The 60th Annecy Animation Film Festival, which wrapped up this weekend, provided a quiet defiance of the technological trends — including CGI and A.I. — that seem to be irresistible in the animated industry today. Every one of the 2023 Anncey award winners was a traditional 2D feature, a celebration of the old-school craft of hand-drawn cartoons and hand-crafted animation.
None more so than Benoît Chieux’s opening night film Sirocco and the Kingdom of Air, which won this year’s audience award. The director’s first solo feature — he co-directed 2013’s Aunt Hilda! with frequent collaborator Jacques-Rémy Girerd — is a loving tribute to traditional animation. Hand-drawn, with only some scene transitions done on the computer, the children’s film follows the adventures of two young sisters who get sucked into the pages of a children’s book, entering into a fantastical Kingdom of the Winds, ruled over by a Sirocco, a wizard...
None more so than Benoît Chieux’s opening night film Sirocco and the Kingdom of Air, which won this year’s audience award. The director’s first solo feature — he co-directed 2013’s Aunt Hilda! with frequent collaborator Jacques-Rémy Girerd — is a loving tribute to traditional animation. Hand-drawn, with only some scene transitions done on the computer, the children’s film follows the adventures of two young sisters who get sucked into the pages of a children’s book, entering into a fantastical Kingdom of the Winds, ruled over by a Sirocco, a wizard...
- 6/19/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
This eye-catching, dimension-traveling adventure might be aimed at kids, but there’s plenty here for adults who grew up believing the possibilities of animation might be endless. Now that Disney has done its best to persuade us otherwise, Benoît Chieux’s fabulous Sirocco and the Kingdom of Air Streams is here as a palate-cleanser, tucking away a tender story of love and loss in an insanely imaginative psychedelic brainstorm. If Matt Groening and Miyazaki took magic mushrooms and watched The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine together, they could conceivably come up with a movie to match this.
Chuck Jones’ 1970 classic (albeit for weird kids and stoners only) The Phantom Tollbooth is a suitable benchmark, only here it is a game of hopscotch that provides the conduit between this world and the Kingdom of Air Streams. Which is where the story begins, with the mighty wizard Sirocco summoning the elements to assuage his boredom.
Chuck Jones’ 1970 classic (albeit for weird kids and stoners only) The Phantom Tollbooth is a suitable benchmark, only here it is a game of hopscotch that provides the conduit between this world and the Kingdom of Air Streams. Which is where the story begins, with the mighty wizard Sirocco summoning the elements to assuage his boredom.
- 6/16/2023
- by Damon Wise
- Deadline Film + TV
Animated feature ‘Nina And The Hedgehog’s Secret’ inks first sales after Annecy premiere (exclusive)
Film is directed by Academy Award-nominated duo Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli and sold by Les Films du Losange.
Les Films du Losange has inked its first deals in key territories for animated feature Nina And The Hedgehog’s Secret following the film’s premiere on Monday night (June 12) in Annecy.
Directed by Academy Award-nominated duo Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli, whose credits inlcude A Cat in Paris and Phantom Boy, the film premiered in the Cannes market and will be released in France via Kmbo and in Benelux by Cineart.
Agora will release the film in Switzerland, Pack Magic in Spain,...
Les Films du Losange has inked its first deals in key territories for animated feature Nina And The Hedgehog’s Secret following the film’s premiere on Monday night (June 12) in Annecy.
Directed by Academy Award-nominated duo Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli, whose credits inlcude A Cat in Paris and Phantom Boy, the film premiered in the Cannes market and will be released in France via Kmbo and in Benelux by Cineart.
Agora will release the film in Switzerland, Pack Magic in Spain,...
- 6/13/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
It’s Juliette’s fifth birthday, and she can wish for whatever she wants. Top of her list is an adventure, the likes of which this restless girl has only read about in books — specifically, a series of fantasy novels about a capricious wizard who controls the wind. In “Sirocco and the Kingdom of Air Streams,” a quiet afternoon takes an unpredictable, eye-popping turn, as Juliette (voiced by Loïse Charpentier) and her 8-year-old sister Carmen (Maryne Bertieaux) are whisked away to a dazzling surreal world of alligator-shaped airships and bird-headed opera divas, where seemingly anything can happen.
Welcome to the imagination of French director Benoît Chieux, who has crafted — in the year 2023, against considerable odds — a truly spectacular psychedelic excursion in the vein of head-trip classics “The Fantastic Planet” and “The Yellow Submarine.” It’s been roughly half a century since those two movies demonstrated just how liberating the medium of animation can be,...
Welcome to the imagination of French director Benoît Chieux, who has crafted — in the year 2023, against considerable odds — a truly spectacular psychedelic excursion in the vein of head-trip classics “The Fantastic Planet” and “The Yellow Submarine.” It’s been roughly half a century since those two movies demonstrated just how liberating the medium of animation can be,...
- 6/12/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Ron Dyens, the founding CEO of Paris-based company Sacrebleu Productions, has built a reputation as one of Europe’s most original and prolific producers of independent animated features over the course of nearly 25 years.
His company is out in force at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival this year.
Its new animated feature Sirocco And The Kingdom Of Air Streams opened the festival on Sunday evening (June 11) and is among 11 animated features in the running for its Cristal prize.
The company is also present in the short film competition with 1942-set Maurice’s Bar by Israeli filmmakers Tzor Edery & Tom Prezman about the memories of a former drag queen around one of Paris’s first queer bars.
Outside the film program, Sacrebleu will participate in the Works in Progress section with Gints Zilbalodis’ Flow. The Latvian director’s second feature after breakout debut Away, it revolves around a loner...
His company is out in force at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival this year.
Its new animated feature Sirocco And The Kingdom Of Air Streams opened the festival on Sunday evening (June 11) and is among 11 animated features in the running for its Cristal prize.
The company is also present in the short film competition with 1942-set Maurice’s Bar by Israeli filmmakers Tzor Edery & Tom Prezman about the memories of a former drag queen around one of Paris’s first queer bars.
Outside the film program, Sacrebleu will participate in the Works in Progress section with Gints Zilbalodis’ Flow. The Latvian director’s second feature after breakout debut Away, it revolves around a loner...
- 6/12/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Lille-born filmmaker Benoît Chieux has been coming to Annecy for 30 years. This year, to his own amazement, he is opening the festival with “Sirocco and the Kingdom of Air Streams.”
“It’s an incredible surprise and a huge honor. Today’s competition [in animation] is very tough and there are so many high-quality feature films out there,” he says, calling the event “an exceptionally rich place to meet and discover new things.”
In “Sirocco,” two sisters, Juliette and Carmen, discover a secret passage to the world of their favorite book, the Kingdom of Air Streams. Transformed into cats and separated from each other, they will have to find their way back and – with the help of talented singer Selma – confront the mysterious Sirocco, the master of winds and storms.
“His face is half-hidden in order to draw the viewer’s attention. In a spectacular film like this one, it’s important to...
“It’s an incredible surprise and a huge honor. Today’s competition [in animation] is very tough and there are so many high-quality feature films out there,” he says, calling the event “an exceptionally rich place to meet and discover new things.”
In “Sirocco,” two sisters, Juliette and Carmen, discover a secret passage to the world of their favorite book, the Kingdom of Air Streams. Transformed into cats and separated from each other, they will have to find their way back and – with the help of talented singer Selma – confront the mysterious Sirocco, the master of winds and storms.
“His face is half-hidden in order to draw the viewer’s attention. In a spectacular film like this one, it’s important to...
- 6/11/2023
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
The film follows a 10-year-old girl who has always filled her imagination with her father’s entertaining stories about a hedgehog
Les films du Losange has unveiled the first English-language trailer for its star-powered animated tale Nina And The Hedgehog’s Secret ahead of the film’s Cannes market premiere and audience premiere at the Annecy Animation Festival in June.
The film, previously pitched as part of the Annecy Festival’s work-in-progress sessions, is the latest feature from writer-director duo Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli whose 2010 film A Cat In Paris was nominated in animation categories at the Oscars, Cesar...
Les films du Losange has unveiled the first English-language trailer for its star-powered animated tale Nina And The Hedgehog’s Secret ahead of the film’s Cannes market premiere and audience premiere at the Annecy Animation Festival in June.
The film, previously pitched as part of the Annecy Festival’s work-in-progress sessions, is the latest feature from writer-director duo Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli whose 2010 film A Cat In Paris was nominated in animation categories at the Oscars, Cesar...
- 5/17/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
The Annecy International Animation Film Festival has unveiled the line-up for its 2023 edition, running from June 11 to 17.
More than 13,000 animation professionals are set to descend on the French festival’s lakeside setting for its traditional mix of screenings programs across all formats, Work-in-Progress and First-Look sneak peeks, and presentations going behind the scenes of upcoming animation productions.
Competition title Sirocco And The Kingdom Of The Winds by French director Benoît Chieux opens the festival. The fantasy follows the adventures of two young sisters as they try to make their way home after getting trapped in the world of their favorite book.
A Cat In Paris and Phantom Boy director Alain Gagnol co-wrote the screenplay for the feature lead produced by Paris-based Sacrebleu Productions.
The film, which world premieres in Annecy, is among 11 titles competing for the festival’s Crystal award.
Another three French productions debut in Competition: Chiara Malta and...
More than 13,000 animation professionals are set to descend on the French festival’s lakeside setting for its traditional mix of screenings programs across all formats, Work-in-Progress and First-Look sneak peeks, and presentations going behind the scenes of upcoming animation productions.
Competition title Sirocco And The Kingdom Of The Winds by French director Benoît Chieux opens the festival. The fantasy follows the adventures of two young sisters as they try to make their way home after getting trapped in the world of their favorite book.
A Cat In Paris and Phantom Boy director Alain Gagnol co-wrote the screenplay for the feature lead produced by Paris-based Sacrebleu Productions.
The film, which world premieres in Annecy, is among 11 titles competing for the festival’s Crystal award.
Another three French productions debut in Competition: Chiara Malta and...
- 4/27/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Documentary world premieres in Berlin.
Les Films du Losange has sold Nicolas Philibert’s Berlinale competition title On The Adamant to key territories including Adok Films in Switzerland and to I Wonder Pictures in Italy.
The documentary market premiered at Unifrance’s Rendez-Vous in Paris and Les Films du Losange will continue sales at February’s EFM.
On The Adamant follows patients and caregivers at a psychiatric centre with a unique floating structure located in the middle of the Seine river in central Paris.
Philibert’s Être Et Avoir (To Be And To Have) premiered in Cannes in 2002, La Maison...
Les Films du Losange has sold Nicolas Philibert’s Berlinale competition title On The Adamant to key territories including Adok Films in Switzerland and to I Wonder Pictures in Italy.
