French- Algerian actor-director Salim Kechiouche has revealed his next film Wolf Dreams will start shooting in Algeria in early 2025.
The film is an adaptation of Yasmina’s Khadra’s novel of the same name about the journey of a young actor who, deprived of his dreams, ends up joining an extremist group in 1990s Algeria.
It is produced by France’s Thelma Films and La Furie de la Lune with Algeria’s 2Horloges Productions, which notably co-produced The King of Algiers that premiered in Cannes last year.
It marks Kechiouche’s follow up to 2023 debut feature L’Enfant Du Paradis in which he also starred.
The film is an adaptation of Yasmina’s Khadra’s novel of the same name about the journey of a young actor who, deprived of his dreams, ends up joining an extremist group in 1990s Algeria.
It is produced by France’s Thelma Films and La Furie de la Lune with Algeria’s 2Horloges Productions, which notably co-produced The King of Algiers that premiered in Cannes last year.
It marks Kechiouche’s follow up to 2023 debut feature L’Enfant Du Paradis in which he also starred.
- 5/22/2024
- ScreenDaily
Rolling off their partnership on Studiocanal’s “‘Mayhem!” (“Farang”) and Netflix hit movie “Watch Under Paris,” popular genre filmmaker Xavier Gens (“Gangs of London”) is joining forces with Vincent Roget and Eric Lavaine’s banner Sameplayer to launch a new production company.
Named Good Players, the Paris-based company will aim at developing and producing action, thriller, aventure, fantasy and horror movies that have an international appeal. The inaugural slate of projects includes “Les Opposums,” directed by Eva Munoz (“Hannya”); “Drive” by Abel Danan; “C’est pas nous les diables” by Meryl Estragnat (“Promenons-nous”), and “Ferris Wheel” by Julien Hosmalin (“Magic World”). These projects will enter production between this year’s second half and end of 2025.
Gens, who is based in Paris, is also currently developing with Netflix “Malin Fors,” a gritty series based on Mons Kallentoft’s Scandinavian novels. Gens, who will produce via Good Players and direct, said the...
Named Good Players, the Paris-based company will aim at developing and producing action, thriller, aventure, fantasy and horror movies that have an international appeal. The inaugural slate of projects includes “Les Opposums,” directed by Eva Munoz (“Hannya”); “Drive” by Abel Danan; “C’est pas nous les diables” by Meryl Estragnat (“Promenons-nous”), and “Ferris Wheel” by Julien Hosmalin (“Magic World”). These projects will enter production between this year’s second half and end of 2025.
Gens, who is based in Paris, is also currently developing with Netflix “Malin Fors,” a gritty series based on Mons Kallentoft’s Scandinavian novels. Gens, who will produce via Good Players and direct, said the...
- 5/21/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Two of France’s fastest-rising young stars, Lyna Khoudri and Rio Vega, will lead the French voice cast of animated feature “In Waves,” an unconditional first love story, and tale of loss and memories adapting American illustrator Aj Dungo’s same-titled multi-prized graphic novel.
An anticipated banner prestige animation title from Paris-based Silex Films, “In Waves” lead producer, the feature also marks the first animated co-production of both Anonymous Content and Charades, behind sales of Jeremy Clapin’s “I Lost My Body” and Mamoru Hosoda’s “Mirai,” both Oscar nominated titles.
In Waves is directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen, a former student of French animation schools Gobelins and La Poudrière who helmed episodes of the Silex-produced animated series “Brazen” and was Oscar-shortlisted for her short “My Home,” “In Waves” has just been announced as one of five titles at the Annecy Animation Showcase, part of Cannes’ Animation Day on May...
An anticipated banner prestige animation title from Paris-based Silex Films, “In Waves” lead producer, the feature also marks the first animated co-production of both Anonymous Content and Charades, behind sales of Jeremy Clapin’s “I Lost My Body” and Mamoru Hosoda’s “Mirai,” both Oscar nominated titles.
In Waves is directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen, a former student of French animation schools Gobelins and La Poudrière who helmed episodes of the Silex-produced animated series “Brazen” and was Oscar-shortlisted for her short “My Home,” “In Waves” has just been announced as one of five titles at the Annecy Animation Showcase, part of Cannes’ Animation Day on May...
- 4/23/2024
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
“Slow,” Marija Kavtaradze’s delicate romance, won the Crystal Arrow at the 15th edition of Les Arcs Film Festival from a jury presided over by Oscar-nominated Iranian director Asghar Farhadi (“A Separation”).
Kavtaradze’s sophomore outing, “Slow” world premiered at the Sundance Film Festival where it won best director. The film revolves around the bond between Elena (Greta Grinevičiūtė), a contemporary dancer teaching to deaf youth, and Dovydas (Kęstutis Cicėnas), a sign language interpreter class.
“The Teachers’ Lounge,” meanwhile, won the jury prize. The satirical movie, directed Ilker Çatak, world premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, in the Panorama section, and was just shortlisted in the Oscar’s international feature film race. Leonie Benesch stars an idealistic teacher who tries to uncover a thief within her school and sparks chaos in the process.
Dimitra Vlagopoulou won best actress for her performance as an entertainer at an all-inclusive Greek resort in...
Kavtaradze’s sophomore outing, “Slow” world premiered at the Sundance Film Festival where it won best director. The film revolves around the bond between Elena (Greta Grinevičiūtė), a contemporary dancer teaching to deaf youth, and Dovydas (Kęstutis Cicėnas), a sign language interpreter class.
“The Teachers’ Lounge,” meanwhile, won the jury prize. The satirical movie, directed Ilker Çatak, world premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, in the Panorama section, and was just shortlisted in the Oscar’s international feature film race. Leonie Benesch stars an idealistic teacher who tries to uncover a thief within her school and sparks chaos in the process.
Dimitra Vlagopoulou won best actress for her performance as an entertainer at an all-inclusive Greek resort in...
- 12/23/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
France has submitted The Taste of Things as its candidate for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards, in a major upset after Justine Triet’s Cannes Palme d’Or winner and hot favorite Anatomy of a Fall was shut out.
The period drama The Taste of Things revolves around a culinary love affair between a dutiful cook and her gourmet employee, played by Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel, respectively.
Vietnam-born French director Tran Anh Hung broke out internationally with debut film The Scent of Green Papaya. The drama was Vietnam’s entry to the then Foreign Language category at the 1994 Oscars and was nominated.
The Taste of Things world premiered in Competition at Cannes, where it was titled The Pot-Au-Feu. Anh Hung won Best Director at the fest. Sapan Studios and IFC Films hold U.S. rights.
Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall had been widely...
The period drama The Taste of Things revolves around a culinary love affair between a dutiful cook and her gourmet employee, played by Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel, respectively.
Vietnam-born French director Tran Anh Hung broke out internationally with debut film The Scent of Green Papaya. The drama was Vietnam’s entry to the then Foreign Language category at the 1994 Oscars and was nominated.
The Taste of Things world premiered in Competition at Cannes, where it was titled The Pot-Au-Feu. Anh Hung won Best Director at the fest. Sapan Studios and IFC Films hold U.S. rights.
Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall had been widely...
- 9/21/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Tran Anh Hung’s romantic food-themed period drama was among five features shortlisted.
France has chosen Tran Anh Hung’s romantic food-themed period drama The Taste of Things to represent the country in the best international film category at the 2024 Academy Awards.
Formerly titled The Pot-au-Feu, the film earned the French-Vietnamese filmmaker the best director prize in Cannes and was snapped up by IFC and Sapan Studio.
Set in late 19th century France, it stars Juliette Binoche as Eugenie, an esteemed cook who has been working for over 20 years for famed gourmet chef Dodin played by Benoît Magimel. As the food in the kitchen simmers,...
France has chosen Tran Anh Hung’s romantic food-themed period drama The Taste of Things to represent the country in the best international film category at the 2024 Academy Awards.
Formerly titled The Pot-au-Feu, the film earned the French-Vietnamese filmmaker the best director prize in Cannes and was snapped up by IFC and Sapan Studio.
Set in late 19th century France, it stars Juliette Binoche as Eugenie, an esteemed cook who has been working for over 20 years for famed gourmet chef Dodin played by Benoît Magimel. As the food in the kitchen simmers,...
