Kohn’s Corner is a weekly column about the challenges and opportunities of sustaining American film culture.
This week, lost in the chaos of the SAG-AFTRA strike and its impact on the fall movie season, the Canadian investment studio Bron struck through the news cycle with a major update: They’re going bankrupt.
Last summer, I reported on layoffs at the once-ambitious venture co-founded by Aaron and Brenda Gilbert in 2010, as the financier behind “Joker” and “Licorice Pizza” faced the music: Cinema is not a growth business. While Bron made a late pivot to Web3 (remember NFTs …anyone?) the window of opportunity had passed. However, while Bron’s fate may have been inevitable, I found it notable that the company tried to message to the industry that it hadn’t abandoned its interest in film investments; it just wasn’t looking for projects that exceeded $10 million.
This pivot came too late,...
This week, lost in the chaos of the SAG-AFTRA strike and its impact on the fall movie season, the Canadian investment studio Bron struck through the news cycle with a major update: They’re going bankrupt.
Last summer, I reported on layoffs at the once-ambitious venture co-founded by Aaron and Brenda Gilbert in 2010, as the financier behind “Joker” and “Licorice Pizza” faced the music: Cinema is not a growth business. While Bron made a late pivot to Web3 (remember NFTs …anyone?) the window of opportunity had passed. However, while Bron’s fate may have been inevitable, I found it notable that the company tried to message to the industry that it hadn’t abandoned its interest in film investments; it just wasn’t looking for projects that exceeded $10 million.
This pivot came too late,...
- 7/22/2023
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
On the heels of the completion of the LightReel Film Festival and Black Reel Awards, the Foundation for the Augmentation of African Americans in Film (Faaaf) has announced its new board of directors.
The board will consist of entertainment industry executives, medical professionals and dedicated business professionals who are tasked with guiding the Faaaf, its projects and programs through their most expansive and ambitious upcoming years. While projects like the Black Reel Awards and the LightReel Film Festival look forward to expanding in their scope, celebrating Bipoc stories and films, the board is also devoted to expanding it’s signature programs, Reel Kids and the Producer’s Institute, which are geared to introduce new generations to various possibilities in cinema.
Joining existing board members, Chairman of the Board, Dr. Ivan Walks, Vice-Chair of the Board, Judith Fitzgerald and Faaaf founder Tim Gordon are newcomers producers Stephanie Frederic,...
The board will consist of entertainment industry executives, medical professionals and dedicated business professionals who are tasked with guiding the Faaaf, its projects and programs through their most expansive and ambitious upcoming years. While projects like the Black Reel Awards and the LightReel Film Festival look forward to expanding in their scope, celebrating Bipoc stories and films, the board is also devoted to expanding it’s signature programs, Reel Kids and the Producer’s Institute, which are geared to introduce new generations to various possibilities in cinema.
Joining existing board members, Chairman of the Board, Dr. Ivan Walks, Vice-Chair of the Board, Judith Fitzgerald and Faaaf founder Tim Gordon are newcomers producers Stephanie Frederic,...
- 7/19/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures has acquired “Hell Naw,” a horror comedy from Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi and “Euphoria” producer Sam Levinson, TheWrap has confirmed.
Keith and Kenny Lucas, who were nominated for an Oscar for their work on the “Judas and the Black Messiah” screenplay, are on board to write the film, which is in the early stages of development. While plot details are being kept under wraps, it is set at Paris Fashion Week and involves zombies. Mescudi will star and also produce, alongside Karina Manashil, Dennis Cummings, Sam Levinson and Ashley Levinson.
Also Read:
Robert Rodriguez, Catherine Corsini and Pedro Costa Round Out Cannes’ Filmmakers Lineup
“This movie has been 5 years in the making. I am telling the world now, this film will f— you up in all the best ways. I have been a horror fan since I was 7 years old. The first horror movies I ever saw were...
Keith and Kenny Lucas, who were nominated for an Oscar for their work on the “Judas and the Black Messiah” screenplay, are on board to write the film, which is in the early stages of development. While plot details are being kept under wraps, it is set at Paris Fashion Week and involves zombies. Mescudi will star and also produce, alongside Karina Manashil, Dennis Cummings, Sam Levinson and Ashley Levinson.
Also Read:
Robert Rodriguez, Catherine Corsini and Pedro Costa Round Out Cannes’ Filmmakers Lineup
“This movie has been 5 years in the making. I am telling the world now, this film will f— you up in all the best ways. I have been a horror fan since I was 7 years old. The first horror movies I ever saw were...
- 4/24/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
If you don’t know Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi for his music, you might know him from his acting roles in films like Bill & Ted Face the Music, X, Don’t Look Up, and House Party. Deadline reports that Mescudi has just lined up his next movie, signing on to star in the action horror comedy Hell Naw – which is being produced by Sam Levinson, creator of the HBO series Euphoria.
Keith and Kenny Lucas, the Oscar-nominated writers of Judas and the Black Messiah, are writing the screenplay for Hell Naw, but plot details are being kept under wraps. All we know at this time is that the story takes place during Paris Fashion Week and there will be zombies.
Mescudi is producing the film with Karina Manashil and Dennis Cummings through their company Mad Solar, while Sam Levinson and Ashley Levinson produce through their company Little Lamb. Bron and H.
Keith and Kenny Lucas, the Oscar-nominated writers of Judas and the Black Messiah, are writing the screenplay for Hell Naw, but plot details are being kept under wraps. All we know at this time is that the story takes place during Paris Fashion Week and there will be zombies.
Mescudi is producing the film with Karina Manashil and Dennis Cummings through their company Mad Solar, while Sam Levinson and Ashley Levinson produce through their company Little Lamb. Bron and H.
- 4/24/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Sony Pictures has acquired the action horror-comedy Hell Naw, with Scott Mescudi aka Kid Cudi attached to star and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson producing. Oscar-nominated Judas and the Black Messiah screenwriters Keith & Kenny Lucas are writing the script, which is in early development.
Mescudi will also produce along with his partners Karina Manashil and Dennis Cummings through their Mad Solar banner with Sam and Ashley Levinson producing through their Little Lamb production company. Bron and H. Wood Films are also producing.
The plot is being kept under wraps, but we do know the film is set during Paris Fashion Week and there will be zombies. Bron’s Aaron L. Gilbert, Brenda Gilbert and Novo Entertainment’s Stuart Manashil will executive produce along with Kevin Turen, Harrison Kreiss, John Terzian and Jeremy Allen. Brian Toll will serve as associate producer.
“This movie has been five years in the making. I am telling the world now,...
Mescudi will also produce along with his partners Karina Manashil and Dennis Cummings through their Mad Solar banner with Sam and Ashley Levinson producing through their Little Lamb production company. Bron and H. Wood Films are also producing.
The plot is being kept under wraps, but we do know the film is set during Paris Fashion Week and there will be zombies. Bron’s Aaron L. Gilbert, Brenda Gilbert and Novo Entertainment’s Stuart Manashil will executive produce along with Kevin Turen, Harrison Kreiss, John Terzian and Jeremy Allen. Brian Toll will serve as associate producer.
“This movie has been five years in the making. I am telling the world now,...
- 4/24/2023
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Freeform dropped a teaser for Season 5 of “Good Trouble,” which premieres March 16 and will stream on Hulu the next day.
The series is a spin-off of “The Fosters,” and has followed the characters Callie and Mariana to Los Angeles. In the fifth season of the drama series, the roommates find relationship challenges as well as career opportunities, and “The Coterie” group must support each other as they navigate adulthood.
Season 5 features Cierra Ramirez, Tommy Martinez, Emma Hunton, Sherry Cola, Zuri Adele, Josh Pence, Bryan Craig and Booboo Stewart. Maia Mitchell, who left the show last season, will return for a short arc. The series is executive produced by showrunner Joanna Johnson as well as Christine Sacani, Greg Gugliotta, Jennifer Lopez, Benny Medina, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Cierra Ramirez.
Check out the teaser below.
Also in today’s TV news:
Trailers
Prime Video Sports dropped the official trailer for the new documentary “Reggie,...
The series is a spin-off of “The Fosters,” and has followed the characters Callie and Mariana to Los Angeles. In the fifth season of the drama series, the roommates find relationship challenges as well as career opportunities, and “The Coterie” group must support each other as they navigate adulthood.