The documentary market premiered at Unifrance’s Rendez-Vous in Paris and Les Films du Losange will continue sales at February’s EFM.
On The Adamant follows patients and caregivers at a psychiatric centre with a unique floating structure located in the middle of the Seine river in central Paris.
Philibert’s Être Et Avoir (To Be And To Have) premiered in Cannes in 2002, La Maison...
- 1/27/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
What will be your first movie of 2023? If you’re reading this it’s likely you put some (let’s be honest: too much) thought into what commences the cinematic year. The Criterion Channel’s January lineup will put some good things front and center: they’re launching a 20-film cinema verité series that highlights all major figures of the form; an eight-film Mike Leigh retrospective that focuses on his little-seen, lesser-discussed BBC features produced between 1973 and 1984; a series on Abbas Kiarostami’s studies of childhood; and because you’ve either seen Eo or have it marked to watch, Jerzy Skolimowski’s three most-acclaimed films should be of equal note.
Another 2022 favorite, Il Buco, will have its streaming premiere alongside Kamikaze Hearts, the Depardieu-led Cyrano de Bergerac, and the recent restoration of Lodge Kerrigan’s Keane. The sole Criterion Edition for this month is 3 Women, while some notable recent documentaries—The American Sector,...
Another 2022 favorite, Il Buco, will have its streaming premiere alongside Kamikaze Hearts, the Depardieu-led Cyrano de Bergerac, and the recent restoration of Lodge Kerrigan’s Keane. The sole Criterion Edition for this month is 3 Women, while some notable recent documentaries—The American Sector,...
- 12/20/2022
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
French animation studio Parmi Les Lucioles has sealed a pre-sales deal with Canal+ for its 26-minute TV special pitched at this week’s Cartoon Forum in Toulouse, southern France.
“Gouti’s Great Journey,” by writer-director Benedicte Galup is an adaptation of the comic book “Le Grand Voyage de Gouti” by Michel Bussi and Peggy Nille published by Langue au chat.
The film tells the story of the Agoutis, a family of small rodents who live in harmony on a dream island untouched by humans. But one day, their island is devastated by a violent storm and the family is forced to leave, leading to a journey into other worlds, other species, and, above all, a journey of self-discovery.
It will be produced by Jerome Duc-Maugé’s recently launched production studio Parmi les lucioles films in the southern French animation hub of Valence.
Award-winning French singer-songwriter Olivia Ruiz will compose the...
“Gouti’s Great Journey,” by writer-director Benedicte Galup is an adaptation of the comic book “Le Grand Voyage de Gouti” by Michel Bussi and Peggy Nille published by Langue au chat.
The film tells the story of the Agoutis, a family of small rodents who live in harmony on a dream island untouched by humans. But one day, their island is devastated by a violent storm and the family is forced to leave, leading to a journey into other worlds, other species, and, above all, a journey of self-discovery.
It will be produced by Jerome Duc-Maugé’s recently launched production studio Parmi les lucioles films in the southern French animation hub of Valence.
Award-winning French singer-songwriter Olivia Ruiz will compose the...
- 9/22/2022
- by Lise Pedersen
- Variety Film + TV
Directors Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli are previous Oscar nominees.
French sales and production company Les Films du Losange has boarded international rights on feature animation Nina And The Tales Of The Hedgehog ahead of the project’s Annecy work-in-progress pitch later today.
The film is from writer-director duo Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli, whose 2010 feature A Cat In Paris was nominated in animation categories at the Oscars, Cesars and European Film Awards.
Nina And The Tales Of The Hedgehog is a France-Luxembourg co-production, between Parmi Les Lucioles Films, Doghouse Films and Kmbo, with backing from the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes regional fund.
French sales and production company Les Films du Losange has boarded international rights on feature animation Nina And The Tales Of The Hedgehog ahead of the project’s Annecy work-in-progress pitch later today.
The film is from writer-director duo Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli, whose 2010 feature A Cat In Paris was nominated in animation categories at the Oscars, Cesars and European Film Awards.
Nina And The Tales Of The Hedgehog is a France-Luxembourg co-production, between Parmi Les Lucioles Films, Doghouse Films and Kmbo, with backing from the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes regional fund.
- 6/15/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Two of the most awaited European animation films of the year – Alberto Vázquez’s “Unicorn Wars” and Pierre Foldes’ “Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman” – look set to world premiere in competition at France’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the biggest animation festival in the world.
Sneak peeks at Annecy’s Work in Progress strand, its industry cornerstone, include Apple Original and Skydance title “Luck,” from Peggy Holmes, Cartoon Network’s “Unicorn: Warriors Eternal,” from legendary U.S. director Genndy Tartakovsky (“Samurai Jack”) and the latest works from directors whose prior animated features have scored Oscar nominations: Spain’s Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal and France’s Alain Gagnol.
Announced Monday evening in Paris’ Cnc state film agency by Annecy director Mickaël Marin and artistic director Michel Jean, this year’s festival is deigned as fully-fledged return to the on-site encounters and in-person discovery which is the soul of Annecy, Marin emphasized,...
Sneak peeks at Annecy’s Work in Progress strand, its industry cornerstone, include Apple Original and Skydance title “Luck,” from Peggy Holmes, Cartoon Network’s “Unicorn: Warriors Eternal,” from legendary U.S. director Genndy Tartakovsky (“Samurai Jack”) and the latest works from directors whose prior animated features have scored Oscar nominations: Spain’s Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal and France’s Alain Gagnol.
Announced Monday evening in Paris’ Cnc state film agency by Annecy director Mickaël Marin and artistic director Michel Jean, this year’s festival is deigned as fully-fledged return to the on-site encounters and in-person discovery which is the soul of Annecy, Marin emphasized,...
- 5/2/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
The Criterion Channel has unveiled their lineup for next month and it’s another strong slate, featuring retrospectives of Carole Lombard, John Waters, Robert Downey Sr., Luis García Berlanga, Jane Russell, and Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman. Also in the lineup is new additions to their Queersighted series, notably Todd Haynes’ early film Poison (Safe is also premiering in a separate presentation), William Friedkin’s Cruising, and Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Teorama.
The new restorations of Manoel de Oliveira’s stunning Francisca and Francesco Rosi’s Christ Stopped at Eboli will join the channel, alongside Agnieszka Holland’s Spoor, Bong Joon Ho’s early short film Incoherence, and Luc Dardenne & Jean-Pierre Dardenne’s Rosetta.
See the lineup below and explore more on criterionchannel.com.
#Blackmendream, Shikeith, 2014
12 Angry Men, Sidney Lumet, 1957
About Tap, George T. Nierenberg, 1985
The AIDS Show, Peter Adair and Rob Epstein, 1986
The Assignation, Curtis Harrington, 1953
Aya of Yop City,...
The new restorations of Manoel de Oliveira’s stunning Francisca and Francesco Rosi’s Christ Stopped at Eboli will join the channel, alongside Agnieszka Holland’s Spoor, Bong Joon Ho’s early short film Incoherence, and Luc Dardenne & Jean-Pierre Dardenne’s Rosetta.
See the lineup below and explore more on criterionchannel.com.
#Blackmendream, Shikeith, 2014
12 Angry Men, Sidney Lumet, 1957
About Tap, George T. Nierenberg, 1985
The AIDS Show, Peter Adair and Rob Epstein, 1986
The Assignation, Curtis Harrington, 1953
Aya of Yop City,...
- 5/24/2021
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Milcho Manchevski, Pablo Berger.
Co-productions from French director Michel Hazanavicius and Belgian filmmaking duo Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne are among 24 selected for funding in the latest Eurimages round.
Hazanavicius, whose 2011 title The Artist which won five Oscars including best picture and director, receives €470,000 towards Franco-Belgian animation The Most Precious Of Cargoes.
Adapted from a 2019 novel by French writer Jean-Claude Grumberg, the animated film is set during the Second World War, when a Jewish father throws one of his twins from the train to Auschwitz in a desperate attempt to save him. The boy is then discovered by a childless Polish couple.
Co-productions from French director Michel Hazanavicius and Belgian filmmaking duo Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne are among 24 selected for funding in the latest Eurimages round.
Hazanavicius, whose 2011 title The Artist which won five Oscars including best picture and director, receives €470,000 towards Franco-Belgian animation The Most Precious Of Cargoes.
Adapted from a 2019 novel by French writer Jean-Claude Grumberg, the animated film is set during the Second World War, when a Jewish father throws one of his twins from the train to Auschwitz in a desperate attempt to save him. The boy is then discovered by a childless Polish couple.
- 3/22/2021
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Delivery of the French-Luxembourgish project by Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol is slated for early 2023. After having worked together on A Cat in Paris and Phantom Boy, filmmakers Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol are continuing their exploration of a cinematic genre that is particularly dear to them: the crime film and, more specifically, the heist film. Tales of the Hedgehog, which has been selected for the upcoming Cartoon Movie (see the news), will follow ten-year-old Nina, whose life has been turned upside down ever since her father lost his job at a factory, after his supervisor embezzled money. Together with her friend Mehdi, the little girl sets off on a life-saving quest that may well lead to the discovery of a treasure hidden in the disused factory… It will therefore be a genre film, tailored for young audiences, which will revel in reusing the codes of Hollywoodian film noir...
The 23rd edition of the annual forum aimed at strengthening the production and distribution of animated feature films will take place from 9-11 March. Cartoon Movie, the annual forum aimed at strengthening the production and distribution of animated feature films in Europe and beyond, organised by Cartoon, has announced that its 23rd edition will take place online from 9-11 March. A total of 55 projects from 16 countries have been selected for the showcase: 22 of these are at the concept stage, another 22 are in development and eight are in production. A sneak preview of three films that have already been completed will also be presented: Jonas Poher's Cannes 2020 title Flee (Denmark/Sweden/Norway/France), Will Ashurst's 3D movie Christmas at Cattlehill (Norway) and Anca Damian's animated documentary The Island (Romania/Belgium/France). The line-up features upcoming works by renowned directors, such as Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol's Tales of the Hedgehog,...
France’s 2020 Annecy festival and accompanying Mifa market won’t be the first such events to go completely online this year, but certainly stand out as one of Europe’s largest to do so. The prestigious animation gathering, which normally draws toon heavyhitters from all over the world, will stream June 15-30.
While platforms and broadcasters fight over available content, with kids and family one of the tentpoles of subscriber retention, the market for animation has never been more demanding — both in quality and audience expectation.
One big challenge in making the transition to online is the inability to stream many of the key titles from Annecy’s Official and Contrechamp competitions in their entirety due to licensing rights and other contractual conditions.
However, several studios and key sales agents have confirmed to Variety that they are planning alternative means of promoting their upcoming content while still entertaining eager Annecy badge-holders.
While platforms and broadcasters fight over available content, with kids and family one of the tentpoles of subscriber retention, the market for animation has never been more demanding — both in quality and audience expectation.
