Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent In one of the biggest co-production deals unveiled at Content London, Mediawan‘s label Atlantique Productions has joined forces with Participant to make an ambitious limited espionage thriller series based on the Pegasus spyware scandal. Amit Cohen (“False Flag,” “Bad Boy”) and Ron Leshem (“Euphoria,” “No Man’s Land”) are on board as creators and showrunners for the mini-series which will adapted from the bestseller “Pegasus: How a Spy in Our Pocket Threatens the End of Privacy, Dignity, and Democracy.” The book charts the sprawling international investigation conducted in 2020 and 2021 which revealed how governments used Pegasus spyware technology to spy on politicians, activists and business executives.
Paramount+ Teams With Microsoft to Roll Out on Xbox Consoles Across International Markets, Including U.K., France, Latin America and Australia
09.11.2023 - 14:57 / variety.com
Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Paramount+ has signed a partnership with Microsoft for the streaming service to be available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S across several international markets. Under the deal, Paramount+ will roll out on Xbox consoles in Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latin America (including Brazil), Switzerland and the U.K.
The offer will include blockblusters, new originals, exclusive series, hit shows and kids favorites. “Our goal is to make Paramount+’s popular content, characters and franchises available to an expanded audience,” said Angela Heckman, senior VP of international streaming distribution and business development at Paramount.
The streamer’s roster includes “Fellow Travellers” (pictured), “The Curse,” “Halo” and “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds”; library titles like popular CBS TV shows “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and “NCIS”; animated favorites such as Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob SquarePants” and Comedy Central’s “South Park”; MTV’s young-adult series and iconic music shows and much more. Heckman pointed out the deal with Xbox pursues the streamer’s goal to ramp up its “reach in key international markets by executing on a distribution strategy that includes both global partners.” Besides Microsoft, Paramount+ has signed deals with global services like Amazon and YouTube, Apple, Google, Samsung, Roku, LG and Sky; as well as local services such as Canal+ and Orange in France, Foxtel in Australia, Izzi and TotalPlay in Mexico, Claro Net in Brazil, TVING in Korea, Three Mobile in the U.K.
and Swisscom in Switzerland. Through these partnerships, Heckman said Paramount+ is aiming to “leverage partners with multi-market scale, as well as those with
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Malia Obama’s chic fall outfit includes high slit skirt and leather boots
Malia Obama stepped out in the perfect fall ensemble. The eldest daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama was spotted during a recent outing in West Hollywood, showing off her fashion style and her recent hair transformation.Michelle Obama, Melinda French Gates, and Amal Clooney come together to fight against child marriageMichelle and Barack Obama’s heartfelt Thanksgiving message, featuring Malia and SashaSasha Obama and more celebs are pushing Boho skirts this fallThe 25-year-old former first daughter was photographed having lunch with a friend, wearing a floral skirt featuring a high slit.
BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Layton Williams flooded with 'absurd' and 'outrageous' messages as he speaks out on dance-off
Strictly Come Dancing's Layton Williams has been flooded with messages branding his place in the dance-off as 'absurd' and 'outrageous' as he broke his silence on being saved. The actor and West End star drew gasps in the ballroom as it was revealed that he'd be dancing again for his place in the BBC One dance contest.
‘The Mechanics of Things,’ a Tale of a Paralyzed Cat That Transforms Into a Fable About Depression, Picked Up by Lightdox (EXCLUSIVE)
Leo Barraclough International Features Editor French-based sales agency Lightdox has acquired the international rights to feature documentary “The Mechanics of Things” by Italian director Alessandra Celesia, ahead of its international premiere Saturday at the Torino Film Festival. The film had its world premiere at Les Etats généraux du Film Documentaire in Lussas this August. The exclusive trailer is shown below.
Banijay France’s New Boss Alexia Laroche-Joubert Unpacks Scripted Strategy, Unveils Acquisition of Premium Label Authentic Media (EXCLUSIVE)
Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Less than three months after being tapped CEO of Banijay France, Alexia Laroche-Joubert, a well-known industry figure, has enlisted Authentic Media, a leading French premium scripted banner that will join the “Peaky Blinders” production-distribution powerhouse. The acquisition of Authentic Media, who produced hit French adaptations of series such as “Rita” and “This is Us,” will further bolster Banijay France’s portfolio of scripted labels.
Creators of the Edith Piaf AI-Generated Biopic Speak Out: ‘We Don’t Want Her to Look Cartoonish’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent After being convincingly portrayed by Marion Cotillard in the 2007 film “La Vie en Rose,” legendary French singer Edith Piaf will come to life in an animated biopic “Edith” that looks to break new ground by using AI to recreate her voice and image. When Warner Music, which is producing the feature-length movie with Paris-based company Seriously Happy, broke news of the project last week, it stirred an avalanche of reactions — many of them skeptical — across social media. To clear up some concerns and shed light on the decisions behind the creative endeavor, Variety spoke to Julie Veille, who came up with the original idea, and Gilles Marliac who are co-producing through their banner Seriously Happy and co-wrote the script.