- 9/21/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
France has officially selected “The Taste of Things” as its Oscars submission for Best International Feature at the 2024 Academy Awards in what may be a surprise for some following the race.
“The Taste of Things” (IFC Films stateside) debuted at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where filmmaker Trần Anh Hùng won the Best Director prize. But the French selection committee could’ve gone with the actual 2023 Cannes Palme d’Or winner, Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of Fall,” which has a better chance crossing over into other Oscars categories. That includes for lead actress contender Sandra Hüller, who also stars in the U.K.’s International submission, “The Zone of Interest.”
Smart crowdpleaser “The Taste of Things,” titled “The Pot-au-Feu” back at Cannes, stars Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel as two chefs who are lovers across 20 years in the 19th century. The film is an adaptation of Marcel Rouffe’s 1924 novel “The Passionate Epicure,...
“The Taste of Things” (IFC Films stateside) debuted at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where filmmaker Trần Anh Hùng won the Best Director prize. But the French selection committee could’ve gone with the actual 2023 Cannes Palme d’Or winner, Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of Fall,” which has a better chance crossing over into other Oscars categories. That includes for lead actress contender Sandra Hüller, who also stars in the U.K.’s International submission, “The Zone of Interest.”
Smart crowdpleaser “The Taste of Things,” titled “The Pot-au-Feu” back at Cannes, stars Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel as two chefs who are lovers across 20 years in the 19th century. The film is an adaptation of Marcel Rouffe’s 1924 novel “The Passionate Epicure,...
- 9/21/2023
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
In a surprising twist of events, France’s Oscar committee has chosen the culinary romance “The Taste of Things” over “Anatomy of a Fall,” Justine Triet’s Palme d’Or winning film, to represent the country in the international feature film race.
“The Taste of Things” (previously titled “The Pot-au-Feu”) won best director at Cannes for French-Vietnamese filmmaker Trần Anh Hùng. Starring Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel, the period movie was bought by IFC Films and Sapan Studios.
“Anatomy of a Fall,” meanwhile, was acquired by Neon, the Oscar-maker behind “Parasite,” at Cannes. The movie has been thriving at the French box office with approximately 8 million euros grossed from nearly 1 million admissions. It’s one of the biggest B.O. scores for a Palme d’Or winning film in France in years.
Neon will release “Anatomy of a Fall” in the U.S. on Oct. 13 and is still committed to...
“The Taste of Things” (previously titled “The Pot-au-Feu”) won best director at Cannes for French-Vietnamese filmmaker Trần Anh Hùng. Starring Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel, the period movie was bought by IFC Films and Sapan Studios.
“Anatomy of a Fall,” meanwhile, was acquired by Neon, the Oscar-maker behind “Parasite,” at Cannes. The movie has been thriving at the French box office with approximately 8 million euros grossed from nearly 1 million admissions. It’s one of the biggest B.O. scores for a Palme d’Or winning film in France in years.
Neon will release “Anatomy of a Fall” in the U.S. on Oct. 13 and is still committed to...
- 9/21/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy and Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
The selection committee will now meet with the films’ producers, sales companies and US distributors.
Justine Triet’s Palme d’Or-winning Anatomy Of A Fall and The Taste Of Things by Cannes’ best director winner Tran Anh Hung have been shortlisted to be France’s entry to the international Oscar category, along with Clement Cogitore’s Sons Of Ramses, Thomas Cailley’s The Animal Kingdom and Denis Imbert’s On The Wandering Paths (Sur Les Chemins Noirs).
The five films were selected by a seven-member committee comprised of the US producer of Coda, Patrick Wachsberger, composer Alexandre Desplat, producer Charles Gillibert...
Justine Triet’s Palme d’Or-winning Anatomy Of A Fall and The Taste Of Things by Cannes’ best director winner Tran Anh Hung have been shortlisted to be France’s entry to the international Oscar category, along with Clement Cogitore’s Sons Of Ramses, Thomas Cailley’s The Animal Kingdom and Denis Imbert’s On The Wandering Paths (Sur Les Chemins Noirs).
The five films were selected by a seven-member committee comprised of the US producer of Coda, Patrick Wachsberger, composer Alexandre Desplat, producer Charles Gillibert...
- 9/13/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
“Anatomy of a Fall,” Justine Triet’s Palme d’Or winning film, is one of the five movies shortlisted by France’s Oscars committee to represent the country in the international feature film race.
The movie, which was acquired by Neon at Cannes, was pre-selected alongside “The Taste of Things” (previously titled “The Pot-au-Feu”), a culinary romance starring Juliette Binoche which won best director at Cannes for French-Vietnamese filmmaker Trần Anh Hùng; Clement Cogitore’s “Sons of Ramses;” Thomas Cailley’s supernatural coming-of-age drama “The Animal Kingdom”; and Denis Imbert’s “On The Wandering Paths.” “The Animal Kingdom” was bought by Magnolia’s Magnet, while “The Taste of Things” was picked up by IFC Films and Sapan Studios. The selected movie will be unveiled on Sept. 21.
France hasn’t won an Oscar for best international film since Régis Wargnier’s “Indochine” in 1993 (it was then called best foreign-language film). Last year’s French entry,...
The movie, which was acquired by Neon at Cannes, was pre-selected alongside “The Taste of Things” (previously titled “The Pot-au-Feu”), a culinary romance starring Juliette Binoche which won best director at Cannes for French-Vietnamese filmmaker Trần Anh Hùng; Clement Cogitore’s “Sons of Ramses;” Thomas Cailley’s supernatural coming-of-age drama “The Animal Kingdom”; and Denis Imbert’s “On The Wandering Paths.” “The Animal Kingdom” was bought by Magnolia’s Magnet, while “The Taste of Things” was picked up by IFC Films and Sapan Studios. The selected movie will be unveiled on Sept. 21.
France hasn’t won an Oscar for best international film since Régis Wargnier’s “Indochine” in 1993 (it was then called best foreign-language film). Last year’s French entry,...
- 9/13/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
France has unveiled the five titles in the running to be its entry for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.
The full shortlist is:
Anatomy Of A Fall by Justine Triet The Animal Kingdom by Thomas Cailley Sons of Ramses (Goutte d’Or) by Clement Cogitore (int’l sales, mk2 films) The Taste Of Things (previously The Pot-Au-Feu) by Tràn Anh Hùng On The Wondering Paths by Denis Imbert)
The short list was decided by a selection committee of film professionals on Wednesday in a process overseen by the country’s National Cinema Centre (Cnc).
This year’s committee features former Lionsgate film co-chief Patrick Wachsberger; international sales veterans Sabine Chemaly...
The full shortlist is:
Anatomy Of A Fall by Justine Triet The Animal Kingdom by Thomas Cailley Sons of Ramses (Goutte d’Or) by Clement Cogitore (int’l sales, mk2 films) The Taste Of Things (previously The Pot-Au-Feu) by Tràn Anh Hùng On The Wondering Paths by Denis Imbert)
The short list was decided by a selection committee of film professionals on Wednesday in a process overseen by the country’s National Cinema Centre (Cnc).
This year’s committee features former Lionsgate film co-chief Patrick Wachsberger; international sales veterans Sabine Chemaly...
- 9/13/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
France has named a heavyweight Oscar selection committee to decide its submission in the international feature film category at the 2024 Academy Awards.
France’s Minister of Culture Rima Abdul Malak has appointed a seven-person committee proposed by Dominique Boutonnat, president of French film board Cnc. They include composer Alexandre Desplat, whose 11 Oscar nominations have led to two wins for “The Shape of Water” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel”; former Lionsgate executive and producer Patrick Wachsberger, Oscar winner for “Coda”; and two-time Cesar winning producer Charles Gillibert.
The committee also includes Olivier Assayas, Cannes best director winner for “Personal Shopper”; Mounia Meddour, Cesar winner for “Papicha”; Sabine Chemaly, executive VP, international distribution, TF1 Studio; and Tanja Meissner, former head of international sales at Memento Films International.
Members of the committee will will meet twice, in the presence of Boutonnat and Gilles Pélisson president of film promotion body Unifrance, both of whom...
France’s Minister of Culture Rima Abdul Malak has appointed a seven-person committee proposed by Dominique Boutonnat, president of French film board Cnc. They include composer Alexandre Desplat, whose 11 Oscar nominations have led to two wins for “The Shape of Water” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel”; former Lionsgate executive and producer Patrick Wachsberger, Oscar winner for “Coda”; and two-time Cesar winning producer Charles Gillibert.
