“Strike, strike, strike, strike,” said Millennium Media President Jeffrey Greenstein, when asked about the lack of big projects and deals at this year’s American Film Market. Santa Monica’s annual indie movie showcase, which wraps up Sunday, has been quieter than usual, with no blockbuster sales and only a handful of new projects generating real buzz.
A24’s Civil War, Alex Garland’s new sci-fi film starring Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura and Cailee Spaeny, was the rare nearly finished film (the project is in post) at AFM that everyone was talking about that appears to have triggered a bidding war. The near-future thriller —”an intellectual action film,” is how one buyer described it — is set in a United States on the brink of total collapse.
But much of the independent film industry remains in a holding pattern, awaiting a final deal between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture...
A24’s Civil War, Alex Garland’s new sci-fi film starring Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura and Cailee Spaeny, was the rare nearly finished film (the project is in post) at AFM that everyone was talking about that appears to have triggered a bidding war. The near-future thriller —”an intellectual action film,” is how one buyer described it — is set in a United States on the brink of total collapse.
But much of the independent film industry remains in a holding pattern, awaiting a final deal between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture...
- 11/3/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The American Film Market has unveiled the first group of exhibitors and speakers set for the Santa Monica event to run Oct. 31 to Nov. 5.
The Independent Film & Television Alliance said 245 companies so far will be in the new Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica headquarters for AFM, including Amazon MGM Studios, Lionsgate, Millennium Media, A24, Voltage Pictures, AGC Studios, Black Bear Pictures, Protagonist Pictures, WME Independent and XYZ Films.
Besides U.S. players, there’s also international film production and promotion banners like Beta Cinema, Gaumont, HanWay Films, Pathé Films, Snd Groupe M6, Studiocanal, Toei Company, TrustNordisk and Unifrance.
Elsewhere, the AFM speaker sessions will include a “Film Funding Today” conference panel to include Jeaneane Davey (Netflix), Patrick Rizzotti (Blue Fox Financing), Ryan Broussard (Wrapbook) and Will French (Fallbrook).
AFM industry sessions will also include top players in the independent film business like Cassian Elwes of Elevated Film Sales, Lorelle Lynch at AGC Studios,...
The Independent Film & Television Alliance said 245 companies so far will be in the new Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica headquarters for AFM, including Amazon MGM Studios, Lionsgate, Millennium Media, A24, Voltage Pictures, AGC Studios, Black Bear Pictures, Protagonist Pictures, WME Independent and XYZ Films.
Besides U.S. players, there’s also international film production and promotion banners like Beta Cinema, Gaumont, HanWay Films, Pathé Films, Snd Groupe M6, Studiocanal, Toei Company, TrustNordisk and Unifrance.
Elsewhere, the AFM speaker sessions will include a “Film Funding Today” conference panel to include Jeaneane Davey (Netflix), Patrick Rizzotti (Blue Fox Financing), Ryan Broussard (Wrapbook) and Will French (Fallbrook).
AFM industry sessions will also include top players in the independent film business like Cassian Elwes of Elevated Film Sales, Lorelle Lynch at AGC Studios,...
- 10/17/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The second annual Creative Investors Conference runs September 26-28.
Executives from Focus Features, Warner Bros, Plan B and Neon are among the speakers at San Sebastian International Film Festival’s second annual Creative Investors Conference running September 26-28 in collaboration with CAA Media Finance.
There will be a series of ‘Fireside chats’ with Mariano César, SVP content Ge Content Latin America at HBO Max (Warner Bros. Discovery), Jeremy Kleiner, co-president at Plan B, and Killer Films co-founders Pam Koffler and Christine Vachon.
Kiska Higgs, president, production & acquisitions at Focus Features, Sarah Colvin, director of acquisitions at Neon, Jeb Brody, president of production at Amblin Partners,...
Executives from Focus Features, Warner Bros, Plan B and Neon are among the speakers at San Sebastian International Film Festival’s second annual Creative Investors Conference running September 26-28 in collaboration with CAA Media Finance.
There will be a series of ‘Fireside chats’ with Mariano César, SVP content Ge Content Latin America at HBO Max (Warner Bros. Discovery), Jeremy Kleiner, co-president at Plan B, and Killer Films co-founders Pam Koffler and Christine Vachon.
Kiska Higgs, president, production & acquisitions at Focus Features, Sarah Colvin, director of acquisitions at Neon, Jeb Brody, president of production at Amblin Partners,...