One big challenge in making the transition to online is the inability to stream many of the key titles from Annecy’s Official and Contrechamp competitions in their entirety due to licensing rights and other contractual conditions.
However, several studios and key sales agents have confirmed to Variety that they are planning alternative means of promoting their upcoming content while still entertaining eager Annecy badge-holders.
- 6/12/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Grégoire Melin’s Paris-based Kinology will sell Sacrebleu’s upcoming animated feature “Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds,” set to host Was an Annecy Works in Progress panel at the upcoming digital version of the world’s largest animation festival and market.
At March’s Cartoon Movie in the French port city of Bordeaux, the films singular visuals and family-friendly story caught the eye of many in attendance, and makes it one of the most anticipated productions set to participate at this year’s Annecy.
Kinology has a strong reputation in dealing with independent arthouse animated features, including the critically acclaimed 2014 Annecy main competition player “Mune: Guardian of the Moon.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with Ron and Benoit on such a unique, poetic and emotional journey; it has everything to become a true future kids’ classic in the line of ‘The King and the Mockingbird’ and ‘Kirikou,’” Kinology CEO Grégoire Melin told Variety.
At March’s Cartoon Movie in the French port city of Bordeaux, the films singular visuals and family-friendly story caught the eye of many in attendance, and makes it one of the most anticipated productions set to participate at this year’s Annecy.
Kinology has a strong reputation in dealing with independent arthouse animated features, including the critically acclaimed 2014 Annecy main competition player “Mune: Guardian of the Moon.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with Ron and Benoit on such a unique, poetic and emotional journey; it has everything to become a true future kids’ classic in the line of ‘The King and the Mockingbird’ and ‘Kirikou,’” Kinology CEO Grégoire Melin told Variety.
- 6/11/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix, China’s Alibaba and France have thrown their weight behind the Annecy Animation Festival, with the festival set to showcase an in progress reveal of the U.S. streaming giant’s “The Cupcake Show!” plus a look back at cult movie “Animal Crackers,” as well as six French productions in its Work in Progress section, Annecy’s single most important program strand.
Distributed by Alibaba Pictures Group, “New Gods: Nezha Reborn,” from Ji Zhao, follows on the highest grossing animated movie ever in a single territory, earning over $700 million in China.
French productions are led by the hugely awaited “The Summit of the Gods,” produced by Jean-Charles Ostorero and the most ambitious movie to date from Didier and Damien Brunner.
Also in the French Wip mix is “The Island,” the latest from Romania’s Anca Damian, who won Annecy’s top pirize with “Crilic: The Path to Beyond,” as...
Distributed by Alibaba Pictures Group, “New Gods: Nezha Reborn,” from Ji Zhao, follows on the highest grossing animated movie ever in a single territory, earning over $700 million in China.
French productions are led by the hugely awaited “The Summit of the Gods,” produced by Jean-Charles Ostorero and the most ambitious movie to date from Didier and Damien Brunner.
Also in the French Wip mix is “The Island,” the latest from Romania’s Anca Damian, who won Annecy’s top pirize with “Crilic: The Path to Beyond,” as...
- 5/20/2020
- by John Hopewell and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Remi Chayé’s “Calamity, a Childhood of Martha Jane Cannary,” Benoît Chieux’ “Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds” and “They Shot the Piano Player,” from Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal, were among projects which caught attention at this week’s 22nd Cartoon Movie, which ran March 3-5 in the French port city of Bordeaux.
The presentation of “Calamity.” the awaited second feature by Chayé (“Long Way North”), registered the highest attendance of any pitch at the animation co-production and sales forum. Produced by France’s Maybe Movies and Denmark’s Nørlum and sold by Paris-based Indie Sales, “Calamity” tells the story of Martha Jane Cannary, a 12-year-old girl caring for her siblings in a wagon train heading West to Wyoming. A coming-of-age feature, it is also an origins story of the young woman would become the legendary Calamity Jane.
A buzz title in Bordeaux, sold by Film Constellation and...
The presentation of “Calamity.” the awaited second feature by Chayé (“Long Way North”), registered the highest attendance of any pitch at the animation co-production and sales forum. Produced by France’s Maybe Movies and Denmark’s Nørlum and sold by Paris-based Indie Sales, “Calamity” tells the story of Martha Jane Cannary, a 12-year-old girl caring for her siblings in a wagon train heading West to Wyoming. A coming-of-age feature, it is also an origins story of the young woman would become the legendary Calamity Jane.
A buzz title in Bordeaux, sold by Film Constellation and...
- 3/7/2020
- by Emilio Mayorga
- Variety Film + TV
The Cnc is also throwing its weight behind films put forward by Ursula Meier, Robert Guédiguian, Philippe Faucon, Tony Gatlif, Mona Achache and the duo composed of Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli. Seven projects were selected during the 5th and final session of the Cnc’s second advance on receipts 2019 committee. Standing out amongst these is Le temps d’aimer which will be Katell Quillévéré’s fourth feature film following on from 2010’s Love Like Poison (screened in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight 2010 and the winner of the Prix Jean Vigo), Suzanne and Heal The Living (unveiled in Venice’s Orizzonti line-up in 2016 before participating in Toronto’s Platform competition). Written by the filmmaker alongside Gilles Taurand, the story kicks off in 1947. Madeleine, a waitress in a hotel restaurant and the mother of a small...
Denmark’s Jonas Alexander Arnby, France’s Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli, and Poland’s Agnieszka Smoczyńska are among up-and-coming directors from across Europe whose latest projects will be presented at the 11th Coproduction Village of Les Arcs Film Festival.
This edition of Les Arcs Coproduction Village will showcase a total of 22 European projects spanning 19 countries. The forum is meant to help filmmakers and producers find sales agents, distributors, as well as co-production and financial partners.
A rising polish director, Smoczyńska, will present her English-language debut, “Silent Twins” about sibling who have spent 14 years in a high-security psychiatric hospital and have developed a unique way of communicating. The film will be produced by Madants. Smoczyńska previously directed a short in the omnibus horror film, “The Field Guide To Evil,” and the film “Fugue” which world premiered at Cannes Critics’ Week.
Gagnol and Felicioli, the directors pair behind the Oscar-nominated animated...
This edition of Les Arcs Coproduction Village will showcase a total of 22 European projects spanning 19 countries. The forum is meant to help filmmakers and producers find sales agents, distributors, as well as co-production and financial partners.
A rising polish director, Smoczyńska, will present her English-language debut, “Silent Twins” about sibling who have spent 14 years in a high-security psychiatric hospital and have developed a unique way of communicating. The film will be produced by Madants. Smoczyńska previously directed a short in the omnibus horror film, “The Field Guide To Evil,” and the film “Fugue” which world premiered at Cannes Critics’ Week.
Gagnol and Felicioli, the directors pair behind the Oscar-nominated animated...
- 12/14/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Alpine festival running Dec 14-21 reveals details of all industry events.
Jonas Alexander Arnby, Ágnes Kocsis and Poland’s Agnieszka Smoczyńska will be among the directors presenting new projects at Les Arc Film Festival’s Co-production Village, running Dec 15 to 17.
Hungarian filmmaker Kocsis will attend with romantic drama Iron Song, about the real-life love story between Latvian composer Imants Kalniņš and Us writer Kelly Cherry in the 1960s.
Polish director Agnieszka Smoczyńska will present her first English-language project Silent Twins, about siblings who communicate using a private language of their own creation after spending 14 years in Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital.
Jonas Alexander Arnby, Ágnes Kocsis and Poland’s Agnieszka Smoczyńska will be among the directors presenting new projects at Les Arc Film Festival’s Co-production Village, running Dec 15 to 17.
Hungarian filmmaker Kocsis will attend with romantic drama Iron Song, about the real-life love story between Latvian composer Imants Kalniņš and Us writer Kelly Cherry in the 1960s.
Polish director Agnieszka Smoczyńska will present her first English-language project Silent Twins, about siblings who communicate using a private language of their own creation after spending 14 years in Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital.
- 11/5/2019
- by 1100380¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
“The Ballad of Yaya,” “Where is Anne Frank?” and “Musketeers of the Tsar” proved the most-attended of industry presentations among 66 feature projects pitched at this year Cartoon Movie, Europe’s top animated feature co-production forum which ran at the French port city of Bordeaux over March 5-7.
A production of Blue Spirit Productions, the company behind François Laguionie’s César-nominated “The Painting” and Claude Barras’ “My Life as a Zucchini,” “The Ballad of Yaya” is penned by Patrick Marty, Céline Ronté and Antoine Schoumsk. The director is yet to be confirmed.
Set in 1937, in development, and targeting 6-12s, it turns on 9-year-old Chinese girl Yaya, raised in the French Concession in Shanghai, who flees Japanese bombings to join her family in Hong Kong.
Already in production and targeting family audiences “Where is Anne Frank?” is the new project of Ari Folman, a revisitation of the Nazi legacy through the...
A production of Blue Spirit Productions, the company behind François Laguionie’s César-nominated “The Painting” and Claude Barras’ “My Life as a Zucchini,” “The Ballad of Yaya” is penned by Patrick Marty, Céline Ronté and Antoine Schoumsk. The director is yet to be confirmed.
Set in 1937, in development, and targeting 6-12s, it turns on 9-year-old Chinese girl Yaya, raised in the French Concession in Shanghai, who flees Japanese bombings to join her family in Hong Kong.
Already in production and targeting family audiences “Where is Anne Frank?” is the new project of Ari Folman, a revisitation of the Nazi legacy through the...
- 3/11/2019
- by Emilio Mayorga
- Variety Film + TV
Claude Barras’ “Savages!,” Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli’s “Tales of the Hedgehog” and Peter Dodd’s “King of the Swamp” are among the sixty-six projects –a 10% increase from last year– to be pitched at the 21st Cartoon Movie, Europe’s leading animated movie co-production event, which will take place in the French port city of Bordeaux, kicking off March 5.
Projects will be offered to buyers and potential partners in different stages: 28 in concept, 24 in development, seven in production and seven sneak previews.
“Savages!” is the much-awaited sophomore project from Switzerland’s Barras, following his multi-awarded and foreign-language Oscar nominated “My Life as a Zucchini.” A stop-motion feature, “Savages!” is produced by France’s Prélude in co-production with Switzerland’s Helium Films. It tells the story of the friendship between 11-year-old Kéria and a Bornean orangutan baby. They will be forced to flee from Kéria’s father who wants to...
Projects will be offered to buyers and potential partners in different stages: 28 in concept, 24 in development, seven in production and seven sneak previews.
