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Exclusive: Blackwater Pictures, the British indie production company behind the buzzy biopic about the life of veteran Snooker player Jimmy White, has set up what they describe as a “multi-million-pound” fund to support commercially-minded independent British films.

Helmed by Kevin Harvey and Antoine Dixon-Bellot, Blackwater Pictures will commit to supporting five projects as part of a slate focused on emerging directors. The fund will prioritize “commercial independent British films,” organizers said today.

The fund is being managed in collaboration with BAFTA-nominated producer Tiernan Hanby (The Karman Line, Summit Fever, Heavyweight) of Pin Sharp Pictures and Simon Marriott of development & production company Shout Loud Creative. Money for the fund was raised through private equity and personal funds.

The slate currently includes Antecedent, the directorial feature debut of Dan Bronzite. He is best known for his supernatural horror Long Time Dead produced for Working Title Films/Universal...

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Amazon Freevee has unveiled the first trailer for the new chapter of long-running Australian soap “Neighbours.” The continuation of the series – about the lives, loves and challenges of the residents on Ramsay Street in Erinsborough, Australia, a fictional suburb of Melbourne – will pick up two years after the finale in 2022.

“Neighbours” ran for more than three decades and nearly 9,000 episodes before being canceled in 2022 when the show’s primary funder, U.K.’s Channel 5, pulled out. Freevee then picked up the rights from “Neighbours” producer and distributor Fremantle.

The new series will star Alan Fletcher, Annie Jones, Candice Leask, Emerald Chan, Georgie Stone, Jackie Woodburne, Lloyd Will, Lucinda Armstrong Hall, Lucinda Cowden, Marley Williams, Naomi Rukavina, Rebekah Elmaloglou, Riley Bryant, Ryan Moloney, Sara West, Shiv Palekar, Stefan Dennis, Tim Kano, and Xavier Molyneux as series regulars. April Rose Pengilly, Guy Pearce, Ian Smith, Jodi Gordon, Melissa Bell, Mischa Barton...

The film premiered in Berlin and went on to open the Jerusalem Film Festival.

Guy Nattiv’s Berlinale premiere Golda, starring Helen Mirren, is to be released in UK and Irish cinemas through US-based Vertical, partnering with the UK’s Met Film Distribution, from October 6.

Embankment Films represents sales on the title that opened the Jerusalem Film Festival in July.

The thriller tells the true story of Israeli prime minister Golda Meir – also known as the ‘Iron Lady of Israel’ – and the controversial decisions she faced during 1973’s Yom Kippur War.

Mirren plays Meir, in a casting decision that ignited...

The trailer for Guy Nattiv’s Golda has dropped showcasing Helen Mirren’s transformation into Israel’s first female Prime Minister Golda Meir. Watch the preview in the video posted above.

Written by Nicholas Martin, Golda is a ticking-clock thriller set during the tense 19 days of the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, faced with the potential of Israel’s complete destruction, must navigate overwhelming odds, a skeptical cabinet, and a complex relationship with US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (Liev Schreiber), with millions of lives in the balance.

Her tough leadership and compassion would ultimately decide the fate of her nation and leave her with a controversial legacy around the world.

The Golda cast also includes Camille Cottin (Call My Agent), Rami Heuberger (Schindler’s List), Lior Ashkenzi (Foxtrot), Ellie Piercy (Black Mirror), Ed Stoppard (Judy), Rotem Keinan, Dvir Benedek, Dominic Mafham, Ben Caplan, Kit Rakusen and Emma Davies.

Helen Mirren is transformed into blunt, stubborn Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in the official trailer for Golda, director Guy Nattiv’s ticking-clock thriller recalling true events set during the tense Yom Kippur War in 1973.

Faced with Israel’s possible destruction, Meir engages in diplomatic brinkmanship with U.S. secretary of state Henry Kissinger, played by Liev Schreiber, in the feature from Bleecker Street and ShivHans Pictures set to hit theaters on Aug. 25.

“Remember I am first an American, second I am secretary of state and third I am a Jew,” a wary Kissinger tells Israel’s only female leader at one point in the teaser trailer that dropped on Tuesday.

“You forget in Israel we read from right to left,” Meir responds.

Golda had its world premiere in Berlin as it portrays the only woman in the Israeli cabinet becoming a surprisingly effective military leader after her country faced...

Academy Award® winner Helen Mirren (‘The Queen’) will portray Israel’s legendary and only female Prime Minister, Golda Meir. Produced by BAFTA winner Michael Kuhn (‘Florence Foster Jenkins’, ‘The Duchess’) ‘Golda’ will be directed by Academy Award® winner Guy Nattiv. Embankment will represent international sales with CAA Media Finance and ICM jointly handling the North American rights. Production is planned to start as early as October.

