in Toronto while Suzette is headquartered in Los Angeles. Film producer Charlotte Mickie is also part of the company.
“We have a reputation of playing well with others,” Pauline Couture said. “Everyone has financing issues in indie films.”
BlockFilm offers private investors a place to put their money and gets indie filmmakers financing, with the idea of getting passion projects to completion faster. The...
Digital security tokens using blockchains to connect private investors with content creators are something fairly new that has been used in real estate, for example, says Pauline Couture, co-ceo of BlockFilm. Together with Suzette Couture, no relation, she set up the global platform that they started working on in 2019 with backing from the Canada Media Fund. Pauline is based in Toronto while Suzette is headquartered in Los Angeles. Film producer Charlotte Mickie is also part of the company.
“We have a reputation of playing well with others,” Pauline Couture said. “Everyone has financing issues in indie films.”
BlockFilm offers private investors a place to put their money and gets indie filmmakers financing, with the idea of getting passion projects to completion faster. The...
- 6/23/2021
- by Shalini Dore
- Variety Film + TV
Roster of participants includes 44 female producers out of 73 in total.
The latest projects from producers of French Exit and The Babadook are among the roster at the virtual 15th Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (iff) set to run from September 13-14.
The co-financing and co-production market takes place in association with Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and serves international and Canadian producers developing mostly English-language projects.
The two-day schedule includes networking opportunities for producers with international sales agents, financiers, distributors, agents, and executive producers, as well as an exclusive state-of-the-industry panel discussion, producer drop-in sessions, and access to a TIFF case study on co-productions.
The latest projects from producers of French Exit and The Babadook are among the roster at the virtual 15th Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (iff) set to run from September 13-14.
The co-financing and co-production market takes place in association with Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and serves international and Canadian producers developing mostly English-language projects.
The two-day schedule includes networking opportunities for producers with international sales agents, financiers, distributors, agents, and executive producers, as well as an exclusive state-of-the-industry panel discussion, producer drop-in sessions, and access to a TIFF case study on co-productions.
- 9/1/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Roster of participants includes 44 female producers out of 73 in total.
The latest projects from producers of French Exit and The Babadook are among the roster at the virtual 15th Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (iff) set to run from September 13-14.
The co-financing and co-production market takes place in association with Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and serves international and Canadian producers developing mostly English-language projects.
The two-day schedule includes networking opportunities for producers with international sales agents, financiers, distributors, agents, and executive producers, as well as an exclusive state-of-the-industry panel discussion, producer drop-in sessions, and access to a TIFF case study on co-productions.
The latest projects from producers of French Exit and The Babadook are among the roster at the virtual 15th Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (iff) set to run from September 13-14.
The co-financing and co-production market takes place in association with Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and serves international and Canadian producers developing mostly English-language projects.
The two-day schedule includes networking opportunities for producers with international sales agents, financiers, distributors, agents, and executive producers, as well as an exclusive state-of-the-industry panel discussion, producer drop-in sessions, and access to a TIFF case study on co-productions.
- 9/1/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Roster of participants includes 44 female producers out of 73 in total.
The latest projects from producers of French Exit and The Babadook are among the roster at the virtual 15th Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (iff) set to run from September 13-14.
The co-financing and co-production market takes place in association with Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and serves international and Canadian producers developing mostly English-language projects.
The two-day schedule includes networking opportunities for producers with international sales agents, financiers, distributors, agents, and executive producers, as well as an exclusive state-of-the-industry panel discussion, producer drop-in sessions, and access to a TIFF case study on co-productions.
The latest projects from producers of French Exit and The Babadook are among the roster at the virtual 15th Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (iff) set to run from September 13-14.
The co-financing and co-production market takes place in association with Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and serves international and Canadian producers developing mostly English-language projects.
The two-day schedule includes networking opportunities for producers with international sales agents, financiers, distributors, agents, and executive producers, as well as an exclusive state-of-the-industry panel discussion, producer drop-in sessions, and access to a TIFF case study on co-productions.