“Savages!” is the much-awaited sophomore project from Switzerland’s Barras, following his multi-awarded and foreign-language Oscar nominated “My Life as a Zucchini.” A stop-motion feature, “Savages!” is produced by France’s Prélude in co-production with Switzerland’s Helium Films. It tells the story of the friendship between 11-year-old Kéria and a Bornean orangutan baby. They will be forced to flee from Kéria’s father who wants to...
- 2/3/2019
- by Emilio Mayorga
- Variety Film + TV
Barcelona— Finland’s Yle, Ireland’s 9 Story Distribution International and France’s Folimage have been awarded as Broadcaster, Investor/Distributor and Producer of the Year respectively at this year’s Cartoon Forum, which closes today in Toulouse.
Finnish public broadcaster Yle, through Yle TV2, airs over 3,000 hours of programming per year for 2-12s. Yle has become a proactive partner in animated TV series co-production, and alongside the recently approved 25% cash rebate for domestic and foreign investments is one of the keys to Finland’s new animation revival. Two recent productions in which Yle has participated are “Gigglebug” (Gigglebug Entertainment) and “Albi the Snowman” (Hima Light). The Nordic country was also honored at Cartoon Forum with a Spotlight.
Other nominées in this category were Italy’s DeAKids, Netflix and France’s TF1 Unite Jeunesse.
Founded in 1981 by Jacques-Rémy Girerd, France’s Folimage took the Cartoon Tribute Award for Best Producer of the Year.
Finnish public broadcaster Yle, through Yle TV2, airs over 3,000 hours of programming per year for 2-12s. Yle has become a proactive partner in animated TV series co-production, and alongside the recently approved 25% cash rebate for domestic and foreign investments is one of the keys to Finland’s new animation revival. Two recent productions in which Yle has participated are “Gigglebug” (Gigglebug Entertainment) and “Albi the Snowman” (Hima Light). The Nordic country was also honored at Cartoon Forum with a Spotlight.
Other nominées in this category were Italy’s DeAKids, Netflix and France’s TF1 Unite Jeunesse.
Founded in 1981 by Jacques-Rémy Girerd, France’s Folimage took the Cartoon Tribute Award for Best Producer of the Year.
- 9/13/2018
- by Emilio Mayorga
- Variety Film + TV
Annecy, France — We’re not saying these are the best shorts at Annecy this year. Nor the forerunners for prizes. Chosen principally from the shorts in the short film competition, and buzzed up titles hitting Annecy, they are, however, undeniable proof of the huge creativity of contemporary Annecy. If Annecy is about discovery, much is to be found in these sections.
‘Bloeistraat 11’
2D, from Belgium Lumière’s Lunanime, co-producers of “Phantom Boy” and 2018 competition contender “Funan.” But this is 2D with an edge, and psychological observance as two Bbf’s girls sorority is prized apart by the onset of puberty, with one taking up with the other’s brother. Could a man have directed this? Probably yes, but almost certainly not so knowingly.
‘The Cat’S Regret’
Hitchcock in exquisite 2D, from the directors and animation studio behind 2012 Oscar-nominated feature “A Cat in Paris,” Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol and France’s Folimage,...
‘Bloeistraat 11’
2D, from Belgium Lumière’s Lunanime, co-producers of “Phantom Boy” and 2018 competition contender “Funan.” But this is 2D with an edge, and psychological observance as two Bbf’s girls sorority is prized apart by the onset of puberty, with one taking up with the other’s brother. Could a man have directed this? Probably yes, but almost certainly not so knowingly.
‘The Cat’S Regret’
Hitchcock in exquisite 2D, from the directors and animation studio behind 2012 Oscar-nominated feature “A Cat in Paris,” Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol and France’s Folimage,...
- 6/11/2018
- by John Hopewell, Emilio Mayorga and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Simon Brew Jan 19, 2017
Phantom Boy is playing in a limited number of UK cinemas this weekend. It's just the kind of surprise that's hard to find in modern movies.
I’ve written before about my love of Saturday and Sunday morning kids' clubs at multiplexes, where you can take your anklebiters to see a film that’s a couple of months post-its release. Such screenings are a godsend to parents of fidgety children, or those of us trying to introduce our youngsters to the cinema. There’s a kinship in there. Nobody goes in expecting children to be perfectly quiet, and there’s usually a spirit of tolerance and some degree of shared film love. Plus, let’s be honest, it’s not a bad value couple of hours either, given that the price tends to be lowered too.
See related Split review M Night Shyamalan interview: Split, non-conformity, creative freedom
Most of the time,...
Phantom Boy is playing in a limited number of UK cinemas this weekend. It's just the kind of surprise that's hard to find in modern movies.
I’ve written before about my love of Saturday and Sunday morning kids' clubs at multiplexes, where you can take your anklebiters to see a film that’s a couple of months post-its release. Such screenings are a godsend to parents of fidgety children, or those of us trying to introduce our youngsters to the cinema. There’s a kinship in there. Nobody goes in expecting children to be perfectly quiet, and there’s usually a spirit of tolerance and some degree of shared film love. Plus, let’s be honest, it’s not a bad value couple of hours either, given that the price tends to be lowered too.
See related Split review M Night Shyamalan interview: Split, non-conformity, creative freedom
Most of the time,...
- 1/18/2017
- Den of Geek
Every week we dive into the cream of the crop when it comes to home releases, including Blu-ray and DVDs, as well as recommended deals of the week. Check out our rundown below and return every Tuesday for the best (or most interesting) films one can take home. Note that if you’re looking to support the site, every purchase you make through the links below helps us and is greatly appreciated.
Indignation (James Schamus)
After helping filmmakers such as Todd Haynes, Ang Lee, and Todd Solondz shape their careers, James Schamus has finally made the leap from producer to director with an adaptation of Philip Roth‘s 2008 novel Indignation. The 1951-set feature follows Marcus Messner (Logan Lerman), a Newark-bred Jewish teenager heading to his first semester at a Lutheran college in Ohio. In doing so, he avoids the draft for the Korean War, which is claiming extended family and friends as victims.
Indignation (James Schamus)
After helping filmmakers such as Todd Haynes, Ang Lee, and Todd Solondz shape their careers, James Schamus has finally made the leap from producer to director with an adaptation of Philip Roth‘s 2008 novel Indignation. The 1951-set feature follows Marcus Messner (Logan Lerman), a Newark-bred Jewish teenager heading to his first semester at a Lutheran college in Ohio. In doing so, he avoids the draft for the Korean War, which is claiming extended family and friends as victims.
- 11/8/2016
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
A boy being treated for cancer develops superpowers and tackles a supervillain in this engaging animated fantasy adventure
Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol are the French animators who received an Academy award nomination in 2010 for their sparky film A Cat in Paris. Now they are back with Phantom Boy – revoiced for an English-language release – a terrifically entertaining fantasy adventure that doubles up as a superhero origin myth. There’s scope for a sequel, which is good news. Both animation style and script are simpler than the hyper-sophisticated work coming from the Us studios right now. This is a refreshing palate cleanser. Leo (voiced by Marcus D’Angelo) is a New York kid being treated for cancer in hospital who finds that his nearness to death gives him the ability to float out of his body and fly over the city for half an hour or so at a time. He...
Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol are the French animators who received an Academy award nomination in 2010 for their sparky film A Cat in Paris. Now they are back with Phantom Boy – revoiced for an English-language release – a terrifically entertaining fantasy adventure that doubles up as a superhero origin myth. There’s scope for a sequel, which is good news. Both animation style and script are simpler than the hyper-sophisticated work coming from the Us studios right now. This is a refreshing palate cleanser. Leo (voiced by Marcus D’Angelo) is a New York kid being treated for cancer in hospital who finds that his nearness to death gives him the ability to float out of his body and fly over the city for half an hour or so at a time. He...
- 10/20/2016
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Creative duo behind the Oscar nominated ‘A Cat in Paris’, Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol provide us with a mesmerisingly touching narrative, with their latest feature Phantom Boy. This animated fantasy is raw; it isn’t clean cut like Pixar or Aardman even – what we have here is an angular, pop-art surreal quality giving […]
The post Lff 2016: Phantom Boy Review appeared first on HeyUGuys.
The post Lff 2016: Phantom Boy Review appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 10/16/2016
- by Gloria Daniels-Moss
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
His name is Leo and he has a secret.
In the latest animated outing from the always-charming Gkids, a young boy takes flight in a fantastic adventure that looks to flip the superhero narrative on its head. And, as is the case with so many superheroes, Leo has a very big secret.
Read More: How Animated ‘Phantom Boy’ Conjures a Superhero Noir Hybrid
The newest film from “A Cat in Paris” filmmaking duo Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol, the New York City-set feature returns the pair to the big screen with another film about secret identities, bold deeds and unexpected new friends. When a vicious villain takes over the the city, Leo must use his hidden abilities — yes, as a phantom boy — to help fight back and save the inhabitants of Gotham from yet another wacky baddie bent on taking down the world. But there’s more to Leo than meets the eye,...
In the latest animated outing from the always-charming Gkids, a young boy takes flight in a fantastic adventure that looks to flip the superhero narrative on its head. And, as is the case with so many superheroes, Leo has a very big secret.
Read More: How Animated ‘Phantom Boy’ Conjures a Superhero Noir Hybrid
The newest film from “A Cat in Paris” filmmaking duo Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol, the New York City-set feature returns the pair to the big screen with another film about secret identities, bold deeds and unexpected new friends. When a vicious villain takes over the the city, Leo must use his hidden abilities — yes, as a phantom boy — to help fight back and save the inhabitants of Gotham from yet another wacky baddie bent on taking down the world. But there’s more to Leo than meets the eye,...
- 7/22/2016
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
After nabbing an Oscar nomination for the delightful “A Cat in Paris” in 2012, the French team of Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol get more ambitious with “Phantom Boy” (July 22), combining an ethereal superhero with a wacky crime thriller. No wonder Gkids smartly grabbed distribution rights to this one as well.
Leo, a sensitive young New Yorker, undergoes treatment for a serious illness in a hospital, where he discovers the strange ability to leave his body for short periods of time and communicate with some of the unconscious patients. This invisible transport allows him to assist a wounded cop and female reporter in thwarting a mysterious villain from destabilizing the city with a computer virus.
“We prefer working in a context and setting that are realistic but with one fantasy element,” said Gagnol, who wrote the script. Felicioli provided the flat, angular, retro graphic design. “It’s a fantastical, dream image of New York,...
Leo, a sensitive young New Yorker, undergoes treatment for a serious illness in a hospital, where he discovers the strange ability to leave his body for short periods of time and communicate with some of the unconscious patients. This invisible transport allows him to assist a wounded cop and female reporter in thwarting a mysterious villain from destabilizing the city with a computer virus.
“We prefer working in a context and setting that are realistic but with one fantasy element,” said Gagnol, who wrote the script. Felicioli provided the flat, angular, retro graphic design. “It’s a fantastical, dream image of New York,...
