News

The North Road Company, a media venture launched in 2022 by mogul Peter Chernin, has made its first acquisition in Latin America with Perro Azul, a major Mexican production company.

Perro Azul has produced Netflix’s most watched show ever produced in Mexico and Latin America, “Who Killed Sara? (¿Quién mató a Sara?).” The companies said the acquisition will allow Perro Azul to “scale their storytelling vision,” while allowing it to use “North Road’s strategic resources and expertise to bring even more Latin American stories to global audiences.”

As part of the deal, Perro Azul’s founding partners, Alexis Fridman and Juan Uruchurtu, will remain in their leadership roles, alongside the company’s Executive Producers Diego Rabasa and Julián de Tavira. Fridman and Uruchurtu will report to Jan Frouman, President of North Road International.

The acquisition of Perro Azul follows North Road’s purchase of Karga Seven Pictures, one of...

International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) has unveiled its “Cinema Regained” program for 2025, featuring 43 restored classics, documentaries, and film heritage explorations. The strand includes both contemporary works and pre-1970 restorations.

Key premieres include Mousso Fariman — the first film from Burkinabé director Drissa Touré (Haramuya) in 30 years, co-directed with Stéphane Mbanga — and The Lilac Wind of Paradjanov, a tribute to the late, legendary Soviet filmmaker Sergei Parajanov, from director Ali Khamraev. The film will screen in Rotterdam 38 years after Parajanov and co-director Dodo Abashidze’s The Legend of Suram Fortress premiered at IFFR in 1987, winning the prize for best innovative film.

The Cinema Regained program will also show a restored version of José Álvaro Morais’s The Jester, which was first screened at IFFR in 1988.

Other highlights include Lee Taewoong’s Korean Dream: The Nama-jinheung Mixtape, examining Korean Cold War history through archival footage; Khavn’s AI-driven Bomba Bernal, which pays homage...

When John Abraham Felt Guilty About Endorsing A Fairness Cream (Photo Credit – Instagram)

John Abraham celebrates his 52nd birthday today (December 17). Throughout his glorious film career, he has experimented with his roles and enticed the fans with his charming looks and screen presence. While the actor is known to be a fiercely disciplined fitness enthusiast, there was also a time when he admitted to feeling guilty for endorsing a fairness cream. His action to endorse the brand grabbed even more attention because he was dating actress Bipasha Basu at the time, who is known to be a dusky beauty.

John Abraham Felt Guilty For Endorsing A Fairness Cream

According to Bollywood Shaadi, John Abraham was questioned about the same in his interview with Komal Nahta. He admitted to being the guilty party. The Dhoom actor said, “Now, at the end of the day, we’re a fairness cream, so we’re a guilty party.

Get ready for the Honey Boys. That’s the title of the English-language version of Israeli comedy-drama Johnny and the Knights of the Galilee, which is being worked up by Tehran co-producer Paper Entertainment. The yes Studios-distributed series has already been successfully remade in France as Escort Boys.

The English-language take on the show will follow Ben, a struggling actor based in London, who returns to his hometown in Cornwall after his father’s death. His family farm is struggling and Ben and three childhood friends start an escorting business to make ends meet. What starts as a short-term fix becomes far more meaningful, rocking their pre-conceived ideas about love and sexuality.

The original Johnny and the Knights of the Galilee series was created, written and directed by Dani Rosenberg and Tom Shoval. It was made yes TV and July August Productions for Israel’s yes TV.

The French-language adaptation,...

Ukraine’s Kateryna Vyshnevska is set to receive the very first Honorary TV Beats Producer Award at Tallinn. But she’s not planning to slow down anytime soon, teasing upcoming shows “Moloch” and “A Girl from Tallinn.”

Set in the contemporary world of high politics and secret service intrigue in Central Europe, “Moloch” is produced by Bionaut (Czech Republic), Raketa (Slovakia) and Ukraine’s Film.UA. A political thriller “inspired by the realpolitik of today,” it opens with an attempted assassination of Czech president, echoing recent attacks on Trump and Slovak Pm Robert Fico, she says.

“It’s an alternative universe, similar to that of ‘Tehran’ on Apple TV+. Moloch was this ancient, all-devouring god and it’s a metaphor for politics, which grinds through everything, requiring victims and sacrifices. We filmed in Ukraine, which was amazing. Putin is crazy, so you never know if he won’t be suddenly dropping missiles on Kyiv.

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Special Ops: Lioness is a spy action thriller drama series created by Taylor Sheridan. The Paramount+ series stars Zoe Saldana in the lead role with Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Kelly starring in supporting roles. Special Ops: Lioness follows the story of Joe, a CIA operative who leads a team that fights against terrorism. The Paramount+ series is much more than the synopsis we gave you above but to know what it is, you will have to check it out for yourself if you have already seen it and loved the thrilling action, complex story, and compelling characters here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Homeland (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Showtime

Homeland is a spy thriller drama series created by Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa. Based on the Israeli series Prisoners of War by Gideon Raff,...

Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (Poff) has selected 10 world premieres for its Critics’ Picks section, including titles from Italy, Bhutan and Kazakhstan.

Three of the features hail from Italy, including Vincenzo Alfieri’s crime thriller The Body, in which an inspector begins to question whether the businesswoman whose death he is investigating is really dead.

Scroll down for the full list of Tallinn Critics’ Picks titles

Starring Claudia Gerini and Giuseppe Battiston, it is produced by Roberto Proia with Columbia Pictures Industries handling world sales.

The section will open with Paolo Marinou-Blanco’s Dreaming Of Lions, which was previously presented...

The British Independent Film Awards (Bifas) has unveiled the documentary and international film longlists for its 2024 ceremony, with films including in-videogame title Grand Theft Hamlet and Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or winner Anora.

Grand Theft Hamlet is on the 12-strong best feature documentary list. The film is the debut feature from directorial duo Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane; it premiered at SXSW this year and was recently acquired for a UK-Ireland theatrical release. It follows two struggling actors who find solace from lockdown isolation by staging William Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the online Grand Theft Auto game.

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Cineflix Rights has closed several deals for “Irvine Welsh’s Crime,” starring Dougray Scott in his International Emmy award-winning lead role.

The series has been acquired by Telefonica’s pay TV platform Movistar Plus+ (Spain), Sbs (Australia), Rte (Ireland), Blue Entertainment (Switzerland), and Canal+ for viewers in Luxembourg, Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia and the Netherlands.

“Irvine Welsh’s Crime” was commissioned by Itvx and BritBox in the U.K.

The show follows Detective Inspector Ray Lennox (Scott), a man engaged in his own disturbing battle while undertaking serious crime investigations in a city on the edge of the abyss.

The series, adapted by “Trainspotting” author Welsh from his own novel, also stars John Simm, Joanna Vanderham, Angela Griffin, Ken Stott, and Jamie Sives.

Tim Mutimer, CEO of Cineflix Rights, said: “The combination of Irvine Welsh’s own adaptation of his best-selling novels, together with Dougray Scott’s powerful, award-winning performance has...

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Citadel: Diana is an Italian techno-thriller spy action drama series developed by Alessandro Fabbri. The Prime Video series is the second entry in the Russo Brothers‘ Citadel spy universe. It is set in 2030 and it follows Diana Cavalieri, a Citadel agent who was undercover in Manticore when Citadel was destroyed. After years stuck undercover, Diana finally has the chance to get out but she has to trust someone very dangerous. Citadel: Diana stars Matilda De Angelis in the lead role with Lorenzo Cervasio, Maurizio Lombardi, Julia Piaton, and Thekla Reuten starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the intensely thrilling story, amazing spy drama, and compelling characters in Citadel: Diana here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Citadel (Prime Video) Credit – Prime Video

Citadel is a techno-thriller spy action drama series created by Josh Appelbaum,...

Exclusive: Peter Chernin’s North Road Company is returning to the Israeli TV market with a medical thriller starring Tehran’s Niv Sultan.

North Road has re-teamed with Israeli producer Sipur and local network Hot – its partners on juvenile prison series Bad Boy – for Heart of a Killer, the outfit’s second international co-pro. Endemol Shine Israel is also producing.

Now in principal photography, Heart of a Killer follows Dr. Dasi Nakash, played by Sultan, a promising transplant surgeon who turns to illicit organ harvesting after a desperate act to save a friend wronged by the hospital. This incident draws her into a whirlwind of moral dilemmas, patient rescues and conflicts with the underworld of the medical establishment.

The show is created by Liad Shoham, Gal Zaid (Valley of Tears) and Roni Yaddor, and directed by Evgeny Ruman (East Side).

Sultan is a big draw. She is best known for Apple TV+ hit Tehran,...

Ryan Murphy’s upcoming Hulu legal drama All’s Fair has lost one of its big stars: Halle Berry is exiting the series, just a week after her casting was announced, a source confirms to TVLine. Our sister site Variety first reported the news, adding that Berry dropped out “due to a scheduling conflict.”

Glenn Close and Kim Kardashian remain in the cast, with both set to serve as executive producers. As previously reported, the Hulu series — touted as “a high-end, glossy and sexy adult procedural” — is eyeing a late 2024 production start date for an early 2025 launch. Kardashian will take on...

Variety has reported that Halle Berry is no longer attached to All’s Fair, the Ryan Murphy legal series set to star Glenn Close and Kim Kardashian. The reason is said to be a scheduling conflict, but the exit still seems surprising as it arrives exactly a week after it was first reported that Berry would be joining the series. The role will be recast, so we should hear about Berry’s replacement in the near future.

