‘Golden Arm’ Sells Global Rights to Utopia (EXCLUSIVE)

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterAmazon Studios has tapped Lorenza Muñoz as senior global awards executive, Variety has learned.Muñoz joins the studio from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, where she led the internal member relations and awards department.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaSandbox Films, a new production company that will back documentary films about scientific inquiry, is launching at the Toronto Intl.

Rebecca Rubin News Editor, OnlineAhead of its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, Emma Seligman’s debut feature “Shiva Baby” has sold worldwide rights to Utopia Media.“Shiva Baby” follows a young bisexual Jewish woman at a shiva — a mourning tradition in the Jewish community — in which her older male paramour and female high school sweetheart are present.“This film was made to represent the various contradictions and pressures placed upon young women, especially young queer women, from

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaThe 2020 Horton Foote Prize has been awarded to Lloyd Suh for his play “The Chinese Lady,” a penetrating drama that looks at racism and the immigrant experience.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaUtopia Distribution has acquired “Turning Point,” a documentary that follows researchers in their quest to develop treatments for Alzheimer’s. It will premiere on Altavod, Utopia’s new distribution platform on Sept.

Patrick Hipes Executive Managing EditorEXCLUSIVE: Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired North American rights to Luxor, the Zeina Durra drama starring Andrea Riseborough that played at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaWhen Bryan Fogel premiered his new, politically charged documentary “The Dissident” at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, he called on potential buyers to “stand up to Saudi Arabia” and show their support for freedom of speech.Now, nearly 10 months after it debuted to strong reviews, “The Dissident” has found its distributor in Briarcliff Entertainment.

Naman Ramachandran London-based specialty title outfit Jinga Films has launched a new distribution arm, Danse Macabre. Operating under the Jinga umbrella, Danse Macabre will focus on the distribution of horror films in Anglophone territories, including the U.K., Ireland, the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand.Danse Macabre will also act as a horror sales sub-label within Jinga Films while the parent company Jinga itself expands to include a wider range of genres, including arthouse.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaLeslie K. Barry’s upcoming novel “Newark Minutemen” has been optioned by Fulwell 73, the independent production company behind “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” John Niven and Nick Ball are attached to pen the screenplay.“Newark Minutemen” is based on an incredible true story.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaStephen Schwartz, the musical maestro behind such iconic shows as “Pippin” and “Wicked,” will be the subject of a new documentary from John Scheinfeld.Entitled “Defying Gravity: From Godspell to Wicked, A Musical Journey,” the film will commence production in 2021 and will track the highs and lows of Schwartz’s remarkable career.

Who is the Golden State Killer and what did he do?The Golden State Killer terrorised his victims through the 1970s and 80s.He is known to have committed at least 13 murders and 50 rapes spanning six California counties over two decades.It started in 1973 with a bunch of house burglaries - a man locals called the Visalia Ransacker.He would break into his victims' homes by prying open a window or door while they slept.But his crimes soon escalated into rapes and murders along the California

Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry‘s whirlwind romance is something that’s straight out of a fairytale! The singer, 35, and actor, 43, have traveled the world together while supporting each other’s careers, and they even met Pope Francis together. Though, they’ve had their fair share of ups and downs. But, what Hollywood couple hasn’t?

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaAlex Gibney, the Emmy and Oscar winning documentary filmmaker who has previously investigated everything from Scientology to Theranos, will pull back the curtain on Russian collusion in U.S. elections.Dubbed “Agents of Chaos,” the two-part film will debut on HBO on Sept.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaIFC Films has nabbed North American rights to “Farewell Amor,” the story of Angolan immigrants making a life for themselves in New York City, Variety has learned.The film received critical acclaim when it premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. It is written and directed by Sundance Institute fellow Ekwa Msangi and marks her feature directorial debut.

sentenced Friday to multiple life terms in prison without the possibility of parole.

Will Thorne Staff WriterJoseph James DeAngelo, known as the Golden State Killer, was sentenced to multiple life terms in prison Friday for the series of murders he committed over a 13-year period between 1973 and 1986.The sentencing was delivered by Honorary Judge Michael Bowman in the Sacramento Superior Court in California, where victim’s families had gathered to hear the sentence.In delivering his the maximum possible sentence in his power, Bowman said that the “victims must be assure that

Patton Oswalt is remembering his late wife, Michelle McNamara, as the Golden State Killer was sentenced to life in prison on Friday. Before her death, the comedian's wife had researched and began writing a true-crime book about the serial killer, who terrorized California during the 1970s and ‘80s by murdering 12 people and raping 50 others.