- 7/21/2016
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
To help sift through the increasing number of new releases (independent or otherwise), the Weekly Film Guide is here! Below you’ll find basic plot, personnel and cinema information for all of this week’s fresh offerings.
Starting this month, we’ve also put together a list for the entire month. We’ve included this week’s list below, complete with information on screening locations for films in limited release.
See More: Here Are All the Upcoming Movies in Theaters for July 2016
Here are the films opening theatrically in the U.S. the week of Friday, July 15. All synopses provided by distributor unless listed otherwise.
Wide
Ghostbusters
Director: Paul Feig
Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Chris Hemsworth, Bill Murray, Charles Dance, Elizabeth Perkins, Sigourney Weaver
Synopsis: A paranormal researcher (Melissa McCarthy), a physicist (Kristen Wiig), a nuclear engineer (Kate McKinnon) and a subway worker (Leslie Jones...
Starting this month, we’ve also put together a list for the entire month. We’ve included this week’s list below, complete with information on screening locations for films in limited release.
See More: Here Are All the Upcoming Movies in Theaters for July 2016
Here are the films opening theatrically in the U.S. the week of Friday, July 15. All synopses provided by distributor unless listed otherwise.
Wide
Ghostbusters
Director: Paul Feig
Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Chris Hemsworth, Bill Murray, Charles Dance, Elizabeth Perkins, Sigourney Weaver
Synopsis: A paranormal researcher (Melissa McCarthy), a physicist (Kristen Wiig), a nuclear engineer (Kate McKinnon) and a subway worker (Leslie Jones...
- 7/15/2016
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
Directors Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol previously collaborated on the Oscar-nominated animated film A Cat in Paris, and now they’re back with their latest cartoon effort, Phantom Boy. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this year, and while it would be easy to say this is just another superhero movie, this looks […]
The post ‘Phantom Boy’ Teaser Trailer: A Boy with Cancer is New York City’s Newest Superhero appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Phantom Boy’ Teaser Trailer: A Boy with Cancer is New York City’s Newest Superhero appeared first on /Film.
- 6/3/2016
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
"Terror in the city!" GKids has debuted an enjoyable teaser trailer for the animated film Phantom Boy, the latest from French filmmakers Jean-Loup Felicioli & Alain Gagnol, who previously made the Oscar-nominated animated film A Cat in Paris. Inspired by the classic gangster stories of the 40's and 50's, this film is about an 11-year-old hospitalized boy who has the ability to leave his physical body and float around the city. This teaser is more of an introduction, and I'm sure the next trailer will get into more of the actual story. The film features the voices of Edouard Baer, Jean-Pierre Marielle and Audrey Tautou. This actually looks damn good, charming but also an edge to it with the gangster story. Looking forward to this. Here's the teaser trailer for Jean-Loup Felicioli & Alain Gagnol's Phantom Boy, from GKids' YouTube: Leo has a secret. A mysterious illness has transformed him into a phantom boy,...
- 6/3/2016
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
After earning an Oscar nomination a few years back for their animated feature A Cat in Paris, directors Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol are back with Phantom Boy. Following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, we named it one of our favorites of the festival and thankfully Gkids have picked it up for a summer release. Today they’ve debuted the first U.S. trailer for the film, which follows a boy who is able to explore his city in a supernatural way.
We said in our review, “The much-anticipated follow-up to their Oscar-nominated animation A Cat in Paris was five years in the making and well worth the wait. With its vibrant colors muted for a NYC noir aesthetic and every 2D field shaded by roughly textured shadows in constant motion, the frames literally flicker off the screen to leave a lasting impression. The story...
We said in our review, “The much-anticipated follow-up to their Oscar-nominated animation A Cat in Paris was five years in the making and well worth the wait. With its vibrant colors muted for a NYC noir aesthetic and every 2D field shaded by roughly textured shadows in constant motion, the frames literally flicker off the screen to leave a lasting impression. The story...
- 6/3/2016
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
The third annual Ajyal Youth Film Festival presented by the Doha Film Institute (November 29 to December 5) showcases feature films from 20 countries and a series of short film programs in Katara, Qatar.
Fatma Al Remaihi, Festival Director and CEO of the Doha Film Institute, says: “By providing young people with access to international cinema, filmmakers from around the world, and the space to discuss their ideas and develop critical thinking, Ajyal empowers the youngest members of our community and develops their understanding of the world around them.”
Academy Award nominated director, Hany Abu-Assad and Arab Idol champion Mohammed Assaf, whose life story "The Idol" is based on, will attend the Opening Night and will participate in a special ‘In Conversation’ session about bringing Assaf’s life story to the big screen and highlight the power of combining music and cinema and the challenges facing Arab artists today.
Read more about "The Idol" and an interview with Hany Abu-Assad at its debut at Tiff 2015.
Aside from the daily public screenings of local and international films other events are the popular "Made in Qatar"; Sony Cinema Under the Stars; Family Weekend; the Doha Giffoni Youth Media Summit ; special events and exhibitions; the Sandbox interactive digital playground; school screenings; and the Ajyal Competition, where hundreds of young jurors between the ages of 8 and 21 will watch and discuss shorts and features and decide on the winning films. competition line-up.
The popular "Made in Qatar" section features 17 films -- nine narrative shorts and eight documentaries by local talent.
More than 500 young people from the ages of 8 to 21 make up the Ajyal Competition Jury which will watch and analyze a dynamic program of films in three competitive sections followed by discussions and events including panels, workshops and Q&A sessions with filmmakers.
Each of the three Ajyal Juries are made of 24 international jurors from 12 countries including Australia, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Serbia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. The jury awards a Best Film prize to their favorite short and feature-length film, for a total of six awards. The directors of the winning films are awarded funding toward their next film, so jurors are empowered to support and promote future content that is relevant and important to them in a proactive way.
Mohaq means ‘New Moon’ in Arabic, and these are Ajyal’s youngest jurors, aged 8 to 12. These jurors will watch one program of short films and four feature-length films, marking the first year that competitive feature films are included in this category. They are: "Celestial Camel" (Russia) by Yury Feting about a young sheepherder living in the desolate Kalmyk Steppe, who sets off on an epic journey after his father is forced to sell the family’s beloved camel calf; "The Greatest House in the World" (Guatemala, Mexico) by Ana V. Bojórquez and Lucía Carreras - a film about the never-ending circle of life told through the story of a young girl in the isolated highlands of Guatemala; "Paper Planes"(Australia) by Robert Connolly - a tale of friendship, creativity and the bonds of family which centers around an 11-year-old boy with an exceptional talent for creating paper airplanes; and "Phantom Boy" by Jean-Loup Felicioli, Alain Gagnol (France, Belgium) an animated film about an 11-year-old boy whose illness allows him to have out-of-body experiences and mysterious powers.
Ajyal’s jurors aged 13 to 17 are the Hilal jury – the term means ‘Crescent Moon’ in Arabic. Five feature films and a program of shorts make up this jury’s film selection. The feature films competing in this section are: "Lamb" (France, Ethiopia, Germany, Norway, Qatar) by Yared Zeleke, a portrait of a young Ethiopian boy trying to find his way in the world; "Landfill Harmonic" (U.S.) directed by Brad Allgood and Graham Townsley and recent audience award winning documentary at Napa Valley Film Festival, that tracks the astounding rise of a Paraguayan youth orchestra whose members live next to one of South America's largest landfills and make their instruments from recycled materials; "Mina Walking" (Canada, Afghanistan), a multiple award winning documentary by Yosef Baraki, a powerful tale of a 12-year-old girl in war-torn Afghanistan struggling to make ends meet for her family; "Scarecrow " (The Philippines) by Zig Madamba Dulay which explores the complicated relationship of social injustice and familial expectations through the story of a young mother in a rural town; and " Wolf Totem" (China, France) by Jean-Jacques Annaud. Set against the backdrop of the Chinese Cultural Revolution 1967, it is the story of a two young Chinese students who are sent on a research assignment with the nomadic herdsmen of Inner Mongolia and become fascinated by the wolves that roam the plains.
The most mature of Ajyal’s juries, Bader (Arabic for ‘Full Moon’) jurors are aged 18 to 21 and will select their favorite films from five features and two programs of short films. The feature films vying for top honors in this section are: "An" (Japan, France, Germany) by Naomi Kawase is a drama about a lonely baker whose life is reinvigorated when he hires an elderly woman with a special culinary skill; "The Second Mother " (Brazil's submission for Oscar nomination) by Anna Muylaert which is an exploration of the bond between mothers and their children told through the story of a housekeeper in Sao Paulo (Read review and interview with director Anna Muylaert here); "Taxi" (Iran), winner of Fipresci and Golden Bear Awards in Berlin 2015, by Jafar Panahi in which the celebrated Iranian director places himself in the driver’s seat of a cab, taking fares to their destinations in a wonderful portrait of contemporary Iran; "Very Big Shot" (Lebanon, Qatar), a bold and insightful dark comedy by Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya that skewers political corruption and the media circus that goes with it; and "Walls" (Spain) - a documentary by Pablo Iraburu and Migueltxo Molina that follows several subjects on both sides of three contemporary international borders, demonstrating that the people on each side of the barriers are not as different as they may believe.
In addition to the three competitive sections, the Festival’s youngest audiences under the age of 8 years will also vote for their favorite film with the help of their parents who will determine the Parents’ Choice Award in the Bariq program. Bariq films are selected to satisfy the excitement and curiosity of young children and are suitable for the whole family. This year’s program features a collection of eight short films and will also include a special outdoor cine-concert on the Katara esplanade by the Festival Tout-Petits Cinéma from Paris, with four films accompanied by live music by pianist Anthony Boulc’h and saxophonist Fanch Minous.
A senior jury of three eminent figures from the local and regional industry will determine the winners of the competitive section comprising feature films from 20 countries and a series of short film program with two awards being presented for Best Short Narrative Film and Best Short Documentary Film. The 2015 jury members are film producer Bassam Al Ibrahim (Qatar), who is the CEO of Innovation Films and co-founder of ILoveQatar.net; film actress, director and producer, Ahd (Saudi Arabia), internationally renowned for her performance in Haifaa al-Mansour’s " Wadjda;" and respected veteran journalist and media personality, Marcel Ghanem (Lebanon).
Fatma Al Remaihi said: “It has been another productive and inspiring year for filmmaking in Qatar and this year’s Made in Qatar selection indicates the rapid growth and diversity that we are witnessing in the Qatari film industry."
