Mister Smith Entertainment has closed multiple international sales for the adventure comedy Bookworm, starring Elijah Wood and Nell Fisher.

The feature, from Come to Daddy director Ant Timpson follows 11-year-old Mildred (Fisher) whose life takes a wild turn when her estranged father, a washed-up Las Vegas illusionist Strawn Wise (Wood) suddenly reappears. Strawn is left to care for Mildred while her mom is hospitalized and the pair set off on a trip to find the mythological Canterbury Panther.

Mister Smith closed deals on the film for Photon Films in Canada; Metropolitan in France; Plaion Pictures in Germany, Italy and Switzerland; and La Aventura in Spain, among other territories. Vertical Entertainment picked up the film for the U.S. earlier this year. Signature Entertainment will release in the U.K.

Written by Toby Harvard, Bookworm is produced by Emma Slade, Roxi Bull, Victoria Dabbs, Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall. It is...

"Every murder lives on" in the official trailer and poster for Oddity, the latest cinematic nightmare fuel from Damian McCarthy (Caveat) that will be haunting theaters on July 19th via IFC Films (ahead of its streaming release on Shudder):

Synopsis: "When Dani is brutally murdered at the remote country house that she and her husband Ted are renovating, everyone suspects a patient from the local mental health institution, where Ted is a doctor. However, soon after the tragic killing, the suspect is found dead. A year later, Dani’s blind twin sister Darcy, a self-proclaimed psychic and collector of cursed items, pays an unexpected visit to Ted and his new girlfriend, Yana. Convinced that there was more to her sister's murder than people know, Darcy has brought with her the most dangerous items from her cursed collection to help her exact revenge."

Writer / Director: Damian McCarthy

Starring: Gwilym Lee,...

Exclusive: Signature Entertainment has picked up UK and Irish rights to Bookworm, the latest film from Kiwi filmmaker Ant Timpson (Come to Daddy) starring Elijah Wood.

Described as an “adventure comedy”, the film is produced by Emma Slade (Come to Daddy), Roxi Bull (Uproar), and Victoria Dabbs (Malevolent) of Firefly Films New Zealand and Mette-Marie Kongsved (I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore), Laura Tunstall (Nine Days) of Nowhere.

Timpson directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with Toby Harvard (The Greasy Strangler). Starring alongside Wood are Michael Smiley (Free Fire), Nell Fisher (Evil Dead Rise), Morgana O’Reilly (Housebound), and Nikki Si’ulepa (Same But Different: A True New Zealand Love Story). The film’s plot tells the story of a 12-year-old whose life is turned upside down when her estranged, washed-up American magician father comes to look after her.

The deal was negotiated between Signature Entertainment’s Chief Commercial...

SXSW organizers on Monday announced the Audience Award winners for the festival’s recently wrapped 31st edition.

The list includes Tracie Laymon’s dramedy Bob Trevino Likes It, which prevailed in Narrative Feature Competition, and the action thriller Monkey Man marking Dev Patel’s directorial debut, which dominated the Headliner section. Other notable winners included A24’s Sing Sing starring Colman Domingo, which won out in Festival Favorite, and Kyle Hausmann-Stokes’ dark veteran dramedy My Dead Friend Zoe, starring Sonequa Martin-Green, Natalie Morales and Ed Harris, which won in Narrative Spotlight.

“We are beyond grateful to all our filmmakers, audiences, and volunteers for creating one of the most exciting SXSW Film & TV Festivals ever,” said Claudette Godfrey, VP Film & TV. “We knew our audiences would flip for our program filled with explosive studio films, surprising indie dramas and comedies, riveting TV, powerful documentaries, gripping gems from around the world, and groundbreaking Xr,...

Evil Dead Rise actress Nell Fisher and Bad Sisters actor Michael Smiley are set to join Elijah Wood in Bookworm, a new family adventure comedy from New Zealand director Ant Timpson (Come to Daddy).

Fisher will play Mildred, a 12-year-old girl whose life is turned upside down when her estranged, washed-up American magician father, Strawn Wise (Wood), comes to look after her. Hoping to bond with the tween, Strawn takes Mildred on an ill-advised camping trip into the rugged New Zealand wilderness in a quest to find the mythological beast known as the Canterbury Panther, named after the region on New Zealand’s South Island.

The project will reteam Wood with Come to Daddy director Timpson and will see the Lord of the Rings actor return to New Zealand to shoot.

“In Bookworm we’re going to put him through the wringer again, except this time he’s at the...

Vidiots is finally getting ready to welcome movie fans, as the video store and nonprofit film organization unveils its renovation of the Eagle Theatre in northeast L.A.’s Eagle Rock neighborhood. The official opening is set for June 1, with sneak previews for supporters starting in May.

The beloved Santa Monica video rental store opened in 1985 and closed in 2017 after becoming a nonprofit in 2013.

