Ellise Shafer Warner Bros. Discovery Europe has announced that it will air every match from this year’s U.S. Open on Eurosport and Discovery+ across 45 markets.
01.08.2023 - 12:25 / variety.com
Naman Ramachandran The Indian parliament has passed the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, which aims to curb piracy that causes losses of INR200 billion ($2.4 billion) to the film industry, according to government estimates. Those found guilty of film piracy by way of camcording in theaters or unauthorized copying and online transmission and exhibition of a pirated copy of any film will now face punishment of minimum three months imprisonment and a fine of $3,650, which can be extended up to three years imprisonment and fine up to 5% of the audited gross production cost.
The bill also introduces age-based categories of certification by further sub-dividing the existing UA category into seven years (UA 7+), 13 years (UA 13+) and 16 years (UA 16+), instead of 12 years. These age-based markers are recommendatory only, meant for the parents or guardians to consider whether their children should view a film.
In addition, films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification are now in perpetuity and don’t have to be renewed every 10 years. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “The empowerment of Indian film industry with ease of doing business and its protection from the menace of privacy, would go a long way in growth of content creation ecosystem in India, and would help safeguard the interests of all artists and artisans working in the sector.” Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, added: “India is known as a country of story tellers which shows our rich culture, heritage, legacy and diversity.
In the next 3 years our film industry will grow to $100 billion dollars, providing employment to lakhs [hundreds of thousands] of people. Keeping the needs of the changing time, we have brought this bill
.Ellise Shafer Warner Bros. Discovery Europe has announced that it will air every match from this year’s U.S. Open on Eurosport and Discovery+ across 45 markets.
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Production begins next month on “Black Tide Island,” a historical drama series that presents a Taiwanese insight into the Korean War. Production is headed by Hakka TV and Go Inside. Halla TV is the local Hakka-language linear satellite television channel operated by Taiwan Broadcasting System.
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Noted Japanese director Ando Momoko (“Kakera: Pieces of Our Life,” “0.5mm”) has been named as the ambassador for this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival. She also features, alongside her father Okuda Eiji in the festival’s newly-released poster, which recreates a scene from Ozu Yasujiro’s “Tokyo Story” and in which Okuda and Ando represent the classic film’s Ryu Chishu and Hara Setsuko characters. The poster image, shot at the rooftop garden of Kitte Marunouchi Building, with Tokyo Station in the background, was designed by Koshino Junko, who has created the festival’s key visuals for the past three years.
Naman Ramachandran World Productions (“Vigil,” “Line of Duty”) is producing a new season of hit series “Showtrial” for BBC One and iPlayer. Writer and creator Ben Richards (“The Diplomat”) returns for the series. In the show, when high-profile climate activist Marcus Calderwood is left for dead in a violent hit and run, he uses his dying moments to identify his killer – a serving policeman.
Naman Ramachandran Amazon Freevee has unveiled the first trailer for the new chapter of long-running Australian soap “Neighbours.” The continuation of the series – about the lives, loves and challenges of the residents on Ramsay Street in Erinsborough, Australia, a fictional suburb of Melbourne – will pick up two years after the finale in 2022. “Neighbours” ran for more than three decades and nearly 9,000 episodes before being canceled in 2022 when the show’s primary funder, U.K.’s Channel 5, pulled out. Freevee then picked up the rights from “Neighbours” producer and distributor Fremantle.
Naman Ramachandran Kudos Knight, the creative partnership between scripted producer Kudos and “Peaky Blinders” and “SAS Rogue Heroes” creator Steven Knight, has appointed “Sex Education” producer Rem Conway as development producer to spearhead their plans to grow a scripted production hub in the U.K.’s West Midlands region. This new role is designed to support the Kudos Knight management team in developing a drama slate to be produced in Birmingham. Identifying and nurturing emerging local voices and proven writers from the area, Conway will work closely with the Kudos creative team with a particular focus on championing under-represented and previously unheard voices.
Naman Ramachandran James Hawes‘ Holocaust drama “One Life” will be the American Express Gala at the 67thBFI London Film Festival. The film tells the true story of Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton, a young London broker who, in the months leading up to WWII, rescued 669 children from the Nazis. Fifty years later, in 1988, Winton is haunted by the fate of the children he wasn’t able to bring to safety in England.
K.J. Yossman Patty Jenkins Set to Appear at HollyShorts Film Festival For Q&A “Wonder Woman” director Patty Jenkins is set to open the Shorts on Film Program at the upcoming HollyShorts Film Festival with a Q&A. Jenkins, who is also know for films including “Monster” and television including “The Killing” finale, will appear in conversation with Steve Bellamy, president of Kodak Motion Picture, on August 11 at TLC Chinese 6 theatre.
Naman Ramachandran Fremantle and Ukraine’s STB are teaming on “Power of Talent,” a feature documentary on the lives of previous “Ukraine’s Got Talent” contestants, revealing the obstacles they face amidst the ongoing conflict. The documentary will follow the journeys of Ukrainian acts including Light Balance Kids, Natasha Korotkina and Artem Fesko as they take to various “Got Talent” stages across the world.
Naman Ramachandran Celine Dion‘s 1995 album “D’eux,” the bestselling French-language album of all time, written and produced by Jean-Jacques Goldman, is being paid homage to by top Canadian and French musicians. Amuz Distribution has secured the international distribution rights to the TV show “Pour toi Céline – Tribute to the album D’Eux,” produced by SISMYK as part of the Super Franco Fête. The tribute will be recorded on the Agora stage in the Port of Quebec on Sept.