- 9/21/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
The conference is taking place from September 26-28.
Mubi’s Bobby Allen, Blueprint Pictures’ Peter Czernin, Killer Films’ Christine Vachon, Casarotto Ramsay & Associates’ Anna Higgs and Netflix’s Teresa Moneo will all attend the second annual Creative Investors’ Conference at the San Sebastian International Film Festival this month.
Organised in collaboration with CAA Media Finance, it is taking place at the festival from September 26-28 and will comprise of a series of panels and discussions open to industry badge holders, under the Spanish Screenings: Financing & Tech strand.
Scroll down for the full list of participants
Roeg Sutherland, Benjamin Kramer and...
Mubi’s Bobby Allen, Blueprint Pictures’ Peter Czernin, Killer Films’ Christine Vachon, Casarotto Ramsay & Associates’ Anna Higgs and Netflix’s Teresa Moneo will all attend the second annual Creative Investors’ Conference at the San Sebastian International Film Festival this month.
Organised in collaboration with CAA Media Finance, it is taking place at the festival from September 26-28 and will comprise of a series of panels and discussions open to industry badge holders, under the Spanish Screenings: Financing & Tech strand.
Scroll down for the full list of participants
Roeg Sutherland, Benjamin Kramer and...
- 9/5/2023
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Italy’s International Audiovisual Market Mia is expecting a return to full force this year ahead of its eighth edition in Rome from October 11 to 15.
Speaking at a preview press conference on Thursday, director Gaia Tridente said the meeting had registered a 12 rise in attendance this year with accreditations still open, although she did not give precise figures.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Mia welcomed 2,500 attendees in 2019, while there were 2,000 registered attendees in 2021 when travel was still restricted.
This year marks the inaugural edition for Tridente who was previously head of scripted at Mia.
Based around Rome’s historic Barberini Palace and the nearby newly refurbished Barberini Cinema, the event spans a traditional market, co-production meetings and a conference.
Expected guests include Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti, Netflix Emea TV boss Larry Tanz, Lionsgate TV Group president Sandra Stern and Fremantle COO and continental Europe CEO Andrea Scrosati as well as...
Speaking at a preview press conference on Thursday, director Gaia Tridente said the meeting had registered a 12 rise in attendance this year with accreditations still open, although she did not give precise figures.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Mia welcomed 2,500 attendees in 2019, while there were 2,000 registered attendees in 2021 when travel was still restricted.
This year marks the inaugural edition for Tridente who was previously head of scripted at Mia.
Based around Rome’s historic Barberini Palace and the nearby newly refurbished Barberini Cinema, the event spans a traditional market, co-production meetings and a conference.
Expected guests include Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti, Netflix Emea TV boss Larry Tanz, Lionsgate TV Group president Sandra Stern and Fremantle COO and continental Europe CEO Andrea Scrosati as well as...
- 10/6/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Production set to begin on August 22.
Emily Blunt will star in Pain Hustlers which Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchise regular David Yates will direct. The Veterans is kicking off international sales in Cannes next week.
Blunt will portray Liza Drake, a young mother and high school dropout who lands a job with a failing pharmaceutical start-up in a strip mall in Central Florida.
Liza’s charm, guts and drive catapault the company and her into the high life, where she soon finds herself at the centre of a criminal conspiracy with deadly consequences.
The project is said to be...
Emily Blunt will star in Pain Hustlers which Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchise regular David Yates will direct. The Veterans is kicking off international sales in Cannes next week.
Blunt will portray Liza Drake, a young mother and high school dropout who lands a job with a failing pharmaceutical start-up in a strip mall in Central Florida.
Liza’s charm, guts and drive catapault the company and her into the high life, where she soon finds herself at the centre of a criminal conspiracy with deadly consequences.
The project is said to be...
- 5/11/2022
- ScreenDaily
Top CAA media finance agent Maren Olson has joined 30West as executive vice president of film, it was announced Wednesday.
Olson will work alongside 30West’s Trevor Groth to manage the label’s slate. This includes the upcoming “The Trashers” starring David Harbour and directed by Sundance breakout Cooper Raiff, as well as the thriller “Day Drinker” from director Marc Webb.
Olson spent 7 years at CAA working alongside media finance chiefs Roeg Sutherland and Ben Kramer. Projects she recently helped assemble include Channing Tatum’s “Dog”; “The 355” directed by Simon Kinberg and starring Jessica Chastain and Penelope Cruz; the forthcoming “The Pale Blue Eye” from director Scott Cooper and star Christian Bale; and “Pussy Island,” directed by Zoë Kravitz and starring Tatum.