“We’re overjoyed to finally see our dream of bringing Vidiots back to Los Angeles,” said Vidiots founders Patty Polinger and Cathy Tauber. “We could not have accomplished this incredible feat without the loyal and steadfast support of a community truly devoted to cinema and creating a space for new generations to be inspired and enlightened by the arts, and where they can fall in love with film as we have.”

The new complex at 4884 Eagle Rock Blvd. will include a physical media library boasting 50,000 titles on DVD,...

"Yellowjackets" star Elijah Wood welcomed a child in 2021 with Danish film producer Mette-Marie Kongsved - and he's just telling fans now. The couple had their first child, a son, in 2019, then quietly added to their brood with a daughter in late 2021. "We've got a three-year-old son and a 14-month-old daughter, and she wakes us up pretty early. I like getting up early, I like starting the day," he casually revealed to the Wall Street Journal.

Despite being a child actor, Wood was really catapulted to worldwide fame after playing Frodo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings movie franchise, but he has kept his personal life away from the spotlight. It is thought he met Kongsved in 2016 on the set of "I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore," but it wasn't until 2018 that they were pictured holding hands. During an appearance on "Late Night With Seth Meyers" in...

Elijah Wood is now a father of two, or has been for awhile now.

The “Lord of the Rings” star nonchalantly revealed that he and his longtime partner, Danish producer Mette-Marie Kongsved, welcomed their second child together in 2022.

In a new interview with Wall Street Journal, published on Monday, Wood provided a description of his daily morning routine, which he said typically begins “pretty early” when the couple is woken up by their “3-year-old son and a 14-month-old daughter.”

His comment marks the first time he’s mentioned having two kids.

Read More: ‘Yellowjackets’ Star Kevin Alves Recalls Cast ‘Freaking Out’ On Group Chat Over Elijah Wood Joining Show

Wood and Kongsved, who continue to keep their personal lives very private, confirmed their relationship back in 2018 after they were photographed holding hands in Pasadena, California. The two seemingly met upon working together on the 2017 film “I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore...

“Lord of the Rings” star Elijah Wood is to return to New Zealand in the leading role of “Bookworm,” a family adventure-comedy to be directed by Ant Timpson. The project is being launched next week at the American Film Market by sales agent Mister Smith Entertainment.

The film’s story sees 12-year-old Mildred’s life turned upside down when her mother lands in hospital and estranged, American magician father, Strawn Wise (Wood), comes to look after her. Hoping to entertain the bookish tween, Strawn takes Mildred camping in the notoriously rugged New Zealand wilderness. There the pair embark on the ultimate test of family bonding – a quest to find the mythological beast known as the Canterbury Panther.

Considering that Mildred has read every book on camping, but never been into the wilds, and that Strawn is more at home on the Las Vegas strip than in the Southern Alps, the potential for mishap is significant.

Sony Pictures Classics is releasing the fantastical drama Nine Days in New York and Los Angeles theaters on July 30, with plans to roll the film out nationwide August 6.

The debut feature of writer-director Edson Oda centers on Will (Winston Duke), a reclusive man who conducts a series of interviews with fledgling human souls, thereby offering them a chance to be born. The pic, which debuted at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, also stars Zazie Beetz, Benedict Wong, Tony Hale, Bill Skarsgård, David Rysdahl and Arianna Ortiz.

The film earned two Film Independent Spirit Award nominations, for Best First Feature and Best Supporting Male (for Wong).

Nine Days is a co-production between Juniper Productions, Mandalay Pictures, Nowhere, Macro Media and The Space Program, in association with Mansa Productions, Oak Street Pictures, 30West, Baked Studios and Datari Turner Productions. It was produced by Jason Michael Berman of Mandalay Pictures, Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall of Nowhere,...

Featuring: Chris Alexander, Dave Alexander, Chad Archibald, Charles Band, Yazid Benfeghoul, Justin Benson, Zack Bernbaum and many more! | Directed by Justin McConnell

If you watch independent movies, listen to the podcasts about them and follow the people that make them on social media, then Clapboard Jungle is the movie for you. Directed by Justin McConnell he films his own story as an independent filmmaker and all of the struggles that go along with it. He shares five years of his life (2014-2019) but also interviews directors, writers, producers, festival organisers, distributors and much more,giving the viewer a kind of ‘survival guide’ for anybody already in or wanting to start in the industry.

Every talking head has something interesting to say from Guilermo del Toro to Heather Buckley to Mick Garris to Gigi Saul Guerrero to Mike Mendez and many many more. They each talk about their own experiences, what...

Sony Pictures Classics has delayed the release of “Nine Days,” the Sundance hit from first-time director Edson Oda starring Winston Duke. It will no longer release on Jan. 22 and is now slated to open in theaters worldwide next summer. However, the film will still qualify for the 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards, set for April 24.