— Original article follows —

Halle Berry and Glenn Close are heading back to the small screen. They’re set to join the cast of All’s Fair, an upcoming legal drama series from Ryan Murphy and 20th Television.

Not much is known about the series, only that it has been described as a “glossy and sexy” procedural. The roles Berry and Close will play in the series are being kept under wraps, but it was previously...

Exclusive: Veteran CAA television agent Ted Miller is leaving to start a global management business. He just shared the news with his colleagues. Details about his new company will be unveiled at a later date.

The exit ends a 35-year agenting career at CAA for Miller, who started in the mailroom in 1988 before becoming an assistant to agency co-founder Michael Ovitz and getting promoted to agent in 1989.

For decades, there had been a handful of TV lit-driven management companies. Over the last several years, their number more than doubled as a slew of top TV agents launched new management firms. Miller is one of the biggest names yet to make the switch.

During his tenure at CAA, he has represented top TV showrunners, producers and directors and has held a string of TV leadership positions, most recently as Head of Global Television. He also was instrumental in putting together such series as Black Mirror,...

Exclusive: Pressman Film, the company behind hit movies such as American Psycho, Wall Street and The Crow, is eyeing the small screen.

The company, which founded by Edward R. Pressman and is now run by his son Sam Pressman, is developing a swathe of television projects with writers, directors and producers behind series such as The Wire, Bosch, Tehran and Legion as part of this new push.

It comes as the business is preparing for the release of its reboot of The Crow, starring Bill Skarsgård, FKA Twigs and Danny Huston, this summer.

Pressman has signed development deals with the likes of Ernest Dickerson and Eric Overmyer, who both worked on Bosch and The Wire, Omri Shenhar, writer of Apple’s Tehran, Yona Rozenkier, one of the creators of Israeli drama The Commune, and Joseph Quesada, exec producer of series including Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Legion.

Overmyer and Dickerson are...

A Hulu drama series featuring Kim Kardashian has lined up some A-list talent to star opposite the reality TV mogul.

Halle Berry and Glenn Close have joined the cast of All’s Fair, a legal drama from megaproducer Ryan Murphy and 20th Television. The pair will also be executive producers alongside Murphy and Kardashian.

Per usual with Murphy’s shows, details about the roles Berry and Close will play are being kept quiet for now. All’s Fair is described as a glossy and sexy procedural in which Kardashian — who worked with Murphy on the most recent season of American Horror Story — plays a top divorce attorney at an all-woman L.A. law firm.

Murphy, Jon Robin Baitz (Feud: Capote vs. The Swans) and Joe Baken (ABC’s upcoming, Murphy-produced Dr. Odyssey) created the series. They executive produce with stars Kardashian, Close and Berry; writers Jamie Pachino, Laura Greene and Richard Levine; and Kris Jenner,...

Halle Berry and Glenn Close have joined the ensemble cast of Hulu’s All’s Fair, a new legal series from Ryan Murphy and Kim Kardashian. All four serve as executive producers.

The series is described by Murphy as “a high-end, glossy and sexy adult procedural.” Berry and Close will star opposite Kardashian who work together at an all-female law firm in the legal drama, penned by Jon Robin Baitz (Brothers & Sisters), writer of Murphy’s Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans and Joe Baken. Information regarding Berry and Close’s roles is under wraps.

All’s Fair marks the first series for Murphy under his new deal at Disney, with 20th Television, part of Disney TV Studios, producing in association with Ryan Murphy Television. Jon Robin Baitz, Joe Baken, Jamie Pachino, Laura Greene and Richard Levine executive produce alongside Murphy, Kardashian, Berry alongside her producing...

Eight time Academy Award nominee Glenn Close (Heart of Stone) is the newest addition to the cast of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the third film in the Knives Out franchise from writer-director Rian Johnson, Deadline can confirm.

Details as to her role are under wraps, as is the plot of the threequel. Daniel Craig will reprise his role as famed Southern detective Benoit Blanc, with Josh O’Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Andrew Scott and Kerry Washington also on board. Production kicks off this month, with the film to launch sometime in 2025.

A contemporary revival of the murder mystery genre, the Knives Out franchise centers on the investigations of Craig’s character, Blanc. The series of launched with Johnson’s 2019 whodunit of the same name, starring Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Christopher Plummer and more, which grossed over $310 million worldwide. Following the popularity of the first film,...

The Sympathizer is a period spy thriller and dark comedy series created by Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar. Based on a 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Vietnamese author Viet Thanh Nguyen, the HBO series follows the story of the Captain, a North Vietnam spy planted in the army of South Vietnam but when he is forced to flee to the United States, he keeps gathering information on his community to send it back to the Viet Cong. The Sympathizer stars Hoa Xuande in the lead role with Robert Downey Jr., Toan Le, Fred Nguyen Khan, Duy Nguyễn, Vy Le, Ky Duyen, Kieu Chinh, Alan Trong, and Sandra Oh starring in supporting roles. If you loved the spy thriller and dark comedy aspects of The Sympathizer here are some similar shows you could watch next.

