R&r to distribute in Australia and New Zealand.
Myriad Pictures CEO Kirk D’Amico and his team will launch worldwide sales excluding Australia and New Zealand in Cannes next month on crime thriller The Removalists starring Abbie Cornish, Bryan Brown, and Caroline Goodall.
Craig Monahan will direct for Pointblank Pictures from a screenplay he adapted with Australian playwright and screenwriter David Williamson from the latter’s 1971 stage play.
The Removalists addresses inequity, sexism, and abuse of power spanning 1976 to present day. Brown plays Neville Ross, a decorated police chief forced to relive his disastrous first day on the job when...
Myriad Pictures CEO Kirk D’Amico and his team will launch worldwide sales excluding Australia and New Zealand in Cannes next month on crime thriller The Removalists starring Abbie Cornish, Bryan Brown, and Caroline Goodall.
Craig Monahan will direct for Pointblank Pictures from a screenplay he adapted with Australian playwright and screenwriter David Williamson from the latter’s 1971 stage play.
The Removalists addresses inequity, sexism, and abuse of power spanning 1976 to present day. Brown plays Neville Ross, a decorated police chief forced to relive his disastrous first day on the job when...
- 4/18/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Fast & Furious actress Elsa Pataky and Holidate‘s Luke Bracey have signed on to star in Interceptor, an action drama that will be released by Netflix.
Matthew Reilly, the Australian action-thriller writer known for books such as Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves, Seven Ancient Wonders, and The Tournament, is on board to direct the feature from a screenplay he wrote with Collateral and Tomorrow, When the War Began screenwriter Stuart Beattie.
The film follows an Army lieutenant who must utilize her years of tactical training and military expertise to save humanity when sixteen nuclear missiles are launched at the U.S., and a violent coordinated attack simultaneously threatens her remote missile interceptor station.
“As those people who have read my novels know, I love telling big action stories that are told at a frenetic pace,” said Reilly. “I wanted to bring that kind of rocket-fast, relentless, high-stakes storytelling to film,...
Matthew Reilly, the Australian action-thriller writer known for books such as Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves, Seven Ancient Wonders, and The Tournament, is on board to direct the feature from a screenplay he wrote with Collateral and Tomorrow, When the War Began screenwriter Stuart Beattie.
The film follows an Army lieutenant who must utilize her years of tactical training and military expertise to save humanity when sixteen nuclear missiles are launched at the U.S., and a violent coordinated attack simultaneously threatens her remote missile interceptor station.
“As those people who have read my novels know, I love telling big action stories that are told at a frenetic pace,” said Reilly. “I wanted to bring that kind of rocket-fast, relentless, high-stakes storytelling to film,...
- 3/4/2021
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Elsa Pataky and Luke Bracey are set to star in “Interceptor” for Netflix. The film will be written and directed by Australian thriller novelist Matthew Reilly.
Reilly wrote the action film with Stuart Beattie (“Collateral”). Matthew Street and Michael Boughen for Ambience Entertainment are producing alongside Beattie, while executive producers are Chris Hemsworth, Kathy Morgan, Christopher Mapp, Robert Slaviero and Peter D. Graves.
“Interceptor” follows an Army lieutenant who must use her years of tactical training and military experience to save humanity when 16 nuclear missiles are launched at the United States. Production will take place in New South Wales, Australia.
“As those people who have read my novels know, I love telling big action stories that are told at a frenetic pace,” Reilly said in a statement. “I wanted to bring that kind of rocket-fast, relentless, high-stakes storytelling to film, and so ‘Interceptor’ was born. Elsa is just perfect as our lead: a strong,...
Reilly wrote the action film with Stuart Beattie (“Collateral”). Matthew Street and Michael Boughen for Ambience Entertainment are producing alongside Beattie, while executive producers are Chris Hemsworth, Kathy Morgan, Christopher Mapp, Robert Slaviero and Peter D. Graves.
“Interceptor” follows an Army lieutenant who must use her years of tactical training and military experience to save humanity when 16 nuclear missiles are launched at the United States. Production will take place in New South Wales, Australia.
“As those people who have read my novels know, I love telling big action stories that are told at a frenetic pace,” Reilly said in a statement. “I wanted to bring that kind of rocket-fast, relentless, high-stakes storytelling to film, and so ‘Interceptor’ was born. Elsa is just perfect as our lead: a strong,...
- 3/4/2021
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Elsa Pataky and Luke Bracey will lead the cast of Netflix action film Interceptor, with shooting to commence in Sydney later this month.
The feature directorial debut of Australian novelist Matthew Reilly centres on an army lieutenant who must utilise her tactical training and military expertise to save humanity after sixteen nuclear missiles are launched at the US, and a violent coordinated attack simultaneously threatens her remote missile interceptor station.
The script was written by Reilly and Stuart Beattie, who also produces alongside Matthew Street and Michael Boughen for Ambience Entertainment.
Chris Hemsworth, Kathy Morgan, Christopher Mapp, Robert Slaviero and Peter D. Graves are the executive producers for the project.
Reilly said Pataky was a welcome addition to the production.
“Elsa is just perfect as our lead: a strong, independent, and determined woman who, in the face of overwhelming odds, just refuses to give up,” he said.
Street said he...