With the Covid-19 pandemic still handicapping movie theaters, an intimate film like “Nine Days” benefits most from a big theatrical experience with its immersive sound and stunning camera work. One of the dark horse awards contenders for the upcoming season, with best actor (Duke) and original screenplay (Oda) being its best possibilities.

Moving to the summer could give the film a better chance to be discovered by audiences. By starting in New York and Los Angeles and then expanding to more markets, the film could be a financial success with its all-star cast. With similar themes...

Her Oscar winner Spike Jonze has boarded Sony Pictures Classics upcoming early 2021 release as an Executive Producer. Additionally, SPC has also acquired the rights in Asia, Israel, Turkey and the rest of Europe, making it a worldwide release for the label. The film will next be seen in the Hamptons Film Festival and AFI, among others.

Nine Days, which stars Winston Duke, Zazie Beetz, Benedict Wong, Bill Skarsgård, Tony Hale, David Rysdahl, and Arianna Ortiz follows a reclusive man, Will (Duke), who is conducting a series of interviews with human souls for a chance to be born. Five contenders emerge, and during the course of nine days, Will tests each of them, but he can choose only one. The victor will be rewarded with a coveted opportunity to become a newborn in the real world, while the others will cease to exist. The movie is directed and written by Edson Oda.

Cranked Up Films has secured the North American distribution rights to Gillian Wallace Horvat’s feature debut “I Blame Society.”

The indie festival favorite follows a struggling filmmaker’s descent into psychopathy. Based on a fictionalized version of herself, Wallace Horvat plays a director looking for her big break by exploring an odd compliment from her friends saying that she would make a good serial killer. As she begins her research and interviews, it becomes morbidly clear that her friends were right, and the lines between art and murder blur as her body count builds up.

In addition to directing, Wallace Horvat also stars in the film, alongside Keith Poulson, Chase Williamson, and Alexia Rasmussen. Wallace Horvat co-wrote the film with Williamson. The film was produced by Michelle Craig, Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall for Nowhere, with Monte Zajicek also producing. Executive Producers are Brent and Brett Brewer for Brewer Media,...

Sony Pictures Classics has picked up distribution rights in North America and multiple international markets to the science-fiction drama “Nine Days,” starring Winston Duke.

The film, directed by Edson Oda from his own script, also stars Zazie Beetz, Bill Skarsgård, Benedict Wong, Tony Hale, David Rysdahl, and Arianna Ortiz. Oda received the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award for the film following its premiere at the Sundance film Festival in the U.S. Dramatic Competition.

Sony Classics also bought the rights to Latin America, Eastern Europe, Middle East, India, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, South Africa, Benelux, Thailand, and on all airlines worldwide. The film is a co-production between Juniper Productions, Mandalay Pictures, Nowhere, MacRo Media, and The Space Program, in association with Mansa Productions, Oak Street Pictures, 30West, Baked Studios and Datari Turner Productions.

Duke portrays a recluse in a house distant from the reality we know. He interviews prospective candidates—personifications...

Cast includes Winston Duke, Zazie Beetz and Bill Skarsgard.

Protagonist Pictures has taken international sales rights to metaphysical drama Nine Days and will launch sales at the Efm in Berlin this week.

The film stars Winston Duke (Us) as a reclusive man in a distant reality who interviews prospective human souls for the privilege to be born. The cast also includes Zazie Beetz, Benedict Wong, Bill Skarsgard and Tony Hale.

It marks the feature debut of Edson Oda, a Japanese Brazilian writer-director based in Los Angeles.

The film received its world premiere in the Us Dramatic Competition stand at Sundance last month,...

Exclusive: Amazon Studios has acquired the worldwide rights to Ninian Doff’s debut feature Boyz In The Wood which stars Izzard, Kate Dickie, Georgie Glen, James Cosmo and a up-and-comers Samuel Bottomley, Viraj Juneja, Rian Gordon and Lewis Gribben. The horror-comedy made its world premiere as the opening Midnight Movie at SXSW and received rave reviews before moving on to a noteworthy festival run.

Written and directed by Doff and produced by Tobey Maguire and Matthew Plouffe’s Material Pictures, Boyz In The Wood is set deep in the Scottish Highlands and gives an irreverent take on generational politics, hip-hop loving farmers, and hallucinogenic rabbit shites. The satirical story, which features a playlist of tone-appropriate rappers including Danny Brown, Vince Staples, Run The Jewels, and original music from Scottish producer S-Type, follows four city boys trying to escape a mysterious huntsman (Izzard). The Scottish Highlands’ police unit trails behind, failing spectacularly to provide assistance.

Exclusive: Two-time Emmy-winning Veep actor Tony Hale has come aboard the indie drama, Nine Days, joining a cast that includes star Winston Duke (Black Panther) as well as Zazie Beetz, Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange), David Rysdahl (Netflix’s The Family), and Bill Skarsgard.