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There are very few horror movies in the world that I love more than An American Werewolf in London. It is funny and gory. I always wondered why director John Landis didn’t do a sequel. Yes, yes, yes, I know there is An American Werewolf in Paris, but I am just going to ignore that that piece of crap even exists.

Anyway, thanks to DigitalSpy, in an upcoming book called: Beware the Moon: The Story of An American Werewolf in London by Paul Davis, John Landis explains that he had a sequel script written but it was never done. Here is what he had to say:

"I was asked to do a sequel by PolyGram in 1991. The company, under Jon Peters and Peter Guber, made something like 10 or 12 movies, and the only one that made money was American Werewolf.They then left the company and were replaced by a guy called Michael Kuhn.

David Crow Nov 23, 2017

John Landis revealed his original plans for the An American Werewolf in London sequel, which included the entire original cast coming back.

An American Werewolf in London is one the seminal horror movies of the 1980s, if not all-time. The only lycanthrope film that’s able to stand shoulder to shoulder with The Wolf Man, this 1981 macabre masterwork married 80s sarcasm with Gothic thrills. It is also a movie that writer-director John Landis penned as a teenager about a decade before its release - and obviously had nothing to do with its belated 1997 sequel, An American Werewolf in Paris.

Still, it’s widely known that Landis pitched a version of the An American Werewolf in London sequel that was never used, and now he is opening up on what exactly that movie would have looked like. Speaking with author Paul Davis for his new book, Beware the...

An American Werewolf in London, one of the greatest horror movies ever made, never got the sequel it deserved. Director John Landis did have a pitch for one though, as revealed in the forthcoming book Beware The Moon: The Story of An American Werewolf In London. Now, the pitch for the sequel has been revealed, and it sounds pretty amazing. Here's what the sequel would have been about and how it almost came to be, according to John Landis.

"I was asked to do a sequel by PolyGram in 1991. The company, under Jon Peters and Peter Guber, made something like 10 or 12 movies, and the only one that made money was American Werewolf. They then left the company and were replaced by a guy called Michael Kuhn. He called me and said that they were interested in making a sequel. I entertained the idea for a little bit and then came...

Here’s the terrific first trailer for Florence Foster Jenkins starring Meryl Streep as Florence Foster Jenkins with Hugh Grant as her partner St Clair Bayfield.

The comedy drama directed by Stephen Frears (Philomena, The Queen) tells the inspirational true story of the eponymous New York heiress who obsessively pursued her dream of becoming a great singer.

The film celebrates the human spirit, the power of music and the passion of amateurs everywhere. The voice Florence (Streep) heard in her head was divine, but to the rest of the world it was hilariously awful. At private recitals, her devoted husband and manager, St Clair Bayfield (Grant), managed to protect Florence from the truth. But when Florence decided to give her first public concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall, St Clair realised he had perhaps bitten off more than he could chew. The film’s supporting cast members include Simon Helberg...

Exclusive: Ruth Platt horror on slate for new UK production outfit.

Former Qwerty head of production and development Oliver Kassman has left the company to set up production outfit Escape Plan Productions.

While reporting to Qwerty chairman and former Polygram Filmed Entertainment boss Michael Kuhn, Kassman worked across the development and production of titles including The Last Days on Mars and Suite Francaise.

He played a key role in bringing in scripts including Nicholas Martin’s Florence Foster Jenkins and Matthew Orton’s Brit List project Clean.

London-based Escape Plan will focus on genre including horror, comedy, noir, sci-fi and period pieces and will also look to produce TV drama.

The first film to go into production is due to be writer-director Ruth Platt’s (The Lesson) second feature Martyr’s Lane, a psychologically driven haunted house film, which Kassman hopes to shoot in summer 2016.

Kassman told Screen: “Working at Michael Kuhn’s Qwerty Films has been...

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Looking for good books about the movies to read? We've got a bumper selection of recommendations right here...

A confession. I actually started writing this article in 2013, and the reason you've only reading it now is that I've made sure I've read every book on this list, save for one or two where I've marked otherwise. As such, what you're getting is a very personal list of recommendations. Each of these books has at least something to it that I think is of interest to someone wanting to learn more about film - or just enjoy stories of movie making.

I've tended to avoid picture books, with one exception, as these ones I've chosen are all intended to be chock-full of words, to relax with at the end of a long day. Which is what I did. There are one or two notable omissions, as I'm still...

Lazlo Nemes’ Holocaust film took the top prize at the festival, which closed with the UK premire of Amir Wolf’s Fire Birds.

A jury comprising Nfts director Nik Powell, filmmaker Mike Newell, actress Kerry Fox, actor Jason Isaacs, producer Michael Kuhn and actress Sarah Solemani has presented Son Of Saul with its Best Debut Feature Award at the 19th UK Jewish Film Festival (Nov 7-22).

