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Thomasin McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit, Joy) and Toby Wallace (The Bikeriders, Euphoria) are set to lead Frances O’Connor‘s sophomore film, Sister Maria Goes to Rome.

Embankment has launched global pre-sales on the next project from O’Connor, whose critically acclaimed Emily with Emma Mackey debuted to rave reviews upon its 2022 release.

When Sister Maria (McKenzie), a spirited young nun with an unshakeable faith, arrives in Rome on a quest to save her beloved village, she clashes with a jaded tour guide (Wallace) who’s lost his way. “What starts as a delightful battle between wide-eyed idealism and world-weary cynicism blossoms into an unexpected friendship that proves ordinary people can do extraordinary things when they believe in each other,” a plot synopsis reads. “Together, they discover that when good people fight for what’s right — hope triumphs, hearts change and miracles can happen.”

Filming will commence in spring 2026 across Lazio and Rome.

Paramount+ has a lot to offer this June. The biggest highlight is the 78th Annual Tony Awards, which airs on June 8. It’s hosted by Wicked star Cynthia Erivo and features stars from TV like Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Snook, and George Clooney.

Another big release is Love Me, a new movie starring Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun. It comes out on June 16.

There are also many great movies coming to the service this month, like But I’m a Cheerleader, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, No Country for Old Men, and The Godfather trilogy. Keep reading to see the full list!

June 1

3:10 to Yuma (With Showtime)

12 Years a Slave

Bad News Bears

BlacKkKlansman

Boogie Nights

But I’m a Cheerleader

Call Me By Your Name

Carol

Carriers

Center Stage

Changing Lanes

Chasing Amy

Cloverfield

Crawlspace

Daddy Day Camp

Dance Flick

Dog Day Afternoon

Double Jeopardy

Eagle Eye...

The Penguin Lessons came to us in the form of a memoir by Tom Michell in 2016, and it has finally been made into a movie. Adapted by BAFTA-winning writer Jeff Pope, the story follows a British teacher who takes a job in Argentina in 1976. With the country’s political turmoil as the backdrop, the movie tells a human tale that reminds us that even in times of chaos and uncertainty, the bonds we form become the reason to stay alive.

Oscar-nominated director Peter Cattaneo helmed the dramedy and promises to bring his signature blend of heartfelt storytelling and nuanced character portrayal. Cattaneo is known for creating the comedy film The Full Monty, for which he won multiple accolades. Military Wives is another one of his projects that gained recognition.

Steve Coogan, the acclaimed actor, takes on the leading role along with an extensive list of the ensemble cast. This project...

Steve Coogan as Tom Michell and Baba/Richard as Juan Salvador in The Penguin Lessons Photo: Andrea Resmini. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Director Peter Catteneo and screenwriter Jeff Pope's adaptation of Tom Michell's memoir, The Penguin Lessons, stars Steve Coogan as the disillusioned and cynical Englishman, who takes up the position of English teacher at the prestigious St. George's private school in Argentina in 1976.

When a military coup forces the school to temporarily close, Michell travels to neighbouring Uruguay, where he rescues a penguin who he first names Peter, before settling on Juan Salvador. In spite of his initial reluctance to embrace Juan Salvador's affections, this unexpected friend helps him to inspire his students.

When the political tensions penetrate the school's walls, Michell must confront the horrors of authoritarian rule.

Tom urges Juan Salvador to return to the sea. Photo: Andrea Resmini. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics...

There are two things that can make any movie better: Steve Coogan and penguins.

Fortunately, and not surprisingly considering its title, The Penguin Lessons features both. Well, at least one penguin, who goes by the name Juan Salvador. But he’s more than enough. He’s Coogan’s best onscreen partner since Rob Brydon in the Trip movies.

Loosely based on a memoir by Tom Michell, the film takes place in 1976 in Buenos Aires, where teacher Tom (Coogan) arrives to teach English to teenage students at a tony private school. His timing wasn’t exactly fortuitous, as not long after he gets there the country is rocked by a military coup, with people disappearing subsequently.

Not that any of the tumult affects Tom, who soon embarks on a weekend getaway to Uruguay with his Swedish colleague (Bjorn Gustafsson, priceless), where he enjoys a flirtation with a local woman. Walking together on the beach,...

Sony Pictures Classics has announced that it will release its dramedy The Penguin Lessons, starring Academy Award nominees Steve Coogan (Philomena) and Jonathan Pryce (The Two Popes), in theaters nationwide on March 28.

The film is set to open against Focus Features’ Sundance entry The Ballad of Wallis Island, starring Carey Mulligan; Universal’s horror thriller The Woman in the Yard, A24’s Death of a Unicorn, starring Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd; and Amazon MGM’s Jason Statham action thriller A Working Man, among other titles.

Based on Tom Michell’s 2016 memoir of the same name, The Penguin Lessons is inspired by the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who went to work in a school in Argentina in 1976. Expecting an easy ride, Tom (Coogan) discovers a divided nation and a class of unteachable students. However, after he rescues a penguin from an oil-slicked beach, his life is turned upside-down.