Edson Oda wrote and is directing the film. The plot follows a reclusive man (Duke) who, in a house, distant from the reality we know, interviews prospective candidates, a personification of human souls – for the privilege that he once had. To be born. Hale, who recently picked up his sixth Emmy nom for his role as Gary Walsh on the critically acclaimed HBO series, will play Alexander, a jovial soul, desperate to prove he should be given the opportunity of life.

Mandalay’s Jason Michael Berman, Nowhere’s Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall, Juniper’s Matthew Lindner...

Is Elijah Wood preparing for fatherhood?

The actor, 38, was photographed alongside his partner Mette-Marie Kongsved in Los Angeles on Monday shopping for furniture before visiting a Best Buy store.

Wood kept things casual in jeans, brown shoes and a button-down over a patterned white shirt.

Meanwhile Kongsved — a Danish movie producer — sported a noticeable baby bump under a burnt-orange-colored midi dress, as well as a ring on her left hand.

Usually private when it comes to his personal life, Wood — a former child actor who, aside from his role in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, is known for films like North,...

Production scheduled to commence this summer.

Us star Winston Duke, Zazie Beetz from Deadpool 2, Bill Skarsgård (It), Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange) and David Rysdahl (The Revival) will star in sci-fi drama Nine Days for Mandalay Pictures, Nowhere, Juniper Productions, and Macro.

30West and CAA Media Finance represent worldwide rights to the project that marks the feature directorial debut of Edson Oda and was developed through the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program Labs.

Production is scheduled to commence this summer on the story about a reclusive man in an unfamiliar place who interviews prospective candidates for the privilege of being born.

Winston Duke, Zazie Beetz, Benedict Wong, David Rysdahl and Bill Skarsgård will star in the supernatural film “Nine Days,” the feature debut from director Edson Oda.

Duke will play a recluse living in an otherworldly home who interviews human souls for the privilege of being born. Beetz, Wong, Rysdahl and Skarsgård will play the interviewees.

“Nine Days” will be produced by Mandalay Pictures, Nowhere, Juniper Productions and MacRo, in association with the Space Program, Mansa Productions, Oak Street Pictures, 30West, and Datari Turner Productions.

“I’m thrilled to be working with such an incredible cast and amazing team. So grateful for all the support I have received. ‘Nine Days’ is a very personal story to me, and I can’t imagine a better team to help me tell it,” said Oda.

Writer-director Oda has been nominated for a Latin Grammy and has received a Gold Lion and three Bronze Lions at Cannes International Creativity Festival.

Winston Duke, Zazie Beetz, Bill Skarsgård, Benedict Wong and David Rysdahl are set to star in “Nine Days,” a drama with supernatural, spiritual elements, from director Edson Oda, it was announced on Friday.

Oda will make his directorial feature debut on the project, which is produced by Mandalay Pictures, Nowhere, Juniper Productions and MacRo, in association with The Space Program, Mansa Productions, Oak Street Pictures, 30West, and Datari Turner Productions.

Jason Michael Berman is producing for Mandalay Pictures and Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall are producing for Nowhere. Matthew Lindner is producing for Juniper Productions, and Datari Turner is producing on behalf of his Datari Turner Productions.

Also Read: 'Black Panther' Star Winston Duke Exclusive StudioWrap Portraits (Photos)

“I’m thrilled to be working with such an incredible cast and amazing team. So grateful for all the support I have received. ‘Nine Days’ is a very personal story to me,...

Exclusive: In a hot package to perk up a slumbering marketplace, Black Panther‘s Winston Duke is set to star in Nine Days with Deadpool 2‘s Zazie Beetz, It‘s Bill Skarsgård, Doctor Strange‘s Benedict Wong and David Rysdahl. The film is written and will be directed this summer by Edson Oda, the celebrated commercials director who is making his feature debut behind the camera.

Here’s the logline: In a house, distant from the reality we know, a reclusive man (Duke) interviews prospective candidates, a personification of human souls – for the privilege that he once had. To be born. The film is financed and 30West and CAA Media Finance are representing worldwide distribution rights and are taking it out to the town.

Oda is a 2017 Sundance Screenwriters Lab Fellow and Nine Days was developed through the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program Labs.

Pic is a co-production between Juniper Productions,...

A potential bonding opportunity between estranged father (Stephen McHattie) and son (Elijah Wood) takes a demented turn when some surprise visitors show up in Ant Timpson's feature-length directorial debut, Come to Daddy. Following its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival and ahead of its screening at the Overlook Film Festival, Come to Daddy has been acquired by Saban Films for Us distribution.

A theatrical release for Come to Daddy is being planned, but an exact release date has yet to be announced. We'll keep Daily Dead readers updated on further details as they are revealed.

In the meantime, we have the full press release and previously released clip below, and in case you missed it, read Heather's Tribeca interview with Timpson and Wood.