The committee also includes Olivier Assayas, Cannes best director winner for “Personal Shopper”; Mounia Meddour, Cesar winner for “Papicha”; Sabine Chemaly, executive VP, international distribution, TF1 Studio; and Tanja Meissner, former head of international sales at Memento Films International.
Members of the committee will will meet twice, in the presence of Boutonnat and Gilles Pélisson president of film promotion body Unifrance, both of whom...
- 8/11/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The French culture ministry on Friday unveiled the new committee that will pick the French movies to enter the Oscar race in the best international film category.
The group, which French culture minister Rima Abdul Malak announced, includes the Oscar-winning producer, and ex-Lionsgate top executive and Summit boss Patrick Wachsberger (Coda), two-time Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat (The Shape of Water) and directors Olivier Assayas (Personal Shopper) and Mounia Meddour (Papicha). From the film industry side, Tanja Meissner, head of sales and acquisitions at Memento Films International, and Europa International’s Sabine Chemaly will also get a vote on the French films that are submitted to the U.S. Academy.
France has overhauled its nomination process after an exceptionally long Oscar drought for Le Grand Nation. Of the last 10 French international Oscar submissions, only four made the final shortlist, and just two — Deniz Gamze Ergüven’s Mustang in 2015 and Ladj...
The group, which French culture minister Rima Abdul Malak announced, includes the Oscar-winning producer, and ex-Lionsgate top executive and Summit boss Patrick Wachsberger (Coda), two-time Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat (The Shape of Water) and directors Olivier Assayas (Personal Shopper) and Mounia Meddour (Papicha). From the film industry side, Tanja Meissner, head of sales and acquisitions at Memento Films International, and Europa International’s Sabine Chemaly will also get a vote on the French films that are submitted to the U.S. Academy.
France has overhauled its nomination process after an exceptionally long Oscar drought for Le Grand Nation. Of the last 10 French international Oscar submissions, only four made the final shortlist, and just two — Deniz Gamze Ergüven’s Mustang in 2015 and Ladj...
- 8/11/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The second year of the new-look committee.
Director Olivier Assayas, producer Patrick Wachsberger and composer Alexandre Desplat are among the seven-strong committee appointed by France’s Centre National du Cinema (Cnc) to select the country’s international feature Oscar entry.
Joining the trio on the committee are director Mounia Meddour; producer Charles Gillibert of CG Cinema; Sabine Chemaly, EVP of international distribution at TF1 Studio; and Tanja Meissner, former head of sales at Memento.
The committee is appointed by Rima Abdul Malak, French minister of culture, on the proposal of Cnc president Dominic Boutonnat.
The seven professionals will meet twice...
Director Olivier Assayas, producer Patrick Wachsberger and composer Alexandre Desplat are among the seven-strong committee appointed by France’s Centre National du Cinema (Cnc) to select the country’s international feature Oscar entry.
Joining the trio on the committee are director Mounia Meddour; producer Charles Gillibert of CG Cinema; Sabine Chemaly, EVP of international distribution at TF1 Studio; and Tanja Meissner, former head of sales at Memento.
The committee is appointed by Rima Abdul Malak, French minister of culture, on the proposal of Cnc president Dominic Boutonnat.
The seven professionals will meet twice...
- 8/11/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Former Lionsgate film co-chief Patrick Wachsberger has been named as one of the members of the selection committee that will decide the French entry for the Best International Film Oscar category this year.
He will be joined by international sales veterans Sabine Chemaly and Tanja Meissner, producer Charles Gillibert, directors Mounia Meddour and Olivier Assayas and composer Alexandre Desplat.
France has overhauled the composition of its Oscar entry selection committee twice in recent years to include more film industry professionals in a bid to improve its chances in the Best International Picture race.
The country last won the international film category with Régis Wargnier’s Indochine in 1993. Ladj Ly’s 2019 Cannes Jury Prize winner Les Misérables was the last French film to make it through to the final nomination stage for the 2020 awards, while Alice Diop’s Saint Omer made it onto the long list for the 2023 edition.
This year...
He will be joined by international sales veterans Sabine Chemaly and Tanja Meissner, producer Charles Gillibert, directors Mounia Meddour and Olivier Assayas and composer Alexandre Desplat.
France has overhauled the composition of its Oscar entry selection committee twice in recent years to include more film industry professionals in a bid to improve its chances in the Best International Picture race.
The country last won the international film category with Régis Wargnier’s Indochine in 1993. Ladj Ly’s 2019 Cannes Jury Prize winner Les Misérables was the last French film to make it through to the final nomination stage for the 2020 awards, while Alice Diop’s Saint Omer made it onto the long list for the 2023 edition.
This year...
- 8/11/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcome to Global Breakouts, Deadline’s new strand in which, each fortnight, we shine a spotlight on the TV shows and films killing it in their local territories. The industry is as globalized as it’s ever been, but breakout hits are appearing in pockets of the world all the time and it can be hard to keep track. So we’re going to do the hard work for you.
This week we visit French director Xavier Gens’s Thailand-set fight-fest Farang, which has shown independent French action movies can hold their own in cinemas and find international buyers. Released against a real-life background of fury towards the police following the killing of a French teenager during a traffic stop in June, the film has shown there remains an appetite for genre movie in the country.
Name: Farang
Country: France
Distributor: Studiocanal
Networks: Canal+, France Télévisions
Where to watch: Due...
This week we visit French director Xavier Gens’s Thailand-set fight-fest Farang, which has shown independent French action movies can hold their own in cinemas and find international buyers. Released against a real-life background of fury towards the police following the killing of a French teenager during a traffic stop in June, the film has shown there remains an appetite for genre movie in the country.
Name: Farang
Country: France
Distributor: Studiocanal
Networks: Canal+, France Télévisions
Where to watch: Due...
- 7/25/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Girls Supports Girls, the French film sorority launched by producer Vanessa Djian and publicist Karolyne Leibovici, made its debut at this year’s Cannes Film Festival with the backing of Orange, in association with Kering. A flurry of French female talent, notably “Simone” actress Elsa Zylberstein and “Houria” director Mounia Meddour, took part in the networking luncheon which was hosted on the rooftop terrasse of Kering’s Women in Motion event at the Majestic hotel.
Djian, whose production banner Daïdaï Films recently became part of Newen Group, and Leibovici, the founder of A&k communication, launched Girls Supports Girls four years ago to connect and create opportunities for female producers, actresses, executives and diverse talent coming from the film, TV and media industries.
Previous events were organized in Paris, at the prestigious restaurant Le Fouquet’s, and during Canneseries in Cannes. Each event kicks off with guests standing up and introducing themselves.
Djian, whose production banner Daïdaï Films recently became part of Newen Group, and Leibovici, the founder of A&k communication, launched Girls Supports Girls four years ago to connect and create opportunities for female producers, actresses, executives and diverse talent coming from the film, TV and media industries.
Previous events were organized in Paris, at the prestigious restaurant Le Fouquet’s, and during Canneseries in Cannes. Each event kicks off with guests standing up and introducing themselves.
- 5/25/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Wscripted, the talent platform sourcing women and non-binary writers, has unveiled the nominees for its third Cannes Screenplay List, an initiative launched in partnership with Mubi.
The final selection was curated by an inaugural jury of international female filmmakers, including Mounia Meddour, Funa Maduka (“Waiting for Hassana”), and Camille Griffin (“Silent Night”).
The list features 10 English-language and two French-language film projects by women and non-binary screenwriters and celebrates original projects from development to early financing stages.
“The task of selecting the final list was nothing short of challenging as each script possessed its own unique brilliance,” said Maduka, a Nigerian filmmaker who is the former head of international original films at Netflix. “On behalf of the jury, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all entrants and sincerest congratulations to the finalists, who represent the bold and brave voices our industry needs. It’s an especially important time to highlight writers- they are the architects,...
The final selection was curated by an inaugural jury of international female filmmakers, including Mounia Meddour, Funa Maduka (“Waiting for Hassana”), and Camille Griffin (“Silent Night”).
The list features 10 English-language and two French-language film projects by women and non-binary screenwriters and celebrates original projects from development to early financing stages.