The feature directorial debut of Australian novelist Matthew Reilly centres on an army lieutenant who must utilise her tactical training and military expertise to save humanity after sixteen nuclear missiles are launched at the US, and a violent coordinated attack simultaneously threatens her remote missile interceptor station.
The script was written by Reilly and Stuart Beattie, who also produces alongside Matthew Street and Michael Boughen for Ambience Entertainment.
Chris Hemsworth, Kathy Morgan, Christopher Mapp, Robert Slaviero and Peter D. Graves are the executive producers for the project.
Reilly said Pataky was a welcome addition to the production.
“Elsa is just perfect as our lead: a strong, independent, and determined woman who, in the face of overwhelming odds, just refuses to give up,” he said.
Street said he...
- 3/4/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Antony I. Ginnane.
After 50 years in the business of producing films, Antony I. Ginnane is calling on the screen industry to fight to help the next generation of creatives.
Ginnane slammed key measures of the Federal Government’s media reforms including lowering the Producer Offset for films to 30 per cent and exempting producers’ overheads from the minimum qualifying Australian production expenditure (Qape), coupled with the failure to impose local spending obligations on SVOD services.
“It’s vital that we push back on these changes to film regulations,” he said in a webinar with Screen Producers Australia CEO Matt Deaner. “We have to fight to help the next generation so they don’t come in and get screwed from the get-go.”
The producer who has more than 70 screen credits fears many films won’t get made because the ensuing funding gap of 15 per cent – 25 per cent will be impossible to fill.
After 50 years in the business of producing films, Antony I. Ginnane is calling on the screen industry to fight to help the next generation of creatives.
Ginnane slammed key measures of the Federal Government’s media reforms including lowering the Producer Offset for films to 30 per cent and exempting producers’ overheads from the minimum qualifying Australian production expenditure (Qape), coupled with the failure to impose local spending obligations on SVOD services.
“It’s vital that we push back on these changes to film regulations,” he said in a webinar with Screen Producers Australia CEO Matt Deaner. “We have to fight to help the next generation so they don’t come in and get screwed from the get-go.”
The producer who has more than 70 screen credits fears many films won’t get made because the ensuing funding gap of 15 per cent – 25 per cent will be impossible to fill.
- 10/9/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Relic’s’ Robyn Nevin with Natalie Erika James.
Natalie Erika James’ Relic continued its reign as the top title in its second weekend in the fractured US theatrical market while Mark Lamprell’s Never Too Late launched on a combination of virtual cinemas and hard tops.
Released by IFC Midnight, the psychological horror movie co-scripted by James and Christian White, rang up $US192,000 in its first weekend at 69 drive-ins: the biggest opening weekend in almost three months.
Last weekend the haunted house movie featuring Emily Mortimer, Robyn Nevin and Bella Heathcote expanded to 126 locations, generating $US236,000, which brings the 10-day total to $US581,000, according to Box Office Mojo.
Produced by Carver Films’ Anna McLeish and Sarah Shaw with Nine Stories Productions’ Jake Gyllenhaal and Riva Marker, Relic premiered on Stan on July 10 as a Stan Original.
The US distributor Blue Fox Entertainment launched Never Too Late in 15 hard tops plus...
Natalie Erika James’ Relic continued its reign as the top title in its second weekend in the fractured US theatrical market while Mark Lamprell’s Never Too Late launched on a combination of virtual cinemas and hard tops.
Released by IFC Midnight, the psychological horror movie co-scripted by James and Christian White, rang up $US192,000 in its first weekend at 69 drive-ins: the biggest opening weekend in almost three months.
Last weekend the haunted house movie featuring Emily Mortimer, Robyn Nevin and Bella Heathcote expanded to 126 locations, generating $US236,000, which brings the 10-day total to $US581,000, according to Box Office Mojo.
Produced by Carver Films’ Anna McLeish and Sarah Shaw with Nine Stories Productions’ Jake Gyllenhaal and Riva Marker, Relic premiered on Stan on July 10 as a Stan Original.
The US distributor Blue Fox Entertainment launched Never Too Late in 15 hard tops plus...
- 7/13/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Onward’ (Photo credit: Disney).
In his 63 years as a film programmer, Bob Parr had never experienced anything like the current crisis as ticket sales flatlined across the country over the past few weeks.
“All exhibitors and distributors are losing a lot of money,” the Wallis Cinemas consultant told If on Sunday. “Many cinemas have closed because there are no patrons.
“Many small exhibitors make their living in school holidays and barely break even except for blockbusters during the remaining time. They are in the business because they love it.”
Later that day the Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced all cinemas and entertainment venues, registered and licensed clubs, hotels, pubs, casinos and nightclubs will close today.
Exhibitors and distributors had been steeling themselves for that decision after cinemas were shuttered in the Us, the UK and myriad other markets.
Now facing zero cash flow, they have to lay off permanent and casual staff,...
In his 63 years as a film programmer, Bob Parr had never experienced anything like the current crisis as ticket sales flatlined across the country over the past few weeks.
“All exhibitors and distributors are losing a lot of money,” the Wallis Cinemas consultant told If on Sunday. “Many cinemas have closed because there are no patrons.
“Many small exhibitors make their living in school holidays and barely break even except for blockbusters during the remaining time. They are in the business because they love it.”
Later that day the Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced all cinemas and entertainment venues, registered and licensed clubs, hotels, pubs, casinos and nightclubs will close today.