30West heads to Cannes with the Imperative Entertainment premiere “Triangle of Sadness” playing in competition, as well as “The Silent Twins,” which will premiere in Un Certain Regard.
Olson will work alongside 30West’s Trevor Groth to manage the label’s slate. This includes the upcoming “The Trashers” starring David Harbour and directed by Sundance breakout Cooper Raiff, as well as the thriller “Day Drinker” from director Marc Webb.
Olson spent 7 years at CAA working alongside media finance chiefs Roeg Sutherland and Ben Kramer. Projects she recently helped assemble include Channing Tatum’s “Dog”; “The 355” directed by Simon Kinberg and starring Jessica Chastain and Penelope Cruz; the forthcoming “The Pale Blue Eye” from director Scott Cooper and star Christian Bale; and “Pussy Island,” directed by Zoë Kravitz and starring Tatum.
30West heads to Cannes with the Imperative Entertainment premiere “Triangle of Sadness” playing in competition, as well as “The Silent Twins,” which will premiere in Un Certain Regard.
- 5/11/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Film finance and sales vet Maren Olson is joining 30West as their EVP Film.
She begins this month and will work alongside fellow EVP Trevor Groth to manage the fast-growing company’s slate of projects, which include the forthcoming Cooper Raiff directed title The Trashers starring David Harbour and the genre-bending thriller Day Drinker, from Amazing Spider-Man director Marc Webb.
Olson joins from CAA, where she spent the last seven years as an agent in the Media Finance department. Recent projects she helped to finance and sell while at CAA include: Channing Tatum’s Dog, Simon Kinberg’s The 355, and Scott Cooper’s The Pale Blue Eye, which stars Christian Bale; and Zoë Kravitz’s feature directorial debut, Pussy Island, starring Tatum.
Prior to joining CAA in 2015, Olson served as president of Traction Media, an independent film production and domestic sales company, where she oversaw the creative development, packaging,...
She begins this month and will work alongside fellow EVP Trevor Groth to manage the fast-growing company’s slate of projects, which include the forthcoming Cooper Raiff directed title The Trashers starring David Harbour and the genre-bending thriller Day Drinker, from Amazing Spider-Man director Marc Webb.
Olson joins from CAA, where she spent the last seven years as an agent in the Media Finance department. Recent projects she helped to finance and sell while at CAA include: Channing Tatum’s Dog, Simon Kinberg’s The 355, and Scott Cooper’s The Pale Blue Eye, which stars Christian Bale; and Zoë Kravitz’s feature directorial debut, Pussy Island, starring Tatum.
Prior to joining CAA in 2015, Olson served as president of Traction Media, an independent film production and domestic sales company, where she oversaw the creative development, packaging,...
- 5/11/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Executive will work alongside fellow EVP Trevor Groth to manage slate of projects.
30West has hired film investment and sales executive Maren Olson from CAA Media Finance as EVP, film on the eve of Cannes.
Olson will join the company this month and will work alongside fellow EVP Trevor Groth to manage the slate of projects which includes the upcoming The Trashers starring David Harbour from Cooper Raiff, director of Sundance hit Cha Cha Real Smooth, and the genre-bending thriller Day Drinker, to be directed by Marc Webb (The Amazing Spider-Man).
30West will be attending Cannes with Imperative Entertainment’s...
30West has hired film investment and sales executive Maren Olson from CAA Media Finance as EVP, film on the eve of Cannes.
Olson will join the company this month and will work alongside fellow EVP Trevor Groth to manage the slate of projects which includes the upcoming The Trashers starring David Harbour from Cooper Raiff, director of Sundance hit Cha Cha Real Smooth, and the genre-bending thriller Day Drinker, to be directed by Marc Webb (The Amazing Spider-Man).
30West will be attending Cannes with Imperative Entertainment’s...
- 5/11/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Senior producers and distributors took to the stage at the Zurich Summit to debate the future of film distribution.
Amid the rise of the streamers, collapsing theatrical windows and the shuttering of cinemas during the pandemic, they stressed the need for flexibility when planning the best way to release movies.
Danny Perkins, the CEO and founder of Elysian Film Group, said: “There’s more change than ever. There is flux. There’s a need to be flexible within it. Because if something’s rigid, like a former theatrical window, it’s only going to break.”