The films in the 2015 Ajyal Youth Film Festival Made in Qatar section are:
Made in Qatar Program 1, Wednesday 2nd December
"To My Mother" by Amina Al Bloshi
"Light Sounds" by Karem Kamel
"Her Majlis" by Najla Al Khulaifi, Dana Al Mesnad and Nayla Al Thani
"The Palm Tree" by Jassim Al-Rumaihi
"Yellow Nights" by Abdulla al Mulla
"If They Only Knew" by Sana Al-Ansari
"Heart of the House" by Gabrielle Sol
"The Notebook" by Amna Albinali
Made in Qatar Program 2, Friday 4th December
"Charlie" by Ali Ali
"Immortalizing Memories" by Mostafa Sheshtawy
"Asfoora" by Mayar Hamdan
"Good as New" by Jaser Alagha
"I Choose Islam" by Noor Al-Tamimi, Silma Suba and Zac J. Hollo
"Mariam" by Zainab Ayon
"Time" by Yassine Ouahrani
"Man of the House" by Khalifa AlMarri
"Veganize It!" by Khalid Salim
Closing night will be the world premiere of animated feature film "Bilal" (UAE/2015), a new animated feature film made with funding from the Doha Film Institute and produced by Dubai-based Barajoun Studios. Involving creative talents from 22 countries, "Bilal " by Directors Ayman Jamal and Khurram Alavi is an inspiring adventure story of faith, hope and self-discovery. Inspired by the real-life story of Bilal Bin Rabah, the film's cutting edge animation technology, impeccable research and high production values will resonate with audiences across generations. The cast and crew of the film will be in attendance for the premiere including the directors of the film and cast members Andre Robinson ("Despicable Me 2") and Adewale Akinnuoye Agbaje ("Lost", "The Bourne Identity", "Game of Thrones") who voice the young and adult Bilal respectively.
The Ajyal Family Weekend will feature the regional premiere of Marking the Un International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Ajyal 2015 will present in a regional first, an inclusive cinema experience specially ‘transadapted’ to suit audiences with different abilities, a special screening of Al Rayyan Productions animated short "Hero and the Message" (Qatar/2012). Guests will be able to view the film through sound alone, with special subtitles for people who have difficulty understanding speech. This inclusive version of the film has been developed with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and is the result of a collaboration between the Doha Film Institute and the Translation and Interpreting Institute at Hamad Bin Khalifa University who are spearheading the development of transadapted content in the Gulf region.
Fatma Al Remaihi, “Since our first edition, animated films have formed a core part of the Ajyal program and I am delighted that this year, we will premiere three incredibly diverse examples of the artform... from three corners of the globe.”
"Bilal" (UAE/2015) In a dreamlike vision, mysterious dark riders mounted on demonic black horses bear down upon a village. Nearby, little Bilal dreams of being a great warrior as he gallops along on his hobbyhorse. The riders come closer – are they real? Or are they just a figment of the youngster’s extraordinary imagination? Suddenly, Bilal’s dream becomes a nightmare. The men on horseback kill his mother and take him captive along with Ghufaira, his sister, and they are soon sold as slaves to Umayya, the wealthiest merchant in all of Arabia. Bilal never forgets this terrible day, which haunts his sleep for years to come. But the echoes of his mother’s gentle voice stay with him, a constant reminder that to break free of the chains that enslave him, he must forge his own destiny.
"The Good Dinosaur" (USA/2015), the latest feature from the award-winning Pixar Animation Studios and the team behind beloved Pixar classics "Finding Nemo" and "Inside Out" and will feature a special ‘kids red carpet’ for all families and young people from the community to participate and to be transported to a world where dinosaurs walk the Earth. Directed by Peter Sohn, the film screens on December 4th and presents an alternate history where the asteroids that wiped out these ancient reptiles never hit our planet.
"Hero and the Message" (Qatar/2012) tells the fantastic tale of a Qatari brother and sister who travel back in time to witness the founding events of the State of Qatar. Produced by Al Rayyan Productions, the top-notch animated short directed by Pawel Borowski was created to celebrate Qatar’s National Day in 2012, and screens on December 3rd.
"When Marnie Was There" (Japan/2014), screening on December 4 is one of the final anime sensations from Ghibli Studios and is based on the novel When Marnie Was There by Joan G. Robinson. Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, the film is about a young girl Anna who explores a long- abandoned villa and meets a mysterious blonde girl only she can see.
Fatma Al Remaihi, Festival Director and CEO of the Doha Film Institute, says: “By providing young people with access to international cinema, filmmakers from around the world, and the space to discuss their ideas and develop critical thinking, Ajyal empowers the youngest members of our community and develops their understanding of the world around them.”
Academy Award nominated director, Hany Abu-Assad and Arab Idol champion Mohammed Assaf, whose life story "The Idol" is based on, will attend the Opening Night and will participate in a special ‘In Conversation’ session about bringing Assaf’s life story to the big screen and highlight the power of combining music and cinema and the challenges facing Arab artists today.
Read more about "The Idol" and an interview with Hany Abu-Assad at its debut at Tiff 2015.
Aside from the daily public screenings of local and international films other events are the popular "Made in Qatar"; Sony Cinema Under the Stars; Family Weekend; the Doha Giffoni Youth Media Summit ; special events and exhibitions; the Sandbox interactive digital playground; school screenings; and the Ajyal Competition, where hundreds of young jurors between the ages of 8 and 21 will watch and discuss shorts and features and decide on the winning films. competition line-up.
The popular "Made in Qatar" section features 17 films -- nine narrative shorts and eight documentaries by local talent.
More than 500 young people from the ages of 8 to 21 make up the Ajyal Competition Jury which will watch and analyze a dynamic program of films in three competitive sections followed by discussions and events including panels, workshops and Q&A sessions with filmmakers.
Each of the three Ajyal Juries are made of 24 international jurors from 12 countries including Australia, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Serbia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. The jury awards a Best Film prize to their favorite short and feature-length film, for a total of six awards. The directors of the winning films are awarded funding toward their next film, so jurors are empowered to support and promote future content that is relevant and important to them in a proactive way.
Mohaq means ‘New Moon’ in Arabic, and these are Ajyal’s youngest jurors, aged 8 to 12. These jurors will watch one program of short films and four feature-length films, marking the first year that competitive feature films are included in this category. They are: "Celestial Camel" (Russia) by Yury Feting about a young sheepherder living in the desolate Kalmyk Steppe, who sets off on an epic journey after his father is forced to sell the family’s beloved camel calf; "The Greatest House in the World" (Guatemala, Mexico) by Ana V. Bojórquez and Lucía Carreras - a film about the never-ending circle of life told through the story of a young girl in the isolated highlands of Guatemala; "Paper Planes"(Australia) by Robert Connolly - a tale of friendship, creativity and the bonds of family which centers around an 11-year-old boy with an exceptional talent for creating paper airplanes; and "Phantom Boy" by Jean-Loup Felicioli, Alain Gagnol (France, Belgium) an animated film about an 11-year-old boy whose illness allows him to have out-of-body experiences and mysterious powers.
Ajyal’s jurors aged 13 to 17 are the Hilal jury – the term means ‘Crescent Moon’ in Arabic. Five feature films and a program of shorts make up this jury’s film selection. The feature films competing in this section are: "Lamb" (France, Ethiopia, Germany, Norway, Qatar) by Yared Zeleke, a portrait of a young Ethiopian boy trying to find his way in the world; "Landfill Harmonic" (U.S.) directed by Brad Allgood and Graham Townsley and recent audience award winning documentary at Napa Valley Film Festival, that tracks the astounding rise of a Paraguayan youth orchestra whose members live next to one of South America's largest landfills and make their instruments from recycled materials; "Mina Walking" (Canada, Afghanistan), a multiple award winning documentary by Yosef Baraki, a powerful tale of a 12-year-old girl in war-torn Afghanistan struggling to make ends meet for her family; "Scarecrow " (The Philippines) by Zig Madamba Dulay which explores the complicated relationship of social injustice and familial expectations through the story of a young mother in a rural town; and " Wolf Totem" (China, France) by Jean-Jacques Annaud. Set against the backdrop of the Chinese Cultural Revolution 1967, it is the story of a two young Chinese students who are sent on a research assignment with the nomadic herdsmen of Inner Mongolia and become fascinated by the wolves that roam the plains.
The most mature of Ajyal’s juries, Bader (Arabic for ‘Full Moon’) jurors are aged 18 to 21 and will select their favorite films from five features and two programs of short films. The feature films vying for top honors in this section are: "An" (Japan, France, Germany) by Naomi Kawase is a drama about a lonely baker whose life is reinvigorated when he hires an elderly woman with a special culinary skill; "The Second Mother " (Brazil's submission for Oscar nomination) by Anna Muylaert which is an exploration of the bond between mothers and their children told through the story of a housekeeper in Sao Paulo (Read review and interview with director Anna Muylaert here); "Taxi" (Iran), winner of Fipresci and Golden Bear Awards in Berlin 2015, by Jafar Panahi in which the celebrated Iranian director places himself in the driver’s seat of a cab, taking fares to their destinations in a wonderful portrait of contemporary Iran; "Very Big Shot" (Lebanon, Qatar), a bold and insightful dark comedy by Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya that skewers political corruption and the media circus that goes with it; and "Walls" (Spain) - a documentary by Pablo Iraburu and Migueltxo Molina that follows several subjects on both sides of three contemporary international borders, demonstrating that the people on each side of the barriers are not as different as they may believe.
In addition to the three competitive sections, the Festival’s youngest audiences under the age of 8 years will also vote for their favorite film with the help of their parents who will determine the Parents’ Choice Award in the Bariq program. Bariq films are selected to satisfy the excitement and curiosity of young children and are suitable for the whole family. This year’s program features a collection of eight short films and will also include a special outdoor cine-concert on the Katara esplanade by the Festival Tout-Petits Cinéma from Paris, with four films accompanied by live music by pianist Anthony Boulc’h and saxophonist Fanch Minous.
A senior jury of three eminent figures from the local and regional industry will determine the winners of the competitive section comprising feature films from 20 countries and a series of short film program with two awards being presented for Best Short Narrative Film and Best Short Documentary Film. The 2015 jury members are film producer Bassam Al Ibrahim (Qatar), who is the CEO of Innovation Films and co-founder of ILoveQatar.net; film actress, director and producer, Ahd (Saudi Arabia), internationally renowned for her performance in Haifaa al-Mansour’s " Wadjda;" and respected veteran journalist and media personality, Marcel Ghanem (Lebanon).
Fatma Al Remaihi said: “It has been another productive and inspiring year for filmmaking in Qatar and this year’s Made in Qatar selection indicates the rapid growth and diversity that we are witnessing in the Qatari film industry."
