A year removed from the start of the WGA strike, we’re just starting to see what recovery looks like. It’s rough: TIFF and AFM were disappointing, and Berlin didn’t offer many appealing talent packages. Projects are taking a long time to come together, if they’re happening at all.
However, Cannes may offer a silver lining: The post-strike market may mean a decline in the annual onslaught of trade announcements for movie projects that go nowhere.
“There’s still a lag in the marketplace where stuff isn’t filming; that’s going to affect what’s going on in production right now,” said one domestic sales agent. “During the WGA strike, a lot of talent had taken a seat and said, ‘What is it we really want from the marketplace? We want a different kind of quality.’ You hear it a lot from actors: ‘We want better movies.
However, Cannes may offer a silver lining: The post-strike market may mean a decline in the annual onslaught of trade announcements for movie projects that go nowhere.
“There’s still a lag in the marketplace where stuff isn’t filming; that’s going to affect what’s going on in production right now,” said one domestic sales agent. “During the WGA strike, a lot of talent had taken a seat and said, ‘What is it we really want from the marketplace? We want a different kind of quality.’ You hear it a lot from actors: ‘We want better movies.
- 5/14/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Last summer, Paul Schrader was about to start shooting “Oh, Canada,” his adaptation of Russell Banks’ novel about a troubled artist taking stock of his life, when the major actors union went on strike. For a second, it looked like all that hard work, passion and planning might be for nothing — with performers on the picket lines and major studios holding out on their contract demands, it was hard to see how cameras would ever roll on the low-budget indie.
“Everything shut down,” said Brian Beckmann, the CFO and COO of Arclight Films, which is selling international rights to the film. “We were in this position where we had spent all this money and secured all this talent and we weren’t sure we could move forward until the strikes were over.”
Because it was made outside the studio system, “Oh, Canada” was able to get a union waiver and...
“Everything shut down,” said Brian Beckmann, the CFO and COO of Arclight Films, which is selling international rights to the film. “We were in this position where we had spent all this money and secured all this talent and we weren’t sure we could move forward until the strikes were over.”
Because it was made outside the studio system, “Oh, Canada” was able to get a union waiver and...
- 5/14/2024
- by Brent Lang, John Hopewell and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Paris-based distributor Arp Selection has acquired French rights for Paul Schrader’s Oh, Canada ahead of its world premiere in Competition at the Cannes Film Festival in May.
Oscar nominee Schrader wrote and directed the film, which reunites him with Richard Gere some 40 years after their collaboration on American Gigolo, with other members of the cast including Uma Thurman, Michael Imperioli and Jacob Elordi.
Schrader has adapted the drama from late writer Russell Banks’ 2021 novel Foregone, about a renowned documentary maker with secrets from the past. It is Schrader’s second adaptation of a work by Banks, after 1997 mystery thriller Affliction, starring Nick Nolte and Sissy Spacek.
“We’ve been long-time admirers of Paul Schrader’s work and devout readers of Russell Banks’ books,” said Arp Selection head Michèle Halberstadt.
“Oh, Canada is the reunion of two masters, and also a reunion between Paul Schrader and Richard Gere,...
Oscar nominee Schrader wrote and directed the film, which reunites him with Richard Gere some 40 years after their collaboration on American Gigolo, with other members of the cast including Uma Thurman, Michael Imperioli and Jacob Elordi.
Schrader has adapted the drama from late writer Russell Banks’ 2021 novel Foregone, about a renowned documentary maker with secrets from the past. It is Schrader’s second adaptation of a work by Banks, after 1997 mystery thriller Affliction, starring Nick Nolte and Sissy Spacek.
“We’ve been long-time admirers of Paul Schrader’s work and devout readers of Russell Banks’ books,” said Arp Selection head Michèle Halberstadt.
“Oh, Canada is the reunion of two masters, and also a reunion between Paul Schrader and Richard Gere,...
- 4/30/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
French distributor Arp has picked up all French rights Paul Schrader’s new film Oh, Canada ahead of its world premiere in competition in Cannes next month.
The feature stars Richard Gere, Uma Thurman, Michael Imperioli and Jacob Elordi.
Oh, Canada reunites Schrader with Gere, more than 40 years after their first collaboration on American Gigolo. Adapted from the Russell Banks novel Foregone, Oh, Canada sees Gere playing Leonard Fife, a famed American documentary filmmaker who fled to Canada as a young man to avoid the Vietnam War draft. Dying from cancer, he agrees to give a final interview where he promises to reveals his long-held secrets, speaking in front of his wife (Thurman), a devoted former student (Imperioli), and the film crew.
David Gonzales is the lead producer on Oh, Canada alongside Tiffany Boyle, Luisa Law, Scott Lastaiti and Meghan Hanlon. Arclight Films is handling international sales and WME Independent...
The feature stars Richard Gere, Uma Thurman, Michael Imperioli and Jacob Elordi.
Oh, Canada reunites Schrader with Gere, more than 40 years after their first collaboration on American Gigolo. Adapted from the Russell Banks novel Foregone, Oh, Canada sees Gere playing Leonard Fife, a famed American documentary filmmaker who fled to Canada as a young man to avoid the Vietnam War draft. Dying from cancer, he agrees to give a final interview where he promises to reveals his long-held secrets, speaking in front of his wife (Thurman), a devoted former student (Imperioli), and the film crew.
David Gonzales is the lead producer on Oh, Canada alongside Tiffany Boyle, Luisa Law, Scott Lastaiti and Meghan Hanlon. Arclight Films is handling international sales and WME Independent...
- 4/30/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Danny Huston (Wonder Woman), Oscar nominee Graham Greene (Dances with Wolves), Martin Sensmeier (Yellowstone), Oliver Trevena (Plane) and DeVaughn Nixon (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty) are joining Joel Kinnaman and Cara Jade Myers in thriller Ice Fall.
Also joining are Frida Gustavsson (Vikings Valhalla) and Will Fletcher (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power)
As we previously revealed, Stefan Ruzowitzky (The Counterfeiters) is directing from a script by George Mahaffey (Chief of Station). Filming is underway in Bulgaria.
The film centers on a young Indigenous game warden who arrests an infamous poacher only to discover that the poacher knows the location of a plane carrying millions of dollars that has crashed in a frozen lake. When a group of criminals and dirty cops are alerted to the poacher’s whereabouts, the warden and the poacher team up to fight back and escape across the...
Also joining are Frida Gustavsson (Vikings Valhalla) and Will Fletcher (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power)
As we previously revealed, Stefan Ruzowitzky (The Counterfeiters) is directing from a script by George Mahaffey (Chief of Station). Filming is underway in Bulgaria.
The film centers on a young Indigenous game warden who arrests an infamous poacher only to discover that the poacher knows the location of a plane carrying millions of dollars that has crashed in a frozen lake. When a group of criminals and dirty cops are alerted to the poacher’s whereabouts, the warden and the poacher team up to fight back and escape across the...
- 4/3/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Last year, we heard that Gene Simmons of the rock band Kiss would be launching a new production company with Gary Hamilton (so the company is appropriately called Simmons/Hamilton Productions), and the first project they had given the greenlight was a shark thriller called Deep Water – with Deep Blue Sea director Renny Harlin attached to take the helm of the film! That film has since made its way through production, and a couple days ago we learned that the cast includes Aaron Eckhart of Harlin’s The Bricklayer, Sir Ben Kingsley (Gandhi), Molly Wright (Netflix’s True Spirit), Angus Sampson (Mad Max: Fury Road), Kelly Gale (Plane), singer and actor Li Wenhan, who is a member of the Chinese-Korean K-Pop group Uniq, and Nashi (Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms). Now a first look image has made its way online, and it shows the characters played by Eckhart and Wright.
- 2/15/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Arclight Films has released the first-look image of Simmons/Hamilton Productions’ survival thriller Deep Water starring Aaron Eckhart and Molly Belle Wright.
