iW NEWS | Miramax Makes Meirelles Deal, Pre-Buys "Blindness"

In Toronto tonight, Miramax Films may be celebrating this evening's TIFF debut of The Coen Brothers' "No Country For Old Men," but company president Daniel Battsek can also toast his pre-buy of U.S. rights to filmmaker Fernando Meirelles' "Blindess." The film has been shooting locally ahead of the production moving to Meirelles' native Brazil and was adapted from Jose Saramago's acclaimed novel. The in-production project was described by Miramax tonight as follows: "When a sudden plague of blindness devastates a city, a small group of the afflicted band together to triumphantly overcome the horrific conditions of their imposed quarantine." Written by celebrated Canadian writer, actor and director Don McKellar (a recent Tony Award winner for "The Drowsy Chaperone), "Blindness" stars Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Alice Braga, Danny Glover and Gael Garcia Bernal. The movie is produced by Niv Fichman, Andrea Barata Ribeiro, and Sonoko Sakai and executive produced by Gail Egan and Simon Channing-Williams. Miramax's EVP Michael Luisi negotiated the deal with Fichman and Sakai, as well as Steve Saltzman of Loeb and Loeb representing the film. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Toronto ]

iW NEWS | In Toronto, ThinkFilm Makes Deal for Helen Hunt Film

ThinkFilm has acquired U.S. rights to Helen Hunt's "Then She Found Me," which debuted on Friday evening at the Toronto International Film Festival, with TVA Films taking Canadian rights after overnight negotiating. The actress' directorial debut -- produced by Killer Films -- stars Bette Midler, Colin Firth, and Matthew Broderick and was adapted by Hunt, Vic Levin and Alice Arlen from a novel by Elinor Lipman. International sales on the film are being shopped in Toronto by Odyssey Entertainment. Think's Mark Urman and Randy Manis closed the deal with CAA and Yves Dion negotiated for Equinoxe, according to an announcement today. The Hollywood Reporter offers additional background on the deal, in a story that pegs the pact at $2 - 3 million, combining U.S. rights to ThinkFilm and the Canadian rights deal. (Reps corrected a previous report that mistakenly indicated Canadian rights were nabbed by Equinoxe). [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Toronto ]

iW NEWS | Weinstein Co. Goes for Toronto Fests "Boy A"

The Weinstein Company has announced a deal for worldwide rights (excluding UK TV) to John Crowley's Toronto International Film Festival title "Boy A," described as a touching drama about a man, "released from prison at the age of 24, having been institutionalized for most of his life after he and another boy murdered a child, when they were themselves children." Adapted by Mark O'Rowe -- from Jonathan Trigell's novel -- the film stars Andrew Garfield, Peter Mullen, Shaun Evans, and Katie Lyons and was produced by Lynn Horsford, Nick Marston, Tally Garner and Liza Marshall. Cuba Pictures first production, the film will debut on Saturday at TIFF. TWC president of international Glen Basner, and execs Rhodri Thomas and Michal Podell negotiated the deal with attorney Jeremy Gawade and Nick Marston & Tally Garner from Cuba Pictures. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions ]

iW NEWS | Niv Fichman Receives CFPTA Producers Award

Industry Initatives at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Canadian Film and Television Production Association announced that Niv Fichman is the recipient of the second annual CFTPA Producer's Award with a $10,000 CAD cash prize. Fichman has produced over 200 documenataries, television series and films, including Francois Girard's Silk, which is screening at the Festival. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Honors, Toronto ]

BBC: Venice honours director Burton

Director Tim Burton, whose films include "Edward Scissorhands" and "Sleepy Hollow," has been honored with a career award at the Venice Film Festival. Festival organisers called Burton "one of America's bravest, most visionary and innovative filmmakers." Burton received the Golden Lion lifetime achievement award from his long-time collaborator, actor Johnny Depp, in a red carpet event. BBC reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

iW NEWS | Walker Teams with Cinetic as Partner

CAA's Bart Walker has joined Cinetic Media as a partner effective immediately, founder John Sloss officially announced Thursday. Concurrent with Walker's arrival, Cinetic will launch Cinetic Management, a talent management division. Walker, who joins Sloss and Robert Nathan as a partner in Cinetic Media, spent the last three years at CAA in New York. "We share a passion for representation in broad terms and feel we are at an inflection point in the way films are financed, produced and distributed. "We see Cinetic as a new kind of service company, one that will create innovative structures that benefit filmmakers as well as financiers so that their creative and economic goals are realized," commented Sloss in a statement. "Filmmakers and financiers have an unprecedented opportunity to take greater control of the process, from creation to consumption." For more background on this story, visit The Hollywood Reporter's coverage from Gregg Goldstein. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Industry Moves ]

