AP: Weinstein Co. expects deal with writers

The Weinstein Co., one of Hollywood's largest independent filmmakers, says it expects to reach a deal with striking Hollywood writers that would allow the company to resume production. Lynn Elber reports. 
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NYT: An Upstart in Films With Many Fast Moves

At the Cannes Film Festival last May, the movie producer Avi Lerner knew he had an alluring property on his hands: Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, who have shared the screen only once before, in 1995's "Heat," were starring in a gritty New York police drama called "Righteous Kill." Studio executives jockeyed to release the film in the United States, Mr. Lerner said, but it was Chris McGurk, the chief executive of an upstart company called Overture Films, who left the Riviera with a deal that rivals said cost him $10 million. David M. Halbfinger reports. 
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iW NEWS | Writers Guild Calls off the Show

The Writers Guild of America said Thursday evening it will be announcing its 2008 Writers Guild Awards winners on February 9. In a statement, the union said, "There will be no Writers Guild of America, West show until the strike is over." [Brian Brooks] 
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iW NEWS | Koch Lorber Croons to "Glass"

Oscar nominee Scott Hicks' ("Shine") latest doc "Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts" has been acquired by Koch Lorber Films, the company announced Thursday afternoon. The film explores the contemporary composer's creative process in opera, concert and film along with glimpses of his personal and spiritual life. The U.S. theatrical and home video distribution rights deal was negotiated by Koch Lorber Films president Richard Lorber and Film Sales Company president Andrew Herwitz on behalf of Mandalay Motion Pictures and Independent Media. The film will premiere at New York's IFC Center in April. "Scott's unique perspective and talents as a documentarian are on full display in this highly-engaging film," commented Lorber in a statement. "Philip Glass is one of contemporary music's most innovative talents, and 'A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts' delivers the enigmatic composer in a way we've never seen him before." [Brian Brooks] 
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iW NEWS | WGA Announces Screen Nominees

The Writers Guild of America announced nominations for outstanding achievement in writing for the screen this afternoon. Nominations in the original screenplay category were Diablo Cody for "Juno," Tony Gilroy for "Michael Clayton," Tamara Jenkins for "The Savages," Judd Apatow for "Knocked Up" and Nancy Oliver for "Lars and the Real Girl." In the adapated category, the Coen brothers took a nod for "No Country For Old Men, joining Paul Thomas Anderson for "There Will Be Blood," Sean Penn for "Into The Wild," Ronald Harwood for "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," and surprise nominee James Vanderbilt for David Fincher's "Zodiac," which got in over favored Christopher Hampton for "Atonement." Finally, in the documentary screenplay category, the nominees were Michael Moore for "Sicko," Anthony Giacchino for "The Camden 23," Bill Guttentag, Dan Sturman and Elisabeth Bentley for "Nanking," Charles Ferguson for "No End in Sight, Richard Berge for "The Rape of Europa," and Alex Gibney for "Taxi To The Darkside." The 2008 Writers Guild Awards held on February 9, 2008, in Los Angeles and New York. [Peter Knegt] 
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iW NEWS | Laemmle/Zeller Bring "The First Basket to North America

All North American rights to David Vyorst's doc "The First Basket" have been acquired by Laemmle/Zeller Films. The filml, Vyorst's first theatrical release, Laemmle/Zeller Films explores the influence that basketball had on modern Jewish History, as well as the impact that unsung Jewish sports pioneers had on the evolution of basketball, as it grew from a game played with ash-cans on tenement steps to the second most popular sport in the world. Laemmle/Zeller plans an October theatrical release. "The First Basket reveals the rich history and amazing contributions of Jewish athletes," commented Greg Laemmle and Steven Zeller in a joint statement. "These legendary players of professional basketball became role models and heroes to generations of fans and changed the face and perception, to this very day, of Jews in all athletics." Laemmle/Zeller Films is a Los Angeles based theatrical distributor. [Brian Brooks] 
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AFP: French film exports flounder

French film exports fell for the second year running in 2007, with ticket sales down to 53.7 million against 55.8 million the previous year, the export promotion board Unifrance said Thursday. AFP reports. 
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AP: Honorary mayor of Hollywood dies at 84

Johnny Grant, the avuncular honorary mayor of Hollywood who traveled the world as Tinseltown's No. 1 cheerleader for more than a half-century, has died. He was 84. Jeff Wilson reports. 
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iW NEWS | Berlinale Adds Nine to 2008 Competition

Nine titles have been added to the Berlinale line up, competing for the festival's Golden and Silver Bear Awards. Joining the eight titles previously announced are: "Feuerherz" (Heart of Fire) by Luigi Falomi, based on the bestselling novel by Senait Mehan; "Julia" by Erick Zonca starring Tilda Swinton; "Lady Jane" by Robert Guediguian; "Caos calmo" (Quiet Chaos) by Antonello Grimaldi (International premiere); "Happy-Go-Lucky" by Mike Leigh; "Restless" by Amos Kollek; "Elegy" by Isabel Coixet, starring Penelope Cruz, Ben Kingsley and Dennis Hopper; "Sparrow" by Johnnie To; and "Kabei" by Japanese filmmaker Yoji Yamada (International premiere). The 2008 Berlin International Film Festival takes place February 7 - 17 in the German capital. [Brian Brooks] 
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iW NEWS | "Definitely, Maybe" and "Unknown Woman" Bookend Upcoming Santa Barbara Film Fest