Accepting the prize during a video message, director Lazlo Nemes said: “It’s an honour to receive this award from such a prestigious jury. It’s very special for me having my film at the UK Jewish Film Festival which showed my short film a couple of years ago.

“Thanks on behalf of my entire crew and cast. People think about the Holocaust more and more as something abstract. With Son of Saul I wanted to give it a human face.”

Ukjff CEO Michael Etherton said: “Our commitment to supporting new creative...

Exclusive: Former Film4 and Qwerty exec to spearhead UK push into film and TV.

French film and TV lender Cofiloisirs has added London-based former Film4 and Momentum business affairs executive Andrew Hildebrand to its team in a bid to connect with UK productions and grow the company footprint in the market.

The firm has been looking to grow its presence in the UK for some time.

Cofiloisirs is looking to provide cash flow financing to more UK films, television and animation, having closed in recent months on Philippa Lowthorpe’s UK feature Swallows and Amazons and ITV’s high-end drama Peter Pan drama Peter & Wendy, produced by Headline, LipSync and Juliette Films.

The French outfit has also been looking to grow its portfolio of international English-language productions and has recently lent to projects including Martin Koolhoven’s Dutch-German co-production Brimstone and Brendan Muldowney’s adventure-drama Pilgrimage, produced by Savage Films in Ireland and Wrong Men North from Belgium...

Jewish Film Festival launches inaugural best debut feature prize; competition titles include Son Of Saul and Labyrinth Of Lies.

The 19th UK Jewish Film Festival (Nov 7-22) is to present a best debut feature award for the first time.

The jury, headed by Nfts (National Film and Television School) director Nik Powell, comprises actor Jason Isaacs (The Patriot), director Mike Newell (Donnie Brasco), producer Michael Kuhn (Being John Malkovich), actress Kerry Fox (The Dressmaker) and actress Sarah Solemani (Mrs Henderson Presents).

The winner, which will be announced at the festival’s closing gala on Nov 21, will be selected from a shortlist of five films: Son of Saul; Orthodox; The Farewell Party; Labyrinth Of Lies; and 5 To 7.

This year’s festival programme has also been revealed.

The opening film will be Nae Caranfil’s Closer To The Moon, the comedy drama starring Vera Farmiga and Mark Strong that won multiple prizes at this year’s Gopo Awards, Romania...

The studio has swooped in Toronto and will distribute Stephen Frears’ drama in the Us while Pathe handles the UK and France.

Florence Foster Jenkins stars Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant and is a Pathe and BBC Films presentation with the participation of Canal Plus and Cine Plus of a Qwerty Films Production.

The film tells the true story of Foster Jenkins, a New York heiress and socialite who pursued her dream of becoming a great opera singer. The voice she heard in her head was beautiful, but to everyone else it was hilariously awful.

Frears adapts from a screenplay by Nicholas Martin. Simon Helberg, Rebecca Ferguson and Nina Arianda also star.

Michael Kuhn produces for Qwerty Films and Tracey Seaward while Pathe’s Cameron McCracken serves as executive producer with BBC Films’ Christine Langan and Qwerty’s Malcolm Ritchie.

Pathe UK head of international sales Muriel Sauzay and MD Cameron McCracken negotiated the deal with Paramount...

First still released of Meryl Streep and Hugh grant in Stephen Frears’ Florence Foster Jenkins.

Pathé today released the first still of Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant in Florence Foster Jenkins. The film is currently shooting in the UK.

The image depicts Meryl Streep as Florence Foster Jenkins with Hugh Grant as her partner St Clair Bayfield.

The film is the true story of the legendary New York heiress and socialite who obsessively pursued her dream of becoming a great opera singer. The voice she heard in her head was beautiful, but to everyone else it was awful.

Her “husband” and manager, St Clair Bayfield, an aristocratic English actor, was determined to protect her from the truth. But when Florence decided to give a public concert at Carnegie Hall in 1944, St Clair knew he faced his greatest challenge.

Florence Foster Jenkins is directed by Stephen Frears from a screenplay by Nicholas Martin. The cast also...

While the biggest game in town at the past week’s Afm has arguably been Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight, other prestige titles have certainly enticed foreign buyers. Among them, Pathé‘s Florence, which is now going by the name Florence Foster Jenkins. The Stephen Frears-directed biopic about the real-life New York heiress and socialite who coveted a career as a great opera singer, but who lacked any real ability, stars Meryl Streep in the eponymous role and Hugh Grant as her partner and manager. Pathé has retained distribution rights in the UK, France and Switzerland. The international sales team, led by Muriel Sauzay, also secured key deals during the market in Australia (eOne), Germany (Constantin), Greece (Feelgood), Hong Kong (Sun Dream), Israel (Shani), Italy (Lucky Red), Japan (Gaga), the Middle East (Gulf Film), Scandinavia (Svensk), South Africa (M-Net) and Turkey (Fabula), among several other territories.

Florence Foster Jenkins...