Production is underway in London on Drake Doremus’s romantic comedy Next Lifestarring Emilia Clarke and Edgar Ramirez.

Clarke plays a jazz singer who finds herself across two alternate realities. The shoot is scheduled to wrap later this month.

Next Life is produced byMutressa’s Elika Portnoy, Gleb Fetisov ofFetisoff Illusion, UK-us production house42’s Ben Pugh and Kate Buckley, Doremus, and JohnPalfery Smith.

Doremus’s credits includesci-fi romancesZoe and Equals.

Pugh has produced UK films including Eran Creevy’s 2008 thriller Shifty, Peter Cattaneo’s Military Wives, Dominic Cooke’s The Courier, Agnieszka Smoczynska’s The Silent Twins,and Cattaneo...

Production is underway in London on Drake Doremus’s romantic comedy Next Lifestarring Emilia Clarke and Edgar Ramirez.

Clarke plays a jazz singer who finds herself across two alternate realities. The shoot is scheduled to wrap later this month.

Next Life is produced byMutressa’s Elika Portnoy, Gleb Fetisov ofFetisoff Illusion, UK-us production house42’s Ben Pugh and Kate Buckley, Doremus, and JohnPalfery Smith.

Doremus’s credits includesci-fi romancesZoe and Equals.

Pugh has produced UK films including Eran Creevy’s 2008 thriller Shifty, Peter Cattaneo’s Military Wives, Dominic Cooke’s The Courier, Agnieszka Smoczynska’s The Silent Twins,and Cattaneo...

Production is underway in London on Drake Doremus’s romantic comedy Next Lifestarring Emilia Clarke and Edgar Ramirez.

Clarke plays a jazz singer who finds herself across two alternate realities. The shoot is scheduled to wrap later this month.

Next Life is produced byMutressa’s Elika Portnoy, Gleb Fetisov ofFetisoff Illusion, UK-us production house42’s Ben Pugh and Kate Buckley, Doremus, and JohnPalfery Smith.

Doremus’s credits includesci-fi romancesZoe and Equals.

Pugh has produced UK films including Eran Creevy’s 2008 thriller Shifty, Peter Cattaneo’s Military Wives, Dominic Cooke’s The Courier, Agnieszka Smoczynska’s The Silent Twins,and Cattaneo...

Exclusive: Following their 2018 critically acclaimed hit Stan & Ollie, Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly are reuniting for The Players, a comedy based on the rivalry between 1800s thespians Edwin Forrest and William MacCready. Two-time Academy Award nominee Peter Cattaneo (The Full Monty) is directing the project from a script penned by Stan & Ollie and Philomena writer Jeff Pope.

The Players, which is set to begin production early next year in Europe, is set in 1847 New York, where Edwin Forrest (Reilly) holds the undisputed title as the country’s top Shakespearian actor. Playing magnificently to a sold out, raucous crowd every night, Edwin is “The Star”. But when critically celebrated English thespian William MacCready (Coogan) arrives from London to perform his sophisticated Hamlet, Edwin’s title is thrown into jeopardy. Each man wants what the other has, and the rivalry between them starts a hilarious and unforgettable battle of egos.

Bleecker Street executives Kent Sanderson and Myles Bender can vividly remember their first time seeing “Eye in the Sky,” a drone warfare thriller starring Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman that premiered in 2015 at Toronto Film Festival with hopes of finding distribution. Not long into the Canadian screening, they were held rapt by film but quickly realized their contemporaries in the room didn’t feel the same way.

“Within 15 minutes, I started watching a lot of other buyers get up and leave. I guess they felt the film was too challenging,” says Sanderson, Bleecker Street’s president. He and Bender, head of marketing and creative advertising, pushed for their boss, the film company’s co-founder and CEO, Andrew Karpen, to watch the film so they could bid on the distribution rights. Bender recalls, “We were looking at each other and saying, ‘What are we seeing that they aren’t?’”

Karpen shared...

Anthony Hopkins, who has embodied a cast of real-life characters in his long career, ranging from Richard Nixon (in Nixon) and Sigmund Freund (Freud’s Last Session) to Alfred Hitchcock (Hitchcock), and Adolf Hitler (1981 TV movie The Bunker), is set to play composer George Frideric Handel in the upcoming feature The King of Covent Garden.

Minamata filmmaker Andrew Levitas is attached to direct the biopic focused on how the German-British Baroque composer created his 1741 masterpiece Messiah. Tim Slover wrote the screenplay. Dan Lupovitz and Kevan Van Thompson will produce.

Opera star Katherine Jenkins is attached as an executive producer on the project and will be involved as a musical advisor on the project as well as helping with future marketing efforts. Peter Touche (Military Wives, The Son) is also executive producing.

Embankment Films is handling global pre-sales on The King of Covent Garden and will be pitching it to buyers at...

