ZDF Studios Boards Simon West-Directed Spanish Blockbuster ‘Boundless,’ with Alvaro Morte, Rodrigo Santoro (EXCLUSIVE)

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentIn late April, Banijay Iberia moved waves by taking an equity stake in Alex de la Iglesia and Carolina Bang’s Pokeespsie Films, with the aim of scaling up on its Spanish-language high-end original series and fiction production.Via Shine Iberia, Banijay is also producing biopic “Bosé,” one of VIS’ biggest Spanish-language plays for Paramount Plus, about singer-songwriter Miguel Bosé.Best known for its entertainment formats – though it does own Barcelona’s Diagonal TV, producer of hit Netflix historical sagas “Cathedral of the Sea” and “Heirs to the Land” and DLO Producciones, behind “Tell Me Who I Am” and “El Immortal,” – Banijay is now moving to strengthen its position in scripted in the Iberian market and, via it, across the globe. That is seen at Conecta Fiction, which runs June 21-24 in Toledo, Spain, where Banijay will have one of the biggest presences of any global company at the TV co-production forum, with Lars Blomgren, Banijay head of scripted, teaming with Maria Rua Aguete, Omdia senior research director, to deliver a first full day keynote on Wednesday on Global Fiction Trends, Consumer Choices & The Future of Fiction TV in a Streaming World.James Townley, Banijay’s global director of content development, who overseas new non-scripted IP, will also speak at Conecta Fiction;  Pilar Blasco, CEO of Banijay Iberia, will engage in a conversation with María José Rodríguez, head of Spanish originals at Amazon’s Prime Video.In the run up to Conecta Fiction, Variety talked with Blomgren about Banijay’s plans to ramp up its series and fiction output in the Spanish-speaking world.At Conecta Fiction, you’ll deliver a keynote on global TV fiction trends. Could you anticipate

What a difference a year can make. Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez have both moved on since their broken engagement — but are they on good terms?

Nancy Grace’s ‘Bloodline Detectives’ Set For Season Three

Jennifer Lopez isn't thinking about her ex-fiancé, Alex Rodriguez, much at all these days. The 46-year-old former MLB player was recently spotted kissing 25-year-old model Kathryne Padgett in Italy, and a source tells ET that Lopez «wishes him the best.»«Jen is focused on herself and doesn't even think twice about A-Rod or his current love life,» the source notes of the triple-threat star, who is once again engaged to Ben Affleck.

Emiliano De Pablos Suggesting an appreciable recovery in the dynamism of international film markets, Madrid-based Latido Films has unveiled a raft of deals on its Cannes line-up, led by standout sales for Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s Cannes Premiere player “The Beasts.” The Spain-set rural thriller was acquired by Movies Inspired in Italy and Imagine in Benelux. Co-produced by Spain’s Arcadia Motion Pictures and Sorogoyen’s Caballo Films with France’s Le Pacte, “The Beasts” has also been taken by Kino Mediteran in former Yugoslavia territories and Transilvania Film in Romania.Meanwhile, fruit of Latido’s strengthening of its remake rights sales strategies, the company has optioned Mexican movie adaptation rights on Nicolás Postiglione’s drama “Immersion” to Paloma Negra Films and Whisky, as a French redo of Gastón Duprat’s Spanish-Argentine drama “Masterpiece” is moving into production.  Also, Latido is in advanced negotiations on further remake rights deals in France, Italy and Mexico, among other territories.“Our sales expectations are beginning to approach pre-pandemic levels,” said Antonio Saura, Latido Films managing director.“We saw a market with multiple signs of dynamism but, at the same time, we feel that less and less risks are being taken,” argued Juan Torres, head of international sales. “Projects with a commercial vocation today attract the attention of many buyers more quickly,” he explained. “On the other hand, films that are more fragile from a commercial point of view but which previously managed to find acceptance in various territories today seem destined more than ever for festivals or minor online exhibition,” he added.Regarding signs of dynamism, Saura points out, “we see that independent distributors,

Naman Ramachandran Global short film network ShortsTV has launched its SVOD service on Amazon Prime Video Channels in the U.S.The service is available as an add-on subscription to Prime members at $1.99 per month after a seven-day free trial. Available at launch are 500 short films, including “The Continuing and Lamentable Saga of the Suicide Brothers,” starring Kiera Knightley and Rupert Friend; “Nancy, Sid & Sergio,” starring Charlie Cox; “Silent Things,” starring Andrew Scott, “Interstate,” starring Gina Rodriguez; and “Hotel,” starring Art Malik.In addition, alongside ShortTV’s annual theatrical release of Oscar nominated shorts, Prime members will also get access to these, as well as original shows taking audiences behind the scenes on the road to the Oscars, including leading film festivals and award shows including the BAFTAs, and interviews with award-winning filmmakers.

