Variety has named its 10 Comics to Watch for 2023. This year’s honorees will be profiled in a special comedy issue of Variety on July 19. They will then be honored at this year’s Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, held in Montreal July 14-29. There will be a panel and cocktail reception held on July 28, followed by a performance showcase July 29.
Variety has been presenting the 10 Comics to Watch list since 2000 and has included such names as Tiffany Haddish, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt and Quinta Brunson.
The list comprises stand-up comedians, writers and content creators selected by a panel that includes Variety editors and those in the comedy community that scout, book, cast and represent comics.
“That sound you hear is laughter — mixed with sighs of relief — as the live comedy scene has finally returned to something approaching pre-pandemic full- throttle funny,” says Steven Gaydos, senior VP global content/executive editor of Variety.
Variety has been presenting the 10 Comics to Watch list since 2000 and has included such names as Tiffany Haddish, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt and Quinta Brunson.
The list comprises stand-up comedians, writers and content creators selected by a panel that includes Variety editors and those in the comedy community that scout, book, cast and represent comics.
“That sound you hear is laughter — mixed with sighs of relief — as the live comedy scene has finally returned to something approaching pre-pandemic full- throttle funny,” says Steven Gaydos, senior VP global content/executive editor of Variety.
- 6/8/2023
- by Jenelle Riley
- Variety Film + TV
20 producers/producer teams will receive £2m across two years.
The BFI has selected twenty producers and producer teams to receive £2m of funding across the next two years in the first edition of the revamped Vision Awards.
The selection comes as part of a £2.5m total investment in UK producers, with 12 emerging producers also selected for the new BFI Network Insight professional development programme.
Among those chosen are Manon Ardisson and Chiara Ventura of Ardimages UK. Ardisson won the Bifa for best British independent film in 2017 for God’s Own Country, one of four prizes for the film at the ceremony.
The BFI has selected twenty producers and producer teams to receive £2m of funding across the next two years in the first edition of the revamped Vision Awards.
The selection comes as part of a £2.5m total investment in UK producers, with 12 emerging producers also selected for the new BFI Network Insight professional development programme.
Among those chosen are Manon Ardisson and Chiara Ventura of Ardimages UK. Ardisson won the Bifa for best British independent film in 2017 for God’s Own Country, one of four prizes for the film at the ceremony.
- 4/22/2020
- by 1101321¦Ben Dalton¦26¦
- ScreenDaily
The BFI has revealed this year’s Vision Awards, its funding awards for UK production companies. Scroll down for the list of recipients.
Those selected this year include the producers of BAFTA winner Bait, Sundance title God’s Own Country, Tiff feature Saint Maud and upcoming Kate Winslet starrer Ammonite.
More from DeadlineBritish Film Institute Outlines $5.7M Covid-19 Support MeasuresUK's Covid-19 Film & TV Emergency Relief Fund Swells To $3M, Now Open For Cash-Strapped WorkersBBC Joins Netflix In Making $600,000 Donation To Coronavirus Emergency Relief Fund
The BFI will invest up to £2M in the producers over two years. The organization has also revealed the 12 newcomers (yet to make their first feature) selected for its new professional development program BFI Network Insight.
The BFI said today that recipients of the two programs are 35% from outside London and the South East, more than 70% are female or part of a female producing duos, and more than 35% identify as underrepresented ethnicities.
Those selected this year include the producers of BAFTA winner Bait, Sundance title God’s Own Country, Tiff feature Saint Maud and upcoming Kate Winslet starrer Ammonite.
More from DeadlineBritish Film Institute Outlines $5.7M Covid-19 Support MeasuresUK's Covid-19 Film & TV Emergency Relief Fund Swells To $3M, Now Open For Cash-Strapped WorkersBBC Joins Netflix In Making $600,000 Donation To Coronavirus Emergency Relief Fund
The BFI will invest up to £2M in the producers over two years. The organization has also revealed the 12 newcomers (yet to make their first feature) selected for its new professional development program BFI Network Insight.
The BFI said today that recipients of the two programs are 35% from outside London and the South East, more than 70% are female or part of a female producing duos, and more than 35% identify as underrepresented ethnicities.
- 4/22/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Bernard Slade, a versatile writer who created one of Broadway’s most successful plays and several hit TV shows, has died. He passed Wednesday at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif. at age 89 of complications from Lewy body dementia, according to his daughter.
Slade began his career as a theatrical producer and stage actor in Canada. His success there led to a contract with Screen Gems, where he was assigned to write three television pilots per year. His work there resulted in the show Love On A Rooftop, which lasted one season, and The Flying Nun, which ran for three seasons and boosted the career of Sally Field.
His greatest success was 1970’s The Partridge Family, the tale of a musical family that traveled by bus. Shirley Jones was the mother of a singing family, which included stepson David Cassidy, whose good looks and smooth voice spawned nationwide teenage devotion.