Perkins added: “It’s very hard to see, but there’s definitely opportunity in distribution.”
The panel, which was hosted by CAA agent Maren Olson, also debated how independent financiers and distributors could compete with the resources and reach of the global streamers.
Fears of a concentration of power in the hands of the streamers...
Amid the rise of the streamers, collapsing theatrical windows and the shuttering of cinemas during the pandemic, they stressed the need for flexibility when planning the best way to release movies.
Danny Perkins, the CEO and founder of Elysian Film Group, said: “There’s more change than ever. There is flux. There’s a need to be flexible within it. Because if something’s rigid, like a former theatrical window, it’s only going to break.”
Perkins added: “It’s very hard to see, but there’s definitely opportunity in distribution.”
The panel, which was hosted by CAA agent Maren Olson, also debated how independent financiers and distributors could compete with the resources and reach of the global streamers.
Fears of a concentration of power in the hands of the streamers...
- 9/30/2021
- by Tim Dams
- Variety Film + TV
The 10th edition of U.S. In Progress Wroclaw, the industry wing of the American Film Festival in Poland which was held online this year, wrapped over the weekend and presented a variety of awards to the participating American film projects.
The awards range from post-production services to travel bursaries and cash. A $10,000 cash prize to be put towards post-production in Poland was awarded to the film To The Moon from director Scott Friend and producers Cate Smierciak, Everett Hendler, Stephanie Randall, and Gabe Wilson. The full list of awards is below.
In addition to the U.S. projects, a group of U.S. experts including Sony Pictures Classics’ Dylan Leiner and CAA execs Maren Olson and Kat Moncrief took part in pitching and one-on-one sessions with Polish projects seeking U.S. partners. The non-competitive event is designed to foster potential co-productions and was hosted by Deadline.
In the wider festival,...
The awards range from post-production services to travel bursaries and cash. A $10,000 cash prize to be put towards post-production in Poland was awarded to the film To The Moon from director Scott Friend and producers Cate Smierciak, Everett Hendler, Stephanie Randall, and Gabe Wilson. The full list of awards is below.
In addition to the U.S. projects, a group of U.S. experts including Sony Pictures Classics’ Dylan Leiner and CAA execs Maren Olson and Kat Moncrief took part in pitching and one-on-one sessions with Polish projects seeking U.S. partners. The non-competitive event is designed to foster potential co-productions and was hosted by Deadline.
In the wider festival,...
- 11/16/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
The Zurich Summit has, over the years, become a major industry gathering at the film festival, attracting Hollywood players and entertainment business reps from both sides of the Atlantic.
Running Sept. 28-29 at the palatial Dolder Grand Hotel, the summit focuses on current business trends and the pertinent issues and challenges facing the industry. This year’s hot topics include the streaming war, the growing demand for local-language films and the global prospects of family entertainment.
Launched in 2014, the Zurich Summit grew out of the fest’s Film Finance Forum with an expanded scope that covered technological developments including augmented and virtual reality and business areas such as marketing and distribution.
“For us, it’s a great thing because we always get great speakers,” says Zurich Film Festival co-director Karl Spoerri While Zurich can’t compete with Cannes or Toronto, the festival and summit nevertheless offer a high level of...
Running Sept. 28-29 at the palatial Dolder Grand Hotel, the summit focuses on current business trends and the pertinent issues and challenges facing the industry. This year’s hot topics include the streaming war, the growing demand for local-language films and the global prospects of family entertainment.
Launched in 2014, the Zurich Summit grew out of the fest’s Film Finance Forum with an expanded scope that covered technological developments including augmented and virtual reality and business areas such as marketing and distribution.
“For us, it’s a great thing because we always get great speakers,” says Zurich Film Festival co-director Karl Spoerri While Zurich can’t compete with Cannes or Toronto, the festival and summit nevertheless offer a high level of...
- 9/26/2019
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
The pledge was signed at Sweden’s Carl International Film Festival.
Five Nordic film festivals – Cph:dox – Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival (Denmark), Oslo Pix (Norway), Tampere Film Festival (Finland) and Northern Wave Film Festival (Iceland) – have signed the 5050 by 2020 Gender Parity Pledge at the Carl International Film Festival and Carl Film Forum in Karlskrona, Sweden today (Monday August 26).
The signing was initiated by Women in Film and Television Nordic. By signing, the festivals commit to increase gender equality in programming as well as within their organisations by 2020. The pledge has previously been signed by festivals including Cannes, Venice, Toronto, Locarno and Berlin.