iW NEWS | Santa Barbara To Honor John Travolta

In recognition of his contributions to cinema, John Travolta will be honored with the second annual Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. "John Travolta has given us iconic performances for many years, just as Kirk has done in his lifetime," said SBIFF Director Roger Durling. Travolta will recieve the award November 15, 2007. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals, Honors ]

iW NEWS | AFI Fest Announces 15 Titles

AFI Fest 2007 announced fifteen additional titles including the World Premieres of two documentaries, "Public Enemy: Welcome to the Terrordome" and "1000 Journals." Director Robert Patton-Spruill's "Public Enemy: Welcome To The Terrordome" takes a look at the impact of music group Public Enemy while "1000 Journals," directed by Andrea Kreuzhage looks at a social/art project in San Francisco. Both currently screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, Bruce MacDonald's "The Tracy Fragments" and Danish director Paprika Steen's "With Your Permission" will both make their U.S. premieres at AFI. Cannes favourite "Perspepolis," directed by Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Parranoud and Jason Reitman's follow-up to "Thank You For Smoking," "Juno," both screening in Toronto, will join them. Other announcements include a variety of other films, including Romanian Cristian Munglu's Palme d'Or winning "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days," Gael Garcia Bernal's directorial debut "Deficit," Julian Schnabel's biopic "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," Tamara Jenkins' "The Savages," starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney, Stefan Ruzowitzky's "The Counterfeiters," Eran Kolirin's "The Band's Visit," Hao Hsiao-hsien's "Flight of the Red Balloon," Shira Gefen's "Jellyfish," and Lee Chang-dong's "Secret Sunshine." AFI Fest 2007 will run from November 1-11, 2007. [Peter Knegt]  
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

AP: Hong Kong movie surprise film in Venice

"Mad Detective," by Hong Kong directors Johnnie To and Wai Ka-fai, is this year's surprise entry at the Venice Film Festival. It's a psychological thriller about a rookie police officer teaming up with a former colleague to bring a serial killer to justice. AP reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

iW NEWS | Samuel Goldwyn Scares up Rights for "Roman de Gare"

Claude Lelouch's Cannes '07 thriller "Roman de Gare" has been acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films, the company announced Thursday. Peter Goldwyn, VP of acquisitions and Shane Starr, manager of acquisitions at Samuel Goldwyn Films negotiated the deal with and Jean-Paul De Vidas on behalf of Les Films 13. The U.S. release is scheduled for first quarter 2008. Cesar nominee Dominique Pinon and Cesar winner Fanny Ardant star in the film about a popular novelist who researches unlikely sources to find characters for her next bestseller. "We feel privileged to work with Claude on such a fantastic, exciting and explosive title," commented Meyer Gottlieb, president of Samuel Goldwyn Films. "He is a film legend for whom we have tremendous respect and admiration." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions ]

AFP: Ben Affleck's "Gone Baby Gone" brings Boston to French film fest

US actor Ben Affleck brought the seamy side of his native Boston to the Deauville Film Festival on Wednesday with the premiere of his directorial debut "Gone Baby Gone." Based on a novel by Dennis Lehane, who also wrote "Mystic River" which Clint Eastwood brought to the screen in 2003, "Gone Baby Gone" tells the story of two private investigators searching for an abducted four-year-old girl. AFP reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

iW NEWS | "August Rush" and "The Kite Runner" to Bookend 16th Heartland Film Festival

Kirsten Sheridan's "August Rush" will open the 2007 Heartland Film Festival October 18 - 26, taking place in Indianapolis, Indiana. Closing the event's 16th edition will be "The Kite Runner" by Marc Foster. Sixteen titles will compete for festival prizes, including Craig Gillespie's "Lars and the Real Girl," Michael Schroeder's "Man in the Chair," Gustavo Ron's "Mia Sarah" and Stephane Gauger's "Owl and the Sparrow." Also slated are: Stephanie Johns' "Doubletime," Irene Taylor Brodsky's "Hear and Now," "Nanking" by Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman and Socheata Poeuv's "New Year Baby" as well as "War/Dance" by Sean Fine and Andrea Nix. "Since 1991 it's been Heartland's mission to showcase films that bring out the best of the human spirit," commented Jeffery L. Sparks, president and CEO of Heartland Truly Moving Pictures in a statement. "This year we are thrilled to return with a unique and diverse collection of world class films and events that demonstrate Heartland's continued commitment to honor films that uplift as well as entertain." For more information including a detailed line up, visit the festival's website.] [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

