DR Sales Closes Canadian Rights Deal With Level Film on ‘Praying for Armageddon’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Recently-established Philippines-based production and financing company, Fire and Ice, has deals to provide completion funding to two films being produced by prolific Singapore-based independent producer Potocol. Under a related agreement, Fire and Ice has also struck a multi-faceted first-look deal with Potocol. The completion funding, which gives Fire and Ice a share of the film’s equity, will permit the completion of post-production of upcoming Potocol titles: “Pierce,” a sports drama by Nelicia Low, and “Last Shadow at First Light,” by Nicole Midori Woodford. Both films were recently showcased at Focus Asia’s Far East In Progress, part of the Far East Film Festival in Udine, and are expected to be completed before the end of the year.

K.J. Yossman Sports.com have inked a deal with Twickenham Film Studios – known for iconic films including “Gandhi” and “Top Gun: Maverick” – to create a slate of original projects that will stream on their platform. The range of content includes features, docs, scripted and unscripted longform content, podcasts and live studio productions all themed around sport, which will be produced from the studio. “Sports.com will create the ultimate world of fan engagement in sport, all from one immersive platform,” said Sports.com’s director of original content, Shelly Hammond. “Original content is a key driver to deliver ground- breaking sports entertainment to fans. Together with Twickenham Film Studios, we aim to deliver captivating and high-quality original content to entertain and engage audiences across the emerging platform and the globe.”

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Kaouther Ben Hania, the Oscar-nominated director of “The Man Who Sold His Skin” whose latest film “Four Daughters” is competing at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, will next direct “Mimesis,” an epic love story set in Tunisia. While the plot is under wraps, the story is set in two different periods, the 1990s and the 1940s, paying tribute to cinema and Arab-Muslim cultural heritage. It’s being produced by Nadim Cheikhrouha at Tanit Films, who produced Ben Hania’s “Four Daughters” and her previous film “The Man Who Sold His Skin” which world premiered at Venice where it won best actor for Yahya Mahayni and was nominated for best international film at the Oscars in 2021.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Paris-based company Indie Sales has closed further sales on “Richard the Stork 2,” and expects to sell the last remaining territories during the Cannes Film Market. The film, also known as “Richard the Stork and the Mystery of the Great Jewel,” is a follow up to “Richard the Stork” (released in North America as “A Stork’s Journey”), which was widely distributed in 155 countries and grossed more than $20 million worldwide. Indie Sales, which sold Oscar nominee “My Life as a Zucchini” to more than 80 territories, is increasingly focusing on acquiring big budget animation.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Grandave Intl. has acquired the international sales rights of sports drama feature film “Sweetwater,” starring Golden Globe winner and Emmy Award winner Jeremy Piven and Academy Award nominated actor Richard Dreyfuss. Other cast include SAG Award nominated actor Cary Elwes, SAG Award winner Kevin Pollak, and rising star Everett Osborne. The film will be released in the U.S. by Universal and Briarcliff Entertainment, in partnership with the NBA. It is written and directed by Martin Guigui (“The Bronx Bull,” “9/11”). The producers are Tim Moore (“American Sniper”), Dahlia Guigui (“9/11”), Darren Moorman (“Blue Miracle”), and Josi Konski (“Babette’s Feast”).

EXCLUSIVE: Here at the Cannes Film Festival, Mubi has taken rights in North America, UK, Italy, Latin America, Turkey, India and Benelux to Un Certain Regard movie The Delinquents (Los Delincuentes).

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Zachary Levi will star in the Christmas film “Teddy’s Christmas” as the voice of the main character Teddy. The film about a Teddy Bear and a little girl will have its U.S. theatrical release in time for this year’s holiday season, following its release in several European countries. Levi is best known for his portrayal of the superhero Shazam in “Shazam!” and “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” and for his voice actor role in Disney’s “Tangled.” “Teddy’s Christmas” will be released by Capelight Pictures and Blue Fox Entertainment in the U.S.

Perry Sook, CEO of The CW parent Nexstar, said the network’s deal this year to broadcast the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit has led to talks with “everyone” in the vibrant sports rights marketplace.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Global Screen has closed further presales for “Lassie — A New Adventure,” the sequel featuring the most famous dog in the history of cinema. The film, directed by Hanno Olderdissen, has sold to A Contracorriente for Spain; ADS Service for Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Moldavia; Turkey’s Bir Film; GPI for the Baltic states; Bulgaria’s Pro Films; Karantanija for ex-Yugoslavia; and Greece’s Zinos Panagiotidis. Poland and Benelux are in negotiation. Sales were previously concluded with Lucky Red (Italy), AB Svensk Filmindustri (Scandinavia) and Film House (Israel).