Anthony Hopkins is taking on yet another iconic figure, this time from the world of music.

The stage and screen legend — a two-time Academy Award winner — is attached to star as George Frideric Handel in “The King of Covent Garden,” set during the period the famed opera composer worked on his choral masterpiece “Messiah.” Embankment Films has launched global pre-sales on the project, which is scheduled for a late fall 2025 release.

Andrew Levitas (“Minimata”) will direct “The King of Covent Garden” from a script by Tim Slover, with the filmmakers pitching the feature as “a powerfully majestic celebration of genius breaking all the rules to create an anthem inspiring the popular imagination of global audiences.” Dan Lupovitz (“Death Defying Acts,” “Simpatico”) and Kevan Van Thompson (“Ballerina,” “Jojo Rabbit”) will produce.

Global operatic mezzo-soprano star Katherine Jenkins joins Peter Touche (“Military Wives,” “Blinded by the Light”) as executive producer, adding her musical performance,...

Exclusive: Amazon MGM Studios has ordered a pilot based on the Charlie Bone children’s/YA fantasy novels.

The eight fantasy novels in the popular series were written by British author Jenny Nimmo and published between 2002-2010. The franchise also includes a prequel trilogy and two follow up books.

Filming is underway on location in the UK on the pilot, which stars Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale), Carmen Ejogo (The Penguin), Emma Sidi (Starstruck), Orlando Norman (Wreck), Beth Alsbury (Blindspot), Lewis Brophy (The Virtues), Brazilian singer and actress Giulia Be (Beyond The Universe), Olivia-Mai Barrett (Invasion), Fisayo Akinade (Hearstopper), and newcomer Cory McClane in the Charlie Bone role.

Currently untitled, the ensemble pilot heralds from UK-us production and management firm 42.

The adaptation follows Charlie Bone, a kid who has always been labeled a ‘problem’. He’s been expelled from every school in London. But he can’t help it – his...

Cast also includes Ellie Bamber, Jonah Hauer-King, Rafe Spall, Emily Beecham, Jonathan Pryce and Ben Kingsley.

Beta Cinema has boarded international sales on Nick Hamm’s English-language feature William Tell, based on the classic story of the crossbow warrior who shot an arrow through an apple on his son’s head and launched the struggle for Swiss independence.

Written and directed by Hamm, William Tell stars Claes Bang as Tell alongside Connor Swindells, Ellie Bamber, Golshifteh Farahani, Jonah Hauer-King, Rafe Spall, Emily Beecham as well as Jonathan Pryce and Ben Kingsley.

Beta Cinema and production companies Free Turn Films and...

Cast also includes Connor Swindells, Ellie Bamber, Golshifteh Farahani, Jonah Hauer-King, Rafe Spall, Emily Beecham, Jonathan Pryce and Ben Kingsley.

Beta Cinema has boarded international sales on Nick Hamm’s English-language feature William Tell, based on the classic story of the Swiss crossbow warrior.

Written and directed by Hamm, William Tell stars Claes Bang as Tell alongside Connor Swindells, Ellie Bamber, Golshifteh Farahani, Jonah Hauer-King, Rafe Spall, Emily Beecham as well as Oscar nominee Jonathan Pryce and Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley.

Beta Cinema and production companies Free Turn Films and Tempo Productions have also released a first look of...

The box office for January-May 2023 shows a very mixed pattern of recovery across Europe.

Premium ticket pricing is saving the day for cinema exhibition in many European markets, where admissions have yet to catch up with pre-pandemic averages — that was the key message of the latest European box office and admissions data presented on Monday at CineEurope by Lucy Jones, Comscore Movies executive director for UK & Ireland, Italy, Middle East and Africa.

The box office for January-May 2023 shows a very mixed pattern of recovery across Europe, with Austria up 8% on the 2017-2019 pre-pandemic average for the same period, Netherlands up...

Comscore’s Lucy Jones was presenting at CineEurope.

Premium ticket pricing is saving the day for cinema exhibition in many European markets, where admissions have yet to catch up with pre-pandemic averages — that was the key message of the latest European box office and admissions data presented on Monday at CineEurope by Lucy Jones, Comscore Movies executive director for UK & Ireland, Italy, Middle East and Africa.

The box office for January-May 2023 shows a very mixed pattern of recovery across Europe, with Austria up 8% on the 2017-2019 pre-pandemic average for the same period, Netherlands up 4% and Germany down a slim 3%. France...

Max’s first full month without ‘HBO’ in its rebranded title has a selection that kicks off summer 2023 in fine fashion. Three of the four iterations of “A Star Is Born,” including the most recent remake starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, are streaming on Max in June. The 1954 and 1976 films land June 1, while the 2018 version arrives June 8.

To prepare for Margot Robbie’s performance in “Barbie” come July, one could watch one of her more intense roles as Tonya Harding in “I, Tonya” (2017). For some lighter summer watches, viewers might consider “Dolphin Tale” (2010), “Grease” (1978), “Hairspray” (2007) or “Tooth Fairy” (2010).