- 9/1/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
The female-led drama is set for a February theatrical and on-demand launch.
Gravitas Ventures has acquired Us rights to recent Toronto festival premiere The Rest Of Us from sales agent Voltage Pictures.
The drama-comedy about the complicated relationships between two women and their daughters stars Heather Graham, Sophie Nélisse, Jodi Balfour and Abigail Pniowsky. Aisling Chin-Yee directed from a script by Alanna Francis.
Katie Bird Nolan and Lindsay Tapscott of Babe Nation Films, William Woods of Woods Entertainment, and Emma Fleury served as producers. Executive Producers are Damon D’Oliveira and Patrice Theroux.
Gravitas, part of the Europe-based multi-national Red Arrow Studios group,...
Gravitas Ventures has acquired Us rights to recent Toronto festival premiere The Rest Of Us from sales agent Voltage Pictures.
The drama-comedy about the complicated relationships between two women and their daughters stars Heather Graham, Sophie Nélisse, Jodi Balfour and Abigail Pniowsky. Aisling Chin-Yee directed from a script by Alanna Francis.
Katie Bird Nolan and Lindsay Tapscott of Babe Nation Films, William Woods of Woods Entertainment, and Emma Fleury served as producers. Executive Producers are Damon D’Oliveira and Patrice Theroux.
Gravitas, part of the Europe-based multi-national Red Arrow Studios group,...
- 11/22/2019
- ScreenDaily
Thanks to TorontoFilm.Net here is the Toronto Film Production Update for June 2016, including "Downsizing", "Flatliners:, "It" and a whole lot more:
Click Here To List With A Toronto Agent
American Gods
TV Series
Fremantle / Starz Network
Executive Producers: Bryan Fuller,
Michael Green, Neil Gaiman
Mar. 14 – Sep 30 /16
American Gods
TV Series
Fremantle / Starz Network
Exec. Prod.: Bryan Fuller,
Michael Green, Neil Gaiman
Mar. 14 – Sep 30 /16
American Gothic
TV Series
Amblin /CBS Studios
Feb 29 - Jul 1/16
Anon
Feature
Anon Film Prods. Canada Inc.
Prod.: Dan Bekerman
Jul 11 - Aug 26 / 16
Blood And Water
TV Series
Wu Project Productions Inc.
Prod: Paula Smith, Audrey Velichka
May 9 – Jun 2 / 16
Degrassi: Next Class
TV Series
Dhx-Degrassi Productions XVI inc.
Prods.: Michael Bawcutt
Exec. Prod.: Stephen Stohn,
Linda Schulyer, Sarah Gilinski,
Matt Huether
May 16 - Aug 11 / 16
Designated Survivor
TV Pilot
Designated 1 Ltd.
Prod.: Amy Harris,
David Guggenheim
Exec. Prod.: Amy Harris,
David Guggenheim
Mar.
Click Here To List With A Toronto Agent
American Gods
TV Series
Fremantle / Starz Network
Executive Producers: Bryan Fuller,
Michael Green, Neil Gaiman
Mar. 14 – Sep 30 /16
American Gods
TV Series
Fremantle / Starz Network
Exec. Prod.: Bryan Fuller,
Michael Green, Neil Gaiman
Mar. 14 – Sep 30 /16
American Gothic
TV Series
Amblin /CBS Studios
Feb 29 - Jul 1/16
Anon
Feature
Anon Film Prods. Canada Inc.
Prod.: Dan Bekerman
Jul 11 - Aug 26 / 16
Blood And Water
TV Series
Wu Project Productions Inc.
Prod: Paula Smith, Audrey Velichka
May 9 – Jun 2 / 16
Degrassi: Next Class
TV Series
Dhx-Degrassi Productions XVI inc.
Prods.: Michael Bawcutt
Exec. Prod.: Stephen Stohn,
Linda Schulyer, Sarah Gilinski,
Matt Huether
May 16 - Aug 11 / 16
Designated Survivor
TV Pilot
Designated 1 Ltd.
