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13 projects in development and six works in progress to be presented at festival’s co-production market.

New films from the Czech Republic’s Beata Parkanová and Slovenian director Martin Turk are among the projects in development and works in progress being presented at the 24th edition of the East-West co-production market Connecting Cottbus (coco), which takes place from November 9-11 during Germany’s FilmFestival Cottbus.

Parkanová’s feature project Black Blood, produced by Ondrej Zach of Prague-based Ozet Film, sees her returning to Cottbus after presenting her previous feature The Word as a work in progress at last year’s Connecting Cottbus.

Ludo, the fantasy-horror-thriller by directors Qaushiq Mukherjee (Q) and Nikon, is continuing its dream run at top film festivals across the globe. The latest feather in the cap comes from the Belgrade International Film Festival, Serbia, where Ludo won the Award for Best Film.

Jury of the Frontiers selection consisting of Slobodan Sijan, Dragan Jovicevic and Marko Njegic, conferred the Nin award for Best film to Ludo. They added, “This is the work that goes furthest in its pushing of the frontiers, out of all of the films we’ve seen this year in this selection. ‘Ludo’ is one of very few films where it’s impossible to anticipate where the story might go next. In this rollercoaster film, whose aesthetics is actually complemented by a visible lack of funds, the director builds the story on the foundation of social drama, topping it off with an extraordinary visual interpretation of...

Berlinale title Humidity scores hat-trick at national awards during Belgrade Fest; Diary Of A Teenage Girl wins in international strand.

Serbia, the last of the former Yugoslav countries eligible to join the Media programme, officially launched its Media Desk on Friday [March 4].

“Membership in the Media sub-programme of Creative Europe is of crucial importance for Serbian cinema,” Boban Jevtic - appointed as director of Film Centre Serbia last summer - told Screen.

“Our film-makers, production companies and other film professionals will now have access to its 17 different categories of support, and we will immediately start training sessions in order to get them acquainted with the programme and process of project submission and grants.”

The first such session was held the next day, as part of Fest Forward, the fledgling industry section of the 44th Belgrade International Film Festival (Feb 26 - Mar 6).

The festival included the official national competition. Serbia hasn’t had national awards since 2007, and last year...

Ludo, named after the Indian version of Parcheesi, is about an evil game that’ll do more than just bore you to death. A valiant genre attempt is made, and there’s plenty of hellacious gore, but Ludo tells two, very separated stories. Technically, the stories themselves are connected, but the way in which we’re transported from a modern-day shopping mall to biblical-looking caves is jarring beyond comprehension, and neither piece seems to fit snugly together. Filmmakers Qaushiq Mukherjee and Nikon are essentially banging a square peg into a round hold, trying hopelessly to make the two fractured objects become one, and spoiler alert – they don’t succeed.

Ludo begins by introducing a group of two girls and two boys, all of whom just want to fulfill their carnal instincts. It’s a typical Indian night, which means shitty rock concerts, skeevy hotel rooms, and nowhere to go, until...

(L-r) Vikramaditya Motwane, Anurag Kashyap, Madhu Mantena & Vikas Bahl

Ludo, arguably India’s first legitimate gore horror fable film, had its Indian premiere at Mami 2015, as the opening film for the new After Dark section.

At the Mami Film Mart (Mfm), the film team announced that Phantom Films has bought the rights to remake Ludo in Hindi. Director Q is going to direct the new film.

“It’s more of a rewrite than a remake actually. The idea of Ludo is fluid, and, like most horror ideas, is perfect for a franchise. The new Ludo will be a completely different film, based on the same premise. This time, the horror will unfold in curiously unusual ways,” said Q.

Vikramaditya Motwane added, “We’re delighted to announce a hindi version of Ludo. Q is one of the most exciting directors in the country and we couldn’t be happier about our partnership.

Q will direct the horror remake in Hindi.

Phantom Films has acquired the Hindi-language remake rights to Indian horror film Ludo.

The deal was struck at Mumbai’s Mami Film Mart after Ludo opened Mami’s new After Dark section.

The story is about young friends out nightclubbing in Kolkata who can’t find a cheap hotel room, and instead break into a shopping mall, where they meet supernatural entities.

Q — who co-directed the original film with Nikon — will also direct the new film and he said, “It’s more of a rewrite than a remake actually. The idea of Ludo is fluid, and, like most horror ideas, is perfect for a franchise. The new Ludowill be a completely different film, based on the same premise. This time, the horror will unfold in curiously unusual ways.”