Florence Foster Jenkins biopic will also star Hugh Grant.

Pathe International is to shop one of the hottest drama scripts at the Afm (Nov 5-12), Stephen Frears biopic Florence.

Meryl Streep is set to star as the eponymous Florence Foster Jenkins, the New York heiress determined to become a famous opera singer in the early 20th century, despite her lack of talent.

Grant will play her partner and manager, actor St. Clair Bayfield.

Script comes from Nicholas Martin. Michael Kuhn and Tracey Seaward will produce.

The casting news was first reported by The Daily Mail.​...

Florence Foster Jenkins was the William Hung of the early 1900s. An objectively awful opera singer convinced of her own melodious quality, Jenkins concertized across New York City at her wealthy family’s expense. People couldn’t look away. Staging elaborate shows in opulent costumes, Jenkins sang Vivaldi and Strauss for audiences keeling over from disbelief. Her earnest brand of cacophony became so revered, she was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in 1944, at the age of 76. Sound like the makings for a biopic? Well, get ready for Meryl Streep as Florence Foster Jenkins. Deadline reports that the “Iron Lady” Best Actress-winner will star alongside Hugh Grant in “Florence,” a dramatization of the New York heiress’ odd musical career. Though its high art trashiness sounds like the makings of a John Waters film, “Philomena” director Stephen Frears will helm the feature. Nicholas Martin (BBC's "The Indian Doctor”) wrote the script.

After a few weeks' worth of rumors, Pathé International has announced that Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant will officially be teaming up for Stephen Frears' biopic, Florence. Florence stars Streep as the real-life New York heiress Florence Foster Jenkins, whose dreams of becoming a renowned opera singer are stymied by her laughable lack of talent. Grant will play her live-in partner and manager, the English actor St. Clair Bayfield, who guides Jenkins away from the real truth, which proves challenging when Jenkins decides to perform live at Carnegie Hall. The film is currently in pre-production. Michael Kuhn and Tracey Seaward will produce,...

Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant are attached to star in Stephen Frears' "Florence," a biopic of Florence Foster Jenkins for Pathe.

Jenkins was a New York heiress and socialite who coveted a career as a great opera singer, but who lacked any real ability - in fact her voice was comically terrible.

Streep would play her, while Grant would play her partner and manager St Clair Bayfield. Bayfield was an aristocratic English actor determined to protect Florence from the truth.

Nicholas Martin penned the script which will cover Jenkins life up until her 1944 Carnegie Hall concert which sold 3,000 tickets, she then died a month later. Michael Kuhn and Tracey Seaward will produce.

Source: Deadline...

Philomena director Stephen Frears is reteaming with Pathé for another project about an eponymous real-life female protagonist. Currently in pre-production, Florence is the true story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York heiress and socialite who coveted a career as a great opera singer, but who lacked any real ability. Meryl Streep is attached to play the title role with Hugh Grant also attached for the role of her partner and manager St Clair Bayfield. Bayfield was an aristocratic English actor who was determined to protect Florence from the truth that while the voice she heard in her head was beautiful, to everyone else it was hilariously awful.

Baz Bamigboye at the Daily Mail first tipped the news and Pathé International, which will begin sales at the AFM next month, has now confirmed details. The film has a script by Nicholas Martin which will tell Foster Jenkins’ story through to...

We've got 2 new posters up for The Last Days on Mars, a horror sci-fi film which looks eerily good, and stars Liev Schreiber, Romola Garai, Elias Koteas, Olivia Williams, Johnny Harris, Goran Kostic, Tom Cullen and Yusra Warsama. Ruairi Robinson helms this one from the screenplay by Sydney J. Bounds and Clive Dawson. Michael Kuhn and Andrea Cornwell produce. You can catch this one on VOD now, as it found release on October 31st, or you can wait until December 6th to catch it in theaters via Magnet Releasing. These are actually UK posters, and we love the design. On the last day of the first manned mission to Mars, a crew member of Tantalus Base believes he has made an astounding discovery – fossilized evidence of bacterial life. Unwilling...

A third poster has arrived for Ruairi Robinson's The Last Days on Mars, a film which looks ready to scare the hell out of viewers on October 31st (VOD), prior to hitting limited theaters on December 6th, 2013 via Magnet Releasing. Starring are Liev Schreiber, Romola Garai, Elias Koteas, Olivia Williams, Johnny Harris, Goran Kostic, Tom Cullen and Yusra Warsama. Sydney J. Bounds and Clive Dawson wrote the screenplay for the Andrea Cornwell and Michael Kuhn-produced film. On the last day of the first manned mission to Mars, a crew member of Tantalus Base believes he has made an astounding discovery – fossilized evidence of bacterial life. Unwilling to let the relief crew claim all the glory, he disobeys orders to pack up and goes out on an unauthorized expedition to collect further samples...

