Editors note: Running until the final general election results come in, the Deadline ElectionLine podcast spotlights the 2024 campaign and the blurred lines between politics and entertainment in modern America. Hosted by Deadline’s political editor Ted Johnson and executive editor Dominic Patten, the podcast features commentary and interviews with top lawmakers and entertainment figures. At the same time, you can follow all the news in the Biden & Trump rematch and more on the ElectionLine hub on Deadline.
“What surprised me is how good it is,” says Deadline’s Anthony D’Alessandro of the Cannes-debuting Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice. “You know, there are some people that have tried to ding it and say, ‘Oh, it’s an HBO movie,’” Deadline’s editorial director states from the South of France on today’s ElectionLine podcast. “But let me say this: it’s a very good HBO movie.”
“I just think it’s very well crafted.
“What surprised me is how good it is,” says Deadline’s Anthony D’Alessandro of the Cannes-debuting Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice. “You know, there are some people that have tried to ding it and say, ‘Oh, it’s an HBO movie,’” Deadline’s editorial director states from the South of France on today’s ElectionLine podcast. “But let me say this: it’s a very good HBO movie.”
“I just think it’s very well crafted.
- 5/24/2024
- by Dominic Patten and Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Afternoon, Max Goldbart here with your International Insider on day four of a super-busy Cannes. Read on, and sign up here.
‘Megalopolis’ Is Talk Of Cannes
A more straightforward affair: After a tense build-up shaped by endless rumors of an imminent #MeToo expose and a potential labor strike, the first week of this year’s Cannes Film Festival has been a more straightforward affair. The most controversial event so far has been Thursday evening’s premiere of Francis Ford Coppola’s highly-anticipated Megalopolis. The critical response has been predominantly positive, with some very high highs and inevitably a few low lows. Deadline’s Damon Wise praised the movie, calling it a “mad modern masterwork that reinvents the possibilities of cinema”. He said the film is “something of a mess; unruly, exaggerated, and drawn to pretension like a moth to a flame. It is also, however, a pretty stunning achievement, the...
‘Megalopolis’ Is Talk Of Cannes
A more straightforward affair: After a tense build-up shaped by endless rumors of an imminent #MeToo expose and a potential labor strike, the first week of this year’s Cannes Film Festival has been a more straightforward affair. The most controversial event so far has been Thursday evening’s premiere of Francis Ford Coppola’s highly-anticipated Megalopolis. The critical response has been predominantly positive, with some very high highs and inevitably a few low lows. Deadline’s Damon Wise praised the movie, calling it a “mad modern masterwork that reinvents the possibilities of cinema”. He said the film is “something of a mess; unruly, exaggerated, and drawn to pretension like a moth to a flame. It is also, however, a pretty stunning achievement, the...
- 5/17/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here in a week where we have barely stopped. Plenty news and analysis below. Sign up here.
Les Misérables!
Fierce protests: The 2024 Cannes Film Festival opens in less than a fortnight and is once again set to be the backdrop to fierce French labor protests. Zac revealed earlier this week that a collection of around 200 French film festival workers — a combination of Cannes workers and workers from other festivals across France — are planning protests during the event over pay. The group’s frustrations are two-fold: they are first rallying against the pay packages they receive from their employers, which they say are inadequate and do not account for arduous overtime hours frequently clocked due to job demands, while the second bone of contention is France’s unique unemployment insurance program for entertainment workers and technicians. Known as Intermittence de Spectacle, the scheme supports entertainment workers on...
Les Misérables!
Fierce protests: The 2024 Cannes Film Festival opens in less than a fortnight and is once again set to be the backdrop to fierce French labor protests. Zac revealed earlier this week that a collection of around 200 French film festival workers — a combination of Cannes workers and workers from other festivals across France — are planning protests during the event over pay. The group’s frustrations are two-fold: they are first rallying against the pay packages they receive from their employers, which they say are inadequate and do not account for arduous overtime hours frequently clocked due to job demands, while the second bone of contention is France’s unique unemployment insurance program for entertainment workers and technicians. Known as Intermittence de Spectacle, the scheme supports entertainment workers on...
- 5/3/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, thanks for always sticking with us. Max Goldbart here talking you through a packed week in the global entertainment world. Read on, and sign up here.
Bonjour Cannes Film Fest
Here they come: Cannes head Thierry Frémaux delivered a strong selection of titles Wednesday that will make up the festival’s 77th edition, running May 14 to 25, as the eagerly-awaited Cannes presser took place and Deadline kept you well informed. One of them we already knew – Francis Ford Coppola’s much-discussed epic Megalopolis, which Mike Fleming revealed earlier this week. Other filmmakers set for competition slots include Ali Abbasi, who brings The Apprentice, a feature pic about the early life of Donald Trump. Andrea Arnold returns with Bird, starring Barry Keoghan, and Jacques Audiard’s latest, Emilia Perez, a musical with Selena Gomez will also debut on the Croisette. Elsewhere, Italian filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino returns with Parthenope. Poor Things...
Bonjour Cannes Film Fest
Here they come: Cannes head Thierry Frémaux delivered a strong selection of titles Wednesday that will make up the festival’s 77th edition, running May 14 to 25, as the eagerly-awaited Cannes presser took place and Deadline kept you well informed. One of them we already knew – Francis Ford Coppola’s much-discussed epic Megalopolis, which Mike Fleming revealed earlier this week. Other filmmakers set for competition slots include Ali Abbasi, who brings The Apprentice, a feature pic about the early life of Donald Trump. Andrea Arnold returns with Bird, starring Barry Keoghan, and Jacques Audiard’s latest, Emilia Perez, a musical with Selena Gomez will also debut on the Croisette. Elsewhere, Italian filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino returns with Parthenope. Poor Things...
- 4/12/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here. We’ve been out in force in France this week. To read about our travels, plus plenty more, scroll down, and sign up here.
All That Mania
‘So Long, Marianne’ star Alex Wolff (left) with Series Mania boss Laurence Herszberg
Netflix pulls ahead: Anything but doom and gloom this week at the Lille Series Mania confab, which was buzzy as ever, cementing its place as a must-not-miss event in the ever-crowded TV market calendar. Big stars including Patricia Arquette, Jeremy Irons and Michael Chiklis headed to the city in northern France to tout wares and talk shop. Netflix execs were out in full force, pushing hard against the cross-industry contraction narrative by unveiling dozens of shows in the weeks leading up to the market — and unveiling two more, starring Isabelle Adjani and Famke Janssen — at its showcase. At a time when local content is being rowed back,...
All That Mania
‘So Long, Marianne’ star Alex Wolff (left) with Series Mania boss Laurence Herszberg
Netflix pulls ahead: Anything but doom and gloom this week at the Lille Series Mania confab, which was buzzy as ever, cementing its place as a must-not-miss event in the ever-crowded TV market calendar. Big stars including Patricia Arquette, Jeremy Irons and Michael Chiklis headed to the city in northern France to tout wares and talk shop. Netflix execs were out in full force, pushing hard against the cross-industry contraction narrative by unveiling dozens of shows in the weeks leading up to the market — and unveiling two more, starring Isabelle Adjani and Famke Janssen — at its showcase. At a time when local content is being rowed back,...
- 3/22/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here taking you through what has been a whirlwind of a week in international TV and film. Do not stop here — please do read on. And sign up here.
Indie Movie “Game-Changer”
£1B worth of sweeteners: It was a potentially “game-changing” week for a floundering British indie film sector with the unveiling of a 40% tax relief on movies with budgets less than £15M ($19M) — a relief that trade body Pact says it has been calling for in some form or another since 2017 and which answers the prayers of Culture, Media & Sport Committee boss Caroline Dinenage. Jeremy Hunt’s budget was perhaps the most listened-to and most celebrated for a decade by the creative industries after the UK Chancellor unveiled the relief with fanfare alongside 40% business rates relief for big studios and improved VFX relief. All in all, Hunt and the UK treasury said that the...
Indie Movie “Game-Changer”
£1B worth of sweeteners: It was a potentially “game-changing” week for a floundering British indie film sector with the unveiling of a 40% tax relief on movies with budgets less than £15M ($19M) — a relief that trade body Pact says it has been calling for in some form or another since 2017 and which answers the prayers of Culture, Media & Sport Committee boss Caroline Dinenage. Jeremy Hunt’s budget was perhaps the most listened-to and most celebrated for a decade by the creative industries after the UK Chancellor unveiled the relief with fanfare alongside 40% business rates relief for big studios and improved VFX relief. All in all, Hunt and the UK treasury said that the...