The Americans (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – FX

The Americans is a...

Manushi Chhillar’s journey from being a nobody to becoming Miss World and now, emerging as one of the promising stars of Bollywood is surely one for the books! But did you know her ambition wasn’t to be an actress but to be a doctor? Yes, the actress wanted to pursue Mbbs, but God had other plans for this beauty queen! Chhillar had previously revealed that it was her mother who pushed her to take part in the pageantry. And when she won, there was no looking back for her. She not only became the face for an international brand Estée Lauder, but was flooded with opportunities to star in films.

In 2022, Chillar grabbed the opportunity and went on to star in a period drama ‘Samrat Prithviraj’, which marked the beginning of her journey as an actress. The film established that Chillar can act, and is here to stay and slay.

An intense espionage drama with incredible performance and a thrilling storyline is always what we are waiting for and that’s just what we got in FX’s latest series The Veil. Created by Peaky Blinders‘ Steven Knight, The Veil follows the story of two women traveling from Istanbul to Paris and London as one is hiding a dangerous secret while the other is on a mission to expose it before thousands of lives are lost. The Veil stars Elisabeth Moss in the lead role with Yumna Marwan, Josh Charles, Dali Benssalah, Joana Ribeiro, and James Purefoy starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the heart-pumping thrill ride of lies and deception in The Veil here are some similar shows you could check out next.

Killing Eve Credit – BBC America

Killing Eve is an espionage thriller and black comedy series created by Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Based on a...

Manushi Chhillar Was Last Seen In Bade Miyan Chote Miyan Starring Akshay Kumar, and Tiger Shroff(Photo Credit –Instagram)

Manushi Chillar graced the silver screens of Bollywood. The Bade Miyan Chote Miyan actress is now making big revelations. For a while, rumors had been circulating that Manushi was the first choice for Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s mega hits Kabir Singh and Animal. Now, the Prithviraj actress is responding to rumors. This is what Manushi had to say.

Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s controversial box office hits Kabir Singh and Animal, have broken multiple records. There was much speculation about the initial casting of these films. There were also reports that Manushi was the first choice for the role of Preeti in Kabir Singh. The actress spoke to a news portal and finally reacted to these rumors.

When asked about the rumors that Manushi Chhillar was offered a role in Sandeep Reddy...

Mediawan Rights has boarded “Kabul,” a highly anticipated thriller series produced by France’s 24 25 Films and Cinétévé.

Shervin Alenabi (“Tehran”) and “Euphoria’s” Eric Dane (in a small role) have joined the international cast of the show, which already comprises Jonathan Zaccaï (“Le bureau des legendes”), Thibault Evrard (“The Night of the 12th”), Vassilis Kukalawi (“Kandahar”), Jeanne Goursaud (“Pax Massilia”), Gianmarco Saurino (“L’estate piu Calda”) and Valentina Cervi (“Medici: Masters of Florence”).

The series, set against the backdrop of U.S. troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan and Taliban’s sweep to power, just started filming on April 1. Mediawan Rights will introduce the gripping series project to international buyers at upcoming markets, and is handling worldwide distribution with the participation of Entourage.

“Kabul” explores the chaotic evacuation of various characters, from diplomats to soldiers to civilians, who desperately seek refuge and solidarity in a country in crisis, with the arrival of the Taliban in Kabul.

AMC’s streaming service Acorn TV has bought “The Truth,” a crime thriller series co-written by Daphna Levin (“Euphoria”) and Aurit Zamir (“Babysitter”). Sold by About Premium Content, the series was picked up by Acorn TV for the U.S., the U.K. and Australia/New Zealand.

“The Truth” is set in Tel Aviv and opens on the day of the final verdict for the most controversial murder case in Israel, 10 years after the incident which took place in a high school gym. That same day, a new murder happens in identical circumstances. Juvenile inspector Rachel Zohar, a student at the high school at the time of the first murder, must revisit her trauma to solve the case. On top of co-writing, Levin also directed it. Besides the original Israeli version of “Euphoria,” Levin’s credits also include “BeTipul” (“In Treatment”) and “Miguel.”

“The Truth” is produced by Kim Younes-Charbit...

From Namibian western to animated revenge thriller, from Bosnian family saga to a lesbian vampire breakup story, 10 upscale scripted TV projects were spotlighted at the Berlinale Series Market’s Co-Pro Series on Tuesday morning, representing “unique and bold choices with regard to genre and perspective, on top of great storytelling,” Martina Bleis, Head of the Berlinale Co-Production Market, observed before the presentation..

“This should attract buyers and co-producers now, and will surely convince discerning audiences once they have been made,”

With Oscar winner Simon Beaufoy joining climate change satire “S.O.L.,” created by late Ruth McCance, or Cannes-awarded director Aida Begić now focusing on “Mirrors,” it was a high-profile affair.