Five Nordic film festivals – Cph:dox – Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival (Denmark), Oslo Pix (Norway), Tampere Film Festival (Finland) and Northern Wave Film Festival (Iceland) – have signed the 5050 by 2020 Gender Parity Pledge at the Carl International Film Festival and Carl Film Forum in Karlskrona, Sweden today (Monday August 26).
The signing was initiated by Women in Film and Television Nordic. By signing, the festivals commit to increase gender equality in programming as well as within their organisations by 2020. The pledge has previously been signed by festivals including Cannes, Venice, Toronto, Locarno and Berlin.
- 8/26/2019
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
As streaming giants continue to upend the global film business scenario it’s getting tougher for indie cinema to survive, both as an art form and as entertainment. But smart new strategies are being devised to mount productions that stay true to the indie ethos, and the thrill of theatrical isn’t gone yet.
In broad terms those were the main takeaways from the Locarno fest’s unique StepIn think tank, where the overall theme was “What Are We Afraid Of?” and 40-plus mostly European indie players convened to share experiences and exchange thoughts for practical solutions to navigate the onslaught of streaming platforms and the digital era at large.
“Agility” emerged as the keyword during the opening session when French producer Rita Dagher, one of the three keynote speakers, recounted how she packaged Jean-Stephane Sauvaire-directed “A Prayer Before Dawn,” which she described as a mix of: “French director, English material,...
In broad terms those were the main takeaways from the Locarno fest’s unique StepIn think tank, where the overall theme was “What Are We Afraid Of?” and 40-plus mostly European indie players convened to share experiences and exchange thoughts for practical solutions to navigate the onslaught of streaming platforms and the digital era at large.
“Agility” emerged as the keyword during the opening session when French producer Rita Dagher, one of the three keynote speakers, recounted how she packaged Jean-Stephane Sauvaire-directed “A Prayer Before Dawn,” which she described as a mix of: “French director, English material,...
- 8/12/2019
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The Locarno Film Festival has recruited prominent French indie producer Rita Dagher along with Amazon Studios’ former head of distribution Bob Berney, and CAA agent Maren Olson as keynote speakers for its annual StepIn think tank, which will thrash out some of the most pressing issues preoccupying the independent film community.
“What Are We Afraid Of?” is the overall theme — following “Brave New World” last year — of this year’s sessions of the informal initiative. It will see 40-plus mostly European key players convene to share experiences and exchange thoughts for practical solutions and strategies to contend with the challenges posed by streaming platforms and the digital era at large.
The biggest underlying fear is “whether independent filmmaking will continue to be relevant in the future, both as an art form and as entertainment,” as StepIn project manager Marcello Paolillo puts it. “What does the future hold for production and theatrical distribution of independent product,...
“What Are We Afraid Of?” is the overall theme — following “Brave New World” last year — of this year’s sessions of the informal initiative. It will see 40-plus mostly European key players convene to share experiences and exchange thoughts for practical solutions and strategies to contend with the challenges posed by streaming platforms and the digital era at large.
The biggest underlying fear is “whether independent filmmaking will continue to be relevant in the future, both as an art form and as entertainment,” as StepIn project manager Marcello Paolillo puts it. “What does the future hold for production and theatrical distribution of independent product,...
- 7/31/2019
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
After sitting out last year's Sundance market entirely, Amazon returned with a roar, spending some $47 million on five films — more money than any other studio has ever shelled out in a single year at the festival.
Amazon struck first, closing a $13 million deal early on Jan. 26 for the Emma Thompson-Mindy Kaling comedy Late Night, a Sundance record-setting sum for U.S. rights. With Amazon's Jennifer Salke and Julie Rapaport spearheading negotiations, by 6:30 a.m. the studio had beat out a Neon-Hulu bid. (CAA's Roeg Sutherland and Maren Olson and 30West's Micah Green ...
Amazon struck first, closing a $13 million deal early on Jan. 26 for the Emma Thompson-Mindy Kaling comedy Late Night, a Sundance record-setting sum for U.S. rights. With Amazon's Jennifer Salke and Julie Rapaport spearheading negotiations, by 6:30 a.m. the studio had beat out a Neon-Hulu bid. (CAA's Roeg Sutherland and Maren Olson and 30West's Micah Green ...
After sitting out last year's Sundance market entirely, Amazon returned with a roar, spending some $47 million on five films — more money than any other studio has ever shelled out in a single year at the festival.
