Film production companies word whizzle

EXCLUSIVE : Prolific character actor David Dastmalchian has today announced the launch of his genre-focused production company, Good Fiend Films , which will look to produce character-driven projects across horror, sci-fi and fantasy for film, television, audio and publishing. Dastmalchian, who has recently been seen in such blockbusters as Dune and The Suicide Squad , envisions his shingle as a home for stories about complex characters from all walks of life. Good Fiend Films will aim to generate nostalgic, entertaining content that captivates audiences while reminding them they’re not alone in this scary world. First up on the docket for the company is the horror Late Night with the Devil , starring Dastmalchian as the 1970s late-night talk show host Jack Delroy, on which both the actor and his company hold contributing production credits. The film from writer-directors Colin and Cameron Cairnes, Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Spooky Pictures will make its world … [Read more...] about David Dastmalchian Launches Production Company Good Fiend Films

EXCLUSIVE : Producer Scott Einbinder ( Killer Joe ) has launched LA-based management and production company 5X Media . Einbinder was formerly Co-CEO of China-backed Cristal Pictures, which co-financed and co-produced Ryan Reynolds pic The Hitman’s Bodyguard , and financed and produced the China – Hong Kong action-comedy Twin Blades, with Beth Behrs and Ma Li, which is in post. Literary manager Seth Nagel, a founding partner, heads the management division. Michael Swidler, most recently a TV literary agent at Paradigm, has joined 5X Media as a manager working alongside Nagel, representing writers and directors. According to Einbinder, the company is backed by equity investment from a “syndicate of family offices throughout the U.S. led by LA-based BH Alliance”. 5X marks the syndicate’s first media investment, having previously invested in real estate and health care. 5X Media plans to use the initial investment for corporate overhead and project development. … [Read more...] about ‘The Hitman’s Bodyguard’ Exec Scott Einbinder Launches LA Management & Production Company 5X Media

EXCLUSIVE: Annapurna has hired Picturestart’s former EVP, Shayne Fiske Goldner as EVP of Physical Production. She replaces David Wolkis who is leaving the studio as their Head of Physical Production for TV and film. Meanwhile, Skye Optican has also been promoted to Creative Director of International Development and Production. Goldner will oversee all aspects of production management for Annapurna’s vast slate of film and television programming. Director of production Skye Caruso will continue to work for the production department, directly reporting to Goldner. Prior to joining Annapurna, Goldner worked at Picturestart, where she oversaw production on projects, including the 2022 Sundance Audience Award Winner Cha Cha Real Smooth and the Netflix Original, Luckiest Girl Alive , starring Mila Kunis. Goldner has served in executive roles for companies such as Participant – where she worked on Academy Award Best Picture winners, Green Book and Spotlight , … [Read more...] about Annapurna Names Shayne Fiske Goldner EVP Physical Production As David Wolkis Exits; Skye Optican Promoted

Legendary Entertainment is partnering with Caroline Fraser of HarperCollins Productions ( Carmen Sandiego ) to produce a live-action Danny and the Dinosaur film, based on the bestselling children’s picture book series by Syd Hoff . HarperCollins Productions optioned media rights to the series from the Author’s Guild Foundation, which shares them with the Anti-Defamation League Foundation, ORT America, Inc., and the United Negro College Fund, Inc. The original book, published by HarperCollins in 1958, follows a young boy and a dinosaur who set off on a series of wonderful adventures together after meeting at a museum. It was followed up by six sequels penned by Hoff, with the full set selling more than 11 million copies in 12 languages. Hoff penned dozens of books for both children and adult readers prior to his passing in May 2004 at age 91. The New York City native was also known for his creation of thousands of cartoons — including those that were a regular … [Read more...] about Live-Action ‘Danny And The Dinosaur’ Film Based On Syd Hoff Children’s Books In Works From Legendary, HarperCollins

MTV Documentary Films has acquired worldwide rights to Sundance world-premiering love story The Eternal Memory , director Maite Alberdi ’s follow-up to Oscar nominated doc The Mole Agent. The price is said to be approaching $3 million in a competitive situation with a number of bidders. The film, which screened in the Sundance Film Festival World Documentary Competition section,  will have its international premiere at the Berlinale next month in the Panorama Section and the company is planning a theatrical release and robust awards campaign later this year. The Eternal Memory was produced by Maite Alberdi, Juan De Dios Larraín, Pablo Larraín and Rocío Jadue. Executive producers are Marcela Santibañez, Daniela Sandoval, Nicholas Hooper, Julie Goldman, Christopher Clements, Chandra Jessee and Rebecca Lichtenfeld. RELATED: Sundance Film Festival: Deadline’s Complete Coverage In the film, Augusto and Paulina have been together and in love for 25 years. … [Read more...] about MTV Documentary Films Acquires Worldwide Rights To Maite Alberdi’s ‘The Eternal Memory’ Out Of Sundance