“This female family chronicle serves as a bridge between two centuries, two eras and two societies, shedding light on the hidden lives of Balkan women. Female secrets touch on taboos such as sexuality, violence and mental health. What would...

Netflix and Sony Pictures Television’s hit series “The Night Agent” has filled out its cast for Season 2 with Michael Malarkey (“The Vampire Diaries”) and Keon Alexander (“The Expanse”) as series regulars and Navid Negahban (“Homeland”) and Rob Heaps (“Station 11”) as recurring guest stars, opposite returning stars Gabriel Basso and Luciane Buchanan.

Based on the best selling novel by Matthew Quirk, the first season of the show followed Peter Sutherland (Basso), an FBI agent recruited to monitor a rarely used phone in the basement of the White House for the mysterious Night Agent program. When cybersecurity expert Rose Larkin (Buchanan) calls the number one night, they’re both pulled into a twisty conspiracy that reaches to the top echelons of the U.S. government.

Season 2 will follow Sutherland as he begins his career as a full-time Night Agent, while maintaining a relationship with Larkin.

Malarkey — who followed his role as Lorenzo “Enzo” St.

Actress Elnaaz Norouzi, who is known for her work in ‘Sacred Games’ and the International Emmy-winning series ‘Tehran’, has released her second single titled ‘Woah’, a vibrant and peppy number. Sonically, the track includes elements of the middle east, club music and synths.

The actress shared that the track portrays a confident and self-assured girl who recognises her desirability and embraces herself.

Speaking about the same, the actress shared: “For my second song, the inspiration stemmed from the desire to incorporate elements of Indian and Middle Eastern sounds, reflecting my identity. Despite singing primarily in English, I aimed to infuse cultural influences. The goal was to create a vibrant club track that resonates with my love for dancing, showcasing it as one of my strengths. Collaborating with producers in LA and Germany , we worked collectively to craft the beats.”

Talking about the motive of the song, the actress further mentioned: “Personally,...

Actress Elnaaz Norouzi, who is known for her work in ‘Sacred Games’ and the International Emmy-winning series ‘Tehran’, has released her second single titled ‘Woah’, a vibrant and peppy number. Sonically, the track includes elements of the middle east, club music and synths.

The actress shared that the track portrays a confident and self-assured girl who recognises her desirability and embraces herself.

Speaking about the same, the actress shared: “For my second song, the inspiration stemmed from the desire to incorporate elements of Indian and Middle Eastern sounds, reflecting my identity. Despite singing primarily in English, I aimed to infuse cultural influences. The goal was to create a vibrant club track that resonates with my love for dancing, showcasing it as one of my strengths. Collaborating with producers in LA and Germany , we worked collectively to craft the beats.”

Talking about the motive of the song, the actress further mentioned: “Personally,...

Who should own the intellectual property (IP) of a creative project, and who has the right to earn profits from it?

Those were some of the questions tabled this afternoon on the first day of Agora series — the Thessaloniki Film Festival’s hybrid film-series industry symposium. The festival’s panel on IP was chaired by Alexandra Lebret, Managing Director of the European Producers Club. Speakers included Alex Traila, Programme Μanager at Council of Europe, Amanda Livanou, founder of Neda Film, IP expert Elli Filippopoulou, Beta Film producer Ferdinand Dohna, and Paper Entertainment CEO Julien Leroux, who appeared to have the most definitive answer to the day’s questions.

“The profits need to be shared. And, for that, we need to find a balanced solution where rights and IP can be shared,” Leroux said.

“All the fights with the guilds in the US are really about this. There is no reason why all the profits,...

When the Thessaloniki International Film Festival’s industry arm, Agora, kicks off this week in Greece’s second city, organizers will be looking to expand upon recent additions to a time-tested formula that’s served the event across nearly two decades as a launching pad and incubator for Greek and regional talent.

“We’ve been doing the Agora since 2005, and we have slowly but steadily established it as one of the markets where you can find new talents and emerging directors from this region,” says industry head Angeliki Vergou, who took over from longtime Agora topper Yianna Sarri last year. “I think we are maintaining the essence of Agora that we have developed all these years, but just tweaking it a little bit to make it more available and more open to bring in new opportunities.”

In her second year in charge of the Agora, Vergou is looking to build...

The Screenwriters Guild of Israel (Sgi) has slammed the WGA for its silence over the conflict raging in the nation.

Sgi Chair Nadav Ben Simon is understood to have contacted the guild’s 600-strong member base yesterday with a statement, which has also been posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The statement, which can be read in full below, blasts the WGA for failing to “find in their hearts enough courage to speak out against a terrorist organization that is currently holding 200 hostages, some of them toddlers and babies, snatched from their cribs as their mothers were raped in the same room in front of their eyes.”

