Netflix commits USD1 million for African training scholarships

Written by Joe Jackson on Jan 24, 2022. Posted in General Interest

A new scholarship has been created for Sub-Saharan Africa’s next generation of storytellers. The Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund (CESFC) will generate new opportunities for film and TV students across the continent. This financial support draws from the media conglomerate’s Creative Equity Fund. Launched in 2021, Netflix’s scheme will allocate funding for various initiatives across the world over the next five years, aiming to develop a strong, diverse pipeline of global creative talent.

World’s first space-based entertainment studio to launch in 2024

Written by Joe Jackson on Jan 21, 2022. Posted in Production News

UK-based media company Space Entertainment Enterprise (SEE) will launch the first entertainment studio and multi-purpose arena based in space. Named SEE-1, the construction is designed to allow producers to create media content in a low-orbit micro-gravity environment. Spaceflight services group Axiom Space are building the new project. They will use SEE-1 to dock their world-first commercial space station Axiom Station, which is connected to the International Space Station (ISS).

MUBI acquires Germany’s The Match Factory and Match Factory Productions

Written by Joe Jackson on Jan 20, 2022. Posted in General Interest

Global film platform MUBI has bought German sales and production company The Match Factory. This deal includes the acquisition of The Match Factory’s production arm Match Factory Productions. While The Match Factory will maintain its current offices in Berlin and Cologne, the firm’s presence is set to expand through MUBI’s headquarters in London and its New York and Los Angeles offices.

Smith & Herbert podcast to offer valuable film industry insight

Written by Joe Jackson on Jan 19, 2022. Posted in General Interest

Two industry experts have joined forces to create a podcast for emerging film talent. The new venture - titled Smith & Herbert: Inside Film - will be hosted by film finance strategist Emma Louise Smith and BBC Sport commentator turned film industry advisor Garry Herbert MBE. The pair’s new project aims to inspire and champion emerging talent across the film business, interviewing established industry figures and in turn dispensing knowledge and advice to the next generation of filmmakers.

Gyllenhaal and Ritchie thriller doubles Spain for Afghanistan

Written by Joe Jackson on Jan 18, 2022. Posted in Production News

A new collaboration between director Guy Ritchie and actor Jake Gyllenhaal is set to shoot in Spain’s Alicante area. In turn, the Spanish region will double as Afghanistan for the war-themed action-thriller. The as-yet-untitled project is budgeted at an estimated USD55 million. MGM and Amazon have respectively completed separate deals for US and international rights.

New Jersey governor boosts film tax credit scheme

Written by Joe Jackson on Jan 17, 2022. Posted in Incentive News

New Jersey’s tax incentive programme is set to expand under the stewardship of governor Phil Murphy. The new legislation will increase the state’s support cap from USD10 million to USD30 million. The scheme also promises to augment the state’s entire production tax incentive programme by an additional USD100 million over the next few years. These recent developments represent important efforts to entice more film and television production to the Garden State.

Producers Guild Awards postponed until March

Written by Joe Jackson on Jan 14, 2022. Posted in Awards and Festivals

The global rise in Omnicron cases has caused the Producers Guild of America (PGA) to delay its 33rd Producers Guild Awards ceremony. Originally scheduled for 26 February, the event will now take place on 19 March. While the venue - Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel - remains the same, the postponement represents another calendar change for the movie awards season. Attendees will need to provide proof of vaccination and booster (if eligible) as well as a recent negative COVID-19 test.  

Berlinale to remain in-person as European Film Market goes virtual

Written by Joe Jackson on Jan 12, 2022. Posted in Awards and Festivals

Officials have confirmed that the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival will remain an in-person event. Although the European Film Market (EFM) - which typically runs alongside the Berlinale - is now taking place as fully virtual event, organisers have told the global film community that the core festival will continue as planned from 10th to 20th February. Strict protocols will be put in place to protect delegates from Covid-19, with the precise terms to be revealed shortly.