Renny Harlin directs the story of a flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai that crash-lands in shark-infested waters, forcing the international passengers to overcome their differences and survive.
Ben Kingsley also stars in Deep Water, which is in post after wrapping production at the end of last year in New Zealand and Spain. The cast includes Angus Sampson, Kelly Gale, Li Wenhan from Chinese-Korean K-Pop group Uniq, and Chinese actress Nashi.
Arclight Films’ Ying Ye, Gabba Post’s Neal Kingston,...
Renny Harlin directs the story of a flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai that crash-lands in shark-infested waters, forcing the international passengers to overcome their differences and survive.
Ben Kingsley also stars in Deep Water, which is in post after wrapping production at the end of last year in New Zealand and Spain. The cast includes Angus Sampson, Kelly Gale, Li Wenhan from Chinese-Korean K-Pop group Uniq, and Chinese actress Nashi.
Arclight Films’ Ying Ye, Gabba Post’s Neal Kingston,...
- 2/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
Last year, we heard that Gene Simmons of the rock band Kiss would be launching a new production company with Gary Hamilton (so the company is appropriately called Simmons/Hamilton Productions), and the first project they had given the greenlight was a shark thriller called Deep Water – with Deep Blue Sea director Renny Harlin attached to take the helm of the film! That film has since made its way through production, and a press release reveals that the cast includes Aaron Eckhart of Harlin’s The Bricklayer, Sir Ben Kingsley (Gandhi), Molly Wright (Netflix’s True Spirit), Angus Sampson (Mad Max: Fury Road), Kelly Gale (Plane), singer and actor Li Wenhan, who is a member of the Chinese-Korean K-Pop group Uniq, and Nashi (Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms).
Scripted by Pete Bridges and John Kim, Deep Water centers on an eclectic group of international passengers whose plane,...
Scripted by Pete Bridges and John Kim, Deep Water centers on an eclectic group of international passengers whose plane,...
- 2/13/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Arclight Films has announced that Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingsley star in Renny Harlin’s survival thriller Deep Water, which is in post. Arclight continues worldwide sales at EFM this week.
The first feature greenlit by the stand-alone label Simmons/Hamilton Productions wrapped at the end of last year in New Zealand and Spain.
The lead cast includes Molly Wright (Lionsgate’s upcoming The Best Christmas Pageant Ever), Angus Sampson (FX’s Fargo), Kelly Gale (Lionsgate’s Plane), Li Wenhan from Chinese-Korean K-Pop group Uniq, and Chinese actress Nashi (Creation Of The Gods I: Kingdom Of Storms).
Harlin, whose credits include Die Hard 2,...
The first feature greenlit by the stand-alone label Simmons/Hamilton Productions wrapped at the end of last year in New Zealand and Spain.
The lead cast includes Molly Wright (Lionsgate’s upcoming The Best Christmas Pageant Ever), Angus Sampson (FX’s Fargo), Kelly Gale (Lionsgate’s Plane), Li Wenhan from Chinese-Korean K-Pop group Uniq, and Chinese actress Nashi (Creation Of The Gods I: Kingdom Of Storms).
Harlin, whose credits include Die Hard 2,...
- 2/13/2024
- ScreenDaily
Arclight Films will represent international sales at the EFM on Paul Schrader’s Oh, Canada starring Richard Gere, Uma Thurman, Michael, and Jacob Elordi.
Schrader wrote and directed the film based on Russell Banks’s 2021 novel titled Foregone and reunites with Gere, who starred in the filmmaker’s seminal 1980 mystery drama American Gigolo
Oh, Canada depicts the story of famed documentary filmmaker Leonard Fife, an American leftist who fled to Canada as a young man to avoid the Vietnam War draft.
As Fife battles cancer in Montreal during his twilight years, he agrees to a final interview and makes a...
Schrader wrote and directed the film based on Russell Banks’s 2021 novel titled Foregone and reunites with Gere, who starred in the filmmaker’s seminal 1980 mystery drama American Gigolo
Oh, Canada depicts the story of famed documentary filmmaker Leonard Fife, an American leftist who fled to Canada as a young man to avoid the Vietnam War draft.
As Fife battles cancer in Montreal during his twilight years, he agrees to a final interview and makes a...
- 2/8/2024
- ScreenDaily
Arclight Films has boarded Paul Schrader’s “Oh, Canada” starring Jacob Elordi and Richard Gere, and will launch sales at the upcoming European Film Market.
Along with Elordi and Gere, who worked with Schrader on his cult movie “American Gigolo” more than 40 years ago, the cast of “Oh Canada” also includes Michael Imperioli and Uma Thurman. WME Independent is co-repping domestic rights with Gonzales.
“Oh, Canada” is based on the 2021 searing novel “Foregone,” written by bestselling author Russell Banks. The film depicts the story of famed documentary filmmaker Leonard Fife, an American leftist who fled to Canada as a young man to avoid the Vietnam War draft.
“As Fife battles cancer in Montreal during his twilight years, he agrees to a final interview,” the film’s synopsis reads. “Intent on revealing his long-guarded secrets and demystifying his mythologized life, Fife’s shocking confession unfolds amidst the presence of his wife,...
Along with Elordi and Gere, who worked with Schrader on his cult movie “American Gigolo” more than 40 years ago, the cast of “Oh Canada” also includes Michael Imperioli and Uma Thurman. WME Independent is co-repping domestic rights with Gonzales.
“Oh, Canada” is based on the 2021 searing novel “Foregone,” written by bestselling author Russell Banks. The film depicts the story of famed documentary filmmaker Leonard Fife, an American leftist who fled to Canada as a young man to avoid the Vietnam War draft.
“As Fife battles cancer in Montreal during his twilight years, he agrees to a final interview,” the film’s synopsis reads. “Intent on revealing his long-guarded secrets and demystifying his mythologized life, Fife’s shocking confession unfolds amidst the presence of his wife,...
- 2/8/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
“You will see the El Niño of all Berlins with a downpour of projects… Unless you have a great project it will get lost.”
One month on from the AFM a positive yet realistic mood prevails with sellers reporting solid market deal flow as they and their partners return to packaging and production in the wake of the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Most sales executives who spoke to Screen were heartened by buyer attendance. Asian buyers in general returned – although South Korea is challenging – and there was strong attendance too from Eastern Europe, Benelux and Scandinavia.
After a months-long production halt the...
One month on from the AFM a positive yet realistic mood prevails with sellers reporting solid market deal flow as they and their partners return to packaging and production in the wake of the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Most sales executives who spoke to Screen were heartened by buyer attendance. Asian buyers in general returned – although South Korea is challenging – and there was strong attendance too from Eastern Europe, Benelux and Scandinavia.
After a months-long production halt the...
- 12/1/2023
- by Jeremy Kay¬Mona Tabbara¬Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Arclight + expected to kick off in early 2024.
In a pioneering move, Arclight Films is partnering with film distribution services manager Digital Cinema United (Dcu) to directly distribute remaining and revolving rights to its library on global AVoD, TVoD and SVoD and ancillary platforms.
The new Arclight + initiative is expected to kick off in early 2024 and will allow Arclight to bypass aggregators and engage in a more cost-effective and timely manner with services like iTunes, Amazon, Roku and Tubi, among many others.
Dcu is Arclight’s film lab of record and oversees Arclight’s entire global film delivery elements and marketing...
In a pioneering move, Arclight Films is partnering with film distribution services manager Digital Cinema United (Dcu) to directly distribute remaining and revolving rights to its library on global AVoD, TVoD and SVoD and ancillary platforms.
The new Arclight + initiative is expected to kick off in early 2024 and will allow Arclight to bypass aggregators and engage in a more cost-effective and timely manner with services like iTunes, Amazon, Roku and Tubi, among many others.
Dcu is Arclight’s film lab of record and oversees Arclight’s entire global film delivery elements and marketing...