iW NEWS | Crain Promoted to VP of Acquisitions at Picturehouse

Lindsay Crain has been promoted to VP of Acquisitions at Picturehouse, the company's president Bob Berney announced Wednesday. Crain, who will continue to report to Sara Rose, SVP of Acquisitions and will work closely with Berney and Rose in all film acquisitions and development at Picturehouse. Crain joined the distributor in 2006 as director of acquisitions. She has been involved in the acquisitions of Guillermo del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth," Robert Altman's "Prairie Home Companion," and Leon Ichaso's "El Cantante," as well as the production of the upcoming psychological horror film, "Amusement." "Lindsay has been an instrumental part of our team for close to two years now," commented Berney in a statement. "We are really pleased that we are able to recognize all her hard work and give her this opportunity to really shine and get front and center on several projects." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Industry Moves ]

iW NEWS | THINKFilm Adopts "My Brother is an Only Child" for North America

North American rights to Daniele Luchetti's "My Brother is an Only Child" (Mio Fratello e Figlio Unico) have been acquired by THINKFilm with a planned March, 2008 theatrical release, Mark Urman, the company's theatrical division head announced Wednesday. The film, which will screen at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival, was represented by THINKFilm International for worldwide sales in Cannes where it screened in the official selection. THINKFilm International Head of Sales, Eve Schoukroun, along with THINK executives Urman, Randy Manis and Ben Stambler sealed the arrangement with Marco Chimenz, who produced the film with Riccardo Tozzi and Giovanni Stabilini, his partners at Cattleya, their Rome-based film and TV production company. The film has earned $8.5 million at home in Italy. Set in a small Italian town in the '60s and '70s, the film tells the story of two brothers who want to change the world--but in completely different ways. The two polar opposite siblings find conflict against the backdrop of the turbulent era. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Toronto ]

iW NEWS | Temecula Unveils Honorees for Upcoming Fest

The Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival has announced the award recipients and presenters for the fest taking place on September 12 - 16. The awards will go to soul and R&B legend Smokey Robinson, Kay Panabaker (Rising Star Award), film actor Michael Madsen ("Sin City"), film educator Robert Rosen, patron of the arts Eve Craig, film composer Christopher Young, and Technicolor. The event will take place at the Pechanga Resort & Casino Ballroom in California September 16. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

iW NEWS | Bernal Set for Moodysson's Latest

Gael Garcia Bernal has been attached star in Lukas Moodysson's first English-language feature film, "Mammoth." The actor, whose directorial debut "Deficit" was unveiled earlier this year in Cannes, will be at the Toronto International Film Festival with deficit and in Hector Babenco's "El Pasado." The film is desribed as revolving around "successful New York couple Tom and Ellen, their 8-year old daughter Jackie and their Filipino nanny Gloria. On a business trip to Thailand Tom realizes that he wants to change his life. His decision sets in motion a highly intense and dramatic chain of events." [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

iW NEWS | "Diving Bell" and "I'm Not There" to Bookend Woodstock Film Festival

Julian Schnabel's Cannes-award winning "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" will open the 2007 Woodstock Film Festival, while Todd Haynes' experimental Bob Dylan biopic "I'm Not There" will close the event, festival organizers announced Tuesday. Also on tap are three Centerpiece screenings taking place in the Catskills, New York home of WFF taking place October 10 - 14. Ira Sachs' "Married Life" will screen along with Patricia Riggen's "Under the Same Moon," which will have its screening in nearby Rhinebeck. "Married Life" is described as " a sultry look at sex, betrayal, murder and marriage among the tangled lives of four friends in the 1940s," while "Under the Same Moon" revolves around a Mexican boy who embarks on a journey to find his mother working illegally in the United States. "After the successful U.S. premiere of 'Far From Heaven' at the Woodstock Film Festival in 2002, I am so happy to welcome Todd Haynes back to the festival with his new masterpiece", commented WFF Executive Director and co-founder Meira Blaustein in a statement. "So much of Julian Schnabel's work is steeped in the arts. To bookend the festival with music and art, is to so honor what the Woodstock Film Festival is all about." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

AP: Gere, Theron bash Bush in Venice

Richard Gere and Charlize Theron added their voices to a chorus of stars taking swipes at the Bush administration at the Venice Film Festival. "How did we elect Bush twice?" Gere asked rhetorically while promoting his new film, "The Hunting Party." AP reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

AP: Loach film focuses on exploitation

Independent filmmaker Ken Loach hopes his new film will open people's eyes to economic exploitation. "It's a Free World ...," which premiered this weekend at the Venice Film Festival, is yet another gritty insight from the acclaimed British director, this time looking at the exploitation of immigrant workers in Britain. AP reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

iW NEWS | Addicott Named Assoc. Director Media Relations at Sundance Film Festival

Park City coverage sponsored by BE KIND REWIND.