- 3/8/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here steering you away from Berlin and towards London for the Screenings. Please do read on, and sign up here.
London Calling (Once Again)
Heading to the capital: As Insider goes to press, execs, sellers and buyers are descending on the English capital in their droves for what will undoubtedly be the biggest London TV Screenings so far. Around 30 distributor events are planned across the week, mostly on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and all within a square mile of Soho — giving the Screenings an old-fashioned feel that harks back to halcyon days. Founder members All3Media International, Fremantle, ITV Studios and Banijay are hosting the biggest events, while BBC Studios Showcase is hitting London for the second year in a row, with the BBC now working in tandem with its distribution rivals.
London Calling (Once Again)
Heading to the capital: As Insider goes to press, execs, sellers and buyers are descending on the English capital in their droves for what will undoubtedly be the biggest London TV Screenings so far. Around 30 distributor events are planned across the week, mostly on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and all within a square mile of Soho — giving the Screenings an old-fashioned feel that harks back to halcyon days. Founder members All3Media International, Fremantle, ITV Studios and Banijay are hosting the biggest events, while BBC Studios Showcase is hitting London for the second year in a row, with the BBC now working in tandem with its distribution rivals.
- 2/23/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon, it’s been a huge week in international TV and Max Goldbart is here to guide you through. Read on.
Berlinale Controversy
Dramatic yet unsurprising: Andreas and Zac have penned a string of exclusives over the past few days that concluded with the Berlin Film Festival’s high-profile u-turn Thursday afternoon, disinviting members of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) to the opening ceremony after initially sending invitations to five politicians from the party. The move felt simultaneously dramatic yet unsurprising. The industry outcry over the AfD’s presence at the Berlinale opening ceremony had been extensive, and anger was also growing among Berlinale staff. “Over the past few days, there has been an intense discussion in the cultural sector, in the press, and on social media as well as within the Berlinale team about the invitations of AfD politicians, a right-wing extremist party, to the opening of the Berlinale,...
Berlinale Controversy
Dramatic yet unsurprising: Andreas and Zac have penned a string of exclusives over the past few days that concluded with the Berlin Film Festival’s high-profile u-turn Thursday afternoon, disinviting members of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) to the opening ceremony after initially sending invitations to five politicians from the party. The move felt simultaneously dramatic yet unsurprising. The industry outcry over the AfD’s presence at the Berlinale opening ceremony had been extensive, and anger was also growing among Berlinale staff. “Over the past few days, there has been an intense discussion in the cultural sector, in the press, and on social media as well as within the Berlinale team about the invitations of AfD politicians, a right-wing extremist party, to the opening of the Berlinale,...
- 2/9/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here bringing you all the news and analysis from another busy week, during which we have been to Spain through Argentina via Berlin. Oh, and there was the small matter of the Oscar noms. Read on, and sign up here.
Spain In The Spotlight
Secuoya’s scale and pace: Diana Lodderhose kicking things off here and I had the pleasure of going to Madrid before the holidays to take a look at the impressive Secuoya Content Group’s headquarters, which hosts Netflix’s European Production Hub, located just 17 miles north of Madrid. After a lengthy chat with its owners and founders Raul Berdonés and Pablo Jimeno as well as James Costos, president of its TV and film fiction arm Secuoya Studios, what became quickly apparent is the scale and pace at which this company is moving. “We’re not your traditional production company,” Berdonés said.
Spain In The Spotlight
Secuoya’s scale and pace: Diana Lodderhose kicking things off here and I had the pleasure of going to Madrid before the holidays to take a look at the impressive Secuoya Content Group’s headquarters, which hosts Netflix’s European Production Hub, located just 17 miles north of Madrid. After a lengthy chat with its owners and founders Raul Berdonés and Pablo Jimeno as well as James Costos, president of its TV and film fiction arm Secuoya Studios, what became quickly apparent is the scale and pace at which this company is moving. “We’re not your traditional production company,” Berdonés said.
- 1/26/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here in a week that has had a distinctly ‘back to school’ feel to it. We’ve certainly been busy. Read on for the biggest stories of the week and sign up here.
Has #MeToo Finally Arrived in France?
Watershed: The past week has felt like a watershed moment for the #MeToo movement in France. The country’s film industry has been at the forefront of efforts to foster gender parity thanks to pioneering activist group Le Collectif 50/50 and initiatives such as the festival charter, along with extra state funding for movies hiring women for key crew positions. However, a culture of silence around allegations of sexual abuse by big figures such as Roman Polanski and Gérard Depardieu has long been a source of debate and consternation in and outside of the country. There are signs that a major shift is underway following a bombshell...
Has #MeToo Finally Arrived in France?
Watershed: The past week has felt like a watershed moment for the #MeToo movement in France. The country’s film industry has been at the forefront of efforts to foster gender parity thanks to pioneering activist group Le Collectif 50/50 and initiatives such as the festival charter, along with extra state funding for movies hiring women for key crew positions. However, a culture of silence around allegations of sexual abuse by big figures such as Roman Polanski and Gérard Depardieu has long been a source of debate and consternation in and outside of the country. There are signs that a major shift is underway following a bombshell...
- 1/12/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here leading you into the Christmas break with your final dash of news and analysis of the year. It’s been a blast. Thank you to regular readers for taking time out your busy schedules to give this a good ol’ glance every week. As our counterparts across the pond like to say, we appreciate you. We’ll be back in 2024 with plenty more.
‘Warnamount’ Shocker
Bob Meets Dave: Save a bit of your Christmas sympathy for media reporters around the world this year, who let out a collective anguished cry amidst the Xmas wind-down period when news broke Thursday of a bombshell meeting between Warner Bros. Discovery (Wbd)’s David Zaslav and Paramount Global’s Bob Bakish. This of course only means one thing. The ink is barely dry on the WB-D merger and yet the defining story of 2024 could now be the next stage,...
‘Warnamount’ Shocker
Bob Meets Dave: Save a bit of your Christmas sympathy for media reporters around the world this year, who let out a collective anguished cry amidst the Xmas wind-down period when news broke Thursday of a bombshell meeting between Warner Bros. Discovery (Wbd)’s David Zaslav and Paramount Global’s Bob Bakish. This of course only means one thing. The ink is barely dry on the WB-D merger and yet the defining story of 2024 could now be the next stage,...
- 12/22/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, here we go again with a busy old week in TV and film. Max Goldbart penning the newsletter. Read on and sign up here.
Bad Times For The BBC
Déjà vu: When you’ve been doing this for a little while, nothing gives off more of a sense of déjà vu than BBC budget woes. It always starts the same way. A downtrodden UK Prime Minister desperately seeks a distraction hook and latches on to the nation’s favorite (ish) broadcaster, in this case saying over the weekend that the public cannot afford the previously-agreed inflationary rise to the licence fee next year that would have seen the fee shoot up by nearly £15 ($18.90). Several days and one new chair appointment later, and the sentiment was confirmed by Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, who said the fee will instead rise by just more than £10, as the government shifted the goalposts.
Bad Times For The BBC
Déjà vu: When you’ve been doing this for a little while, nothing gives off more of a sense of déjà vu than BBC budget woes. It always starts the same way. A downtrodden UK Prime Minister desperately seeks a distraction hook and latches on to the nation’s favorite (ish) broadcaster, in this case saying over the weekend that the public cannot afford the previously-agreed inflationary rise to the licence fee next year that would have seen the fee shoot up by nearly £15 ($18.90). Several days and one new chair appointment later, and the sentiment was confirmed by Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, who said the fee will instead rise by just more than £10, as the government shifted the goalposts.
- 12/8/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: It’s been a year of evolution for the European Film Market and its TV track Berlinale Series Market. Management is changing at sister festival Berlinale, with Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian exiting amid worries about finances, and the number of films screened reducing.
Meanwhile, Berlinale Series boss Julia Fidel has also departed, with the track was discontinued as an independent program. Series will instead be highlighted as part of the Berlinale Series Gala — a move the festival thinks brings it closer in line with other European film fests such as Cannes and Venice.