Vikramaditya Motwane added, “We’re delighted to announce a Hindi version of Ludo. Q is one of the most exciting directors...

Summer may be over, but with this year marking the 35th anniversary of Friday the 13th, it's never too late to visit the lake. Ahead of the event's November 4th start date, the folks behind the Denver Film Festival have announced the first wave of programming, including a special November 13th 35mm screening of Sean S. Cunningham's monumental slasher film.

Press Release: October 9, 2015 (Denver, Colo.) - The Denver Film Festival (Dff), produced by Denver Film Society (Dfs), announced its first wave of programming. Recognized as the Rocky Mountain Region's premier film event, the festival will feature a focus on Polish Cinema, sidebars for CinemaQ, CineLatino, Late Night and Women+Film, as well as robust Shorts Packages and Music Spotlight programming.

"In keeping with our long and rich tradition of presenting the best in Eastern European cinema, we at the Denver Film Festival are proud to announce that this year's...

Ludo, which was co-directed by Indian filmmakers Qaushiq Mukherjee (aka “Q”) and Nikon, had it’s U.S. premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin, TX this weekend as one of its midnight screenings, and it pains me to say that it is one of the most frustrating experiences I’ve ever had watching a film.Kissing on film is still considered […]...

It is time for me to make my peace with the fact that I will not be at Fantastic Fest this year. Last year's fest was one of my favorites ever, fitting for a tenth anniversary, and I would love to go this year. It's just not in the cards, though. It guts me, too. The event continues to grow and change and evolve, and it features one of the greatest programming teams in the business right now. There are films playing at the festival that I'll see in Toronto, and I'm sure I'll catch up with others, but that's not the point. Fantastic Fest is an experience, and an amazing one. If you want to go, you still can. "Daytime Only Badges, Fan Badges, and 2Nd Half Badges for Fantastic Fest 2015 are available for purchase here," today's press release urged. If you can go for the second half, you'll...

One of the greatest genre film festivals in the world (some say the best) has just announced its second wave of titles, including a few titles so anticipated you’ll wish you’re in Austin next month. Below are 35 more films to add to the 23 already announced in the first wave. They include Ridley Scott’s The Martian, Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster, Ben Wheatley’s adaptation of J.G. Ballard’s High-Rise and Jeremy Saulnier’s follow up to Blue Ruin, The Green Room. In addition to the films, Fantastic Fest is also delivering something special this year with a performance from Itchy-o – “a blazing, 32-member aural assault from the darkest depths of Colorado.” Fantastic Fest will also host the World Premiere of Lazer Team, the first feature film from web series gods Rooster Teeth. “This is a big year for genre cinema. We’re exceptionally proud to honor incredible filmmakers...

It’s hard to believe that we are a month away from what is possibly the best genre film festival in North America! After announcing a Kurt Russell included first wave, we get a wave that probably includes all the films I have the most interest in. The French remake of what I consider is one of Mario Bava’s best films, Rabid Dogs is included. Along with Jeremy Saulnier’s follow up from Blue Ruin, Green Room where Patrick Stewart plays a Neo-Nazi club owner, Ridley Scott’s The Martian, Ben Wheatley’s adaptation of High-Rise and the horror film that has some chilling buzz, The Witch, are all included. Check out the full listing below and wait with anticipation for our coverage of the festival!

Fantastic Fest is excited to announce the second wave of programming featuring the Us Premiere of Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster as the opening night film.

Austin, TX – Wednesday, August 26, 2015 — Fantastic Fest is excited to announce the second wave of programming featuring the Us Premiere of Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster as the opening night film. Lanthimos will be in attendance to share his wonderfully surreal examination of human connections. Joining The Lobster is a dazzling array of the year’s most anticipated genre films from heavyweight directors including Ridley Scott’s sci-fi epic The Martian, Ben Wheatley’s High-rise and Jeremy Saulnier’s Green Room. Fantastic Fest will also host the World Premiere of Lazer Team, the first feature film from web series gods Rooster Teeth. Lazer Team director Matt Hullum and cast members Burnie Burns, Alan Ritchson, Colton Dunn, Michael Jones, and Gavin Free will be in attendance to celebrate the highly anticipated sci-fi comedy and join Fantastic Fest’s official opening night party, presented by Rooster Teeth. “This is a big year for genre cinema.