- 11/1/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Despite the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, sales agents and distributors are convening in Santa Monica this week in the hopes of reconnecting with buyers and kicking off deal discussions at the American Film Market.
After an underwhelming Toronto Film Festival, which saw little deal activity, there’s hope that a few of the starry packages being shopped at AFM will get picked up. But given the climate in Hollywood, many projects won’t officially hit the market until February at the European Film Market in Berlin. The marketplace is not only strained by the strike but the shifting appetites and belt-tightening at the major studios and streamers. At the same time, the return of buyers from China to AFM after several years away is seen as a positive sign.
“Given the strikes and the tough global climate, many of the top international sales agents and talent agencies are holding back...
After an underwhelming Toronto Film Festival, which saw little deal activity, there’s hope that a few of the starry packages being shopped at AFM will get picked up. But given the climate in Hollywood, many projects won’t officially hit the market until February at the European Film Market in Berlin. The marketplace is not only strained by the strike but the shifting appetites and belt-tightening at the major studios and streamers. At the same time, the return of buyers from China to AFM after several years away is seen as a positive sign.
“Given the strikes and the tough global climate, many of the top international sales agents and talent agencies are holding back...
- 10/31/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
“Distributors are getting concerned about supply,” said one sales exec.
Producers and financiers are trying to reconfigure US projects to shoot in Europe with non-guild talent this summer amid concerns the US Writers’ Guild of America (WGA) strike is about to be joined by the actors’ SAG-aftfa union and the Directors Guild of America.
Sales agents and producers were already playing it safe when they arrived in Cannes with vague late 2023 and early 2024 start dates on US packages.
Meanwhile indie US producers have been told they cannot get a bond on projects that have not wrapped shooting by June 30, although...
Producers and financiers are trying to reconfigure US projects to shoot in Europe with non-guild talent this summer amid concerns the US Writers’ Guild of America (WGA) strike is about to be joined by the actors’ SAG-aftfa union and the Directors Guild of America.
Sales agents and producers were already playing it safe when they arrived in Cannes with vague late 2023 and early 2024 start dates on US packages.
Meanwhile indie US producers have been told they cannot get a bond on projects that have not wrapped shooting by June 30, although...
- 5/22/2023
- by Jeremy Kay¬Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
Simmons/Hamilton Productions aims to produce 25 theatrical features over initial five-year period.
Kiss co-founder Gene Simmons and Arclight Films chairman Gary Hamilton have launched Simmons/Hamilton Productions (working title) to develop, finance and produce features kicking off with Renny Harlin’s Deep Water.
Arclight has launched worldwide sales in Cannes on the survival thriller about international passengers whose plane is forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters.
Production is scheduled to begin later this year with Simmons, Hamilton, Arclight Films’ Ying Ye and Rob Van Norden (Martin Campbell’s The Protégé) serving as producers.
The plan is for...
Kiss co-founder Gene Simmons and Arclight Films chairman Gary Hamilton have launched Simmons/Hamilton Productions (working title) to develop, finance and produce features kicking off with Renny Harlin’s Deep Water.
Arclight has launched worldwide sales in Cannes on the survival thriller about international passengers whose plane is forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters.
Production is scheduled to begin later this year with Simmons, Hamilton, Arclight Films’ Ying Ye and Rob Van Norden (Martin Campbell’s The Protégé) serving as producers.
The plan is for...
- 5/15/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Kiss rocker Gene Simmons and Gary Hamilton, Chairman of sales and production company Arclight Films, have launched a new production company called Simmons/Hamilton Productions.
The production banner will produce 25 movies over an initial five-year period, with a focus on action, thriller, and genre titles. In a statement announcing the news, the company said it is backed by a “multi-billion dollar fund manager” who is providing slate financing through a “revolving finance facility.” Arclight Films’ CFO Brian Beckmann was responsible for closing the slate funding deal. All films created under the banner will be produced by Simmons and Hamilton.
The first greenlit project is Deep Water, a survival thriller directed by Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2). Scheduled to go into production later this year, the pic tells the adventurous tale of an eclectic group of international passengers whose plane, en route from LA to Shanghai, is forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters.
The production banner will produce 25 movies over an initial five-year period, with a focus on action, thriller, and genre titles. In a statement announcing the news, the company said it is backed by a “multi-billion dollar fund manager” who is providing slate financing through a “revolving finance facility.” Arclight Films’ CFO Brian Beckmann was responsible for closing the slate funding deal. All films created under the banner will be produced by Simmons and Hamilton.
The first greenlit project is Deep Water, a survival thriller directed by Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2). Scheduled to go into production later this year, the pic tells the adventurous tale of an eclectic group of international passengers whose plane, en route from LA to Shanghai, is forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters.
- 5/15/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Kiss frontman Gene Simmons and Gary Hamilton, chairman of Arclight Films, have launched Simmons/Hamilton Prods. to develop, finance and produce feature films.
The standalone banner will produce 25 movies over an initial five-year period, with a focus on action, thriller and genre titles with global franchise potential.
The company is backed by a multi-billion dollar fund manager that is providing slate financing through a revolving finance facility. Arclight Films’ CFO Brian Beckmann was responsible for closing the slate funding deal. All films created under the new company — which was first discussed five years ago, and recently firmed up — will be produced by Simmons and Hamilton, both of whom are in Cannes for the festival. The focus is to build a feature film production company, targeting original theatrical product that can be developed into franchise properties.
The collaboration will merge Arclight Films’ expertise in the independent production, finance and sales space...
The standalone banner will produce 25 movies over an initial five-year period, with a focus on action, thriller and genre titles with global franchise potential.
The company is backed by a multi-billion dollar fund manager that is providing slate financing through a revolving finance facility. Arclight Films’ CFO Brian Beckmann was responsible for closing the slate funding deal. All films created under the new company — which was first discussed five years ago, and recently firmed up — will be produced by Simmons and Hamilton, both of whom are in Cannes for the festival. The focus is to build a feature film production company, targeting original theatrical product that can be developed into franchise properties.
The collaboration will merge Arclight Films’ expertise in the independent production, finance and sales space...
- 5/15/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
MGM+ new original fantasy-adventure comedy, The Portable Door will debut exclusively on MGM+ and coming exclusively to the U.S. market in April. The comedy stars multi-time Golden Globe nominee Sam Neill and Patrick Gibson, joining two-time Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz and Sophie Wilde. The award-winning Jeffrey Walker directed the film, which is adapted by Leon Ford (Griff the Invisible) from Tom Holt’s popular seven-book fantasy series.
The movie centers on Paul Carpenter (Gibson) and Sophie Pettingel (Wilde), lowly, put-upon interns who begin working at the mysterious London firm J.W. Wells & Co., and become increasingly aware that their employers are anything but conventional. Charismatic villains Humphrey Wells (Waltz), the CEO of the company, and middle manager Dennis Tanner (Neill) are disrupting the...
The movie centers on Paul Carpenter (Gibson) and Sophie Pettingel (Wilde), lowly, put-upon interns who begin working at the mysterious London firm J.W. Wells & Co., and become increasingly aware that their employers are anything but conventional. Charismatic villains Humphrey Wells (Waltz), the CEO of the company, and middle manager Dennis Tanner (Neill) are disrupting the...
- 2/7/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
MGM+ is shoring up its original content selection with the pickup of a new fantasy-adventure comedy, The Portable Door, an MGM+ original film that will be coming exclusively to the U.S. market in April.
The movie stars multi-time Golden Globe nominee Sam Neill and Patrick Gibson, joining two-time Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz, and Sophie Wilde.
The award-winning Jeffrey Walker directed the film, which is adapted by Leon Ford (Griff the Invisible) from Tom Holt's popular seven-book fantasy series.
"The movie centers on Paul Carpenter (Gibson) and Sophie Pettingel (Wilde), lowly, put-upon interns who begin working at the mysterious London firm J.W. Wells & Co., and become increasingly aware that their employers are anything but conventional," the logline reads.