Notably for the TV biz, the Berlinale Series Market industry conference remains unaffected and will be running a full program. Last year the likes of The White Lotus exec producer David Bernad, Shades of Blue creator Adi Hasak and The Tinder Swindler director Felicity Morris took the stage in sessions hosted by myself and Max Goldbart.
Meanwhile, Berlinale Series boss Julia Fidel has also departed, with the track was discontinued as an independent program. Series will instead be highlighted as part of the Berlinale Series Gala — a move the festival thinks brings it closer in line with other European film fests such as Cannes and Venice.
Notably for the TV biz, the Berlinale Series Market industry conference remains unaffected and will be running a full program. Last year the likes of The White Lotus exec producer David Bernad, Shades of Blue creator Adi Hasak and The Tinder Swindler director Felicity Morris took the stage in sessions hosted by myself and Max Goldbart.
- 12/6/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here bringing you the latest from around the globe as our friends in America tuck into their turkey. Sign up for the newsletter here.
Red Sea Revs Up
Shifting sands: Red Sea International Film Festival, the big Saudi Arabian film get-together, opens its third edition next Thursday in the port city of Jeddah. The event was launched in the wake of Saudi Arabia lifting of its 35-year cinema ban at the end of 2017, as part of its 2030 Vision plan aimed at moving the economy away from a reliance on oil, and has become an integral part of the country’s ambition to become the leading film and TV hub in the Mena region. But announcements on films and guests have been down to the wire this year, as the event juggles the shifting sands of the global geo-political tensions set in motion by the Israel-Hamas...
Red Sea Revs Up
Shifting sands: Red Sea International Film Festival, the big Saudi Arabian film get-together, opens its third edition next Thursday in the port city of Jeddah. The event was launched in the wake of Saudi Arabia lifting of its 35-year cinema ban at the end of 2017, as part of its 2030 Vision plan aimed at moving the economy away from a reliance on oil, and has become an integral part of the country’s ambition to become the leading film and TV hub in the Mena region. But announcements on films and guests have been down to the wire this year, as the event juggles the shifting sands of the global geo-political tensions set in motion by the Israel-Hamas...
- 11/24/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror will return for a seventh season. Netflix has renewed the series, which wrapped its sixth season in June, Deadline has confirmed. The sixth season premiered four years after Season 5.
The darkly satirical anthology series, which is mostly set in near-future dystopias, has been through many iterations since it launched on the UK’s Channel 4 in 2011 and the show was given a budget boost when it was picked up by Netflix in 2016.
The sixth season soared to the top of Netflix’s Streaming Top 10 in 92 countries when it premiered in June and spent four weeks in Netflix’s global top 10 English-speaking TV.
The five-episode season featured cast including Salma Hayek, Annie Murphy, Aaron Paul, Josh Hartnett and Paapa Essiedu. The most-discussed ep, “Joan is Awful”, followed a woman as her life is adapted into a streaming TV series, tapping into AI-related themes that felt prescient...
The darkly satirical anthology series, which is mostly set in near-future dystopias, has been through many iterations since it launched on the UK’s Channel 4 in 2011 and the show was given a budget boost when it was picked up by Netflix in 2016.
The sixth season soared to the top of Netflix’s Streaming Top 10 in 92 countries when it premiered in June and spent four weeks in Netflix’s global top 10 English-speaking TV.
The five-episode season featured cast including Salma Hayek, Annie Murphy, Aaron Paul, Josh Hartnett and Paapa Essiedu. The most-discussed ep, “Joan is Awful”, followed a woman as her life is adapted into a streaming TV series, tapping into AI-related themes that felt prescient...
- 11/21/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here. The clocks have gone back and it’s getting chilly but we’re here to warm your week with the very latest news and analysis. Read on and sign up here.
To The Med
Turkish delights: We spotlighted Turkey this week, and about time too as the country celebrates its 100th anniversary of independence. Turkish execs were out in force at Mipcom Cannes last month and we felt it was about time to examine a nation that has been churning out buzzy dramas and telenovelas for decades. Outfits such as distributor Global Agency and producer Tims & B have been at the forefront of the rise of Turkish TV in the international arena, which has continued throughout the reign of divisive leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Regions such as Central and Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America have long been acquirers of its telenovelas, and word...
To The Med
Turkish delights: We spotlighted Turkey this week, and about time too as the country celebrates its 100th anniversary of independence. Turkish execs were out in force at Mipcom Cannes last month and we felt it was about time to examine a nation that has been churning out buzzy dramas and telenovelas for decades. Outfits such as distributor Global Agency and producer Tims & B have been at the forefront of the rise of Turkish TV in the international arena, which has continued throughout the reign of divisive leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Regions such as Central and Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America have long been acquirers of its telenovelas, and word...
- 11/3/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders. We’re back after a busy week in Cannes and Max Goldbart is here helming your weekly dose of news and analysis. Read on and sign up here.
Conflict Week Two
Here for the long haul: We are approaching the two-week anniversary of the bloody Hamas massacre on Israel, and there is now a terrifying recognition that the region is in it for the long haul. This week has been about attempted damage limitation as Israel takes revenge on its attackers and Western nations rush to stem the flow of a crisis that is so far estimated to have claimed around 5,000 lives. Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have both visited, attempting to walk a tightrope in pledging their support for Israel while stressing the need for international law to be observed and innocent Palestinian lives to be spared. Biden was the most successful, securing...
Conflict Week Two
Here for the long haul: We are approaching the two-week anniversary of the bloody Hamas massacre on Israel, and there is now a terrifying recognition that the region is in it for the long haul. This week has been about attempted damage limitation as Israel takes revenge on its attackers and Western nations rush to stem the flow of a crisis that is so far estimated to have claimed around 5,000 lives. Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have both visited, attempting to walk a tightrope in pledging their support for Israel while stressing the need for international law to be observed and innocent Palestinian lives to be spared. Biden was the most successful, securing...
- 10/20/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcome to your Friday rundown, Insiders. Max Goldbart here to take you through the top international film and TV stories filling your inbox over the past seven days. And don’t forget to sign up to the newsletter here.
Wbd & Paramount Forge International Path
End of the exodus?: It doesn’t feel five minutes ago that Gerhard Zeiler was setting his first post-wbd merger international unit, and yet he was at it again on Thursday. This was following a spate of exits that has seen Emea boss Priya Dogra, international distribution head Robert Blair, Germany lead Hannes Heyelmann and, most recently, France chief Pierre Branco announce departures over the past weeks. This mini-exodus has been the talk of international confabs of late but Zeiler appeared to stem the flow with an all-staff email yesterday announcing another rejig, in which he acknowledged that “change can be unsettling and we have...
Wbd & Paramount Forge International Path
End of the exodus?: It doesn’t feel five minutes ago that Gerhard Zeiler was setting his first post-wbd merger international unit, and yet he was at it again on Thursday. This was following a spate of exits that has seen Emea boss Priya Dogra, international distribution head Robert Blair, Germany lead Hannes Heyelmann and, most recently, France chief Pierre Branco announce departures over the past weeks. This mini-exodus has been the talk of international confabs of late but Zeiler appeared to stem the flow with an all-staff email yesterday announcing another rejig, in which he acknowledged that “change can be unsettling and we have...
- 10/6/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here with your weekly dose of the biggest headlines, analysis and deep-dives of the week. Read on, and sign up here.
Boom Then Bust (Then “Shaky”)
Records don’t last long: There was a bittersweet feeling after UK producer trade body Pact’s Census 2022 press briefing on Tuesday. Spotlighting full-year 2022, the briefing showed how the UK TV production sector hit record highs of nearly £4B ($5B) last year, driven by the streamers, who upped spend by a whopping 133% to £700M. Big hits to land included Heartstopper and The Crown Season 5. Multiple records were broken in a year in which the UK TV industry was virtually at full employment, but, during the briefing, most questions to Pact CEO John McVay focused on the here and now, as things feel very different today for many producers. McVay was honest in his assessment of 2023 and years to come,...