Exhibitors and distributors had been steeling themselves for that decision after cinemas were shuttered in the Us, the UK and myriad other markets.
Now facing zero cash flow, they have to lay off permanent and casual staff,...
- 3/23/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Angel of Mine.’
Kim Farrant’s psychological thriller Angel of Mine began its theatrical journey in the Us last weekend, opening in 12 key cities and on demand.
The distributor Lionsgate did not share any Bo figures for the movie starring Noomi Rapace, Yvonne Strahovski and Annika Whiteley, which are typically modest for a multi-platform release.
The upside will come from the October 22 release on Blu-Ray, DVD and digital followed in February by the premiere on Hulu, Disney’s streaming platform which has 28 million subscribers in the Us.
Produced by Brian Etting, Josh Etting and Su Armstrong, the movie adapted by Lion’s Luke Davies and David Regal from the 2008 French film L’Empreinte de L’Ange had its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival. It will open here this Thursday on 41 screens via Robert Slaviero and Richard Becker’s R & R Films.
Rapace plays Lizzie, a grieving...
Kim Farrant’s psychological thriller Angel of Mine began its theatrical journey in the Us last weekend, opening in 12 key cities and on demand.
The distributor Lionsgate did not share any Bo figures for the movie starring Noomi Rapace, Yvonne Strahovski and Annika Whiteley, which are typically modest for a multi-platform release.
The upside will come from the October 22 release on Blu-Ray, DVD and digital followed in February by the premiere on Hulu, Disney’s streaming platform which has 28 million subscribers in the Us.
Produced by Brian Etting, Josh Etting and Su Armstrong, the movie adapted by Lion’s Luke Davies and David Regal from the 2008 French film L’Empreinte de L’Ange had its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival. It will open here this Thursday on 41 screens via Robert Slaviero and Richard Becker’s R & R Films.
Rapace plays Lizzie, a grieving...
- 9/1/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Angel of Mine.’
Lionsgate will release Kim Farrant’s psychological thriller Angel of Mine, which stars Noomi Rapace and Yvonne Strahovski, in North America.
Adapted by Lion’s Luke Davies and David Regal from the 2008 French film L’Empreinte de L’Ange, the film will open on August 30 as a multi-platform release.
Produced by Brian Etting, Josh Etting and Su Armstrong, it will have its world premiere on August 14 at the Melbourne International Film Festival.
Rapace plays Lizzie, a grieving mother who lost her infant daughter seven years earlier. When she sees Nola (Annika Whiteley), a young girl at a neighbour’s party, she starts to believe she is her daughter.
As her obsession grows, she becomes more and more entwined in the girl’s life and loses touch with reality.
Strahovski, who stars in Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, plays Claire, the girl’s mother, in her first...
Lionsgate will release Kim Farrant’s psychological thriller Angel of Mine, which stars Noomi Rapace and Yvonne Strahovski, in North America.
Adapted by Lion’s Luke Davies and David Regal from the 2008 French film L’Empreinte de L’Ange, the film will open on August 30 as a multi-platform release.
Produced by Brian Etting, Josh Etting and Su Armstrong, it will have its world premiere on August 14 at the Melbourne International Film Festival.
Rapace plays Lizzie, a grieving mother who lost her infant daughter seven years earlier. When she sees Nola (Annika Whiteley), a young girl at a neighbour’s party, she starts to believe she is her daughter.
As her obsession grows, she becomes more and more entwined in the girl’s life and loses touch with reality.
Strahovski, who stars in Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, plays Claire, the girl’s mother, in her first...
- 7/15/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Luke Mitchell with Jessica McNamee.
Luke Mitchell shot Andrew Traucki’s Black Water: Abyss, a survival thriller about five people who are attacked by killer crocodiles, in a purpose-built pool near Brisbane, but it was no picnic.
“The fear factor was real. There were tricky conditions as we were immersed in rising water in the dark with only our headlamps and torches for illumination,” the actor tells If after returning to his home in Los Angeles.
Mitchell readily accepted the role for several reasons. He wanted to “get my hands dirty” after playing Captain John Abraham in The Code, a military legal drama which screens on CBS All Access in the Us and here on 10 All Access.
It was his first ever genre film, it enabled him to come back to his native Queensland, and it was his first chance to work with Jessica McNamee.
“There was minimal dialogue, so...
Luke Mitchell shot Andrew Traucki’s Black Water: Abyss, a survival thriller about five people who are attacked by killer crocodiles, in a purpose-built pool near Brisbane, but it was no picnic.
“The fear factor was real. There were tricky conditions as we were immersed in rising water in the dark with only our headlamps and torches for illumination,” the actor tells If after returning to his home in Los Angeles.
Mitchell readily accepted the role for several reasons. He wanted to “get my hands dirty” after playing Captain John Abraham in The Code, a military legal drama which screens on CBS All Access in the Us and here on 10 All Access.
It was his first ever genre film, it enabled him to come back to his native Queensland, and it was his first chance to work with Jessica McNamee.
“There was minimal dialogue, so...
- 7/11/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Jo Bladen and Marc Wooldridge.
Today marks the end of an era in the Australian screen industry with the departures of Jo Bladen, Disney’s general manager, studios and live entertainment, and Marc Wooldridge, Fox Film Distributors MD for Australasia.