Season 5 features Cierra Ramirez, Tommy Martinez, Emma Hunton, Sherry Cola, Zuri Adele, Josh Pence, Bryan Craig and Booboo Stewart. Maia Mitchell, who left the show last season, will return for a short arc. The series is executive produced by showrunner Joanna Johnson as well as Christine Sacani, Greg Gugliotta, Jennifer Lopez, Benny Medina, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Cierra Ramirez.
Check out the teaser below.
Also in today’s TV news:
Trailers
Prime Video Sports dropped the official trailer for the new documentary “Reggie,...
- 3/9/2023
- by Charna Flam and Julia MacCary
- Variety Film + TV
Baseball Legend Reggie Jackson Shares His Story in First Teaser for Documentary ‘Reggie’ (Exclusive)
Baseball fans are getting a first look at “Reggie,” a new documentary which chronicles the life and career of MLB Hall of Fame player Reggie Jackson.
Described as the “definitive, first-hand account of the five-time World Series Champion, beloved New York icon and one of baseball’s most influential superstars,” “Reggie” will premiere March 24 on Prime Video.
Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Alexandria Stapleton (“Shut Up and Dribble” and FX’s “Pride”), the documentary chronicles the ’70s sports megastar’s story, in his own words, as he contemplates his legacy as a “trailblazing Black athlete fighting for dignity, respect and a seat at the table.”
Before Jackson became a five-time World Series champion and 14-time All-Star, he started his professional career in Birmingham at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. He then moved to Oakland during the rise of the Black Panther Party before landing in New York City as...
Described as the “definitive, first-hand account of the five-time World Series Champion, beloved New York icon and one of baseball’s most influential superstars,” “Reggie” will premiere March 24 on Prime Video.
Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Alexandria Stapleton (“Shut Up and Dribble” and FX’s “Pride”), the documentary chronicles the ’70s sports megastar’s story, in his own words, as he contemplates his legacy as a “trailblazing Black athlete fighting for dignity, respect and a seat at the table.”
Before Jackson became a five-time World Series champion and 14-time All-Star, he started his professional career in Birmingham at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. He then moved to Oakland during the rise of the Black Panther Party before landing in New York City as...
- 2/14/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Bron, the Canadian financier which had slate deals with WB and MGM, has confirmed that it is downsizing and changing course.
Rumours have been swirling for a couple of months that the Joker backer has had to shed staff and will be unable to commit to big-canvas movies going forward. Indiewire had a piece up in late August which first highlighted the trouble. Bron has this week confirmed the changes.
A company executive said: “Bron is continuing to shift its business model as is the industry, and as such, there have been some changes at the company that allow us to fine tune as we look forward. We are focusing back to our core business as creative producers as it has always been about the content: animation, gaming, live-action film, tv, and non-scripted. There has been some turnover and some resetting as we focus our energies firmly on our content.
Rumours have been swirling for a couple of months that the Joker backer has had to shed staff and will be unable to commit to big-canvas movies going forward. Indiewire had a piece up in late August which first highlighted the trouble. Bron has this week confirmed the changes.
A company executive said: “Bron is continuing to shift its business model as is the industry, and as such, there have been some changes at the company that allow us to fine tune as we look forward. We are focusing back to our core business as creative producers as it has always been about the content: animation, gaming, live-action film, tv, and non-scripted. There has been some turnover and some resetting as we focus our energies firmly on our content.
- 10/14/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Canadian company has backed Joker, House Of Gucci, Licorice Pizza.
Bron, the Canadian studio whose producing and financing credits have included Oscar winner Joker, House Of Gucci, and Licorice Pizza, is understood to be shifting away from backing big budget tentpoles and focusing more on a diverse content play.
The company founded by Aaron L. Gilbert and Brenda Gilbert, who runs the animation division, was a co-finance partner through its Bron Creative venture with Jason Cloth’s Creative Wealth Media on a slate of films at Warner Bros and MGM.
Those arrangements spawned Todd Phillip’s aforementioned 1bn global box...
Bron, the Canadian studio whose producing and financing credits have included Oscar winner Joker, House Of Gucci, and Licorice Pizza, is understood to be shifting away from backing big budget tentpoles and focusing more on a diverse content play.
The company founded by Aaron L. Gilbert and Brenda Gilbert, who runs the animation division, was a co-finance partner through its Bron Creative venture with Jason Cloth’s Creative Wealth Media on a slate of films at Warner Bros and MGM.
Those arrangements spawned Todd Phillip’s aforementioned 1bn global box...
- 10/12/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
”We are focusing back to our core business as creative producers as it has always been about the content.”
Bron, the Canadian studio whose producing and financing credits have included Oscar winner Joker, House Of Gucci, and Licorice Pizza, is understood to be shifting away from backing tentpoles and is focusing on its ”core business as creative producers”.
The company founded by Aaron L. Gilbert and Brenda Gilbert, who runs the animation division, was a co-finance partner through its Bron Creative venture with Jason Cloth’s Creative Wealth Media on a slate of films at Warner Bros and MGM.
Those...
Bron, the Canadian studio whose producing and financing credits have included Oscar winner Joker, House Of Gucci, and Licorice Pizza, is understood to be shifting away from backing tentpoles and is focusing on its ”core business as creative producers”.
The company founded by Aaron L. Gilbert and Brenda Gilbert, who runs the animation division, was a co-finance partner through its Bron Creative venture with Jason Cloth’s Creative Wealth Media on a slate of films at Warner Bros and MGM.
Those...
- 10/12/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Greenwich Entertainment is going big on Loudmouth. The company has acquired North American rights to the documentary about the Rev. Al Sharpton, and plans a December 9 theatrical release for the film just as Oscar shortlist voting rolls around.
The film directed by Josh Alexander held its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June, examining an activist, commentator and occasional political candidate who has been a major part of American life for almost 40 years.
“Sharpton has been a polarizing figure, inspiring both love and hate on local and national stages,” a release for the film stated. “Chronicling his work for social change from the streets of 1980s Brooklyn to 2020s Minneapolis, Loudmouth presents never-before-seen footage of the social justice titan on the frontlines, in the media as well as in the corridors of power, to paint an intimate and revealing portrait of a tireless warrior who has never...
The film directed by Josh Alexander held its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June, examining an activist, commentator and occasional political candidate who has been a major part of American life for almost 40 years.
“Sharpton has been a polarizing figure, inspiring both love and hate on local and national stages,” a release for the film stated. “Chronicling his work for social change from the streets of 1980s Brooklyn to 2020s Minneapolis, Loudmouth presents never-before-seen footage of the social justice titan on the frontlines, in the media as well as in the corridors of power, to paint an intimate and revealing portrait of a tireless warrior who has never...
- 9/28/2022
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
The movie business teaches you to be wary of big spenders. Broad Green came and went in a blur of miscalculated flops. Annapurna downsized after several reckless buying sprees and finally stopped acquiring movies altogether. Now comes whispers that Canadian investment studio Bron — which helped finance films like “Joker” and “Licorice Pizza” — is going down a similar path.
Sources tell me that the studio launched by husband-and-wife team Aaron and Brenda Gilbert in 2010 laid off several senior roles and will merge its film and TV divisions into a single unit. Rather than produce the live-action features, I’m told that Bron is now working to secure new corporate partners as it restructures its business model around its Bron Digital division. That means a renewed focus on animation and games designed to create new franchises, not the usual blend of blockbusters and A-list auteurs that it has supported in the past.
Sources tell me that the studio launched by husband-and-wife team Aaron and Brenda Gilbert in 2010 laid off several senior roles and will merge its film and TV divisions into a single unit. Rather than produce the live-action features, I’m told that Bron is now working to secure new corporate partners as it restructures its business model around its Bron Digital division. That means a renewed focus on animation and games designed to create new franchises, not the usual blend of blockbusters and A-list auteurs that it has supported in the past.
- 8/27/2022
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Bron Studios has teamed with Florida’s Falcon’s Beyond production entity to develop location-based entertainment, animated properties and TV series based on both companies’ IP and content assets.
Bron Studios will work with Falcon’s Beyond to pursue location-based and immersive experiences tied to its upcoming slate of digital properties. Bron’s production track record in Hollywood to date includes such films as “House of Gucci,” “Joker,” “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” ‘Greyhound” and “The Survivor.” Falcon’s Beyond aims to develop original content and animated properties with help from Bron Studios. Based in Orlando, Falcon’s Beyond is known for building out massive live entertainment installations for theme parks, hotels and festivals.
The agreement was unveiled Tuesday by Bron Studios CEO Aaron Gilbert and Falcon’s Beyond chief Cecil Magpuri.