Slade began his career as a theatrical producer and stage actor in Canada. His success there led to a contract with Screen Gems, where he was assigned to write three television pilots per year. His work there resulted in the show Love On A Rooftop, which lasted one season, and The Flying Nun, which ran for three seasons and boosted the career of Sally Field.
His greatest success was 1970’s The Partridge Family, the tale of a musical family that traveled by bus. Shirley Jones was the mother of a singing family, which included stepson David Cassidy, whose good looks and smooth voice spawned nationwide teenage devotion.
- 11/1/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
AFI Fest 2019 November 14–21: Full Festival Lineup
The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today the films that will play in the New Auteurs, Cinema’s Legacy, Midnight, Shorts and AFI Conservatory Showcase sections at AFI Fest 2019 presented by Audi, completing the festival’s program.
The complete AFI Fest program includes 142 titles of which 51% are directed by women. This year’s program represents 52 countries, and includes eight official International Feature Film Oscar®submissions as well as four World Premieres. The total film breakdown by section is: Galas (6), Alan J. Pakula Tribute (4), Special Screenings (8), New Auteurs (24), World Cinema (16), Midnight (2), Cinema’s Legacy (5), Documentary Films & Encore Screenings (16), Short Films (40) and AFI Conservatory Showcase (21).
Highlighting emerging directors, New Auteurs is the festival’s platform for internationally diverse new filmmakers to showcase their latest films. This year, the section is comprised of 24 films, with 17 helmed by female filmmakers. The section includes two official International Feature...
The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today the films that will play in the New Auteurs, Cinema’s Legacy, Midnight, Shorts and AFI Conservatory Showcase sections at AFI Fest 2019 presented by Audi, completing the festival’s program.
The complete AFI Fest program includes 142 titles of which 51% are directed by women. This year’s program represents 52 countries, and includes eight official International Feature Film Oscar®submissions as well as four World Premieres. The total film breakdown by section is: Galas (6), Alan J. Pakula Tribute (4), Special Screenings (8), New Auteurs (24), World Cinema (16), Midnight (2), Cinema’s Legacy (5), Documentary Films & Encore Screenings (16), Short Films (40) and AFI Conservatory Showcase (21).
Highlighting emerging directors, New Auteurs is the festival’s platform for internationally diverse new filmmakers to showcase their latest films. This year, the section is comprised of 24 films, with 17 helmed by female filmmakers. The section includes two official International Feature...
- 10/31/2019
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Yellow Affair also closed deals on Mika Kaurismaki’s Master Cheng for Switzerland, Israel , and Hungary.
The Yellow Affair has struck a North American deal with 1091 Media for Elizabeth Sankey’s essay film Romantic Comedy.
Yellow Affair also closed deals on Mika Kaurismaki’s Master Cheng for Switzerland (Frenetic Films), Israel (New Cinema), and Hungary (Circo). A Japanese deal is in negotiations now.
Kaurismaki produces for his own Marianna Films. The co-production companies are Huang Yaqui’s QianJi Culture Co. Ltd (China) and Iain Brown’s By Media (China/UK).
Kaurismaki directs from a screenplay by Hannu Oravisto. The...
The Yellow Affair has struck a North American deal with 1091 Media for Elizabeth Sankey’s essay film Romantic Comedy.
Yellow Affair also closed deals on Mika Kaurismaki’s Master Cheng for Switzerland (Frenetic Films), Israel (New Cinema), and Hungary (Circo). A Japanese deal is in negotiations now.
Kaurismaki produces for his own Marianna Films. The co-production companies are Huang Yaqui’s QianJi Culture Co. Ltd (China) and Iain Brown’s By Media (China/UK).
Kaurismaki directs from a screenplay by Hannu Oravisto. The...
- 5/21/2019
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Miracle Workers’ Geraldine Viswanathan, Stranger Things’ Dacre Montgomery and Pitch Perfect’s Utkarsh Ambudkar are to star in Selena Gomez-exec produced romantic comedy The Broken Heart Gallery. The feature is the directorial debut of Gossip Girl writer Natalie Krinsky.
Jesse Shapira, David Gross and Jeff Arkuss of Room producer No Trace Camping are producing with Juno and 500 Days of Summer producer Mason Novick, while Gomez and her mother Mandy Teefey, who are behind Netflix breakout 13 Reasons Why, are exec producing with Josh Clay Phillips.
Endeavor Content is to launch sales of the film at Cannes and are handling worldwide sales with Jamie Feldman of Lgnafc. Production starts in August.
The Broken Heart Gallery follows Lucy, played by Viswanathan, a born collector, who suffers a bad break up with her boyfriend, played by Ambudkar, who also happens to be her boss at the Whitney Museum. Unsure of what to...