Exhibitors, distributors, filmmakers and former colleagues are lamenting the loss of two highly experienced executives resulting from the Walt Disney Company’s $US71.3 billion takeover of most of 21st Century Fox’s prized assets.
In this area of consolidation and downsizing among majors and independents alike, some question the capacity of studios to release small-to-medium budget movies without the expertise and experience of executives like Wooldridge and Bladen.
Former Paramount Pictures Australia MD Mike Selwyn observes: “The distribution/exhibition industry seems to be going through a period of real uncertainty. At the heart of this is the steady erosion of income from post-theatrical exploitation.
“This is eating away at the...
Today marks the end of an era in the Australian screen industry with the departures of Jo Bladen, Disney’s general manager, studios and live entertainment, and Marc Wooldridge, Fox Film Distributors MD for Australasia.
Exhibitors, distributors, filmmakers and former colleagues are lamenting the loss of two highly experienced executives resulting from the Walt Disney Company’s $US71.3 billion takeover of most of 21st Century Fox’s prized assets.
In this area of consolidation and downsizing among majors and independents alike, some question the capacity of studios to release small-to-medium budget movies without the expertise and experience of executives like Wooldridge and Bladen.
Former Paramount Pictures Australia MD Mike Selwyn observes: “The distribution/exhibition industry seems to be going through a period of real uncertainty. At the heart of this is the steady erosion of income from post-theatrical exploitation.
“This is eating away at the...
- 6/27/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
(L-r) Amali Golden, Luke Mitchell, Jessica McNamee, Benjamin Hoetjes and Anthony Sharpe.
Jessica McNamee and Luke Mitchell are playing an adventure-loving couple who get trapped in a flooded cave and are attacked by killer crocodiles in Andrew Traucki’s survival thriller Black Water: Abyss.
Scripted by Sarah Smith and Ian John Ridley, the sequel to Traucki and David Nerlich’s 2007 horror/thriller Black Water started shooting in South East Queensland today, supported by Screen Queensland.
The Us-based McNamee is Jennifer with Luke Mitchell as Luke.
With close friends Yolanda (Amali Golden) and Viktor (Benjamin Hoetjes) they abseil into newly discovered caves with tour guide Cash (Anthony Sharpe), believing they will be safe from the approaching tropical storm.
As the cave begins to flood and oxygen levels fall, the group find themselves lost, disoriented and trapped and are easy prey for a pack of crocodiles.
Staring into the jaws of death,...
Jessica McNamee and Luke Mitchell are playing an adventure-loving couple who get trapped in a flooded cave and are attacked by killer crocodiles in Andrew Traucki’s survival thriller Black Water: Abyss.
Scripted by Sarah Smith and Ian John Ridley, the sequel to Traucki and David Nerlich’s 2007 horror/thriller Black Water started shooting in South East Queensland today, supported by Screen Queensland.
The Us-based McNamee is Jennifer with Luke Mitchell as Luke.
With close friends Yolanda (Amali Golden) and Viktor (Benjamin Hoetjes) they abseil into newly discovered caves with tour guide Cash (Anthony Sharpe), believing they will be safe from the approaching tropical storm.
As the cave begins to flood and oxygen levels fall, the group find themselves lost, disoriented and trapped and are easy prey for a pack of crocodiles.
Staring into the jaws of death,...
- 5/26/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
James Cromwell.
Mark Lamprell’s Never Too Late (formerly The Chain Breakers), a comedy-drama about four heroic Vietnam veterans who plan to break out of their nursing home, will start shooting in South Australia on March 18.
Jack Thompson, James Cromwell, Dennis Waterman and Roy Billing play the quartet, who were famous for escaping from a Vietnamese Pow camp.
Now residents of the Hogan Hills Retirement Home for Returned Veterans, each has an unrealised dream he wants to achieve before it’s too late. They devise a plan to escape but the rules of engagement have changed. Indeed, they can’t even remember what the rules were and that’s half the problem.
Jacki Weaver plays Norma, the long-lost love of Cromwell’s character Bronson, formerly a Us soldier. They met when he was in Australia on R&R but he was posted back to Vietnam before he could propose. Norma’s...
Mark Lamprell’s Never Too Late (formerly The Chain Breakers), a comedy-drama about four heroic Vietnam veterans who plan to break out of their nursing home, will start shooting in South Australia on March 18.
Jack Thompson, James Cromwell, Dennis Waterman and Roy Billing play the quartet, who were famous for escaping from a Vietnamese Pow camp.
Now residents of the Hogan Hills Retirement Home for Returned Veterans, each has an unrealised dream he wants to achieve before it’s too late. They devise a plan to escape but the rules of engagement have changed. Indeed, they can’t even remember what the rules were and that’s half the problem.
Jacki Weaver plays Norma, the long-lost love of Cromwell’s character Bronson, formerly a Us soldier. They met when he was in Australia on R&R but he was posted back to Vietnam before he could propose. Norma’s...
- 3/6/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Jacki Weaver.
Comedy feature The Chain Breakers, to star Jacki Weaver, Jack Thompson, James Cromwell, Denis Waterman and Shane Jacobson, is one of seven projects to have recently received production funding from Screen Australia.
Written by Luke Preston and directed by Mark Lamprell, the film follows four Vietnam vets, famous for escaping a Pow camp, who find themselves in a new hell: The Hogan Hills Retirement Home for Returned Veterans. Each has an unrealised dream they want achieve, and so they band together to escape again. Produced by Antony I. Ginnane and David Lightfoot, the film is billed as a cross between Grumpy Old Men and The Great Escape. It will be distributed via R & R Films, the new venture between Richard Becker and Robert Slaviero.