“We’re committing our IP to create and co-create with Bron properties that can be activated in multiple lanes so that it reaches people simultaneously,...
Bron Studios will work with Falcon’s Beyond to pursue location-based and immersive experiences tied to its upcoming slate of digital properties. Bron’s production track record in Hollywood to date includes such films as “House of Gucci,” “Joker,” “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” ‘Greyhound” and “The Survivor.” Falcon’s Beyond aims to develop original content and animated properties with help from Bron Studios. Based in Orlando, Falcon’s Beyond is known for building out massive live entertainment installations for theme parks, hotels and festivals.
The agreement was unveiled Tuesday by Bron Studios CEO Aaron Gilbert and Falcon’s Beyond chief Cecil Magpuri.
“We’re committing our IP to create and co-create with Bron properties that can be activated in multiple lanes so that it reaches people simultaneously,...
- 7/26/2022
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: LA’s growing Micheaux Film Festival is to open with the Stephan James feature Delia’s Gone and will feature panels with Charlie Hunnam, AMPAS, Macro, Fremantle and Paramount. Scroll down for the lineup in full.
The fourth edition of the festival, which has a focus on Bipoc creators, will begin July 11th and run through July 17th at the Regal Cinemas L.A. Live in Downtown L.A. The event will close with Ryan Stevens Harris’s Moon Garden.
In Delia’s Gone, starring James, Marisa Tomei, Travis Fimmel, Paul Walter Hauser and Genelle Williams, when a Black man with an intellectual disability is accused of his sister’s murder, he embarks on a journey to clear his name and find out who is responsible.
Throughout the week, panels will include a one-on-one career-spotlight conversation with Sons of Anarchy and Rebel Moon star Charlie Hunnam hosted by Jenelle Riley...
The fourth edition of the festival, which has a focus on Bipoc creators, will begin July 11th and run through July 17th at the Regal Cinemas L.A. Live in Downtown L.A. The event will close with Ryan Stevens Harris’s Moon Garden.
In Delia’s Gone, starring James, Marisa Tomei, Travis Fimmel, Paul Walter Hauser and Genelle Williams, when a Black man with an intellectual disability is accused of his sister’s murder, he embarks on a journey to clear his name and find out who is responsible.
Throughout the week, panels will include a one-on-one career-spotlight conversation with Sons of Anarchy and Rebel Moon star Charlie Hunnam hosted by Jenelle Riley...
- 7/6/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
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: Next month’s Micheaux Film Festival in LA will honor Bron co-founder and President Brenda Gilbert with the Oscar Micheaux Trailblazer of Excellence Award and filmmaker and Spike Lee collaborator Ernest Dickerson with the Michael Ajakwe Pioneer of Influence Award.
The festival, which spotlights Bipoc creators, will run July 11-17 at the Regal Cinemas Live LA, Downtown.
This year’s festival will include Ernest Dickerson’s Double Play and a career Q&a with the filmmaker; Birdwatching, starring Amanda Seyfried; Artistic, starring former NFL star Marshawn Lynch; Ghost Girl with Jamie Neuman; Run Nixon starring Lil Fizz; and Launch at Paradise starring Catherine Curtin. As we previously revealed, the event’s actor ambassadors will be Sharon Lawrence and Anthony Anderson.
Gilbert is the co-founder and president of Vancouver-based film powerhouse Bron Studios, which has executive-produced and co-financed 30 Oscar nominated movies. Titles include The Green Knight, starring Dev Patel, Judas and the Black Messiah,...
The festival, which spotlights Bipoc creators, will run July 11-17 at the Regal Cinemas Live LA, Downtown.
This year’s festival will include Ernest Dickerson’s Double Play and a career Q&a with the filmmaker; Birdwatching, starring Amanda Seyfried; Artistic, starring former NFL star Marshawn Lynch; Ghost Girl with Jamie Neuman; Run Nixon starring Lil Fizz; and Launch at Paradise starring Catherine Curtin. As we previously revealed, the event’s actor ambassadors will be Sharon Lawrence and Anthony Anderson.
Gilbert is the co-founder and president of Vancouver-based film powerhouse Bron Studios, which has executive-produced and co-financed 30 Oscar nominated movies. Titles include The Green Knight, starring Dev Patel, Judas and the Black Messiah,...
- 6/21/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Forest Whitaker, Thomasin McKenzie, Vera Farmiga and Richard E. Grant will lead the voice cast for “Gossamer,” an animated series adaptation of Lois Lowry’s novel.
The eight-part, half-hour animated series is produced by Bron Media’s virtual production and service company Bron Digital, which develops premium animation, interactive games and movies using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine.
Rounding out the cast for “Gossamer” is Wilmer Valderrama, Alanna Masterson and Courtney Rosemont, who makes her debut.
“Gossamer” is based on the young adult novel by Lowry, whose books include “The Giver” and “The Willoughbys” — the latter of which was previously adapted by Bron as an animated feature for Netflix.
Written by Crystal Meers, and directed by Azazel Jacobs and Heidi Bivens, “Gossamer” takes children and adults on a journey through the world of dreams and nightmares.
The show centers on Littlest One, who is an in-training Gossamer, a fairy who is a dream giver.
The eight-part, half-hour animated series is produced by Bron Media’s virtual production and service company Bron Digital, which develops premium animation, interactive games and movies using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine.
Rounding out the cast for “Gossamer” is Wilmer Valderrama, Alanna Masterson and Courtney Rosemont, who makes her debut.
“Gossamer” is based on the young adult novel by Lowry, whose books include “The Giver” and “The Willoughbys” — the latter of which was previously adapted by Bron as an animated feature for Netflix.
Written by Crystal Meers, and directed by Azazel Jacobs and Heidi Bivens, “Gossamer” takes children and adults on a journey through the world of dreams and nightmares.
The show centers on Littlest One, who is an in-training Gossamer, a fairy who is a dream giver.
- 6/14/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Film Independent President Josh Welsh announced today that entertainment attorney and producer Brenda Robinson has been elected the new chair of the nonprofit’s board of directors.
Robinson succeeds longtime Film Independent chair Mary Sweeney, who has served in the position for the past nine years and on the board for more than two decades. Previously vice chair, Robinson will continue to work closely with the executive committee of Film Independent, the arts organization that produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards and serves to champion creative independence in visual storytelling.
Film Independent also announced three new members to join the board: Matthew Greenfield, president of Searchlight Pictures; Rhys Ernst, producer and director; and Edward Rada, non-profit financial executive, who will serve as the executive committee treasurer.
“We are thrilled to have Brenda Robinson as the new chair of Film Independent’s Board of Directors,” Welsh said in a statement announcing Robinson’s election.
Robinson succeeds longtime Film Independent chair Mary Sweeney, who has served in the position for the past nine years and on the board for more than two decades. Previously vice chair, Robinson will continue to work closely with the executive committee of Film Independent, the arts organization that produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards and serves to champion creative independence in visual storytelling.
Film Independent also announced three new members to join the board: Matthew Greenfield, president of Searchlight Pictures; Rhys Ernst, producer and director; and Edward Rada, non-profit financial executive, who will serve as the executive committee treasurer.
“We are thrilled to have Brenda Robinson as the new chair of Film Independent’s Board of Directors,” Welsh said in a statement announcing Robinson’s election.
- 1/26/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Brenda Robinson, an entertainment attorney, producer and partner at film financing and development company Gamechanger Films, has been elected the new chair of the board of directors at Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization behind the Spirit Awards.
She takes over for Mary Sweeney, who served as chairman for the past nine years as part of a two-decade-plus run on the board. The nonprofit also said Wednesday that it has appointed three new board members: Searchlight Pictures president Matthew Greenfield; Transparent producer-director Rhys Ernst; and Edward Rada, a nonprofit financial executive who joins the executive committee as treasurer.
“We are thrilled to have Brenda Robinson as the new Chair of Film Independent’s Board of Directors,” Film Independent president Josh Welsh said. “With her unparalleled passion and advocacy for the arts and artists, Brenda is uniquely qualified to help lead Film Independent. And I’d also like to extend a...
She takes over for Mary Sweeney, who served as chairman for the past nine years as part of a two-decade-plus run on the board. The nonprofit also said Wednesday that it has appointed three new board members: Searchlight Pictures president Matthew Greenfield; Transparent producer-director Rhys Ernst; and Edward Rada, a nonprofit financial executive who joins the executive committee as treasurer.