Steve Clarke will test Scotland with the best ahead of ultimate Euro 2024 examination
Steve Clarke wants his side tested by the best before facing the ultimate examination at Euro 2024.
Jason Oppenheim Reveals If He’s STILL In Love With Chrishell Stause, And…
No beating around the bush!
Beta Cinema Sells Audience Favorite ‘Adios Buenos Aires’ to Outsider Pictures for North America, Unveils Further Deals (EXCLUSIVE)
Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Beta Cinema has sold the North American rights for “Adios Buenos Aires” to Outsider Pictures, which plans to release the charming comedy drama in spring 2024 throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Tatino, Alternativa, QCinema Team on Pop Up Asian Film Residency Initiatives (EXCLUSIVE)
Naman Ramachandran Tatino Films, a French production and consultancy company involved in industry events in Asia and Europe, has teamed with Kazakhstan-based Alternativa Film Project and the Philippines’ QCinema Project Market for three film residencies. The partnership will yield two Pop Up film residencies called the Pop Up Alternativa Awards for filmmakers from Central Asia and one Pop Up QCFC (Quezon City Film Commission) x QCinema Award for Southeast Asian filmmakers to develop their upcoming film projects.
Management Company The Cartel Makes Multiple Signings Across Various Platforms
EXCLUSIVE: Management and production company The Cartel has signed John Pogue, Michael Alaimo, Rebecca Ewing & Danney Mackey and Lisa France.
Red Bull Studios, Featuristic Films Team on Documentary ‘Art of the Jump’ About French Athlete Sébastien Foucan (EXCLUSIVE)
Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Red Bull Studios and London-based Featuristic Films have partnered on “Art of the Jump,” a feature documentary about the life and career of Sébastien Foucan, a well-known French athlete. Directed by James Kermack (“Knuckledust,” “Hi-Lo Joe”), the documentary follows Foucan’s humble upbringing in the French suburb of Lisses to sports stardom.
French March Against Antisemitism Draws More Than 180,000 People Across Country
Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent More than 180,000 people across France, including approximately 105,000 in Paris, took part in a civic march against antisemitism on Sunday, according to figures released by the interior ministry and police prefecture. Major political figures such as former presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande, as well as prime minister Elisabeth Borne and culture minister Rima Abdul Malak attended the march.
Lionsgate & Kingdom Story Company Team With ‘The Chosen’ Creator Dallas Jenkins For ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’, 2024 Theatrical Release Planned
EXCLUSIVE: In a competitive situation, Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company have nabbed The Best Christmas Pageant ever which The Chosen creator/producer/director Dallas Jenkins will direct and adapt from Barbara Robinson’s comedic family book and play. Cameras roll next month in Canada for a 2024 holiday theatrical release.
NBCUniversal Cuts Nearly 50 Employees Across Peacock Marketing, Entertainment and Ad Sales
Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer NBCUniversal has laid off less than 50 employees across three divisions: Peacock marketing, NBCUniversal Entertainment and ad sales. The majority of these cuts, approximately 30 to 40, were made at Peacock as part of a restructuring under CMO Shannon Willett, a source within the company told Variety.
Jasmina Kuhnke, German Writer, Actor and Activist, Signs With CAA (EXCLUSIVE)
Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Jasmina Kuhnke, a German-born writer, actor, author and activist, has signed with CAA for representation, Variety has learned exclusively. Kuhnke’s debut novel, “Black Heart,” is a bestseller. The semi-autobiographical book recounts her experience growing up on the outskirts of the Ruhr region in Germany in the ’90s, and how she grappled with racism.
‘Wonka’ Granted China Release On Same Day As ‘Migration’; Both Pics Rolling Out Early Overseas
Warner Bros/Heyday Films’ Wonka has been granted a December 8 release in China, a week ahead of the domestic start and as part of an early overseas rollout for the Timothée Chalamet-starrer. Wonka will be going the same day as Universal/Illumination’s Migration in China.
TCCF Day One: Taiwan Government Funding; Japan’s Kadokawa Plots Global Expansion; Korea’s CJ ENM Pacts With TAICCA
Taiwan Creative Content Fest kicked off in Taipei today with organizer, Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), emphasizing its soft power ambitions and growing international cooperation activities, in particular with France, South Korea and Japan.
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Fest Unveils 2023 Selection As It Pushes On With Third Edition Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival has unveiled it 2023 line-up and theme as it maintains its third edition against the backdrop of the escalating Israel-Gaza Conflict. (scroll down for full list)
AFM: ‘Consent,’ France’s Buzzy Adaptation of Vanessa Springora’s #MeToo Bestseller, Lures Major Distributors Around the World (EXCLUSIVE)
Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent “Consent,” an adaptation of Vanessa Springora’s bestselling book which sparked a belated #MeToo moment in France, has lured major distributors while thriving at the local box office and stirring social media buzz. Represented in international markets by Paris-based outfit SND, the film marks the sophomore outing of Vanessa Filho whose debut feature “Angel Face” stars Marion Cotillard and played at the Cannes Film Festival. Inspired by Springora’s real-life story, “Consent” tells the story of a teenage girl who is manipulated and sexually abused by a celebrated writer in his 50s.