Amazon struck first, closing a $13 million deal early on Jan. 26 for the Emma Thompson-Mindy Kaling comedy Late Night, a Sundance record-setting sum for U.S. rights. With Amazon's Jennifer Salke and Julie Rapaport spearheading negotiations, by 6:30 a.m. the studio had beat out a Neon-Hulu bid. (CAA's Roeg Sutherland and Maren Olson and 30West's Micah Green ...
Amazon struck first, closing a $13 million deal early on Jan. 26 for the Emma Thompson-Mindy Kaling comedy Late Night, a Sundance record-setting sum for U.S. rights. With Amazon's Jennifer Salke and Julie Rapaport spearheading negotiations, by 6:30 a.m. the studio had beat out a Neon-Hulu bid. (CAA's Roeg Sutherland and Maren Olson and 30West's Micah Green ...
Film Independent has announced the producers selected for its 16th annual Producing Lab. Participating with a project they’re in the process of producing, the four-week program is designed to help the filmmakers develop their skills as independent producers.
Seven projects and a total of nine producers will participate, and through the Lab will develop a strategy and action plan to bring their project to life, as well as meet professionals who can advise them on their craft and the business of independent producing.
Read More: San Francisco Film Society Announces Fall 2016 Narrative Filmmaking Grant Finalists
This year’s Creative Advisors are Karin Chien (“Circumstance”), Heather Rae (“Tallulah”) and Daniel Wagner (“Miles Ahead”). Guest speakers include Charles Howard, Tri-Star Pictures President Hannah Minghella CAA Agents Maren Olson and Tristen Tuckfield, and Jason Berman (“The Birth of a Nation,” “Mediterranea”).
“We are thrilled to welcome this dynamic group of producers to the Lab.
Seven projects and a total of nine producers will participate, and through the Lab will develop a strategy and action plan to bring their project to life, as well as meet professionals who can advise them on their craft and the business of independent producing.
Read More: San Francisco Film Society Announces Fall 2016 Narrative Filmmaking Grant Finalists
This year’s Creative Advisors are Karin Chien (“Circumstance”), Heather Rae (“Tallulah”) and Daniel Wagner (“Miles Ahead”). Guest speakers include Charles Howard, Tri-Star Pictures President Hannah Minghella CAA Agents Maren Olson and Tristen Tuckfield, and Jason Berman (“The Birth of a Nation,” “Mediterranea”).
“We are thrilled to welcome this dynamic group of producers to the Lab.
- 10/25/2016
- by Liz Calvario
- Indiewire
(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Two-time Academy Award nominee Naomi Watts (Divergent series, The Impossible) and rising superstar Daisy Ridley (Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens) are in final negotiations to star in Ophelia, the highly-anticipated and dynamic reimagining of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” focusing on the untold story of Ophelia’s (Ridley) tragic romance with the prince and her relationship with his mother Queen Gertrude (Watts), it was announced today by Covert Media’s CEO Paul Hanson.
To be directed by Claire McCarthy (The Waiting City), Ophelia is based on the award winning novel by Lisa Klein and adapted for the screen by the acclaimed and award-winning writer Semi Chellas (“Mad Men,” “The Eleventh Hour”).
“Ophelia is brimming with youth-fueled charisma, exploring the nature of true love and beauty, and I’m so excited to bring this fresh mythic spin to Hamlet from a female perspective,...
Two-time Academy Award nominee Naomi Watts (Divergent series, The Impossible) and rising superstar Daisy Ridley (Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens) are in final negotiations to star in Ophelia, the highly-anticipated and dynamic reimagining of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” focusing on the untold story of Ophelia’s (Ridley) tragic romance with the prince and her relationship with his mother Queen Gertrude (Watts), it was announced today by Covert Media’s CEO Paul Hanson.
To be directed by Claire McCarthy (The Waiting City), Ophelia is based on the award winning novel by Lisa Klein and adapted for the screen by the acclaimed and award-winning writer Semi Chellas (“Mad Men,” “The Eleventh Hour”).
“Ophelia is brimming with youth-fueled charisma, exploring the nature of true love and beauty, and I’m so excited to bring this fresh mythic spin to Hamlet from a female perspective,...
- 5/4/2016
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The revamped The X-Files series doesn't air until January of next year, but we are getting a look at some more teaser images to hold us over until then. Also: a trailer for Body, Mystery Science Theater 3000 Kickstarter details, a Bang Bang Baby release announcement, and TeeFury's ugly Christmas sweaters.