“We are thrilled to have Brenda Robinson as the new Chair of Film Independent’s Board of Directors,” Film Independent president Josh Welsh said. “With her unparalleled passion and advocacy for the arts and artists, Brenda is uniquely qualified to help lead Film Independent. And I’d also like to extend a...
- 1/26/2022
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Bron Media Corp. has named executive Josh Miller to a top new role in the non-scripted space.
Miller will serve as a senior vice president at Bron Life, a vertical at the award-winning company dedicated to unscripted film and television. He will report to Bron president Brenda Gilbert and be responsible for growing and managing the existing slates.
“With his vast expertise in non-scripted content, Josh is a tremendous addition to our team,” said Gilbert. “We are excited to have him leading our non-scripted unit as Bron Life continues to grow and diversify.”
Miller joins Bron from Amazon Studios, where he served as a senior creative executive. There he spearheaded development and production on premium docuseries including Jordan Peele’s “Lorena,” Jay-Z’s “Free Meek” and Adam Mckay’s “This Giant Beast That Is the Global Economy.”
Throughout his career, Miller has developed and sold series for production companies including Vice Studios,...
Miller will serve as a senior vice president at Bron Life, a vertical at the award-winning company dedicated to unscripted film and television. He will report to Bron president Brenda Gilbert and be responsible for growing and managing the existing slates.
“With his vast expertise in non-scripted content, Josh is a tremendous addition to our team,” said Gilbert. “We are excited to have him leading our non-scripted unit as Bron Life continues to grow and diversify.”
Miller joins Bron from Amazon Studios, where he served as a senior creative executive. There he spearheaded development and production on premium docuseries including Jordan Peele’s “Lorena,” Jay-Z’s “Free Meek” and Adam Mckay’s “This Giant Beast That Is the Global Economy.”
Throughout his career, Miller has developed and sold series for production companies including Vice Studios,...
- 11/15/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Chicago – Day Four of the 57th Chicago International Film Festival (Ciff) will feature a filmmaker appearance by Holly Morris of the documentary “Exposure” (click Exposure for details), and many other special events.
The 57th Chicago International Film Festival Day Four features screenings in theater, at the drive-in and virtual/online. Click here for a complete how-to guide on navigating the 57th Ciff. And click Day Four for the complete line up of films.
Exposure
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival
Events Of The Day: 11:00am: “CineYouth Festival: Best of the Fest” … Highlights of the 2021 youth film festival (click here). 5:00pm: “Industry Days Keynote Address: Brenda Gilbert” … (click here).
Appearances Of The Day: 12:30pm: “Shorts 2: Shifts and Rifts (Animation)” … Special Guests (the Filmmakers) Scheduled to Attend. 3:00pm: “Whether the Weather is On Fire” … Special Guests Scheduled to Attend. 3:00pm: “The Last Execution” … Special Guests Scheduled to Attend.
The 57th Chicago International Film Festival Day Four features screenings in theater, at the drive-in and virtual/online. Click here for a complete how-to guide on navigating the 57th Ciff. And click Day Four for the complete line up of films.
Exposure
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival
Events Of The Day: 11:00am: “CineYouth Festival: Best of the Fest” … Highlights of the 2021 youth film festival (click here). 5:00pm: “Industry Days Keynote Address: Brenda Gilbert” … (click here).
Appearances Of The Day: 12:30pm: “Shorts 2: Shifts and Rifts (Animation)” … Special Guests (the Filmmakers) Scheduled to Attend. 3:00pm: “Whether the Weather is On Fire” … Special Guests Scheduled to Attend. 3:00pm: “The Last Execution” … Special Guests Scheduled to Attend.
- 10/16/2021
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
WME Independent brokered acquisition on behalf of filmmakers.
In the first significant deal for a film that premiered in Toronto that comes two weeks after the festival ended HBO Films has acquired North American rights from WME Independent to potential awards season prospect The Survivor.
‘The Survivor’: Toronto Review
At time of writing details relating to a potential awards-qualifying theatrical release were unavailable. The film directed by Barry Levinson and starring Ben Foster hails from New Mandate Films and Bron Studios in association with Baltimore Pictures, Endeavor Content, USC Shoah Foundation and Creative Wealth Media.
Based on the book ‘Harry Haft: Survivor Of Auschwitz,...
In the first significant deal for a film that premiered in Toronto that comes two weeks after the festival ended HBO Films has acquired North American rights from WME Independent to potential awards season prospect The Survivor.
‘The Survivor’: Toronto Review
At time of writing details relating to a potential awards-qualifying theatrical release were unavailable. The film directed by Barry Levinson and starring Ben Foster hails from New Mandate Films and Bron Studios in association with Baltimore Pictures, Endeavor Content, USC Shoah Foundation and Creative Wealth Media.
Based on the book ‘Harry Haft: Survivor Of Auschwitz,...
- 10/5/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Following its world premiere at Toronto, HBO Films has taken exclusive North American rights to Barry Levinson’s The Survivor about Holocaust survivor and U.S. boxer Harry Haft. Ben Foster plays Haft in the movie, which marks a reteam with his Liberty Heights writer-director Levinson. Deal was 8-figures, making it the biggest one in a subdued Toronto marketplace.
After being sent to Auschwitz, Haft survived not only the unspeakable horrors of the camp but the gladiatorial boxing spectacle he was forced to perform with his fellow prisoners for the amusement of his captors. Unbeknownst to those who try to destroy him, Haft is driven by the most important reason any man has to survive: a quest to reunite with the woman he loves. After a daring escape, he makes his way to New York, where he succeeds in using his boxing skills to establish a name for himself in...
After being sent to Auschwitz, Haft survived not only the unspeakable horrors of the camp but the gladiatorial boxing spectacle he was forced to perform with his fellow prisoners for the amusement of his captors. Unbeknownst to those who try to destroy him, Haft is driven by the most important reason any man has to survive: a quest to reunite with the woman he loves. After a daring escape, he makes his way to New York, where he succeeds in using his boxing skills to establish a name for himself in...
- 10/4/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Lion Forge Animation, the company behind Oscar-winning animated short film Hair Love, is drawing up its next animated project.
The company has teamed with Bron Digital to produce children’s animated series Heiress.
The series centered around young Princess Reign, who is determined to find her way out of the shadows of her brothers forcing her father and King to see her light.
It will be joined by interactive games and an online community. Lion Forge will work with Bron Digital’s Virtual Production infrastructure and Unreal Engine developed by Epic Games to produce the series and create audience-driven, interactive games and immersive virtual worlds.
Heiress is exec produced by David Steward II, Carl Reed, and Matt Heath for Lion Forge Animation, and Brenda Gilbert and Aaron L. Gilbert for Bron Digital. Jason Chen will produce on behalf of Bron.
It marks the first collaboration between Bron and Lion Forge Animation,...
The company has teamed with Bron Digital to produce children’s animated series Heiress.
The series centered around young Princess Reign, who is determined to find her way out of the shadows of her brothers forcing her father and King to see her light.
It will be joined by interactive games and an online community. Lion Forge will work with Bron Digital’s Virtual Production infrastructure and Unreal Engine developed by Epic Games to produce the series and create audience-driven, interactive games and immersive virtual worlds.
Heiress is exec produced by David Steward II, Carl Reed, and Matt Heath for Lion Forge Animation, and Brenda Gilbert and Aaron L. Gilbert for Bron Digital. Jason Chen will produce on behalf of Bron.
It marks the first collaboration between Bron and Lion Forge Animation,...
- 5/27/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Bron Studios is lending a helping hand to Aapi Creatives, a networking group started by Zosimo Maximo to amplify Asian American voices working in the industry.
Maximo used Clubhouse to form a group of Aapi filmmakers who are inspired to change the narrative in Hollywood and build new opportunities for themselves. The group consists of Becky Baihui Chen, D.J. Jiang, Serena Rasoul, Diane Paragas, Jay DasGupta, Ashwini Prasad, Dinh Thai, Soma Helmi, Ruth Du and David Moriya.
Brenda Gilbert, the co-founder and president of Bron Studios, said it wasn’t until this year that she realized how much power Clubhouse had in terms of “getting people together and having open conversations with like-minded people that you wouldn’t generally have access to before.” Gilbert said she wants to make herself accessible to the members of Maximo’s networking group.
“We’re having open dialogue in terms of what can we...
Maximo used Clubhouse to form a group of Aapi filmmakers who are inspired to change the narrative in Hollywood and build new opportunities for themselves. The group consists of Becky Baihui Chen, D.J. Jiang, Serena Rasoul, Diane Paragas, Jay DasGupta, Ashwini Prasad, Dinh Thai, Soma Helmi, Ruth Du and David Moriya.