“Your silence is considered a stand,” adds the statement. “It is a shame that a professional writers’ guild cannot reach a consensus and find the words to condemn an act of terrorism, an act of unprovoked crime against humanity, against innocent civilians, women, children,...

Welcome back to Insider. It’s been a heavy few days for the world and the entertainment sector, but Jesse Whittock is here with the most important TV and film news of the past week for you.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Shock and horror: It’s hard to know where to begin with the tragedy unfolding in the Middle East. Thousands have died since a Hamas-led militia crossed the Gaza Strip border and began attacking Israeli villages and kibbutzes. There’s no end to the conflict in sight, with Israel now blockading Gaza and ordering Gaza City residents to evacuate, while there is growing international concern about the safety of Palestinian citizens who will soon be devoid of food, water and fuel. The history of the conflict runs deep and this isn’t the forum to discuss it, beyond believing that violence cannot be the answer. Like the rest of the world,...

The co-creators of Fauda and Tehran have detailed how they are helping relief efforts as Ted Sarandos paid tribute to Lior Waitzman, a sound technician on Netflix’s first Hebrew-language original series, who was killed on Saturday during the Hamas-led attack on Israel.

“A lot of folks are still reeling from this horrific terrorist attack from Hamas,” said Netflix co-ceo Sarandos at the top of an on-stage talk with Bloomberg. “Many of us have probably lost friends and family. At Netflix, one of the victims, Lior Waitzman, was working on our first Netflix original series there, called Bros.”

On Saturday morning, an unsuspecting Waitzman went out cycling, before the attack began. A short while later he texted his wife to say there had been a shooting. “That is the last we heard from him, as he was a victim of that terrorist attack,” said Sarandos.

“It’s a horrific thing...

Exclusive: The Thessaloniki Film Festival’s Agora Series, a hybrid film-series industry strand, returns this year for its sophomore outing with Paper Entertainment CEO and Tehran executive producer Julien Leroux serving as program consultant.

This year’s Agora series program will run for two extended days, starting November 4, with a focus on the creative process of series screenwriting. The schedule will feature a range of masterclass sessions from local and international series professionals. Canadian filmmaker Jeremy Podeswa will host a masterclass on the future of storytelling titled From Six Feet Under to the Top: The Evolution of Contemporary Television at the Pavlos Zannas Theatre on November 4. Podeswa — who was recently announced as the lead director of the Blade Runner 2099 mini-series at Amazon — will discuss the evolution of series content throughout the years and his personal journey in the business. Podeswa’s credits include Six Feet Under, Game of Thrones,...

Tata Play Binge, the Ott aggregator service from Tata, has announced a new partnership with Apple TV+, the streaming service from the tech giant. As a result of this collaboration, Tata Play Binge subscribers will be able to access the Ott content from Apple TV+ starting from today, without paying any extra charges. This means that Tata Play Binge users will have more options to choose from, as they can already stream content from more than 26 other Ott apps on the platform.

Apple TV+ is one of the leading streaming services in the world, offering a variety of original films and shows across different genres. Some of the popular and critically acclaimed titles on Apple TV+ include ‘Severance’, a workplace thriller starring Adam Scott and Patricia Arquette; ‘Silo’, a sci-fi drama about a group of farmers trapped in a grain bin; ‘Coda’, a heartwarming film about a hearing girl in...

Tata Takes Bite Of Apple In India

Indian channels aggregator, Tata Play Binge, is soon to incorporate Apple TV+, a first-of-its-kind collaboration for Apple TV+ in India. The move means that series such as “Ted Lasso,” “Shrinking,” “Silo,” “Hijack,” “Foundation,” “Tehran,” “Servant,” “Platonic,” “Severance,” “The Morning Show,” “Bad Sisters,” “Slow Horses” and “Prehistoric Planet,” and Apple Original Films including “Coda” and “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse,” “Ghosted,” and the recently premiered “The Beanie Bubble” will be available on the platform. The launch is being heralded in an ad campaign fronted by Bollywood superstars Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif.

Apple Original films set to make their debut on Apple TV+ soon include Martin Scorsese‘s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone; spy thriller “Argylle,” with Henry Cavill, Sam Rockwell, Bryce Dallas Howard, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, John Cena,...

SAG-AFTRA has granted approval for three AMC Networks shows to restart production, under its controversial provision allowing “independent” projects to continue despite the strike.

The shows include “Interview With the Vampire,” which was shooting in Prague when the strike started, and two “Walking Dead” spinoffs: “The Ones Who Live” and “Daryl Dixon.” The latter project was on hiatus and can resume shooting in France.

SAG-AFTRA has granted “interim agreements” to more than 300 projects since the strike began in mid-July. The agreements allow productions that are not connected to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to keep shooting, provided they abide by the terms of SAG-AFTRA’s last proposal to the studios.

AMC and its production arm, Stalwart Films, are not members of the AMPTP. But they are “authorized companies,” meaning that they adhere to the terms negotiated by the studio group.