The Wagner/Cuban Company’s Magnet Releasing, genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, announced today that they have acquired Us rights to The Last Days On Mars, a sci-fi thriller starring Liev Schreiber (Salt, X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Elias Koteas (Shutter Island, Crash), Romola Garai (One Day, Atonement), Olivia Williams (An Education, The Sixth Sense), and Tom Cullen (Downtown Abbey) from Focus Features International. Produced by Michael Kuhn and Andrea Cornwell, The Last Days On Mars is the feature film debut of Ruairi Robinson, an Academy Award-nominated director of several celebrated sci-fi short films and animations. Focus Features International handled worldwide sales on the film, which bowed in this year’s Director’s Fortnight selection at the Cannes International Film Festival, where Kenneth Turan of The Los Angeles Times called it “undeniably gripping.

The synopsis:

On the last day of the first manned mission to Mars, a crew member of Tantalus Base...

The Wagner/Cuban Company's Magnet Releasing, genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, announced today that they have acquired Us rights to The Last Days on Mars, a sci-fi thriller starring Liev Schreiber (Salt, X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Elias Koteas (Shutter Island, Crash), Romola Garai (One Day, Atonement), Olivia Williams (An Education, The Sixth Sense), and Tom Cullen (Downton Abbey) from Focus Features International. Produced by Michael Kuhn and Andrea Cornwell, The Last Days on Mars is the feature film debut of Ruairi Robinson, an Academy Award-nominated director of several celebrated sci-fi short films and animations. Focus Features International handled worldwide sales on the film, which bowed in this year's Director's Fortnight selection at the Cannes International Film Festival, where Kenneth Turan of The Los Angeles Times called it "undeniably gripping."

On the last day of the first manned mission to Mars, a crew member of Tantalus Base believes he has made an...

Magnet Releasing has acquired U.S. rights to Ruairi Robinson’s sci-fi thriller The Last Days on Mars, starring Liev Schreiber, Elias Koteas, Romola Garai, Olivia Williams and Tom Cullen. The film concerns the first manned mission to Mars, during which a crew member discovers fossilized evidence of bacterial life. When he and another colleague vanishes, the team starts to suspect that the life form they have discovered is not yet dead, and the group begins to fall apart as it awaits for a relief ship. Photos: 30 Groundbreaking Sci-Fi Films The film, produced by Michael Kuhn and Andrea

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Some quick acquisition news has come in... The Wagner/Cuban Company’s Magnet Releasing, genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, has acquired Us distribution rights to Ruairi Robinson’s Cannes sci-fi The Last Days on Mars from Focus Features International.

From the Press Release:

Sci-fi thriller The Last Days On Mars, from Focus Features International, stars Liev Schreiber (Salt, X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Elias Koteas (Shutter Island, Crash), Romola Garai (One Day, Atonement), Olivia Williams (An Education, The Sixth Sense), and Tom Cullen (Downtown Abbey). Produced by Michael Kuhn and Andrea Cornwell, The Last Days On Mars is the feature film debut of Ruairi Robinson, an Academy Award-nominated director of several celebrated sci-fi short films and animations. Focus Features International handled worldwide sales on the film, which bowed in this year’s Director’s Fortnight selection at the Cannes International Film Festival, where Kenneth Turan of The Los Angeles Times called it “undeniably gripping.

Magnolia Pictures' genre arm Magnet Releasing has acquired U.S. rights to Ruairi Robinson's feature directorial debut "The Last Days on Mars" from Focus Features International. Magnet is eyeing a release through its Ultra VOD program later this year. Liev Schreiber stars in the sci-fi thriller alongside Elias Koteas, Romola Garai, Olivia Williams and Tom Cullen. Michael Kuhn and Andrea Cornwell produced the movie, which follows an astronaut who finds fossilized evidence of bacterial life on Mars. Disobeying orders, he goes on an unauthorized expedition to collect further samples and winds up falling into...

Magnet has acquired the distribution rights to Ruairi Robinson's debut feature film, Last Days on Mars. The sci-fi thriller follows the crew of a Mars base that discovers fossilized evidence of bacterial life, but their unauthorized expedition leads to disaster when one of the crew members falls into a sinkhole, and the life-form they've discovered might still be alive. It's a solid premise for a flick, and the great cast includes Liev Schreiber, Elias Koteas, Olivia Williams, Romola Garai, and Tom Cullen. I'm also interested in checking it out based on Robinson's creepy 2011 short, "BlinkyTM". Hit the jump for the press release and to see the first image from the movie, which debuted at the Director's Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival. Last Days on Mars will be released on VOD later this year. I've also included "BlinkyTM" for those who haven't seen it. Here's the press release: The...