Jesse Shapira, David Gross and Jeff Arkuss of Room producer No Trace Camping are producing with Juno and 500 Days of Summer producer Mason Novick, while Gomez and her mother Mandy Teefey, who are behind Netflix breakout 13 Reasons Why, are exec producing with Josh Clay Phillips.
Endeavor Content is to launch sales of the film at Cannes and are handling worldwide sales with Jamie Feldman of Lgnafc. Production starts in August.
The Broken Heart Gallery follows Lucy, played by Viswanathan, a born collector, who suffers a bad break up with her boyfriend, played by Ambudkar, who also happens to be her boss at the Whitney Museum. Unsure of what to...
- 5/8/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Long Shot is the latest opposites attract Romantic Comedy to hit cinemas with Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen telling this unlikely tale of a Presidential candidate and her speechwriter (and old friend) who team up for a run for the Presidency. Jonathan Levine directs the film which also stars Better Call Saul’s Bob Odenkirk, Alexander Skarsgard, Andy Serkins, June Diane Raphael, O’Shea Jackson Jr. and Ravi Patel.
A special screening of the film was held at the Curzon Mayfair in London ahead of the film’s release and Theron, Rogen and Levine walked the red carpet. We were there to meet them.
Colin Hart and Scott Davis were on the red carpet and conducted these interviews.
The film arrives in cinemas on the 3rd of May, 2019.
Long Shot Premiere Interviews
Plot:
Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) is a gifted and free-spirited journalist with an affinity for trouble. Charlotte Field...
A special screening of the film was held at the Curzon Mayfair in London ahead of the film’s release and Theron, Rogen and Levine walked the red carpet. We were there to meet them.
Colin Hart and Scott Davis were on the red carpet and conducted these interviews.
The film arrives in cinemas on the 3rd of May, 2019.
Long Shot Premiere Interviews
Plot:
Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) is a gifted and free-spirited journalist with an affinity for trouble. Charlotte Field...
- 4/26/2019
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Getting a feature film into SXSW is a big accomplishment for an independent filmmaker. It’s an important building block toward a full-time career in the industry, but for many it is not an achievement that can, in and of itself, pay the bills. IndieWire asked 30 directors premiering scripted narrative features in one of four SXSW 2019 categories how, when they are not making independent films, do they make a living? Here’s what they had to say.
Sandy K Boone (“J.R. ‘Bob’ Dobbs and The Church of the SubGenius”): I am a licensed realtor and have sold luxury real estate for over 30 years for my day-to-day living.
Travis Stevens (“Girl on the Third Floor”): Since 2010 I’ve been fortunate enough to pay my rent by producing independent films.
Emily Ting (“Go Back to China”): I’ve been working as the Creative Director for my family’s...
Sandy K Boone (“J.R. ‘Bob’ Dobbs and The Church of the SubGenius”): I am a licensed realtor and have sold luxury real estate for over 30 years for my day-to-day living.
Travis Stevens (“Girl on the Third Floor”): Since 2010 I’ve been fortunate enough to pay my rent by producing independent films.
Emily Ting (“Go Back to China”): I’ve been working as the Creative Director for my family’s...
- 3/9/2019
- by Chris O'Falt
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Michael Zegen, one of the breakout stars of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, is joining Drew Barrymore in The Stand-In.
The actor, who plays Joel Maisel in the Amazon series, has booked a lead opposite Barrymore in the film, which is produced by Flower Films in association with The Exchange. The romantic comedy is directed by But I’m A Cheerleader director Jamie Babbit.
The Stand-In tells the story of a disaffected comedy actress and her ambitious stand-in trading places, both played by the Santa Clarita Diet star. Candy is a washed-up movie star, busted for a tax evasion, who hires her unemployed, adoring stand-in Paula to do community service in her place. However, a weird co-dependent relationship ensues as Candy begins to use Paula as a stand- in in all parts of her life to escape from the stressful demands of fame. Eventually, Paula starts to take over Candy’s identity,...
The actor, who plays Joel Maisel in the Amazon series, has booked a lead opposite Barrymore in the film, which is produced by Flower Films in association with The Exchange. The romantic comedy is directed by But I’m A Cheerleader director Jamie Babbit.
The Stand-In tells the story of a disaffected comedy actress and her ambitious stand-in trading places, both played by the Santa Clarita Diet star. Candy is a washed-up movie star, busted for a tax evasion, who hires her unemployed, adoring stand-in Paula to do community service in her place. However, a weird co-dependent relationship ensues as Candy begins to use Paula as a stand- in in all parts of her life to escape from the stressful demands of fame. Eventually, Paula starts to take over Candy’s identity,...