Brooks Barton Addicott has been named Associate Director, Media Relations for the Sundance Film Festival, the Sundance Institute announced Tuesday. Addicott will "develop and implement year-round stragegic media relations for the festival, its initiatives, filmmakers sponsors and its online and video content. Based in Park City, UT, she will also serve as the main point of contact both internally and outside the organization for all press activities related to the Sundance Film Festival and related projects. She replaces Patrick Hubley who worked at Sundance for the past five years who gone on to pursue other projects of his own, according to an Institute release. Prior to moving to Utah in 1998, she held senior media relations positions in New York, including VP of Public Relations for Turner Broadcasting and Director of Media Relations for CBS Inc. Most recently she was VP of Public Relations for Lingo Marketing in Park City. "We are pleased to welcome Brooks to the communications team of the Sundance Film Festival," commented Cynthia Wornham, Director of External Affairs, Sundance Institute in a statement. "She brings a valuable combination of national media relations experience in complex entertainment organizations and a local knowledge of Park City--its culture, community and media outlets." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Industry Moves, Park City ]

iW NEWS | Moby to Launch Site for Free Music Downloads for Students and Non-profit Filmmakers

Musician/DJ Moby is launching a music film website that will allow film students, not-for-profit filmmakers and visual artists to incorporate Moby's music into video and film on a gratis basis. The new site, www.mobygratis.com currently has an extensive library of unreleased songs, with plans to upload more music as the project moves forward. All of the music is available for free so long as it is used in a not-for-profit context. In the event that the properties find a commercial outlet, there will be a simple license provided to facilitate the "for profit" transaction. Any resulting proceeds will go to charity, according to a release. In addition, Sundance Channel will do an online "Spotlight" this month. The network's "Spotlights" focus on people, projects and events that exemplify "an independent spirit." For more information, visit Moby's short video about the new site. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under People ]

iW NEWS | Wolfson to Lead Rotterdam Fest for '08

Rutger Wolfson has been named director of the 2008 International Film Festival Rotterdam, the event's board announced Tuesday. Wolfson will assume the role part time and stay on in his present function as director of De Vleeshal, a centre for contemporary art in Middelburg, The Netherlands. The festival board has also appointed Stef Fleischeuer for the same period and also part time as interim business director. The appointment of Rutger Wolfson follows the departure on 1 September 2007 of Sandra den Hamer to the Filmmuseum in Amsterdam. Their appointments are effective immediately. Wolfson will concentrate on general leadership and coordinating artistic affairs within the festival while Stef Fleischeuer will focus on the business aspects of the festival. In the coming weeks, the management, board and festival staff will hammer out a further division of tasks. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

iW NEWS | Moby and Stanley Nelson on Tap for SXSW '08

Looking ahead to its next edition in March, the South by Southwest Film Conference & Festival (SXSW) have confirmed Moby and documentary filmmaker Stanley Nelson to its slate of speakers, the fest announced over the weekend. Moby will participate in a session entitled "A Conversation with Moby," hosted and moderated by Doreen Ringer-Ross of BMI. The session, scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, will take a look at the musician's relationship with cinema including a look at "moby gratis," the musician's new endeavor to offer some of his music, free-of-charge, to independent filmmakers. Nelson filmmaker ("Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple") will take part in a discussion of his work including highlights from his award-winning career. SXSW also announced the creation of "Global Doc Days," an initiative formed "to create a brighter spotlight on documentary films produced around the world." International film organizations are invited to showcase some of their latest in nonfiction filmmaking, and each participating nation will have an afternoon slot at a SXSW theater, to offer audiences a chance to sample their documentary programming. The 15th festival will take place March 7 - 15 in Austin, TX. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals, SXSW ]

AFP: Woody Allen's "Cassandra's Dream" takes a walk on the "dark side"

Woody Allen on Sunday premiered "Cassandra's Dream," a tragedy with a tinge of farce involving two brothers who get in over their heads thanks to the machinations of their wealthy uncle. "I've always been interested in murder and the dark side of drama," Allen told a news conference. "Murder and guilt are classic ingredients of drama ... and murder is one of the tools that playwrights and filmmakers have used for centuries." Gina Doggett reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

iW NEWS | "Ben X" and "A Secret" Share top Montreal Prizes

Dutch director Nic Balthazar's "Ben X" shared the Grand prix of the Americas prize with French director Claude Miller's "A Secret" at the recent Montreal World Film Festival. Also taking prizes were Swiss production "1 Day" (1 Journee) which received Best Director for Jacob Berger and Israeli Ayelet Menahemi's "Noodle, which received the special grand prix of the jury. Andrea Sawaktzki took best actress for her role in "The Other Boy" by Volker Einrauch. Best actor went to Filipe Duarte and Tomas Almeida for their roles in "The Other Side" by Luis Filipe Rocha. Laif Lahlou took best screenplay for "Samira's Garden." For more information and other awards, visit the festival's website. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals, World Cinema ]