Magnet Releasing just announced that they have acquired Us distribution rights to The Last Days on Mars, a new sci-fi movie starring Liev Schreiber:

New York (July 9, 2013) – The Wagner/Cuban Company’s Magnet Releasing, genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, announced today that they have acquired Us rights to The Last Days On Mars, a sci-fi thriller starring Liev Schreiber (Salt, X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Elias Koteas (Shutter Island, Crash), Romola Garai (One Day, Atonement), Olivia Williams (An Education, The Sixth Sense), and Tom Cullen (Downtown Abbey) from Focus Features International. Produced by Michael Kuhn and Andrea Cornwell, The Last Days On Mars is the feature film debut of Ruairi Robinson, an Academy Award-nominated director of several celebrated sci-fi short films and animations. Focus Features International handled worldwide sales on the film, which bowed in this year’s Director’s Fortnight selection at the Cannes International Film Festival, where Kenneth Turan...

The Wagner/Cuban Company’s Magnet Releasing, genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, announced today that they have acquired U.S. rights to The Last Days on Mars, a sci-fi thriller starring Liev Schreiber, Elias Koteas, Romola Garai, Olivia Williams and Tom Cullen from Focus Features International. Produced by Michael Kuhn and Andrea Cornwell, The Last Days on Mars is the feature film debut of Ruairi Robinson, an Academy Award-nominated director of several celebrated sci-fi short films and animations. Focus Features International handled worldwide sales on the film, which bowed in this year’s Director’s Fortnight selection at the Cannes International Film Festival.

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Magnolia Pictures genre arm nabs Cannes thriller for Us from Focus International.

The Wagner/Cuban Company’s Magnet Releasing, genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, has acquired Us distribution rights to Ruairi Robinson’s Cannes sci-fi Last Days on Mars from Focus Features International.

Liev Schreiber, Elias Koteas, Romola Garai, Olivia Williams and Tom Cullen star in the Directors’ Fortnight entry about the first manned mission to mars which comes under attack from an alien life-from.

The deal was negotiated by Magnolia/Magnet svp of acquisitions Dori Begley and director of acquisitions Peter Van Steemburg with Focus Features International.

Magnet is eyeing a release through its Ultra VOD programme later this year.

Producers are Michael Kuhn and Andrea Cornwell. The film marks the feature debut of Robinson, Oscar-nominated for short Fifty Percent Grey.

The Wagner/Cuban Company.s Magnet Releasing, genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, announced today that they have acquired U.S. rights to The Last Days on Mars , a sci-fi thriller starring Liev Schreiber, Elias Koteas, Romola Garai, Olivia Williams and Tom Cullen from Focus Features International. Produced by Michael Kuhn and Andrea Cornwell, The Last Days on Mars is the feature film debut of Ruairi Robinson, an Academy Award-nominated director of several celebrated sci-fi short films and animations. Focus Features International handled worldwide sales on the film, which bowed in this year.s Director.s Fortnight selection at the Cannes International Film Festival. On the last day of the first manned mission to Mars, a crew member of Tantalus Base believes he has made an astounding...

Michelle Williams, Matthias Schoenaerts, Kristin Scott Thomas and Sam Riley star in Saul Dibb’s Second World War drama based on Irène Némirovsky’s best-selling novel.

TF1, Entertainment One, the Weinstein Company and BBC Films have announced the start of principal photography on $20m (€15m) feature Suite Française, which is being shot in Brussels and Paris.

For full production details visit

Suite Française

The film stars Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn), Matthias Schoenaerts (Rust and Bone), Kristin Scott Thomas (Only God Forgives), Sam Riley (On The Road), Ruth Wilson (The Lone Ranger), Margot Robbie (The Wolf of Wall Street), Alexandra Maria Lara (Rush), Tom Schilling (Oh Boy) and Lambert Wilson (Of Gods and Men).

Suite Française is set in 1940s France and is based on the international best-selling work of writer Irène Némirovsky who died in Auschwitz in 1942.

Williams will play Lucile Angellier who awaits news from her husband, a prisoner...

The first video footage from director Ruairi Robinson's next film, The Last Days on Mars, has surfaced online, and we have the goods ready and waiting for you! Check it out!

Liev Schreiber (Scream 2, X-Men Origins: Wolverine) alongside Olivia Williams (The Sixth Sense, Rushmore), Romola Garai (One Day, Atonement), Elias Koteas (Shutter Island, Zodiac), Tom Cullen (Weekend), Goran Kostic (In the Land of Blood and Honey, Taken), and Johnny Harris (Snow White and the Huntsman) star in the film.

The thriller is being produced by Qwerty Films' Michael Kuhn (The Duchess, Being John Malkovich) and Andrea Cornwall (The Scouting Book for Boys).

The Last Days on Mars, which was previously titled The Animators, follows the story of an astronaut crew on Mars on the verge of a major breakthrough, having collected rock specimens that reveal microscopic evidence of life. In their last hours on the planet, two...