Boom Then Bust (Then “Shaky”)
Records don’t last long: There was a bittersweet feeling after UK producer trade body Pact’s Census 2022 press briefing on Tuesday. Spotlighting full-year 2022, the briefing showed how the UK TV production sector hit record highs of nearly £4B ($5B) last year, driven by the streamers, who upped spend by a whopping 133% to £700M. Big hits to land included Heartstopper and The Crown Season 5. Multiple records were broken in a year in which the UK TV industry was virtually at full employment, but, during the briefing, most questions to Pact CEO John McVay focused on the here and now, as things feel very different today for many producers. McVay was honest in his assessment of 2023 and years to come,...
- 9/15/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here. August is behind us but the sun is shining, and we’ve got all the news and analysis you need to get you to the weekend. Sign up here.
Let’s Talk About Residuals Baby
Possible blueprint?: As is so often the case days, it all started with a tweet. Writer-director Carina Adly MacKenzie took to X to throw a proverbial grenade into the long-running debate around streaming residuals – the U.S. unions’ long-held desire for writers and actors to be compensated fairly when shows on the likes of Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ perform above expectations. “Fun fact: in France, Netflix already reports their viewership to writers monthly and pays writers based on that viewership, because it’s the law there,” wrote Carina. “They literally already have that system in place.” Curiosities on both sides of the Atlantic...
Let’s Talk About Residuals Baby
Possible blueprint?: As is so often the case days, it all started with a tweet. Writer-director Carina Adly MacKenzie took to X to throw a proverbial grenade into the long-running debate around streaming residuals – the U.S. unions’ long-held desire for writers and actors to be compensated fairly when shows on the likes of Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ perform above expectations. “Fun fact: in France, Netflix already reports their viewership to writers monthly and pays writers based on that viewership, because it’s the law there,” wrote Carina. “They literally already have that system in place.” Curiosities on both sides of the Atlantic...
- 9/8/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
International Insider: Sarajevo Nights; Edinburgh TV Fest Rolls Around; Michael Parkinson Remembered
Afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart bringing you another dose of this here weekly roundup. We’ll be taking a break next week for the August bank holiday but will be back in your inboxes in a fortnight for the new term. In the meantime, sign up here.
Sarajevo Nights
Kaufmanesque: Zac Ntim here reporting on an interesting week in the Bosnian capital… The city’s festival kicked off last Friday with a screening of the U2-inspired Bosnian war documentary Kiss The Future, with U2 frontman Bono making a surprise appearance alongside The Edge and CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour, who also features in the doc. On the ground, the focus quickly shifted toward the festival’s first of three honorary award recipients, writer-director Charlie Kaufman. Sporting a grey WGA-branded ‘strike’ t-shirt, Kaufman led a packed-out masterclass at the fest where he shared some strong opinions about the state of Hollywood. “At this point,...
Sarajevo Nights
Kaufmanesque: Zac Ntim here reporting on an interesting week in the Bosnian capital… The city’s festival kicked off last Friday with a screening of the U2-inspired Bosnian war documentary Kiss The Future, with U2 frontman Bono making a surprise appearance alongside The Edge and CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour, who also features in the doc. On the ground, the focus quickly shifted toward the festival’s first of three honorary award recipients, writer-director Charlie Kaufman. Sporting a grey WGA-branded ‘strike’ t-shirt, Kaufman led a packed-out masterclass at the fest where he shared some strong opinions about the state of Hollywood. “At this point,...
- 8/18/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, it’s been another sleepy yet somehow simultaneously eventful August week here at Deadline International Towers. Read on for investigations, headlines, scoops and analysis, as Max Goldbart steers you through the past few days.
Drama Schools Uncovered
Breeding grounds for bad behavior: UK drama schools are the foundations for some of the finest acting talent in the world. Anthony Hopkins, Judi Dench, and Gary Oldman are among the icons who learned their craft in the hallowed halls of these British institutions. But Deadline’s Drama Schools Uncovered investigation this week revealed that schools, including the revered Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, are breeding grounds for sexual harassment, discrimination, and bullying. We revealed that 11 of the most prestigious schools in the UK received nearly 100 misconduct complaints over the past three years, with around half of the sexual harassment and racism cases upheld.
Systemic Issues: Jake spoke to dozens of current and former students,...
Drama Schools Uncovered
Breeding grounds for bad behavior: UK drama schools are the foundations for some of the finest acting talent in the world. Anthony Hopkins, Judi Dench, and Gary Oldman are among the icons who learned their craft in the hallowed halls of these British institutions. But Deadline’s Drama Schools Uncovered investigation this week revealed that schools, including the revered Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, are breeding grounds for sexual harassment, discrimination, and bullying. We revealed that 11 of the most prestigious schools in the UK received nearly 100 misconduct complaints over the past three years, with around half of the sexual harassment and racism cases upheld.
Systemic Issues: Jake spoke to dozens of current and former students,...
- 8/11/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, it’s been quite the week as the ripples of the SAG strike continue to be felt around the world. Max Goldbart here with the roundup. And you can sign up here.
SAG Strike Week One
We’ve been here before: It feels just a smidgeon like we’ve been here before. As the SAG-AFTRA strike enters its second week (most likely of many), we can reflect on a seven days packed full of tributes, pickets and, internationally, plenty of confusion over projects. In the U.S., actors have been hitting the pickets in their droves, joining up with scribes who have been doing the same for coming up to three months. Where has the time gone? There are also of course question marks over promotion and upcoming festivals, in amongst Comic-Con, with TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey most recently declaring that the September fest is on. All in all,...
SAG Strike Week One
We’ve been here before: It feels just a smidgeon like we’ve been here before. As the SAG-AFTRA strike enters its second week (most likely of many), we can reflect on a seven days packed full of tributes, pickets and, internationally, plenty of confusion over projects. In the U.S., actors have been hitting the pickets in their droves, joining up with scribes who have been doing the same for coming up to three months. Where has the time gone? There are also of course question marks over promotion and upcoming festivals, in amongst Comic-Con, with TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey most recently declaring that the September fest is on. All in all,...
- 7/21/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here back from a (hopefully) well earned break with a packed newsletter following a week in which actors joined writers on the pickets for the first time in more than 60 years and the BBC found itself mired in crisis, yet again. Read on, and sign up here.
SAG Crosses The Picket
Putting down their… scripts?: It’s official. And my god it’s going to be big. LA’s 160,000-strong acting community has joined striking scribes on the picket line for the first time in more than six decades, back when a certain Ronald Reagan was the head of the actors union. The move was ratified yesterday following a two-week negotiation extension that appeared to get neither SAG-AFTRA nor the AMPTP anywhere near to their goal, and actors will take to the pickets when LA wakes. “We are being victimized by a very greedy entity,...
SAG Crosses The Picket
Putting down their… scripts?: It’s official. And my god it’s going to be big. LA’s 160,000-strong acting community has joined striking scribes on the picket line for the first time in more than six decades, back when a certain Ronald Reagan was the head of the actors union. The move was ratified yesterday following a two-week negotiation extension that appeared to get neither SAG-AFTRA nor the AMPTP anywhere near to their goal, and actors will take to the pickets when LA wakes. “We are being victimized by a very greedy entity,...
- 7/14/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here bringing you the latest from the world of international film and TV. Do read on. And sign up here if you haven’t already.
Mission: Possible
“Movies for the big screen”: Tom Cruise launched the latest edition of his sprawling Mission: Impossible franchise Monday afternoon with an elaborate red carpet hoisted up on the Spanish Steps in Rome, and Nancy and Baz were there to witness all. The eternal city and it’s famous stone staircase feature heavily in the film alongside the Piazza di Spagne, giving it quite the European feel. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is the seventh entry in the wider franchise and is once again helmed by Cruise’s now-frequent collaborator Christopher McQuarrie. You can check out images from the premiere here, which appeared to be an emotional event for Cruise, who spoke passionately with Nancy about...
Mission: Possible
“Movies for the big screen”: Tom Cruise launched the latest edition of his sprawling Mission: Impossible franchise Monday afternoon with an elaborate red carpet hoisted up on the Spanish Steps in Rome, and Nancy and Baz were there to witness all. The eternal city and it’s famous stone staircase feature heavily in the film alongside the Piazza di Spagne, giving it quite the European feel. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is the seventh entry in the wider franchise and is once again helmed by Cruise’s now-frequent collaborator Christopher McQuarrie. You can check out images from the premiere here, which appeared to be an emotional event for Cruise, who spoke passionately with Nancy about...