"Charismatic villains Humphrey Wells (Waltz), the CEO of the company, and middle manager Dennis Tanner (Neill) are disrupting the world of magic by bringing modern corporate strategy to ancient magical practices,...
The movie stars multi-time Golden Globe nominee Sam Neill and Patrick Gibson, joining two-time Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz, and Sophie Wilde.
The award-winning Jeffrey Walker directed the film, which is adapted by Leon Ford (Griff the Invisible) from Tom Holt's popular seven-book fantasy series.
"The movie centers on Paul Carpenter (Gibson) and Sophie Pettingel (Wilde), lowly, put-upon interns who begin working at the mysterious London firm J.W. Wells & Co., and become increasingly aware that their employers are anything but conventional," the logline reads.
"Charismatic villains Humphrey Wells (Waltz), the CEO of the company, and middle manager Dennis Tanner (Neill) are disrupting the world of magic by bringing modern corporate strategy to ancient magical practices,...
- 2/7/2023
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Overall attendee level reached 5,866 as market returns.
AFM leadership said on Thursday that the recent in-person edition of the market drew attendees from a record 87 countries while the overall attendee level reached 5,866.
“AFM 2022 was an important milestone in our 43-year history,” said Jean Prewitt, president/CEO of Independent Film & Television Alliance, which stages the AFM. “Our mission is to give the independent industry a strong platform for sales, education, and networking. After three years away, new energy filled Santa Monica throughout the week, with a steady drumbeat of business being done and participants from 87 countries enthusiastically engaged in sharing...
AFM leadership said on Thursday that the recent in-person edition of the market drew attendees from a record 87 countries while the overall attendee level reached 5,866.
“AFM 2022 was an important milestone in our 43-year history,” said Jean Prewitt, president/CEO of Independent Film & Television Alliance, which stages the AFM. “Our mission is to give the independent industry a strong platform for sales, education, and networking. After three years away, new energy filled Santa Monica throughout the week, with a steady drumbeat of business being done and participants from 87 countries enthusiastically engaged in sharing...
- 11/10/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Overall attendee level reached 5,866 as market returns.
AFM leadership said on Thursday that the recent in-person edition of the market drew attendees from a record 87 countries while the overall attendee level reached 5,866.
“AFM 2022 was an important milestone in our 43-year history,” said Jean Prewitt, president/CEO of Independent Film & Television Alliance, which stages the AFM. “Our mission is to give the independent industry a strong platform for sales, education, and networking. After three years away, new energy filled Santa Monica throughout the week, with a steady drumbeat of business being done and participants from 87 countries enthusiastically engaged in sharing...
AFM leadership said on Thursday that the recent in-person edition of the market drew attendees from a record 87 countries while the overall attendee level reached 5,866.
“AFM 2022 was an important milestone in our 43-year history,” said Jean Prewitt, president/CEO of Independent Film & Television Alliance, which stages the AFM. “Our mission is to give the independent industry a strong platform for sales, education, and networking. After three years away, new energy filled Santa Monica throughout the week, with a steady drumbeat of business being done and participants from 87 countries enthusiastically engaged in sharing...
- 11/10/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Overall attendee level reached 5,866 as market returns.
AFM leadership said on Thursday that the recent in-person edition of the market drew attendees from a record 87 countries while the overall attendee level reached a solid 5,866.
Exhibitors included 305 registered companies from 38 countries, with the largest number after the United States coming from the UK, Italy, France, Germany and Canada. From Asia, South Korea and Thailand deployed a strong presence with 17 and eight exhibition companies respectively. The AFM highlighted Italy and Malaysia as two countries with significant increases in participation with 29 exhibitors and 10, respectively.
Buyers from nearly 500 companies representing 68 countries were present and...
AFM leadership said on Thursday that the recent in-person edition of the market drew attendees from a record 87 countries while the overall attendee level reached a solid 5,866.
Exhibitors included 305 registered companies from 38 countries, with the largest number after the United States coming from the UK, Italy, France, Germany and Canada. From Asia, South Korea and Thailand deployed a strong presence with 17 and eight exhibition companies respectively. The AFM highlighted Italy and Malaysia as two countries with significant increases in participation with 29 exhibitors and 10, respectively.
Buyers from nearly 500 companies representing 68 countries were present and...
- 11/10/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Russian buyers unaffiliated to the state have been particularly active, sellers report.
AFM sellers have been engaging with private Russian buyers unaffiliated to the state as attendees overall reported a busy market for independent international distributors, where action titles once again are proving to be a major draw.
A number of executives who spoke to Screen revealed Russian buyers were pursuing must-have titles “aggressively” as the Hollywood studios’ blockade of theatrical releases creates a deep appetite for content. Trade with parts of Asia has been soft in the absence of buyers from China.
Meanwhile the bruising exchange rate does not...
AFM sellers have been engaging with private Russian buyers unaffiliated to the state as attendees overall reported a busy market for independent international distributors, where action titles once again are proving to be a major draw.
A number of executives who spoke to Screen revealed Russian buyers were pursuing must-have titles “aggressively” as the Hollywood studios’ blockade of theatrical releases creates a deep appetite for content. Trade with parts of Asia has been soft in the absence of buyers from China.
Meanwhile the bruising exchange rate does not...
- 11/4/2022
- by Jeremy Kay¬Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
The board of 15 will serve from 2022-24.
Independent Film and Television Alliance (IFTA), the producer of the AFM, has unveiled the results of its annual elections for the board of directors, with Arclight Films’ Brian Beckmann and Protagonist Pictures’ George Hamilton among the freshly elected board of 15.
They join Caroline Couret-Delegue (Film Seekers), Diane Ferrandez (AGC Studios), Jeffrey Greenstein (Millennium Media), George Hamilton (Protagonist Pictures), Jasmin McSweeney (Nz Film Commission), and Lise Romanoff (Vision Films). Romanoff has been re-elected having just completed a two-year term.
Film Mode Entertainment’s Clay Epstein is currently serving the second year of his two-year term,...
Independent Film and Television Alliance (IFTA), the producer of the AFM, has unveiled the results of its annual elections for the board of directors, with Arclight Films’ Brian Beckmann and Protagonist Pictures’ George Hamilton among the freshly elected board of 15.
They join Caroline Couret-Delegue (Film Seekers), Diane Ferrandez (AGC Studios), Jeffrey Greenstein (Millennium Media), George Hamilton (Protagonist Pictures), Jasmin McSweeney (Nz Film Commission), and Lise Romanoff (Vision Films). Romanoff has been re-elected having just completed a two-year term.
Film Mode Entertainment’s Clay Epstein is currently serving the second year of his two-year term,...
- 11/4/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Brian Beckmann (Arclight Films), Caroline Couret-Delegue (Film Seekers Limited), Diane Ferrandez (AGC Studios), Jeffrey Greenstein (Millennium Media), George Hamilton (Protagonist Pictures), Jasmin McSweeney (Nz Film Commission) and Lise Romanoff (Vision Films) have been elected to serve on the Independent Film & Television Alliance’s 15-person Board of Directors.
Clay Epstein (Film Mode Entertainment), who was elected as Chairperson of the Board in 2021, is currently serving the second year of his two-year term on the IFTA Board, as are J.D Beaufils (Vmi Worldwide), David Fannon (Screen Media), Jason Buckley (Lakeshore Entertainment), Lisa Gutberlet (Blue Fox Entertainment), Nat McCormick (The Exchange), Michael Ryan (Gfm Animation) and Rob Williams (Participant Media).
“We are once again honored to have so many uniquely talented members on our Board, who each represent various positions, product, business models, and perspectives within the industry,” said Epstein. “Together they will play a pivotal role in our year-round efforts...
Clay Epstein (Film Mode Entertainment), who was elected as Chairperson of the Board in 2021, is currently serving the second year of his two-year term on the IFTA Board, as are J.D Beaufils (Vmi Worldwide), David Fannon (Screen Media), Jason Buckley (Lakeshore Entertainment), Lisa Gutberlet (Blue Fox Entertainment), Nat McCormick (The Exchange), Michael Ryan (Gfm Animation) and Rob Williams (Participant Media).