“The task of selecting the final list was nothing short of challenging as each script possessed its own unique brilliance,” said Maduka, a Nigerian filmmaker who is the former head of international original films at Netflix. “On behalf of the jury, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all entrants and sincerest congratulations to the finalists, who represent the bold and brave voices our industry needs. It’s an especially important time to highlight writers- they are the architects,...
- 5/25/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
In a bid to showcase the utility of Nft’s in cinema, the team behind Mounia Meddour’s (“Papicha”) Rome-premiering film “Houria” is launching a limited impact Nft collection.
Meddour’s follow up to her Cesar-winning feature debut “Papicha,” “Houria” is still playing in theaters in France and was recently boarded by “Coda” Star Troy Kotsur who is now executive producer on the movie. Kotsur made history last year as the first Deaf man to take home an acting award at the Oscars.
The initiative, which is being engineered by the film’s producers Ink Connection and High Sea, as well as the banners MADworld and Lumiere, will allow for the creation of a series of Nft’s focusing on “Houria”‘s central themes — sign language and dance. Powered by blockchain technology, a portion of the Nft proceeds will be donated to the Paris-based non-profit org Femmes Sourdes Citoyennes et...
Meddour’s follow up to her Cesar-winning feature debut “Papicha,” “Houria” is still playing in theaters in France and was recently boarded by “Coda” Star Troy Kotsur who is now executive producer on the movie. Kotsur made history last year as the first Deaf man to take home an acting award at the Oscars.
The initiative, which is being engineered by the film’s producers Ink Connection and High Sea, as well as the banners MADworld and Lumiere, will allow for the creation of a series of Nft’s focusing on “Houria”‘s central themes — sign language and dance. Powered by blockchain technology, a portion of the Nft proceeds will be donated to the Paris-based non-profit org Femmes Sourdes Citoyennes et...
- 4/19/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The Cannes Screenplay List, an initiative backed by the talent platform Wscripted in partnership with Mubi, will be back for a third edition at the Cannes Film Festival’s Marché du Film.
An international jury comprising filmmakers Mounia Meddour, Funa Maduka (“Waiting for Hassana”), and Camille Griffin (“The Silent Night”) will sift through submitted feature scripts from women and non-binary writers.
The final List of top scripts will be presented to producers during during the Cannes Marché du Film, in collaboration with Mubi.
Meddour made her feature debut “Papicha” in 2019 which played to acclaim at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard and went on to win two Cesar Awards for best first film and female newcomer Lyna Khoudri. Her sophomore outing, “Houria”, is a tale of sorority about a dancer’s dream to join the Algerian National Ballet. The lushly lensed film, which reteams Meddour with Khoudri, debuted in French theatres on...
An international jury comprising filmmakers Mounia Meddour, Funa Maduka (“Waiting for Hassana”), and Camille Griffin (“The Silent Night”) will sift through submitted feature scripts from women and non-binary writers.
The final List of top scripts will be presented to producers during during the Cannes Marché du Film, in collaboration with Mubi.
Meddour made her feature debut “Papicha” in 2019 which played to acclaim at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard and went on to win two Cesar Awards for best first film and female newcomer Lyna Khoudri. Her sophomore outing, “Houria”, is a tale of sorority about a dancer’s dream to join the Algerian National Ballet. The lushly lensed film, which reteams Meddour with Khoudri, debuted in French theatres on...
- 3/28/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Palestinian director Firas Khoury’s debut feature Alam has triumphed at the 44th Cairo International Film Festival, winning its Golden Pyramid Award for Best Film, best actor for Mahmoud Bakri and the Audience Award.
The coming-of-age tale, which world premiered in Toronto, explores the reality of Palestinian teenagers growing up within Israeli borders.
Bakri stars as a high-school student who gets involved in an operation to replace the Israeli flag flying from his school with a Palestinian one, as Israeli celebrates Independence Day and Palestinians commemorate Nakba, or the catastrophe.
The picture, which is sold internationally by MPM Premium, was acquired by Film Movement for North America earlier this year.
The Silver Pyramid special jury award for best director went to Belgium’s Emmanuelle Nicot for Dalva, a sensitive portrait of a young girl as she rebuilds her trust in life after being sexually abused.
Big screen debutant Zelda Samson...
The coming-of-age tale, which world premiered in Toronto, explores the reality of Palestinian teenagers growing up within Israeli borders.
Bakri stars as a high-school student who gets involved in an operation to replace the Israeli flag flying from his school with a Palestinian one, as Israeli celebrates Independence Day and Palestinians commemorate Nakba, or the catastrophe.
The picture, which is sold internationally by MPM Premium, was acquired by Film Movement for North America earlier this year.
The Silver Pyramid special jury award for best director went to Belgium’s Emmanuelle Nicot for Dalva, a sensitive portrait of a young girl as she rebuilds her trust in life after being sexually abused.
Big screen debutant Zelda Samson...
- 11/23/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
19B wins three awards including Fipresci prize.
Firas Khoury’s Alam, a coming-of-age drama about Palestinians growing up in Israel, has won 2022 Cairo International Film Festival’s Golden Pyramid for best film in the international competition.
‘Alam’: Cairo Review
Alam also took the audience award while Mahmoud Bakri shared the best actor prize with Maher Elkheir for Ali Cheri’s The Dam. The best actress award went to Zelda Samson for Love according To Dalva by Emmanuelle Nicot, who earned the Silver Pyramid special jury award for best director.
The Bronze Pyramid Award for best first/second work went...
Firas Khoury’s Alam, a coming-of-age drama about Palestinians growing up in Israel, has won 2022 Cairo International Film Festival’s Golden Pyramid for best film in the international competition.
‘Alam’: Cairo Review
Alam also took the audience award while Mahmoud Bakri shared the best actor prize with Maher Elkheir for Ali Cheri’s The Dam. The best actress award went to Zelda Samson for Love according To Dalva by Emmanuelle Nicot, who earned the Silver Pyramid special jury award for best director.
The Bronze Pyramid Award for best first/second work went...
- 11/22/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Body language is the only one worth paying attention to in Mounia Meddour’s “Houria,” shown at Cairo Film Festival this week.
Her protagonist, a talented dancer, dreams of joining the Algerian National Ballet, but a violent attack leaves her broken – and mute. When she meets other women, all trying to overcome their own traumas, she starts developing her own choreography, inspired by sign language.
“In Algeria, people speak a lot. They want to explain everything. Here, it was all about trying to express things without words. We used bodies instead,” says the director, also behind the script.
“It’s their clandestine language. Only these women can understand it and they can use it to communicate with each other.”
Meddour’s idea mesmerized “Coda’s” Troy Kotsur, who joined the film as executive producer. But it also helped her examine the themes of sisterhood.
Mounia Meddour
“At the beginning of the movie,...
Her protagonist, a talented dancer, dreams of joining the Algerian National Ballet, but a violent attack leaves her broken – and mute. When she meets other women, all trying to overcome their own traumas, she starts developing her own choreography, inspired by sign language.
“In Algeria, people speak a lot. They want to explain everything. Here, it was all about trying to express things without words. We used bodies instead,” says the director, also behind the script.
“It’s their clandestine language. Only these women can understand it and they can use it to communicate with each other.”
Meddour’s idea mesmerized “Coda’s” Troy Kotsur, who joined the film as executive producer. But it also helped her examine the themes of sisterhood.
Mounia Meddour
“At the beginning of the movie,...
- 11/17/2022
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Newen Studios, a division of France’s TF1 Group-owned media banner Newen, has acquired Vanessa Djian’s French production banner Daï Daï Films.
The acquisition of Daï Daï Films underscores the company’s strategy to ramp up its presence in the feature film landscape and aggregate talents, following the footsteps of French indie powerhouses such as Mediawan.
Djian, who will remain in post at Daï Daï Films, began her career in the movie industry working on shoots for films directed by Clint Eastwood, Christopher Nolan, Luc Besson and Dany Boon, among others. She also worked a number of years with Alain Goldman (“La Vie en Rose”) at Legende Films before launching her own production vehicle, Daï-Daï Films in 2017. Dijan’s company has so far produced movies such as Alexis Michalik’s “Edmond” (pictured) and “Adieu Monsieur Haffman,” an adaptation of the play that received six nominations at the Molières awards.
The acquisition of Daï Daï Films underscores the company’s strategy to ramp up its presence in the feature film landscape and aggregate talents, following the footsteps of French indie powerhouses such as Mediawan.
