Latin America’s biggest film market brings a Cannes Film Week, adds a European Screenings Day and strengthens its genre sidebar The 6th edition of Latin America’s biggest film market, Ventana Sur, kicked off on Monday in Buenos Aires, with a newly added European Screenings Day and an expanded Cannes Film Week. Organized by Cannes’ Marche du Film and Argentina’s film institute INCAA, and directed by Bernardo Bergeret together with France’s Jerome Paillard,Ventana Sur has aimed to match LatAm film projects with European and U.S. co-producers, display the region’s latest titles to distributors and sales agents, promote the remake-rights business and, most recently, boost booming genre-cinema scene through its Blood Window sidebar. One of Ventana Sur highlight sections, Primer Corte will showcase a selection of films in postproduction hand-picked by Cannes Cinefondation’s Georges Goldenstern. The lineup includes Daniel Rosenfeld’s To the … [Read more...] about Ventana Sur Film Market Kicks off Its Sixth Edition

Some use event as precursor for American Film Market More Pusan festival coverageBUSAN, South Korea -- The consensus around Busan's Asian Film Market was that it was a good place for buyers and exhibitors to meet, get to know each other and lay the groundwork for deals. But the cool atmosphere at this year's confab left some calling for change and, of all things, asking for more. "The market is too short," said art house film agent Maren Kroymann from Germany's M-appeal. Her company closed a deal for the Polish drama "Trick" with Korea's Coral Pictures, but that deal was set up before AFM opened. "In Cannes, where we're present for eight days, we have more time for negotiation, screenings and close deals," she said. "Three days in Busan is too short for art house films to close; it should be five days." In large part because of that short window, many marketgoers were more inclined to use AFM to set up deals that they will close next month at the American Film Market in Santa Monica. … [Read more...] about Attendees want longer Asian Film Market

Digital facility allows buyers to screen on their own schedule Complete Dubai fest coverageDUBAI -- If the initial response to the Dubai Film Market is anything to go by, the future of film sales just might be digital. "We have been taking surveys every day to find out how we can improve the facility," market director Ziad Yaghi said at the end of the fourth day on Sunday. "Not only have the responses been very good, but we have also seen all sorts of ways in how this facility is changing and enhancing the way business is conducted." The Dubai market facility has done away with the traditional structure for a film market -- think sellers stands and organized screenings. Instead, the market revolves around a state-of-the art digital screening facility, the Cinetech, which allows buyers to watch titles on demand in individual screening booths. Deals so far include the sale of 20 titles to Iranian broadcaster Irib Media Trade, which purchases some 800 titles a year. "The market has … [Read more...] about Dubai Film Market goes on-demand

Empty ANTALYA, Turkey -- Doing business while sipping strong black coffee and lounging on giant pillows under the sunshine of seaside resort Antalya is a very Turkish way of working, one that participants at the country's first film mart warmly welcomed at last week's Eurasia Film Market. The confab is part of Antalya's combined 43rd Golden Orange Film Festival and the second Eurasia Film Festival.Eurasia seeks to fill the gap, organizers say, "between Cannes and Pusan," bringing buyers and sellers, producers and distributors together at a key geographical point. Engin Yigitgil, president of the film festivals, says: "Our aim is to promote Turkey as a venue for co-productions and encourage more international sales and interest." It's a bold ambition and one that the market's backers -- which include Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- have gone to considerable expense to launch, covering expenses for the majority of the 200 market participants. Tara Gaule, senior sales … [Read more...] about Turkish hospitality at Eurasia Film Market

Empty More news from the Pusan festBUSAN, South Korea -- Typhoon rains welcomed the arrival of some of the 1,500 participants set to attend Busan's second annual four-day Asian Film Market, opening today, including 350 registered buyers. But by Sunday evening no inbound flights were delayed to this South Korean beach resort and organizers said there were no cancellations -- and many newcomers -- at the market and the Busan International Film Commission & Industry Showcase (BIFCOM). "Attendance will be the same as last year, and we are expecting exciting and focused events," market director Park Kwang-su said. Since Korea's film industry has had a down year, he said, "attendance won't grow, either." At noon Sunday at the Grand Hotel, the market's core, many of the sales suites stood empty, while in others sellers were just beginning to hang posters and lay out brochures. Kini Kim, director of international business at CJ Entertainment, said a scan of the guest list showed him many … [Read more...] about Flood of biz forecast for Asian Film Market