- 6/23/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart in the hotseat helming the only international TV and film newsletter you need to read this week. Scroll on. Sign up here.
Nordic & Cee Deep Dive
Rapid deterioration: Deadline’s in-depth analysis of the Danish TV market last week preceded one of the biggest shocks in the Scandi industry for decades. In the early hours of Monday morning, the region’s streaming powerhouse Viaplay issued a trading update signaling the immediate resignation of CEO Anders Jensen and the scorching of the group’s long-term financial guidance amidst rapid deterioration in the ad market and subscriber churn. Viaplay has been growing aggressively in recent years, greenlighting one original per week such as the high-profile Ronja the Robber’s Daughter adaptation (pictured), snapping up sports rights, and launching in key territories including the U.S., but it appears the growth has been a smidgeon too fast and stock has been tumbling.
Nordic & Cee Deep Dive
Rapid deterioration: Deadline’s in-depth analysis of the Danish TV market last week preceded one of the biggest shocks in the Scandi industry for decades. In the early hours of Monday morning, the region’s streaming powerhouse Viaplay issued a trading update signaling the immediate resignation of CEO Anders Jensen and the scorching of the group’s long-term financial guidance amidst rapid deterioration in the ad market and subscriber churn. Viaplay has been growing aggressively in recent years, greenlighting one original per week such as the high-profile Ronja the Robber’s Daughter adaptation (pictured), snapping up sports rights, and launching in key territories including the U.S., but it appears the growth has been a smidgeon too fast and stock has been tumbling.
- 6/9/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here bringing you a rundown of all the biggest headlines and analysis from the international film and TV universe. Read on.
Bad Week For ITV Carolyn McCall and Phillip Schofield
Abuse of power?: Anyone at ITV who thought the Phillip Schofield drama would all blow over quickly was living in dreamland. Late last Friday afternoon, just as we were all putting down our pens for the Bank Holiday weekend, the man who had just left This Morning in a hurry after two decades on the sofa used a lengthy mea culpa to confirm what so many had believed to be a rumor for so many years – that he had had an affair with a much younger colleague during his lengthy stint on the daytime stalwart. Media eyes had already been trained on This Morning and Schofield’s public-not-public spat with former co-host Holly Willoughby...
Bad Week For ITV Carolyn McCall and Phillip Schofield
Abuse of power?: Anyone at ITV who thought the Phillip Schofield drama would all blow over quickly was living in dreamland. Late last Friday afternoon, just as we were all putting down our pens for the Bank Holiday weekend, the man who had just left This Morning in a hurry after two decades on the sofa used a lengthy mea culpa to confirm what so many had believed to be a rumor for so many years – that he had had an affair with a much younger colleague during his lengthy stint on the daytime stalwart. Media eyes had already been trained on This Morning and Schofield’s public-not-public spat with former co-host Holly Willoughby...
- 6/2/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here, and with Cannes just a few days away we’ve got plenty for you to digest in this week’s newsletter. You can subscribe here.
Cannes You Feel It
Final weekend arrives: Film execs are frantically packing suitcases, polishing pitches and tying down meetings, in between squeezing in haircuts or getting their nails done, as the countdown for the 76th Cannes Film Festival and its Marché du Film enters its final weekend. More than 12,500 cinema professionals will descend on the Croisette this year, with the Marché du Film head Guillaume Esmiol telling Deadline this week that the event will likely break its attendance record of 2019 – in a sign the pandemic is well and truly over. One of the biggest returning territories will be China, with more than 250 professionals registered to attend against just 55 in 2022. Liz expertly explores what this might mean for business in this analysis piece.
Cannes You Feel It
Final weekend arrives: Film execs are frantically packing suitcases, polishing pitches and tying down meetings, in between squeezing in haircuts or getting their nails done, as the countdown for the 76th Cannes Film Festival and its Marché du Film enters its final weekend. More than 12,500 cinema professionals will descend on the Croisette this year, with the Marché du Film head Guillaume Esmiol telling Deadline this week that the event will likely break its attendance record of 2019 – in a sign the pandemic is well and truly over. One of the biggest returning territories will be China, with more than 250 professionals registered to attend against just 55 in 2022. Liz expertly explores what this might mean for business in this analysis piece.
- 5/12/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders and welcome to this week’s newsletter, Max Goldbart here with my hand on the tiller. Netflix was in London this week and there was plenty else going on for you to digest over lunch. Read on. And sign up and subscribe here.
Netflix Goes Big
London calling: Netflix has been on a major European charm offensive this year and Wednesday night was the UK’s turn to host a no-expense-spared event. Held at the Battersea Power Station – once a giant south London coal-power generator and now a futuristic mall, residential complex and cinema – the Netflix See What’s Next shindig saw presenter Anita Rani host the likes of Blue Story creator Rapman, actor and filmmaker Daniel Kaluuya and Sam McAlister of Prince Andrew interview fame. Sex Education star Alistair Petrie helmed a panel comprising Heartstopper’s Yasmin Finney, The Witcher’s Joey Batey and The Crown’s Claudia Harrison,...
Netflix Goes Big
London calling: Netflix has been on a major European charm offensive this year and Wednesday night was the UK’s turn to host a no-expense-spared event. Held at the Battersea Power Station – once a giant south London coal-power generator and now a futuristic mall, residential complex and cinema – the Netflix See What’s Next shindig saw presenter Anita Rani host the likes of Blue Story creator Rapman, actor and filmmaker Daniel Kaluuya and Sam McAlister of Prince Andrew interview fame. Sex Education star Alistair Petrie helmed a panel comprising Heartstopper’s Yasmin Finney, The Witcher’s Joey Batey and The Crown’s Claudia Harrison,...
- 4/28/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here penning the weekly mailer a day after Cannes revealed its long-awaited lineup. Read on for all the details and plenty more, and sign up to the International Insider here.
Cannes Lineup Roars
Few surprises: Zac Ntim here reporting on Cannes …Cannes General Delegate Thierry Frémaux announced 52 titles Thursday morning that will debut at the festival’s 76th edition, which runs May 16-27 on the Riviera. There were few surprises in the Official Competition lineup, with festival favorites such as Wes Anderson, Ken Loach, Nanni Moretti and Hirokazu Kore-eda vying for the Palme d’Or alongside long-rumored entries from Alice Rohrwacher, Jonathan Glazer and Aki Kaurismäki. The festival did, however, clock six films with women filmmakers playing in competition, a new record for Cannes. With 19 competition titles announced, however, six still remains far below that elusive 50% parity mark. Progress has been slow. This year’s...
Cannes Lineup Roars
Few surprises: Zac Ntim here reporting on Cannes …Cannes General Delegate Thierry Frémaux announced 52 titles Thursday morning that will debut at the festival’s 76th edition, which runs May 16-27 on the Riviera. There were few surprises in the Official Competition lineup, with festival favorites such as Wes Anderson, Ken Loach, Nanni Moretti and Hirokazu Kore-eda vying for the Palme d’Or alongside long-rumored entries from Alice Rohrwacher, Jonathan Glazer and Aki Kaurismäki. The festival did, however, clock six films with women filmmakers playing in competition, a new record for Cannes. With 19 competition titles announced, however, six still remains far below that elusive 50% parity mark. Progress has been slow. This year’s...
- 4/14/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart penning the newsletter this week in what has been a hugely busy week in the world of international TV and film. We really should stop qualifying that. Read on. And sign up for our weekly Insider here.
Regulation Nation
Bill the Media: It’s been a long time coming but the UK government finally unveiled its draft Media Bill to revamp public broadcasting for the digital age Wednesday, which should come into law later this year barring any more swift changes of government (you never know). Most of the Bill is comprised of policies contained in a landmark White Paper from last year but they are eye-catching: regulation of streamers that could see Netflix et al fined £250,000 if they break harmful material rules or fail to subtitle their shows, prominence for the pubcasters on modern TVs and relaxed quotas for the likes of the BBC,...
Regulation Nation
Bill the Media: It’s been a long time coming but the UK government finally unveiled its draft Media Bill to revamp public broadcasting for the digital age Wednesday, which should come into law later this year barring any more swift changes of government (you never know). Most of the Bill is comprised of policies contained in a landmark White Paper from last year but they are eye-catching: regulation of streamers that could see Netflix et al fined £250,000 if they break harmful material rules or fail to subtitle their shows, prominence for the pubcasters on modern TVs and relaxed quotas for the likes of the BBC,...
