ITV

Category: Event Coverage

  • Asian film alliance announced at the 13th Filmart

    Hong Kong: Strategizing to rise above the economic downturn and restoring the faith in the film industry, Salon Films (H. K.) Ltd announced strategic alliances with Zhejiang Hengdian Film Production Co. Ltd, Yoshomoto Kogyo Co. Ltd, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures Pte. Ltd, Access Asia (Cayman) Ltd, China Film Foundation, Media Development Authority Singapore, Enlight Pictures, National Arts Entertainment Ltd, and Pearl River Film Company Ltd, at the 13th edition of the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (Filmart) in Hong Kong.


    The alliance will jointly promote development and growth in the region, creating stronger cultural connections between East and West and exploring new commercial opportunities for the film and television industry.










    Salon president Fred C Y Wang informed www.indiantelevision.com that the Singapore government has agreed to contribute Singapore $100 million over three years for the venture. Wang has been the driving force behind the alliance.



    Wang said, “Professional experts in the region including technical, financing, star powers in front of the screen and producing resources will contribute to the artistic and commercial success, I wish that the filmmakers from the Indian film industry too become a part of the alliance.”



    Representatives of filmmakers from mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore were present at the press conference.

  • 33rd HKIFF records 58% increase in registered filmmakers

    HONG KONG: The 33rd edition of the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), which kicked off yesterday, is shaping up to be the largest and the best attended ever. The event recorded a 58 per cent increase in registered filmmakers, celebrities and guests as compared to the previous edition in 2008. HKIFF will run through till 13 April, 2009.


    Jackie Chan helped kick off the event yesterday by lending his star clout to HKIFF which opened with the world premiere of Chan‘s new Chinese language gangster thriller Shinjuku Incident.












    Screening of over 300 titles from 50 countries, including 20 world premieres and 17 international premieres are scheduled during the current edition of HKIFF. Also, filmmakers from over 30 territories plan to introduce their films to the Hong Kong audience. This year’s Festival has had eager support from the audience with over 85 sold out screenings as on 22 March, including Monsters Vs. Aliens, The Badger Meinhof Complex and Yang Yang.



    “The record attendance to the festival this year is a testament to the diverse and exhilarating programming, the value of the festival as a launch pad for films, and the discovery of film talent,” said HKIFF Society’s executive director Shaw Soo Wei. “The HKIFF represents a destination to capture the fastest growing markets, the abundance of co-production opportunities and film-project financing in Asia.”



    With the increased number of directors, producers and cast members attending the festival, the screenings will see an increase of 66 per cent in its ‘Meet the Audience’ sessions from 64 to 106 this year. Film makers such as the three time Academy Award winning director Oliver Stone, five time Academy Award producer Arthur Cohon and Academy Award winning actor William Hurt, Emmy award wining actor Kiefer Sutherland and Dreamworks Animation CEO Jeffery Katzenberg will be visible at the event.

  • Hong Kong Film Development Council strives to promote Chinese film market

    HONG KONG: To promote Hong Kong film directors of the new generation and explore opportunities for cooperation on film productions and investment, the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) chairman Jack So led a delegation of 20-odd members to visit Singapore and Malaysia this week.







    So says, “To make a breakthrough for our film industry, we would have to join hands with Mainland China, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan and pool resources of the five places to develop the film industry of the region as a whole. The market of Chinese language films can be expanded through cooperation in areas such as financing, production and distribution, etc”.



    The FDC rolled out the Hong Kong Film: New Action project last December to promote Hong Kong films and directors of the new generation. The latest visit joined by FDC members and film directors of the new generation followed the council’s trips to Guangdong Province and Taiwan last December to promote the project.



    “Singapore and Malaysia have a Chinese population of over nine million in total. The region is an important market for us. Besides promoting Hong Kong films and the new generation directors, our meetings with the local film industry seek to establish a basis of cooperation in different aspects so as to explore more market opportunities” adds So.



    During their stay in Singapore, the delegation visited the Media Development Authority and various film industry associations. Both parties got an in-depth understanding of each other‘s market and mode of operation, paving the way for future mutual cooperation.