“Magic Mike’s Last Dance” (2023) starring Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek Pinault lands at Max after its theatrical release in February this year. Another major theatrical release from 2022, “Avatar: The Way of Water” (2022), swims onto the streamer starting June 7.

As for TV series, “Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson’s “The Idol,” starring Abel...

HBO Max is no more. In its place are…HBO and Max. Warner Bros. Discovery’s big change to its premier streaming service was simply to take the “HBO” off of the name “HBO Max,” leaving just “Max.” But in announcing its list of new releases for Max in June 2023, Warner is highlighting all of the HBO content anyway. So here is everything you can expect to find on Max (including every new HBO show) this month.

Even though June 2023 is the first full month of Max’s existence without the helpful “HBO” modifier in front of it, literally all of its major original offerings are thanks to the pay cable network. June 4 sees the premiere of The Idol, the controversial TV project starring The Weeknd and written by Euphoria‘s Sam Levinson. After that, season 3 of Danny McBride evangelical comedy The Righteous Gemstones premieres on June 18. That will be...

Max, the new name of HBO Max as of May 23rd, will be adding a new food series with Zooey Deschanel, an animated series set in the world of Gremlins, and the rebirth of Clone High to its streaming lineup in June 2023. The Idol, starring The Weeknd and Johnny Depp’s daughter, Lily-Rose, arrives on June 4th after dividing the crowd at Cannes, and the much-anticipated third season of Warrior kicks off on June 29th.

Max’s June lineup also includes new seasons of And Just Like That…, Painting with John, and The Righteous Gemstones. Theatrical releases making their way to the streaming service include Avatar: The Way of Water and Magic Mike’s Last Dance.

Series & Films Arriving On Max In June 2023:

June 1

3:10 to Yuma (2007)

A Star Is Born (1954)

A Star Is Born (1976)

Army of Darkness (1993)

Balls of Fury (2007)

Beautiful Creatures (2013)

Big Daddy (1999)

Breach (2007)

Bulworth (1998)

Class Act (1992)

Click...

The highly discussed music limited series “The Idol” is set to premiere on Max on June 4. Starring Lily-Rose Depp, pop singer The Weeknd, and Dan Levy, the show involves a rising pop star Jocelyn (played by Depp) who gets involved with Tedros (The Weeknd), a sleazy nightclub owner who may also be a cult leader. She wants a rock career, while he’s focused on exploiting everyone he meets.

Watch the trailer for “The Idol”:

Also coming to the streamer next month is the second season of “And Just Like That,” the “Sex and the City” sequel. In Season 2 — which arrives on June 22 — Charlotte’s daughter is ready to lose her virginity, Carrie explores life and love after Big, and Miranda intensifies her relationship with Che.

Check out the “And Just Like That” Season 2 trailer:

Arriving on Max on June 27 is a documentary looking at the award-winning performance art...

Chloe Bailey has made a name for herself in the music industry as one half of the musical sibling duo Chloe x Halle and her recent solo album "In Pieces." Now in her latest film "Praise This," the "Grow-ish" star's music is merging with her burgeoning acting career, as she plays an up-and-coming singer named Sam who dreams of one day getting her big break. However, her plan goes off track when her father forces her to move from Los Angeles to Atlanta to live with her cousin Jess (Anjelika Washington). But after joining Jess's praise team, Sam realizes the group could be her ticket to stardom if she helps them win a national championship competition.

The film, which premieres on Peacock on April 7, seems like it will easily join the list of iconic choir movies alongside the likes of "The Fighting Temptations" and the "Sister Act" franchise. If you...

Bleecker Street has bought the U.S. rights for writer-director Frances O’Connor’s directorial debut, “Emily,” which tells the story of author Emily Brontë’s real-life romance in the lead up to her seminal novel, “Wuthering Heights.”

Bleecker Street is planning a 2023 theatrical release Stateside, while Warner Bros. will open the film wide in U.K. cinemas.

Promotional materials for the project describe “Emily” as imagining “the transformative, exhilarating and uplifting journey to womanhood of one of the world’s most famous, enigmatic and passionate writers.”

BAFTA nominee Emma Mackey leads a cast of young British talent, including Fionn Whitehead, Oliver Jackson-Cohen (“The Invisible Man”), Alexandra Dowling (“The Musketeers”) and Amelia Gething (“The Spanish Princess”) as well as BAFTA nominee Gemma Jones (“Ammonite”) and Adrian Dunbar (“Line of Duty”).

The acquisition was negotiated by Bleecker Street’s head of acquisitions, Kent Sanderson, with Avy Eschenasy on behalf of Bleecker Street alongside Embankment,...

Former Paramount Pictures head Kyle Davies has joined Bleecker Street as President of Distribution. In his new role, the veteran distribution executive will be responsible for spearheading the company’s theatrical distribution strategies, planning and execution as well as managing the wider distribution team.

