Amazon Studios UK Scripted Production Head Frank Murray Exiting To Launch Transatlantic Production Venture

Jaden Thompson Patrick Harrison, the top New York executive at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, has partnered with Clare Anne Darragh and Lina Catalfamo Plath of Frank PR to start a new strategic awards division. This division will hone in on campaigns and events surrounding gold trophy season. “I am excited to join the Frank PR family in partnership with Clare Anne and Lina, two industry professionals I have respected, admired, and worked alongside throughout my career,” Harrison said.

There’s change on the high seas of Banijay.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Italy’s Coccinelle Film Sales has acquired world rights to German director Veit Helmer’s poetic love story “Gondola,” which will world premiere at the upcoming Tokyo International Film Festival. Helmer is well known on the international festival circuit for funny, fable-like films with little or no dialogue such as “Tuvalu”; the Azerbaijan-set “Absurdistan,” which went to Sundance in 2008; and “The Bra,” that launched from Tokyo in 2018.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Italy’s Coccinelle Film Sales has acquired world rights to German director Veit Helmer’s poetic love story “Gondola,” which will world premiere at the upcoming Tokyo International Film Festival. Helmer is well known on the international festival circuit for funny, fable-like films with little or no dialogue such as “Tuvalu”; the Azerbaijan-set “Absurdistan,” which went to Sundance in 2008; and “The Bra,” that launched from Tokyo in 2018.

DC co-Boss James Gunn took to Instagram’s Threads to field fan questions, and in the process confirmed that Xolo Maridueña will continue to play Blue Beetle, Oscar winner Viola Davis will still be Amanda Waller and John Cena will remain Peacemaker.

It's been a couple of days since Emmerdale fans became aware of Jacob Gallagher's feelings for Victoria Sugden - but they are still baffled. Jacob had a serious fright at the start of the week when he suffered a severe allergic reaction.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Italy’s Indiana Production – which has just become part of pan-European studio Vuelta Group – is staying true to its roots with production kicking off this month on gender swap movie “Romeo is Juliet,” directed by quality comedy specialist Giovanni Veronesi, just as the company expands its horizons. This latest title in Indiana’s slate stars A-lister Sergio Castellitto and Pilar Fogliati (“Romantiche”) who plays an actress named Vittoria who after being brutally rejected by a cynical stage director when she auditions to play Juliet in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” decides to reinvent herself as a man to audition for Romeo and gets the part.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Panos Panay, who is exiting as Microsoft’s as chief product officer, has been hired to run Amazon’s devices group, which houses the Fire TV streaming devices, Kindle e-readers, Alexa voice assistant and Echo smart speakers, according to a Bloomberg report. Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Andy Murray was left fighting back tears as he missed his grandmother's funeral to compete in the Davis Cup Finals.The British professional tennis player, 36 who has previously been ranked number one in the world, beat Switzerland's Leandro Riedi 6-7 (7-9) 6-4 6-4 in the Davis Cup Finals on Friday, 15 September. Overcome with emotion he dedicated the victory to his late grandmother whose funeral was on the same day. In his on-court interview following his triumphant win for Great Britain, Murray said: "Today is a tough day for me.

Russel Brand has released a video addressing unknown criminal allegations made against him by a newspaper and TV company.

Dick Clark Productions said Thursday that it has hired Richard A. Pizante as its new SVP Production. The veteran producer, whose credits include co-executive producing on the first season of NBC’s The Voice and working on the Primetime Emmys, the BET Honors and the 2019 TV special Dolly Parton: 50 Years at the Opry, will be based out of Los Angeles and begin immediately.

EXCLUSIVE: Don’t bet the farm on Amazon parting ways with Jeremy Clarkson.

Angel Studios, the outfit behind one of summer’s biggest hits, Sound of Freedom, will release its next film and first original, The Shift, in theaters Dec. 1.

EXCLUSIVE: Hip Hop Treasures EP Mira King has set up a UK production company focused on factual shows that “deliver novel perspectives and stories that are rarely told.”

More studios are suspending additional overall and first-look deals almost four and a half months into the WGA strike.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer CBS Studios has suspended term deals with talkshow star Phil “Dr. Phil” McGraw, BET+’s “Kingdom Business” producer DeVon Franklin and “Nancy Drew” executive producer Lis Rowinski due to the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. Representatives for CBS Studios declined to comment on the suspension of these deals Monday.

Thania Garcia Latin singer-songwriters Mau y Ricky have launched a new independent label venture called Why Club Records in partnership with Warner Music Latina. The duo are listed on the roster and will continue to be managed by Armando Lozano, who has supported the Venezuela-born and Miami-based Latin Grammy-nominated artists since their first placement and as fresh Warner Latina signees in the early 2010s. They’ve co-written plenty of radio hits for artists like Karol G, Ricky Martin, Maluma and Anitta, with one of their biggest being the Hot 100-charting “Sin Pijama” for Becky G and Natti Natasha.

EXCLUSIVE: Sustainable network EarthxTV has renewed upcoming series Kamp Solutions before the debut of Season 1 on Sunday.

The identity of Dan Grabiner’s new production house wasn’t secret for long. The outgoing Amazon UK exec is teaming with British factual veteran Nicola Hill to launch Orchard Studios.

K.J. Yossman Daniel Grabiner, Amazon’s head of originals for the U.K. and Northern Europe, has exited the company.