Category: Movies

MUMBAI: US film studios Fox, Paramount Pictures and Sony Pictures Entertainment have entered into separate non-exclusive digital cinema deployment agreements with Sony Electronics‘ Digital Cinema Solutions and Services (DCSS) group.

The agreements relate to supplying exhibitors with feature motion pictures in digital form in order to promote the use of digital cinema projection systems.

The new agreements will provide certain operational and financial resources to encourage exhibitors to implement digital cinema systems that will feature Sony‘s DCI-compliant 4K SXRD(TM) projection technology.

The separate agreements vary among the companies and extend to digital cinema efforts in certain countries in the US, Europe and Asia.

The Sony DCSS group was formed to provide turn-key solutions for exhibitors that will enable them to efficiently convert their operations to digital technology.

In addition to digital projection system deployment, Sony‘s DCSS group will be in a position to offer critical services for exhibitors such as installation and maintenance, along with customised solutions and high-level service support — which can all be provided by a turn-key Sony DCSS solution.

In a joint statement, Fox president of domestic distribution Bruce Snyder and Fox International , co-presidents Paul Hanneman and Tomas Jegeus said, “Fox is committed to supporting the highest-quality solutions for exhibitors as they make their transition to digital cinema on a global basis. It is important that exhibitors worldwide have the widest choice of solutions available to them. By working with Sony and its range of available technology, experience and stability, our goal is to continue to make the transition to DCI-compliant digital projection systems as smooth as possible. We‘re proud to be working with Sony DCSS to further advance digital cinema on a global level.”

Paramount Pictures president of domestic theatrical distribution Jim Tharp says, “Paramount is committed to maximising new, creative opportunities to encourage the conversion to digital projection and to broadening the availability of high quality 3D cinema. Our collaboration with Sony‘s DCSS team is a great step toward that end. We look forward to continued cooperation in the future.”

Sony‘s 4K projection technology will also contribute to the deployment of alternative content — including gaming, sporting events and music concerts — in order to develop more revenue-generating opportunities for exhibitors as the industry transitions to digital delivery.

Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman, worldwide marketing and distribution Jeff Blake says, “As digital cinema programming becomes more prevalent in the marketplace, consumers will experience entertainment in bold and exciting new ways with superior state-of-the-art sound and picture quality, as well as the deployment of alternative forms of content.”

Sony Pictures recently launched The Hot Ticket, dedicated to exploring and creating alternative programming for digital presentation in theatres.

“We couldn‘t be more supportive of our colleagues at Sony DCSS who are offering exhibitors a compelling digital cinema experience. These agreements continue to push the evolution of our industry to 4K, from acquisition through to exhibition” adds Blake.

MUMBAI: US film studio Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks principals have announced the formalisation of their transition agreements as Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider depart to form their previously announced new motion pictures company in partnership with Reliance Big Entertainment. Geffen, who oversaw the transition for DreamWorks, will not be joining the new company.

MUMBAI: After the success of debut film Tingya, Ravi Rai‘s Small Town Boy Productions is ready to roll out its second project Chanda.

Rai, maker of popular television soaps like Sailaab, Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai and Sparsh, is planning to collaborate with Unicef for the upcoming film project.

Rai told Indiantelevision.com, “We, at Small Town Boy Productions, have completed the shooting of Chanda which is based on the story of a street girl. It is an issue-based film, beautifully woven by director Gajendra Ahire.”

The production house is planning to release the movie very soon. The story revolved around a 12-year-old Chanda, who has aspirations and dreams, and how her dreams get shattered.

The film will be bilingual — in Marathi and Hindi. Actors Makrand Anaspure, Siddharth Jadhav and Atul Purchure are essaying lead roles in Chanda.

Apart from Chanda, there are a slew of movies in the pipeline for Small Town Boy Productions. “There are some projects we are working on, like in Marathi – Aat Paat Nagar Hota, in Hindi – Mai Manjula Parmar, and one international movie Orange Mist,” informs Rai.

At present, Rai is concentrating on release of Tingya in New York and Los Angeles as he is taking the movie to the Oscars as an independent entry.

MUMBAI: UTV World Movies has tied up with the Taj Enlighten Film Society for a Krzysztof Kieslowski Retrospective.

Screenings will be held of the Three Colours Trilogy at Metro Adalabs and Cinemax on 5, 12 and 26 October 2008.

The Three Colours trilogy is inspired by France‘s national motto – Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity – and also represents the three colours of the French Flag. UTV Entertainment Television COO Dilshad Master said, “We are proud to associate with Taj Enlighten Film Society for bringing some the world‘s greatest movies to our viewers in Mumbai. This is just the beginning, and we promise to entertain our viewers with screenings of contemporary award-winning box-office hits from around the world in your city.”

MUMBAI: IMAX Corporation has appointed Julian Stanford as GM – theatre development, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.
Based in London, he will report directly to EVP – theatre development Larry O’Reilly. Stanford will be responsible for accelerating IMAX‘s growth throughout EMEA and increasing IMAX‘s presence as the premiere venue to experience Hollywood films.

At present, there are 55 IMAX theatres in EMEA, and 15 additional IMAX theatres are scheduled to be open in the region by the end of 2011.

Prior to IMAX, was working with video gaming company Aristocrat Technologies. He has also served as the head of sales (EMEA) for United International Pictures (UIP), where he oversaw film distribution and sales for Paramount, Universal and DreamWorks films.

“Stanford‘s experience and understanding of the industry and market make him an ideal choice to take on this critical role at IMAX, especially when the IMAX film slate includes some of the most impressive titles in Hollywood,” said Reilly. “His personal relationships and knowledge of the industry and the nuances of conducting business throughout EMEA will be extremely helpful as well.”