Upcoming wide releases from Bleecker Street that he will oversee include Infinite Storm with Naomi Watts on March 25th; Montana Story with Haley Lu Richardson on May 13th; Emma Holly Jones’ Mr. Malcolm’s List with Freida Pinto on July 1st; James Ponsoldt’s Summering on July 15th; Dale Dickey’s A Love Song on July 29th; Abi Damaris Corbin’s 892 with John Boyega on August 26th; and Academy Award-winning director Guy Nattiv’s Golda starring Academy Award winner Helen Mirren, which has been slated for release later this year.

Davies was previously at Paramount Pictures, where he most recently served as President of Domestic Distribution.

The 2021 Cannes Film Festival was a celebration. Buyers and sellers were genuinely delighted to see each other in the sunshine on the Croisette after a two-year absence, and to watch great films with their vaccinated peers in the Palais. Everyone returned with a fresh perspective; many spent time in lockdown focusing on new strategies. There’s no shortage of titles in the pipeline, thanks to increased investment in early productions — the better to compete with streamers, of course.

“Being here in this moment feels like our emergence as a community, to come together in this place to celebrate what it means for cinema,” said Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski, who brought “Stillwater” and “Blue Bayou” to Cannes. “You feel the resurgence, a new energy around it.”

“There’s a lot to cheer about,” said Sony Pictures Classics co-president Michael Barker, who brought British costume romance “Mothering Sunday” to the festival...

The 2021 Cannes Film Festival was a celebration. Buyers and sellers were genuinely delighted to see each other in the sunshine on the Croisette after a two-year absence, and to watch great films with their vaccinated peers in the Palais. Everyone returned with a fresh perspective; many spent time in lockdown focusing on new strategies. There’s no shortage of titles in the pipeline, thanks to increased investment in early productions — the better to compete with streamers, of course.

“Being here in this moment feels like our emergence as a community, to come together in this place to celebrate what it means for cinema,” said Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski, who brought “Stillwater” and “Blue Bayou” to Cannes. “You feel the resurgence, a new energy around it.”

“There’s a lot to cheer about,” said Sony Pictures Classics co-president Michael Barker, who brought British costume romance “Mothering Sunday” to the festival...

Bleecker Street and ShivHans have secured U.S. rights to Golda by Oscar-winning director Guy Nattiv’s (Skin), about Israel’s legendary and only female Prime Minister, Golda Meir.

Helen Mirren (The Queen) will star as “The Iron Lady of Israel.” The film shoots in October in Europe.

Written by Nicholas Martin (Florence Foster Jenkins), Golda is a ticking-clock thriller following the intensely dramatic events and controversial decisions Meir faced during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Her blend of tough leadership, plain speech and compassion, in impossible circumstances, would ultimately decide the fate of millions of lives.

Producer Michael Kuhn of Qwerty, says; “History recalls Meir gracefully accepted her role as political scapegoat for the Yom Kippur War – and, in revisiting her story, Golda intimately draws the cinema audience up-close and personal to a globally influential woman facing the pressure of saving her people and, in never shying away from her own failings,...

Bleecker Street has taken North American rights to Stephen Daldry’s new comedy, Together, starring James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan which follows two partners who are forced to re-evaluate themselves and their relationship during lockdown. A theatrical release of Aug. 27 has been set with VOD to follow in September.

Dennis Kelly penned the BBC Film, Shoebox Films and Sonia Friedman feature. Producers are Guy Heeley and Friedman.

“Stephen Daldry has brought together two of the most engaging performers to bring to life the story of a family going through what we all went through over the last year,” said Andrew Karpen, CEO of Bleecker Street. “The biting comedy, the never-ending uncertainty and the intense frustration of being stuck in quarantine are at the heart of Daldry’s finely attuned film about the complexity and importance of human connections.”

“Dennis Kelly’s urgent and universal story is so timely we want...

Oscar-winning drama will be Lionsgate’s fourth biggest release to date.

Oscar-winning drama The Father is set to receive the widest theatrical release in the UK and Ireland since cinemas began reopening last month.

This weekend, Lionsgate will release Florian Zeller’s acclaimed feature in 637 screens, including more than 50 in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Not only is this the biggest release since pandemic restrictions were relaxed, which allowed cinemas to resume business from May 17, but also marks Lionsgate’s fourth widest release to date – behind just Military Wives, The Personal History Of David Copperfield and Knives Out.

The Father is...

James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan are set to front “Utopia” writer Dennis Kelly’s drama “Together.”

Directed by Emmy and BAFTA-winning director Stephen Daldry (“The Crown”), the film is set in the U.K. from the first days of the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020 until the present day. It tells the story of a husband and wife who are forced to re-evaluate themselves and their relationship during lockdown.

Horgan plays a charity worker who is a co-ordinator for all of Europe at a refugee charity, while McAvoy plays a self-employed man who runs a boutique computing consultancy. He’s been forced to furlough his staff and take up growing vegetables. The couple share a 10-year-old son, who is the one thing that has kept his parents’ relationship together — until lockdown.