The films in the 2015 Ajyal Youth Film Festival Made in Qatar section are:
Made in Qatar Program 1, Wednesday 2nd December
"To My Mother" by Amina Al Bloshi
"Light Sounds" by Karem Kamel
"Her Majlis" by Najla Al Khulaifi, Dana Al Mesnad and Nayla Al Thani
"The Palm Tree" by Jassim Al-Rumaihi
"Yellow Nights" by Abdulla al Mulla
"If They Only Knew" by Sana Al-Ansari
"Heart of the House" by Gabrielle Sol
"The Notebook" by Amna Albinali
Made in Qatar Program 2, Friday 4th December
"Charlie" by Ali Ali
"Immortalizing Memories" by Mostafa Sheshtawy
"Asfoora" by Mayar Hamdan
"Good as New" by Jaser Alagha
"I Choose Islam" by Noor Al-Tamimi, Silma Suba and Zac J. Hollo
"Mariam" by Zainab Ayon
"Time" by Yassine Ouahrani
"Man of the House" by Khalifa AlMarri
"Veganize It!" by Khalid Salim
Closing night will be the world premiere of animated feature film "Bilal" (UAE/2015), a new animated feature film made with funding from the Doha Film Institute and produced by Dubai-based Barajoun Studios. Involving creative talents from 22 countries, "Bilal " by Directors Ayman Jamal and Khurram Alavi is an inspiring adventure story of faith, hope and self-discovery. Inspired by the real-life story of Bilal Bin Rabah, the film's cutting edge animation technology, impeccable research and high production values will resonate with audiences across generations. The cast and crew of the film will be in attendance for the premiere including the directors of the film and cast members Andre Robinson ("Despicable Me 2") and Adewale Akinnuoye Agbaje ("Lost", "The Bourne Identity", "Game of Thrones") who voice the young and adult Bilal respectively.
The Ajyal Family Weekend will feature the regional premiere of Marking the Un International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Ajyal 2015 will present in a regional first, an inclusive cinema experience specially ‘transadapted’ to suit audiences with different abilities, a special screening of Al Rayyan Productions animated short "Hero and the Message" (Qatar/2012). Guests will be able to view the film through sound alone, with special subtitles for people who have difficulty understanding speech. This inclusive version of the film has been developed with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and is the result of a collaboration between the Doha Film Institute and the Translation and Interpreting Institute at Hamad Bin Khalifa University who are spearheading the development of transadapted content in the Gulf region.
Fatma Al Remaihi, “Since our first edition, animated films have formed a core part of the Ajyal program and I am delighted that this year, we will premiere three incredibly diverse examples of the artform... from three corners of the globe.”
"Bilal" (UAE/2015) In a dreamlike vision, mysterious dark riders mounted on demonic black horses bear down upon a village. Nearby, little Bilal dreams of being a great warrior as he gallops along on his hobbyhorse. The riders come closer – are they real? Or are they just a figment of the youngster’s extraordinary imagination? Suddenly, Bilal’s dream becomes a nightmare. The men on horseback kill his mother and take him captive along with Ghufaira, his sister, and they are soon sold as slaves to Umayya, the wealthiest merchant in all of Arabia. Bilal never forgets this terrible day, which haunts his sleep for years to come. But the echoes of his mother’s gentle voice stay with him, a constant reminder that to break free of the chains that enslave him, he must forge his own destiny.
"The Good Dinosaur" (USA/2015), the latest feature from the award-winning Pixar Animation Studios and the team behind beloved Pixar classics "Finding Nemo" and "Inside Out" and will feature a special ‘kids red carpet’ for all families and young people from the community to participate and to be transported to a world where dinosaurs walk the Earth. Directed by Peter Sohn, the film screens on December 4th and presents an alternate history where the asteroids that wiped out these ancient reptiles never hit our planet.
"Hero and the Message" (Qatar/2012) tells the fantastic tale of a Qatari brother and sister who travel back in time to witness the founding events of the State of Qatar. Produced by Al Rayyan Productions, the top-notch animated short directed by Pawel Borowski was created to celebrate Qatar’s National Day in 2012, and screens on December 3rd.
"When Marnie Was There" (Japan/2014), screening on December 4 is one of the final anime sensations from Ghibli Studios and is based on the novel When Marnie Was There by Joan G. Robinson. Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, the film is about a young girl Anna who explores a long- abandoned villa and meets a mysterious blonde girl only she can see.
- 11/21/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Titles in competition include animation Phantom Boy [pictured], Ethiopian drama Lamb, Brazilian Oscar submission The Second Mother and Jafar Panahi’s Berlinale winner Taxi Tehran.
The Doha Film Institute has announced the competition line-up for the third edition of the Ajyal Youth Film Festival (Nov 29 - Dec 5), comprising feature films from 20 countries as well as a series of short film programmes.
The jury will be made up of more than 500 young people, aged 8-21, who will watch a programme of films under three competitive sections - Mohaq, Hilal, and Bader - followed by discussions and events including panels, workshops and Q&A sessions with filmmakers.
Each of the three Ajyal Juries will award a Best Film prize to their favourite short and feature-length films, for a total of six awards. The directors of the winning films are awarded funding toward their next film.
The jury includes 24 international jurors who will travel to Doha for the event from 12 countries...
The Doha Film Institute has announced the competition line-up for the third edition of the Ajyal Youth Film Festival (Nov 29 - Dec 5), comprising feature films from 20 countries as well as a series of short film programmes.
The jury will be made up of more than 500 young people, aged 8-21, who will watch a programme of films under three competitive sections - Mohaq, Hilal, and Bader - followed by discussions and events including panels, workshops and Q&A sessions with filmmakers.
Each of the three Ajyal Juries will award a Best Film prize to their favourite short and feature-length films, for a total of six awards. The directors of the winning films are awarded funding toward their next film.
The jury includes 24 international jurors who will travel to Doha for the event from 12 countries...
- 11/9/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Benelux distributor Lumiere has been on an acqusition drive, ramping up its release slate for next year.
One major Lumiere pre-buy is Nicole Garcia’s post-war drama From the Land of the Moon (Mal De Pierres), starring Marion Cotillard, which it acquired from French producers Les Productions du Trésor.
Another is Terrence Malick’s mind-bending, long-gestating documentary about the “birth and death of the known universe”, Voyage Of Time, sold by Wild Bunch.
The company has also taken Cristian Mungiu’s latest feature, Family Photos, also sold by Wild Bunch.
Lumiere recently swooped to pre-buy News From Planet Mars, the new family drama by French director Dominik Moll, which stars noted Flemish actress Veerle Baetens. Sales are handled by Memento Films International.
Speaking in Venice, company CEO Jan de Clercq confirmed that Lumiere has acquired the new, as-yet-untitled film from Hirokazu Kore-eda. The company has released several Kore-eda titles in the past.
Meanwhile, the company...
One major Lumiere pre-buy is Nicole Garcia’s post-war drama From the Land of the Moon (Mal De Pierres), starring Marion Cotillard, which it acquired from French producers Les Productions du Trésor.
Another is Terrence Malick’s mind-bending, long-gestating documentary about the “birth and death of the known universe”, Voyage Of Time, sold by Wild Bunch.
The company has also taken Cristian Mungiu’s latest feature, Family Photos, also sold by Wild Bunch.
Lumiere recently swooped to pre-buy News From Planet Mars, the new family drama by French director Dominik Moll, which stars noted Flemish actress Veerle Baetens. Sales are handled by Memento Films International.
Speaking in Venice, company CEO Jan de Clercq confirmed that Lumiere has acquired the new, as-yet-untitled film from Hirokazu Kore-eda. The company has released several Kore-eda titles in the past.
Meanwhile, the company...
- 9/7/2015
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
While the Toronto International Film Festival looks around the world and in all genres to find features for its annual incarnation, one area that receives focus is films aimed at children. With the understanding both that quality cinema is not dependent on its target audience, and that cinephiles can begin at any age, the festival’s Kids Programme highlights such features.
The Discovery Programme, on the other hand, brings together films from first and second time directors, with an eye on emerging talent. The festival has now announced the lineups for both Programmes in the 2015 incarnation of the event, along with further additions to the Cinematheque and Vanguard lineup. The Discovery lineup joins previously announced Canadian features. The films, with their official synopses, can be seen below.
Tiff Kids
The Boy and the Beast, directed by Mamoru Hosoda, making its International Premiere
A young boy in modern-day Tokyo stumbles into...
The Discovery Programme, on the other hand, brings together films from first and second time directors, with an eye on emerging talent. The festival has now announced the lineups for both Programmes in the 2015 incarnation of the event, along with further additions to the Cinematheque and Vanguard lineup. The Discovery lineup joins previously announced Canadian features. The films, with their official synopses, can be seen below.
Tiff Kids
The Boy and the Beast, directed by Mamoru Hosoda, making its International Premiere
A young boy in modern-day Tokyo stumbles into...
- 8/26/2015
- by Deepayan Sengupta
- SoundOnSight
Films set to show at the 40th Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff), updated as announcements are made in the run up to the event.
Tiff will open on September 10 with Jean-Marc Vallée’s Demolition starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Naomi Watts.
Tiff 40
Key: Wp = world premiere; Nap = North American premiere; IP = international premiere; Cp = Canadian premiere.
GALASBeeba Boys (Canada), Deepa Mehta, WPDemolition, Jean-Marc Vallée WPDisorder (Maryland) (France-Belgium), Alice Winocour NAPThe Dressmaker (Aus), Jocelyn Moorhouse, WPEye In The Sky (UK), Gavin Hood WPForsaken (Canada), Jon Cassar, WPFreeheld (Us), Peter Sollett, WPHyena Road (Canada), Paul Gross, WPLolo (France), Julie Delpy, NAPLegend (UK), Brian Helgeland, IPMan Down (Us), Dito Montiel NAPThe Man Who Knew Infinity (UK), Matt Brown, WPThe Martian (Us), Ridley Scott, WPMiss You Already (UK), Catherine Hardwicke WPMississippi Grind (Us), Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden CPMr. Right (Us), Paco Cabezas WPThe Program (UK), Stephen Frears, WPRemember (Canada), Atom Egoyan, NAPSeptembers Of Shiraz (Us), Wayne Blair, WPStonewall ([link...
Tiff will open on September 10 with Jean-Marc Vallée’s Demolition starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Naomi Watts.
Tiff 40
Key: Wp = world premiere; Nap = North American premiere; IP = international premiere; Cp = Canadian premiere.
GALASBeeba Boys (Canada), Deepa Mehta, WPDemolition, Jean-Marc Vallée WPDisorder (Maryland) (France-Belgium), Alice Winocour NAPThe Dressmaker (Aus), Jocelyn Moorhouse, WPEye In The Sky (UK), Gavin Hood WPForsaken (Canada), Jon Cassar, WPFreeheld (Us), Peter Sollett, WPHyena Road (Canada), Paul Gross, WPLolo (France), Julie Delpy, NAPLegend (UK), Brian Helgeland, IPMan Down (Us), Dito Montiel NAPThe Man Who Knew Infinity (UK), Matt Brown, WPThe Martian (Us), Ridley Scott, WPMiss You Already (UK), Catherine Hardwicke WPMississippi Grind (Us), Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden CPMr. Right (Us), Paco Cabezas WPThe Program (UK), Stephen Frears, WPRemember (Canada), Atom Egoyan, NAPSeptembers Of Shiraz (Us), Wayne Blair, WPStonewall ([link...