The world premiere of Adam Brooks' romantic comedy "Definitely, Maybe" will open the 2008 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, organizers have announced. The 23rd edition of the event will feature 215 films, including 20 world and 22 U.S. debuts from 49 countries in the tony California seaside community January 24 - February 3. Other highlights include a tribute to "Away From Her" star Julie Christie, and a retrospective for filmmaker Norman Jewison, who will serve this year as the festival's "Guest Director." Cate Blanchett will receive SBIFF's Modern Masters Award, and Javier Bardem will take the fest's "Montecito Award." Ryan Gosling will also receive SBIFF honors, taking the first "Independent Award," while the Virtuosos 2008 Award wll go to Casey Affleck, Marion Cotillard, James McAvoy, Ellen Page and Amy Ryan. Tommy Lee Jones will receive the American Riviera Award and Angelina Jolie will be honored with the "Outstanding Performance of the Year Award" on February 2. Closing the event is the U.S. premiere of Italian/French production "The Unknown Woman" (La Sconosciuta) by Giuseppe Tornatore. For more information and a full list of this year's line up, visit the festival's website. [Brian Brooks] 
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HR: Picturehouse out from under HBO's roof

"Picturehouse is in divorce proceedings with parent company HBO. The specialty film venture, now jointly run by Time Warner divisions HBO and New Line Cinema, will break virtually all ties with the cable network in the next one to three months as legal details are finalized," Gregg Goldstein reports in the Hollywood Reporter this afternoon. "Picturehouse will remain solely under New Line's oversight. Company sources say the split, in the works for several weeks, evolves from HBO's desire to remove itself from in-house theatrical releases following a string of underperforming Picturehouse films and several other slated projects which never hit theaters." indieWIRE contacted Picturehouse for independent confirmation Wednesday, however a company spokesperson could not confirm the shift. 
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AP | Fate of Oscar Show Pondered

Harvey Weinstein says that without the WGA and SAG, there won't be an Oscar ceremony, while show director Gil Cates says the February 24th event will go on no matter what, reports Associated Press. 
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iW NEWS | "Chris and Don" Acquired by Zeitgeist

Zeitgeist Films has acquired all North American rights to Guido Santi and Tina Mascara's "Chris and Don. A Love Story." The deal was brokered by the film's executive producer Andrew Herwitz from The Film Sales Company. The crowd pleaser, which debuted at the Telluride Film Festival and then screened at AFI Fest in Los Angeles, will be released this summer, starting in New York and L.A. to qualify for Oscar consideration, according to an announcement. It will then expand to other national markets. The film, produced by Julia Scott and James White along with Mascara and Santi, is the story of a 30 year lover affair between writer Christopher Isherwood and painter Don Bachardy. "We are extremely pleased to release this wonderful, intimate, and poignant love story that celebrates its literary and artistic roots in every frame," noted Zeitgeist co-president Emily Russo, in a statement. [Eugene Hernandez] 
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indieWIRE Presents: Michel Gondry @ Apple Store SoHo

indieWIRE continues its ongoing series with Apple that presents indie film professionals discussing various aspects of the filmmaking process. This Friday, Filmmaker Michel Gondry will participate in a discussion and show scenes from his latest film, "Be Kind Rewind," which stars Jack Black and Mos Def. When a man whose body accidentally becomes magnetized unintentionally erases every tape in his friend's video store, the pair set out to remake the lost films, including "Back To The Future" and "The Lion King". indieWIRE Editor in Chief Eugene Hernandez will moderate the discussion.

Apple Store, SoHo, New York City --- Friday, January 11th, 7pm-8pm  
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INSIDE WORD | Axium Shutdown

Payroll Service Closes... Leading entertainment industry payroll service, Axium, has abruptly closed its doors. Word spread within the film production and industry community today, with clients suddenly notified that the move is immediate, according to various sources who tipped off indieWIRE this afternoon. Calls to Axium's various offices went to after hours voicemail during the day today and rival payroll companies have been buzzing about the situation, seeking to pick up new business. Axium had been increasingly aggressive marketing its services at numerous film festivals. We invite readers to send anonymous news tips and buzz to indieWIRE: tips [@] indiewire [dot] com. 
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iW NEWS | "No Country" Wins Critics Choice Best Picture

