The sixth edition of the Joburg Film Festival wraps Sunday, putting a bow on a week that saw many in the host nation reflecting on South Africa’s long journey in the three decades since the end of apartheid. But among the filmmakers and executives taking part in the second Jbx content market the focus was squarely on the future, as Africa’s streaming wars and an eye toward global dealmaking highlighted how the tide has begun to shift in how the world perceives the continent. “What a time to be alive in Johannesburg,” said festival founder Timothy Mangwedi at Saturday’s award ceremony. “What a time to be alive in Africa.”
Here are five takeaways from a busy week in Johannesburg:
Streamers shift strategies but still drive growth
Amazon Prime Video’s abrupt pull-out from the African market in January has left many local producers frustrated and confused. “It...
Here are five takeaways from a busy week in Johannesburg:
Streamers shift strategies but still drive growth
Amazon Prime Video’s abrupt pull-out from the African market in January has left many local producers frustrated and confused. “It...
- 3/3/2024
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
The first trailer for Sony’s sex comedy No Hard Feelings, hitting theaters June 23, includes star Jennifer Lawrence consoling an ex by declaring she hasn’t forgotten him: “Last night, I thought, ‘I miss that fucker.’ ” Moviegoers might share similar nostalgia, recalling a not-long-ago era when studio offerings centering on ribald jokes would regularly play theatrically — before going missing.
This summer suggests a possible changing of the tide. As audiences return to cinemas post-pandemic, studios appear to be using the next few months as a testing ground for the theatrical return of the R-rated comedy. No Hard Feelings, about an awkward teen whose parents hire Lawrence’s character to date him, will later have company from Lionsgate’s Joy Ride (July 7), Universal’s Strays (Aug. 18) and MGM’s Bottoms (Aug. 25). Such projects are akin to horror films in offering viewers the experience of watching shocking moments with a group of like-minded strangers.
This summer suggests a possible changing of the tide. As audiences return to cinemas post-pandemic, studios appear to be using the next few months as a testing ground for the theatrical return of the R-rated comedy. No Hard Feelings, about an awkward teen whose parents hire Lawrence’s character to date him, will later have company from Lionsgate’s Joy Ride (July 7), Universal’s Strays (Aug. 18) and MGM’s Bottoms (Aug. 25). Such projects are akin to horror films in offering viewers the experience of watching shocking moments with a group of like-minded strangers.
- 6/22/2023
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When viewers tune in to the second season of Harlem, the comedy about four ambitious best friends (played by Meagan Good, Grace Byers, Jerrie Johnson and Shoniqua Shandai) navigating life in New York, they’ll find something a little deeper: frank discussions about mental health. Ahead of Harlem‘s Scad TVfest panel, showrunner Tracy Oliver discusses how the events of the past two years affected the writers room and found their way into the show — and teases what she can about the upcoming Girls Trip sequel.
A lot has happened since the first season of Harlem. What felt most different this time around?
I started working on the show in 2019, and we broke the whole first season pre-pandemic. When we came together to write season two, we were squarely in the middle of a new reality, and it felt disingenuous to make a light season. A lot of us were...
A lot has happened since the first season of Harlem. What felt most different this time around?
I started working on the show in 2019, and we broke the whole first season pre-pandemic. When we came together to write season two, we were squarely in the middle of a new reality, and it felt disingenuous to make a light season. A lot of us were...
- 2/9/2023
- by Seija Rankin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish are all reuniting to star in the sequel ‘Girls Trip 2.’
Writer-director-producer Tracy Oliver confirmed the project is a go and will see the rambunctious ladies head to Ghana to attend the Afrochella festival, which has attracted prominent musical acts from the region, including Beyonce collaborate Shatte Wale. A production timeline is unknown as Oliver still needs to submit her script.
Also in news – Rami Malek to play silent movie star Buster Keaton in limited series
At the Sundance festival to promote the second season of her Amazon Prime Video series ‘Harlem,’ Oliver said she had a “definitive ‘Girls Trip 2’ update. That it’s officially happening. I can say that.”
The first ‘Girls Trip’ was a box office hit, grossing 140 million worldwide on a modest 16 million budget. Malcolm D. Lee directed the project, produced by Will Packer and co-written...
Writer-director-producer Tracy Oliver confirmed the project is a go and will see the rambunctious ladies head to Ghana to attend the Afrochella festival, which has attracted prominent musical acts from the region, including Beyonce collaborate Shatte Wale. A production timeline is unknown as Oliver still needs to submit her script.
Also in news – Rami Malek to play silent movie star Buster Keaton in limited series
At the Sundance festival to promote the second season of her Amazon Prime Video series ‘Harlem,’ Oliver said she had a “definitive ‘Girls Trip 2’ update. That it’s officially happening. I can say that.”
The first ‘Girls Trip’ was a box office hit, grossing 140 million worldwide on a modest 16 million budget. Malcolm D. Lee directed the project, produced by Will Packer and co-written...
- 1/24/2023
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The ‘Girls Trip’ sequel starring Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish will be taking a trip to West Africa.
Writer-director-producer Tracy Oliver, who co-wrote the original 2017 romp, joined the Variety Studio presented by Audible at Sundance and provided an update on the anticipated reunion of Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith and Tiffany Haddish.
Oliver, at the festival to promote the second season of her Amazon Prime Video series ‘Harlem’, said she had a “definitive ‘Girls Trip 2’ update. That it’s officially happening. I can say that.” She also provided a plot update, and while the film’s producer Will Packer “might kill me, we’re looking to set it in Ghana.”