From the Press Release: Los Angeles – Saban Films announced today that they have acquired Us rights to producer Ant Timpson’s directorial debut Come to Daddy,...

Saban Films has bought the U.S. rights to the Elijah Wood horror-comedy “Come to Daddy.”

Saban, which is planning a theatrical release, announced the deal on Friday at the Cannes Film Festival, where Xyz Films represents “Come to Daddy” for international sales.

“Come to Daddy” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last month. Wood portrays a man in his thirties who travels to a remote Oregon cabin to reconnect with his estranged father following a surprise invitation. Stephen McHattie and Martin Donovan also star.

Ant Timpson, a producer on “Turbo Kid” and “The ABCs of Death,” made his feature directorial debut on “Come to Daddy.” Timpson helmed from a screenplay by Toby Harvard, based on an idea by Timpson.

Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall produced for Los Angeles-based Nowhere, alongside Daniel Bekerman for Toronto’s Scythia Films, Katie Holly of Dublin’s Blinder Films, Emma Slade for New Zealand-based Firefly Films and Harvard.

Saban Films has acquires U.S. distribution rights to Come to Daddy, the horror comedy starring Elijah Wood that marks the directing debut of producer Ant Timpson. The pic, which had its world premiere last month at the Tribeca Film Festival, will now get a theatrical release though no date has been set.

Wood stars as a man who travels to a remote cabin to reconnect with his estranged father. Stephen McHattie and Martin Donovan co-star. Toby Harvard wrote the script based on an idea Timpson, whose previous producing credits include Turbo Kid and The Greasy Strangler.

The film is produced by Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall for Nowhere, Daniel Bekerman for Scythia Films, Katie Holly for Blinder Films, Emma Slade for Firefly Films, and Harvard. Tango Entertainment financed with support from the New Zealand Film Commission, Telefilm, Blinder Films and Egg Post Production. Timpson, Tim Headington and Lia Buman are executive producers.

Saban Films has picked up the U.S. rights to producer Ant Timpson’s directorial debut “Come to Daddy,” starring Elijah Wood, the studio announced on Friday.

The horror-comedy made its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival last month, and in addition to Wood, it stars Stephen McHattie and Martin Donovan.

“Come to Daddy” follows a man in his 30s who travels to a remote cabin to reconnect with his estranged father. Toby Harvard penned the script based on an idea from Timpson.

Also Read: Saban Films Acquires Rights to Horror-Thriller 'Tone-Deaf' Ahead of SXSW

“Come to Daddy’s horror and comedy mix is perfectly balanced and creates a wonderfully wild atmosphere that’ll keep audiences guessing – all the way through,” Saban Films president Bill Bromiley said in a statement.

The film was produced by Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall for Nowhere, Daniel Bekerman for Scythia Films, Katie Holly for Blinder Films,...

Film premiered at Tribeca Film Festival last month.

Saban Films has picked up Us rights to the Elijah Wood horror-comedy Come To Daddy, which Xyz Films represents for international sales in Cannes.

The film premiered at Tribeca Film Festival last month and follows a man in his thirties who travels to a remote cabin to reconnect with his estranged father. Stephen McHattie and Martin Donovan also star.

Saban plans a theatrical release on Ant Timpson’s feature directorial debut based on a screenplay by Toby Harvard from an idea by Timpson.

Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall produced for Los Angeles-based Nowhere,...

Vertigo Releasing has picked up UK and Ireland rights to Orion Pictures’ horror reboot Child’s Play.

Mark Hamill stars as the voice of Chucky, along with Aubrey Plaza (Parks And Recreation), Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta) and Gabriel Bateman (Playmobil The Movie). Lars Klevberg directs from a script by Tyler Burton Smith.

Plaza stars as a single mother who buys her son Andy (Bateman) a Buddi doll, unaware of its more sinister nature. David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith produce under their KatzSmith banner, whose film adaptation of Stephen King’s It earned more than $700M worldwide. Aaron Schmidt and Chris Ferguson executive produced the project, which is set for UK release on June 21, 2019.

The Edinburgh International Film Festival will open on June 19, 2019, with the European premiere of Ninian Doff’s comedy debut Boyz In The Wood. The film, which debuted at SXSW, follows four city boys trying to escape a mysterious huntsman,...

Ninian Doff’s debut feature is set in the Highlands.

The European premiere of UK director Ninian Doff’s debut feature Boyz In The Wood will open the Edinburgh International Film Festival (Eiff) on June 19.

The film made its world premiere at SXSW in March.

Boyz In The Wood is set in the Scottish Highlands and is about four city boys who try to escape a mysterious huntsman. Newcomers Rian Gordon, Samuel Bottomley, Viraj Juneja and Lewis Gribben play the four boys and the supporting cast includes Eddie Izzard, Kate Dickie, James Cosmo and Kevin Guthrie.

The film is produced...