- 3/31/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, here we are again and it’s Max Goldbart helming a busy week’s newsletter. Scroll down for the biggest news and analysis from team Deadline International, and sign up to the newsletter here.
British Broadcasting Crisis
Multiple fronts: I have been covering the BBC in depth for more than five years and never have I known it to be battling crises on so many fronts. Not content with the Gary Lineker row dominating front pages for days, the corporation has also found itself in hot water this week over local news strikes, Question Time host Fiona Bruce‘s remarks about Boris Johnson’s father, and accusations of “top-down toxicity” from its century-old choir, which is being axed. Struggling to keep track? Insider has done the legwork for you.
Lineker 1 – 0 BBC: First he was benched, then his actions were forcing the BBC into a lengthy and time-intensive...
British Broadcasting Crisis
Multiple fronts: I have been covering the BBC in depth for more than five years and never have I known it to be battling crises on so many fronts. Not content with the Gary Lineker row dominating front pages for days, the corporation has also found itself in hot water this week over local news strikes, Question Time host Fiona Bruce‘s remarks about Boris Johnson’s father, and accusations of “top-down toxicity” from its century-old choir, which is being axed. Struggling to keep track? Insider has done the legwork for you.
Lineker 1 – 0 BBC: First he was benched, then his actions were forcing the BBC into a lengthy and time-intensive...
- 3/17/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insider team, Max Goldbart here. It has been a wild ride of a week with Berlin drawing to a close. Read below for a good ol’ recap.
A Year At War
Commemorating: A year is a long time in anyone’s calendar but, for the people of Ukraine, the 12 months that have followed that dreadful day on February 24, 2022, must have felt like a lifetime. Commemorative programs dominated the schedules yesterday and today as the global community marks the anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion by highlighting the plight of an embattled nation, and considering what’s to come. In the U.S., our political correspondent Ted Johnson had this handy rundown of all the major coverage from the news networks, which was preceded by Joe Biden’s surprise visit to Ukraine. “I’m here to show our unwavering support for the nation’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity,...
A Year At War
Commemorating: A year is a long time in anyone’s calendar but, for the people of Ukraine, the 12 months that have followed that dreadful day on February 24, 2022, must have felt like a lifetime. Commemorative programs dominated the schedules yesterday and today as the global community marks the anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion by highlighting the plight of an embattled nation, and considering what’s to come. In the U.S., our political correspondent Ted Johnson had this handy rundown of all the major coverage from the news networks, which was preceded by Joe Biden’s surprise visit to Ukraine. “I’m here to show our unwavering support for the nation’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity,...
- 2/24/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Shades of Blue creator Adi Hasak didn’t mince his words when discussing the state of U.S. television at the EFM’s Berlinale Series Market today.
“America is a disaster zone right now,” he said during a panel on entrepreneurial showrunners. “Nothing is working.”
His comments come after a bruising year in the U.S., where most major media companies have been forced into layoffs and some have engaged in content write downs that the creative community has taken hard.
Hasak – best known for creating the Jennifer Lopez-starring NBC drama Shades of Blue — also took aim at Disney, noting it has just laid off 7,000 staff and claiming its current strategy is akin to “a mental breakdown.”
Related: Deadline’s Berlin Film Festival Coverage
“Everyone thought Disney was genius to buy Fox and now it’s all revisionist – ‘they overpaid for it.’ People freaked out because Disney can’t launch any of their shows,...
“America is a disaster zone right now,” he said during a panel on entrepreneurial showrunners. “Nothing is working.”
His comments come after a bruising year in the U.S., where most major media companies have been forced into layoffs and some have engaged in content write downs that the creative community has taken hard.
Hasak – best known for creating the Jennifer Lopez-starring NBC drama Shades of Blue — also took aim at Disney, noting it has just laid off 7,000 staff and claiming its current strategy is akin to “a mental breakdown.”
Related: Deadline’s Berlin Film Festival Coverage
“Everyone thought Disney was genius to buy Fox and now it’s all revisionist – ‘they overpaid for it.’ People freaked out because Disney can’t launch any of their shows,...
- 2/20/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here. The Berlinale is nearly upon us and plenty has been going down in the film and TV world this week. Read on.
EFM Nears
A welcome return: Berlin’s European Film Market was the last major physical market to take place in 2020 as the world began to shut down with the Covid-19 pandemic taking hold. The virus would force the event online in 2021 and 2022. Finally, this year, the market returns to in-person events, with thousands of industry professionals once again gearing up to descend on the Gropius Bau, the market’s traditional home, for the 2023 edition, running February 16-22.
Heating up: The market has already begun to heat up, with the first of the high-profile packages arriving this week. Mike Fleming had the scoop that Sacha Baron Cohen and Keke Palmer are set to star in Super Toys, a new pic written and directed by David O Russell,...
EFM Nears
A welcome return: Berlin’s European Film Market was the last major physical market to take place in 2020 as the world began to shut down with the Covid-19 pandemic taking hold. The virus would force the event online in 2021 and 2022. Finally, this year, the market returns to in-person events, with thousands of industry professionals once again gearing up to descend on the Gropius Bau, the market’s traditional home, for the 2023 edition, running February 16-22.
Heating up: The market has already begun to heat up, with the first of the high-profile packages arriving this week. Mike Fleming had the scoop that Sacha Baron Cohen and Keke Palmer are set to star in Super Toys, a new pic written and directed by David O Russell,...
- 2/10/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here. It’s Oscar noms week, and we’d be rude not to bring you the latest headlines and analysis from the Academy and beyond. Read on.
And The Nominations Are In
Everything Everywhere all at the Oscars: Zac Ntim here reporting after an Oscar noms week in which A24’s multiverse epic Everything Everywhere All at Once scored a leading 11 nominations, while there was plenty to digest on the international side. The film’s haul included Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Michelle Yeoh, who became the first actress of Asian descent nominated in the category. Writer-directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert originally created the role for Jackie Chan. The A24 pic has leapt from plucky underdog to awards frontrunner in a matter of weeks, collecting impressive hauls at BAFTA and numerous others. A nomination for Best Supporting Actress Stephanie Hsu, who...
And The Nominations Are In
Everything Everywhere all at the Oscars: Zac Ntim here reporting after an Oscar noms week in which A24’s multiverse epic Everything Everywhere All at Once scored a leading 11 nominations, while there was plenty to digest on the international side. The film’s haul included Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Michelle Yeoh, who became the first actress of Asian descent nominated in the category. Writer-directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert originally created the role for Jackie Chan. The A24 pic has leapt from plucky underdog to awards frontrunner in a matter of weeks, collecting impressive hauls at BAFTA and numerous others. A nomination for Best Supporting Actress Stephanie Hsu, who...
- 1/27/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here relaying a hugely busy week in the world of film and TV as the post-Christmas blues are very much washed away. Read on.
French Focus
Rendez-Vous: Mel Goodfellow here reporting from the 25th edition of French film and TV promotional body Unifrance’s Rendez-Vous in Paris, which unfolded in the French capital this week in its first fully physical iteration since 2020. Some 450 buyers from 50 territories attended its film market and screening program, showcasing some 80 new French language titles and presentations by nine broadcasters and content companies including Mediawan, Newen, Arte, Federation Entertainment and France Télévisions. The event kicked off with Unifrance’s third Export Day on Tuesday looking at the fortunes of French film and TV content internationally. Its annual international box office report revealed less than stellar results – with French minority and majority productions clocking just 27M admissions outside of France in 2022, against...
French Focus
Rendez-Vous: Mel Goodfellow here reporting from the 25th edition of French film and TV promotional body Unifrance’s Rendez-Vous in Paris, which unfolded in the French capital this week in its first fully physical iteration since 2020. Some 450 buyers from 50 territories attended its film market and screening program, showcasing some 80 new French language titles and presentations by nine broadcasters and content companies including Mediawan, Newen, Arte, Federation Entertainment and France Télévisions. The event kicked off with Unifrance’s third Export Day on Tuesday looking at the fortunes of French film and TV content internationally. Its annual international box office report revealed less than stellar results – with French minority and majority productions clocking just 27M admissions outside of France in 2022, against...