Prod.: Amy Harris,
David Guggenheim
Exec. Prod.: Amy Harris,
David Guggenheim
Mar.
- 5/27/2016
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Thanks to TorontoFilm.Net here is the Toronto Film Production Update for May 2016, including "American Gods", "Dark Matter", "It" and a whole lot more:
Click Here To List With A Toronto Agent
American Gods
TV Series
Fremantle / Starz Network
Executive Producers: Bryan Fuller,
Michael Green, Neil Gaiman
Mar. 14 – Sep 30 /16
Dark Matter - Season 2
TV Series
Producer: Norman Denver
Dec 9/15 - May 9/16
Designated Survivor
TV Pilot
Designated 1 Ltd.
Producers: Amy Harris,
David Guggenheim
Mar. 7 - Oct. 21/16
Dino Dana- Season 1
TV Series
Sinking Ship Entertainment
Executive Producers: J.J. Johnson,
Blair Powers, Christin Simms
Apr 18 – Sept 2 / 16
Downsizing
Feature
Paramount /
Mega Omaha Films Inc.
Producers: Mark Johnson,
James Burk, James Taylor
Apr. 12 - Jul 11/16
Eyewitness
TV Series
Eyewitness North Productions Inc.
Producer: Steve Solomos
Apr 25 - Aug 8/16
Four In The Morning - Season 1
TV Series
Serendipity Point Films
Producer: Paula Devonshire
April 18 - May 18
Gangland Undercover- Season 2
TV Series
Cineflix Productions Inc.
Click Here To List With A Toronto Agent
American Gods
TV Series
Fremantle / Starz Network
Executive Producers: Bryan Fuller,
Michael Green, Neil Gaiman
Mar. 14 – Sep 30 /16
Dark Matter - Season 2
TV Series
Producer: Norman Denver
Dec 9/15 - May 9/16
Designated Survivor
TV Pilot
Designated 1 Ltd.
Producers: Amy Harris,
David Guggenheim
Mar. 7 - Oct. 21/16
Dino Dana- Season 1
TV Series
Sinking Ship Entertainment
Executive Producers: J.J. Johnson,
Blair Powers, Christin Simms
Apr 18 – Sept 2 / 16
Downsizing
Feature
Paramount /
Mega Omaha Films Inc.
Producers: Mark Johnson,
James Burk, James Taylor
Apr. 12 - Jul 11/16
Eyewitness
TV Series
Eyewitness North Productions Inc.
Producer: Steve Solomos
Apr 25 - Aug 8/16
Four In The Morning - Season 1
TV Series
Serendipity Point Films
Producer: Paula Devonshire
April 18 - May 18
Gangland Undercover- Season 2
TV Series
Cineflix Productions Inc.
- 4/22/2016
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
The leading international film, television and digital co-production market in Canada is less than one month away. Strategic Partners, a presentation of the Atlantic Film Festival, unveils a line-up of cutting-edge panels and esteemed panelists not-to-be missed at this year’s event, September 11 - 14 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
“We have put together a fantastic itinerary of panel discussions for this year’s program. Some of the world’s top trendsetters will descend upon Halifax to deliver the very latest news on topics such as financing and distribution of digital first content and exploring why producers should consider producing series for the web as part of their business model,” said Strategic Partners Director, Laura Mackenzie. “We are extremely excited to welcome the Argentinean Producers and Director as well as the Canadian Producers of The Games Maker to present a Case Study on this Argentinean/ Canadian/ Italian co-production. We always aim to provide the most progressive and up-to-the-minute information available and I'm very proud to announce this year’s line-up!”
I will be moderating the panel on the film "The Game Maker" on September 12th. See the full line up below.
Strategic Partners has announced the following program and panelists for 2014:
A Case Study of "The Games Maker"
When: September 12th, 1:20 Pm
Where: Imperial Room, Lord Nelson Hotel
A complex Argentinian-Canadian-Italian co-production, "The Games Maker" is a true international success story, from script to screen. Released in early July 2014 in Latin America, this family adventure film with universal appeal has dazzled at the box office.