Brenda Gilbert, the co-founder and president of Bron Studios, said it wasn’t until this year that she realized how much power Clubhouse had in terms of “getting people together and having open conversations with like-minded people that you wouldn’t generally have access to before.” Gilbert said she wants to make herself accessible to the members of Maximo’s networking group.
“We’re having open dialogue in terms of what can we...
- 5/14/2021
- by Antonio Ferme
- Variety Film + TV
This marks the fourth year that the entire membership of the academy can take part in the nomination stage of the Animated Feature Oscar race. Previously, only select members of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch and invited members from the other branches could serve on the committee that decided the nominees. Collectively, the committee tended to favor traditional and stop-motion films over CG fare. (Scroll down for the most up-to-date 2021 Oscars predictions for Best Animated Feature.)
Mandatory attendance at screenings has been dropped and voters who want to be on the nominations committee need only attest to having seen all the contenders at theaters or screenings or by way of the the academy’s streaming site.
And the method of determining the nominees has been changed. Gone is the system where voters scored a film from 6 (poor) to 10 (excellent) with only those movies meriting an average mark of...
Mandatory attendance at screenings has been dropped and voters who want to be on the nominations committee need only attest to having seen all the contenders at theaters or screenings or by way of the the academy’s streaming site.
And the method of determining the nominees has been changed. Gone is the system where voters scored a film from 6 (poor) to 10 (excellent) with only those movies meriting an average mark of...
- 3/3/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
As a young, Black woman growing up in Soweto, the sprawling township built by South Africa’s apartheid government on the outskirts of Johannesburg, Lala Tuku had dreams of making movies. But after making inroads into the local industry in the mid-2000s, she found her path to the director’s chair blocked. “There were no people that were Black, that were female, that were directors,” she says. “The opportunities were very limited.”
Tuku found herself in front of the camera instead, acting for several years before evolving into an executive producer, industry consultant, and most recently co-chair of the Africa Rising Intl. Film Festival (Ariff). While curating the industry program for this year’s festival, which ran online and in Johannesburg from Nov. 27-29, she wanted to examine the ways in which Ariff could both develop technical skills and improve access for aspiring filmmakers while “celebrating the authenticity of African stories,...
Tuku found herself in front of the camera instead, acting for several years before evolving into an executive producer, industry consultant, and most recently co-chair of the Africa Rising Intl. Film Festival (Ariff). While curating the industry program for this year’s festival, which ran online and in Johannesburg from Nov. 27-29, she wanted to examine the ways in which Ariff could both develop technical skills and improve access for aspiring filmmakers while “celebrating the authenticity of African stories,...
- 12/1/2020
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Nicki Minaj is heading to HBO Max.
The Pink Friday rapper is to front a six-part half-hour docuseries for the WarnerMedia streaming platform.
Minaj revealed the news on her social media platforms saying that she’s going to give viewers a “raw unfiltered” look at her personal life and professional work.
She will give fans a chance to discover her most challenging and fulfilling times in her life, navigating highs, lows and misguided agendas in her rise to fame and her journey to motherhood.
The series is directed by Michael John Warren, who made his directorial debut with Jay-Z’s Fade to Black, and marks the third doc project with Minaj following Nicki Minaj: My Time Now and Nicki Minaj: My Time Again.
It is produced by Bron Life, Bron Studios’ non-scripted arm, and exec produced by Minaj, Warren, Aaron L. Gilbert, Brenda Gilbert and Cassandra Butcher, Irving Azoff and Tommy Bruce,...
The Pink Friday rapper is to front a six-part half-hour docuseries for the WarnerMedia streaming platform.
Minaj revealed the news on her social media platforms saying that she’s going to give viewers a “raw unfiltered” look at her personal life and professional work.
She will give fans a chance to discover her most challenging and fulfilling times in her life, navigating highs, lows and misguided agendas in her rise to fame and her journey to motherhood.
The series is directed by Michael John Warren, who made his directorial debut with Jay-Z’s Fade to Black, and marks the third doc project with Minaj following Nicki Minaj: My Time Now and Nicki Minaj: My Time Again.
It is produced by Bron Life, Bron Studios’ non-scripted arm, and exec produced by Minaj, Warren, Aaron L. Gilbert, Brenda Gilbert and Cassandra Butcher, Irving Azoff and Tommy Bruce,...
- 11/20/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Nicki Minaj is executive producing an HBO Max docuseries about Nicki Minaj. Guess who first broke the news? Right. Nicki Minaj.
The untitled documentary series about the most successful female rapper of all time has a six-episode order. It “will explore Nicki’s brilliantly creative mind and tell the story of her personal and professional journey,” according to HBO Max.
“With complete honesty, Nicki will guide viewers through the most challenging and fulfilling times in her life, navigating highs, lows and misguided agendas in her stratospheric rise to fame and her journey to motherhood,” the logline continued.
The series, which hails from Bron Life, is directed by Michael John Warren. In addition to Minaj and Warren, Aaron L. Gilbert, Brenda Gilbert, Cassandra Butcher, Irving Azoff and Tommy Bruce are executive producers.
“Nicki Minaj is a multi-faceted artist, businesswoman, and innovator as well as force to be reckoned with. It’s...
The untitled documentary series about the most successful female rapper of all time has a six-episode order. It “will explore Nicki’s brilliantly creative mind and tell the story of her personal and professional journey,” according to HBO Max.
“With complete honesty, Nicki will guide viewers through the most challenging and fulfilling times in her life, navigating highs, lows and misguided agendas in her stratospheric rise to fame and her journey to motherhood,” the logline continued.
The series, which hails from Bron Life, is directed by Michael John Warren. In addition to Minaj and Warren, Aaron L. Gilbert, Brenda Gilbert, Cassandra Butcher, Irving Azoff and Tommy Bruce are executive producers.
“Nicki Minaj is a multi-faceted artist, businesswoman, and innovator as well as force to be reckoned with. It’s...
- 11/20/2020
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Nicki Minaj has made a deal with HBO Max.
The streamer has ordered a six-episode docuseries on Minaj, which will explore the rapper’s creative mind and tell the story of her personal and professional journey. Minaj herself will guide the audience through the most challenging and fulfilling times in her life in the as-yet-untitled series, each episode of which will be half an hour.
“It’s going to give you guys a raw unfiltered look at my personal life and my professional journey and I can’t wait to share it with you,” said Minaj in announcing the series via social media. News of the show comes on the 10 anniversary of the release of her debut album “Pink Friday.”
#NickiMinajHBOMAX #PinkFridayAnniversary #PinkFriday pic.twitter.com/ywEtjhpKJb
— Mrs. Petty (@Nickiminaj) November 20, 2020
The project is directed by Michael John Warren, who made his directorial debut with Jay-Z’s 2004 movie “Fade to Black.
The streamer has ordered a six-episode docuseries on Minaj, which will explore the rapper’s creative mind and tell the story of her personal and professional journey. Minaj herself will guide the audience through the most challenging and fulfilling times in her life in the as-yet-untitled series, each episode of which will be half an hour.
“It’s going to give you guys a raw unfiltered look at my personal life and my professional journey and I can’t wait to share it with you,” said Minaj in announcing the series via social media. News of the show comes on the 10 anniversary of the release of her debut album “Pink Friday.”
#NickiMinajHBOMAX #PinkFridayAnniversary #PinkFriday pic.twitter.com/ywEtjhpKJb
— Mrs. Petty (@Nickiminaj) November 20, 2020
The project is directed by Michael John Warren, who made his directorial debut with Jay-Z’s 2004 movie “Fade to Black.
- 11/20/2020
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
"Henchmen" is the Bron Studios, CG animated comedy feature, directed by Adam Wood, starring Thomas Middleditch, James Marsden, Rosario Dawson and Alfred Molina, produced by Brenda Gilbert, Luke Carroll and Aaron L. Gilbert, releasing on digital and VOD, October 9, 2020:
"...a fallen henchman named 'Hank' leads 'Lester' and two others, called the 'Union of Evil"...
"...who must prevent 'Baron Blackout' from dominating the world. The crew are assigned to the 'Vault of Villainy'...
"...where Lester accidentally steals the ultimate weapon..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...a fallen henchman named 'Hank' leads 'Lester' and two others, called the 'Union of Evil"...
"...who must prevent 'Baron Blackout' from dominating the world. The crew are assigned to the 'Vault of Villainy'...