Among the other projects to have shared in the $7.5 million of funding from the federal agency is Lone Wolf, writer-director Jonathan Ogilvie’s...
Comedy feature The Chain Breakers, to star Jacki Weaver, Jack Thompson, James Cromwell, Denis Waterman and Shane Jacobson, is one of seven projects to have recently received production funding from Screen Australia.
Written by Luke Preston and directed by Mark Lamprell, the film follows four Vietnam vets, famous for escaping a Pow camp, who find themselves in a new hell: The Hogan Hills Retirement Home for Returned Veterans. Each has an unrealised dream they want achieve, and so they band together to escape again. Produced by Antony I. Ginnane and David Lightfoot, the film is billed as a cross between Grumpy Old Men and The Great Escape. It will be distributed via R & R Films, the new venture between Richard Becker and Robert Slaviero.
Among the other projects to have shared in the $7.5 million of funding from the federal agency is Lone Wolf, writer-director Jonathan Ogilvie’s...
- 1/14/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Robert Slaviero and Richard Becker. (Photo: Fiora Sacco)
Earlier this year, industry veterans Richard Becker and Robert Slaviero announced they were launching a new venture, distribution and consultancy company R & R Films. Their first acquisition, director Kim Farrant’s Angel of Mine, starring Noomi Rapace, is expected for release next year.
Both men bring to the company a considerable legacy and knowledge of distribution. The Becker family founded Australia’s first indie distribution business more than 50 years ago, with Richard serving as CEO of Becker Group from 1985 and MD of Becker Film Group since its sale in 2008. Slaviero is a former CEO of Hoyts Distribution and Studiocanal Australia and former MD of 20th Century Fox Film Distributors.
The two speak to If about how their longstanding friendship has evolved into a new business partnership.
Richard Becker
Oh god, it was so long ago [when we first met]. Slav was working at Fox at the time.
Earlier this year, industry veterans Richard Becker and Robert Slaviero announced they were launching a new venture, distribution and consultancy company R & R Films. Their first acquisition, director Kim Farrant’s Angel of Mine, starring Noomi Rapace, is expected for release next year.
Both men bring to the company a considerable legacy and knowledge of distribution. The Becker family founded Australia’s first indie distribution business more than 50 years ago, with Richard serving as CEO of Becker Group from 1985 and MD of Becker Film Group since its sale in 2008. Slaviero is a former CEO of Hoyts Distribution and Studiocanal Australia and former MD of 20th Century Fox Film Distributors.
The two speak to If about how their longstanding friendship has evolved into a new business partnership.
Richard Becker
Oh god, it was so long ago [when we first met]. Slav was working at Fox at the time.
- 12/11/2018
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
‘In Like Flynn.’
Robert Slaviero has joined Umbrella Entertainment as head of sales as the distributor continues its commitment to release a sizable slate of Australian feature films and documentaries.
While some distributors have largely shied away from handling local films Umbrella is keeping the faith with three titles scheduled to open in October and eight on the slate for 2019.
“We like working with people who are passionate about their work and who have a commercial sensibility,” Umbrella MD Jeff Harrison tells If, pointing to collaborators including Causeway Films’ Kristina Ceyton and Sam Jennings, Catherine Scott, Carver Films’ Sarah Shaw and Anna McLeish, Paul Ireland and Damian Hill, Steve Jaggi and Justin Dix. “We are very happy with what we’re doing.”
Head of acquisitions Ari Harrison says the firm evaluates up to 50 scripts at any one time and he laments the shortage of projects aimed at older females. “People...
Robert Slaviero has joined Umbrella Entertainment as head of sales as the distributor continues its commitment to release a sizable slate of Australian feature films and documentaries.
While some distributors have largely shied away from handling local films Umbrella is keeping the faith with three titles scheduled to open in October and eight on the slate for 2019.
“We like working with people who are passionate about their work and who have a commercial sensibility,” Umbrella MD Jeff Harrison tells If, pointing to collaborators including Causeway Films’ Kristina Ceyton and Sam Jennings, Catherine Scott, Carver Films’ Sarah Shaw and Anna McLeish, Paul Ireland and Damian Hill, Steve Jaggi and Justin Dix. “We are very happy with what we’re doing.”
Head of acquisitions Ari Harrison says the firm evaluates up to 50 scripts at any one time and he laments the shortage of projects aimed at older females. “People...
- 9/18/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Babe: Pig In The City co-writer Mark Lamprell to direct.
Myriad Pictures is in Toronto launching sales on the comedy The Chain Breakers starring James Cromwell, Dennis Waterman, Jacki Weaver and Shane Jacobson.
Mark Lamprell, who co-wrote Babe: Pig In The City, is set to direct from a screenplay by Luke Preston about four senior men who use skills learned during the Vietnam War to escape from their nursing home.
Each man has his own reasons to leave the facility, and use their mutual love and camaraderie to secure their freedom.
The Chain Breakers was developed with support from Film Victoria with R&R Films,...
Myriad Pictures is in Toronto launching sales on the comedy The Chain Breakers starring James Cromwell, Dennis Waterman, Jacki Weaver and Shane Jacobson.