- 1/13/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcome back Insiders. Hope you’re feeling sufficiently rested and re-energized as the world of TV and film kicks back into gear. Jesse Whittock with you for the first edition of 2023, and we have plenty for you.
Channel (Not) 4 Sale
Channel 4’s London headquarters
“Better ways to secure sustainability”: Max Goldbart here reporting on a phenomenal week for the UK’s Channel 4, which is officially remaining in public hands after the government u-turned on a sale plan. Although we all knew it was coming, Channel 4 execs were simply delighted following first a leaked letter from Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan indicating she would prefer the Gogglebox network to remain public and then the official confirmation from 10 Downing Street the following day, in which Donelan said “there are better ways to secure sustainability.” The abrupt u-turn ends a difficult 18 months for Britain’s alternative broadcaster and puts to bed for...
Channel (Not) 4 Sale
Channel 4’s London headquarters
“Better ways to secure sustainability”: Max Goldbart here reporting on a phenomenal week for the UK’s Channel 4, which is officially remaining in public hands after the government u-turned on a sale plan. Although we all knew it was coming, Channel 4 execs were simply delighted following first a leaked letter from Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan indicating she would prefer the Gogglebox network to remain public and then the official confirmation from 10 Downing Street the following day, in which Donelan said “there are better ways to secure sustainability.” The abrupt u-turn ends a difficult 18 months for Britain’s alternative broadcaster and puts to bed for...
- 1/6/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders and a happy holiday to you all, Max Goldbart here seeing out the year. We’re inching slowly towards the holiday and have just got a quick summary of the week’s headlines and some Essentials for you this week. We’ll be taking a well-earned (we hope!) break next week but back all systems go on Friday January 6. Until then, our heartfelt thanks go out to all you Insider readers. We are nothing without you. Merry Xmas, Happy Chanukah and a Happy New Year.
BBC China woes: Don’t you dare tuck into your turkey without checking out this must-read exclusive investigation from Jake on how a little-known commercial BBC outfit has been producing ads for China’s propaganda machine. Jake’s in-depth exposé found BBC StoryWorks has partnered with at least 18 Chinese clients including Huawei since 2015. Within a day, lawmaker Lord David Alton, who is...
BBC China woes: Don’t you dare tuck into your turkey without checking out this must-read exclusive investigation from Jake on how a little-known commercial BBC outfit has been producing ads for China’s propaganda machine. Jake’s in-depth exposé found BBC StoryWorks has partnered with at least 18 Chinese clients including Huawei since 2015. Within a day, lawmaker Lord David Alton, who is...
- 12/23/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, happy Harry and Meghan-week. Sigh. It’s been a long one but it’s Max Goldbart here cutting through the noise and bringing you the royalest news and analysis of the past seven days.
‘Hazza & Meg’
Trailing trouble: The majority of the British public and Twitterati appeared to find the first three episodes of shock Netflix Harry & Meghan doc just a bit of a damp squib when the loved-up couple dropped their highly-anticipated show yesterday morning. Of more interest was the goings-on around the doc. The week started with a duo of trailers and boy were they spicy, black-and-white images overlaid with La La Land’s favourite Prince declaring “I had to do everything I could to protect my family” and other comments of that urgent ilk. It wasn’t long before that and a subsequent trailer were being picked apart by the British media, however. Veteran...
‘Hazza & Meg’
Trailing trouble: The majority of the British public and Twitterati appeared to find the first three episodes of shock Netflix Harry & Meghan doc just a bit of a damp squib when the loved-up couple dropped their highly-anticipated show yesterday morning. Of more interest was the goings-on around the doc. The week started with a duo of trailers and boy were they spicy, black-and-white images overlaid with La La Land’s favourite Prince declaring “I had to do everything I could to protect my family” and other comments of that urgent ilk. It wasn’t long before that and a subsequent trailer were being picked apart by the British media, however. Veteran...
- 12/9/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Roll up, roll up, Insiders. The Deadline International team have once again been travelling the world to bring you the latest news and analysis from the global film and TV biz, with Mel and Zac both in the Middle East. Max and I actually found the TV world descending on London for once, so we didn’t have to go so far for access. Read on.
London Calling
Jana Winograde
Tighten those belts: Straight over to Max Goldbart with this report — As news emerged repeatedly of mass layoffs at a wealth of legacy U.S. media companies this week, some of the most senior execs in the business were facing tricky questions about the economic headwinds at the Content London event in the UK’s capital. “Belt tightening is coming,” according to Showtime Entertainment President Jana Winograde, who teased her Paramount-owned network’s approach to the global macroeconomic crisis:...
London Calling
Jana Winograde
Tighten those belts: Straight over to Max Goldbart with this report — As news emerged repeatedly of mass layoffs at a wealth of legacy U.S. media companies this week, some of the most senior execs in the business were facing tricky questions about the economic headwinds at the Content London event in the UK’s capital. “Belt tightening is coming,” according to Showtime Entertainment President Jana Winograde, who teased her Paramount-owned network’s approach to the global macroeconomic crisis:...
- 12/2/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here. World Cup fever has gripped Deadline Towers and while our U.S. colleagues gobble up their turkey with all the trimmings, we’ve got plenty to round up in the world of international TV and film.
Shifting The Goalposts
Controversy keeps on coming: Those who thought the Qatar World Cup controversy would melt away when the real action started were sadly mistaken. It is hard to keep track of happenings off the pitch during a fast and furious first week of the world’s biggest sporting tournament but the tone was set by a helplessly bizarre tirade from FIFA boss Gianni Infantino Saturday, in which his robust defense of the Gulf state led with a much-mocked “Today I feel Qatari, today I feel Arab, today I feel African, today I feel gay” before he went on to equate serious human rights plights with him...
Shifting The Goalposts
Controversy keeps on coming: Those who thought the Qatar World Cup controversy would melt away when the real action started were sadly mistaken. It is hard to keep track of happenings off the pitch during a fast and furious first week of the world’s biggest sporting tournament but the tone was set by a helplessly bizarre tirade from FIFA boss Gianni Infantino Saturday, in which his robust defense of the Gulf state led with a much-mocked “Today I feel Qatari, today I feel Arab, today I feel African, today I feel gay” before he went on to equate serious human rights plights with him...
- 11/25/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here following another busy week in our world. Read on for our dissection of the biggest headlines.
AFM Incoming
Market in flux: Andreas Wiseman and Zac Ntim here as The American Film Market (Nov 1-6) returns to Santa Monica as an in-person event next week after being forced online for two years due to the Covid pandemic. AFM has always been heavy on genre and brawn and is now as much about broader LA meetings as it is about concentrated deal-making, which happens throughout the year. There is a real sense of a market and an independent finance sector in flux as buyers and sellers recompute their businesses. Movies are being made and there is positivity about new ways of getting them made, and about most businesses diversifying their portfolios, but questions over the role and viability of a market like AFM remain. So far,...
AFM Incoming
Market in flux: Andreas Wiseman and Zac Ntim here as The American Film Market (Nov 1-6) returns to Santa Monica as an in-person event next week after being forced online for two years due to the Covid pandemic. AFM has always been heavy on genre and brawn and is now as much about broader LA meetings as it is about concentrated deal-making, which happens throughout the year. There is a real sense of a market and an independent finance sector in flux as buyers and sellers recompute their businesses. Movies are being made and there is positivity about new ways of getting them made, and about most businesses diversifying their portfolios, but questions over the role and viability of a market like AFM remain. So far,...
- 10/28/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcome to the International Insider, Max Goldbart here. We’ve been all over the proverbial shop this week with Mel and Jesse in sunny Rome and Zac racing round London at the speed of light to cover Lff. Read on for the biggest news in international TV and film.
Mipcom Cannes Back With A Bang
Three years off: A palpable sense of excitement has settled over the global TV community as buyers, sellers, execs, journalists (of course) and everyone in between gets set to jet to Cannes for Mipcom. This year’s market, rebranded Mipcom Cannes, is effectively the first in person for three years (last year was hybrid) and there was a real sense of positivity when I spoke with five senior sales bosses for my annual preview. “People need people and this is a people business,” Fremantle’s Jens Richter told me, almost beaming. There is renewed optimism,...