“We are once again honored to have so many uniquely talented members on our Board, who each represent various positions, product, business models, and perspectives within the industry,” said Epstein. “Together they will play a pivotal role in our year-round efforts...
- 11/3/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Independent Film & Television Alliance today unveiled new details, as to the programming and speakers to be featured at this year’s American Film Market.
The AFM Sessions put on at the Loews Beach Hotel in Santa Monica as part of the 43rd edition of the industry’s only independently produced sales market will consist of 30+ panels bringing together over 100 speakers from November 2-5, including film industry thought leaders Howard Cohen (Roadside Attractions), Ashley Stern (Picture Perfect Federation), Martin Moszkowicz (Constantin Film), Jeff Annison (Legion M), Jeffrey Greenstein (Millennium Media) and George Hamilton (Protagonist Pictures). Programming highlights include:
Finance: Strategies for Today’s VOD Dominated World
Maxime Cottray, XYZ Films, Peter Graham, 120 dB Films (Principal), Deirdre Owens, Cast & Crew and Jeremy Kay, Screen International (Americas Editor).
Forecasting the Future for Independent Film
David Fannon, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment / Screen Media Ventures, Martin Moszkowicz, Constantin Film (President and Chairman), Ashley Stern, Picture Perfect Federation / Federation Entertainment of America (President) and Patrick Frater, Variety (Asia Editor).
Theatrical Marketplace Recovery for Independent Films
Howard Cohen, Roadside Attractions (Co-President & Co-Founder), Jeffrey Greenstein, Millennium Media (President), Scott Shooman, IFC Entertainment and Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, (International Features Editor).
Demystifying the Global VOD Landscape
Nick Isaak, Gravitas Ventures (VP of Sales), Peter Jarowey, Vertical Entertainment (Partner / CEO), Jason Pfardrescher, Well Go USA (EVP Digital Distribution), Kent Sanderson, Bleecker Street/ Decal and Stephanie Prange, Media Play News (Editor in Chief).
Inspiration is Everywhere: Accessing & Adapting Existing IP for the Screen
Margaret Boykin, Ubisoft Film & Television, Charles Hopkins, Concord Originals (Director of Development & Production) and James Vanderbilt, Project X Entertainment (Cco).
Independent Features with Big Profit Potential
Miranda Bailey, Cold Iron Pictures (CEO), Brian Beckmann, Arclight Films (CFO), George Hamilton, Protagonist Pictures (Cco), and Pip Ngo, XYZ Films (SVP of Sales & Acquisitions).
The Producer / Sales Agent Dynamic
Clay Epstein, Film Mode Entertainment (President), Delphine Perrier, Highland Film Group (COO), Mary Jane Skalski, Echo Lake Entertainment (President of Production / Producer), and Mimi Steinbaur, Radiant Films International (President & CEO).
The Innovators
Jeff Annison, Legion M (Co-Founder & President), Lindsey Ramey, Wattpad Webtoon Studios (Head of Global Film), Richard Botto, Stage 32 (Founder) and Alex Ferrari, Indie Film Hustle (Founder).
AFM’s programming will kick off the morning of November 2nd with the Finance Conference “The Risk Takers”, featuring Jason Cloth (Creative Wealth Media/Bron), Basil Iwanyk (Thunder Road Pictures), Laura Lewis (Rebelle Media), Milan Popelka (FilmNation), and Erich Schartzel (The Wall Street Journal), as previously announced.
Attendees will also be able to connect with Film Commissions, Government Agencies and Production Service Companies from more than 30 countries, who collectively are offering millions of dollars in production incentives, via AFM’s LocationEXPO. Exhibitors and LocationEXPO partners putting on presentations for participants include The Italian Trade Agency, The Polish Film Institute, The North Finland Film Commission and the Louisiana Office of Entertainment Industry Development.
This year’s installment of AFM will take place at the Loews Hotel and theatres throughout the city from November 1-6. More information on AFM’s current schedule and speakers, as well as its exhibitor list, can be found here and here, respectively. Check out the official poster for AFM 2022 above.
The AFM Sessions put on at the Loews Beach Hotel in Santa Monica as part of the 43rd edition of the industry’s only independently produced sales market will consist of 30+ panels bringing together over 100 speakers from November 2-5, including film industry thought leaders Howard Cohen (Roadside Attractions), Ashley Stern (Picture Perfect Federation), Martin Moszkowicz (Constantin Film), Jeff Annison (Legion M), Jeffrey Greenstein (Millennium Media) and George Hamilton (Protagonist Pictures). Programming highlights include:
Finance: Strategies for Today’s VOD Dominated World
Maxime Cottray, XYZ Films, Peter Graham, 120 dB Films (Principal), Deirdre Owens, Cast & Crew and Jeremy Kay, Screen International (Americas Editor).
Forecasting the Future for Independent Film
David Fannon, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment / Screen Media Ventures, Martin Moszkowicz, Constantin Film (President and Chairman), Ashley Stern, Picture Perfect Federation / Federation Entertainment of America (President) and Patrick Frater, Variety (Asia Editor).
Theatrical Marketplace Recovery for Independent Films
Howard Cohen, Roadside Attractions (Co-President & Co-Founder), Jeffrey Greenstein, Millennium Media (President), Scott Shooman, IFC Entertainment and Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, (International Features Editor).
Demystifying the Global VOD Landscape
Nick Isaak, Gravitas Ventures (VP of Sales), Peter Jarowey, Vertical Entertainment (Partner / CEO), Jason Pfardrescher, Well Go USA (EVP Digital Distribution), Kent Sanderson, Bleecker Street/ Decal and Stephanie Prange, Media Play News (Editor in Chief).
Inspiration is Everywhere: Accessing & Adapting Existing IP for the Screen
Margaret Boykin, Ubisoft Film & Television, Charles Hopkins, Concord Originals (Director of Development & Production) and James Vanderbilt, Project X Entertainment (Cco).
Independent Features with Big Profit Potential
Miranda Bailey, Cold Iron Pictures (CEO), Brian Beckmann, Arclight Films (CFO), George Hamilton, Protagonist Pictures (Cco), and Pip Ngo, XYZ Films (SVP of Sales & Acquisitions).
The Producer / Sales Agent Dynamic
Clay Epstein, Film Mode Entertainment (President), Delphine Perrier, Highland Film Group (COO), Mary Jane Skalski, Echo Lake Entertainment (President of Production / Producer), and Mimi Steinbaur, Radiant Films International (President & CEO).
The Innovators
Jeff Annison, Legion M (Co-Founder & President), Lindsey Ramey, Wattpad Webtoon Studios (Head of Global Film), Richard Botto, Stage 32 (Founder) and Alex Ferrari, Indie Film Hustle (Founder).
AFM’s programming will kick off the morning of November 2nd with the Finance Conference “The Risk Takers”, featuring Jason Cloth (Creative Wealth Media/Bron), Basil Iwanyk (Thunder Road Pictures), Laura Lewis (Rebelle Media), Milan Popelka (FilmNation), and Erich Schartzel (The Wall Street Journal), as previously announced.
Attendees will also be able to connect with Film Commissions, Government Agencies and Production Service Companies from more than 30 countries, who collectively are offering millions of dollars in production incentives, via AFM’s LocationEXPO. Exhibitors and LocationEXPO partners putting on presentations for participants include The Italian Trade Agency, The Polish Film Institute, The North Finland Film Commission and the Louisiana Office of Entertainment Industry Development.
This year’s installment of AFM will take place at the Loews Hotel and theatres throughout the city from November 1-6. More information on AFM’s current schedule and speakers, as well as its exhibitor list, can be found here and here, respectively. Check out the official poster for AFM 2022 above.
- 10/14/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Finance Conference runs November 2-5; AFM runs November 1-6.
