Outgoing Berlinale co-director Carlo Chatrian said criticism of pro-Gaza, anti-war speeches made at this year’s awards ceremony “weaponises antisemitism… for political means”. In a lengthy Instagram post, Chatrian, who has stepped down from his role after five years, said: “This year’s festival was a place for dialogue and exchange for ten days; yet once the …
One of the UK’s oldest working cinemas, the Electric Birmingham, has shut, with the last film screening listed as yesterday (February 29). The closure has been confirmed on the cinema’s official website. The cinema dates back to 1909, and was built in a converted taxi rank in Station Street. Kevin Markwick bought the cinema in 2021, …
Jenne Casarotto, co-founder of UK talent agency Casarotto Ramsay & Associates, has died aged 77, the agency has confirmed. Casarotto passed away “peacefully on Thursday, February 29 surrounded by her loving family, following complications as part of a short illness,” read a statement from the agency. A major player in the UK agency landscape for …
Jim Reeve, founder and chairman of UK finance and sales outfit Great Point Media, has died at the age of 64. Reeve died on February 27 according to a statement from Great Point’s website. “It is with profound sadness that Great Point must confront the sudden and unexpected loss of our founder, mentor and friend, Jim …
Fatma Al-Remaihi, CEO of the Doha Film Institute (DFI), has today called for a ceasefire to bring an end to the “genocide in Gaza”, in her speech to open Qumra, the DFI’s project and talent lab. Addressing the 200 Qumra attendees at Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art, Al-Remaihi said, “While we celebrate the progress we …
BBC Studios has bought out ITV’s 50% interest in streamer BritBox International in a deal worth £255m. The landmark move gives BBC Studios sole ownership of the previously joint venture platform, which has a subscriber base of around 3.8m across the various territories it operates. After the transaction has completed it will provide net proceeds …
Sci-fi blockbuster Dune: Part Two opens in 721 venues this weekend, carrying the hopes of many UK-Ireland cinemas after a slow start to 2024. Denis Villeneuve’s sequel is Warner Bros’ fourth-widest opening of all time in the territory, after last year’s Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (749) and Barbie (724), and 2022’s Elvis (746). It …
Cannes has named Canadian filmmaker and actor Xavier Dolan as the president of the jury for its Un Certain Regard sidebar. Dolan has a long track record of premiering his films at Cannes. In 2010, his second film Heartbeats played in Un Certain Regard when he was just 21. Two years later, Dolan’s Laurence Anyways …
The British Film Institute (BFI) and British Council have teamed up for the Travel Grant Fund, to support UK independent filmmakers, producers and extended reality (XR) creatives to attend international industry events around the world, including festivals, markets and development labs. It expands upon the current travel grant support provided by the two organisations, which …
Fremantle has appointed new heads for its Italian labels The Apartment and Wildside and has agreed a co-production deal with their former CEOs Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani. Film and TV producer Annamaria Morelli becomes CEO of The Apartment while former Sky Italia exec Sonia Rovai has been named CEO of Wildside. Their appointments follow …