Mipcom Cannes Back With A Bang
Three years off: A palpable sense of excitement has settled over the global TV community as buyers, sellers, execs, journalists (of course) and everyone in between gets set to jet to Cannes for Mipcom. This year’s market, rebranded Mipcom Cannes, is effectively the first in person for three years (last year was hybrid) and there was a real sense of positivity when I spoke with five senior sales bosses for my annual preview. “People need people and this is a people business,” Fremantle’s Jens Richter told me, almost beaming. There is renewed optimism,...
- 10/14/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here. Our crack team of reporters and editors brought you the news from Zurich to Singapore to London this week, and I’m here to help you digest. Read away.
Tales From Zurich
Marquee attendees: Diana Lodderhose reporting from the Zurich Film Festival where the indie film confab Zurich Summit, the marquee industry event, took place last Saturday and saw more than 100 of the film industry’s top execs take part in an all-day session that drilled down into the state of the industry. Attendees included the likes of former Lionsgate film chief Patrick Wachsberger, Sony Pictures Classics co-head Michael Barker and Tom Bernard, Killer Films’ Christine Vachon, Neon CEO Tom Quinn, CAA Media Finance co-head Roeg Sutherland and Le Grisbi Production founder and president John Lesher.
‘Coda’, Oscars and youth: And there was plenty going on. Wachsberger, who was a producer on Oscar-winning film Coda,...
Tales From Zurich
Marquee attendees: Diana Lodderhose reporting from the Zurich Film Festival where the indie film confab Zurich Summit, the marquee industry event, took place last Saturday and saw more than 100 of the film industry’s top execs take part in an all-day session that drilled down into the state of the industry. Attendees included the likes of former Lionsgate film chief Patrick Wachsberger, Sony Pictures Classics co-head Michael Barker and Tom Bernard, Killer Films’ Christine Vachon, Neon CEO Tom Quinn, CAA Media Finance co-head Roeg Sutherland and Le Grisbi Production founder and president John Lesher.
‘Coda’, Oscars and youth: And there was plenty going on. Wachsberger, who was a producer on Oscar-winning film Coda,...
- 9/30/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders. Max Goldbart here and as the world prepares for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, which has dominated headlines this week, I’ll take you through the past few days in international TV and film.
Period Of Mourning
A week like no other: As Insider writes, queues lasting at least several hours are snaking their way around the centre of London as thousands of people from up and down the country wait patiently to see Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin. The world’s second longest-serving monarch, who died Thursday September 8, is currently lying-in-state for four days until Monday’s funeral, and the nation remains in mourning. It has been a week like no other. Disruption has continued to daily life apace, protesters have been arrested and events have continued to be cancelled including a string of Premier League football matches due to the funeral preparations. Meanwhile, tributes from...
Period Of Mourning
A week like no other: As Insider writes, queues lasting at least several hours are snaking their way around the centre of London as thousands of people from up and down the country wait patiently to see Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin. The world’s second longest-serving monarch, who died Thursday September 8, is currently lying-in-state for four days until Monday’s funeral, and the nation remains in mourning. It has been a week like no other. Disruption has continued to daily life apace, protesters have been arrested and events have continued to be cancelled including a string of Premier League football matches due to the funeral preparations. Meanwhile, tributes from...
- 9/16/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here with your weekly runthrough of the biggest news as prequels launch and Venice gets underway. Do read on.
Rings Vs Thrones Goes Global
One prequel to rule them all: Two of the biggest tentpoles of all time are about to lock horns and this is going to be fun. It’s hard to tell if Amazon Prime Video and HBO set out to do this but when the highly-anticipated most expensive TV show of all time, Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, drops in dozens of territories today it will come just a fortnight after Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon debuted episode one. Both of the U.S. conglomerates have been busy stressing their global credentials and their international premieres were even at the same place, London’s Leicester Square Odeon Luxe, with Amazon’s taking place Tuesday night and yours truly in attendance.
Rings Vs Thrones Goes Global
One prequel to rule them all: Two of the biggest tentpoles of all time are about to lock horns and this is going to be fun. It’s hard to tell if Amazon Prime Video and HBO set out to do this but when the highly-anticipated most expensive TV show of all time, Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, drops in dozens of territories today it will come just a fortnight after Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon debuted episode one. Both of the U.S. conglomerates have been busy stressing their global credentials and their international premieres were even at the same place, London’s Leicester Square Odeon Luxe, with Amazon’s taking place Tuesday night and yours truly in attendance.
- 9/2/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good Afternoon International Insider team, Max Goldbart here with your mid-August dose of headlines, analysis and silly emojis. We’re taking a break next week but will be back with your favourite Friday lunchtime newsletter in a fortnight on September 2. For now, read on.
Johnny Depp’s Very International Comeback
Back in the director’s chair: Johnny Depp has had a decent fortnight. Last week, we revealed a first-look image of his eponymous role as King Louis Xv in Jeanne du Barry (his first film for three years) and this week focus pivoted to the director’s chair, where the once-disgraced star is due to return for the first time in a quarter of a century. Depp will sit behind the camera for Modigliani, a feature film about Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. Al Pacino is on board as co-producer with Depp and Barry Navidi, sources confirmed to Deadline’s Zac Ntim,...
Johnny Depp’s Very International Comeback
Back in the director’s chair: Johnny Depp has had a decent fortnight. Last week, we revealed a first-look image of his eponymous role as King Louis Xv in Jeanne du Barry (his first film for three years) and this week focus pivoted to the director’s chair, where the once-disgraced star is due to return for the first time in a quarter of a century. Depp will sit behind the camera for Modigliani, a feature film about Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. Al Pacino is on board as co-producer with Depp and Barry Navidi, sources confirmed to Deadline’s Zac Ntim,...
- 8/19/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders. We have truly entered holiday season but in TV and film land things simply don’t slow down. I’m Max Goldbart and here’s your list of the week’s biggest headlines.
Streamers Turn To Africa And Asia
Teething problem solutions: It’s no secret that some of the legacy players of the streaming world have been experiencing teething problems of late, with Netflix especially struggling with subs growth and commissioning shows that really cut through. One solution: Africa and Asia. This week saw a wealth of talent deals and new programs unveiled across both continents, led by Netflix’s See What’s Next Africa 2022/23 showcase in Johannesburg. Both continents have populations into the billions and huge growing middle class demographics that are ripe for additional subs growth. And the announcements came as UK ratings agency Barb showed that in the UK, for example, both Netflix...
Streamers Turn To Africa And Asia
Teething problem solutions: It’s no secret that some of the legacy players of the streaming world have been experiencing teething problems of late, with Netflix especially struggling with subs growth and commissioning shows that really cut through. One solution: Africa and Asia. This week saw a wealth of talent deals and new programs unveiled across both continents, led by Netflix’s See What’s Next Africa 2022/23 showcase in Johannesburg. Both continents have populations into the billions and huge growing middle class demographics that are ripe for additional subs growth. And the announcements came as UK ratings agency Barb showed that in the UK, for example, both Netflix...
- 8/5/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here. We’ve got all the news and analysis you need as we end another week in which temperatures hit record highs and relations between the UK’s biggest TV union and trade body hit dispiriting lows.
Pact Vs Bectu
Verbal warfare: Rumbling along in the UK TV drama sector has been a dispute that broke into all out verbal warfare this week over the Bectu/Pact TV drama agreement. The union Bectu is seeking updated terms to the agreement in areas such as working conditions, hours and wellbeing but trade body Pact believes Bectu’s terms are unrealistic, and has set out its own terms that Bectu members are balloting on as we speak. Crew members have been advised by the union to reject these terms and the whole situation has become extremely messy. In a set of ever-ramped-up statements issued to the press,...
Pact Vs Bectu
Verbal warfare: Rumbling along in the UK TV drama sector has been a dispute that broke into all out verbal warfare this week over the Bectu/Pact TV drama agreement. The union Bectu is seeking updated terms to the agreement in areas such as working conditions, hours and wellbeing but trade body Pact believes Bectu’s terms are unrealistic, and has set out its own terms that Bectu members are balloting on as we speak. Crew members have been advised by the union to reject these terms and the whole situation has become extremely messy. In a set of ever-ramped-up statements issued to the press,...
- 7/22/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.