A new video featuring director Ruairi Robinson and actress Olivia Williams waxing on from Cannes regarding their new flick, The Last Days on Mars, has surfaced online, and we have that and the first still ready and waiting for you!

Liev Schreiber (Scream 2, X-Men Origins: Wolverine) alongside Olivia Williams (The Sixth Sense, Rushmore), Romola Garai (One Day, Atonement), Elias Koteas (Shutter Island, Zodiac), Tom Cullen (Weekend), Goran Kostic (In the Land of Blood and Honey, Taken), and Johnny Harris (Snow White and the Huntsman) star in the film.

The thriller is being produced by Qwerty Films' Michael Kuhn (The Duchess, Being John Malkovich) and Andrea Cornwall (The Scouting Book for Boys).

The Last Days on Mars, which was previously titled The Animators, follows the story of an astronaut crew on Mars on the verge of a major breakthrough, having collected rock specimens that reveal microscopic evidence of life.

Some casting news has come in for Irish helmer Ruairi Robinson's now filming fear flick The Last Days on Mars, based on a script by Clive Dawson. Read on to find out who will be spending their final seconds on the angry red planet.

Liev Schreiber (Scream 2, X-Men Origins: Wolverine) alongside Olivia Williams (The Sixth Sense, Rushmore), Romola Garai (One Day, Atonement), Elias Koteas (Shutter Island, Zodiac), Tom Cullen (Weekend), Goran Kostic (In the Land of Blood and Honey, Taken) and Johnny Harris (Snow White and the Huntsman) are all set to star.

The thriller is being produced by Qwerty Films' Michael Kuhn (The Duchess, Being John Malkovich) and Andrea Cornwall (The Scouting Book for Boys).

The flick, which was previously titled The Animators, follows the story of an astronaut crew on Mars on the verge of a major breakthrough having collected rock specimens that reveal microscopic evidence of life.

Following an open competition, Northern Ireland Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has announced eight new Board Members to Northern Ireland Screen. The new Board Members are Michael Catto, Visiting Professor at University of Ulster Belfast; Adeline Dinsmore, former member of the Broadcasting Council of BBC Ni; Multimedia expert Jennifer Johnston; Michael Kuhn of Qwerty Films & Polygram Studios; Communications consultant Fiona MacMillan; Aódán Mac Póilin, Director of the Ultach Trust; Laurence McKeown, founder of the Belfast Film Festival and politician Ian Parsley.

Academy Award nominated Ruairi Robinson (Fifty Percent Grey, Blinky) is set to direct his first feature film, the highly anticipated thriller The Last Days On Mars based on a script by acclaimed screenwriter Clive Dawson, with design talents including the extraordinary team at Weta (District 9, X-Men First Class and Avatar) behind the special effects. Qwerty Films.Michael Kuhn (The Duchess, Being John Malkovich) and Andrea Cornwell (The Scouting Book for Boys) will produce the film, with Focus Features International handling international sales and distribution. Ffi will commence sales at the American Film Market in November.

The Last Days On Mars is currently in pre-production and is expected to start shooting early 2012 on location in Jordan and at Shepperton Studios in the UK.

As their last day on Mars draws to a close, the astronaut crew is on the verge of a major breakthrough – collected rock specimens reveal microscopic evidence of life.

Oscar-nominated director, Ruairi Robinson (Blinky) who was once set to direct the live action adaptation of Akira has scored the director’s chair on The Last Days On Mars, penned by Clive Dawson. The story focuses on an astronaut crew’s mission to Mars, where a routine excavation on the red planet turns deadly as one crew member falls to his death and has his body taken over and re-animated by the life form the crew was searching for.

The project is currently in pre-production and is expected to go before cameras early next year at Shepperton Studios in the U.K. and on location in Jordan. The film is being produced by Michael Kuhn (The Duchess, Being John Malkovich) and Andrea Cornwell (The Scouting Book for Boys) of Qwerty Films. The film’s distribution and international sales will be handled by Focus Features.

Oscar nominated Irish director Ruairi Robinson (Blinky, Fifty Percent Grey) is set to direct his first feature film, thriller 'The Last Days on Mars', which is penned by screenwriter Clive Dawson. Qwerty Films' Michael Kuhn (The Duchess, Being John Malkovich) and Andrea Cornwell (The Scouting Book for Boys) will produce 'The Last Days on Mars' with Focus Features International handling international sales and distribution. Focus will commence sales at the American Film Market in November.

The Last Days on Mars to be directed by Ruairi Robinson. Clive Dawson scripted The Last Days on Mars will have Ruairi Robinson in the director’s chair if sales go well at the American Film Market. The Last Days on Mars is about a predatory lifeform on Mars discovered by a research team hours before the team is set to return to Earth.