One of Oliver’s ‘Harlem’ stars, actor Shoniqua Shandai, screamed “Afrochella!” after Oliver dropped the news.
She refers to the annual Afrochella festival, Ghana’s premiere cultural and music event whose name...
Writer-director-producer Tracy Oliver, who co-wrote the original 2017 romp, joined the Variety Studio presented by Audible at Sundance and provided an update on the anticipated reunion of Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith and Tiffany Haddish.
Oliver, at the festival to promote the second season of her Amazon Prime Video series ‘Harlem’, said she had a “definitive ‘Girls Trip 2’ update. That it’s officially happening. I can say that.” She also provided a plot update, and while the film’s producer Will Packer “might kill me, we’re looking to set it in Ghana.”
One of Oliver’s ‘Harlem’ stars, actor Shoniqua Shandai, screamed “Afrochella!” after Oliver dropped the news.
She refers to the annual Afrochella festival, Ghana’s premiere cultural and music event whose name...
- 1/24/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
It looks like the highly anticipated “Girls Trip” sequel is heading to Ghana!
Writer-director-producer Tracy Oliver, who co-wrote the 2017 hit with filmmaker and producer Will Packer, confirmed the news during an interview with Variety at Sundance.
Joking that Packer “might kill me,” Oliver revealed that the sequel film would follow the stars — including Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith and Tiffany Haddish — in Ghana as they potentially attend the annual Afrochella festival, Ghana’s annual cultural and music event whose name borrows from Coachella.
Read More: Will Packer Teases What to Expect From 'Girls Trip 2' (Exclusive)
Et has learned that while the sequel is in development, it is not greenlit and there isn’t a script.
Packer previously confirmed the film’s follow-up with Et last June, saying, “it’s gonna be better than the first one.”
“I can’t tell you where we’re gonna go yet,...
Writer-director-producer Tracy Oliver, who co-wrote the 2017 hit with filmmaker and producer Will Packer, confirmed the news during an interview with Variety at Sundance.
Joking that Packer “might kill me,” Oliver revealed that the sequel film would follow the stars — including Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith and Tiffany Haddish — in Ghana as they potentially attend the annual Afrochella festival, Ghana’s annual cultural and music event whose name borrows from Coachella.
Read More: Will Packer Teases What to Expect From 'Girls Trip 2' (Exclusive)
Et has learned that while the sequel is in development, it is not greenlit and there isn’t a script.
Packer previously confirmed the film’s follow-up with Et last June, saying, “it’s gonna be better than the first one.”
“I can’t tell you where we’re gonna go yet,...
- 1/24/2023
- by Melissa Romualdi
- ET Canada
Who's ready for a vacation? On Jan. 23, "Girls Trip" writer-producer-director Tracy Oliver confirmed "Girls Trip 2" is happening in a new interview with Variety. The news comes a year after producer Will Packer confirmed to "Good Morning America" that the sequel was in its early stages.
In her interview, Oliver teased she had a "definitive 'Girls Trip 2' update: that it's officially happening. I can say that." She went on to tease that although Packer "might kill me, we're looking to set it in Ghana."
The multihyphenate writer was at Sundance to promote season two of her Starz series "Harlem," and one of the stars of the show made a suggestion for what might bring the women to West Africa. Shoniqua Shandai shouted, "Afrochella!" Which would be perfect, since the first "Girls Trip" was about the pals going to the Essence Festival in New Orleans.
The news marks...
In her interview, Oliver teased she had a "definitive 'Girls Trip 2' update: that it's officially happening. I can say that." She went on to tease that although Packer "might kill me, we're looking to set it in Ghana."
The multihyphenate writer was at Sundance to promote season two of her Starz series "Harlem," and one of the stars of the show made a suggestion for what might bring the women to West Africa. Shoniqua Shandai shouted, "Afrochella!" Which would be perfect, since the first "Girls Trip" was about the pals going to the Essence Festival in New Orleans.
The news marks...
- 1/23/2023
- by Princess Gabbara
- Popsugar.com
Pack your zip lines and grapefruits, the “Girls Trip” sequel is taking us to West Africa.
Writer-director-producer Tracy Oliver, who co-wrote the original 2017 romp, joined the Variety Studio presented by Audible at Sundance and provided an update on the anticipated reunion of Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish.
Oliver, at the festival to promote the second season of her Amazon Prime Video series “Harlem,” said she had a “definitive ‘Girls Trip 2’ update. That it’s officially happening. I can say that.” She also provided a plot update, and while the film’s producer Will Packer “might kill me, we’re looking to set it in Ghana.”
One of Oliver’s “Harlem” stars, actor Shoniqua Shandai, screamed “Afrochella!” after Oliver dropped the news. She refers to the annual Afrochella festival, Ghana’s premiere cultural and music event whose name borrows from the American flower crown convention Coachella.
Writer-director-producer Tracy Oliver, who co-wrote the original 2017 romp, joined the Variety Studio presented by Audible at Sundance and provided an update on the anticipated reunion of Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish.
Oliver, at the festival to promote the second season of her Amazon Prime Video series “Harlem,” said she had a “definitive ‘Girls Trip 2’ update. That it’s officially happening. I can say that.” She also provided a plot update, and while the film’s producer Will Packer “might kill me, we’re looking to set it in Ghana.”
One of Oliver’s “Harlem” stars, actor Shoniqua Shandai, screamed “Afrochella!” after Oliver dropped the news. She refers to the annual Afrochella festival, Ghana’s premiere cultural and music event whose name borrows from the American flower crown convention Coachella.
- 1/23/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
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