Moderator Sydney Levine (SydneysBuzz) will lead an in-depth discussion with the stellar team behind the feature film. The discussion will shed light on the project’s origination, the obstacles they overcame during production, how financing was achieved and how distribution and international sales were determined and executed.
Panelists include: Argentinean Director, Juan Pablo Buscarini, Pampa Films ("Chinese Take-Away"); Argentinean Producer, Verónica Cura, Utopica Group ("The Headless Woman"); Canadian Producers, Kim Roberts and Tina Pehme, Sepia Films ("In Their Skin")
Web Series Wizards Weigh In – the magic behind creating successful online content
When: September 13th, 1:45 Pm
Where: Imperial Room, Lord Nelson Hotel
Original web series appeared on the market with such landmark properties as Red vs Blue and The Guild, busting open the belief that short-form web content would be YouTubers on skateboards and kittens in cardboard. Web series have since matured into their own art form and are recognized as a legitimate format of content for mobile and internet audiences. But how are producers financing web hits like Video Game High School or Epic Mealtimeand is it a viable format for independents?
Traditional and new media companies are racing to 'videofy' their internet magazines and newspapers (think Vice, The Guardian, and Conde Nast publications) as are many brands (think Red Bull, Amex and Ge.)
Panel moderator, Catherine Tait, Producer/ Distributor at iThentic, will explore with her panel of web series wizards who the new buyers are now and whether or not this is an avenue for independent producers to explore.
Panelists will include: Matthew Graham, Senior Director, PBS Digital Studios; Chris Skinner, Head of Digital, CTV; Ben Waller, Partner, RocketJump Studios
Beyond Broadcast — original programming in an increasingly digital-first world
When: September 14th, 11:20 Am
Where: Imperial Room, Lord Nelson
Today's media landscape is arguably one of the most innovative periods in media history, and yet one that is fraught with confusion and possibly disillusion, some of the best indicators of large-scale change. Currently, most online platforms are fully committed to commissioning original programming, and many media companies are producing original content for online and mobile platforms. In response, many new and traditional broadcast players are now commissioning original ‘digital first’ series, creating an ever increasingly symbiotic relationship.
How exactly are traditional broadcasters responding and what are the opportunities for their defense? How can broadcasters capitalize off this growing trend and work together with creators to further develop their online offerings?
Panel moderator, Producer Damon D'Oliveira ("What We Have," "The Book of Negroes") will examine how the concept of 'Content Everywhere’ is now imperative for all media companies, and panelists will take an in-depth look at the burgeoning marketplace for ‘digital-first’ original content.
Panelists will include: Stephen Finney, Production Executive, Original Drama Content, Shaw Media; Fay Wells, Distribution Consultant; Sam Harowitz, Director, Television Acquisitions & Development, Global Content, FreemantleMedia International
Each year, top Canadian and international industry players, including producers, investors, sales agents, funding agencies, broadcasters and distributors are selected to attend Strategic Partners. Offering over 1,000 pre-scheduled 1-2-1 meetings, co-production focused roundtable sessions, cutting edge panels, visionary keynote speakers, and screenings and receptions – Strategic Partners is a convergence of talent and innovation, producing tangible results.
For program updates and information on all things co-production, you can now follow Strategic Partners on social media:
Twitter: [At}SPcopromarket #spcopro2014
Facebook: www.facebook.com/atlanticfilmfestivalstrategicpartners
Youtube: www.youtube.com/atlanticfilmdotcom
About Strategic Partners: An International Film, Television and Digital Co-Production Market
The Atlantic Film Festival’s Strategic Partners is one of the world’s preeminent co-production/co-financing markets focusing on feature film, TV and web based fiction. Strategic Partners offers an intimate, organized forum for projects looking for financing as well as those still at an early stage, looking for the right partner.