Mark Lamprell, who co-wrote Babe: Pig In The City, is set to direct from a screenplay by Luke Preston about four senior men who use skills learned during the Vietnam War to escape from their nursing home.
Each man has his own reasons to leave the facility, and use their mutual love and camaraderie to secure their freedom.
The Chain Breakers was developed with support from Film Victoria with R&R Films,...
- 9/7/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Upcoming Noomi Rapace-starring psychological thriller “Angel of Mine” is set as the first acquisition by R & R Films, a new Australian distributor. The company was recently established by industry veterans Richard Becker and Robert Slaviero.
The film goes into production this month in Melbourne, Australia. It is the story of intuition and obsession featuring a couple coming to terms with the untimely death of their daughter. The woman becomes convinced that another girl is her own. The script is adapted by Luke Davies (“Lion”) and David Regal from the French film “L’Empreinte,” by Safy Nebbou.
Alongside Rapace, the film stars Yvonne Strahovski (“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Dexter”) and Luke Evans. Other cast includes Richard Roxburgh, Finn Little (“Storm Boy”) and Rob Collins (“Cleverman”), alongside Tracy Mann, Pip Miller and Rachel Gordon.
Richard Becker is a veteran who for years headed the sales, production and distribution group Becker Film.
The film goes into production this month in Melbourne, Australia. It is the story of intuition and obsession featuring a couple coming to terms with the untimely death of their daughter. The woman becomes convinced that another girl is her own. The script is adapted by Luke Davies (“Lion”) and David Regal from the French film “L’Empreinte,” by Safy Nebbou.
Alongside Rapace, the film stars Yvonne Strahovski (“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Dexter”) and Luke Evans. Other cast includes Richard Roxburgh, Finn Little (“Storm Boy”) and Rob Collins (“Cleverman”), alongside Tracy Mann, Pip Miller and Rachel Gordon.
Richard Becker is a veteran who for years headed the sales, production and distribution group Becker Film.
- 5/8/2018
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Altitude Film Sales, which previously sold U.S. box office hit 47 Meters Down, has boarded international sales rights to Aussie shark thriller Great White, I can reveal. The company will launch sales this week in Cannes and below I can reveal the movie’s first marketing poster.
Currently in pre-production, filming is set for later this year from director Martin Wilson, whose 2004 TV movie Roll was distributed by ShowTime and Sbs Independent in Australia. Michael Boughen’s (Killer Elite) screenplay charts how a blissful tourist trip quickly turns into a nightmare when five passengers on a seaplane become stranded miles from shore. In a desperate bid for survival the group try to make it to land before they either run out of supplies or are taken by the man-eating sharks lurking just beneath the surface.
The movie is produced by Reef and The Pack producer Michael Robertson and Neal Kingston...
Currently in pre-production, filming is set for later this year from director Martin Wilson, whose 2004 TV movie Roll was distributed by ShowTime and Sbs Independent in Australia. Michael Boughen’s (Killer Elite) screenplay charts how a blissful tourist trip quickly turns into a nightmare when five passengers on a seaplane become stranded miles from shore. In a desperate bid for survival the group try to make it to land before they either run out of supplies or are taken by the man-eating sharks lurking just beneath the surface.
The movie is produced by Reef and The Pack producer Michael Robertson and Neal Kingston...
- 5/7/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Original film sold into more than 75 countries.
UK outfit Altitude Film Sales has closed a series of deals on its upcoming horror sequel Black Water: Abyss following strong interest in the title at last month’s European Film Market (Efm) in Berlin.
The project has pre-sold to China (Infotainment), Hong Kong (Panorama), India (Mvp), Indonesia (Pt Amero), Italy (Adler), Korea (Korea Screen), Latin America (Cdc), Malaysia and Brunei (Golden Screen), Middle East (Gulf), Portugal (Cinemundo), Spain (Selectavision), Switzerland (Impuls), Taiwan (Cai Chang), Thailand (Mono), Turkey (Atv), Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (Golden Screen).
Universal Pictures Australia will release in Australia and New Zealand.
UK outfit Altitude Film Sales has closed a series of deals on its upcoming horror sequel Black Water: Abyss following strong interest in the title at last month’s European Film Market (Efm) in Berlin.
The project has pre-sold to China (Infotainment), Hong Kong (Panorama), India (Mvp), Indonesia (Pt Amero), Italy (Adler), Korea (Korea Screen), Latin America (Cdc), Malaysia and Brunei (Golden Screen), Middle East (Gulf), Portugal (Cinemundo), Spain (Selectavision), Switzerland (Impuls), Taiwan (Cai Chang), Thailand (Mono), Turkey (Atv), Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (Golden Screen).
Universal Pictures Australia will release in Australia and New Zealand.
- 3/8/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Geoffrey Rush and Jai Courtney..
Geoffrey Rush and Jai Courtney will star in Shawn Seet.s Storm Boy.remake, with the film gearing up to shoot in South Australia in July. .
Rush will star as Mike 'Storm Boy' Kingley, while Courtney will play 'Hideaway Tom'..
Billed as a .contemporary retelling. of the 1976 film, Storm Boy's script has been written by Justin Monjo (The Secret Daughter, Spear)..
Executive producer Robert Slaviero told If last year.that Monjo.s screenplay was "just spectacular."
