The Festival de Cannes have announced they will be awarding Studio Ghibli with their Honorary Palme d’or. The iconic Japanese studio known for films such as Spirited Away and Oscar-winning The Boy and the Heron, will be the first group to receive the honour.
Quentin Dupieux's latest film Le Deuxième Acte (The Second Act) is set to open the 77th edition of Festival de Cannes on 14 May 2024. The director, screenwriter and musicians comedy will premiere on the Croisette, presented Out of Competition. The four part comedy will be released in French cinemas on the same day.
After months of speculation, Cannes based market MIPTV have confirmed their presence in London starting from 2025. Running alongside their London screening in February, the event will be held at the Savoy Hotel in the city as well as screening venue IET London, Savoy Place. Featuring screenings, networking events, meetings and a conference programme, the event will build on the increasing screen sector based Q1 activity.
After winning the Grand Prix at the 76th Cannes Film Festival last year and recently receiving 5 Academy Award and 9 BAFTA Nominations, Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest hits UK theatres tomorrow 2 February. Capturing the story of the commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, as they strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp. The production travelled to the historical landmark and surrounding areas in Poland. To facilitate this, Glazer enlisted the help of Salt Film and past location finding collaborator Eugene Strange. I spoke with Strange on this poignant experience, the career track that has led him here, and where it’s all heading next.
And just like that, The Location Guide has wrapped up another year. The team travelled, taking in the festival circuit from Cannes to Kinsale, celebrated the release of our makers magazines, welcomed faces old and new to FOCUS London, and revelled in all that has been accomplished at the Makers and Shakers Awards. Let’s take a look back.
Cannes Film Festival has announced actor, screenwriter and director Greta Gerwig will take on the role as jury president for the 77th edition. Breaking record for the 2023’s Barbie phenomenon, Gerwig will become the first American female director to take on the presidency of the festival, as well as the youngest. Cannes Film Festival will return from May 14-25 2024.
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival is set to run its third edition from 30 November to 9 December in Jeddah. Announcing today the majority of it lineup, the festival will feature a slew of projects from the MENA region, including 11 feature films from Saudi Arabia itself. Themed as Your Story, Your Festival, this year’s celebration intends to be a showcase appreciating the growth of the local industry. Presiding over international jury will be filmmaker Baz Lurhmann.
Ali Ahmadzadeh’s Critical Zone (Mantagheye bohrani) has come out with the top prize at this year’s Locarno Film Festival, winning the Golden Leopard for best film. Shot in secret, the Tehran filmed sci-fi feature is an Iranian-German co-production following a man driving through Tehran’s underworld with his dog. The global roster of winners saw a number of co-productions displaying international creative collaborations and boundaries pushed.