Yorkshire and London-based production company Tempo Productions today announced that Georgia Bayliff, former Head of Film at finance outfit Silver Reel, will join Tempo’s executive team, where she will co-produce company projects. Bayliff will join Piers Tempest and Lauren Cox on the executive team at Tempo. Bayliff exits Silver Reel after most recently producing Paradise Highway , starring Morgan Freeman, Juliette Binoche, and Frank Grillo. She worked across the company’s film & TV slate for over seven years, sourcing and steering projects from development and finance through production to release. Tempo is gearing up to launch its 25th feature film into production. The company also has several films from its slate out in wide release, including Netflix’s Bank of Dave , Emily starring BAFTA 2023 EE Rising Star nominee Emma Mackey and Jon Wright’s creature horror Unwelcome which Warner Brothers released in UK cinemas. Announcing Bayliff’s new role, Tempest … [Read more...] about Tempo Productions Hires Former Silver Reel Executive

EXCLUSIVE : Global Screen has acquired international sales rights to the animated feature Niko – Beyond The Northern Lights , the third instalment of the popular children’s classic about a flying reindeer, and released a first image of the rebooted character. The new feature comes more than a decade after the first two films in the franchise Niko & The Way To The Stars (2009) and Niko – Little Brother, Big Trouble (2012) proved hits with audiences worldwide. The first film garnered more than 750,000 admissions in Germany alone and both titles sold to 120 territories. The new feature is a major European animation co-production reuniting Hannu Tuomainen and Antti Haikala at Finnish company Animaker, with co-producers Emely Christians at Germany’’s Ulysses Films, ( The Amazing Maurice, Two By Two: Overboard!), Moe Honan at Ireland ’s Moetion Films ( Two By Two: Overboard! ) and Anders Mastrup at Danish company A. Film Production ( Checkered Ninja 2 ). … [Read more...] about Global Screen Boards Sales On Major European Animation Co-Production ‘Niko – Beyond The Northern Lights’

EXCLUSIVE : StudioCanal is returning to the UK television production investment scene as it finalizes a deal with an outfit co-founded by a Vigil and Downton Abbey director. The French production group will back Strong Film & Television, which was co-founded by BAFTA-winner James Strong and Matt Tombs, a former BBC and Paramount executive. Strong Film & Television was established in late 2020 and appears to have added Loretta Preece to its ranks. Preece was most recently the series producer on Casualty , the long-running, BAFTA-winning BBC continuing drama. StudioCanal is close to finalizing an announcement for the investment, which would mark one of its first notable television deals in the UK for years. In 2016, the Canal+ Group company took stakes in Urban Myth Films , producer of Fox’s ​​War of the Worlds , and SunnyMarch , co-founded by Benedict Cumberbatch. StudioCanal has not been inactive in the acquisitions space but has focused on … [Read more...] about StudioCanal Returns To UK Production Investment By Backing ‘Vigil’ Director

EXCLUSIVE : Multi-hyphenate filmmaker, producer and financier Tommy Oliver has signed with CAA for representation of Confluential Films , his award-winning, Black-owned and -founded film, television, and docu production company and financier. CAA will also represent Oliver personally, as a writer-director, outside of Confluential. Oliver is the Founder & CEO, and he and his wife, Codie Elaine Oliver, are co-chairs of the creator-driven company devoted to championing inclusive, authentic and culturally specific projects, which only finances works from creators of color. News of the CAA signing comes just ahead of the 2023 Sundance Film Festival , where Oliver will be unveiling four projects. Features produced by Oliver and Confluential that are heading to the Utah festival include Erica Tremblay’s Fancy Dance , starring Lily Gladstone, Isabel Deroy-Olson and Shea Whigham; the Thembi Banks-directed drama Young. Wild. Free. , starring Algee Smith, Sanaa Lathan and … [Read more...] about Tommy Oliver & His Confluential Films Banner Sign With CAA Ahead Of Busy Sundance

The Göteborg Film Festival has unveiled the 53 Nordic Films that will take part in the latest edition of the Nordic Film Market , running February 2 – 5. Scroll down for the list. The line-up consists of 17 completed feature films, 15 works in progress, 11 films in development presented at the market’s co-financing platform Discovery, and another 10 features in development from up-and-coming Swedish creators at Talent to Watch. The 2023 edition of Nordic Film Market will comprise a full on-site event in Göteborg alongside digital screenings on the festival’s dedicated industry platform. This year the festival has said close to 500 invited buyers, distributors, sales agents, producers, festival programmers, and other key industry delegates from 32 countries are expected to attend. Elsewhere, the 17th edition of the TV Drama Vision summit will run February 1–2. Göteborg will run January 27 – February 5. As previously announced, Holy Spider breakout Zar Amir Ebrahimi … [Read more...] about Göteborg’s Nordic Film Market Unveils 2023 Lineup