CJ-Splendid deal on 'West 32nd' More news from the Pusan festBUSAN, South Korea -- For a market with so few deals getting signed, this year's Asian Film Market wound down Wednesday to widespread approval, though participants reported very divergent experiences about how busy they were. "The quality of meetings has been very good," said Monica Han, sales manager at Activers Entertainment. "At Berlin or Cannes, buyers are always in too much of a hurry. Here we can talk and build more interest in our titles." As usual, buyers and sellers found the market's prime value in building ties and laying the groundwork for deals to be signed at the American Film Market in November. "For me it was more about setting up deals at the other AFM," Kimmel International president Mark Lindsay said. "But overall it was a positive experience for the value. The offices were cheap, they gave you great rooms. Every night there was a great party with lots of opportunities to network." Said Ying Ye, company … [Read more...] about Asian Film Market: Busy but with few deals

Rob Lowe toasts "The Beaver" actress-director, whom he calls "the greatest American actress, director and friend anyone could ever have," at the vitaminwater-sponsored event. CANNES -- Riding a high from the enthusiastic reception of her newest film The Beaver at the Cannes Film Festival, Jodie Foster was the guest of honor at an exclusive cocktail party that The Hollywood Reporter threw Wednesday night to recognize her multifaceted career. CANNES: Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster Earn Standing Ovation at 'The Beaver' International Premiere Rob Lowe, who has known Foster since they starred together in 1984's The Hotel New Hampshire, led the guests in a toast, as he saluted "the greatest American actress, director and friend anyone could ever have." As the setting sun cast lengthening shadows across the beachside setting at Z Plage vitaminwater, across from the Hotel Martinez, Foster reflected on her remarkable career, saying, "We make movies -- they exist. They walk and they talk. They … [Read more...] about THR Honors Jodie Foster at Cannes Film Festival (Cannes 2011)

As Hollywood stars strut the red carpet in Toronto, local and foreign producers will be active behind velvet ropes beating the ferns for film buyers. TORONTO -- Like paparazzi with their "Hey guys! Over here! Over here!” calls this week at the Toronto International Film Festival, Canadian and international producers will be battling for attention in Toronto amid the Hollywood glare. Cedric Jeanson of New York-based Filmbox, which is selling Matthew Goode's Burning Man internationally after its world premiere at TIFF, has just laid on another private screening Friday at Bell Lightbox. “Lots of distributors have tracked the film. People have seen the footage, read the screenplay, they want to ensure the film works emotionally as a whole,”Jeanson explained. Burning Man, directed by Jonathan Teplitzky, features Goode playing an English chef in Australia trying to put his life and his relationship with his son back together after a family illness, while surrounded by … [Read more...] about Toronto 2011: Canadian and European Producers Chase Buyers at Film Market

Ventana Sur is expecting 200 sales agents and distribution companies from all over the world. BUENOS AIRES -- Argentine Film Institute president Liliana Mazure on Wednesday night announced the second edition of Latin America's biggest film market, Ventana Sur, according to a report from Telam. A joint effort from Cannes Festival's Marche du Film and INCAA (the Argentine Institute for Film and Audiovisual Arts), the event will take place in Buenos Aires from Dec. 3-6, welcoming 200 sales agents and distribution companies from all over the world. After a successful first edition last year, the region's main film market will feature more than 80 screenings of the latest productions from the region, as well as a video library with more than 400 Latin American films from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Venezuela. Ventana Sur also will include a special program of 10 local … [Read more...] about Argentina Unveils Details on Second Edition of Latin America’s Biggest Film Market

The indie film guru discusses cracking the Chinese market, working with the MPAA's Chris Dodd and how the AFM has changed over the years. After spending nearly a decade as a lobbyist in Washington for film, TV and technology companies, Jean Prewitt joined the Independent Film & Television Alliance in April 2000 as president and 18 months later was named CEO . During her tenure, she has positioned IFTA as a global voice for movie and TV independents, speaking out on issues from net neutrality to piracy. In September, the IFTA board renewed her contract through 2015. Prewitt recently talked to THR about her organization’s mission and the evolution of the IFTA’s American Film Market. The Hollywood Reporter: IFTA now has a Washington presence. Why is that important? Prewitt: Up through my predecessors, AFMA would have an issue where they’d go to Washington to lobby, but it was very much, “Oh, on Tuesday, we’d better get on a plane and go do it.” … [Read more...] about Jean Prewitt on IFTA’s American Film Market, Her Proudest Moment This Year (Q&A)

