2023 Cannes Film Festival roundup

Written by Kianna Best on May 29, 2023. Posted in Awards and Festivals

Over the weekend, the 2023 Cannes Film Festival drew to a close after another eventful gathering of the international film industry. After 11 days of premieres and general screenings in between, jury president Ruben Östlund along with jury members Maryam Touzani, Denis Ménochet, Rungano Nyoni, BrieLarson, Paul Dano, Atiq Rahimi, Damián Szifron and Julia Ducournau made their selection of the winners from a stellar line up of 21 competitors. Amongst the activity of the filmmaker's displays, The Location Guide were there for it all, kept busy by meetings and networking in the Marché  du Film.

Melanie Bridge and Sharlene George appointed as Co-CEOs of The Sweetshop

Written by Kianna Best on May 26, 2023. Posted in General Interest

Founding partners Melanie Bridge and Sharlene George of New Zealand based production company The Sweetshop are moving into co-CEO roles. The award-winning partners who have guided the company to success over the past 2 decades, will now be at the helm of a fully female led production company. Bridge and George will be replacing Wilf Sweetland after his 12 years as Global CEO position.

Goteborg Nostradamus report predicts restructuring of film and television industry over next 5 years

Written by Kianna Best on May 25, 2023. Posted in General Interest

On Monday 22 May at the Marché du Film during Festival de Cannes, Göteborg Film Festival presented its 10th Nostradamus Report. Titled Everything Changing All At Once, the report explores AI’s involvement in audiovisual industry workflows, adapting the industry to Gen-z’s expectations of more diverse creative environments, and how to embrace the changing models, formats and distribution paths in the business of filmmaking. With nine points explored in the report, there is a concise overview of the steps towards moving seamlessly with the evolving industry.

Richard Lawson premiers Black Terror at Pavillon Afrique

Written by Kianna Best on May 24, 2023. Posted in Production News

Director Richard Lawson sat on a panel yesterday at Pavilion Afrique of the Cannes Village International to premiere Black Terror. The screen adaptation of Richard Wesley’s play follows a group of freedom fighters who face conflicting avenues towards securing their liberation.

Black women filmmakers ask “Cannes you see us” on BFI and Diversity in Cannes panel

Written by Kianna Best on May 23, 2023. Posted in General Interest

On 20 May, a panel of Black women international filmmakers came together to discuss the issues facing the marginalised group in the environment of international film production, challenges facing funding, distribution and the need for community. Moderated by Diversity in Cannes founder Yolanda Brinkley, the panel featured the testimonials and industry nuggets of wisdom from filmmaker and Collectif 50/50 board member Johanna Makabi, writer and director Zoey Martinson, writer and producer Kelley Robins Hicks, and Ida Rose CEO and producer Shantelle Rochester.

Goodbye Julia becomes first Sudanese screening in Cannes Un Certain Regard

Written by Kianna Best on May 22, 2023. Posted in Production News

This past weekend director Mohamed Kordofani shared his feature film debut with Goodbye Julia. Set amongst the turmoil of the leadup to the 2011 referendum in Sudan, the film follows the meeting of Julia and Mona and the troubles that ensue surrounding their dynamic. Goodbye Julia was included amongst the Un Certain Regard, becoming the first Sudanese film to be shown in the category.

The Location Guide takes on Cannes 2023

Written by Kianna Best on May 11, 2023. Posted in Awards and Festivals

The Cannes Film Festival is back next week for nine days of networking and to bear witness to an international roster of awe inspiring talent. It will be a hive of activity and The Location Guide will be there with its own stand at the Marché du Film for the first time!

BFI and British Council reveal GREAT8 showcase line up

Written by Kianna Best on May 11, 2023. Posted in Awards and Festivals

The line up for the BFI and British Council’s GREAT8 showcase has been revealed. For its 6th year, the showcase will present UK feature films from upcoming filmmakers on the global stage for international distributors and festival programmers in the run-up to this year’s Cannes Marché. Screenings of unseen footage for the 8 new projects will be available from today.