Top executives from Constantin Film, Thunder Road, FilmNation, Millennium Media, and Protagonist Pictures will take part in 2022 AFM’s sessions, market heads said on Friday (October 14) as they also highlighted LocationEXPO.
The in-person 43rd edition of AFM in Santa Monica will host more than 30 sessions featuring more than 100 speakers from November 2-5 at the Loews Hotel. Market heads have brought the Finance Conference sessions back to the AFM hub after staging them at Fairmont Miramar for some years prior to the pandemic.
As previously announced, AFM programming will kick off with...
Top executives from Constantin Film, Thunder Road, FilmNation, Millennium Media, and Protagonist Pictures will take part in 2022 AFM’s sessions, market heads said on Friday (October 14) as they also highlighted LocationEXPO.
The in-person 43rd edition of AFM in Santa Monica will host more than 30 sessions featuring more than 100 speakers from November 2-5 at the Loews Hotel. Market heads have brought the Finance Conference sessions back to the AFM hub after staging them at Fairmont Miramar for some years prior to the pandemic.
As previously announced, AFM programming will kick off with...
- 10/14/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
As industry mavens alight on the Zurich Film Festival, escalating inflation costs and rising interest rates are hijacking dreams of a post-pandemic recovery and rebirth. Together, these financing challenges are sitting on top of unstable budgets still coping with Covid-induced costs that continue to send production budgets 10 north on average.
Observers need to go back to 1981 to find inflation rates higher than the current 9 to 10 figure across Western nations, while prime bank lending rates are now sitting at 5-6, matching 2008-09 financial crisis levels.
Take the rising cost of borrowing first, following a decade of extremely cheap money, and the pressure on producers is now acute: “You’ve got to consider that most indie financiers are always looking to lower budgets anyway. Interest is a key cost line that many producers don’t understand or are forced to factor in late in the day,” says Brian Beckmann, CFO of Arclight Films,...
Observers need to go back to 1981 to find inflation rates higher than the current 9 to 10 figure across Western nations, while prime bank lending rates are now sitting at 5-6, matching 2008-09 financial crisis levels.
Take the rising cost of borrowing first, following a decade of extremely cheap money, and the pressure on producers is now acute: “You’ve got to consider that most indie financiers are always looking to lower budgets anyway. Interest is a key cost line that many producers don’t understand or are forced to factor in late in the day,” says Brian Beckmann, CFO of Arclight Films,...
- 9/19/2022
- by Carole Horst
- Variety Film + TV
Arclight Films represents worldwide sales.
Screen Media has picked up North American rights from Arclight Films to the Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth thriller Poker Face.
RZA and Elsa Pataky also star in the story set in the world of high stakes poker as a tech billionaire and gambler offers friends the chance to make more money than they’ve ever dreamed of so long as they give up their secrets.
Crowe directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Stephen M. Coates. Arclicht Films head Gary Hamilton and Keith Rodger served as producers alongside Ying Ye and Ryan Hamilton, Addam Bramich,...
Screen Media has picked up North American rights from Arclight Films to the Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth thriller Poker Face.
RZA and Elsa Pataky also star in the story set in the world of high stakes poker as a tech billionaire and gambler offers friends the chance to make more money than they’ve ever dreamed of so long as they give up their secrets.
Crowe directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Stephen M. Coates. Arclicht Films head Gary Hamilton and Keith Rodger served as producers alongside Ying Ye and Ryan Hamilton, Addam Bramich,...
- 9/9/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Screen Media, a division of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, has acquired North American rights to “Poker Face,” a thriller starring Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth.
Crowe also directed the film, which is scheduled to release in theaters on Nov. 16. It’ll land on digital platforms on Nov. 22.
Set in the world of high-stakes betting, “Poker Face” stars Crowe as tech billionaire and gambler Jake Foley, who offers his best friends a chance to win more money than they’ve ever dreamed of. But to play, they’ll have to give up the one thing they spend their lives trying to keep…their secrets. As the game unfolds, the long-time pals will discover what is really at stake.
Along with Crowe and Hemsworth, the cast includes RZA of Wu-Tang Clan fame and “Fast and Furious” star Elsa Pataky. Stephen M. Coates wrote the screenplay with Crowe.
Arclight Films handled worldwide rights for the film.
Crowe also directed the film, which is scheduled to release in theaters on Nov. 16. It’ll land on digital platforms on Nov. 22.
Set in the world of high-stakes betting, “Poker Face” stars Crowe as tech billionaire and gambler Jake Foley, who offers his best friends a chance to win more money than they’ve ever dreamed of. But to play, they’ll have to give up the one thing they spend their lives trying to keep…their secrets. As the game unfolds, the long-time pals will discover what is really at stake.
Along with Crowe and Hemsworth, the cast includes RZA of Wu-Tang Clan fame and “Fast and Furious” star Elsa Pataky. Stephen M. Coates wrote the screenplay with Crowe.
Arclight Films handled worldwide rights for the film.
- 9/8/2022
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Arclight Films and Mep Capital Management are teaming up to acquire and license all available media rights to the library of The Lotus Entertainment.
That library consists of a mix of worldwide and foreign sales rights to 58 films released between 2005 to 2019, which earned more than 500 million at the global box office. Notable titles include “Just Friends” starring Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart and Anna Faris; “The Grey” starring Liam Neeson; “Killing Them Softly” starring Brad Pitt; “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale” starring Richard Gere; “Freelancers” starring Robert DeNiro; “Jobs” starring Ashton Kutcher; “The Host” starring Saoirse Ronan; “Maggie” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger; “The Women” starring Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, and Eva Mendes; and “Kill Your Darlings” with Daniel Radcliffe and Michael C. Hall.
The deal was negotiated by Elizabeth Zavoyskiy, investment principal of Mep Capital, and Brian Beckmann, CFO of Arclight Films, with Jim Seibel, co-chairman of Lotus Entertainment. Arclight Films is handling...
That library consists of a mix of worldwide and foreign sales rights to 58 films released between 2005 to 2019, which earned more than 500 million at the global box office. Notable titles include “Just Friends” starring Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart and Anna Faris; “The Grey” starring Liam Neeson; “Killing Them Softly” starring Brad Pitt; “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale” starring Richard Gere; “Freelancers” starring Robert DeNiro; “Jobs” starring Ashton Kutcher; “The Host” starring Saoirse Ronan; “Maggie” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger; “The Women” starring Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, and Eva Mendes; and “Kill Your Darlings” with Daniel Radcliffe and Michael C. Hall.
The deal was negotiated by Elizabeth Zavoyskiy, investment principal of Mep Capital, and Brian Beckmann, CFO of Arclight Films, with Jim Seibel, co-chairman of Lotus Entertainment. Arclight Films is handling...
- 5/20/2022
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Academy Award winner Russell Crowe directs and stars in the upcoming thriller Poker Face, from a script he co-wrote with Stephen M. Coates (John Doe: Vigilante). The cast includes Emmy nominee Liam Hemsworth, Elsa Pataky and Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA. Set in the world of high stakes poker, Crowe stars as billionaire gambler Jake Foley who gives his best friends a night they’ll never forget, a chance to win more money than they’ve ever dreamed of. But to play, they’ll have to give up the one thing they’ve spent their lives doing everything to keep….their secrets. As the game unfolds, the friends will discover the real stakes they’re playing for, the biggest stakes of them all. The film, which was shot in New South Wales, Australia, is currently in post-production.
Poker Face is produced by Gary Hamilton (Arclight Films) and Keith Rodger (Fear Of...
Poker Face is produced by Gary Hamilton (Arclight Films) and Keith Rodger (Fear Of...
- 5/17/2022
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Liam Hemsworth to co-star in thriller; Arclight Films launching sales in Cannes.
Arclight Films kicks off worldwide sales this week and has released an exclusive first image from the thriller Poker Face directed by and starring Russell Crowe alongside Liam Hemsworth.