Cannibalistic skyscraper tribes, a punk band forced to fight for survival, and 17th century-set supernatural happenings will grace the big screen this fall at Fantastic Fest 2015, as High-Rise, Green Room (co-starring Patrick Stewart), and The Witch are among the films announced in the festival's second wave of programming.

Taking place September 24th–October 1st at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar theater in Austin, TX, Fantastic Fest 2015 celebrates an abundance of titles spanning multiple genres (as well as those that don't fit into one specific genre). Stay tuned to Daily Dead for the upcoming final wave of Fantastic Fest 2015 programming, and to read about the first wave of the festival's programming, visit:

http://dailydead.com/fantastic-fest-2015-first-wave-includes-bone-tomahawk-the-invitation/

Press Release: Austin, TX - Wednesday, August 26, 2015 - Fantastic Fest is excited to announce the second wave of programming featuring the Us Premiere of Yorgos Lanthimos' The Lobster as the opening night film.

Montreal’s genre film festival wraps with over 100,000 spectators attending across its 23 days of screenings.

Sion Sono’s Tag was among the winners at this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival, which wrapped yesterday [Aug 4] with the Canadian premiere of Shinji Higuchi’s Attack on Titan.

This year saw over 100,000 spectators attending across the festival’s 23 days of screenings, including 195 indoor screenings, three outdoor screenings, eight virtual reality films and other special events, such as the debut international performance of Glass Eye Pix’s live horror radio show Tales from Beyond the Pale.

Over 900 international guests, including more than 400 film industry professionals, visited the festival and its Frontières Market which saw two deals close during the market. Raven Banner boarded worldwide sales on Gigi Saul Guerrero’s El Gigante, while Frank Murray of Lux Capta Films signed on as producer of Renaud Gauthier’s ‘Lude Behavior.

Guests included Jon Watts and Kevin Bacon for Cop Car, Michael Ironside, [link...

Ludo

Written and directed by Nikon and Q

India, 2015

All the youthful energy in the world couldn’t save Ludo. The film opens with bombast, as an exploration of the night life of Kolkata, and two young couples who are hungry for sex. Cultural puritanicalism prevents them from finding a hotel room, but they end up finding refuge in a closed shopping mall where they are free to indulge in their baser instincts. Here they encounter an elderly couple, trapped and hungry, and are introduced to a mysterious game. From here on, the film abandons linearity and expectations, taking us on a whirlwind phantasmagorical journey into the past and the collective unconscious, where it similarly loses all sense of grounding.

Ludo is a failure of ambition, a film with admirable risks and fresh ideas. It aims beyond its reach, and leaves the audience behind. The entire second half of the film,...

Montreal’s genre film festival to showcase 135 features and almost 300 shorts across its three-week run from July 14-Aug 4.Scroll down for line-up

Fantasia International Film Festival has unveiled its full line-up for its upcoming 19th edition which kicks off next Tuesday [July 14].

Over its three-week run, the Montreal-based genre film festival will showcase 135 features, including 22 world, 13 international premieres and 21 North American premieres, and almost 300 short films.

Shinji Higuchi’s Attack on Titan will receive its Canadian premiere as the closing film of this year’s edition on Aug 4. The live-action film is based on Hajime Isyama’s steampunk fantasy war opera manga series.

Additional highlights of the final wave of titles include the world premieres of Malik Bader’s thriller Cash Only and Ken Ochiai’s Ninja the Monster, as well as the Canadian premiere of Jonathan Milott & Cary Murnion’s horror comedy Cooties starring Elijah Wood.

A trio of Sion Sono films will also be shown at this...

The 19th Annual Fantasia Film Festival is only a week away, beginning July 14 and running through August 4. And as promised for today, they’ve revealed their full line-up of films screening at 2015’s festival in Montreal.

This year’s line-up boasts 22 World Premieres, 13 International Premieres, and 21 North American Premieres. Both Marvel’s Ant-Man and the animated Miss Hokusai were previously announced, but now they’ve added the much anticipated Attack on Titan movie as their closing night film. Other highlights include the Sundance darlings Cooties, starring Elijah Wood and Rainn Wilson, Cop Car, starring Kevin Bacon and directed by the upcoming Spider-man director Jon Watts, and a trio of films from horror auteur Sion Sono.

See the full line-up announcement of films below via Fantasia’s Facebook page, and be sure to check out their website at fantasiafestival.com for additional information.

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Fantasia 2015:

36 Countries, 135 Features, and Nearly 300 Short Films

- Including 22 World Premieres,...