The interim agreements have been controversial within SAG-AFTRA,...

Ahead of its world premiere in competition at the 80th Venice Film Festival, Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, which follows the Presleys from the perspective of the King’s young bride, has secured a SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement.

While this is another A24 feature production to nab an interim agreement, the film gets a clearance by SAG-AFTRA due to the fact that the movie was shot in Canada under the production company Tcb Productions Canada.

Related: 15 Movies About Labor Unions And Strikes – Photo Gallery

Lost in Translation Original Screenplay Oscar winner Coppola is a member of WGA, Deadline understands. You’ll remember that SAG-AFTRA, in solidarity with the Writers Guild, has modified its interim agreement policy to exclude any projects shot in the U.S. that are covered by the WGA. Specific wording is “shot in U.S.” SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland explained to Deadline at Comic-Con...

The world’s most valuable tech company saw sales and profit for the three months ended in June beat on the top and bottom line although revenue was sluggish, down 1% at $81.8 billion. Earnings of $1.26 per share beat the $1.19 anticipated.

Revenue from iPhones, which are half of Apple’s total business, was $39.7 billion — below expectations and off 2% from the year ago. June can be a weak iPhone quarter ahead the fall when Apple usually unveils its new model, in this case the iPhone 15. The June quarter is Apple’s fiscal third quarter.

But Services, the fast-growing division that houses Apple TV+ alongside a dozen other businesses — Apple Music, Apple Fitness, Apple Arcade, Apple Podcasts, Apple Books, Apple Cloud and the Apple App Store to name a few – saw sales of $21.2 billion, up more than 8% year-over year.

“We are happy to report that we had an all-time revenue record in Services during the June quarter,...

As Hollywood waits to see what may come out of Friday’s meeting between the WGA and the AMPTP, filmmakers and producers at all levels have been engaged in a complex dialogue on the lightning-rod topic that has emerged during the concurrent actors strike: the SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement.

As of Tuesday, a total of 123 interim agreements have been handed out in both film and TV since the guild’s strike began, to projects from “truly independent producers” that have agreed to abide by the terms of the new contract SAG-AFTRA is pushing for with the studios and streamers.

The topic of the interim agreements, which are being studied and handed out by a group within the actors union, are being discussed, dissected and debated on the picket lines and social media, with actors such as Sarah Silverman voicing their concern that such a policy could prolong the strike.

When Exhibiting Forgiveness, the first movie from African-American painter Titus Kaphar, started shooting in New Jersey in June, producers of the independent film were bracing themselves for a potential SAG-AFTRA strike.

“We started with our fingers crossed,” says producer Jamie Patricof of the movie, which stars a cast of as-yet unannounced SAG actors, including at least one Oscar nominee.

The producers, including Producers Guild president Stephanie Allain and Blue Valentine director Derek Cianfrance, stayed in close touch with their SAG rep as talks between the actors’ union and the Alliance of Motion Picture Television Producers continued over the next month and hired a labor attorney to help them navigate the system. When SAG officially called the strike on July 13, Exhibiting Forgiveness had five days left of shooting, and the movie became among the first productions to apply for and receive one of the guild’s interim agreements.

“If we hadn’t done it,...

As the entertainment industry struggles under a double strike, the actors guild’s decision to grant interim agreements to some productions — and its very late communication about those agreements’ “vital” purpose in the strike strategy — is causing strife within Hollywood.

Questions still abound after what some insiders are calling a botched rollout of the interim agreements strategy by SAG-AFTRA. Are these excluded productions completely staffed with fellow Hollywood union crews? Who’s to say these independent productions don’t end up providing content for AMPTP studios and streamers? And if some performers can work while others strike, what does that mean for their unified stance with each other and the striking writers?

“I was skeptical [of the interim agreements]. So these actors and productions can work, but we’re still out here striking? I didn’t understand it at all,” Tea Khalifa, a background actor on “Grey’s Anatomy” who joined SAG-AFTRA last year, told...

Viola Davis is stepping away from producing action thriller ‘G20’ in support of the ongoing Hollywood strikes. The flick has received an interim agreement from the SAG-AFTRA union along with 100 other independent films, but the actress, 57, is not moving forward with filming. In a move that is likely to set a precedent for A-listers supporting the actors’ and writers’ strike, she said in a statement: “I love this movie, but I do not feel that it would be appropriate for this production to move forward during the strike. “I appreciate that the producers on the project agree with this decision. JuVee Productions and I stand in solidarity with actors, SAG/AFTRA and the WGA (Writers Guild of America West.)” ‘G20’ received a strike waiver despite the project’s affiliation with Amazon Prime Video, which is set to distribute the film. The subject of interim waivers has been hotly contended since...

US actors Viola Davis and Sarah Silverman have cast doubt on whether interim agreements are a positive for SAG-AFTRA’s cause.