The official press release on The Last Days on Mars:

London (November 1, 2011) – Academy Award nominated Ruairi Robinson (Fifty Percent Grey, Blinky) is set to direct his first feature film, the highly anticipated thriller The Last Days On Mars based on a script by acclaimed screenwriter Clive Dawson, with design talents including the extraordinary team at Weta (District 9, X-Men First Class and Avatar) behind the special effects. Qwerty Films’ Michael Kuhn (The Duchess, Being John Malkovich) and Andrea Cornwell (The Scouting Book for Boys) will produce the film,...

Remember that awesome robot short Blinky? Well the filmmaker behind it, Ruairi Robinson, has landed his first feature film project. Deadline reports on an Afm announcement for a project titled The Last Days On Mars, a sci-fi thriller being directed by Robinson from a screenplay by Clive Dawson ("The Bill"), with design talents including the team at Weta behind the special effects. Perhaps the next District 9 on the way? "I have loved making sci-fi films since I made Pitch Black and for The Last Days On Mars we have assembled a great team to do justice to a wonderful and commercial script." Quite a pitch. Details ahead! Ruairi Robinson's The Last Days On Mars is currently in pre-production and is expected to start shooting early 2012 on location in Jordan and at Shepperton Studios in the UK. Qwerty Films' Michael Kuhn (The Duchess, I Heart Huckabees, Severance, Being John Malkovich...

Short film and commercial director Ruairi Robinson has been attached to a few studio projects over the past year or two, notably one incarnation of Warner Bros. live-action Akira remake. His last big project was the 'killer robot' short Blinky, which you can see here [1]. Now he's got a new project brewing that will feature effects from Weta. If sales work out for The Last Days on Mars at the American Film Market, the film will shoot next year based on a script by Clive Dawson. The film follows the discovery of a predatory life form on Mars by a research team that is only hours away from leaving the planet to return to Earth. A press release with a few more details is after the break. London (November 1, 2011) – Academy Award nominated Ruairi Robinson (Fifty Percent Grey, Blinky) is set to direct his first feature film, the highly anticipated thriller...

Academy Award nominated Ruairi Robinson (Fifty Percent Grey, Blinky) is about to make the jump to feature film directing. Comingsoon reports that he is set to direct the thriller The Last Days On Mars based on a script by Clive Dawson. The news gets even better because the Weta team behind District 9, X-Men: First Class and Avatar are doing the special effects on the project.

The film is being produced by Qwerty Films' Michael Kuhn (The Duchess,Being John Malkovich) and Andrea Cornwell (The Scouting Book for Boys). Focus Features International will handle international sales and distribution, with sales kicking off at the American Film Market. Pre-production has already begun, and production is expected to start shooting early 2012 on location in Jordan and at Shepperton Studios in the UK. The film is described as follows:

As their last day on Mars draws to a close, the astronaut crew...

There's no question that Apollo 18 left a really sour taste in the mouths of horror fans everywhere as its moon spiders limped across the box office finish line, but that doesn't mean we're still not down for some interplanetary trips to terror!

According to Variety Irish helmer Ruairi Robinson is set to direct his first feature film, The Last Days on Mars, based on a script by Clive Dawson, which Focus Features Intl. will be pre-selling to buyers at the American Film Market this week.

The thriller, which is in pre-production, will be produced by Qwerty Films' Michael Kuhn (The Duchess, Being John Malkovich) and Andrea Cornwall (The Scouting Book for Boys).

The flick, which was previously titled The Animators, follows the story of an astronaut crew on Mars on the verge of a major breakthrough, having collected rock specimens that reveal microscopic evidence of life. In their last hours on the planet,...

Ruairi Robinson ("Blinky") will make his feature directorial debut on "The Last Days On Mars" for Qwerty Films and PolyGram Films says The Hollywood Reporter.

Based on a script by Clive Dawson, the story follows an astronaut crew on a mission to Mars. A routine excavation turns deadly when one of them falls to his death and his body taken host and re-animated by the very life form they sought to discover.

Shooting kicks off early 2012 on location in Jordan and at Shepperton Studios in the UK. Michael Kuhn and Andrea Cornwell will produce.

Academy Award nominated Ruairi Robinson (Fifty Percent Grey, Blinky) is set to direct his first feature film, the highly anticipated thriller The Last Days on Mars based on a script by acclaimed screenwriter Clive Dawson, with design talents including the extraordinary team at Weta (District 9, X-Men: First Class and Avatar) behind the special effects. Qwerty Films' Michael Kuhn (The Duchess, Being John Malkovich) and Andrea Cornwell (The Scouting Book for Boys) will produce the film, with Focus Features International handling international sales and distribution. Ffi will commence sales at the American Film Market in November.

The Last Days on Mars is currently in pre-production and is expected to start shooting early 2012 on location in Jordan and at Shepperton Studios in the UK.

As their last day on Mars draws to a close, the astronaut crew is on the verge of a major breakthrough - collected rock specimens reveal microscopic evidence of life.