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor 101 Films Intl. has acquired international rights to psychological thriller “Angel Baby,” and will launch sales at Cannes. The film stars Isabel Cueva (“Aztec Warrior,” “The Lady Killers”), Daniel Roebuck (“The Fugitive,” “U.S Marshalls”) and Rebecca de Mornay (“The Hand That Rocks the Cradle”). Quiver Distribution has taken North American sales rights. Actor Douglas Tait (“Hellboy,” “Teen Wolf”) makes his directorial debut, and also stars in the film. The screenplay is written by Elisa Manzini (“I’ll Be Waiting”) and Rebecca Stahl (“Everything in Between”). Dan Thiel, Whitney Anderson and Chris Browning round out the cast.

Taylor Lautner's not sweating over Taylor Swift soon dropping. But he does feel for another one of Swift's exes -- John Mayer.The star joked while speaking with, saying he's got zero qualms over Swift's highly anticipated third re-recorded album, set to drop this summer. «I think it's a great album.

McKinley Franklin editor JD Pardo is set to make his directorial debut with the upcoming Season 5 of FX’s gritty biker drama “Mayans M.C.,” Variety can exclusively reveal. Pardo has starred in “Mayans M.C.” since its premiere in 2018. For the fifth and final season of the series, Pardo will make his directorial debut during the show’s fourth episode, which will air on Wednesday, June 7. Episode 4, entitled “I See the Black Light,” teases that “after a fatal error, the Mayans navigate the dangers of their new trade, forcing an unlikely alliance.” Meredith Danluck wrote the episode. Elgin James and Kurt Sutter are executive producers and creators.

EXCLUSIVE: Here’s your first look at Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction) and Vincent Cassel (La Haine) in action-thriller Damaged, which wrapped this spring in Scotland.

Even though Prince Harry only stayed in England for roughly 24 hours for the coronation, he made sure to carve out some time to catch up with one family member during his brief visit.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Viaplay Content Distribution has closed the first raft of deals for its ambitious action drama film “Stockholm Bloodbath” directed by Mikael Håfström. Ahead of Viaplay’s official streaming premiere in 2024, “Stockholm Bloodbath” will be distributed in the Nordics by Scanbox Entertainment. It will roll out in Denmark on Jan. 18th and in Sweden and Norway on Jan. 19. Splendid Film, meanwhile, has acquired all rights for Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland. “Stockholm Bloodbath” is part of Viaplay Content Distribution’s roster which will be unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival to international buyers. The company will present new and exclusive material from the film.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Sales agency The Match Factory is launching the trailer (below) of Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki’s “Fallen Leaves,” which will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in Competition. This gentle tragicomedy is the fourth part of Kaurismäki’s working-class quartet, following “Shadows in Paradise,” “Ariel” and “The Match Factory Girl,” which The Match Factory, the company, is named after. The film tells the story of two lonely people (played by Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen) who meet each other by chance in the Helsinki night. They then try to re-find each other: the first, only, and ultimate love of their lives. Their path toward this goal is clouded by the man’s alcoholism, lost phone numbers, not knowing each other’s names or addresses, and life’s tendency to place obstacles in the way of those seeking their happiness.

Since they began throwing people around the world into fits of laughter with several Netflix comedy specials and global stand-up tours, fans have become curious about Hannah Gadsby’s net worth.

the Wall Street Journal.The journal cited people familiar with the matter who it did not name. Vice did not immediately respond Friday to a request for comment.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Twenty emerging producers from across Europe have been selected to take part in European Film Promotion’s promotion and networking platform Producers on the Move before and during the Cannes Film Festival. The producers who were selected for the program from nominations submitted by EFP’s member organizations are Gentian Koçi (Albania), David Bohun (Austria), Julie Esparbes (Belgium), Vanya Rainova (Bulgaria), Miljenka Čogelja (Croatia), Stelana Kliris (Cyprus), Alice Tabery (Czech Republic), Emile Hertling Péronard (Denmark), Emilia Haukka (Finland), Silvana Santamaria (Germany), Vicky Miha (Greece), Júlia Berkes (Hungary), Kathryn Kennedy (Ireland), Valon Bajgora (Kosovo), Dominiks Jarmakovičs (Latvia), Erik Glijnis (The Netherlands), Elisa Fernanda Pirir (Norway), Radu Stancu (Romania), Juraj Krasnohorský (Slovak Republic), and Julia Gebauer (Sweden).