Djian, who will remain in post at Daï Daï Films, began her career in the movie industry working on shoots for films directed by Clint Eastwood, Christopher Nolan, Luc Besson and Dany Boon, among others. She also worked a number of years with Alain Goldman (“La Vie en Rose”) at Legende Films before launching her own production vehicle, Daï-Daï Films in 2017. Dijan’s company has so far produced movies such as Alexis Michalik’s “Edmond” (pictured) and “Adieu Monsieur Haffman,” an adaptation of the play that received six nominations at the Molières awards.
- 11/14/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The fifth edition of the Cairo Film Festival’s industry arm, Cairo Industry Days, will look to further cement its growing reputation as one of the Arab film world’s premier industry platforms when it runs from Nov. 17 – 22.
Launched by former festival president Mohamed Hefzy, the Egyptian producer who stepped down from his post earlier this year, the event has quickly taken a place alongside the Marrakech Film Festival’s Atlas Workshops and the Red Sea Film Festival’s Souk as key meeting points connecting Arab and international filmmakers.
“It’s both challenging but also exciting,” said newly appointed industry head Reem Allam, about taking up her post along with incoming festival director Amir Ramses and new Cairo Film Connection manager Lynda Belkhiria. “We’re not bound by traditional ways of doing things. There’s some freedom in that.”
This year’s event will include a wide-ranging program of masterclasses,...
Launched by former festival president Mohamed Hefzy, the Egyptian producer who stepped down from his post earlier this year, the event has quickly taken a place alongside the Marrakech Film Festival’s Atlas Workshops and the Red Sea Film Festival’s Souk as key meeting points connecting Arab and international filmmakers.
“It’s both challenging but also exciting,” said newly appointed industry head Reem Allam, about taking up her post along with incoming festival director Amir Ramses and new Cairo Film Connection manager Lynda Belkhiria. “We’re not bound by traditional ways of doing things. There’s some freedom in that.”
This year’s event will include a wide-ranging program of masterclasses,...
- 11/14/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
The Cairo Intl. Film Festival kicked off Nov. 13 with the Middle East premiere of Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans,” and a new-look leadership team bringing fresh energy to the grande dame of Arab cinema.
This year’s event marks the first as festival director for Egyptian filmmaker Amir Ramses, who was appointed earlier this year, as well as industry head Reem Allam.
Ramses was tapped just weeks after Egyptian producer Mohamed Hefzy stepped down as festival president, after a four-year tenure in which he helped to revamp the long-running event.
Hefzy was particularly instrumental in expanding the fest’s international reach, bolstering ties with counterparts overseas, and launching an industry component that has quickly established itself as one of the leading platforms for filmmakers from the region.
The festival’s 44th edition, which runs until Nov. 22, unspools amid a crowded fall calendar of Arab fests, running parallel to Marrakech (Nov.
This year’s event marks the first as festival director for Egyptian filmmaker Amir Ramses, who was appointed earlier this year, as well as industry head Reem Allam.
Ramses was tapped just weeks after Egyptian producer Mohamed Hefzy stepped down as festival president, after a four-year tenure in which he helped to revamp the long-running event.
Hefzy was particularly instrumental in expanding the fest’s international reach, bolstering ties with counterparts overseas, and launching an industry component that has quickly established itself as one of the leading platforms for filmmakers from the region.
The festival’s 44th edition, which runs until Nov. 22, unspools amid a crowded fall calendar of Arab fests, running parallel to Marrakech (Nov.
- 11/14/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
A small gem from this year’s Director’s Fortnight has been gaining a lot of traction with film festival wins, certification as Tunisia’s Oscar submission and now the folks at Film Movement have landed the drama that takes place under trees, through branches and offers seedlings of change and hope. Docu-helmer Erige Sehiri‘s Under The Fig Trees features an ensemble (non-professional actors) with faces you aren’t likely to forget (a pair of charming sisters are prominently featured here) will according to Variety will roll out to theaters in 2023. In our Cannes review we noted that “while this is not as critical as Mounia Meddour’s (Papicha) similar reflections found in neighboring contemporary Algeria, there are nonetheless face-value elements that make this a simplistic, breezy watch that is ripe for bigger discussions.”…...
- 11/3/2022
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans” will open the 44th edition of the Cairo Film Festival, the Arab world’s venerable cinematic showcase, which takes place Nov. 13 – 22.
The Oscar-winning director’s semi-autobiographical film, which follows the formative years of a young man who discovers movies as a means to help him see the truth about others and himself, earned a standing ovation following its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.
This year’s event in the Egyptian capital, which takes place as most film festivals and industry events have returned to business as usual after two years of pandemic cancellations and disruptions, nevertheless unfolds against a backdrop of global uncertainty.
Festival president Hussein Fahmy conjured the specter of war in Ukraine as he described a “year of ambitions and challenges” in a statement, posing the questions: “Where do we go from here? How can the festival take new steps, in particular,...
The Oscar-winning director’s semi-autobiographical film, which follows the formative years of a young man who discovers movies as a means to help him see the truth about others and himself, earned a standing ovation following its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.
This year’s event in the Egyptian capital, which takes place as most film festivals and industry events have returned to business as usual after two years of pandemic cancellations and disruptions, nevertheless unfolds against a backdrop of global uncertainty.
Festival president Hussein Fahmy conjured the specter of war in Ukraine as he described a “year of ambitions and challenges” in a statement, posing the questions: “Where do we go from here? How can the festival take new steps, in particular,...
- 10/18/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
The Egyptian festival runs November 13-22.
The Cairo International Film Festival has unveiled the line-up for its 44th edition.
Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans will open the festival following its world premiere at Toronto where it picked up the people’s choice award.
Scroll down for full line-up
Ciff’s international competition section contains 14 titles, including five world premieres.
Egyptian director Ahmad Abdalla’s 19B is one of the world premieres competing for the Golden Pyramid for best film. It follows an old guard whose peaceful job of watching over an abandoned villa is threatened when a young park attendant turns up.
The Cairo International Film Festival has unveiled the line-up for its 44th edition.
Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans will open the festival following its world premiere at Toronto where it picked up the people’s choice award.
Scroll down for full line-up
Ciff’s international competition section contains 14 titles, including five world premieres.
Egyptian director Ahmad Abdalla’s 19B is one of the world premieres competing for the Golden Pyramid for best film. It follows an old guard whose peaceful job of watching over an abandoned villa is threatened when a young park attendant turns up.
- 10/18/2022
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Troy Kotsur, the Oscar-winning actor of “Coda,” has joined Mounia Meddour’s uplifting drama “Houria” ahead of its world premiere at the Rome Film Festival.
Meddour’s follow-up to her Cesar-winning film “Papicha” tells the story of Houria, a gifted dancer with dreams of joining the Algerian National Ballet. To make ends meet, she bets in clandestine fights overnight. However after winning a final, Houria is violently assaulted by a man determined to get his money back. When she wakes up in a hospital, she no longer is able to speak and will certainly never dance again. Refusing to abandon her dream, she throws herself, heart and soul, into her physical recovery and meets at a rehab center other women damaged by life. Houria resolves to help them transcend their wounded bodies and stand tall by teaching them how to dance through a choreography inspired by sign language.
“It is...
Meddour’s follow-up to her Cesar-winning film “Papicha” tells the story of Houria, a gifted dancer with dreams of joining the Algerian National Ballet. To make ends meet, she bets in clandestine fights overnight. However after winning a final, Houria is violently assaulted by a man determined to get his money back. When she wakes up in a hospital, she no longer is able to speak and will certainly never dance again. Refusing to abandon her dream, she throws herself, heart and soul, into her physical recovery and meets at a rehab center other women damaged by life. Houria resolves to help them transcend their wounded bodies and stand tall by teaching them how to dance through a choreography inspired by sign language.
“It is...
- 10/7/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
It is the first edition under artistic director Paola Malanga.
Paola Malanga, the new artistic director of the Rome Film Festival has unveiled the line-up for the 2022 edition, taking place from October 13-23.
The international competition will showcase 16 titles including Lila Neugebauer’s Causeway, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Mounia Meddour’s Houria and Firam Khoury’s Alam and Wang Xiaoshuai’s The Hotel.