Over the past 17 years, Strategic Partners has established itself not only as a one of a kind co-production market, but also as a cutting edge, intimate environment that delivers solutions to existing and foreseeable industry challenges. The intelligence and program offered at Strategic Partners is developed over many months of research into current global issues. However, this information is only a complement to Strategic Partners’ primary function – to build, establish and nurture relationships between producers and their partners.
Strategic Partners is a part of the Atlantic Film Festival family of programs. Today’s Atlantic Film Festival is now a year-round celebration, growing beyond our eight-day cornerstone event in September to include: ViewFinders: Atlantic Film Festival for Youth, the Aff Outdoor Film Experience, and Strategic Partners.
Learn more about the Atlantic Film Festival through the links below
Website : atlanticfilm.com , atlanticfilm.com/sp
Facebook pages: /atlanticfilmfestival , /atlanticfilmfestivalstrategicpartners
Youtube channel: youtube.com/atlanticfilmdotcom...
“We have put together a fantastic itinerary of panel discussions for this year’s program. Some of the world’s top trendsetters will descend upon Halifax to deliver the very latest news on topics such as financing and distribution of digital first content and exploring why producers should consider producing series for the web as part of their business model,” said Strategic Partners Director, Laura Mackenzie. “We are extremely excited to welcome the Argentinean Producers and Director as well as the Canadian Producers of The Games Maker to present a Case Study on this Argentinean/ Canadian/ Italian co-production. We always aim to provide the most progressive and up-to-the-minute information available and I'm very proud to announce this year’s line-up!”
I will be moderating the panel on the film "The Game Maker" on September 12th. See the full line up below.
Strategic Partners has announced the following program and panelists for 2014:
A Case Study of "The Games Maker"
When: September 12th, 1:20 Pm
Where: Imperial Room, Lord Nelson Hotel
A complex Argentinian-Canadian-Italian co-production, "The Games Maker" is a true international success story, from script to screen. Released in early July 2014 in Latin America, this family adventure film with universal appeal has dazzled at the box office.
Moderator Sydney Levine (SydneysBuzz) will lead an in-depth discussion with the stellar team behind the feature film. The discussion will shed light on the project’s origination, the obstacles they overcame during production, how financing was achieved and how distribution and international sales were determined and executed.
Panelists include: Argentinean Director, Juan Pablo Buscarini, Pampa Films ("Chinese Take-Away"); Argentinean Producer, Verónica Cura, Utopica Group ("The Headless Woman"); Canadian Producers, Kim Roberts and Tina Pehme, Sepia Films ("In Their Skin")
Web Series Wizards Weigh In – the magic behind creating successful online content
When: September 13th, 1:45 Pm
Where: Imperial Room, Lord Nelson Hotel
Original web series appeared on the market with such landmark properties as Red vs Blue and The Guild, busting open the belief that short-form web content would be YouTubers on skateboards and kittens in cardboard. Web series have since matured into their own art form and are recognized as a legitimate format of content for mobile and internet audiences. But how are producers financing web hits like Video Game High School or Epic Mealtimeand is it a viable format for independents?
Traditional and new media companies are racing to 'videofy' their internet magazines and newspapers (think Vice, The Guardian, and Conde Nast publications) as are many brands (think Red Bull, Amex and Ge.)
Panel moderator, Catherine Tait, Producer/ Distributor at iThentic, will explore with her panel of web series wizards who the new buyers are now and whether or not this is an avenue for independent producers to explore.
Panelists will include: Matthew Graham, Senior Director, PBS Digital Studios; Chris Skinner, Head of Digital, CTV; Ben Waller, Partner, RocketJump Studios
Beyond Broadcast — original programming in an increasingly digital-first world
When: September 14th, 11:20 Am
Where: Imperial Room, Lord Nelson
Today's media landscape is arguably one of the most innovative periods in media history, and yet one that is fraught with confusion and possibly disillusion, some of the best indicators of large-scale change. Currently, most online platforms are fully committed to commissioning original programming, and many media companies are producing original content for online and mobile platforms. In response, many new and traditional broadcast players are now commissioning original ‘digital first’ series, creating an ever increasingly symbiotic relationship.
