Do Awards Ceremonies Still Matter? Film Academy and BAFTA Heads Discuss Their “Important Place in the Ecosystem”
With viewing figures for awards shows largely in decline and less than half of what they were at their peak, the importance of such ceremonies has been called into question in recent years. Perhaps understandably, the heads of the two organizations who put on the biggest award shows in the film world have put up […]
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Oscilloscope Acquires Venice Competition Entry ‘The Universal Theory’ for U.S. (Exclusive)
Oscilloscope Laboratories, the distribution company set up by late Beastie Boys member Adam Yauch, has acquired U.S. rights to The Universal Theory, which recently premiered in competition at the Venice Film Festival (as the title The Theory of Everything). A theatrical release is planned for 2024. From director Timm Kröger, the German drama is set […]
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Venice Bowing ‘Tatami’ From Guy Nattiv and Zar Amir Ebrahimi Lands Global Sales (Exclusive)
Tatami, the groundbreaking Iranian drama co-directed by Oscar-winner Guy Nattiv (Golda, Skin) and Cannes best actress winner Zar Amir Ebrahimi (Shayda, Holy Spider), has landed a number of major international territory deals following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. WestEnd Films has closed sales on the feature — the first to be co-directed by an […]
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London Film Festival Opens With ‘Saltburn’ Premiere as U.K. Crew Stages Protest Outside
The actors strike made its presence known at opening night of the BFI London Film Festival on Wednesday night in the British capital and not simply through the lack of star power in attendance. Ahead of the European premiere of Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn at the Royal Albert Hall, a small demonstration by U.K. crew was […]
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Anna Wintour, James Corden Attend Premiere of David Beckham’s Netflix Doc Series Alongside Soccer Star’s Family
The fashion, TV and sports worlds were brought together in one spot in London on Tuesday night for the premiere of Beckham, Netflix’s doc series chronicling the life and times of U.K. soccer legend David Beckham. Anna Wintour was in attendance, as was James Corden and Louis Theroux alongside a host of names from English […]
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London Film Festival Director Kristy Matheson on Her “First Rodeo” and Landing World Premieres From Aardman, Daniel Kaluuya and Jeymes Samuel
The 2023 London Film Festival kicks off on Wednesday (Oct. 4) with the European premiere of Emerald Fennell’s sophomore feature Saltburn. While the ongoing actors strike means that the films lead cast — including Jacob Elordi, Barry Keoghan and Rosamund Pike — won’t be in attendance at Royal Festival Hall, there will be a new face o […]
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‘Chicken Run 2’ Director on Reuniting the Flock After 23 Years and Why Mel Gibson Didn’t Return
Back in the summer of 2000, a small group of diminutive, handcrafted clay chickens broke out of a coop and made cinema history. British stop-motion animation pioneers Aardman were already renowned for their Oscar-winning Wallace & Gromit short films, but Chicken Run was their first feature. It was such an ambitious project that it required […]
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Russell Brand Facing Second Police Investigation in U.K.
Russell Brand is now being investigated by two police forces in the U.K. following the allegations of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse against the actor and comedian that were revealed in a joint investigation by Channel 4, The Sunday Times and The Times. On Monday, Thames Valley Police said a woman contacted the force two weeks […]
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Michael Gambon, British Stage Legend and Dumbledore in the ‘Harry Potter’ Movies, Dies at 82
The Irishman also made his mark on television in 'The Singing Detective,' 'Maigret' and 'Path to War.'
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Sex Pistols Documentary in Works Based on Memoir by Founding Member Glen Matlock (Exclusive)
Legendary British punk rockers The Sex Pistols are getting a new documentary, this time based on the memoir by one of its original bandmembers. I Was a Teenage Sex Pistol, adapted from the tell-all 1990 novel by bassist Glen Matlock, is being developed, with VMI Worldwide producing The film will follow Matlock’s journey as a […]
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Directors Guild Issues Statement in Support of Agnieszka Holland Amid Polish Government Backlash
The Directors Guild of America has joined the growing international show of solidarity for Agnieszka Holland, who has faced backlash from a member of Poland’s right-wing government over her new film, refugee drama Green Border. In a statement issued on Thursday, the DGA said it wanted to echo the support shown to Holland from institutions in […]
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Oscars: U.K. Picks Jonathan Glazer’s ‘Zone of Interest’ for International Feature Category
The U.K. has given itself arguably the best chance of landing its first-ever Oscar for best international feature film, having selected The Zone of Interest as its submission. Jonathan Glazer’s Holocaust drama, which was one of the buzziest titles in Cannes where it won the Grand Prix and FIPRESCI prize, has been chosen by BAFTA […]
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