Beta Group Launches Film-TV Production, Distribution Arm in Spain, Headed by Mercedes Gamero

Lise Pedersen Scandinavia is bringing talent old and new to the Cannes Film Market’s Cannes Docs sidebar this year, with a showcase of five feature length films-in-the-making pitched as part of the Scandinavian Showcase on Saturday.“Children of the Lowest Heaven”From Denmark, internationally acclaimed writer-director Birgitte Stærmose Mortensen (“Darling,” “Room 304”), who has been working on mini-series for HBO, Starz and Netflix for the past five years (“Industry” season 2, “The Spanish Princess,” “In From the Cold” and “The English Game”), presented “Children of the Lowest Heaven” (“Ønskeliv”), a hybrid doc set in Kosovo.Inspired by her short “Out of Love” (2009), about a group of children living in poverty in post-war Pristina, it picks up where she left off with the characters, who are now young adults, still fighting to survive in one of Europe’s poorest nations. It’s about the long-term effects of war, and what it means to live a life in poverty.

During his lengthy career as an agent, David Unger saw there was a future in representing actors from the growing international marketplace. That’s what led to the creation of the Artist International Group in 2019.

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentMaquinitas, a program of Latin America film market Ventana Sur, is teaming with Mexico’s Grupo Mórbido to launch Let’s Spook, a new showroom for fantasy/horror video games in development in Latin America, Spain and Portugal.The news comes as the Mórbido Film Fest has confirmed dates for this year, plus its move into the Web 3.0, NFTs and the Metaverse.For Let’s Spook, Maquinitas and Mórbido are sending out a call for applications, which will run from June 1 -Aug. 15, to video game developers and programmers from Ibero-America looking to promote and enhance their genre projects.

Leo Barraclough International Features EditorErotic love story “99 Moons,” which has its world premiere in Cannes’ ACID sidebar today, has kicked off international sales. Berlin-based M-Appeal is handling the rights to the film, which is directed by Jan Gassmann.Arthouse VOD platform Filmin has taken the rights in Spain, and arthouse distributor StraDa Films has taken the films for Greece. France and Latin America are in negotiation.

Buenos Aires is set to offer Argentina’s first incentive for international shoots, a 20% cash rebate on productions’ expenditure in the Argentine capital.Capped at Pesos 75 million ($600,000) per title, the BA Cash Rebate requires a minimum spend of Pesos 80 million ($680,000) and an at least four-day shoot in Buenos Aires.Whether shooting totally or partially in the city, both co-productions and totally foreign titles are eligible for incentives. Reimbursement must be made via an Argentine co-producer or service company on a totally overseas shoot.

Binky Felstead enjoyed the last days of her epic hen do in Ibiza as she posed for snaps on a lavish yacht in the Spanish seas. The former Made in Chelsea star, 31, seemed to have an incredible time away with the group of women she has become closest to over the years, as well as honourable hen Ollie Locke amongst them.

Amanda Redman has told fans she is unable to speak about the death of her New Tricks co-star Dennis Waterman, because the grief is too personal.The actress’s daughter used her mum's Twitter account to share the pain she is going through following Dennis's sad death. The death of Dennis, who was best known for his part in The Sweeney and Minder, was announced by his family yesterday. The 74-year-old actor passed away peacefully in hospital in Spain.

A seven year manhunt is finally over after baby-faced murder suspect David Ungi was found and arrested in Spain.

Netflix has opened an office in Italy and unveiled a huge slate of scripted and unscripted series and films from many of the country’s biggest producers, with Co-CEO Reed Hastings detailing the streamer’s roots in the nation.

Ed Meza @edmezavarInternational mobile advertising and digital media company Adsmovil is launching Nuestra.TV, an ad-supported video on-demand service targeting Hispanic audiences in the U.S.Based in Miami, Nuestra.TV comprises more than 40 channels and over 15,000 hours of content “reflecting the full breadth and diversity of the Hispanic population,” the company said. The downloadable content library includes premiere productions in both English and Spanish from the U.S., Latin America and Spain as well as original content from award-winning creators for bilingual and bicultural consumers.Unveiled by Adsmovil on Thursday at the the IAB NewFronts digital content virtual event, the service also offers educational programming, gaming, podcasts, user-generated content, news and music events.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentTop European industry players including senior executives from Pathé Films, Mikros, Wild Bunch Distribution and Warner Bros. have joined forces to launch a one-stop-shop production banner called N9ne Studio.

Leo Barraclough International Features EditorMunich-based Global Screen has acquired family entertainment film “School of Magical Animals 2” for worldwide distribution. A first teaser will be presented at the Cannes Market for the project, which has a budget of more than $13 million.

Munich-based production and distribution house Beta Film has created a Spanish scripted division, with former Atresmedia exec Mercedes Gamero and Warner Bros. Pictures International España’s Pablo Nogueroles tapped to lead it.

Primetime Emmy winner Tobias Menzies has boarded the Nicole Holofcener directed and written feature Beth & Don opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has given a stern response to the suggestion that his focus is on Manchester City following his side’s 1-0 win over Newcastle.

Universal Studio Group Chair Pearlena Igbokwe says the “arms race” to sign creative talent on exclusive deals is “subsiding” as the scripted market readjusts economically.