Social satire “Boyz in the Wood,” starring Eddie Izzard, will open the 73rd edition of the Edinburgh Intl. Film Festival on June 19.

Set in the Scottish Highlands, the film follows four city boys trying to escape a mysterious huntsman, played by Izzard, as the Highlands’ police force trails behind. Rian Gordon, Samuel Bottomley, Viraj Juneja and Lewis Gribben lead the cast, which includes Kate Dickie, James Cosmo and Kevin Guthrie.

The film is the debut feature of music video director Ninian Doff, who also penned the script.

Doff said: “I’m from Edinburgh and for my debut film I really wanted to make a film that captured a very particular Scottish joy, madness and humor; and that was also modern, political and forward looking.”

Mark Adams, the festival’s artistic director, described the film as “vibrant, energetic and wonderfully raucous,” adding that it was “a blast from start to finish.

While the SXSW Film Festival is kicking off in Austin this week, the Tribeca Film Festival will continue to shine a spotlight on upcoming genre films in April and May, including Joe Begos' Bliss, Ant Timpson's Come to Daddy (starring Elijah Wood and Stephen McHattie), and Something Else (directed by Jeremy Gardner and Christian Stella).

From the Press Release: "New York – March 5, 2019 – The 2019 Tribeca Film Festival, presented by At&T, today unveiled its feature film lineup. Continuing its tradition of elevating exceptional storytelling rooted in today’s global film communities, the 18th annual Festival will showcase debut works from emerging talent and new works from notable filmmakers. The program includes discoveries, comedies, music-centered, political and social films. The 2019 Tribeca Film Festival takes place April 24 - May 5.

The feature program includes 103 films from 124 filmmakers. The films selected in the three competition sections consist of 50% women directed films. The lineup includes 81 World Premieres,...

Veteran producers Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall are launching Nowhere, a Los Angeles-based production and management company, Variety has learned exclusively, with Michelle Craig as a partner.

“We came together with a shared enthusiasm for discovering and developing new talent and working with bold storytellers,” said Kongsved and Tunstall in a statement released Wednesday.

Kongsved has experience in both film sales and development, having worked for years at Xyz Films, where she produced Macon Blair’s “I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore.” That film won the Grand Jury Prize for the U.S. Dramatic competition in January.

Tunstall is a producer with a background in signing and developing talent for music videos as executive producer at Warp Films and Pulse Films. Credits include Sigur Ros’ “Inni” and Beyonce’s “Lemonade.”

Nowhere’s initial film slate includes projects by Jim Byrkit, Ninian Doff, Gillian Horvat and Rohan Blair-Mangat.

From VancouverFilm.Net, here is the Vancouver Film Production Update for August 2018, including "Deadly Class", "Loudermilk", "Siren" and a whole lot more:

Feature Film

Casino Night

Local Production Company: Hedgehog Films Inc.

Director: Jeffrey Fowler

Producer: Neal H. Moritz, Mie Onishi, Takeshi Ito, Dmitri M. Johnson, Dan Jevons, Nan Morales

Jul 30/18 - Sep 26/18

Come To Daddy

Local Production Company: Ctd Productions Inc.

Director: Ant Timpson

Producer: Mette-Marie Kongsved, Laura Tunstall

Jul 16/18 - Aug 12/18

Good Boys

Local Production Company: Good Boy Productions Inc.

Director: Gene Stupnitsky

Producer: Dan Clarke

Jul 23/18 - Sep 11/18

TV Series

A Million Little Things - Season 1

Local Production Company: Stage 49 Ltd

Director: James Griffiths, Richard J. Lewis

Producer: Kathy Gilroy

Jul 24/18 - Dec 12/18

Arrow - Season 7

Local Production Company: Beckmark Production Services Inc.

Director: Gordon Verheul, Laura Belsey

Producer: Todd Pitson

Jul 06/18 - Apr 18/19

Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina - Season 1

Local Production Company: Wbtv Canada Production Services Inc.

Exclusive: The producers of Oscar winners Moonlight and Icarus, Oscar nominee Carol and Showtime series Billions, are among those bringing new projects to the Ifp Project Forum, which runs during the 40th Ifp Week in New York.

This year’s particularly buzzy Project Forum slate will comprise 150 U.S. and international films, series, digital and audio projects (for the first time) in different stages of development.

The co-production market will feature new narrative films and series from producers and Ep’s including Lamb On The Throne from Adele Romanski (Moonlight) and Sara Murphy (Land Ho!), Breezin’ from Amy Lo (Nancy), The Gymnast from Brian Koppelman and David Levien (Billions), The Fugitive Game from Ryan Cunningham (Broad City), Sleepwalkfrom Ryan Zacarias (A Ciambra), Bitterroot from Giulia Caruso & Ki Jin Kim (Columbus) and Nine Days from Jason Michael Berman (Amateur), Mette-Marie Kongsved (I Don’t Feel At Home In This World...

