Fajr international film festival

EXCLUSIVE : Production has wrapped on a Bulgarian live-action short film starring Oscar-nominated Bulgarian actor Maria Bakalova . The film, titled Това, Kоето Oстава (English title: What Stays After ), is directed by Dimitris Georgiev. The short is produced by No Blink Pictures, New European Wave Entertainment and Bakalova’s production company Five Oceans, co-founded with fellow actor and filmmaker Julian Kostov ( Shadow and Bone, The Toxic Avenger ). Joining Bakalova in the cast of What Stays After are leading Bulgarian actors Zachary Baharov ( Game of Thrones, Slow Horses, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One ), Elena Telbis ( Losers ) and Margita Gosheva ( The Father ), with young actor Yan Lozov as the lead. Written by Bulgarian filmmakers Georgiev and Mariy Rosen, What Stays After tells the coming-of-age story of a boy during tragic events that tear his family apart. The characters in the movie face the pain of losing a loved one, … [Read more...] about Maria Bakalova Stars In & Produces Bulgarian Short Film ‘What Stays After’

“We all have to become a bit more Scandinavian,” Beta Film MD Moritz von Kruedener told a Series Mania audience this morning. Opening the Lille Dialogues section on the final day of the France confab, von Kruedener raised the requirement to be flexible and seek financing from more than one local network for projects, given that budgets have increased so steeply. He explained that Scandinavian and Eastern European territories have been doing this for decades. “Even if you’re only producing locally, national funding is not enough,” he added. “In Germany and other nations you now have to combine two local partners. In a way we all have to become a bit more Scandinavian.” Beta is distributing event series Estonia from several Nordic networks, which recently sold to Germany’s Seven.One Entertainment Group. The outfit has nurtured a reputation over the decades for acting as broker on pan-European projects – von Kruedener stressed its position as “partner” several … [Read more...] about “We All Have To Become A Bit More Scandinavian,” Declares Beta Film MD – Series Mania

EXCLUSIVE : Principal photography has begun on Take My Hand , a romantic drama feature starring Radha Mitchell ( Finding Neverland ), Adam Demos ( UnReal ), Bart Edwards ( The Witcher ), Meg Fraser ( Bloody Hell ) and former Big Brother contestant Xavier Molyneux making his film debut. Former Neighbours star and singer Natalie Bassingthwaite ( Elvis ) is also among cast. Director Raftopolous co-wrote the screenplay with Dave Paterson ( 2067 ) based on the true love story between himself and his current wife. Take My Hand follows vibrant young Australian woman Laura, who forges a successful banking career in London and seemingly has the perfect marriage. Her world is turned upside down when she is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and her husband starts to show his true colors. When a tragic accident leaves her a widowed mother with three sons, she returns home to Australia, and is reunited with Michael, a high school friend and a divorcee with one … [Read more...] about Radha Mitchell, Adam Demos & Bart Edwards Lead Romance Drama ‘Take My Hand’; Filming Underway In Australia

Casey Bloys wants Kate Winslet to be venerated in the States. During a closing keynote session here in Lille, France at Series Mania, HBO and HBO Max Chairman and CEO Bloys told delegates he had recently visited London, where Winslet is filming the Stephen Frears, Will Tracy and Frank Rich series The Palace (WT). “If the U.S. could make her a national treasure I would like to do that,” he said, to laughs and applause in the room. “I think she’s great and the dailies I’ve seen of the show are fantastic.” In February, HBO released a first look of Mare of Easttown star Winslet in The Palace , which tells the story of one year within the walls of the palace of an authoritarian regime as it begins to unravel. Cast also includes Matthias Schoenaerts, Guillaume Gallienne, Andrea Riseborough, Martha Plimpton and Hugh Grant. RELATED: Deadline’s Full Coverage Of Series Mania 2023 Bloys delved deep into his slate, pointing to new seasons of House of the … [Read more...] about “I’d Make Kate Winslet A National Treasure”: HBO’s Casey Bloys Talks ‘The Palace’, Upcoming Slate & International Plans – Series Mania

Amazon Prime Video has confirmed its latest sports doc will follow Newcastle United , with Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story indie 72 Films producing with Lorton Entertainment . The as-yet-untitled series exploring the Saudi-owned club will not form part of Prime Video’s All or Nothing series, which has so far spotlighted Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Cameras have been following Newcastle all season, one in which they are likely to finish higher in the Premier League than they have for years after they were acquired by a consortium including the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which attracted much controversy. They are chasing qualification for the Champion’s League and reached their first cup final for 24 years, which they lost to Manchester United. 72 Films, which also makes the All or Nothing docs, is partnering with Lorton, the producer behind Disney+’s upcoming Wagatha Christie doc. “We are thrilled to be working with Newcastle … [Read more...] about Amazon Prime Video Confirms Newcastle United Doc