- 1/31/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Sorry To Bother You’ star, Lakeith Stanfield has entered talks to join the cast of Jordan Peele’s ‘sequel’ to 1992’s ‘Candyman’.
Stanfield is up for the role of the protagonist Anthony, a young man in Chicago who is researching the urban legend known simply as Candyman. It’s not long before people around him start dying.
Nia DaCosta will be directing the project from a script by Peele and Win Rosenfield. It currently has a release date of June 12th 2020.
Also in news – Sundance 2019: Day 4 Recap
The 1992 film was written and directed by Bernard Rose. It was produced by Steve Golin, Alan Poul, and Sigurjón Sighvatsson, and based on the short story The Forbidden by Clive Barker, who also served as executive producer. The film’s scenario was switched from Liverpool, England to the Cabrini–Green public housing development on Chicago’s Near North Side.
The story follows...
Stanfield is up for the role of the protagonist Anthony, a young man in Chicago who is researching the urban legend known simply as Candyman. It’s not long before people around him start dying.
Nia DaCosta will be directing the project from a script by Peele and Win Rosenfield. It currently has a release date of June 12th 2020.
Also in news – Sundance 2019: Day 4 Recap
The 1992 film was written and directed by Bernard Rose. It was produced by Steve Golin, Alan Poul, and Sigurjón Sighvatsson, and based on the short story The Forbidden by Clive Barker, who also served as executive producer. The film’s scenario was switched from Liverpool, England to the Cabrini–Green public housing development on Chicago’s Near North Side.
The story follows...
- 1/29/2019
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Mackenzie Davis is in negotiations to play the lead opposite Kristen Stewart in TriStar’s romantic comedy “Happiest Season.”
The studio bought worldwide rights last to the holiday-themed “Happiest Season” from the writing team of Clea DuVall and Mary Holland. DuVall, who directed the 2016 indie “The Intervention,” is also on board to direct in what will be her directorial debut on a major studio feature. Marty Bowen and Isaac Klausner will produce with Jaclyn Huntling overseeing for Temple Hill.
“Happiest Season” centers on a young woman whose plan to propose to her girlfriend while at her family’s annual holiday party is upended when she discovers her partner has not yet come out to her conservative parents. Sony had no comment on Davis’s casting. Variety reported exclusively that Stewart had come on to the project last year.
Davis starred as the night nanny and title character in last year’s “Tully” opposite Charlize Theron.
The studio bought worldwide rights last to the holiday-themed “Happiest Season” from the writing team of Clea DuVall and Mary Holland. DuVall, who directed the 2016 indie “The Intervention,” is also on board to direct in what will be her directorial debut on a major studio feature. Marty Bowen and Isaac Klausner will produce with Jaclyn Huntling overseeing for Temple Hill.
“Happiest Season” centers on a young woman whose plan to propose to her girlfriend while at her family’s annual holiday party is upended when she discovers her partner has not yet come out to her conservative parents. Sony had no comment on Davis’s casting. Variety reported exclusively that Stewart had come on to the project last year.
Davis starred as the night nanny and title character in last year’s “Tully” opposite Charlize Theron.
- 1/25/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Seeing as obsessing over your fiancé isn’t an actual career, we decided to look into what Pete Davidson actually does for a living. As it turns out, the 24-year-old has quite the impressive resume. Between starring on Saturday Night Live and a handful of other lesser titles, the young comedian is clearly on the rise. So much so, in fact, that he recently snagged a role in the Netflix original movie, Set It Up. Pete Davidson on SNL playing rapper "Lil Pump." (Photo Credit: Getty Images) While Ariana Grande’s boo didn’t land the lead, he did manage to make a pretty lasting impression as a secondary character named Duncan. Basically, Duncan is the quick-witted, sarcastic, gay best friend/roommate that Romantic Comedy tropes dream of. Again, even if Pete didn’t get a whole lot of screen time, what audiences did see proves that he’s got talent!
- 6/29/2018
- by Melissa Copelton
- Life and Style
By Associated Press
Fox Filmed Entertainment says it has invested in its first Chinese film, becoming the latest Hollywood studio to enter the booming mainland movie market.
The Chinese-language romantic comedy "Hot Summer Days" will be a co-production between Fox International Productions, China's Huayi Brothers Media Corp. and satellite TV operator Star Television Asia Ltd., Fox and Star said in a joint statement late Tuesday. Fox ...
Fox Filmed Entertainment says it has invested in its first Chinese film, becoming the latest Hollywood studio to enter the booming mainland movie market.
The Chinese-language romantic comedy "Hot Summer Days" will be a co-production between Fox International Productions, China's Huayi Brothers Media Corp. and satellite TV operator Star Television Asia Ltd., Fox and Star said in a joint statement late Tuesday. Fox ...
- 9/30/2009
- by Amy Kaufman
- The Wrap
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