SAG-AFTRA has issued a statement to its membership defending the interim agreements it has issued to allow independent productions to keep cameras rolling during the strike called by the US actors’ union.

In a letter addressed to its membership, SAG-AFTRA stated the interim agreement is a “vital part of our strategic approach to these negotiations and to the strike” and emphasised that the “Interim Agreement is not a waiver. To be clear, it is a contract that includes all...

Viola Davis has stepped back from 'G20' during the ongoing actors and writers strikes.The 57-year-old actress insisted it would not "be appropriate" to continue working on the movie - in which she plays US president Taylor Sutton, who has to help save the world when terrorists take over the G20 summit - despite producers having secured a waiver to keep filming from SAG-AFTRA because the project was being made by MRC, who are not affiliated with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).Viola - who is also a producer on the movie via her and husband Julius Tennon's JuVee company - told Deadline in a statement: “I love this movie, but I do not feel that it would be appropriate for this production to move forward during the strike. “I appreciate that the producers on the project agree with this decision. JuVee Productions and...

Sarah Silverman isn’t quite so upset about the interim agreements that SAG-AFTRA has been handing out during the strike, but the comedian is still pretty “cynical” about the whole thing.

Less than 48 hours after talking to social media to rail against about the dozens of deals the 160,000-member strong guild is making which allow film and TV production supposedly not affiliated with AMPTP companies to move forward, Silverman has had a come-to-Fran-moment, kinda.

“Ok, I met with SAG leadership last night in the form of fearless Fran Drescher and Duncan Crabtree -Ireland, Silverman revealed online Saturday of her conversation with the guild president and national executive director over more than 100 approved projects, as SAG-AFTRA itself noted Friday.

Laying out the argument she and other critics heard from Drescher and Crabtree-Ireland, the frequent participant on the strike picket lines explained on her Instagram feed what had been explained to her:...

Viola Davis is stepping away from producing “G20,” announcing the decision in a statement signaling support for Hollywood’s ongoing strikes. Like over 100 other independent films, the upcoming action thriller received an interim agreement from SAG-AFTRA to continue production through the ongoing actors strike. But Davis won’t move forward with filming, setting a precedent for A-list talent negotiating the prospect of continuing work as the actors’ guild and AMPTP wait to reach an agreement.

“I love this movie, but I do not feel that it would be appropriate for this production to move forward during the strike,” Davis said Saturday in a statement. Davis is also credited as a producer on the film. “I appreciate that the producers on the project agree with this decision. JuVee Productions and I stand in solidarity with actors, SAG/AFTRA and the WGA.”

As an MRC production, “G20” received a waiver, despite the...

Exclusive: In a move that might well set a precedent for other A-listers, G20 star Viola Davis has become the first to publicly back away from a project for the duration of the actors and writers strikes, even after the film got the SAG-AFTRA interim agreement necessary to start production.

“I love this movie, but I do not feel that it would be appropriate for this production to move forward during the strike,” said the Oscar and Emmy winner in a statement obtained exclusively by Deadline. “I appreciate that the producers on the project agree with this decision. JuVee Productions and I stand in solidarity with actors, SAG/AFTRA and the WGA.”

News of the move on Davis’ part comes one day after an unconfirmed report in The Sun that Brad Pitt has paused production on his Formula One film for Apple, in solidarity with strikers, also stepping away from a title called Apex.

Actor-comedian Sarah Silverman is confused about the large volume of projects that have been granted interim agreements by SAG-AFTRA to film during the actors strike. And she is not alone.

“I feel f*cking pissed off, and I know I just must not be understanding something. There are like 40 movies being made right now,” Silverman said in a video posted on Instagram Thursday night. “When SAG joined the strike, it’s, ‘Movie stars aren’t making movies for you anymore, now what are you going to do?’ Well, they’re making movies. What the f*ck?”

Deadline’s list, which is being updated daily, features 102 film and TV titles — the vast majority of them movies — that have received permission to shoot since the SAG-AFTRA work stoppage began on July 14, with the casts featuring a number of Oscar winners.

“Movie stars are making movies because they’re ‘independent’ movies, and SAG...

The Viola Davis-led action thriller film from MRC, with distribution by Amazon, “G20” will not move forward with production after it received an interim agreement from SAG-AFTRA.

On Friday, the actors guild shared a list of projects that were able to continue production “without being in violation of the strike order” and have signed interim agreements with SAG-AFTRA to do so. On that list was “G20,” which Davis was tapped to to star in and produce. Davis and producers have no plans to move forward with production.

Developed with MRC Film, the Amazon Original feature will premiere on Prime Video, though a release date is unknown. Davis was set to star as Taylor Sutton, a U.S. president who must channel her extensive state leadership and military experience to defend her country when a terrorist group overtakes the G20 Summit. “The 33” filmmaker Patricia Riggen signed on to direct from...