Francesca Archibugi’s The Hummingbird, starring Pierfrancesco Favino, Bérénice Bejo, Nanni Moretti and Laura Morante will open the festival out of competition, fresh from its world premiere at Toronto and just ahead of its Italian release on October...
Paola Malanga, the new artistic director of the Rome Film Festival has unveiled the line-up for the 2022 edition, taking place from October 13-23.
The international competition will showcase 16 titles including Lila Neugebauer’s Causeway, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Mounia Meddour’s Houria and Firam Khoury’s Alam and Wang Xiaoshuai’s The Hotel.
Francesca Archibugi’s The Hummingbird, starring Pierfrancesco Favino, Bérénice Bejo, Nanni Moretti and Laura Morante will open the festival out of competition, fresh from its world premiere at Toronto and just ahead of its Italian release on October...
- 9/22/2022
- by Alina Trabattoni
- ScreenDaily
The 17th annual Rome Film Festival will fete James Ivory with a career honor, a mini retrospective and the Italian launch of the Oscar-winning filmmaker’s personal new documentary “A Cooler Climate.”
Ivory is expected in Rome to receive the award and present the doc about his life as a traveler that takes its cue from boxes of film the director shot during a life-changing trip to Afghanistan in 1960. The film premieres beforehand at the New York Film Festival.
Rome’s Ivory mini-retrospective will comprise his films “Maurice”; “Mr. and Mrs. Bridge,” starring Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward; “The Remains of the Day”; and “A Room With a View.”
The Rome fest – which has undergone a management change and is now headed by former Rai Cinema executive Paola Malanga as artistic director and Gian Luca Farinelli as president – on Thursday unveiled a mixed bag lineup comprising a competitive section largely made up of first works,...
Ivory is expected in Rome to receive the award and present the doc about his life as a traveler that takes its cue from boxes of film the director shot during a life-changing trip to Afghanistan in 1960. The film premieres beforehand at the New York Film Festival.
Rome’s Ivory mini-retrospective will comprise his films “Maurice”; “Mr. and Mrs. Bridge,” starring Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward; “The Remains of the Day”; and “A Room With a View.”
The Rome fest – which has undergone a management change and is now headed by former Rai Cinema executive Paola Malanga as artistic director and Gian Luca Farinelli as president – on Thursday unveiled a mixed bag lineup comprising a competitive section largely made up of first works,...
- 9/22/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Disney+ has teamed up with Chi-Fou-Mi, the Paris-based banner behind “The Stronghold,” to produce its French film original, “Une zone à défendre.”
The environment-themed thriller romance is set to be directed by Romain Cogitore and will launch on the streamer in 2023 in France and around the world.
A pair of rising French actors, François Civil (“The Stronghold”) and Lyna Khoudri (“Papicha”), will co-star in Une zone à défendre as lovers with clashing agendas.
Penned by Cogitore, the movie tells the story of Myriam (Khoudri), a militant fighting against the construction of a roadblock, and Greg (Civil), a police officer who goes undercover to gather intelligence on this movement of protesters which Myriam belongs to. The film has just started shooting and is produced by Hugo Selignac and Bruno Dumont at Chi-Fou-Mi Productions, a Mediawan company whose recent credits includes Cedric Jimenez’s “November” and Quentin Dupieux’s “Smoking Causes Coughing...
The environment-themed thriller romance is set to be directed by Romain Cogitore and will launch on the streamer in 2023 in France and around the world.
A pair of rising French actors, François Civil (“The Stronghold”) and Lyna Khoudri (“Papicha”), will co-star in Une zone à défendre as lovers with clashing agendas.
Penned by Cogitore, the movie tells the story of Myriam (Khoudri), a militant fighting against the construction of a roadblock, and Greg (Civil), a police officer who goes undercover to gather intelligence on this movement of protesters which Myriam belongs to. The film has just started shooting and is produced by Hugo Selignac and Bruno Dumont at Chi-Fou-Mi Productions, a Mediawan company whose recent credits includes Cedric Jimenez’s “November” and Quentin Dupieux’s “Smoking Causes Coughing...
- 7/13/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
We’ve got some early casting news for a project that’ll begin filming only late in the year and one that combines the likes of Joachim Trier muse Anders Danielsen Lie and Lyna Khoudri who was recently seen in Cannes selected Nos frangins by Rachid Bouchareb and very likely to be seen in the fall with a fest premiere for Houria – a project that reteams her with Papicha helmer Mounia Meddour. Formerly titled “La Belle affaire,” Victoria Musiedlak‘s debut La vie sauvage will shoot in November until mid December in and around France. François Morel (Noémie Lvovsky’s upcoming La grande magie) will also star.…...
- 6/21/2022
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Paris-based sales is also handing 14 titles due to premiere in Official Selection or one of the parallel sections.
Wild Bunch International (Wbi) will launch sales on Ken Loach’s new feature The Old Oak during Cannes and has released fresh details about the project.
The production sees Loach return to northeast England, where he shot 2016 Palme d’Or winner I, Daniel Blake, and Sorry We Missed You, which also world premiered in Competition in Cannes in 2019.
It is set in a former coal-mining village that has never fully recovered from the closure of the mines. Its once-thriving, proud community struggles...
Wild Bunch International (Wbi) will launch sales on Ken Loach’s new feature The Old Oak during Cannes and has released fresh details about the project.
The production sees Loach return to northeast England, where he shot 2016 Palme d’Or winner I, Daniel Blake, and Sorry We Missed You, which also world premiered in Competition in Cannes in 2019.
It is set in a former coal-mining village that has never fully recovered from the closure of the mines. Its once-thriving, proud community struggles...
- 5/2/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Reflecting the growing presence of French players at the Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) will host a live viewing party in Paris on Sunday for its French members and industry guests for the first time ever.
The Parisian Oscar viewing party will be held at Blanche, a mansion that used to be the oldest and most legendary film school in Paris and was turned into a lavish private club.
Showcasing an Art Nouveau façade in the heart of Paris, Blanche boasts a state-of-the-art projection room, as well as a lively and faceted bar and mirrored tables. Before the ceremony, guests will treated with a dinner at Bb, the venue’s fancy restaurant, and will enjoy Brad Pitt’s Fleur de Miraval, the official champagne of the 94th Oscars, to get ready for the all-nighter.
“After years of hosting an Oscar party in London, we’re...
The Parisian Oscar viewing party will be held at Blanche, a mansion that used to be the oldest and most legendary film school in Paris and was turned into a lavish private club.
Showcasing an Art Nouveau façade in the heart of Paris, Blanche boasts a state-of-the-art projection room, as well as a lively and faceted bar and mirrored tables. Before the ceremony, guests will treated with a dinner at Bb, the venue’s fancy restaurant, and will enjoy Brad Pitt’s Fleur de Miraval, the official champagne of the 94th Oscars, to get ready for the all-nighter.
“After years of hosting an Oscar party in London, we’re...
- 3/25/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The feature is being showcased as a work in progress at Qumra this week.
Algerian cinema has enjoyed a high profile at Cannes over the past decade, with titles making a splash including Karim Moussaoui’s Waiting For Swallows, Mounia Meddour’s Papicha and Amin Sidi-Boumédiène’s Abou Leila.
French-Algerian director Damien Ounouri is hoping to continue the trend this year with his debut feature The Last Queen, which breaks fresh ground for Algerian cinema as its first-ever full-scale costume drama. Set in the Mediterranean port city of Algiers in 1516, it revolves around the heroic female figure of Zaphira, who...
Algerian cinema has enjoyed a high profile at Cannes over the past decade, with titles making a splash including Karim Moussaoui’s Waiting For Swallows, Mounia Meddour’s Papicha and Amin Sidi-Boumédiène’s Abou Leila.
French-Algerian director Damien Ounouri is hoping to continue the trend this year with his debut feature The Last Queen, which breaks fresh ground for Algerian cinema as its first-ever full-scale costume drama. Set in the Mediterranean port city of Algiers in 1516, it revolves around the heroic female figure of Zaphira, who...
- 3/21/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Syrian filmmaker Anas Khalaf, French-Moroccan filmmaker Sofia Alaoui and Egypt’s Ahmed Fawzi Saleh have also received backing.
Algerian-French filmmaker Mounia Meddour’s third feature Délit de Solidarité is among 35 projects to have secured Doha Film Institute (Dfi) funding as part of its autumn 2021 grants round.