"...where Lester accidentally steals the ultimate weapon..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 9/16/2020
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Vertical Entertainment has obtained U.S. distribution rights to Henchmen, the Bron Animation action comedy featuring the voices of Thomas Middleditch, James Marsden and Rosario Dawson. Adam Wood wrote and directed the pic, which marked his feature-length directorial debut. Based on a story by Jay D. Waxman and Wood, the film will be available on digital platforms October 9.
Here is the synopsis: In a world of super-villains, evil schemes and global domination, someone has to take out the trash. Welcome to the world of Henchmen, third class. When Lester (Middleditch), a fresh-faced recruit, joins the Union of Evil, he is assigned to a motley crew of blue-collar workers led by fallen henchmen Hank. But when Lester accidentally steals a super-villain’s ultimate weapon, Hank must break his risk-nothing code to save the boy he’s befriended, even if it means becoming the one thing he has always avoided: a hero.
Here is the synopsis: In a world of super-villains, evil schemes and global domination, someone has to take out the trash. Welcome to the world of Henchmen, third class. When Lester (Middleditch), a fresh-faced recruit, joins the Union of Evil, he is assigned to a motley crew of blue-collar workers led by fallen henchmen Hank. But when Lester accidentally steals a super-villain’s ultimate weapon, Hank must break his risk-nothing code to save the boy he’s befriended, even if it means becoming the one thing he has always avoided: a hero.
- 9/4/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Reacting to the coronavirus pandemic shutting down production, Bron Media is launching an animation division for series television, short-form content and motion pictures.
On Wednesday, Bron Digital announced the appointment of industry veteran Jason Chen to lead production and technology. The company said the shutdown has delayed its theatrical releases such as “Candyman” and “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” leading it to shift resources to the new division in order to ensure an additional revenue stream with production finance partners Creative Wealth Media.
“We needed to shift,” said Bron Media CEO Aaron L. Gilbert. “The company directed much of its creative and production teams towards the creation and now launch of this new division. Animation has been the only area of Bron capable of being in production during this pandemic as our production team is set up remotely. We feel fortunate to be working through the logistics of scaling this area of our company during these difficult times.
On Wednesday, Bron Digital announced the appointment of industry veteran Jason Chen to lead production and technology. The company said the shutdown has delayed its theatrical releases such as “Candyman” and “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” leading it to shift resources to the new division in order to ensure an additional revenue stream with production finance partners Creative Wealth Media.
“We needed to shift,” said Bron Media CEO Aaron L. Gilbert. “The company directed much of its creative and production teams towards the creation and now launch of this new division. Animation has been the only area of Bron capable of being in production during this pandemic as our production team is set up remotely. We feel fortunate to be working through the logistics of scaling this area of our company during these difficult times.
- 7/8/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
First project on books is animated series Fables.
Bron Media Corp has launched Bron Digital, a virtual production and service company to develop long-form animation for series television, short-form content, and films.
Jason Chen, a 15-year industry veteran who has worked in effects on Avatar, Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit and played a key role in technical innovations, will lead production and technology as head of digital.
Bron Digital will incorporate Epic Games’ Unreal Engine to develop the content in a way that Chen said would enable Bron productions “to be untethered from traditional physical studio spaces”.
CEO Aaron L. Gilbert...
Bron Media Corp has launched Bron Digital, a virtual production and service company to develop long-form animation for series television, short-form content, and films.
Jason Chen, a 15-year industry veteran who has worked in effects on Avatar, Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit and played a key role in technical innovations, will lead production and technology as head of digital.
Bron Digital will incorporate Epic Games’ Unreal Engine to develop the content in a way that Chen said would enable Bron productions “to be untethered from traditional physical studio spaces”.
CEO Aaron L. Gilbert...
- 7/8/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Bron Studios’ non-scripted division Bron Life is partnering with civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump and his Brooklyn Media to develop and produce Homicide or Justified. The docuseries, hosted by Crump, takes viewers step by step through questionable murder cases like the ones involving George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Aubery, whose families he currently represents.
In In Homicide or Justified, Crump — whose clients have also included the families of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice and Nakia Jones — will bring in investigators, family members and celebrities to examine the details of crimes. The result aims to be suspenseful and impactful and will help to give victims the closure that often eludes them. The series has yet to go out to networks.
The new comes as Crump signed today with UTA which will rep him across TV, podcasting, film and speaking opportunities.
“While writing my book Open Season and meeting with...
In In Homicide or Justified, Crump — whose clients have also included the families of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice and Nakia Jones — will bring in investigators, family members and celebrities to examine the details of crimes. The result aims to be suspenseful and impactful and will help to give victims the closure that often eludes them. The series has yet to go out to networks.
The new comes as Crump signed today with UTA which will rep him across TV, podcasting, film and speaking opportunities.
“While writing my book Open Season and meeting with...
- 6/19/2020
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Be Woke.Vote, co-founded by Director Deon Taylor and producer Roxanne Avent Taylor, is teaming with Bron Studios’ Aaron L. Gilbert and Brenda Gilbert and Emmy Award winning NBA Analyst Kenny Smith to continue their work to educate and help register young men and women to vote in underserved communities across the country.
“As African American business owners who grew up in disadvantaged inner cities, we understand there is a systemic issue around voting,” said Taylor and Avent Taylor. “It takes the work of many, and we are thrilled to partner with Aaron, Brenda, and Kenny to encourage young minorities across the country to understand the power of voting nationally and locally to change their environments. We are encouraging others to get involved with this powerful movement.”
Be Woke.Vote recently sponsored A Peaceful Protest for Our Rights in Sacramento, CA on Saturday, June 6 with partners the Sacramento Branch of the NAACP,...
“As African American business owners who grew up in disadvantaged inner cities, we understand there is a systemic issue around voting,” said Taylor and Avent Taylor. “It takes the work of many, and we are thrilled to partner with Aaron, Brenda, and Kenny to encourage young minorities across the country to understand the power of voting nationally and locally to change their environments. We are encouraging others to get involved with this powerful movement.”
Be Woke.Vote recently sponsored A Peaceful Protest for Our Rights in Sacramento, CA on Saturday, June 6 with partners the Sacramento Branch of the NAACP,...
- 6/15/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Dark Star Pictures produce Philippines-set thriller.
Paris-based WTFilms has launched international talks in Tiff on Ben Rekhi’s Philippines-set drug war thriller Watch List.
Alessandra de Rossi stars as a mother of three in the midst of the drug war in the Philippines who sets out to find answers and keep her family safe after her husband is murdered. Jake Macapagal from Metro Manila also stars.
Erik Matti and Dondon Monteverde of Reality Entertainment produced, and Brenda Gilbert and Anjay Nagpal of Bron, and Nick Spicer and Nate Bolotin of Xyz Films served as executive producers.
Dark Star and Uncork...
Paris-based WTFilms has launched international talks in Tiff on Ben Rekhi’s Philippines-set drug war thriller Watch List.
Alessandra de Rossi stars as a mother of three in the midst of the drug war in the Philippines who sets out to find answers and keep her family safe after her husband is murdered. Jake Macapagal from Metro Manila also stars.
Erik Matti and Dondon Monteverde of Reality Entertainment produced, and Brenda Gilbert and Anjay Nagpal of Bron, and Nick Spicer and Nate Bolotin of Xyz Films served as executive producers.
Dark Star and Uncork...
- 9/8/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
As Hollywood converges in Toronto and things get noisy, some Canadian film production and financing companies are using the home-field advantage to talk up fresh ideas and announce new projects in a market milieu that feels both untethered and exciting.
“This is a frothy time for content — it’s a perfect moment in entertainment history to get in the game in a disciplined way,” says Unbranded Pictures co-founder Eddy Moretti.
Moretti capped off 20 years as Vice Media’s chief creative officer by greenlighting Vice’s investment in Scott Z. Burns’ political thriller “The Report,” and ended up stepping in to finance the other half after hatching his new company. Amazon bought “Report” at Sundance for $14 million; after Toronto, the film will have a short theatrical run before streaming on Prime Video in October.
“The options for distribution are growing, and the content marketplace has become a good place to invest...
“This is a frothy time for content — it’s a perfect moment in entertainment history to get in the game in a disciplined way,” says Unbranded Pictures co-founder Eddy Moretti.
Moretti capped off 20 years as Vice Media’s chief creative officer by greenlighting Vice’s investment in Scott Z. Burns’ political thriller “The Report,” and ended up stepping in to finance the other half after hatching his new company. Amazon bought “Report” at Sundance for $14 million; after Toronto, the film will have a short theatrical run before streaming on Prime Video in October.