Alex Rodriguez had enough kisses to go around for model Kathryne Padgett in Italy over the weekend! The former MLB star and the fitness influencer were captured sharing a smooch during a night out at Taverna Anema e Core in Capri, Italy. The same evening, the pair was spotted hitting the dance floor.

Elvis and Tom Jones: Incredible story behind iconic photoLinkDean Martin's daughter 'almost died' after Elvis said how he saw himLinkJacobs was with Sinatra from 1958-1968 and said his employer also confided to him that Grace Kelly was his "dream girl. "The two stars worked together on High Society from January to March of 1956 and Jacobs confirmed that they "dated. "Kelly was equally voracious and was reported to be having affairs with actors William Holden and Clark Gable at the same time, as well as David Niven, who once declared she was the best sex he had ever had.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentLos Angeles-based Dark Star Pictures has acquired North American distribution rights to Colombia-based Spanish director Ruth Caudeli’s Tribeca title “Petit Mal” from Italian sales company The Open Reel. “Petit Mal,” in which Caudeli also stars, is centered around three young women, Martina, Laia, and Anto, who are in a passionate, playful three-way relationship — the dynamic of which is reshaped when one is called away for a long-term project.The pic, which premieres in Tribeca’s Viewpoints section, is loosely based on the director’s personal life experiences.“Petit Mal” is Caudeli’s third feature segueing from her exploration of somewhat similar themes in “Eva + Candela” (2017), in which a female filmmaker falls in love with her leading lady, and “Second Star on the Right” (2019), about a 30-something bisexual woman who refuses to grow up. During Cannes, the Rome-based Open Reel, which is headed by Cosimo Santoro, also sold rights to “Petit Mal” for Germany and all German-speaking territories to Cinemien.de/Pro-Fun Media; and for Benelux to Cinemien.nl.

K.J. Yossman CBS Studios’ Meghan Lyvers is heading to Sky Studios in a new role as director of original drama for the U.K.

Georgina Rodriguez showed off her chic fashion sense over the weekend as she stepped out in Ibiza on Saturday, June 4.The Spanish model looked stunning in a Dolce & Gabbana lemon print midi dress from the Italian designers exclusive collection, which comes with a £1,850 pricetage, according to Daily Mail.The 28-year-old made a statement as she arrived at the venue, pairing her exclusive dress with a pair of Hermes Izmir sandals while she carried one of the fashion house’s sought-after handbags.Georgina looked beautiful in the ruched style, which perfectly showed off her curvy silhouette. She finished off the look with a pair of gold hoop earrings, going on to add a matching watch and a collection of bracelets.The model had her brunette hair slicked back into a sophisticated bun with a few front strands left out to frame her face, giving her glam that old Hollywood vibe.

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentShaping up as one of the most anticipated movies from Spain this year, “Prison 77” (“Modelo 77”) has an international teaser trailer, which Movistar Plus has shared in exclusivity with Variety.“Modelo 77” marks the third Movistar Plus original film, re-teaming Telefonica’s pay TV/SVOD service with director Alberto Rodríguez, co-writer Rafael Cobos and co-producer Atípica Films, the driving forces behind “The Plague,” Movistar Plus’ big banner 2017 series.Sold internationally by Film Factory, “Prison 77” will be released in Spanish theaters by Buena Vista International on Sept. 23, the second Friday of Spain’s San Sebastian Festival, which begs the question as to whether it will feature at the event.

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentIn a milestone move, HBO Max will bow on June 18 in Spain and Latin America a weekly Max Original TV format version of “Nadie Sabe Nada” (“Nobody Knows Anything”), a hit comedy improv format starring Andreu Buenafuente and Berto Romero, two of Spain’s best known and admired figures on its late-night talk show scene.HBO Max has previously announced the adaptation of the reality dating competition and Max Original “FBoy Island” in Spain, Netherlands and Sweden. But “Nadie Sabe Nada” will be its first Spanish Max Original entertainment show to premiere in Spain.Buenafuente broke out in Spain bowing in 2005 on broadcast network Antena 3 the David Letterman-ish “Buenafuente,” a late night talk show which gently-ribbed some of Spain’s still sacred cows after 28 years of democracy.

Georgina Rodriguez has returned to the public eye following the tragic death of her son.

Georgina Rodriguez just made her first public appearance since the tragic loss of her son during labor earlier this year.The 28-year-old girlfriend of Cristiano Ronaldo made her way to Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of Elvis on Wednesday, May 25. Rodriguez looked absolutely stunning while posing on the red carpet, wearing a sparkly silver down with a halter top and a high slit up her leg.

Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, made her first public appearance since she and the Manchester United soccer star announced the death of their infant son. Rodriguez took to Instagram to share some snaps from the Cannes Film Festival in France.