“Given his background with film distribution strategy and on-the-ground experience, Stanford will be a valuable addition to the IMAX team,” added IMAX Co-CEOs and Co-Chairmen Richard L Gelfond and Bradley J Wechsler. “The European market holds much growth potential as IMAX rolls out IMAX digital and seeks more joint venture relationships with exhibitors, and Julian‘s expertise will be an important boost to our efforts in EMEA.”

MUMBAI: The pan-Asian Twentieth Century Fox and Star joint venture (JV) company Fox Star Studios has inked a multiple-film deal with producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah, who has made films like Namastey London and Singh is Kinng.

The deal includes the development and production of a visual effects (VFX) driven fantasy action movie and a romantic comedy as well as a first look deal on Shah’s future projects. The VFX event film will be supported by a team of visual effects directors from Hollywood and supervised by Fox’s in-house visual effects team.

Fox Filmed Entertainment chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos said, “We are happy to announce our creative partnership with Vipul Shah. His talent and demonstrated understanding of Indian audiences, together with our Studio’s marketing and financial expertise, will provide audiences of Indian cinema with films that will set new benchmarks in India and around the world.”

“I am excited to work with Fox Star Studios India. This deal gives me the opportunity to develop innovative concepts and work with the best talent to create films that will appeal to audiences around the globe,” added Shah. “We have to partner with the best technical and creative talent from around the world while yet keeping the Indian soul in our films intact.”

Fox Star Studios India CEO Vijay Singh said, “Our relationship with Shah is special – a shared vision to create global quality content, but with an Indian soul for Indian audiences across the world. We are committed to accessing and demonstrating Twentieth Century Fox and Star’s global strengths in the development, production, distribution and marketing of Bollywood films.”

Singh further added, “The Indian film industry is expected to nearly double in size over the next five years – from $2.4 billion in 2007 to $4.4 billion in 2012.”

MUMBAI: Five Indian films have received nominations in the second Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA). The ceremony will take place on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia on 11 November.

Among various categories Om Shanti Om has been nominated for best film, Jodhaa Akbar has been nominated for achievement in cinematography (Kiiran Deohans), Taare Zameen Par has been nominated for best children’s feature, Mahek for best children’s feature and Rajat Kapoor for best performance by an actor for The Prisoner.

Om Shanti Om will compete with Men Jeuk (Hong Kong), Tulpan (Kazakhstan, Russia, Switzerland/Poland/Germany), The Red Awn (China) and Three Monkeys (Turkey/France/Italy) for the best film award.

The APSA has announced nominees in nine Award categories representing 33 films from 17 countries and areas of the Asia-Pacific region.

The APSA is a collaboration with CNN International, Unesco and FIAPF – International Federation of Film Producers Associations. It is an international cultural initiative to acclaim films that best reflect their cultural origins and demonstrate cinematic excellence.

APSA chairman Des Power says, “The nominees were determined from more than 180 films from 43 countries. We are greatly encouraged by the response from filmmakers from Asia-Pacific in our mission to acclaim their work and promote it to an international audience. Once again, the nominees showcase the tremendous talent and creativity that exists in the burgeoning film industries of the region”.

In the run-up to the APSA, CNN International is to feature the power and reach of Asia-Pacific cinema in four half-hour Scene By Scene documentaries airing the weekends of 4 ,11, 18 October and 1 November.

The programmes hosted by Anjali Rao, feature the region’s directors, producers and stars talking about the political, religious and cultural challenges they face.

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures will release the 22nd James Bond movie Quantum of Solace in India on 7 November, a week before its US release (14 November). This for the first time that a Hollywood film is releasing first in India followed by US.

Sony Pictures MD Kercy Daruwala said, “James Bond has a huge equity in this country and Bond films have always been a hit here. 7 November will see the biggest roll out for any Hollywood film in India as we would like to give our audiences the thrill of seeing Quantum of Solace even before the US does.”

Quantum of Solace is a sequel to 2006’s Bond flick Casino Royale, which was based on Ian Fleming‘s novel. The film is directed by German-Swiss film maker, Marc Forster. It stars Olga Kurylenko, Gemma Arterton, Dame Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright and Giancarlo Giannini apart from Daniel Craig as the secret agent.

MUMBAI: Fame India has commenced operations in Dhanbad (Jharkhand) and (Bharuch) Gujarat

MUMBAI: Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios, a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainmen have announced an agreement under which Paramount will distribute Marvel‘s next five self-produced feature films on a worldwide basis.

The deal, an extension of the original agreement made by Brad Grey when he arrived as CEO and Chairman of Paramount Pictures, includes theatrical distribution in foreign territories previously serviced by Marvel through local distribution entities (Japan, Germany, France, Spain and Australia/New Zealand). The distribution pact capitalizes on Marvel and Paramount‘s successful efforts with “Iron Man,” which has grossed $574 million worldwide for Marvel.

The releases include Iron Man 2 in 2010, Thor also in 2010, The First Avenger: Captain America in 2011 and The Avengers in 2011. The distribution agreement also includes Iron Man 3.

Paramount Pictures vice chairman Rob Moore, says, “Coming off of Iron Man‘s incredible success this summer, we could not be more excited about extending our relationship with Marvel.

“Marvel‘s iconic brand, its popular characters and its proven ability to create compelling and visually spellbinding films complement Paramount‘s great history of filmmaking. We look forward to a long and successful run together.”

Marvel Studios chairman David Maisel says, “Paramount is an excellent partner and an outstanding global distributor. Through our experience on Iron Man, Paramount has demonstrated a passion and ability to release Marvel properties theatrically, allowing us to focus on making great movies for the largest audience possible.”