- 8/25/2015
- ScreenDaily
Toronto International Film Festival (Sept 10-20) has completed its line-up with the Discovery, New Wave Tiff Kids and In Conversation With… strands and has confirmed the return of Festival Street.
Oscar-winner Julianne Moore, Salma Hayek, Sarah Silverman and Matthew Weiner will take place in separate on-stage conversations as part of the In Conversation With… series, which replaces the Mavericks programme.
For the second year, the Festival Street initiative will see the closure of King Street West between Peter and University Streets, from Sept 10-13.
Events will include Questival, a walking interactive quiz designed by Frontier Design & Innovation; the NewCanadianMusic.ca music stage featuring the world premiere of Titicut Follies – The Ballet inspired by Frederick Wiseman’s 1967 documentary; cinema-inspired installations; magicians; the Slaight Family Zone; and food trucks.
In total, the festival will screen 399 films, of which 289 are features and 110 shorts. Last year’s festival screened 392 in total comprising 284 features and 108 shorts.
Programmers sifted...
Oscar-winner Julianne Moore, Salma Hayek, Sarah Silverman and Matthew Weiner will take place in separate on-stage conversations as part of the In Conversation With… series, which replaces the Mavericks programme.
For the second year, the Festival Street initiative will see the closure of King Street West between Peter and University Streets, from Sept 10-13.
Events will include Questival, a walking interactive quiz designed by Frontier Design & Innovation; the NewCanadianMusic.ca music stage featuring the world premiere of Titicut Follies – The Ballet inspired by Frederick Wiseman’s 1967 documentary; cinema-inspired installations; magicians; the Slaight Family Zone; and food trucks.
In total, the festival will screen 399 films, of which 289 are features and 110 shorts. Last year’s festival screened 392 in total comprising 284 features and 108 shorts.
Programmers sifted...
- 8/25/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The animation specialist has picked up North American rights to A Cat In Paris directors’ Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol’s latest work.
Phantom Boy will premiere on Friday at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival and Gkids plans a spring 2016 theatrical release.
The story follows a boy with a special ability and an injured police officer who team up to thwart a villain’s plans to plunge the city into chaos.
Daniela Elstner of Doc & Film International, Annemie Degryse of Lumière Publishing and Eric Beckman of Gkids brokered the deal.
Jacques-Remy Girerd and Annemie Degryse produced the Folimage, Lunanime, France 3 Cinéma and Rhône-Alpes Cinéma co-production.
Gkids distributed Oscar-nominated A Cat In Paris.
In other news, Paladin has acquired Us rights to Brad Coley’s northern Gothic Frank The Bastard starring Rachel Miner and plans a limited July 24 release ahead of expansion. FilmBuff handles worldwide digital rights and will start the roll-out this summer.
Phantom Boy will premiere on Friday at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival and Gkids plans a spring 2016 theatrical release.
The story follows a boy with a special ability and an injured police officer who team up to thwart a villain’s plans to plunge the city into chaos.
Daniela Elstner of Doc & Film International, Annemie Degryse of Lumière Publishing and Eric Beckman of Gkids brokered the deal.
Jacques-Remy Girerd and Annemie Degryse produced the Folimage, Lunanime, France 3 Cinéma and Rhône-Alpes Cinéma co-production.
Gkids distributed Oscar-nominated A Cat In Paris.
In other news, Paladin has acquired Us rights to Brad Coley’s northern Gothic Frank The Bastard starring Rachel Miner and plans a limited July 24 release ahead of expansion. FilmBuff handles worldwide digital rights and will start the roll-out this summer.
- 6/18/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Gkids has landed North American rights to Phantom Boy, an animated crime thriller from Oscar-nominated A Cat In Paris‘ writers-directors Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol. The move comes ahead of the film’s premiere tomorrow at the Annecy International Film Festival. Gkids is planning a theatrical release in spring 2016. Phantom Boy is set in a noir New York and centers on Leo, a boy who has become a phantom — hence the title. Due to a strange illness, Leo is able slip…...
- 6/18/2015
- Deadline
Hot projects new to Screenbase include Nicolas Winding Refn feature The Neon Demon, Pope Francis biopic Francisco, Brady Corbet’s directorial debut The Childhood Of A Leader and a new adaptation by Wim Wenders.Nicolas Winding Refn’s The Neon Demon
Elle Fanning, Keanu Reeves, Christina Hendricks, Abbey Lee, Bella Heathcote and Jena Malone have signed on to co-star in Nicolas Winding Refn’s next feature.
“After making Drive and falling madly in love with the electricity of Los Angeles, I knew I had to return to tell the story of The Neon Demon,” Winding Refn said.
Principal photography will begin in Los Angeles on March 30. Gaumont and Wild Bunch are co-selling the title.
Wim Wenders’ Les Beaux Jours D’Aranjuez
This adaptation of the play by Peter Handke was announced by Alfama’s Paulo Branco during the Efm. It will star Reda Kateb and Sophie Semin. Wenders is expected to shoot in June.
Brady Corbet’s [link...
Elle Fanning, Keanu Reeves, Christina Hendricks, Abbey Lee, Bella Heathcote and Jena Malone have signed on to co-star in Nicolas Winding Refn’s next feature.
“After making Drive and falling madly in love with the electricity of Los Angeles, I knew I had to return to tell the story of The Neon Demon,” Winding Refn said.
Principal photography will begin in Los Angeles on March 30. Gaumont and Wild Bunch are co-selling the title.
Wim Wenders’ Les Beaux Jours D’Aranjuez
This adaptation of the play by Peter Handke was announced by Alfama’s Paulo Branco during the Efm. It will star Reda Kateb and Sophie Semin. Wenders is expected to shoot in June.
Brady Corbet’s [link...
- 2/18/2015
- by maud.le-rest@sciencespo-toulouse.net (Maud Le Rest)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Companies are currently in post production on second feature Phantom Boy [pictured].
Here in Berlin, it has emerged Belgium’s Lunanime is to make its third feature with French animation powerhouse Folimage.
Lunamine and Folimage first collaborated on international box office hit, A Cat In Paris (2010). They are now in post production on their second feature together, Phantom Boy.
Now, here at the Efm, Lunamine’s Annemie Degryse confirmed the two companies will be working on a third project.
Lunamine (the animation arm of leading Belgian distributor) and Folimage will partner on Tulip. This will again be directed by Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli. It will be shot in the same carefully crafted style, using hand drawn animation, as its two predecessors.
Tulip tells the story of an 11-year old girl who sees monsters - at first she is terrified of these visions, but she soon learns they are actually a gift she inherited from her grandmother...
Here in Berlin, it has emerged Belgium’s Lunanime is to make its third feature with French animation powerhouse Folimage.
Lunamine and Folimage first collaborated on international box office hit, A Cat In Paris (2010). They are now in post production on their second feature together, Phantom Boy.
Now, here at the Efm, Lunamine’s Annemie Degryse confirmed the two companies will be working on a third project.
Lunamine (the animation arm of leading Belgian distributor) and Folimage will partner on Tulip. This will again be directed by Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli. It will be shot in the same carefully crafted style, using hand drawn animation, as its two predecessors.
Tulip tells the story of an 11-year old girl who sees monsters - at first she is terrified of these visions, but she soon learns they are actually a gift she inherited from her grandmother...
- 2/9/2015
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
Ghibli to give master-class at lakeside Annecy International Animation Festival.
Japanese animator Isao Takahata will make a rare international appearance this week at the 38th Annecy International Animation Festival which opens today [June 9] with The Tale of Princess Kaguya, the first feature overseen by the Studio Ghibli co-founder in more than a decade.
The 78-year animator will give a master-class at the festival on Tuesday in which he will discuss his 50-year career that began at Toei Animation in the 1970s where he met long-time collaborator and Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki.
The master-class is part of a packed programme of talks and conferences at the lakeside animation festival, running June 9-14, a key date in the calendar for professionals and students from across the animation world.
Other highlights include a sneak preview of by Monsters Inc. director Pete Docter of his upcoming Pixar-produced Inside Out. The film, probing inside the human mind, is set for...
Japanese animator Isao Takahata will make a rare international appearance this week at the 38th Annecy International Animation Festival which opens today [June 9] with The Tale of Princess Kaguya, the first feature overseen by the Studio Ghibli co-founder in more than a decade.
The 78-year animator will give a master-class at the festival on Tuesday in which he will discuss his 50-year career that began at Toei Animation in the 1970s where he met long-time collaborator and Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki.
The master-class is part of a packed programme of talks and conferences at the lakeside animation festival, running June 9-14, a key date in the calendar for professionals and students from across the animation world.
Other highlights include a sneak preview of by Monsters Inc. director Pete Docter of his upcoming Pixar-produced Inside Out. The film, probing inside the human mind, is set for...
- 6/9/2014
- ScreenDaily
Former Oscar winner Mike van Diem’s The Surprise and BBC backed series The White Queen [pictured] are among the recipients in the first funding round from the new Screen Flanders economic fund.
A total amount of €4,995,000 ($6,678,685) is to be distributed in the fund’s inaugural call.
The next call for projects closes on 28 June. The final call for 2013 opens from Sept 1 and closes on Oct 25. Another €5 million will be divided among applicants in both remaining calls.
Sitting alongside the Belgian Tax Shelter, the new fund is bound to boost the region’s appeal for coproduction and inward investment yet further. The aim of the selective system is to support (co-) productions that are made, in part or entirely, in the Flanders region. One of the conditions is that the project spends a minimum of €250,000 ($334,205) in the region. The 20 supported titles together stand for well over €20 million ($26,7m)of audiovisual expenses in the Flanders region.
The Screen...
A total amount of €4,995,000 ($6,678,685) is to be distributed in the fund’s inaugural call.
The next call for projects closes on 28 June. The final call for 2013 opens from Sept 1 and closes on Oct 25. Another €5 million will be divided among applicants in both remaining calls.
Sitting alongside the Belgian Tax Shelter, the new fund is bound to boost the region’s appeal for coproduction and inward investment yet further. The aim of the selective system is to support (co-) productions that are made, in part or entirely, in the Flanders region. One of the conditions is that the project spends a minimum of €250,000 ($334,205) in the region. The 20 supported titles together stand for well over €20 million ($26,7m)of audiovisual expenses in the Flanders region.
The Screen...
- 6/13/2013
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
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