Ellen Burstyn and James Caan Rom-Com ‘Queen Bees’ Buzzes to Gravitas Ventures

Chinese filmmaker Chloé Zhao's Nomadland was the unmistakable big winner at the 93rd Academy Awards Sunday night, taking home best picture, best director and best actress. In a piece of potent history, Zhao became the first Asian woman, the first Chinese woman and first woman of color to win the top directing prize at theOscars.

history-making sweep at the Oscars was almost entirely censored in her China amid accusations that she previously insulted her homeland.The New York University graduate on Sunday became the first woman of color to win best director, while her “Nomadland” is only the second film directed by a woman to take home honors for best picture.Yet her groundbreaking night was ignored and censored in her homeland as she remained embroiled in a backlash over a recently unearthed 2013 interview in which she

With such a varied mix winners from around the world at Sunday’s Oscars, local media has been awash with praise as news of victories spread from Los Angeles to Seoul, and Copenhagen to London — but not so much in China.

win an Oscar for best director for her film Nomadland. But in China, Zhao’s country of birth, posts about her victory were removed and Weibo searches for her Chinese name returned results about a low-level official who had volunteered to promote a local Covid-19 vaccination drive.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefSouth Korean media were quick to celebrate the Oscar win, as best supporting actress in “Minari,” for veteran Yuh-jung Youn. It was a first ever acting win for a Korean actor.

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Chloe Zhao's history-making Oscars sweep, winning best director and best picture, is being met with a muted response in her country of birth, and even instances of censorship.Zhao's “Nomadland” is the second film directed by a woman to win a best picture Oscar. She is the first woman of color and second woman ever to win the Oscars for best director.Yet, in China, where Zhao was born, her history-making success has not been trumpeted or celebrated.

Organizers of Geena Davis’ Bentonville Film Festival, which champions inclusion in all forms of media, will be produced as an annual program by the nascent Arkansas nonprofit BFFoundation. Independent film producer Kristin Mann is set as head of content.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterGreg Kinnear has joined the cast of “Sight,” a biopic about pioneering medical entrepreneur Dr. Ming Wang, led by actor Terry Chen.The Open River Entertainment project has commenced a six-week shoot in Vancouver.

Hong Kong has cultivated a reputation for punching above its weight. Once producing 300 films a year, the small territory hatched global martial arts superstars like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh and Donnie Yen.

Rebecca Davis editorJapanese animation “Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet” led both “Godzilla vs.

EXCLUSIVE: Italy’s Royal House of Savoy is getting the film and TV treatment from Chinese director, writer and producer Yi Zhou who is developing both a TV series and feature based on Queen Marie-José.

UTA is bulking up its venture funding business. The agency has hired veteran investment executive Clinton Foy as general partner, Venture Capital at UTA Ventures, which builds and invests in businesses at the intersection of media, entertainment, and technology.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterLongtime venture investment executive, esports investor and former Square Enix COO Clinton Foy has joined UTA as a general partner in its venture capital division, where he will be tasked with growing and developing the company’s investment platforms, from direct investing to venture capital investments to fund development.“Clinton’s deep background in the venture capital community and proven track record of raising and investing capital for funds and startups across

Veteran investor Clinton Foy is joining UTA Ventures in the role of General Partner, Venture Capital.

TheEllen Burstyn and James Caan starring Queen Bees has been acquired by Gravitas Ventures in North America, with aday-and-date theatrical and digital release set for June 11. The Oscar-winning Burstyn plays fiercely independent senior Helen (Academy Award-winner Ellen Burstyn) who moves into a nearby retirement community temporarily while her home undergoes repairs.

Gravitas Ventures has acquired North American rights from Arclight Films, to distribute dramatic comedy Queen Bees which stars Ellen Burstyn, James Caan, Ann-Margret, Jane Curtin, Christopher Lloyd, Loretta Devine, Elizabeth Mitchell, and French Stewart. A theatrical and PVOD release of June 11 is currently planned.

Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies are headed back to China's cinemas. The beloved fantasy trilogy has been scheduled for a staggered rerelease in China throughout April, according to local media reports.