    Meanwhile, the FDC will stage large-scale business forums and promotional sessions to further promote the project during the “Hong Kong International Film & TV Market” (Filmart) event. The forums and promotional sessions will provide film practitioners from the Chinese language film markets of the aforesaid five places to engage in direct business negotiations with Hong Kong’s directors and filmmakers.

  • MDA, Beach House Pictures join hands with Lonely Planet for TV series









    MUMBAI: Travel media outfit Lonely Planet Television (LPTV), Singapore



    -based production company Beach House Pictures (BHP) and the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) announced at Mipcom the launch of a new 13-part flagship television series Lonlely Planet: Roads Less Travelled, in conjunction with broadcaster National Geographic International and distributor BBC Worldwide.


    The show is a cross-platform travel adventure franchise featuring for the first time real-life Lonely Planet authors on the job as they scour the world’s roads less travelled in search of the latest and greatest travel experiences on earth. Lonely Planet founder and independent traveller Tony Wheeler is slated to be one of the four authors featured in the new series.


    Lonely Planet Television head Laurence Billiet says, “Everybody thinks being paid to travel is one the best gigs in the world but at Lonely Planet we know it’s a really tough job. In this series for the first time on television we’ll reveal behind-the-scenes what it’s really like to be a Lonely Planet author.”









    The show will premiere on the Nat Geo Adventure channel next year in Asia, France, Germany



    , Italy, Spain, Turkey, Australia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. A cross-platform initiative, the new series will be supported by a website showcasing the itineraries featured in the TV series as well as complementary Lonely Planet destination content and travel services. Over time, the multi-platform franchise is expected to span DVD, mobile and web-TV.



    The series will be co-produced with Beach House Pictures, who have worked with Lonely Planet on a number of television productions since signing an agreement with LPTV in 2005 to co-produce all Lonely Planet-branded television series in Singapore.


    Beach House Pictures MD Jocelyn Little says, “We’re excited by the opportunity to join forces with the Media Development Authority of Singapore, National Geographic and BBC Worldwide for the first time on such a major flagship series. All the partners believe strongly in the potential of this unique series, and expect it to turn into an on-going multi-media franchise”.


    MDA CEO Dr Christopher Chia says, “Lonely Planet is a cultural icon well-loved by many all over the world. This is a wonderful opportunity for Beach House to co-produce with well-known international partners who share the same vision of delivering quality content on multiple platforms to the global audiences and showcase the world’s best travel experiences to the world“.

  • Discovery’s Science Channel makes ‘Brink’ available for global distribution

    Discovery’s Science Channel makes ‘Brink’ available for global distribution

    MUMBAI: Discovery has anounced at Mipcom that from the fourth quarter of 2008 and continuing throughout 2009, Science Channel will roll out a full slate of original programming designed to appeal to a worldwide audience of science enthusiasts.

     

    The US-based Science Channel announced Brink, its first original series, is available for international broadcaster distribution.

     

    Designed as the next-generation source of interactive science information on television and on the web, Brink immerses viewers on the frontlines of cutting-edge breakthroughs in technology, research, inventions, discoveries and the mysteries of the scientific world.

     

    The series explores people who are on the brink of changing our lives, and will also include content generated from scientists, organisations, universities and viewers from around the world.

     

    Discovery Enterprises International senior VP Caleb Weinstein says, “Only Discovery Communications can offer this type of high quality science programming to international broadcasters. This innovative new format allows for complete regional customization”

     

    Discovery’s Emerging Networks senior VP programming Deborah Adler Myers says, “Brink is the first of many exciting new series in our new development pipeline and something only a dedicated service like Science Channel can create.

     

    “Brink is a thought-provoking and engaging series that connects viewers with incredible science and technology stories from around the world.”

     

    Guiding viewers through the unusual mix of science information and eureka moments on the show is host Josh Zepps. The series looks to provide viewers with a clear understanding of the impact and relevance science has in our lives today, and offers significant insights into how science may profoundly change our lives tomorrow.