Naman Ramachandran Germany’s ZDF Studios has secured worldwide distribution rights for documentary series “Hitler’s Power” (3 x 50’), an exploration of how and why Hitler rose to power and the terrible events that followed. On Jan. 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany.
Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Gerhard Zeiler, president of international at Warner Bros. Discovery, will give the opening keynote at the 39th edition of TV market Mipcom, which runs Oct. 16-19 in Cannes.
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief “Heavens: The Boy and His Robot,” a Singapore-produced movie, will have its world and commercial premiere in Japanese cinemas this November. The film is Singapore’s first live-action feature film of the mecha genre, a genre of Japanese manga and anime that features or focuses on mechanical innovations such as robots and cyborgs.
Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Zurich Film Festival will honor the chief executive of German film and TV company Leonine Studios, Fred Kogel, with its Game Changer Award, which is presented to a leading personality from the film industry whose “extraordinary efforts serve to advance the sector.” Kogel set up Leonine four years ago, and it has grown rapidly to become Germany’s leading independent film company, as well as a major TV producer. Its successes as a film distributor have included the release of “The School of Magical Animals,” “Knives Out” and the “John Wick” franchise.
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Australia’s annual celebration of TV this weekend named Sam Neill as the country’s most popular actor for his role in courtroom drama series “The Twelve.” The Foxtel and Binge show was the numerical winner on the evening in a tie with Binge’s “Colin From Accounts.” Both shows picked up a trio of awards.Sonia Kruger was named Australia’s most popular TV personality for her roles on “The Voice,” “Dancing With the Stars” and “The Masked Singer.”Gold Logie for most popular personality on Australian TV: Sonia Kruger, “The Voice,” “Dancing with the Star” and “Big Brother,” Seven Network Bert Newton Award for most popular presenter: Tony Armstrong, “A Dog’s World” with Tony Armstrong, ABC Silver Logie: Most popular Australian actor: Sam Neill, “The Twelve,” Foxtel & Binge Silver Logie: Most popular Australian actress: Kitty Flanagan, “Fisk Season 2,” ABC Graham Kennedy Award for most popular new talent: Amy Shark, “Australian Idol,” Seven Network Most popular drama series, miniseries or telemovie: “Home and Away,” Seven Network Most popular entertainment program: “Gogglebox Australia,” Foxtel & Network 10 Most popular current affairs program: “Australian Story,” ABC Most popular comedy program: “Have You Been Paying Attention?,” Network 10 Most popular reality program: “MasterChef Australia: Fans & Favourites,” Network 10 Most popular lifestyle program: “Travel Guides,” 9Network Most Outstanding AwardsSilver Logie: Most outstanding actor: Patrick Brammall, “Colin from Accounts,” Binge Silver Logie: Most outstanding actress: Harriet Dyer, “Colin from Accounts,” BingeSilver Logie: Most outstanding supporting actor: Thomas Weatherall, “Heartbreak High,” Netflix Silver Logie: Most outstanding
Naman Ramachandran “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” the first Harry Potter story to be presented on stage and the eighth story in the series, celebrates its seventh anniversary at the Palace Theatre at London’s West End on July 30, where it is now booking to May 19, 2024. In the play, 19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, they’re back on a new adventure – this time, joined by a new generation that has only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
K.J. Yossman Top BBC news anchor Yalda Hakim has jumped ship to Comcast-owned Sky. She is set to join Sky News as lead world news presenter.
Naman Ramachandran Casting for the beloved “Famous Five” stories of Enid Blyton, which are being reimagined for the BBC and ZDF by Nicolas Winding Refn, has been revealed. Diaana Babnicova is playing the role of George, alongside Elliott Rose as Julian, Kit Rakusen as Dick, Flora Jacoby Richardson as Anne, playing George’s cousins who come to stay at Kirrin Cottage. Making up the fifth member of the “Famous Five” is Kip, the Bearded Collie Cross playing Timmy the dog.
Naman Ramachandran A stellar cast has been revealed by the BBC and House Productions for Season 2 of James Graham’s BAFTA-winning hit crime drama “Sherwood.” Directed by Clio Barnard (“Ali & Ava”) the news cast included David Harewood (“The Night Manager”), Robert Lindsay (“My Family”), Monica Dolan (“Black Mirror”), Sharlene Whyte (“Small Axe”), Stephen Dillane (“Vigil”), Ria Zmitrowicz (“The Power”), Aisling Loftus (“The Midwich Cuckoos”), Robert Emms (“Andor”), Michael Balogun (“Top Boy”), Christine Bottomley (“Domina”), Oliver Huntingdon (“Happy Valley”) Jorden Myrie (“Mood”), Conor Deane (“All Creatures Great & Small”) and Bethany Asher (“Wild Bill”).
Naman Ramachandran S Club, the British pop group formerly known as S Club 7, are releasing a new single, “These Are The Days,” their first new music in 20 years. Performed by existing band members Tina Barrett, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh, Jo O’Meara and Rachel Stevens, the song is by the songwriting team of Cathy Dennis, Simon Ellis, Johanne Ellis and producer John Nathaniel. The track pays tribute to S Club member Paul Cattermole, who died earlier this year. Formed by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller in 1998, the single marks the group’s 25th anniversary and precedes a sold out 15-date U.K. arena tour planned for the fall, which has been renamed “S Club: The Good Times Tour” as a tribute to Cattermole by taking the name of an S Club song and a fan favorite on which he sang lead vocals.