European Film Promotion Chief Sonja Heinen Discusses Changes to Shooting Stars Program (EXCLUSIVE)

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentClint Bentley’s feature debut “Jockey,” set to world premiere in the U.S. Dramatic Competition in Sundance, has been acquired by Berlin-based Films Boutique for international sales.Written by Bentley and Greg Kwedar (“Transpecos”), “Jockey” stars Clifton Collins Jr.

The team behind new PBS legal documentaryBelly of the Beasthas released a lyric video for the original song "See What You've Done," written by Mary J. Blige, Nova Way and DJ Camper and performed by Blige.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer“Minyan,” an acclaimed tale of sexual and spiritual identity directed by Eric Steel, has sold to Strand Releasing in North America.The film, starring stage breakout Samuel H. Levine of Broadway and the West End’s “The Inheritance,” played in the official selection at last year’s Berlin International Film Festival and went on to win Outfest’s grand jury prize for U.S.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefBig name Hollywood executives and talent including Sam Raimi, Gianni Nunnari, Patrick Wachsberger and Paula Wagner have joined the “Stars Collective” diversity program launched by Chinese film financier Starlight Media.

Screen Media has acquired worldwide distribution rights to Senior Moment, a comedy directed by Giorgio Serafini that stars William Shatner, Christopher Lloyd and Jean Smart. The pic will hit theaters and on demand in March, and Film Mode Entertainment will shop it to buyers at this year’s European Film Market in Berlin.

Naman Ramachandran Asia Argento (“Agony”), Golshifteh Farahani (“Extraction”) and Jim Sarbh (“Made in Heaven”) star in the voice cast of Ishan Shukla’s animated feature “Schirkoa,” production on which begins in the spring.The voice cast also includes Soko (“Little Fish”) and Arish Ahmad Khan aka King Khan, front man of Berlin-based garage rock and psychedelic soul band King Khan and the Shrines, with filmmaker Gaspar Noe (“Climax”) and actor-musician Piyush Mishra (“Sanju”) appearing as VO

Jazz Tangcay Artisans EditorIn 1999, opera legend Andrea Bocelli sang at the Academy Awards with Celine Dion when their duet of “The Prayer” was up for a best song Oscar.

European Film Promotion (EFP) and the Sundance Film Festival have announced their first-ever collaboration, which will see European films and talent in the spotlight at the 2021 festival, set for January 28 —February 3.

Leo Barraclough Senior International CorrespondentEuropean Film Promotion, a network of film agencies and institutes from 37 European countries, and the Sundance Film Festival have kicked off their first ever collaboration. The partners have launched an online showcase, Europe! Hub at Sundance, that puts the spotlight on the European films premiering in competition at the festival (Jan.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterWhen brothers Jake and Conor Allyn were growing up, they had something of an unusual family tradition.Whenever they would go to the movies, their dad, Rob, had a tendency to choose something that wasn’t exactly age-appropriate for his young kids.That’s how Jake came to perform a monologue from “Braveheart” in his elementary school talent show while the other students were singing along to Aaron Carter songs.Child-friendly or not, the Mel Gibson epic that

couldn't be more grateful to have the show «leading the charge» for change.

Riz Ahmed's Left Handed Films has signed a first-look TV production deal with Amazon Studios. The move comes as Ahmed is enjoying rave reviews for his starring role in the Amazon film Sound of Metal.

Naman Ramachandran Sovereign Film Distribution has acquired U.K.

She's been enjoying an extended trip to her homeland as she shoots the latest season of her show Germany's Next Top Model. And Heidi Klum was seen pressing on with her duties on Monday, as she joined the cast and crew at the Mall Of Berlin in Berlin-Mitte.

Emilio Mayorga Catalan auteur Carla Simón, a 2017 Berlinale Generation Kplus winner with “Summer 1993,” is preparing her third feature, “Romería,” which has been selected among 17 new feature projects to be offered at Rotterdam Film Festival’s CineMart co-production market, to be held Feb.

Berlin's European Film Market has revealed details of its plans for its first all-digital market, to be held from March 1-5, 2021. The 2021 EFM will be held alongside the online-only version of the 71st Berlin International Film Festival.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentThe Berlin Film Festival’s European Film Market (EFM) is gearing up for its upcoming online edition, for which it has announced 35 promising feature film projects from 25 countries selected for its co-production market.The EFM on Friday also unveiled details of the digital platform on which business will be done.The Berlinale Co-Production Market selection comprises works in various stages from global helmers, most of whom are known on the fest circuit

Ben Croll Speaking at a panel organized as part of UniFrance’s Rendezvous With French Cinema market on Tuesday, festival directors Vanja Kaludjercic of Rotterdam, Carlo Chatrian of Berlin, and Mickaël Marin of Annecy made clear that in order to survive this challenging moment their events needed to adapt.For one thing, they needed to separate their identities from a calendar constantly subject to upheaval.“Festivals aren’t a date anymore,” summarized panel moderator Michael Gubbins.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent“Bad Tales,” a drama written and directed by Damiano and Fabio D’Innocenzo, has been acquired by Strand Releasing for North American distribution. Sold by The Match Factory, the movie world premiered in competition at Berlin in 2019 and won the Silver Bear for best screenplay.

Angelique Jackson The American Black Film Festival and IMDb are teaming up for a special celebration of Black film with a new digital series, titled “Hollywood Homecoming.”Jeff Friday Media is producing the series, which celebrates “iconic films that showcase Black humanity and provide balanced portrayals of the African American experience,” assembling the film’s director and cast to discuss the project.