“The options for distribution are growing, and the content marketplace has become a good place to invest...
- 9/6/2019
- by Jennie Punter
- Variety Film + TV
IFC Films is re-teaming with “The Babadook” filmmaker Jennifer Kent on “The Nightingale,” a period thriller that will have its North American debut at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. The deal is for U.S. rights and comes after “The Nightingale” won the Special Jury Prize at the 2018 Venice International Film Festival.
The film follows a 21-year-old Irish convict named Clare who struggles to be free from an abusive master, Lieutenant Hawkins, after she finishes her seven-year sentence in 1820s Tasmania. After Hawkins commits a horrible crime against Clare’s family she is forced to pursue through the punishing wilderness with the help of Billy, a young Aboriginal tracker.
“The film is a study on violence and what a violent mind and therefore a violent society can do to damage the human spirit,” Kent told Variety. “It’s about how we can evolve through and beyond that violence. For...
The film follows a 21-year-old Irish convict named Clare who struggles to be free from an abusive master, Lieutenant Hawkins, after she finishes her seven-year sentence in 1820s Tasmania. After Hawkins commits a horrible crime against Clare’s family she is forced to pursue through the punishing wilderness with the help of Billy, a young Aboriginal tracker.
“The film is a study on violence and what a violent mind and therefore a violent society can do to damage the human spirit,” Kent told Variety. “It’s about how we can evolve through and beyond that violence. For...
- 1/9/2019
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Warner Bros. and Bron Creative have closed a $100 million co-financing deal for six movies, including Clint Eastwood’s “The Mule” and Rebel Wilson’s “Isn’t It Romantic.”
The deal, announced on Tuesday, also covers the “Joker” origin film starring Joaquin Phoenix; crime drama “The Kitchen,” with Melissa McCarthy and Tiffany Haddish; action-comedy “Superintelligence,” toplined by McCarthy, Bobby Cannavale, and James Corden; and the tentatively titled “Torrance.” It expands Warner’s relationship with Bron Creative, which previously co-financed New Line’s “The Good Liar, directed by Bill Condon and starring Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen, to be released on Nov. 15, 2019.
Bron Creative is a joint venture between Bron Studios, led by Aaron L. Gilbert, and Creative Wealth Media, led by Jason Cloth. Gilbert and/or Cloth will serve as executive producers on these upcoming movies.
“Aaron and the team at Bron have been great partners with us on ‘The Good Liar...
The deal, announced on Tuesday, also covers the “Joker” origin film starring Joaquin Phoenix; crime drama “The Kitchen,” with Melissa McCarthy and Tiffany Haddish; action-comedy “Superintelligence,” toplined by McCarthy, Bobby Cannavale, and James Corden; and the tentatively titled “Torrance.” It expands Warner’s relationship with Bron Creative, which previously co-financed New Line’s “The Good Liar, directed by Bill Condon and starring Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen, to be released on Nov. 15, 2019.
Bron Creative is a joint venture between Bron Studios, led by Aaron L. Gilbert, and Creative Wealth Media, led by Jason Cloth. Gilbert and/or Cloth will serve as executive producers on these upcoming movies.
“Aaron and the team at Bron have been great partners with us on ‘The Good Liar...
- 12/18/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Fox Searchlight veteran Cassandra Butcher has joined Bron Studios as chief marketing officer.
In her new role, Butcher will oversee all the company’s marketing campaigns and collaborate with Bron’s distribution and sales partners.
Butcher will work alongside chief content officer Anjay Nagpal and recently appointed chief strategy officer Ashley Levinson. She will also be a part of the development and production process.
“[Co-founder] Aaron [Gibert] and I and the entire Bron team are thrilled to welcome Cassandra to the company,” said co-founder Brenda Gilbert. She will further cement our position as a strong partner to filmmakers and with distributors. She brings so much experience and vision to Bron, as well as a work-ethic and passion that’s exceptional.”
Butcher worked at Fox Searchlight for over a decade as VP of national publicity and worked on best picture Academy Award winners including “The Shape of Water” and “12 Years a Slave,...
In her new role, Butcher will oversee all the company’s marketing campaigns and collaborate with Bron’s distribution and sales partners.
Butcher will work alongside chief content officer Anjay Nagpal and recently appointed chief strategy officer Ashley Levinson. She will also be a part of the development and production process.
“[Co-founder] Aaron [Gibert] and I and the entire Bron team are thrilled to welcome Cassandra to the company,” said co-founder Brenda Gilbert. She will further cement our position as a strong partner to filmmakers and with distributors. She brings so much experience and vision to Bron, as well as a work-ethic and passion that’s exceptional.”
Butcher worked at Fox Searchlight for over a decade as VP of national publicity and worked on best picture Academy Award winners including “The Shape of Water” and “12 Years a Slave,...
- 11/14/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Cassandra Butcher has been hired as Bron Studios’ new chief marketing officer, studio founders Aaron Gilbert and Brenda Gilbert announced on Wednesday.
Butcher joins Bron from Fox Searchlight where she spent more than 10 years as vice president of national publicity.
In her new role, Butcher will oversee all of the company’s marketing campaigns and liaise with Bron’s distribution and sales partners, while also serving as a part of the development and production process. She’ll work alongside chief content officer Anjay Nagpal and recently appointed chief strategy officer Ashley Levinson.
Also Read: Sony Pictures Promotes Michael Marshall to President of Studio's Business Affairs
“Aaron and I and the entire Bron team are thrilled to welcome Cassandra to the company. She will further cement our position as a strong partner to filmmakers and with distributors,” Brenda Gilbert said in a statement. “She brings so much experience and vision to Bron,...
Butcher joins Bron from Fox Searchlight where she spent more than 10 years as vice president of national publicity.
In her new role, Butcher will oversee all of the company’s marketing campaigns and liaise with Bron’s distribution and sales partners, while also serving as a part of the development and production process. She’ll work alongside chief content officer Anjay Nagpal and recently appointed chief strategy officer Ashley Levinson.
Also Read: Sony Pictures Promotes Michael Marshall to President of Studio's Business Affairs
“Aaron and I and the entire Bron team are thrilled to welcome Cassandra to the company. She will further cement our position as a strong partner to filmmakers and with distributors,” Brenda Gilbert said in a statement. “She brings so much experience and vision to Bron,...
- 11/14/2018
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Longtime Fox Searchlight publicity executive Cassandra Butcher has been hired by Bron Studios to become its chief marketing officer. She now joins the producer-financier behind upcoming pics like The Front Runner and The Nightingale, and which has films like Jay Roach’s Roger Ailes movie, the Tom Hanks-starrer Greyhound, the Al Capone movie Fonzo and Bill Condon’s The Good Liar in the works.
In her new role Butcher will oversee all marketing campaigns and work with the company’s distribution and sales partners, and become a part of the development and production process for both film and TV projects. She’ll work with chief content officer Anjay Nagpal and chief strategy officer Ashley Levinson at Aaron L. Gilbert’s company.
“Aaron and I and the entire Bron team are thrilled to welcome Cassandra to the company,” said Brenda Gilbert in a press release. “She will further cement our...
In her new role Butcher will oversee all marketing campaigns and work with the company’s distribution and sales partners, and become a part of the development and production process for both film and TV projects. She’ll work with chief content officer Anjay Nagpal and chief strategy officer Ashley Levinson at Aaron L. Gilbert’s company.
“Aaron and I and the entire Bron team are thrilled to welcome Cassandra to the company,” said Brenda Gilbert in a press release. “She will further cement our...
- 11/14/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
New arrival worked on awards campaigns for 12 Years A Slave, The Shape Of Water.
In a coup for Bron Studios, the company has hired former Fox Searchlight executive Cassandra Butcher as chief marketing officer.
Butcher will work alongside chief content officer Anjay Nagpal and recently appointed chief strategy officer Ashley Levinson, and besides overseeing marketing campaigns and liaising with distribution and sales partners, will play a role in the development and production process across film and television.
“Aaron and I and the entire Bron team are thrilled to welcome Cassandra to the company,” said company co-founder Brenda Gilbert. “She will...
In a coup for Bron Studios, the company has hired former Fox Searchlight executive Cassandra Butcher as chief marketing officer.
Butcher will work alongside chief content officer Anjay Nagpal and recently appointed chief strategy officer Ashley Levinson, and besides overseeing marketing campaigns and liaising with distribution and sales partners, will play a role in the development and production process across film and television.