The wait is over as the trailer of the latest fantasy thriller directed by Q (Gandu) and Nikon named Ludo is finally out. Produced by Idyabooster and Starfire Movies, Ludo is co-produced by OddJoint - Q and C line Loop's production house.

Ludo is a story about four desperate teenagers who decide to spend one fateful night in the big city. Horny and broke, they hide inside a gigantic shopping mall, after attempts to get a hotel room fail. At the mall all plans go haywire, as an old couple appears from nowhere inviting them to play a game, and a night of terror begins. The game, simple but deadly, is Ludo.

Teenagers looking for sex with the whole thing devolving into a bloodbath is a formula familiar from scores of American horror films but what Q and Nikon are doing here is something very, very different. This film is...

Calcutta based Indian maverick Q is a great favorite in these parts, the indie outsider bursting on to our radar initially with Gandu - a film that played in selection in Berlin before being banned for sexual content in its native India. Well, Q is back now, co-directing horror effort Ludo with the singularly named Nikon. And it seems abundantly clear that he has no intention to stop pushing boundaries.Ludo is a story about four desperate teenagers who decide to spend one fateful night in the big city. Horny and broke, they hide inside a gigantic shopping mall, after all attempts to get a hotel room fail. At the mall all plans go haywire, as an old couple appears from nowhere who is inviting them...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

Paris based international sales agent Reel Suspects has announced that Ludo, the latest fantasy thriller directed by Q and Nikon, will be a part of its latest international distribution catalogue.

Ludo, which is now in the final phase of its post-production, was a part of their catalogue at the Cannes Film Festival this year.

Reel Suspects is an international distribution company, specializing in high quality feature films, with a massive track record and background in festival and commercial hits. Their catalogue while representing a variety of revered masters (Jean Luc Godard, Chris Marker) has an attentive eye on emerging filmmakers.

Ludo is a story about four desperate teenagers who decide to spend one fateful night in the big city. Horny and broke, they hide inside a gigantic shopping mall, after all attempts to get a hotel room fail. At the mall all plans go haywire, as an old couple appears...

Independent film Kajarya, has been selected for the prestigious Montreal Film Festival 2014.

Directed by Madhureeta Anand, the film will be showcased in the ‘Focus on World Cinema’ section at the prestigious Montreal World Film Festival 2014, 21st August – 1st September.

An assured second feature from the director, the film is an original voice about female foeticide in India. It is a story of a rookie journalist in Delhi who exposes a woman, believed to embody Goddess Kali, who ritually kills female newborns in a village nearby. The story questions notions of women’s emancipation and feminism as it weaves through an interplay of

drama and events and explores how India continues to live in many centuries at the same time.

Kajarya stars Meenu Hooda, Ridhima Sud and Kuldeep Ruhil. The film had its world premiere at the Dubai International Film Festival. It has found critical appreciation internationally since and has been...

Bengali cinema’s controversial duo, Nikon and Q are ready with their latest film – Ludo. A film entering the unchartered territory of fantasy thrillers, Ludo is bound to both – shock and leave audiences awestruck – with its brand new storytelling.

The makers of the movie have gone ahead and applied for registering the film’s title ‘Ludo’ as a trademark, as an entertainment idea, after sensing its strong potential of building a franchise around the movie/concept.

Co-producer Nandini Mansinghka of Idyabooster says, “To acquire/own a film title, one needs to register it with a film association, in this case we have done with Eimpa (Eastern Indian Motion Pictures Association). But that’s not enough in case of a dispute. If one trademarks the title, which is registering it with the government, it protects our interest and refrain others in the country from using it (in that category) as a film’s title/name.

The film is the latest by director Q, who made the critically acclaimed and controversial film ‘Gandu’, which was banned from a theatrical release in India but became a cult phenomenon, both in India and across the globe. Q’s films have always found festival and critical appreciation internationally, with BBC calling him the ‘most subversive Indian filmmaker’. His latest film, ‘Tasher Desh’, premiered in Rome, and has been received very well. Nikon is Q’s collaborator and editor, an alumnus of Srfti and Emily Carr, Vancouver. He has edited ‘Tasher Desh’, ‘Bishh’ and ‘Love In India’.

‘Ludo’ is being made under the banner of OverdoseJoint, Q’s production house, a progressive art platform making original films, music and design and is co-produced by Idyabooster and Starfire Movies.

The movie stars the vivacious and beautiful actress Rii, who plays a character yet to be seen on the Indian screens.

Idyabooster,...