China foreign joint venture

EXCLUSIVE: Deluxe and film services company Motion Picture Solutions have entered into a joint venture after Deluxe acquired 50% of Netherlands-based film delivery firm Gofilex . The companies said the new enterprise will deliver IP through a “single, sustainable electronic fulfilment platform” with benefits for both distributors and exhibitors. Deluxe also sees the new plan as supporting the health of the theatrical experience as the worst of the coronavirus pandemic passes. Gofilex, a leader in “e-delivery,” was founded in 1938 but has evolved significantly since the days of celluloid and metal film cans. It now operates a network of more than 3,000 sites across 36 territories and has become a streaming specialist. “Gofilex has proven to be highly capable and innovative over the past decade, notably driving broadband delivery of movies to cinemas, and enabling live streaming of event-based cinema. Our colleagues at MPS successfully migrated their own electronic … [Read more...] about Deluxe And Motion Picture Solutions Set Joint Venture After Sale Of Half Of Dutch Film Delivery Firm Gofilex

Nexstar Media Group ’s pursuit of majority control of the CW is nearing the finish line, according to people with knowledge of the pending transaction. Word of the deal first surfaced last January, but it has taken some time to iron out details. As currently structured, the deal will see Nexstar take a 75% stake in the broadcast network, and current partners Paramount Global and Warner Bros Discovery each take 12.5%. Sources indicated there is still some chance the tentative agreement could unravel, but if it stays on track it could be formalized in the next few weeks. The Wall Street Journal had the first report of the ownership structure and the apparently imminent closing of the acquisition. Nexstar, the No. 1 owner of local TV stations in the U.S. as well as the owner of cable network NewsNation and digital brands like The Hill, would make a logical new owner of the CW because it already has the most affiliates of the network. While both current parents are … [Read more...] about As Nexstar Deal For Control Of The CW Nears Finish, Ownership Structure Comes Into Focus

Endemol Shine India CEO Abhishek Rege is leaving his post after 15 years with the company. The exec will work closely with his successor, who has yet to be named, during the transition. Endemol Shine India, a Banijay company, is one of the leading production outfits in India across television, film and digital content and is a joint venture between Banijay and CA Media. Producing over 800 hours of programming annually, the company has steadily emerged as a market leader with successful series such as Bigg Boss , which is produced in six regional languages; Fear Factor; MasterChef India; So You Think You Can Dance; The Great Indian Laughter Challenge; Love School; The Money Drop ; and over 450 episodes of Deal Or No Deal for Sun Network. Alongside critically acclaimed shows including The Test Case, Aarya and Mom , the company is also working in partnership with Banijay and Shekhar Kapur on the development of The Ibis Trilogy . … [Read more...] about Endemol Shine India CEO Abhishek Rege To Step Down After 15 Years At Company

Middle East and North Africa distributor Front Row Filmed Entertainment has snapped up regional distribution rights for Saudi action picture Route 10, starring rising local talents Fatima AlBanawi and Baraa Alem. The company is planning a wide theatrical launch in Saudi Arabia on July 28 via Front Row Arabia, its joint venture with the territory’s biggest home-grown exhibitor Muvi Cinemas . The partners launched the label in early 2021 in response to the growing Saudi demand for feature film content for theatrical release in the wake of the territory’s lifting of its 35-year cinema ban at the end of 2017. Front Row will also release the title in other MENA territories at the same time. The film is among a growing body of Saudi feature productions to come to fruition over the last 12 months, as a local film industry begins to take root. The Saudi box office, which is tipped to top an annual $1B by 2030, has been dominated by Hollywood fare until now but … [Read more...] about Front Row Acquires MENA Rights For Saudi Desert-Set Action Thriller ‘Route 10’

South by Southwest Conference and Festivals is expanding beyond Austin, Texas to bring its famed celebration of the technology, film and music industries to Sydney, Australia from October 15-22, 2023. Like SXSW , which has taken place each March since 1987, SXSW Sydney will offer an opportunity for an exploration of the best in Music, Screen, Gaming, Technology and Innovation. The confab being put on through collaboration with TEG, the New South Wales government and Destination NSW will now be held annually as the official Asia Pacific installment of SXSW. Past iterations of the festival have featured the participation of such notable speakers and artists as Barack Obama, Brené Brown, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Melinda Gates, Elizabeth Warren, Snoop Dogg, Michelle Yeoh, Taika Waititi, Jordan Peele and Nonny de la Peña. (Deadline parent company Penske Media Corporation notably acquired a 50% stake in SXSW via a joint venture with MRC last April.) … [Read more...] about SXSW To Enter Southern Hemisphere In 2023 With New Annual Confab SXSW Sydney