The X-Files Series: "David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprise their iconic roles as Agent Fox Mulder and Agent Dana Scully in the upcoming event series which will encompass a mixture of stand-alone investigative episodes and those that further the original show’s seminal mythology. In the opening episode, Mulder and Scully take on a case of a possible alien abductee. The all-new episodes will feature appearances by guest stars, including Joel McHale (“Community”), Robbie Amell (“The Flash”), Lauren Ambrose (“Dig,” “Six Feet Under”), Annabeth Gish (“The Bridge”), Annet Mahendru (“The Americans”), Rhys Darby (“Flight of the Conchords”), Kumail Nanjiani...
The X-Files Series: "David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprise their iconic roles as Agent Fox Mulder and Agent Dana Scully in the upcoming event series which will encompass a mixture of stand-alone investigative episodes and those that further the original show’s seminal mythology. In the opening episode, Mulder and Scully take on a case of a possible alien abductee. The all-new episodes will feature appearances by guest stars, including Joel McHale (“Community”), Robbie Amell (“The Flash”), Lauren Ambrose (“Dig,” “Six Feet Under”), Annabeth Gish (“The Bridge”), Annet Mahendru (“The Americans”), Rhys Darby (“Flight of the Conchords”), Kumail Nanjiani...
- 11/11/2015
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Maren Olson has joined CAA’s Film Finance & Sales Group, the agency announced Thursday. Based in CAA’s Los Angeles office, Olson will focus on the group’s expanding packaging business, which has put together such films as this year’s Cannes entry “Sicario” and Oscar nominees such as “The Imitation Game” and “American Hustle,” as well as “Still Alice,” “John Wick” and many others. Olson comes to CAA from independent film production company Traction Media, where she served as president and oversaw the creative development, packaging, production, financing, and sales of films including the award-winning drama “Short Term 12” and the upcoming Patricia.
- 5/28/2015
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
CAA has hired Maren Olson to join the company's Film Finance & Sales Group. She will be based out of the agency’s Century City headquarters and focus on the group's expanding packaging business, which has put together such films as the Cannes premiere Sicario, The Imitation Game, American Hustle, Still Alice, John Wick, and many, many others. Olson joins from independent film production company Traction Media, where she served as president and oversaw the creative…...
- 5/28/2015
- Deadline
The weekend is chalk full of new Specialty releases, though most will likely be low performers in terms of dollars at the box office. Entertainment One is opening Nicolas Cage and Hayden Christensen starrer Outcast with limited runs and will likely find tepid returns at the theatrical box office, though it may shine in the digital/on-demand space where it will also bow this weekend. Documentary Ballet 422 (Magnolia Pictures), meanwhile, has had solid buzz heading into the weekend and should score well in its niche market. Monterey Media is hoping to have traction with stars Wes Bentley, Vincent Piazza and Amber Tamblyn as it opens 3 Nights In The Desert in theaters and on-demand, while Freestyle Releasing is targeting the rom-com crowd for its debut, One Small Hitch. Other Specialty openers this weekend include First Run Features’ doc The Other Man: F.W. de Klerk And The End Of Apartheid In South Africa,...
- 2/6/2015
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline
I originally took notice of the project when the trades announced that the oft-used supporting indie starlet Louisa Krause (non-related pic above — who we interviewed back in the day for Martha Marcy May Marlene) was the featured “potential screamer” lead on this project. Filmmaker Jordan Galland has flirted with Park City before, his debut Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead (2009) received a special screening status at Slamdance. Along with his sophomore film item Alter Egos (2012), the summer shot Brooklyn set Ava’s Possessions basically informs us that the musician slash filmmaker’s interests lie within the framework of the horror genre. Certainly the addition of supporting players include Lou Taylor Pucci, Jemima Kirke, Stella Schnabel (You Wont Miss Me) and John Ventimiglia amps up the end product, and Galland’s ongoing creative collaboration with musician Sean Lennon might earmark the project as an appointment with the occult that avoids trappings of...
- 11/11/2014
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Young Adult and Martha Marcy May Marlene star Louisa Krause is set to join Cathy Moriarty, Lou Taylor Pucci (Evil Dead), and more for the supernatural thriller Ava's Possessions from director Jordan Galland (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead).
Whitney Able, Annabelle Dexter-Jones, John Ventimiglia, Waris Ahluwalia, Jemima Kirke, Stella Schnabel, Geneva Carr, Alysia Reiner, and Tarik Lowe co-star in the film, which will shoot in NYC this summer.