“Together” is produced by Guy Heeley and West End and Broadway theater producer Sonia Friedman.

“Dennis writes so wittily for...

Emily Brontë is the latest author to pique the interest of Arenamedia, with production starting on Frances O’Connor’s directorial debut, Emily, in the UK.

Having recently adapted the work of Jane Harper for The Dry, with plans to do the same for Tim Winton’s Blueback, Robert Connolly’s company will turn its attention to the life of the Wuthering Heights author.

O’Connor, most recently seen on screen in Sky UK/Foxtel’s The End, also penned the script for the film, which tells Brontë’s origin story.

Emma Mackey (Sex Education) leads a cast that includes Fionn Whitehead (Dunkirk), Oliver Jackson-Cohen (The Invisible Man), Alexandra Dowling (The Musketeers), Amelia Gething (The Spanish Princess), as well as Gemma Jones (Rocketman), and Adrian Dunbar (Line of Duty).

Robert Connolly and Robert Patterson will produce for Arenamedia, alongside David Barron (Harry Potter franchise) and Piers Tempest (Military Wives).

Backers include Ingenious Media,...

Flying high after two Academy Awards for “The Father,” which it produced and sold, London-based Embankment has unveiled a first look photo of “Sex Education” star Emma Mackey in “Emily,” as well as robust early pre-sales on the feature, an Emily Brontë origin story.

Mackey was nominated on Wednesday for a BAFTA TV Award for Netflix’s “Sex Education” in the category of female performance in a comedy program.

News of first major territories sold, including much of Europe, comes as “Emily” begins principal photography. The film marks the writer-director feature debut of actor Frances O’Connor, a double Golden Globe nominee for her performances in “Madame Bovary” and “Missing.”

First major territory deals have been struck with significant distributors and also take in one multi-territory deal — both signs of the film’s perceived market potential.

Warner Bros., for instance, has closed the U.K. while Wild Bunch has clinched France,...

London-based film sales and financing house Embankment Films has closed a major international deal for “Joyride,” starring Olivia Colman, who is Oscar nominated for Florian Zeller’s “The Father,” another of Embankment’s titles. Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions has bought “Joyride” for the world, excluding North America and U.K.

The deal comes as Embankment – led by Tim Haslam and Hugo Grumbar – amps up its pre-sales slate, with the recent addition of Hugh Jackman and Laura Dern to the cast of Zeller’s “The Son,” which sees Zeller reuniting with “The Father” co-writer Christopher Hampton, and news that Helen Mirren will play Israel’s legendary Prime Minister Golda Meir in “Golda,” directed by Oscar winner Guy Nattiv, and produced by BAFTA winner Michael Kuhn (“Florence Foster Jenkins”).

“Joyride” is a feel-good, foul-mouthed fairy-tale centering on two lovable rogues. Joy, played by Colman, is pissed off. She’s got a baby...

The Guild of Music Supervisors held their 11th annual awards virtually today, celebrating outstanding achievement in the craft of music supervision in film, television, documentary, games, advertising and trailers.

Quincy Jones received this year’s Icon Award while Maureen Crowe, the founding President of the Guild of Music Supervisors, accepted the Legacy Award.

Music legend Stevie Wonder made a surprise visit and gave a heartfelt tribute to the accomplishments of Jones.

Pop star Billie Eilish and her brother, Finneas O’Connell, made a cameo appearance to present an award at today’s teleconference show.

The complete winners list for the 11th Annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards is listed below.

Film

Best Music Supervision for Film Budgeted Over $25 Million

Tom MacDougall – Soul *Winner*

Jonathan Leahy – Bill & Ted Face The Music

Becky Bentham – Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

Julia Michels – Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

Angela Leus – Trolls World...

There was a time, in the 1990s and early 2000s, in which Miramax and Fox Searchlight pumped out feel-good, British comedy-dramas on a yearly basis. Films like The Full Monty, Brassed Off, and Billy Elliott had the format down to a science. These days are not over; the production companies have changed, but 2019’s Military Wives and Fisherman’s Friends had the same combination of crowd-pleasing warmth, kitchen-sink drama, and ultimate triumph––not to mention real-life source material. The documentary Alien On Stage checks almost every one of those boxes, so it is likely only a matter of time before the doc earns a fictional retelling.

Mind you, that is not a criticism. Alien On Stage, which is screening at the 2021 South by Southwest Festival, is a modest pleasure. Directed by Lucy Harvey, it is the rather delightful story of a group of bus drivers and crew in Dorset, England, who...

Nominees for the 11th Annual Guild of Music Supervisors (Gms) Awards have been revealed. Recognizing the craft of music supervision in film, television, games, advertising and trailers, previous winners have included such top-of-their-field music supervisors as Mary Ramos (“Once Upon A Time In Hollywood), Robin Urdang (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) and Kier Lehman (“Queen & Slim”).