Score one for Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman . The company board just named him executive chairman, replacing Sumner Redstone , 92, who has become Chairman Emeritus — the same role he has at CBS following a change announced yesterday . Redstone endorsed the decision; his daughter, Shari , was the only member of the board to vote “no.” The board offered her the job of non-executive chair, which she declined. She’ll remain non-executive vice chair. Dauman’s compensation will not increase with the added title. “Philippe has been instrumental with Sumner in every aspect of Viacom’s success for nearly 30 years and most recently as CEO has taken on the tough task of navigating our future in a time of unprecedented innovation and disruption,” the board’s Governance and Nominating Committee Chairman William Schwartz says. “He has laid out a strategic long-term vision for the company that we fully endorse. We have complete confidence that his dedication to Viacom, his global … [Read more...] about Viacom Names Philippe Dauman Chairman After Shari Redstone Rejects Non-Exec Chair Position

Justin Timberlake has just discovered that Hell may hath no legal fury like a documentary director scorned. The former NSYNC member is being sued in federal court by long time music video helmer John Urbano over a film about Timberlake’s blockbuster The 20/20 Experience album that has never seen the light of day. Under a profit-sharing plan initiated supposedly by Timberlake, he and advertising vet Urbano would film the docu under the radar and bring it to market along with the release of the long-awaited album. Literally, the definition of a win-win for all sides if executed according to plan. That was the plan. Yet, even though the completed film moved the singer to “tears,” according to the filing, WME repped Timberlake’s interest in taking it further “faded” as 20/20 Experience , his first solo album in several years, took off. Urbano is alleging that the Trolls star bilked him out of around $2.5 million, which is the Ohio-based estimates he would … [Read more...] about Justin Timberlake Sued For Big Bucks In Lost Profit Sharing From Shelved ’20/20 Experience’ Documentary

Outfest has announced the complete lineup for its 40th-anniversary Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival , which will take place from July 14-24 at multiple locations throughout Los Angeles. More than 200 films, representing 29 countries, will screen as part of this year’s lineup. 42 will make their world premieres, including the doc Stay on Board: The Leo Baker Story from Drew Barrymore’s Flower Films and Pulse Films; the UK feature Phea , starring Sherika Sherard; Mercedes Kane’s Art and Pep ; and Scout Durwood’s Youtopia. Outfest Los Angeles’ Episodics section will also feature a host of world premieres, including advanced looks at at Shudder’s forthcoming docuseries Queer for Fear ; the comedy special Queer Riot, headlined by Margaret Cho; and writer-producer Des Moran’s series halfsies , as well as a free sneak peek screening of the upcoming Prime Video series A League of Their Own , starring Abbi Jacobson. The fest’s Platinum section, … [Read more...] about Outfest Rounds Out Lineup For Its 40th Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival

5th Update Sunday AM FINAL writethru w/chart after Saturday 10:41PM : In the back and forth for No. 1 between Disney/ 20th Century Studios ’ The Call of the Wild and Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog , the blue critter is back on top. Paramount is reporting this morning a $26.3M 3-day (-55%) after a Saturday of $12.1M , +89% over Friday. That will bring Sonic to a 10-day gross of $106.6M . worldwide at $203.1M , Sonic is the clear global winner for the second weekend in a row with a deafening roar of $64.6M, powering over The Call of the Wild . In weekend 2 exits, Sonic remains a great 4 stars with general audiences, parents, and kids under 12. Sonic ‘s Saturday was higher than the feature adaptation of the Jack London novel, which is estimated to have made $10M yesterday, +24% over Friday, for a 3-day of $24.8M . Disney sees those exact numbers this morning as well, with an overall $40M global in 40 material markets, including … [Read more...] about ‘Hedgehog’ Bites Back At ‘Wild’ Dog As ‘Sonic’ Speeds To No. 1 With $26M+; $203M+ WW – Sunday AM Update

The weekend’s Snowmageddon on the East Coast likely had a depressing influence on the box office, though some holdovers still managed to overcome the blizzard with solid numbers even as they expanded. Sony Classics’ The Lady In The Van , Sundance Selects’ 45 Years and Paramount’s Anomalisa held their own in additional theaters this weekend, even as the industry turned its eyes to Park City to catch the core of the year’s next crop of Specialty offerings awaiting acquisition. Oscar nominees Brooklyn, Room and Spotlight continued to lure audiences with added locations, while the weekend’s reporting newcomers had mostly soft starts, though Ip Man 3 showed zest. Well Go USA opened Hong Kong title Ip Man 3 in over a hundred locations Friday, easily grossing the weekend’s best numbers among the newcomers. The feature grossed $762,400, averaging $7,402. The distributor noted that grosses were up 20% Friday to Saturday despite losing key theaters due to the … [Read more...] about Specialty Box Office – Newcomers Mostly Slow In The Snow; ’45 Years’ & ‘Lady In The Van’ Solid