"One of the better scripts I.ve read in a long time, whether Australian or otherwise. Absolute cracker," he said, while also noting director Seet (The Code, Deep Water) had a great vision for the film. .
Storm Boy will be produced by Ambience Entertainment.s Michael Boughen (Tomorrow, When the War Began, The Loved Ones) and Matthew Street (Tomorrow, When the War Began, The Bank Job...
Geoffrey Rush and Jai Courtney will star in Shawn Seet.s Storm Boy.remake, with the film gearing up to shoot in South Australia in July. .
Rush will star as Mike 'Storm Boy' Kingley, while Courtney will play 'Hideaway Tom'..
Billed as a .contemporary retelling. of the 1976 film, Storm Boy's script has been written by Justin Monjo (The Secret Daughter, Spear)..
Executive producer Robert Slaviero told If last year.that Monjo.s screenplay was "just spectacular."
"One of the better scripts I.ve read in a long time, whether Australian or otherwise. Absolute cracker," he said, while also noting director Seet (The Code, Deep Water) had a great vision for the film. .
Storm Boy will be produced by Ambience Entertainment.s Michael Boughen (Tomorrow, When the War Began, The Loved Ones) and Matthew Street (Tomorrow, When the War Began, The Bank Job...
- 5/12/2017
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Robert Slaviero.
Robert Slaviero ran Hoyts Distribution for eleven years before guiding the company through its acquisiton by StudioCanal three years ago..
Last month at the Australian International Movie Convention he received the Independent Spirit Award from the Australian Independent Distributors Association.
Since finishing up at StudioCanal in March this year, Slaviero has founded his own company, Graffiti Productions..
The company is consulting to three different production companies (so far): Ambience Entertainment, Prodigy Films and Flying Bark Productions, with Slaviero acting as Ep on several projects. "It.s been really good," he told If.
The project closest to the start line is a remake of Storm Boy for Ambience..
"If you look at what.s been working, it.s Oddball, Paper Planes, Red Dog — broad appeal family films," said Slaviero..
"We released Blinky Bill last year through StudioCanal which did some business as well. It.s who the target audience is.
Robert Slaviero ran Hoyts Distribution for eleven years before guiding the company through its acquisiton by StudioCanal three years ago..
Last month at the Australian International Movie Convention he received the Independent Spirit Award from the Australian Independent Distributors Association.
Since finishing up at StudioCanal in March this year, Slaviero has founded his own company, Graffiti Productions..
The company is consulting to three different production companies (so far): Ambience Entertainment, Prodigy Films and Flying Bark Productions, with Slaviero acting as Ep on several projects. "It.s been really good," he told If.
The project closest to the start line is a remake of Storm Boy for Ambience..
"If you look at what.s been working, it.s Oddball, Paper Planes, Red Dog — broad appeal family films," said Slaviero..
"We released Blinky Bill last year through StudioCanal which did some business as well. It.s who the target audience is.
- 11/23/2016
- by Harry Windsor
- IF.com.au
Elizabeth Trotman upped to CEO, Robert Slaviero departs.
Studiocanal has appointed Elizabeth Trotman as CEO of Australia and New Zealand.
Previously general manager of sales and marketing at Studiocanal in New Zealand, Trotman will report to Rodolphe Buet, Studiocanal’s president international marketing and distribution for films, library and TV series.
She succeeds Robert Slaviero, who is leaving the company.
Totman’s appointment will be effective from March 14. The executive started her career at The Walt Disney Company. She worked for Warner Bros. Entertainment and then BBC Worldwide before joining Hoyts Distribution in 2002.
The expanding European powerhouse acquired Hoyts Distribution in Australia four years ago and has set its sights on growth in the region.
Rodolphe Buet said: “I am very pleased with the appointment of Elizabeth as the head of Australia and New Zealand. Elizabeth has a perfect understanding of Studiocanal’s local activities and teams and we have faith in her marketing experience and expertise...
Studiocanal has appointed Elizabeth Trotman as CEO of Australia and New Zealand.
Previously general manager of sales and marketing at Studiocanal in New Zealand, Trotman will report to Rodolphe Buet, Studiocanal’s president international marketing and distribution for films, library and TV series.
She succeeds Robert Slaviero, who is leaving the company.
Totman’s appointment will be effective from March 14. The executive started her career at The Walt Disney Company. She worked for Warner Bros. Entertainment and then BBC Worldwide before joining Hoyts Distribution in 2002.
The expanding European powerhouse acquired Hoyts Distribution in Australia four years ago and has set its sights on growth in the region.
Rodolphe Buet said: “I am very pleased with the appointment of Elizabeth as the head of Australia and New Zealand. Elizabeth has a perfect understanding of Studiocanal’s local activities and teams and we have faith in her marketing experience and expertise...
- 2/29/2016
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Hoyts Distribution in Australia and New Zealand has been renamed Studiocanal. The re-branding, effective yesterday, comes after the French production house and distribution company acquired Hoyts Distribution in July last year. The decision was made in order to provide clarity to the international market and strengthen Studiocanal.s positioning worldwide. Studiocanal Chairman and CEO Olivier Courson said, .The company is fully integrated and despite the long distance, our collaboration is doing great. Having a single name is important for us but also for our partners around the world.. Robert Slaviero, CEO Australia/New Zealand says: .We are extremely proud and.excited to be part of such a prestigious organization and look forward to delivering.great films and great results to Australia and New Zealand..