Among the film nominees for the 2021 edition of the Gms Awards, which was pushed to April in order to align with the rescheduled Oscars, are frontrunners like “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “Soul” and “Promising Young Woman.” Television shows that scored nods include “Watchmen,” “Better Call Saul” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”

Songwriters, artists and music supervisors will be recognized together for the category of best song written and/or recorded for film.

As previously announced, Quincy Jones will receive the Icon Award. Maureen Crowe, the founding president of the Guild, will receive the organization’s prestigious Legacy Award.

Exclusive: Sundance Film Festival comedy Together Together is heading to Canada via LevelFILM, which has struck a deal with the film’s North American distributor Bleecker Street.

Written and directed by Nikole Beckwith, the film stars Ed Helms, Patti Harrison, Fred Melamed and Tig Notaro.

Together Together follows Matt (Helms), a single man in his 40s and his gestational surrogate Anna (Harrison). The two strangers quickly come to realize that this unexpected relationship will challenge their perceptions of connection, boundaries and the particulars of love.

Pic is produced by Anthony Brandonisio of Wild Idea. You can check out our Sundance interview with the filmmakers here.

“Together Together is an emotional and funny take on an unconventional friendship,” said John Bain, Head of Distribution for levelFILM, which is planning a mid-year theatrical release. “We are thrilled to be bringing this charming film to Canadian audiences.”

Toronto-based LevelFILM and Bleecker have previously...

The number of films available to Oscar voters in a screening room devoted to the Best Picture category hit the 200 mark on Wednesday, which means that $2.5 million has entered the Academy coffers from films paying $12,500 each to be represented in the screening room.

The members-only Academy Screening Room hit the milestone with the addition of more than a dozen movies this week, including Fisher Stevens’ “Palmer,” Lee Daniels’ “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” John Lee Hancock’s “The Little Things,” the Russo brothers’ “Cherry,” Josh Trank’s “Capone,” the documentary “Coup 53,” the Studio Ghibli animated film “Earwig and the Witch,” the international films “Funny Boy” and “Bacarau” (neither eligible in the Oscars’ Best International Feature Film category) and some off-the-wall selections, including “Snake White – Love Endures” and “Soorarai Pottru.”

Other late additions to the screening room have included “Minari,” “Promising Young Woman,” “The White Tiger” and “Cherry,” which were not added until January.

Sony-backed Eleventh Hour Films has signed up The Crown star Lesley Manville to lead the cast of its PBS/BritBox crime series Magpie Murders, while The Full Monty helmer Peter Cattaneo has been set as the director.

Oscar and BAFTA-nominated Manville will star as Susan Ryeland, an editor who is given an unfinished manuscript of author Alan Conway’s latest novel but has little idea it will change her life. The six-part series is based on Anthony Horowitz’s bestselling novel of the same name, with the author adapting his own work for the screen.

Manville said Ryeland is a “fabulous” character, while Cattaneo added: “Anthony has adapted his novel into wonderfully witty and richly layered scripts. Two cleverly intertwined stories, and a host of fascinating characters led by Lesley Manville make this an irresistible opportunity for a director.”

Manville was Oscar-nominated for her role in 2018’s Phantom Thread...

Lydia Dean Pilcher’s big moment had arrived.

After producing movies for Wes Anderson and Mira Nair, Pilcher was finally sliding behind the camera herself. “Radium Girls,” her feature directing debut, was set to open in New York City in April when the coronavirus struck, grinding the cultural life of Gotham to a standstill and imperiling the business and art form she loves.

Instead of despairing, Pilcher got creative. Juno Films, the movie’s distributor, pushed the debut back to the fall and set about fashioning a Covid-compliant release strategy for the indie drama. When it finally opened in October, it screened at drive-in theaters and had special virtual showings. To raise awareness, the distributor and filmmakers of “Radium Girls” — which documents the true story of female factory employees who contracted radiation poisoning due to poor working conditions — partnered with environmental groups like the Sierra Club and gave them a...

Exclusive: Hulu is developing a half-hour dramedy in the world of technology and dating, based on a New Yorker short story from Kate Folk. The author is writing the series with Catastrophe co-creator Sharon Horgan with Modern Family’s Jason Winer exec producing.

The streamer has put Out There into development from 20th Television, where Winer has a deal, in association with Merman and Small Dog Picture Company.

It tells the story of Meg, a lonely and single woman in San Francisco, who thinks she’s found the rarest of unicorns in Roger, a disarmingly handsome, attentive and empathetic man. But she’ll soon discover he’s a blot – a fake man programmed to steal her identity, ruin her reputation and destroy her life.

The half-hour series is set in a world where technology has been weaponized to exploit our deepest fears and desires. It explores intimacy, modern dating and...

Nicola Pearcey, president of Lionsgate’s film and TV operations in the UK, will be leaving the company to pursue new opportunities at the end of the year.

Pearcey and Lionsgate made the announcement Tuesday, which did not include specifics about her future plans.