How exactly are traditional broadcasters responding and what are the opportunities for their defense? How can broadcasters capitalize off this growing trend and work together with creators to further develop their online offerings?
Panel moderator, Producer Damon D'Oliveira ("What We Have," "The Book of Negroes") will examine how the concept of 'Content Everywhere’ is now imperative for all media companies, and panelists will take an in-depth look at the burgeoning marketplace for ‘digital-first’ original content.
Panelists will include: Stephen Finney, Production Executive, Original Drama Content, Shaw Media; Fay Wells, Distribution Consultant; Sam Harowitz, Director, Television Acquisitions & Development, Global Content, FreemantleMedia International
Each year, top Canadian and international industry players, including producers, investors, sales agents, funding agencies, broadcasters and distributors are selected to attend Strategic Partners. Offering over 1,000 pre-scheduled 1-2-1 meetings, co-production focused roundtable sessions, cutting edge panels, visionary keynote speakers, and screenings and receptions – Strategic Partners is a convergence of talent and innovation, producing tangible results.
For program updates and information on all things co-production, you can now follow Strategic Partners on social media:
Twitter: [At}SPcopromarket #spcopro2014
Facebook: www.facebook.com/atlanticfilmfestivalstrategicpartners
Youtube: www.youtube.com/atlanticfilmdotcom
About Strategic Partners: An International Film, Television and Digital Co-Production Market
The Atlantic Film Festival’s Strategic Partners is one of the world’s preeminent co-production/co-financing markets focusing on feature film, TV and web based fiction. Strategic Partners offers an intimate, organized forum for projects looking for financing as well as those still at an early stage, looking for the right partner.
Over the past 17 years, Strategic Partners has established itself not only as a one of a kind co-production market, but also as a cutting edge, intimate environment that delivers solutions to existing and foreseeable industry challenges. The intelligence and program offered at Strategic Partners is developed over many months of research into current global issues. However, this information is only a complement to Strategic Partners’ primary function – to build, establish and nurture relationships between producers and their partners.
Strategic Partners is a part of the Atlantic Film Festival family of programs. Today’s Atlantic Film Festival is now a year-round celebration, growing beyond our eight-day cornerstone event in September to include: ViewFinders: Atlantic Film Festival for Youth, the Aff Outdoor Film Experience, and Strategic Partners.
Learn more about the Atlantic Film Festival through the links below
Website : atlanticfilm.com , atlanticfilm.com/sp
Facebook pages: /atlanticfilmfestival , /atlanticfilmfestivalstrategicpartners
Youtube channel: youtube.com/atlanticfilmdotcom...
- 8/25/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
U.K.-outfit Xingu Films, Canadian company Conquering Lion, and Jamaican producer Justine Henzell are all teaming for a remake of the 1972 drama "The Harder They Come" reports Screen Daily.
Jimmy Cliff starred in the original about an up-and-coming reggae musician who gets dragged into the criminal underworld. The remake will be modernized to reflect the contemporary reggae scene.
Chris Salewicz ("Third World Cop") is writing the screenplay with the action set in Jamaica and London.
Henzell, Trudie Styler, Alex Francis, and Damon D'Oliveira will produce. Shooting kicks off next year.
Jimmy Cliff starred in the original about an up-and-coming reggae musician who gets dragged into the criminal underworld. The remake will be modernized to reflect the contemporary reggae scene.
Chris Salewicz ("Third World Cop") is writing the screenplay with the action set in Jamaica and London.
Henzell, Trudie Styler, Alex Francis, and Damon D'Oliveira will produce. Shooting kicks off next year.
