Asacha Media Group Buys Leading Factual Producer Arrow International Media

EXCLUSIVE: An announcement today from the Points North Institute will provide a major career boost to a diverse group of documentary filmmakers. 

Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International A new heavyweight is about to make a splash in the unscripted ring. Canadian production-distribution powerhouse Blue Ant Media, the producers of “Canada’s Drag Race,” has acquired “Blown Away” outfit MarbleMedia — a deal that merges two of Canada’s most global-facing industry players.

Blackpool Air Show is back this weekend and thousands of spectators are expected to line the promenade to watch the spectacular aerial displays. An impressive range of aircraft will take to the skies above Blackpool Tower on August 12 and 13 during the family-friendly event.

Ciipher is getting a major reorganization.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Ji.hlava Documentary Film Festival has revealed to Variety the projects that the participants of its 2023 Emerging Producers program are working on. The producers were asked to deliver an elevator pitch for their projects. Every year since 2010, the festival has selected 18 up-and-coming producers of documentary films (17 European and one representing a non-European guest country), which are then provided with educational, networking and promotional support.

EXCLUSIVE: Artist International Group on Tuesday announced its signing of Zine Tseng, one of the stars of Netflix’s anticipated sci-fi drama series 3 Body Problem, which is coming to the platform in January.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Production has kicked off on “A Better Place,” which is produced by Komplizen Serien and Studiocanal Series in Germany. Komplizen Serien, headed by David Keitsch, is the TV arm of leading movie production company Komplizen Film, whose credits include “Spencer,” for which Kristen Stewart was Oscar-nominated, and “Toni Erdmann,” which was Oscar-nominated in the foreign language film category. “A Better Place” is the first German TV show to be produced by Studiocanal Series, the German TV arm of the French production powerhouse.

EXCLUSIVE: Carolina Miranda, the Mexican actress currently starring in the hit Netflix series Fake Profile, has signed with Artist International Group for management.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Italian producer Andrea Iervolino, whose credits include Michael Mann’s “Ferrari,” “Waiting for the Barbarians” and “Tell It Like a Woman,” has invested around 50 million euros ($55 million) in the construction of Tuscany Film Studios, a technologically advanced studio with the largest virtual set in Italy, and a 360 studio for live-action productions. The production facility, which is being built just outside Florence, will also host a movie theater and luxury hotel with the aim of attracting premium international productions to Italy.

Howdy, Insider crew. It’s the traditionally quiet summer season in TV and film land but European festivals, big-ticket M&A and Middle Eastern politics have ensured it’s not stayed quiet. Jesse Whittock guiding you through.

Post Malone is seriously indulging his nerdy side.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Messages have been pouring in to pay tribute to Jess Search, producer and co-founder of U.K.’s Doc Society, who died Monday from brain cancer at the age of 54. Search was a founding director of Doc Society, the mission of which is to “unleash the transformational power of documentary film to address the two critical and intertwined issues of climate change and democracies in crisis.” Before that, she was a commissioning editor at Channel 4 and a founder of Shooting People, the online filmmakers network.

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Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Franco-Tunisian film and TV entrepreneur Tarak Ben Ammar is expanding the scope of his Italian operations by buying local unscripted production outfit Blu Yazmine, while also entering talks to build a large studio complex in Rome. Though Ben Ammar’s ambition to build sprawling new filming facilities in the Italian capital are in advanced talks but not fully concrete, the purchase of a majority stake in Blu Yazmine via his Rome-based Eagle Pictures has been closed.

‘Colin From Accounts’ Bags Trio Of Wins At Logies

European consolidator Asacha Media Group has acquired a majority stake in Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom producer Arrow International Media.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to “Immediate Family,” director Denny Tedesco’s follow-up to his acclaimed documentary “The Wrecking Crew.” That earlier film, which Magnolia also released, followed the first wave of studio musicians in the ’60s. “Immediate Family” takes up the story where “The Wrecking Crew” ended, taking a deep dive through some of the most famous and influential session musicians from the 1970s.

Supermarkets are having something of a moment when it comes to their fashion lines, with everyone from ASDA’s George to Sainsbury’s TU Clothing stocking some amazing summer buys. Although Tesco’s F&F brand has long been lauded as a great option for affordable and chic clothing options, it seems the supermarket has taken it one step further and launched its very own Tesco-branded fashion.

Dalian Wanda Group is selling a 49% stake in its investment arm to local film and TV producer China Ruyi Holdings in an on-going effort to reduce debt. 

The FIFA Women’s World Cup has officially kicked off, and it’s a tournament of firsts as both Australia and New Zealand become the first countries to co-host the event. With fans eager to see if England's The Lionesses can maintain their champion's title, the team has teamed up with high street giants Marks and Spencer as the official tailor of the England senior women’s team.