As per Deadline, musician Sean Lennon has signed on to score the film, having previously scored and co-starred in Galland's movie Alter Egos, which was released via Kevin Smith's SModcast Presents banner.
Maren Olson of Traction Media is producing with Carlos Velazquez of C Plus Pictures.
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Whitney Able, Annabelle Dexter-Jones, John Ventimiglia, Waris Ahluwalia, Jemima Kirke, Stella Schnabel, Geneva Carr, Alysia Reiner, and Tarik Lowe co-star in the film, which will shoot in NYC this summer.
As per Deadline, musician Sean Lennon has signed on to score the film, having previously scored and co-starred in Galland's movie Alter Egos, which was released via Kevin Smith's SModcast Presents banner.
Maren Olson of Traction Media is producing with Carlos Velazquez of C Plus Pictures.
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news? Click here to submit it!
Subscribe to the Dread Central YouTube Channel!
Show us your possessions in the comments section below!
- 5/8/2014
- by Steve Barton
- DreadCentral.com
Louisa Krause (“Young Adult”) will star in the supernatural thriller “Ava's Possessions,” written and directed by Jordan Galland (“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Undead”). The ensemble cast includes Cathy Moriarty, Lou Taylor Pucci (“Thumbsucker”), Whitney Able (“Monsters”), Annabelle Dexter-Jones, John Ventimiglia (“The Sopranos”), Waris Ahluwalia, Jemima Kirke (HBO's “Girls”), Stella Schnabel, Geneva Carr, Alysia Reiner, and Tarik Lowe. Also read: James Badge Dale to Star in Legendary's Supernatural Thriller ‘Spectral’ (Exclusive) Maren Olson of Traction Media is producing with Carlos Velazquez of C Plus Pictures. Production will start this summer in New York City. Musician Sean Lennon has signed on to score the film,...
- 5/8/2014
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
Indican Pictures has acquired North American rights to Academy Award winner Ernest Borgnine.s final film, .The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernández..
Indican will release the film theatrically in Los Angeles this October, with additional select cities to follow, and will launch an awards campaign centered on Borgnine.s final performance.
Film premiered in April at this year.s Newport Beach Int’l Film Festival, where Borgnine won the fest’s Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award.
The pic is written and directed by Elia Petridis, and produced by Darren Brandl and Dave O’Brien. Additional cast members include Barry Corbin, Carla Ortiz, Dale Dickey and Tony Plana.
.Vicente Fernández. stars Ernest Borgnine as a stubborn man who becomes the local hero of his nursing home upon leading the Latino staff in a revolt against the home’s tyrannical owner.
.Indican Pictures is extremely honored to be releasing...
Indican will release the film theatrically in Los Angeles this October, with additional select cities to follow, and will launch an awards campaign centered on Borgnine.s final performance.
Film premiered in April at this year.s Newport Beach Int’l Film Festival, where Borgnine won the fest’s Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award.
The pic is written and directed by Elia Petridis, and produced by Darren Brandl and Dave O’Brien. Additional cast members include Barry Corbin, Carla Ortiz, Dale Dickey and Tony Plana.
.Vicente Fernández. stars Ernest Borgnine as a stubborn man who becomes the local hero of his nursing home upon leading the Latino staff in a revolt against the home’s tyrannical owner.
.Indican Pictures is extremely honored to be releasing...
- 8/22/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Samuel Goldwyn Films has bought U.S. rights to Stephen Gyllenhaal’s "Grassroots" starring Jason Biggs, Lauren Ambrose, Tom Arnold and Cedric The Entertainer. It's the closing-night film of the 2012 Seattle Film Festival, which runs May 17-June 10; the film will open in theaters June 22. Set in 2001 and inspired by true events, "Grassroots" is the story of a political neophyte (Joel David Moore) who wants to take down a Seattle councilman (Cedric the Entertainer) and moves toward victory after he hires a recently fired alt-weekly reporter (Jason Biggs) to run his campaign. Gyllenhaal and Justin Rhodes wrote the script. The film’s producers are Peggy Rajski, Michael Huffington, Matthew R. Brady, Brent Stiefel and Peggy Case. Ian Puente, Goldwyn’s general counsel and VP development, along with senior VP acquisisions Peter Goldwyn, negotiated the deal with Maren Olson of Traction Media and attorney Darin Frank...
- 5/16/2012
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
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