The former Aldamisa Entertainment executive will attend Cannes with his new colleagues at the Los Angeles-based production and sales company.

Min’s hire as head of international sales follows the recent move within Xyz Films of former director of sales Mette-Marie Katz to oversee feature and TV development, and the hiring of Tamir Ardon as director of international distribution.

Min, a Screen International Future Leader 2012, most recently served as evp, film and TV for Aldamisa Entertainment, where he worked on Chef and Machete Kills. Prior to that he was vp of international sales and distribution for Seven Arts Pictures.

Company partner Nate Bolotin will continue to oversee sales strategy and remain directly responsible for certain key territories and buyers.

“We’re thrilled to have Eric on board,” said Xyz. “In addition to being a great cultural fit at Xyz, his knowledge of the international distribution landscape will greatly contribute to our expanding sales and distribution mandate.”

“I...

Exclusive: The La-based company has promoted Mette-Marie Katz to director of feature and TV development after serving as the company’s director of sales.

Katz joined the Xyz Films sales team in 2013 and was promoted a year later to director of sales, overseeing a number of European and Asian territories, as well as jointly handling North American sales with Xyz partner Nate Bolotin.

In January the Screen International 2014 Future Leader transitioned into development.

Xyz Films has brought in Tamir Ardon as director of international distribution to oversee the partnership with Abbolita Films and manage key relationships with output partners.

Prior to Xyz, Ardon served as a development executive at several international production companies where he produced and distributed unscripted television for cable and network TV.

Meanwhile Scott Freije has been named sales coordinator. Freije joined the sales team in 2015 after serving three years in international sales and acquisitions.

Xyz Films is producing and handling sales on Iranian...

Read More: Lynn Shelton on Whether to Call Herself a 'Female Director' On October 24th at The Film Independent Forum held at the DGA in Los Angeles, a panel of financiers and producers assessed the current marketplace and weighed in on what makes a viable film project and for what budget. Moderated by Paula Manzanedo-Schmit, Senior Vice President, Film Finance, Inc., the panel entitled "Viable Films: Your Budget vs. The Market" featured producer Miranda Bailey ("The Diary of a Teenage Girl"), producer Nina Yang Bongiovi ("Dope, Fruitvale Station"), Mette-Marie Katz, Director of Sales, Xyz Films and Jessica Lacy, Head of International and Independent Film, ICM Partners. The conversation ranged from measuring the temperature of the U.S. and foreign film markets to whether it's worth hiring a name-actor for your low-budget indie film. Below are the key takeaways from the panel. The foreign marketplace is tight for U.S. indies.

The global rights deal on Marc Furmie’s sci-fi becomes the second such pact for the La-based distributor as it continues its strategic expansion.

Jai Koutre, Kendra Appleton, Bren Foster and Todd Lasance star in Terminus, which marks the second collaboration between Vertical and Storm Vision Entertainment.

The film will be available globally on iTunes, Amazon, Netflix, Google Play and other digital platforms day-and-date with the Us theatrical launch on January 22, 2016.

Terminus follows a man who makes a profound discovery about the fate of the earth after he is blinded by the light from a falling meteor.

Vertical’s first worldwide acquisition, He Never Died starring Henry Rollins, will open on December 18.

Furmie co-wrote with Shiyan Zheng and Gabriel Dowrick. Brett Thornquest and Tim Maddocks produced and Steven Matusko, Shane Abbess and Sidonie Abbene served as executive producers.

Nate Bolotin and Mette-Marie Katz of Xyz negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers with Rich Goldberg and Peter...

Shout! Factory has acquired the giallo thriller, The Editor, for U.S. distribution, the El Rey Network is hosting a RoboCop marathon this weekend, and submissions are now open for The Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival.

The Editor: Press Release -- "Los Angeles, Calif. (May 1, 2015) – Shout! Factory, a leading multi-platform entertainment company, and Kennedy/Brooks, Inc. have entered a picture deal to distribute The Editor in the U.S. Directed and produced by Adam Brooks and Matthew Kennedy, this stylish, giallo-inspired horror comedy premiered with critical praise at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival and is scheduled to play at the San Francisco International Film Festival on May 1. The announcement was made today by Shout! Factory’s founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos, and filmmakers Adam Brooks and Matthew Kennedy.

In this picture deal, Shout! Factory secured exclusive U.S. distribution rights to The Editor, including broadcast,...

The distributor has picked up North American rights to Mickey Keating’s SXSW Midnight thriller.

Vertical co-president Rich Goldberg plans to release Pod theatrically and digitally day-and-date in autumn.

The film stars Dean Cates and Lauren Ashley Carter as estranged siblings who travel to their isolated family lake house in Maine hold an intervention on their troubled war veteran brother. Brian Morvant also stars.

Morgan White, Sean Fowler, William Day Frank and Keating produced, while Ryan W Keating and Lauren Conoscenti served as executive producers.