- 4/2/2013
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
StudioCanal Acquires Hoyts Distribution Down Under European production and distribution giant StudioCanal has expanded its footprint to Australia and New Zealand, acquiring Hoyts Distribution, which releases the Twilight franchise Down Under. Hoyts Corp, which owns the second-biggest circuit in Australasia, had been looking to unload its distribution unit before The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 opens here in November. No price was disclosed for the 11-year-old distribution company, which has a library of more than 120 titles, but industry executives estimated it would have fetched $A20 million-$A30 million. The existing team led by CEO Robert Slaviero remains in place. StudioCanal, whose current production slate includes the Coen brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis, Susanne Bier’s Serena and Dan Mazer’s I Give It A Year, said it will look for new opportunities for international productions in Australia, capitalizing on the tax incentives and talent base. Private equity firm Pacific Equity Partners,...
- 7/17/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
An Australian independent film distributor has been acquired by a European production and distribution film studio.
Hoyts Distribution, the distribution arm of Hoyts Group, distributor of both the Twilight series and the Saw series, has been acquired by Studiocanal.
The entry of Studiocanal into the Australian market will see the subsidiary of Canal+ Group look to bring international productions to Australia to take advantage of the lucrative tax incentives and strong local talent, according to a press release.
Olivier Courson, chairman and CEO of Studiocanal said: “We are very happy to develop direct operations in Australia, one of the most dynamic markets in the world, with the very experienced and talented team of Hoyts, led by Robert Slaviero. We believe there are strong opportunities in this territory for our films.”
Slaviero said: “This is great for the business and we are so pleased about the exciting times ahead. Studiocanal is...
Hoyts Distribution, the distribution arm of Hoyts Group, distributor of both the Twilight series and the Saw series, has been acquired by Studiocanal.
The entry of Studiocanal into the Australian market will see the subsidiary of Canal+ Group look to bring international productions to Australia to take advantage of the lucrative tax incentives and strong local talent, according to a press release.
Olivier Courson, chairman and CEO of Studiocanal said: “We are very happy to develop direct operations in Australia, one of the most dynamic markets in the world, with the very experienced and talented team of Hoyts, led by Robert Slaviero. We believe there are strong opportunities in this territory for our films.”
Slaviero said: “This is great for the business and we are so pleased about the exciting times ahead. Studiocanal is...
- 7/17/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
French production house and distribution company Studiocanal has announced plans to acquire Australasian company Hoyts Distribution.
The acquisition will allow Studiocanal to more aggressively distribute its own productions, such as upcoming CGI live-action Paddington (based on children's favourite Paddington Bear). The company said it will also look at opportunities to produce films in Australia, where it can take advantage of tax rebates.
Studiocanal distributes more than 50 films a year throughout Europe and has an extensive back catalogue containing more than 5000 French, British, Italian, German and American titles. Hoyts Distribution's film library includes more than 120 titles, including four films from the Saw series and the Twilight franchise, including the final installment which will be released later this year.
Studiocanal chairman and chief executive Olivier Courson said: .We are very happy to develop direct operations in Australia, one of the most dynamic markets in the world, with the very experienced and talented team of Hoyts,...
The acquisition will allow Studiocanal to more aggressively distribute its own productions, such as upcoming CGI live-action Paddington (based on children's favourite Paddington Bear). The company said it will also look at opportunities to produce films in Australia, where it can take advantage of tax rebates.
Studiocanal distributes more than 50 films a year throughout Europe and has an extensive back catalogue containing more than 5000 French, British, Italian, German and American titles. Hoyts Distribution's film library includes more than 120 titles, including four films from the Saw series and the Twilight franchise, including the final installment which will be released later this year.
Studiocanal chairman and chief executive Olivier Courson said: .We are very happy to develop direct operations in Australia, one of the most dynamic markets in the world, with the very experienced and talented team of Hoyts,...
- 7/17/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
Hoyts Distribution CEO Robert Slaviero says filmmakers must trust distributors more when it comes to releasing their films.
The executive added that investment in local productions “is not something we [Hoyts Distribution] are looking to do”.
What were your strongest performing films of the 2009/2010 financial year?
The Twilight Saga: New Moon ($38.3m), Letters To Juliet ($4.4m ) and Astro Boy ($3.0m) were the top three. Overall a very solid year, our best ever.
What titles didn’t necessarily meet your expectations?
We had a couple of titles that didn’t fire. Bandslam for instance was a terrific little film which we loved and put a lot of time and effort into but just didn’t get off the ground.
Having both a distribution and an exhibition division, how do you feel about changes in release windows?
I’d like to think that there will always be a theatrical window. After all, theatrical is...
The executive added that investment in local productions “is not something we [Hoyts Distribution] are looking to do”.
What were your strongest performing films of the 2009/2010 financial year?
The Twilight Saga: New Moon ($38.3m), Letters To Juliet ($4.4m ) and Astro Boy ($3.0m) were the top three. Overall a very solid year, our best ever.
What titles didn’t necessarily meet your expectations?
We had a couple of titles that didn’t fire. Bandslam for instance was a terrific little film which we loved and put a lot of time and effort into but just didn’t get off the ground.
Having both a distribution and an exhibition division, how do you feel about changes in release windows?
I’d like to think that there will always be a theatrical window. After all, theatrical is...
- 8/15/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
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