Crowe plays a billionaire gambler who offers his best friends the chance to win more money than they have ever dreamed of. However, in return, they will have to give up the secrets they have spent their lives protecting and will learn the true nature of what is at stake.
Elsa Pataky and Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA round out...
Arclight Films kicks off worldwide sales this week and has released an exclusive first image from the thriller Poker Face directed by and starring Russell Crowe alongside Liam Hemsworth.
Crowe plays a billionaire gambler who offers his best friends the chance to win more money than they have ever dreamed of. However, in return, they will have to give up the secrets they have spent their lives protecting and will learn the true nature of what is at stake.
Elsa Pataky and Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA round out...
- 5/17/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Penning a premature obituary is an occupational hazard that goes with the territory of film industry analysis, and there are few topics that attract such hand wringing as the alleged “death of the pre-sale.”
While the execs headed to the Cannes Market have seen major disruptions in the past decade from technology and pandemics, industry insiders say it’s a little too early to play “Taps” on this market mainstay.
Legend has it that the concept of indie movie “pre-sales” was invented in the early 1970s by the financial wizard John Heyman, a man no doubt worthy of a role in one of his award-winning son’s “Harry Potter” productions. Bankrolling upfront distribution commitments for indie titles — or “turning paper into gold” as one veteran puts it — was a magician’s trick not lost on a hot sellers’ market in those heady times.
To understand the evolution of pre-sales requires...
While the execs headed to the Cannes Market have seen major disruptions in the past decade from technology and pandemics, industry insiders say it’s a little too early to play “Taps” on this market mainstay.
Legend has it that the concept of indie movie “pre-sales” was invented in the early 1970s by the financial wizard John Heyman, a man no doubt worthy of a role in one of his award-winning son’s “Harry Potter” productions. Bankrolling upfront distribution commitments for indie titles — or “turning paper into gold” as one veteran puts it — was a magician’s trick not lost on a hot sellers’ market in those heady times.
To understand the evolution of pre-sales requires...
- 5/10/2022
- by Angus Finney
- Variety Film + TV
After almost two years of movie theaters being partially or completely closed, streaming services are poised to have their biggest moment yet. The 2022 Sundance film festival is one of the first major festivals where a steadily-growing number of services can test their muscle, and their money, not just against standard bearers of distribution but against tradition distribution methods themselves.
“Everyone has gotten incredibly used to the idea of watching movies that are first-run on streaming without any kind of stigma,” Picturestart founder and CEO Erik Feig says. “Now it’s all about different forms of distribution as they ultimately make sense for the audience, because the consumer’s going to dictate how and when they want to watch something.”
Brian Beckmann, CFO of Arclight Films, says programming at Sundance has always been tailored for the specificity that streaming services provide for their subscribers.
“Sundance has become much more of a...
“Everyone has gotten incredibly used to the idea of watching movies that are first-run on streaming without any kind of stigma,” Picturestart founder and CEO Erik Feig says. “Now it’s all about different forms of distribution as they ultimately make sense for the audience, because the consumer’s going to dictate how and when they want to watch something.”
Brian Beckmann, CFO of Arclight Films, says programming at Sundance has always been tailored for the specificity that streaming services provide for their subscribers.
“Sundance has become much more of a...
- 1/20/2022
- by Todd Gilchrist
- Variety Film + TV
Show to run November 1-5.
Sessions on story analysis, independent animation and Black filmmakers are among the line-up of conference events at AFM 2021 Online next month.
Organisers said on Tuesday (October 5) that more than 300 production and sales companies and international trade organisations from more than 25 countries have registered as exhibitors for the November 1-5 virtual market including Altitude Film Sales, China Film Promotion International, Cinema Management Group, Cornerstone, Dogwoof, The Exchange, HanWay, Global Screen, Highland Film Group, Myriad Pictures, Pathé International, Sierra/Affinity, and XYZ Films.
The United States currently has the largest exhibitor presence followed by the UK, Germany,...
Sessions on story analysis, independent animation and Black filmmakers are among the line-up of conference events at AFM 2021 Online next month.
Organisers said on Tuesday (October 5) that more than 300 production and sales companies and international trade organisations from more than 25 countries have registered as exhibitors for the November 1-5 virtual market including Altitude Film Sales, China Film Promotion International, Cinema Management Group, Cornerstone, Dogwoof, The Exchange, HanWay, Global Screen, Highland Film Group, Myriad Pictures, Pathé International, Sierra/Affinity, and XYZ Films.
The United States currently has the largest exhibitor presence followed by the UK, Germany,...
- 10/5/2021
- ScreenDaily
Sam Neill, Christoph Waltz and Patrick Gibson will head the cast of “The Portable Door,” a fantasy adventure film adapted from the series of novels by Patrick Holt.
The film is now shooting in Queensland, Australia, with Jeffrey Walker directing from a script by Leon Ford (“Griff the Invisible”).
The story sees two lowly, put-upon interns at a mysterious London firm, J.W. Wells & Co., become steadily aware that their employers are anything but conventional. The charismatic villains who run the company are disrupting the world of magic by bringing modern corporate strategy to ancient magical practices.
The film is a Jim Henson Company and Story Bridge Films production and is produced by Blanca Lista from Henson and Todd Fellman from Story Bridge.
Sales agent Arclight Films is handling worldwide rights for all territories outside of North America, Australia and New Zealand. Sky will release the film as a Sky Original in the U.
The film is now shooting in Queensland, Australia, with Jeffrey Walker directing from a script by Leon Ford (“Griff the Invisible”).
The story sees two lowly, put-upon interns at a mysterious London firm, J.W. Wells & Co., become steadily aware that their employers are anything but conventional. The charismatic villains who run the company are disrupting the world of magic by bringing modern corporate strategy to ancient magical practices.
The film is a Jim Henson Company and Story Bridge Films production and is produced by Blanca Lista from Henson and Todd Fellman from Story Bridge.
Sales agent Arclight Films is handling worldwide rights for all territories outside of North America, Australia and New Zealand. Sky will release the film as a Sky Original in the U.
- 6/24/2021
- by Vivienne Chow
- Variety Film + TV
The future of sales, production and virtual markets during the pandemic were discussed in the latest ScreenDaily Talks webinar.
The ongoing disruption to the film business caused by the virus crisis is generating opportunity as well as uncertainty according to a panel of US indie producers and sales executives on the eve of the first online American Film Market (AFM).
“There are a lot of people looking for content right now,” said Brian Beckmann, CFO of Arclight Films. ”We’ve had nine months with very few productions getting off the ground… so we’re going to run into a supply and demand issue.
The ongoing disruption to the film business caused by the virus crisis is generating opportunity as well as uncertainty according to a panel of US indie producers and sales executives on the eve of the first online American Film Market (AFM).
“There are a lot of people looking for content right now,” said Brian Beckmann, CFO of Arclight Films. ”We’ve had nine months with very few productions getting off the ground… so we’re going to run into a supply and demand issue.
- 11/6/2020
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
The latest in our ScreenDaily Talks live Q&a series will take place today at 5pm UK time (9am US West Coast).
The latest in our ScreenDaily Talks live Q&a series will take place on Thursday November 5 at 5pm UK time (9am US West Coast) and will take the temperature of the independent film business on the eve of AFM 2020 Online.
Click here to register
This instalment is sponsored by the St Petersburg Clearwater Film Commission in Florida.
Key players in the film and independent sector will discuss the ongoing impact of the pandemic on their business, particularly production and sales.
The latest in our ScreenDaily Talks live Q&a series will take place on Thursday November 5 at 5pm UK time (9am US West Coast) and will take the temperature of the independent film business on the eve of AFM 2020 Online.
Click here to register
This instalment is sponsored by the St Petersburg Clearwater Film Commission in Florida.
Key players in the film and independent sector will discuss the ongoing impact of the pandemic on their business, particularly production and sales.