The drama, which is in development, revolves around a young woman living at a key crossing point for migrants on the Italian-French border. Its French title translates as “a crime of solidarity”.
The Dfi previously supported Meddour’s debut feature Papicha which premiered to critical acclaim in Cannes Un Certain Regard. The filmmaker is...
Algerian-French filmmaker Mounia Meddour’s third feature Délit de Solidarité is among 35 projects to have secured Doha Film Institute (Dfi) funding as part of its autumn 2021 grants round.
The drama, which is in development, revolves around a young woman living at a key crossing point for migrants on the Italian-French border. Its French title translates as “a crime of solidarity”.
The Dfi previously supported Meddour’s debut feature Papicha which premiered to critical acclaim in Cannes Un Certain Regard. The filmmaker is...
- 2/7/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Leslie Chen joins from AGC Studios, while Louis Balsan takes on a permanent position.
Anglo-French producing and financing outfit Anton has expanded its executive team with new hire Leslie Chen appointed senior vice president of international distribution and sales.
In addition, Louis Balsan has been elevated to executive vice president of international distribution and acquisitions. Both will be part of Anton’s German office reporting directly to Paris-based Cécile Gaget, president of international production and distribution.
Chen joins from AGC Studios, where she was senior vice president of Asian sales and distribution, overseeing projects including Roland Emmerich’s Moonfall and Pierre Morel’s Freelance.
Anglo-French producing and financing outfit Anton has expanded its executive team with new hire Leslie Chen appointed senior vice president of international distribution and sales.
In addition, Louis Balsan has been elevated to executive vice president of international distribution and acquisitions. Both will be part of Anton’s German office reporting directly to Paris-based Cécile Gaget, president of international production and distribution.
Chen joins from AGC Studios, where she was senior vice president of Asian sales and distribution, overseeing projects including Roland Emmerich’s Moonfall and Pierre Morel’s Freelance.
- 2/2/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Paris-based sales powerhouse has rented Berlin gallery off Potsdamer Platz.
Wild Bunch International (Wbi) has released a first look image of Algerian-French director Mounia Meddour’s new drama Houria, ahead of its sales launch at the upcoming European Film Market (February 10-17).
The previously announced project is Meddour’s second feature after Cannes Un Certain Regard breakout Papicha and reunites her with that film’s star Lyna Khoudri, whose other credits include The French Dispatch and The Blessed, for which she won best actress when it debuted in Venice’s Horizons sidebar in 2017.
Khoudri plays a talented ballerina who makes...
Wild Bunch International (Wbi) has released a first look image of Algerian-French director Mounia Meddour’s new drama Houria, ahead of its sales launch at the upcoming European Film Market (February 10-17).
The previously announced project is Meddour’s second feature after Cannes Un Certain Regard breakout Papicha and reunites her with that film’s star Lyna Khoudri, whose other credits include The French Dispatch and The Blessed, for which she won best actress when it debuted in Venice’s Horizons sidebar in 2017.
Khoudri plays a talented ballerina who makes...
- 2/2/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Cannes 2019 discoveries Mounia Meddour and Maryam Touzani are among the Mena filmmakers with works in post-production.
Middle Eastern and North African cinema enjoyed a high profile on the 2021 festival scene thanks to a raft of works from the region including Moroccan director Nabil Ayouch’s Casablanca Beats, Egyptian Cannes Critics’ Week winner Feathers, Lebanese filmmaker Mounia Akl’s Costa Brava, Lebanon, and Tribeca selection Souad by Egyptian filmmaker Ayten Amin.
Will this trend continue into 2022? Screen rounds up key titles from the Middle East and North Africa that are likely to excite festival programmers this year.
Am-Bi-Gu-i-Ty (Tun)
Dir. Nada Mezni Hafaiedh...
Middle Eastern and North African cinema enjoyed a high profile on the 2021 festival scene thanks to a raft of works from the region including Moroccan director Nabil Ayouch’s Casablanca Beats, Egyptian Cannes Critics’ Week winner Feathers, Lebanese filmmaker Mounia Akl’s Costa Brava, Lebanon, and Tribeca selection Souad by Egyptian filmmaker Ayten Amin.
Will this trend continue into 2022? Screen rounds up key titles from the Middle East and North Africa that are likely to excite festival programmers this year.
Am-Bi-Gu-i-Ty (Tun)
Dir. Nada Mezni Hafaiedh...
- 1/26/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Houria
Another Un Certain Regard breakout filmmaker, Mounia Meddour quietly began filming her sophomore film this past September on a project that reunited her with her Papicha (César Award for Best First Feature Film) stars Lyna Khoudri and Amira Hilda Douaouda. Filmed in Algeria and France, Houria pursues the female empowerment agenda looking at personal triumphant tussling with personal tragedy. Rachida Brakni stars as well. She reteams with cinematographer Léo Lefèvre (most recently worked on Luzzu) The Ink Connection’s Xavier Gens (Meddour’s hubby) and Gregoire Gensollen will produce with High Sea Productions’ Patrick André.
Gist: Khoudri stars as a young woman who is passionate about ballet dancing and experiences a trauma.…...
Another Un Certain Regard breakout filmmaker, Mounia Meddour quietly began filming her sophomore film this past September on a project that reunited her with her Papicha (César Award for Best First Feature Film) stars Lyna Khoudri and Amira Hilda Douaouda. Filmed in Algeria and France, Houria pursues the female empowerment agenda looking at personal triumphant tussling with personal tragedy. Rachida Brakni stars as well. She reteams with cinematographer Léo Lefèvre (most recently worked on Luzzu) The Ink Connection’s Xavier Gens (Meddour’s hubby) and Gregoire Gensollen will produce with High Sea Productions’ Patrick André.
Gist: Khoudri stars as a young woman who is passionate about ballet dancing and experiences a trauma.…...
- 1/12/2022
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Entertainment industry heavyweights from France are sharing thoughts on their successes, the challenges they faced in a year overshadowed by Covid, as well as predicting what’s in store for the movie business in 2022.
Some of the country’s milestones in 2021 include the implementation of the E.U.’s Audiovisual Media Services Directive (Avms) to get global streamers like Netflix, Amazon and Apple TV Plus to start investing 20% of their annual revenues in French content, which broadcasting authorities (CSA) expect to be from €250 million ($282 million) to €300 million ($330 million) on average annually.
The country’s strict windowing rules are also getting a significant revamp which will allow streamers to have an earlier access — possibly 15 months — to newly released movies, compared with the current 36 months. While the indie film biz and the box office have been weakened by the pandemic, the French industry managed to get local pay TV group Canal Plus...
Some of the country’s milestones in 2021 include the implementation of the E.U.’s Audiovisual Media Services Directive (Avms) to get global streamers like Netflix, Amazon and Apple TV Plus to start investing 20% of their annual revenues in French content, which broadcasting authorities (CSA) expect to be from €250 million ($282 million) to €300 million ($330 million) on average annually.
The country’s strict windowing rules are also getting a significant revamp which will allow streamers to have an earlier access — possibly 15 months — to newly released movies, compared with the current 36 months. While the indie film biz and the box office have been weakened by the pandemic, the French industry managed to get local pay TV group Canal Plus...
- 12/31/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The Academy awards fellowships for both the US and international.
Four Screen UK & Ireland Stars of Tomorrow have been selected as finalists for the Gold Fellowship for Women, an award offered for emerging female filmmakers by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS).
Fellowships will be given in two categories: one for the US, and one for international. Six finalists have been selected for the domestic fellowship, with five – including all four former Screen Stars – for the international award.
Among them are producer Farah Abushwesha, a Screen Star in 2017, who is creative director at emerging talent showcase Rocliffe and...
Four Screen UK & Ireland Stars of Tomorrow have been selected as finalists for the Gold Fellowship for Women, an award offered for emerging female filmmakers by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS).
Fellowships will be given in two categories: one for the US, and one for international. Six finalists have been selected for the domestic fellowship, with five – including all four former Screen Stars – for the international award.
Among them are producer Farah Abushwesha, a Screen Star in 2017, who is creative director at emerging talent showcase Rocliffe and...
- 12/3/2021
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Now in its 17th year, the Thessaloniki Film Festival’s Crossroads Co-Production Forum has become a de rigueur stop on the fall circuit for producers, distributors, festival programmers and sales agents from across Europe – and increasingly the rest of the world – as they look to spot promising projects in development from Southeast Europe, the Black Sea, and the wider Mediterranean region.