THR's chief film critic recalls his first memories of the formerly wild fest beginning in 1970. This story first appeared in the May 17 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Cannes is the place where, given a choice, most filmmakers would like to be anointed, to be admitted to the pantheon. So it was for Robert Altman, who, after 15 years of struggling in Hollywood won the Palme d'Or in 1970 for M*A*S*H in a year when there were, frankly, not many other serious competitors for the top prize. And yet, when the award was announced in the old Palais, there were boos -- not in huge numbers, but nonetheless emphatic and aggressive in the manner of self-righteous agitators. And despite the absence of words, they bore an unmistakable anti-American tone. As a mere student overseas who had finagled press credentials to gain entree to the holy grail of film festivals for the first time, I was startled by this outburst for several reasons. First, it was rude; second, the award was … [Read more...] about Cannes Film Festival: Todd McCarthy Recalls Altman and Blind Date With Margot Kidder

The budding market has grown compared to last year, with participants seeing it evolving into a key European stop. VENICE, Italy – The second Venice Film Market wrapped up Tuesday with mostly positive reviews and an increasingly clear idea what the nascent event could grow into. By any objective measure, the market is bigger than it was a year ago: there were more stands (14 compared to 8 in 2012), more credentials issued (around 1,600, compared to around 1,300 last year), and the market created decidedly more buzz on the Lido this time around. But it still remains tiny compared to the markets in Cannes, Berlin and Toronto. And it carries with it more than its share of disadvantages: space on the Lido is in short supply, Venice remains an expensive city, and it bumps up against Toronto’s massive market, which opens Wednesday. It is always hard to measure the success of a market based on sales since many deals struck weeks or months later may have their roots in Venice. … [Read more...] about Second Venice Film Market Wraps With Positive Reviews as Focus Turns to Toronto

Sponsored by Cannes' Marche du Film, the biggest LatAm film market's fifth edition features a new genre film sidebar, the European Film Week, and a Primer Corte competition for unfinished LatAm pics. BUENOS AIRES – The fifth edition of the Ventana Sur, the biggest LatAm film market in the world co-created by Cannes’ Marche du Film and the Argentine Film Institute (INCAA), kicks off Dec. 3 in Buenos Aires and runs until Dec. 6. A dynamic expression of the expanding and diverse LatAm film production, Ventana Sur grows in numbers, with a five percent increase in accreditations and more than 450 international participants flying to the Argentine capital city from all over the world. More than 100 films will be screened at the nearby Cinemark theaters, and 419 others will be available at screening rooms for international buyers. "LatAm films that travel to festivals and compete are well known, but people aren’t aware that there’s also a vast production that … [Read more...] about Ventana Sur Film Market Begins Dec. 3 in Buenos Aires

Lescure cryptically indicated that he is in the running to replace Cannes president Gilles Jacob, who will step down after thirteen years. MARRAKECH – With Gilles Jacob set to make his last ascent up the red carpet as the president of the Cannes Film Festival next year, former Canal Plus CEO Pierre Lescure hopes to follow in his footsteps on the Croisette. PHOTOS: 50 Never-Before-Seen Portraits From Cannes Lescure, who served on the jury of the Deauville Film Festival this year and as its president in 2002, stated his intentions in an interview with Nantes newspaper Presse Ocean. "I have met a number of people from the world of cinema," he said when asked about the soon-to-be open Cannes position. "The answer will come during the first quarter of 2014, to take the office after the next festival." While cryptic, Lescure is indicating he has had behind-the-scenes discussions with decision-makers. To be nominated, candidates must ensure the majority of the votes of the 28 board … [Read more...] about Cannes Film Festival: Former Canal Plus CEO Pierre Lescure Eyes Presidency

Kim previously founded film marketing, PR and distribution consulting firm Inside Job. Participant Media has hired veteran marketing and publicity exec Laura Kim as senior vp film marketing, the company announced Monday. Kim, who founded film marketing, PR and distribution consulting firm Inside Job, will oversee marketing strategy, partnerships, and campaign development for Participant’s films and acquisitions. She'll also serve as the key marketing executive for all distributors, promotional partners, filmmakers, talent and studios. She'll report to Diane Weyermann, executive vp documentary films, and Jonathan King, executive vp narrative films. EXCLUSIVE: Participant Media Marketing Chiefs Kathy Jones, Buffy Shutt Exiting While serving as a principal at Inside Job, Kim's campaigns included Albert Nobbs, Margin Call, Restrepo and Winter's Bone. She previously served as executive vp marketing for Warner Independent Pictures, where she was responsible for the marketing of films … [Read more...] about Participant Media Names Laura Kim Head of Film Marketing