The Broadcast Film Critics Association awarded its annual Critics Choice prize for best picture to "No Country For Old Men" and the best director award to Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, during a ceremony Monday night that was televised on VH1 this evening. With a number of SAG actors in attendance, the organization honored Julie Christie from "Away From Her" (best actress), Daniel Day Lewis for "There Will Be Blood" (best actor), Javier Bardem for "No Country For Old Men" (best supporting actor), Amy Ryan for "Gone Baby Gone" (best supporting actress), Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada for "The Kite Runner" (best young actor), and Nikki Blonsky for "Hairspray" (best young actress). Julian Schnabel's "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly" won the best foreign language film, while Michael Moore's "Sicko" was named best documentary. Other winners included "Juno" (best comedy), "Enchanted" (best family film), "Hairspray" (acting emsemble), Jonny Greenwood for "There Will Be Blood" (best composer), "Falling Slowly" from "Once" (best song), and "Ratatouille" (best animated film). [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Awards Watch, Honors ]

iW NEWS | Golden Globes Ceremony Cancelled

The 25 award categories of the 65th annual Golden Globe Awards will be revealed during an hour-long press conference at the Beverly Hilton, which will be covered live by NBC News beginning at 6:00pm PST on January 13, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced Monday. The "65th Annual Golden Globe Awards NBC telecast and champagne dinner at the Beverly Hilton's International Ballroom in Beverly Hills, CA is officially cancelled, according to a statment released by HFPA. Rumors began circulating last week that the traditional format of the event would be scrapped after the Screen Actors Guild's earlier announcement that actors would honor the Writers Guild strikers, which were set to picket the event. "We are all very disappointed that our traditional awards ceremony will not take place this year and that millions of viewers worldwide will be deprived of seeing many of their favorite stars celebrating 2007's outstanding achievements in motion pictures and television," commented Jorge Camara, President of The Hollywood Foreign Press Association in a statement. "We take some comfort, however, in knowing that this year's Golden Globe Award recipients will be announced on the date originally scheduled." [Brian Brooks] 
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NYT: In Strike, Separate Deals Draw Ire of Big Producers

A deal between United Artists and the Writers Guild of America West to let the production company sidestep the screenwriters' strike may have opened the door to a full-blown brawl, as other producers demanded to know why writers have granted some companies a special agreement but not others. Brooks Barnes reports. 
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HR: Indie boxoffice knocked down but not out

These are sobering times for the independent film industry. Boxoffice revenue for films from indie distributors and specialty divisions dropped 11.9% from $1.32 billion in 2006 to $1.16 billion in 2007, while the number of indies in theaters increased from 501 to 530. Gregg Goldstein reports. 
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AP: Spears, strike loom over film gala

Britney Spears' hospitalization and concerns over whether the continuing Hollywood writers strike would keep next week's Golden Globes ceremony off the air dominated red-carpet chatter at the 2008 Palm Springs International Film Festival gala. Michael Cidoni reports. 
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SFC: Female Directors Progressed in 2007

When it comes to a woman's touch, Hollywood apparently doesn't want it behind the camera. But in 2007, with five of the most critically lauded movies of the year written by women, and three of those writers also directing their films, there has been at least a slight indication that that may be changing. Tom Long reports. 
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AFP: China's censors ban film on seedy Beijing

Chinese censors have banned an award-winning film that depicted the seedy side of Beijing, authorities said, amid a campaign to clean up the city's image ahead of the August Olympics. In announcing the ban on "Lost in Beijing," the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television hit out at its sexual content and its unapproved participation in international film festivals. AFP reports. 
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Guardian: Has Sundance lost its soul?

Sundance, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year, has always been about making directors feel important. But the independent film festival has also, in recent years, become an increasingly successful marketplace, attracting a cornucopia of celebrity and commercial savoir-faire. What used to be an understated showcase for offbeat independent film in a small, snowy corner of Utah has now turned into a pre-Oscars bidding jamboree between major film companies. Elizabeth Day reports. 
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iW NEWS | Weekend Estimates: "Blood" Continues To Impress; "Juno" Tops $50 Million

According to indieWIRE Box Office Tracking (iW BOT) estimates from Rentrak, Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood" will clearly top the first iW BOT of 2008, grossing $1.34 million on just 51 screens for an average of $26,216. The Paramount Vantage release, which won top honors at the National Society of Film Critics yesterday, has grossed nearly $1.9 million in 12 days, 9 of which it was playing on only 2 screens. Its nearest competitor, Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi's "Persepolis," averaged $11,437 in 7 houses, bringing its total to $316,831. Two films that continued to expand showed no signs of slowing down, particularly Jason Reitman's "Juno," which became the top grossing Indiewood release of 2007 this weekend by grossing an impressive $16.25 million on 1,925 screens (the widest release in Fox Searchlight's history) for an average of $8,429. Its total stands at $52.03 million. Joe Wright's "Atonement" also expanded, to 583 screens, grossing $5.12 million and bringing its total to $19.22 million. The Focus Features release looks to continue to expand as awards season reaches its peak in the coming weeks. indieWIRE publishes its weekly box office column on Mondays and final weekend numbers for specialty and limited release films on Tuesdays. Get the latest in the indieWIRE Box Office section. [Peter Knegt] 
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