     

    Each half-hour episode combines short-form reports on the latest global science news with vital interviews with prominent scientists. BRINK’s innovative format will also include unusual segments covering a range of subjects from peculiar, avant-garde research to “backyard inventors” who are pushing the limits of science in their own way – such as building their own space craft.

     

    In the US the show‘s reach extends beyond the border of television with a comprehensive, fully integrated presence on sciencechannel.com. Here viewers can watch extended interviews, interact via science blogs, upload and view user generated videos, talk to Zepps and other correspondents, take quizzes and explore additional research materials.

  • ScreenWest, Singapore’s MDA partner for cross-media projects

    MUMBAI: ScreenWest, Western Australia‘s screen funding, and Singapore‘s Media Development Authority (MDA) have announced the launch of the MDA-ScreenWest Cross-Media Development Initiative.

    The aim is to encourage producers in their respective territories to jointly develop and exploit the potential of multi-platform intellectual properties.

    The initiative ininvites producers in Western Australia and Singapore to submit proposals in any of the following genres – Children’s Programming, Documentary and Animation. Three selected projects will be awarded up to a total of $90,000 in project co-development funding.

    The closing date for submissions is 1 December 2008 and the announcement of selected projects will be made at the Asia Television Forum held in Singapore from 10 to 12 December 2008.

    The MDA-ScreenWest Cross-Media Development Initiative follows the Australia-Singapore film co-production agreement signed in September 2007.

    MDA CEO Dr Christopher Chia says, “Currently, Singapore’s media companies already enjoy a strong working relationship with their counterparts in Australia and I am sure that this joint initiative with ScreenWest will spur more of such mutually-beneficial collaborations that will make their mark in the international market.

    “Content that can be commercialised on multiple platforms will enjoy a wider reach and longer lifespan and the MDA-ScreenWest Cross Media Development Initiative is a step in supporting our media companies to rise to the challenge of the new media landscape where consumers increasingly demand to enjoy content on their own terms.”

    Screenwest CEO Ian Booth said, “Screenwest is excited by this opportunity to build stronger ties between the two countries. We believe the development of three projects in the genres of children’s drama, animation and documentary will encourage further co-productions in the future.

    “The bonus of this initiative is the development of cross-platform digital media which can be made in Singapore and Australia and viewed around the world.”

    Media companies from Australia and Singapore have collaborated successfully on several fronts, yielding co-productions in recent years that include feature film The Home Song Stories, lifestyle TV programme 5 Star Insider, animation series Milly Molly and children’s sci-fi drama series Stormworld.

  • BBC Worldwide in content deal with New Zealand broadcasters








     

    MUMBAI
    : BBC Worldwide concluded content deals with New Zealand broadcasters TVNZ and Prime Television at the television trade event Mipcom in Cannes, France.

    BBC Worldwide has renewed a deal with Prime Television that will see the upcoming series of award-winning Top Gear remain with the channel.



    Top Gear is consistently Prime‘s highest-rating programme, and has aired on the network since 2004.



    Meanwhile, BBC Worldwide has also concluded a deal with TVNZ for new and returning drama, factual, and factual entertainment programming.








    New dramas included in the package include Whitechapel, The Children and Sleep with Me.



    Returning series include the third series of time-travel drama Primeval, the fifth series of New Tricks, Hotel Babylon, Mistresses and Silent Witness.

  • DQ Entertainment confers Lifetime Achievement Award to Rene Goscinny

    DQ Entertainment confers Lifetime Achievement Award to Rene Goscinny

    NEW DELHI: Animation and graphics company DQ Entertainment (DQE) has conferred Lifetime Achievement Award to René Goscinny in Mipcom, in recognition of his contribution towards children entertainment.

     

    Goscinny is the creator of iconic characters like Le Petit Nicolas (Little Nick), Asterix and Lucky Luke.

     

    This is for the first time that DQE has launched an annual Lifetime Achievement Award to honour those individuals who have made significant contribution in the field of children’s entertainment.

     

    While accepting the award, Anne Goscinny (daughter of Goscinny) said, “I am honoured to receive the award on behalf of my late father. I am sure he is with us right now and watching over us. His work lives on through the production of the animation series based on his creations such as Le petit Nicolas and Asterix.”