For Yianna Sarri, who heads Thessaloniki’s industry arm, Agora, the reason is obvious. “They know that they will find the best possible projects in Thessaloniki,” Sarri told Variety.
Recent Crossroads success stories include Christos Nikou’s debut “Apples,” which opened the Horizons strand of last year’s Venice Film Festival, and “Ghosts,” the first feature from Turkey’s Azra Deniz Okyay, which won the Grand Prize at Venice Critics’ Week. Other notable titles in recent years include Mounia Meddour’s Algerian civil-war drama “Papicha,” which premiered in Cannes...
For Yianna Sarri, who heads Thessaloniki’s industry arm, Agora, the reason is obvious. “They know that they will find the best possible projects in Thessaloniki,” Sarri told Variety.
Recent Crossroads success stories include Christos Nikou’s debut “Apples,” which opened the Horizons strand of last year’s Venice Film Festival, and “Ghosts,” the first feature from Turkey’s Azra Deniz Okyay, which won the Grand Prize at Venice Critics’ Week. Other notable titles in recent years include Mounia Meddour’s Algerian civil-war drama “Papicha,” which premiered in Cannes...
- 11/4/2021
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
“Unclenching The Fists,” a Russian drama directed by Kira Kovalenko, won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard sidebar competition at Cannes. And shortly after the awards were announced, the UK streamer and distributor Mubi acquired all North American rights to the film, an individual with knowledge told TheWrap.
Mubi has been on a buying spree out of the festival — earlier in the week, the distributor acquired another Un Certain Regard prize winner, “Great Freedom,” as well as “Lingui, The Sacred Bonds” from the main competition. Mubi also picked up the UK, Ireland, Latin America and India rights to “Unclenching the Fists.”
Awards for the Un Certain Regard were announced Friday in a ceremony at the Debussy Theatre at Cannes.
Andrea Arnold, who was also at the festival behind her documentary “Cow,” was president of the Un Certain Regard jury. She led a jury that included director Mounia Meddour,...
Mubi has been on a buying spree out of the festival — earlier in the week, the distributor acquired another Un Certain Regard prize winner, “Great Freedom,” as well as “Lingui, The Sacred Bonds” from the main competition. Mubi also picked up the UK, Ireland, Latin America and India rights to “Unclenching the Fists.”
Awards for the Un Certain Regard were announced Friday in a ceremony at the Debussy Theatre at Cannes.
Andrea Arnold, who was also at the festival behind her documentary “Cow,” was president of the Un Certain Regard jury. She led a jury that included director Mounia Meddour,...
- 7/16/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Cannes — At a banner ceremony for female filmmakers, Russian writer-director Kira Kovalenko’s sophomore feature “Unclenching the Fists” won the top prize for best film in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival this evening.
The film, a powerful study of a young woman attempting to assert her independence in a North Ossetian mining town with a bitter legacy of violence, was one of four female-directed features to take awards from a jury headed by British director Andrea Arnold — a Cannes veteran whose first documentary, “Cow,” was unveiled in Cannes Premieres this year.
Arnold cited the “explosion of originality, physicality and feeling” in Kovalenko’s film as their primary motivation for awarding it the top prize. Shortly after the ceremony, it was announced that Mubi had picked up Kovalenko’s film for distribution in North America, the U.K. and other territories.
Arnold is noted for her...
The film, a powerful study of a young woman attempting to assert her independence in a North Ossetian mining town with a bitter legacy of violence, was one of four female-directed features to take awards from a jury headed by British director Andrea Arnold — a Cannes veteran whose first documentary, “Cow,” was unveiled in Cannes Premieres this year.
Arnold cited the “explosion of originality, physicality and feeling” in Kovalenko’s film as their primary motivation for awarding it the top prize. Shortly after the ceremony, it was announced that Mubi had picked up Kovalenko’s film for distribution in North America, the U.K. and other territories.
Arnold is noted for her...
- 7/16/2021
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Kira Kovalenko’s Russian drama Unclenching The Fists won the Grand Prize in Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard sidebar this year.
The film is produced by Ukranian-Russian super-producer Alexander Rodnyansky with Sergey Melkumov. Set in a former mining town in North Ossetia, the pic follows a young woman who struggles to escape the stifling hold of the family she loves as much as she rejects. Mubi has taken rights to the pic for North America, UK and Ireland, Latin America and India, the streamer said on Twitter.
Elsewhere, the jury led by British filmmaker Andrea Arnold awarded its Jury Prize to Sebastian Meise’s Austrian movie Great Freedom. Mubi also bought that movie, which is set in post-war Germany and tells the story of a man who is imprisoned time and time again for being homosexual, here in Cannes.
The Ensemble Prize went to Hafsia Herzi’s Bonne Mere.
The film is produced by Ukranian-Russian super-producer Alexander Rodnyansky with Sergey Melkumov. Set in a former mining town in North Ossetia, the pic follows a young woman who struggles to escape the stifling hold of the family she loves as much as she rejects. Mubi has taken rights to the pic for North America, UK and Ireland, Latin America and India, the streamer said on Twitter.
Elsewhere, the jury led by British filmmaker Andrea Arnold awarded its Jury Prize to Sebastian Meise’s Austrian movie Great Freedom. Mubi also bought that movie, which is set in post-war Germany and tells the story of a man who is imprisoned time and time again for being homosexual, here in Cannes.
The Ensemble Prize went to Hafsia Herzi’s Bonne Mere.
- 7/16/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Lina El Arabi, the emerging French actor of the Cesar-nominated “A Wedding,” is set to headline “The Malediction” (“Leana”), a horror-thriller which will mark the feature debut of Abel Danan.
The film is being produced by Leo Maidenberg, whose credits include “Sisters in Arms” and “The Bunker Game.” Xavier Gens, the producer of Mounia Meddour’s Cesar-winning film “Papicha,” is co-producing. Gens is also a director specialised in genre films with a track record including “Frontiere (s).” El Arabi was featured as a rising star at Toronto in 2017.
Penned by Danan and Emma Lacoste, “The Malediction” takes place today, in a world that is slowly recovering from a mysterious epidemic. The movie is set in Paris and follows Yara, a 25 year-old young Moroccan woman who came to study in Paris and has not left her home for several months, as she is agoraphobic since childhood because of terrible family events.
The film is being produced by Leo Maidenberg, whose credits include “Sisters in Arms” and “The Bunker Game.” Xavier Gens, the producer of Mounia Meddour’s Cesar-winning film “Papicha,” is co-producing. Gens is also a director specialised in genre films with a track record including “Frontiere (s).” El Arabi was featured as a rising star at Toronto in 2017.
Penned by Danan and Emma Lacoste, “The Malediction” takes place today, in a world that is slowly recovering from a mysterious epidemic. The movie is set in Paris and follows Yara, a 25 year-old young Moroccan woman who came to study in Paris and has not left her home for several months, as she is agoraphobic since childhood because of terrible family events.
- 7/12/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
French actor Judith Chemla, the 37 year-old French star of “Mes freres et moi,” will not attend the world premiere of the film at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard on July 12 after an alleged incident involving the director of her film throwing a cell phone at her, Variety has learned.
Chemla filed a complaint on July 4 against Yohan Manca, the director of “Mes freres et moi,” who is also her boyfriend. The alleged assault took place on July 3 in the street near Theatre du Rond-Point in Paris.
Chelma’s and Manca’s reps have not responded to Variety’s requests for comments.
According to a source close to Chemla, the actor is alleging Manca, with whom she has a daughter, of throwing a cell phone at her face. A source close to Manca and Chemla told Variety that the couple was having an argument and Manca became very violent. They’ve been dating for five years.
Chemla filed a complaint on July 4 against Yohan Manca, the director of “Mes freres et moi,” who is also her boyfriend. The alleged assault took place on July 3 in the street near Theatre du Rond-Point in Paris.
Chelma’s and Manca’s reps have not responded to Variety’s requests for comments.
According to a source close to Chemla, the actor is alleging Manca, with whom she has a daughter, of throwing a cell phone at her face. A source close to Manca and Chemla told Variety that the couple was having an argument and Manca became very violent. They’ve been dating for five years.
- 7/11/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
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