Neon has unveiled a raft of cast additions for Joshua Oppenheimer ’s musical The End as principal photography begins in Ireland. The freshly-unveiled cast includes Moses Ingram, Michael Shannon, Bronagh Gallagher, Tim McInnerny, and Lennie James. They join previously announced lead actors Tilda Swinton and George MacKay. Neon is co-financing the international co-production. The long-gestated project revolves around the story of the last human family. Principal photography has begun in Ireland and will continue through the spring in Italy and Germany. “I am thrilled to be making The End in collaboration with this miraculous ensemble of artists. I am in awe of each of them. It has been a journey of six years to reach this point, and I could not be more humbled,” said Oppenheimer. Final Cut for Real’s Signe Byrge Sørensen and Oppenheimer are producing with Wild Atlantic Pictures, The Match Factory, Dorje Film, Moonspun Films and Anagram co-producing. … [Read more...] about Moses Ingram, Michael Shannon, Bronagh Gallagher, Tim McInerney & Lennie James Join Joshua Oppenheimer’s Neon-Backed Musical ‘The End’

Picturestart and Picture Perfect Federation have set JC Lee to direct the English-language remake of Thai hit Bad Genius and also announced key cast members as well as a raft of international presales. Lee also takes co-writing credits for the English-language screenplay with Julius Onah, who was previously announced as the director. The pair previously collaborated on the Sundance 2019 title Luce , adapted from Lee’s original play of the same name. Up-and-coming talents Callina Liang, star of ITVX teen drama Tell Me Everything , and Jabari Banks (Bel-Air) will star with veteran UK actor Benedict Wong ( Doctor Stranger In The Multiverse Of Madness ). The English remake is billed as a high-stakes, high-octane thriller about a diverse group of young people who team up to fight the system of injustice and inequity and take down the rigged academic institutions around them. It is produced by Erik Feig and Jessica Switch at Picturestart with Patrick … [Read more...] about Picturestart & Picture Perfect Federation Set JC Lee To Direct ‘Bad Genius’; Unveil Key Cast & Int’l Deals

The BBC has confirmed that Top Gear has been put on hold following the Andrew Flintoff crash, with a decision on the show’s future set to be made “later this year.” The BBC said it would be “inappropriate” to continue filming on the latest season of one of its most popular shows after a crash last December in which the former England cricketer had to be airlifted to hospital. “We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery,” said a BBC statement. “We understand this will be disappointing for fans, but it is the right thing to do, and we’ll make a judgement about how best to continue later this year.” The Times has reported that Flintoff is quitting the show he has presented with Paddy McGuinness since 2019. Producer BBC Studios also said it had concluded an investigation into the accident that happened at Top Gear’s test track in Surrey and that the production team were being supported. A further healthy and safety … [Read more...] about BBC Confirms ‘Top Gear’ On Hold After Andrew Flintoff Crash

With overseas rollout having begun Wednesday, Lionsgate /Thunder Road Films/87 Eleven’s John Wick: Chapter 4 is off to a strong start at the international box office . Across just a handful of markets, figures we’re hearing put the early estimated cume at roughly $3.9M through Wednesday and including Australia and New Zealand’s Thursday launches. As Anthony reported, Thursday’s domestic previews of around $8M are looking at a franchise-best, per industry estimates. The Keanu Reeves fourquel is bowing in 71 international box office markets this weekend, the biggest day-and-date footprint for the franchise which has previously tended to release in staggered fashion. The global outlook coming into the weekend is $115M, including $45M from offshore. John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum ‘s international opening back in 2019 was $36.9M for $93.75M worldwide, a previous global record start for the series. Parabellum didn’t have Germany, France and Spain in its opening … [Read more...] about ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Off To Strong Start In Early Overseas Play

EXCLUSIVE: Adult Material star Siena Kelly has boarded BBC Three witch drama Domino Day , as the show’s EP Laurence Bowen spotlights his indie Dancing Ledge ’s work with new writers. Domino Day, which comes from first-time writer and Dancing Ledge Writer in Residence (WIR) Lauren Sequeira, is an irreverent drama about modern dating in which the protagonist uses dating apps to hunt, rather than find love. Kelly, who was BAFTA nominated for her role in Channel 4’s Adult Material, will play Domino, a powerful young witch who is haunted by her need to feed on the energy of others, a hunger that only grows, despite her attempt to start her life over in Manchester. She is desperately seeking a community who can help her understand her feelings but, unbeknownst to her, she is being tracked by a coven of witches. Kelly is joined by up-and-comers Babirye Bukilwa ( We Hunt Together ), Poppy Lee Friar ( In My Skin ), Alisha Bailey ( Call the Midwife ), Molly … [Read more...] about BBC Three Witch Drama ‘Domino Day’ Sets Cast