- 4/12/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
According to reports, a remake of the 1972 crime feature "The Harder They Come", is being developed by Justine Henzell, daughter of the original film's writer/director Perry Henzell, who will will produce the remake with Xingu Films' Trudie Style, Alex Francis and Conquering Lion's Damon D'Oliveira and Clement Virgo.
The original film followed 'Ivanhoe Martin' (Jimmy Cliff), a poor Jamaican man in search of a job, before finally getting one as a reggae singer. Upon the verge of a hit record, he discovers he has to sign away all his rights. Looking for an income, 'Jose', one of the the first people Ivanhoe met after he moved to Kingston, offers him an opportunity to deal marijuana, leading to a life of crime and violence.
Production on the new film will start in 2012.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "The Harder They Come"...
The original film followed 'Ivanhoe Martin' (Jimmy Cliff), a poor Jamaican man in search of a job, before finally getting one as a reggae singer. Upon the verge of a hit record, he discovers he has to sign away all his rights. Looking for an income, 'Jose', one of the the first people Ivanhoe met after he moved to Kingston, offers him an opportunity to deal marijuana, leading to a life of crime and violence.
Production on the new film will start in 2012.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "The Harder They Come"...
- 4/12/2011
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
The Harder They Come, is set to get a remake from UK production company Film Xingu Films, Canada's Conquering Lion and Jamaican producer Justine Henzell. The 1972 Jamaican classic starred reggae legend Jimmy Cliff as an aspiring musician lured into crime. The film is being produced by Henzell, Xingu's Trudie Styler and Alex Francis and Lion's Damon D'Oliveira and Clement Virgo and is the first film co-produced by the three countries.
The original was written and directed by Perry Henzell (Henzell's father who died in 2006). D'Oliveira described the new version as "a re-imagining that will move to contemporary reggae and reggae-influenced grooves." The film will be set in Jamaica and London, and written by New Musical Express scribe Chris Salewicz, co-writer of Third World Cop (the most financially successful Caribbean pic) and books including "Bob Marley: The Untold Story." A draft of the script is plannned to be completed to attract...
The original was written and directed by Perry Henzell (Henzell's father who died in 2006). D'Oliveira described the new version as "a re-imagining that will move to contemporary reggae and reggae-influenced grooves." The film will be set in Jamaica and London, and written by New Musical Express scribe Chris Salewicz, co-writer of Third World Cop (the most financially successful Caribbean pic) and books including "Bob Marley: The Untold Story." A draft of the script is plannned to be completed to attract...
- 4/12/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
In the pantheon of great music-related movies, Perry Henzell's The Harder They Come stands tall. The Jamaica-set film stars reggae star Jimmy Cliff as an aspiring songwriter who arrives in Kingston, Jamaica only to be drawn into crime, and is set to one of the all-time great soundtracks. That soundtrack, in fact, was instrumental in bringing reggae to global attention. Even those who emerged from college with a total disdain for reggae thanks to over-exposure to the same ten party songs could probably find something to love by discovering this soundtrack in context with the film. So The Harder They Come is a pretty daunting remake prospect. It has stymied some would-be producers in the past, but now Sting's wife Trudi Styler and a Bob Marley scholar are working together to remake or, re-invent the film. Variety [1] says that Nmw editor, Third World Cop scripter and Bob Marley biographer...
- 4/12/2011
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
A remake of The Harder They Come is in the works, Variety is reporting. The original film, released in 1972, featured musician Jimmy Cliff in the lead role. Produced and set in Jamaica, the film became a midnight classic when it hit the United States the following year, distributed by Roger Corman. The crime actioner boasts a reggae soundtrack with tracks by Cliff himself. Justine Henzell, the daughter of the original film's writer/director Perry Henzell, will produce the remake alongside Xingu Films' Trudie Style and Alex Francis and Conquering Lion's Damon D'Oliveira and Clement Virgo. The new version is said to focus on modern reggae and will be written by Third World Cop 's Chris Salewicz. Production is currently targeted to begin sometime in 2012.
- 4/11/2011
- Comingsoon.net
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