     

  • Disney Latin America signs multiple deals at Mipcom

    Disney Latin America signs multiple deals at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: Disney Media Networks Latin America (DMNLA) has inked several deals at Mipcom, including a pan-regional version of The Amazing Race and an expanded alliance with Terra TV.

     

    As per the expansion of coalition, Terra – the Latin American internet giant – will begin offering DMNLA content on Terra TV, cell phones and social networks across the region from next year.

     

    The expanded partnership includes catch-up rights to a slate of content, which will be available free of charge for seven days following the TV broadcast. The deal covers the fifth and sixth seasons of Lost, the fifth seasons of Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy and the eighth season of Scrubs.

     

    “This new deal is the result of a successful partnership and will bring much more content for the Internet user in Latin America,” said Terra Latin America president Fernando Madeira. “Terra will offer an innovative format to Latin America’s users allowing the online advertising leverage revenues in the region.”

     

    The new programming on Terra TV for 2009 will include the fourth seasons of Lost, Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy. While series like Amazing Race (seasons 10, 11 and 12), Samantha Who?, Six Degrees, Brothers & Sisters, Ugly Betty and Dirt will be shown for the first time on Terra TV in 2009. Terra will also bolster the Disney-branded content on Planeta Disney section with the second seasons of Hannah Montana, Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

     

    Other teen and kids fare on Terra will include Disney’s Phineas and Ferb and The Suite Life of Zach & Cody, American Dragon: Jake Long, Disney’s Little Einsteins, The Emperor’s New School and Kim Possible.

     

    The new alliance between the two companies also covers films like The Incredibles, High School Musical 2, Princess Diaries 2, Cheetah Girls, The Sixth Sense and Flight Plan.

     

    “One of our key strategies is to expand, support and simplify the consumer’s access to our content, embracing new technologies that help us create and distribute our programming through all platforms,” said The Walt Disney Company Latin America and DMNLA president Diego Lerner.

     

    DMNLA also announced a deal with Discovery Networks Latin America/US Hispanic for a pan-regional The Amazing Race. The local version will air on Discovery Channel across Latin America, featuring contestants from Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and Venezuela, among other markets. Pre production begins in January for a late 2009 premiere.

     

    “I believe there is no better media outlet in Latin America to showcase the highly anticipated customised production of Amazing Race,” said DMNLA senior VP Fernando Barbosa. “We are happy to join forces with Discovery Networks on this particular journey and I trust this will be the first season of many to come. Without a doubt, it will capture Latin American audiences across the board.”

     

    DMNLA will also take on responsibility for distributing the Disney catalogue to the US Hispanic market. This covers Disney-branded fare; content from ABC Studios; feature films from Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax Films and Disney-Pixar; titles from Patagonik and Miravista; reality formats; and made-for-TV movies.

     

    “The US Hispanic market is growing at a rapid rate and networks and independent stations are increasingly in need of quality original programming and feature films specifically tailored for their viewers,” said Disney-ABC Domestic Television president Janice Marinelli. “We are happy to partner with Disney Media Networks Latin America as their expertise with Spanish-language programming will play a key role in expanding this business.”

  • Disney-ABC-ESPN TV signs content deal with Antena 3

    Disney-ABC-ESPN TV signs content deal with Antena 3

    MUMBAI: Disney-ABC-ESPN TV has concluded a multi-year, multi genre content agreement with Spain’s major free television network Antena 3.

     

    The agreement includes season one of “Wizards of Waverly Place,” Disney Channel’s hit Original Series which follows the lives of the Russos, who are a lot like the other families in their Manhattan neighbourhood, with one significant difference – they come from a long line of wizards and now, the three teens in the house – Justin, Alex and Max – must learn to hone their budding magical powers or soon risk losing them.

     

    It also includes free television first runs of a wide range of Walt Disney Studios feature films such as The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Dark Water, Eight Below, The Guardian, Annapolis, Venom (The Reaper) and Scary Movie 4.

     

    For Disney-ABC-ESPN Television this agreement was concluded by Disney-ABC-ESPN Television vice president programme distribution David Nogueira with Antena 3 head of acquisitions Mercedes Gamero.