The company said that during her 14-year tenure as a member of Lionsgate UK’s leadership team, she had helped shepherd the UK releases of “The Hunger Games”, “John Wick” and “The Expendables” franchises along with “La La Land,” “Knives Out” and locally-acquired films “Military Wives,” “Fighting With My Family,” “Eddie The Eagle” and “McQueen.”

Lionsgate also asserted that Pearcey had been instrumental in growing Lionsgate’s television business in the UK with “The Goes Wrong Show” on BBC One, the comedy series “Motherland” and “The Pact” with Little Door Productions, BBC Cymru Wales and Great Point Media.

“My tenure at Lionsgate has been deeply rewarding...

Nicola Pearcey, President of Lionsgate’s film and TV operations in the UK, is to leave the company “to pursue new opportunities” at the end of the year, the mini-major has announced. Pearcey has only been in the role since August.

A successor has not been named and Lionsgate was unavailable for comment. Our sources indicate that the studio’s UK structure may look a little different going forward. There is likely to be clarity in coming weeks.

This is Lionsgate’s second European chief to depart in the space of six months, following Zygi Kamasa’s exit in July. As the realities of Covid and shifting viewing habits take hold, we are seeing significant restructuring and downsizing across most traditional studios.

During her 14-year tenure at Lionsgate UK, Pearcey helped shepherd the UK releases of blockbuster franchises The Hunger Games, John Wick and The Expendables and critically-acclaimed successes including the multiple La La Land,...

Executive has spent 14 years at the studio.

Nicola Pearcey, longtime president of Lionsgate UK and Europe, is leaving the company after 14 years to “pursue new opportunities”.

A replacement has yet to be announced for Pearcey, who will step down from her role at the end of 2020. The moves comes less than four months since Lionsgate revealed Zygi Kamasa was to exit his role as CEO of Lionsgate UK and Europe after 15 years, with Pearcey taking on his duties.

The brace of high-profile departures indicate Lionsgate may be moving away from the UK production space to instead focus on handling major releases for its parent company.

Nicola Pearcey, president of Lionsgate’s film and TV operations in the U.K., will be leaving the Hollywood studio to “pursue new opportunities” at the end of the year, it was announced on Tuesday.

During her 14 years with Lionsgate, Pearcey helped release studio film titles like The Hunger Games, John Wick, The Expendables, La La Land, Knives Out and Military Wives.

“My tenure at Lionsgate has been deeply rewarding, but the time has come for me to pursue an expanding range of new opportunities. It has been a privilege to help grow this company and to help build ...

Nicola Pearcey, president of Lionsgate’s film and TV operations in the U.K., will be leaving the Hollywood studio to “pursue new opportunities” at the end of the year, it was announced on Tuesday.

During her 14 years with Lionsgate, Pearcey helped release studio film titles like The Hunger Games, John Wick, The Expendables, La La Land, Knives Out and Military Wives.

“My tenure at Lionsgate has been deeply rewarding, but the time has come for me to pursue an expanding range of new opportunities. It has been a privilege to help grow this company and to help build ...

Cinema numbers are shrinking again as Covid-19 cases rise across Europe.

France, opening Wednesday October 14

It has been a complicated few days for French distributors and exhibitors following the introduction of a night-time curfew from Saturday night in Paris and eight other major cities, as part of measures to slow the spread of Covid-19.

The measure, which obliges people to return home by 9pm, effectively wipes out key evening screening slots although exhibitors are lobbying the government for a special dispensation for cinemagoers. A final decision was expected late Friday or over the weekend, but if the answer is ‘no...

Bleecker Street has picked up the U.S. rights to director Alexis Bloom’s animated documentary “The Klarsfelds,” which centers on real-life Nazi hunters Serge and Beate Klarsfeld.

“Alexis and the team are creating a provocative and thrilling account of two of the most legendary Nazi hunters,” Bleecker Street CEO Andrew Karpen said in a statement announcing the deal. “We are excited to be bringing the Klarsfelds’ story to life through Alexis’ creative storytelling.”

The Klarsfelds, a husband and wife team of agents, will share their story through exclusive new interviews for the film, which is currently in pre-production and set to start animation later this year. A description of the project explains that the “animation will have the feel of a classic espionage thriller, but the film is deeply personal.”

“We’re writing a new chapter of history,” Bloom said. “And it’s wonderful to be given the opportunity...

Animation scheduled to start later this year.

Bleecker Street has acquired US rights to Alexis Bloom’s animated documentary The Klarsfelds produced by Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions and Fremantle.

Israeli investigative journalist Yossi Melman, and Oded Ailam, a former Mossad operative, round out the production team on the project, which is in pre-production and set to start animation later this year.

The Klarsfelds centres on renowned Nazi hunters Serge and Beate Klarsfeld, a dedicated husband-and-wife team of agents who are still alive and living in Paris.

Their story will be told through exclusive interviews with the subjects and Mossad...