- 11/5/2020
- by Screen staff
- ScreenDaily
The latest in our ScreenDaily Talks live Q&a series will take place on Thursday November 5 at 5pm UK time (9am US West Coast).
The latest in our ScreenDaily Talks live Q&a series will take place on Thursday November 5 at 5pm UK time (9am US West Coast) and will take the temperature of the independent film business on the eve of AFM 2020 Online.
Click here to register
This instalment is sponsored by the St Petersburg Clearwater Film Commission in Florida.
Key players in the film and independent sector will discuss the ongoing impact of the pandemic on their business,...
The latest in our ScreenDaily Talks live Q&a series will take place on Thursday November 5 at 5pm UK time (9am US West Coast) and will take the temperature of the independent film business on the eve of AFM 2020 Online.
Click here to register
This instalment is sponsored by the St Petersburg Clearwater Film Commission in Florida.
Key players in the film and independent sector will discuss the ongoing impact of the pandemic on their business,...
- 10/29/2020
- by Screen staff
- ScreenDaily
A24 has acquired the U.S. rights to Paul Schrader's thriller First Reformed, the company announced Friday.
In the film, Ethan Hawke plays a church minister and ex-military chaplain who, after losing his son in war, befriends a pregnant woman (Amanda Seyfried) who is suffering from the loss of her husband. He dives deeper into his church’s suspicious affairs and discovers hidden secrets about its complicity with unethical corporations.
Schrader wrote and directed the film. Christine Vachon, David Hinojosa, Frank Murray, Jack Binder, Greg Clark, Victoria Hill, Gary Hamilton and Deepak Sikka produced, with Brian Beckmann, Philip Burgin, Brooke Lyndon-Stanford,...
In the film, Ethan Hawke plays a church minister and ex-military chaplain who, after losing his son in war, befriends a pregnant woman (Amanda Seyfried) who is suffering from the loss of her husband. He dives deeper into his church’s suspicious affairs and discovers hidden secrets about its complicity with unethical corporations.
Schrader wrote and directed the film. Christine Vachon, David Hinojosa, Frank Murray, Jack Binder, Greg Clark, Victoria Hill, Gary Hamilton and Deepak Sikka produced, with Brian Beckmann, Philip Burgin, Brooke Lyndon-Stanford,...
- 9/15/2017
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
A24 has acquired the U.S. rights to Paul Schrader's thriller First Reformed, the company announced Friday.
In the film, Ethan Hawke plays a church minister and ex-military chaplain who, after losing his son in war, befriends a pregnant woman (Amanda Seyfried) who is suffering from the loss of her husband. He dives deeper into his church’s suspicious affairs and discovers hidden secrets about its complicity with unethical corporations.
Schrader wrote and directed the film. Christine Vachon, David Hinojosa, Frank Murray, Jack Binder, Greg Clark, Victoria Hill, Gary Hamilton and Deepak Sikka produced, with Brian Beckmann, Philip Burgin, Brooke Lyndon-Stanford,...
In the film, Ethan Hawke plays a church minister and ex-military chaplain who, after losing his son in war, befriends a pregnant woman (Amanda Seyfried) who is suffering from the loss of her husband. He dives deeper into his church’s suspicious affairs and discovers hidden secrets about its complicity with unethical corporations.
Schrader wrote and directed the film. Christine Vachon, David Hinojosa, Frank Murray, Jack Binder, Greg Clark, Victoria Hill, Gary Hamilton and Deepak Sikka produced, with Brian Beckmann, Philip Burgin, Brooke Lyndon-Stanford,...
- 9/15/2017
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A24 has acquired the U.S. rights to Paul Schrader's thriller First Reformed, the company announced Friday.
In the film, Ethan Hawke plays a church minister and ex-military chaplain who, after losing his son in war, befriends a pregnant woman (Amanda Seyfried) who is suffering from the loss of her husband. He dives deeper into his church’s suspicious affairs and discovers hidden secrets about its complicity with unethical corporations.
Schrader wrote and directed the film. Christine Vachon, David Hinojosa, Frank Murray, Jack Binder, Greg Clark, Victoria Hill, Gary Hamilton and Deepak Sikka produced, with Brian Beckmann, Philip Burgin, Brooke Lyndon-Stanford, Martin McCabe, Luca Scalisi,...
In the film, Ethan Hawke plays a church minister and ex-military chaplain who, after losing his son in war, befriends a pregnant woman (Amanda Seyfried) who is suffering from the loss of her husband. He dives deeper into his church’s suspicious affairs and discovers hidden secrets about its complicity with unethical corporations.
Schrader wrote and directed the film. Christine Vachon, David Hinojosa, Frank Murray, Jack Binder, Greg Clark, Victoria Hill, Gary Hamilton and Deepak Sikka produced, with Brian Beckmann, Philip Burgin, Brooke Lyndon-Stanford, Martin McCabe, Luca Scalisi,...
- 9/7/2017
- by Ashley Lee
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ethan Hawke and Amanda Seyfried will star for Killer Films in Paul Schrader’s First Reformed, which Arclight is financing and introducing to worldwide buyers here.
Hawke will play a former military chaplain tortured by the loss of a son in the Armed Forces.
When the man befriends a young parishioner played by Seyfried and her radical environmentalist husband, he uncovers corruption in the Church.
”First Reformed is a script I’ve been moving toward for almost fifty years,” said Schrader, who will attend Toronto for the September 16 North American premiere of Dog Eat Dog following its world premiere in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight.
“Ethan Hawke’s image appeared to me while I was writing and he responded days after reading the script. Now we are delighted to be able to add Amanda Seyfried. These are unique performers with a special charisma.”
“Following Dog Eat Dog, we’re excited to be working with Paul again,” said Arclight...
Hawke will play a former military chaplain tortured by the loss of a son in the Armed Forces.
When the man befriends a young parishioner played by Seyfried and her radical environmentalist husband, he uncovers corruption in the Church.
”First Reformed is a script I’ve been moving toward for almost fifty years,” said Schrader, who will attend Toronto for the September 16 North American premiere of Dog Eat Dog following its world premiere in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight.
“Ethan Hawke’s image appeared to me while I was writing and he responded days after reading the script. Now we are delighted to be able to add Amanda Seyfried. These are unique performers with a special charisma.”
“Following Dog Eat Dog, we’re excited to be working with Paul again,” said Arclight...
- 9/10/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Paul Schrader’s action thriller has found a home in the run-up to its North American premiere in Toronto next month.
Nicolas Cage, Willem Dafoe and Christopher Matthew Cook star in Dog Eat Dog, which is based on the novel by Edward Bunker and written by screenwriter Matthew Wilder.
Dog Eat Dog premiered in Cannes and centres on a botched kidnapping in which three ex-cons get on the wrong side of the Mob. The first Toronto screening is September 8.
Rlj entertainment negotiated the deal with Adme and plans a theatrical and VOD release in November.
Mark Earl Burman, Gary Hamilton, Brian Beckmann and David Hillary produced and Jeremy Rosen, Jeff Caperton, Barney Burman, Ray Mansfield, Shaun Redick, Donald Rivers, Michael McClung and Tim Peternel served as executive producers.
Jeanne Fields acted as executor of the Edward Bunker estate.
Nicolas Cage, Willem Dafoe and Christopher Matthew Cook star in Dog Eat Dog, which is based on the novel by Edward Bunker and written by screenwriter Matthew Wilder.
Dog Eat Dog premiered in Cannes and centres on a botched kidnapping in which three ex-cons get on the wrong side of the Mob. The first Toronto screening is September 8.
Rlj entertainment negotiated the deal with Adme and plans a theatrical and VOD release in November.
Mark Earl Burman, Gary Hamilton, Brian Beckmann and David Hillary produced and Jeremy Rosen, Jeff Caperton, Barney Burman, Ray Mansfield, Shaun Redick, Donald Rivers, Michael McClung and Tim Peternel served as executive producers.
Jeanne Fields acted as executor of the Edward Bunker estate.
- 8/25/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
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