A slew of star-fueled indie projects, as well as a new film from Tom Ford, hope to find global distribution — even before they're completed. A version of this story first appeared in the May 15 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe. It used to be that U.S. distributors didn't make an offer for an independent film until it had played at a festival and been reviewed. Now there's so much competition, they're having to roll the dice and make daring prebuys before a movie is finished. There is no better hunting ground than Cannes and other international film markets, where projects first are touted to foreign buyers. (Harvey Weinstein's shop paid $7 million for U.S. rights to The Imitation Game off a promo reel at the 2014 European Film Market in Berlin.) Even before this year's market, the action has begun. In one pre-emptive buy, Relativity plunked down $3 million for U.S. rights to Shot Caller, a prison drama starring Game of … [Read more...] about Cannes: 15 Market Titles Generating Early Buzz

The South Korean event's newly launched entertainment intellectual property market and star casting market made promising debuts as more Asian filmmakers seek cross-border projects. The 2015 Busan Asian Film Market has wrapped its four-day run (Oct. 3-6) with record attendance, with the number of participating companies increasing from last year's 198 to 208. Overall, observers said the 10th-anniversary edition helped solidify its role as the gateway to the world's fastest-growing film market, China. This year's market was all about how Hollywood and other markets can learn from South Korea's know-how as one of China's veteran partners. CJ Entertainment, the country's No. 1 investor-distributor with giant K-pop music and food and beverage arms, had already set up shop in Beijing 10 years ago, well before most others. Last year, a pact signed between the two countries' cultural ministries allows co-productions to be exempt from quotas for foreign films. "Many countries want to enter … [Read more...] about Busan Film Market: Gateway to China

Thierry Fremaux says France must not change its way of living. Thierry Fremaux, the director of the Cannes Film Festival, says the people of France feel "like we're in the middle of a war" after the recent terror attacks that left 130 dead, but that doesn't mean the country should change its way of living. While attending Ventana Sur film market in Buenos Aires to present the annual Cannes Film Week, Fremaux spoke with La Nacion. "On the organization level, nothing will change, because Cannes had already adopted maximum security measures after the 9/11 attacks," Fremaux said. "You can't be absolutely safe with these fanatics, but we are aware of whom we're dealing with. Of course, the most frivolous parties will be canceled, and we'll try to bring the conflicts inherent to religious and ethnic integration into the programming, but my feeling is that the artistic explorations from these attacks will be reflected in the 2017 edition," he added. Fremaux also said he believes the films … [Read more...] about Cannes Film Festival Director on Paris Attacks: “Culture Cannot Yield”

Officials initially told Lauren Grant she couldn't bring her infant daughter into the secured area where the Canadian Pavilion is because of heightened security, but eventually relented and made the baby her own badge. First it was Flatgate. Now comes Babygate. Last year, the Cannes Film Festival was lambasted for discriminating against women when ushers at the Palais denied entry to some not wearing high-heels. The unspoken rule, in place for years, quickly ceased. And at this year's festival, currently underway, flat shoes have been commonplace on the famed red carpet. But earlier this week, Toronto-based film producer Lauren Grant, holding her 9-month-old baby, was stunned when she went to pick up her market badge for the Cannes film market [Marche du Film], held in conjunction with the fest, and was told she couldn’t bring her baby inside the registration office. Further, Grant was informed she wouldn’t be able to take the infant to the Canadian Pavilion, where she was … [Read more...] about Cannes: Female Producer’s Baby Turned Away From Film Market

AFM runs Nov. 4-11 in Santa Monica The Hollywood Reporter is on the scene covering this year's American Film Market. Download each day's special edition in PDF format here. Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 LATEST NEWS:Nov. 15 Myriad racking up AFM salesIn the wake of the American Film Market, Myriad Pictures has racked up sales in multiple territories for Cheryl Hines' "Serious Moonlight" and Sebastian Gutierrez's "Women in Trouble" as well as presales for the Ewan McGregor starrer "The Electric Slide." Full storyNov. 9 Three films heating up at AFMAs the annual American Film Market winds down, a trio of English-language pics have caught the eye of U.S. buyers. Fittingly, given Sony Worldwide Acquisitions Group's purchase last year of the Peter Jackson-produced sci-fi tale "District 9," all three come in defined genres. Full story Jake Gyllenhaal cracking the 'Code'Philippe Rousselet and Mark Gordon are unlocking the code. The pair is joining to produce, and Jake Gyllenhaal is in … [Read more...] about American Film Market 2009 Hollywood Reporter