Nate Bolotin and Mette-Marie Katz of Xyz brokered the deal with Goldberg and Vertical vice-president of acquisitions Peter Jarowey.

Ventana Sur: To dub in English or not to dub and the challenges of day-and-date releasing were among the topics sales agents addressed in Buenos Aires on December 2.

Organised under the auspices of the Blood Window genre sidebar, session participants advised the audience of Latin American filmmakers to conduct due diligence when selecting a sales agent, resist the allure of high up-front offers and hold on to digital rights.

Considering the setting and the various nationalities of the speakers, thoughts turned inevitably to the business of maximising a film’s global appeal.

London-based Jinga Films managing director Rosana Coutinho recounted how Canadian labs approached her about dubbing Alejandro Hidalgo’s Venezuelan smash The House At The End Of Time.

“I don’t want to prostitute your ideas but there is a difficulty in the market,” said Coutinho. ” I can close a deal tomorrow on [The House At The End Of Time] if I have an English dub, but I don’t...

The distributor has taken North American rights to Jason Banker’s AFI Fest selection and genre-bending film based on the life experiences of co-writer and star Amy Everson.

Felt premiered at Fantastic Fest and will open in April both theatrically and across ancillary platforms.

The story centres on an artist who uses a particular form of her work to help herself recover from a rape.

Banker produced the film and directed from a story he devised with Everson.

Amplify’s Dylan Marchetti brokered the deal with Nate Bolotin and Mette-Marie Katz of Xyz Films on behalf of the filmmakers.

Video Services Corp has acquired Canadian rights to Patch Town. Craig Goodwill directed the comedy adventure based on his short of the same name about an orphan, a mother and a child-catcher.

Cyrus and Jeff, Who Lives At Home filmmaker Mark Duplass will return to South by Southwest to keynote the 2015 edition of the annual Austin film conference, organizers announced today. Like 2014’s popular keynote speaker Lena Dunham, Duplass is making a homecoming of sorts to SXSW where he launched his career in 2005 by winning the SXSW Audience Award with brother Jay for The Puffy Chair. Last year at SXSW he and director/co-writer/co-star Patrick Brice debuted their microbudget horror Creep which Radius-twc and Blumhouse Tilt jointly acquired.

Also stopping by the Austin fest held from March 13-21, 2015 will be Bollywood actor and director Shekhar Kapur (Elizabeth, The Four Feathers), who will lead a Conversation session. Over 150 keynotes, conversations, panels, and mentor sessions are in the works for the annual confab, which has yet to announce its full lineup.

As for film panels, I’ll be talking shop at “So You...

Exclusive: Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead’s Italy-set horror romance Spring has been acquired by Drafthouse Films and FilmBuff in the first sale out of this year’s Fantastic Fest. The sophomore feature from Resolution co-directors Benson and Moorhead stars Lou Taylor Pucci (Thumbsucker, Evil Dead) as a troubled American backpacker in Italy whose romance with a local girl (Nadia Hilker) turns into an unexpected nightmare when her dark, primordial secret threatens to destroy their newfound happiness.

Spring premiered earlier this month at the Toronto Film Festival before making its U.S. debut Saturday night in Austin. Reviews have been strong to the genre-blender described as Before Sunset meets H.P. Lovecraft. Drafthouse Films, the specialty distribution arm of the Alamo Drafthouse, closed the deal for U.S. rights after watching Spring play through the roof on home turf and with FilmBuff will release it in theaters and on VOD in...

Find out who are the dynamic, inspiring executives who will be driving the sector forward.Click here to read the digital edition

Screen started highlighting the Future Leaders in our Cannes issue two years ago, when we spotlighted emerging sales and acquisitions executives. Last year, we looked at the rising producers. For 2014, we’re back spotlighting sales and distribution; it’s a sign of the industry’s vitality that there were hundreds of possible candidates that have proven themselves as ‘ones to watch’ since our previous look two years ago.

For this class of Future Leaders, we tried to introduce executives at a stage when they may be slightly less well known to the wider industry; they are not totally new to the sector and do have decision-making power, but are not yet in the top positions. So these are not generally the vice-presidents or CEOs unless they have split off into running their own boutique companies...

Exclusive: Sarah Gabriel has joined Lotus Entertainment as vice-president of sales in the run-up to Afm.

Gabriel arrives from Xyz Films and will report to Lotus co-heads Bill Johnson and Jim Seibel.

The new hire most recently served as director of sales at Xyz Films and prior to that led sales efforts for Xyz’s discontinued Celluloid Nightmares joint venture with Celluloid Dreams.

Prior to Xyz, Gabriel worked at Lionsgate as international sales coordinator under Helen Lee-Kim. She began her career in the international department at New Line.

Meanwhile Xyz Films have brought on Mette-Marie Katz as sales coordinator, reporting to head of sales and company partner Nate Bolotin.