“Aaron and I and the entire Bron team are thrilled to welcome Cassandra to the company,” said company co-founder Brenda Gilbert. “She will...
- 11/14/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Bron, which has invested in films including The Front Runner and Fences, has acquired a minority stake in kids production company Epic Story Media.
The company has made the investment through its Bron Ventures division and will take a seat on the board. It will allow the company, which is run by veteran kids TV exec Ken Faier, to further invest in high-end children’s IP.
Epic Story Media, which was launched in 2017, has a slate of kids projects in development and will launch two of them – Haley and the Hero Heart and Dolph N Fince at next week’s Mipcom.
It is the latest production investment for Bron, which is based between Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York and Toronto, and follows deals for Media Res, Blackhand Media and New York based Animal Kingdom. Bron was set up in 2010 by Aaron L. Gilbert and Brenda Gilbert.
“Bron is a like-minded,...
The company has made the investment through its Bron Ventures division and will take a seat on the board. It will allow the company, which is run by veteran kids TV exec Ken Faier, to further invest in high-end children’s IP.
Epic Story Media, which was launched in 2017, has a slate of kids projects in development and will launch two of them – Haley and the Hero Heart and Dolph N Fince at next week’s Mipcom.
It is the latest production investment for Bron, which is based between Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York and Toronto, and follows deals for Media Res, Blackhand Media and New York based Animal Kingdom. Bron was set up in 2010 by Aaron L. Gilbert and Brenda Gilbert.
“Bron is a like-minded,...
- 10/9/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Bron Studios has come on as a producer of Oscar® winner John Ridley’s Needle in a Timestack. Zanne Devine, David Thwaites and Bron’S Aaron L. Gilbert are producing. Tony and Grammy Award winner Leslie Odom Jr., BAFTA nominee Freida Pinto, Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award winner Cynthia Erivo, and SAG award winner Orlando Bloom will star. Ridley will direct and is adapting from a short story by Robert Silverberg where a couple work to hold their marriage together in a world where time travel is possible, and the past and present are ever fluctuating.
Matt Kennedy also produces, and Jason Cloth of Creative Wealth Media, Christopher J. Conover, Hope Farley and John Ridley are executive producers.
John Ridley’s critically acclaimed documentary about the Los Angeles uprising, Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982–1992, premiered in theaters and aired on ABC in 2017 and is currently available on Netflix. He is...
Matt Kennedy also produces, and Jason Cloth of Creative Wealth Media, Christopher J. Conover, Hope Farley and John Ridley are executive producers.
John Ridley’s critically acclaimed documentary about the Los Angeles uprising, Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982–1992, premiered in theaters and aired on ABC in 2017 and is currently available on Netflix. He is...
- 6/10/2018
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Craig Lines Nov 1, 2017
Every now and then, martial arts movies go, er, a 'little leftfield', Here are some examples...
There are few feelings I enjoy as much as watching a movie that shakes me out of my complacency, wakes me up from my jaded quasi-slumber and makes me go “I’ve not seen that before!” I watch way too many films and it can take a lot to genuinely shock or surprise me, but there are few genres that manage it as often as martial arts.
Now, I appreciate there’s a lot of base level ‘weirdness’ to the genre if you’re not used to it. There’s curious dubbing, an emphasis on physicality over plotting, some eastern cultural touchpoints that baffle unfamiliar western audiences… but fans get used to all that. I’m talking about something slightly different.
To clarify, it might seem strange to new viewers when...
Every now and then, martial arts movies go, er, a 'little leftfield', Here are some examples...
There are few feelings I enjoy as much as watching a movie that shakes me out of my complacency, wakes me up from my jaded quasi-slumber and makes me go “I’ve not seen that before!” I watch way too many films and it can take a lot to genuinely shock or surprise me, but there are few genres that manage it as often as martial arts.
Now, I appreciate there’s a lot of base level ‘weirdness’ to the genre if you’re not used to it. There’s curious dubbing, an emphasis on physicality over plotting, some eastern cultural touchpoints that baffle unfamiliar western audiences… but fans get used to all that. I’m talking about something slightly different.
To clarify, it might seem strange to new viewers when...
- 10/31/2017
- Den of Geek
Bron Animation title based on 2010 Lois Lowry novel of same name.
Maya Rudolph, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski and Sean Cullen have joined the cast of Bron Animation’s The Willoughbys.
Kris Pearn writes and directs and Cory Evans co-directs the story of the four Willoughby children, abandoned by their selfish parents, who embark on an adventure through the modern world. They encounter a cat, an orphan, a nanny and a confection mogul on their quest to reunite with the family they were born into.
Rudolph will voice Nanny, who looks after the Willoughby children. Crews is voicing the confection mogul Commander Melanoff, and Short and Krakowski give voice to Father and Mother Willoughby, parents so in love with each other they forget they even have children. Cullen voices the twin boys Barnaby A and B.
Gervais was previously announced as the narrator of the film, which is currently in pre-production at Bron’s studio in Burnaby...
Maya Rudolph, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski and Sean Cullen have joined the cast of Bron Animation’s The Willoughbys.
Kris Pearn writes and directs and Cory Evans co-directs the story of the four Willoughby children, abandoned by their selfish parents, who embark on an adventure through the modern world. They encounter a cat, an orphan, a nanny and a confection mogul on their quest to reunite with the family they were born into.
Rudolph will voice Nanny, who looks after the Willoughby children. Crews is voicing the confection mogul Commander Melanoff, and Short and Krakowski give voice to Father and Mother Willoughby, parents so in love with each other they forget they even have children. Cullen voices the twin boys Barnaby A and B.
Gervais was previously announced as the narrator of the film, which is currently in pre-production at Bron’s studio in Burnaby...
- 6/2/2017
- ScreenDaily
British comic previously collaborated with Bron on Special Correspondents.
Ricky Gervais has signed on to narrate Bron Animation’s The Willoughbys, based on the children’s book.
Kris Pearn will direct from his adaptation of the novel by Lois Lowry, and Cory Evans is co-directing. Bron Animation president Brenda Gilbert made the announcement on Thursday.
The Willoughbys was published in 2010 and tells of four children abandoned by their parents who must learn how to create a modern family.
The project is currently in pre-production at Bron’s studio in Burnaby, British Columbia. Wme Global represents rights.
Bron’s Brenda Gilbert, Aaron L. Gilbert and Luke Carroll are producing. Gervais serves as executive producer.
Bron and Gervais previously worked together on Special Correspondents, which Gervais wrote and directed and Netflix premiered worldwide in 2016.
“Ricky has such a distinctive voice and his talents will make an exceptional contribution to the edgy tone that we are going for with The Willoughbys...
Ricky Gervais has signed on to narrate Bron Animation’s The Willoughbys, based on the children’s book.
Kris Pearn will direct from his adaptation of the novel by Lois Lowry, and Cory Evans is co-directing. Bron Animation president Brenda Gilbert made the announcement on Thursday.
The Willoughbys was published in 2010 and tells of four children abandoned by their parents who must learn how to create a modern family.
The project is currently in pre-production at Bron’s studio in Burnaby, British Columbia. Wme Global represents rights.
Bron’s Brenda Gilbert, Aaron L. Gilbert and Luke Carroll are producing. Gervais serves as executive producer.
Bron and Gervais previously worked together on Special Correspondents, which Gervais wrote and directed and Netflix premiered worldwide in 2016.
“Ricky has such a distinctive voice and his talents will make an exceptional contribution to the edgy tone that we are going for with The Willoughbys...
- 4/13/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Ricky Gervais will narrate Bron Animation's upcoming feature The Willoughbys, based on the children's book of the same name by Lois Lowry.
Written and directed by Kris Pearn (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2) and co-directed by Cory Evans, the film is in preproduction at Bron's studio in Burnaby, B.C. Bron's Brenda Gilbert, Aaron L. Gilbert and Luke Carroll are producing. Gervais is an exec producer.
Published in 2010, the book follows the four Willoughby children, who are abandoned by their oblivious parents and must learn how to adapt their old-fashioned values to the contemporary world in order to create a...
Written and directed by Kris Pearn (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2) and co-directed by Cory Evans, the film is in preproduction at Bron's studio in Burnaby, B.C. Bron's Brenda Gilbert, Aaron L. Gilbert and Luke Carroll are producing. Gervais is an exec producer.
Published in 2010, the book follows the four Willoughby children, who are abandoned by their oblivious parents and must learn how to adapt their old-fashioned values to the contemporary world in order to create a...
- 4/13/2017
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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