Alia Bhatt To Exec Produce Prime Video’s ‘Poacher’
Bollywood star Alia Bhatt has signed on as an executive producer on Poacher, an upcoming Prime Video investigative crime-themed drama series based on real events from QC Entertainment, the film production and finance company with credits for Antebellum, Us, Get Out and BlackKklansmen. Poacher, created, written, and directed by Richie Mehta, the series stars Nimisha Sajayan, Roshan Mathew and Dibyendu Bhattacharya and is set in the world of illegal poaching. Bhatt will EP through her Eternal Sunshine Productions business as an associate producer. Suitable Pictures, Poor Man’s Productions are also associate producers. “The impact of Poacher was deeply personal, and Richie’s portrayal of the urgent issue of wildlife crime resonated strongly with me and the team,” she said. Bhatt is known for films such as Highway, Udta Punjab, Raazi and Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva
BBC Children’s Builds Out...
Bollywood star Alia Bhatt has signed on as an executive producer on Poacher, an upcoming Prime Video investigative crime-themed drama series based on real events from QC Entertainment, the film production and finance company with credits for Antebellum, Us, Get Out and BlackKklansmen. Poacher, created, written, and directed by Richie Mehta, the series stars Nimisha Sajayan, Roshan Mathew and Dibyendu Bhattacharya and is set in the world of illegal poaching. Bhatt will EP through her Eternal Sunshine Productions business as an associate producer. Suitable Pictures, Poor Man’s Productions are also associate producers. “The impact of Poacher was deeply personal, and Richie’s portrayal of the urgent issue of wildlife crime resonated strongly with me and the team,” she said. Bhatt is known for films such as Highway, Udta Punjab, Raazi and Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva
BBC Children’s Builds Out...
- 2/7/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
The morning after his MacTaggart, Louis Theroux has called out the “right-skewing press” and “vested interests” who want to defund the BBC.
The celebrated documentarian delivered the annual address last night, during which he said an “atmosphere of anxiety” is leading to “less confident filmmaking,” while he floated that the BBC is at times overly worried of “causing offense.”
Reflecting during his post-MacTaggart session Thursday morning, Theroux said his lecture had “very little that was critical about the BBC” but he expected the press to focus on “one or two small qualifications.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the anti-bbc stuff is out there,” he added, in conversation with Mobeen Azhar.
He floated that there were “three audiences” for his MacTaggart: “one in the room, some in the wider community and then the audience in the press, many of whom are right-skewing press looking for anything they can use to defund the BBC.
The celebrated documentarian delivered the annual address last night, during which he said an “atmosphere of anxiety” is leading to “less confident filmmaking,” while he floated that the BBC is at times overly worried of “causing offense.”
Reflecting during his post-MacTaggart session Thursday morning, Theroux said his lecture had “very little that was critical about the BBC” but he expected the press to focus on “one or two small qualifications.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the anti-bbc stuff is out there,” he added, in conversation with Mobeen Azhar.
He floated that there were “three audiences” for his MacTaggart: “one in the room, some in the wider community and then the audience in the press, many of whom are right-skewing press looking for anything they can use to defund the BBC.
- 8/24/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Mobeen Azhar has questioned whether the documentary genre will “end up in a situation where buyers with the biggest cheque books get bigger access,” but senior Sky and Amazon execs have shot back.
The BAFTA-winning documentarian raised fears that public service broadcasters with shallower pockets will end up in a “special space without money” that he compared to a “desert island,” while the best contributors opt for docs greenlit by the money-laden U.S. streaming services.
“That’s why I think [paying contributors] is an issue and I know it already happens,” said Azhar, who has made a wealth of docs mainly for the BBC.
Azhar debated with BBC, Sky and Amazon doc bosses this afternoon at the Edinburgh TV Festival over the practice of how much to pay contributors, or whether they should be paid at all.
Sky’s Poppy Dixon shot back at Azhar. “You are presuming that [a contributors’] primary motivation is money,...
The BAFTA-winning documentarian raised fears that public service broadcasters with shallower pockets will end up in a “special space without money” that he compared to a “desert island,” while the best contributors opt for docs greenlit by the money-laden U.S. streaming services.
“That’s why I think [paying contributors] is an issue and I know it already happens,” said Azhar, who has made a wealth of docs mainly for the BBC.
Azhar debated with BBC, Sky and Amazon doc bosses this afternoon at the Edinburgh TV Festival over the practice of how much to pay contributors, or whether they should be paid at all.
Sky’s Poppy Dixon shot back at Azhar. “You are presuming that [a contributors’] primary motivation is money,...
- 8/23/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Kanye West is being accused of more antisemitic remarks in a new BBC documentary.
The Trouble with KanYe, by British journalist Mobeen Azhar features Alex Klein, a former Daily Beast writer, who says West made disturbing antisemitic remarks when he worked with the troubled rapper.
Klein worked with West when his album, Donda 2, was released exclusively on Klein’s platform, Stem Player, in February 2022.
Stem Player is a music streaming platform that was released in 2021 under Klein’s company, Kano. In November last year, Klein, who is half-Jewish, announced the end of their partnership with Ye following the antisemitic comments he posted on Twitter.
“Kanye was very angry, you know, he was saying, ‘I feel like I wanna smack you’ and ‘you’re exactly like the other Jews’ – almost relishing and reveling in how offensive he could be, using these phrases hoping to hurt me,” Klein says in the documentary.
The Trouble with KanYe, by British journalist Mobeen Azhar features Alex Klein, a former Daily Beast writer, who says West made disturbing antisemitic remarks when he worked with the troubled rapper.
Klein worked with West when his album, Donda 2, was released exclusively on Klein’s platform, Stem Player, in February 2022.
Stem Player is a music streaming platform that was released in 2021 under Klein’s company, Kano. In November last year, Klein, who is half-Jewish, announced the end of their partnership with Ye following the antisemitic comments he posted on Twitter.
“Kanye was very angry, you know, he was saying, ‘I feel like I wanna smack you’ and ‘you’re exactly like the other Jews’ – almost relishing and reveling in how offensive he could be, using these phrases hoping to hurt me,” Klein says in the documentary.
- 7/10/2023
- by Rose Anne Cox-Peralta
- Uinterview
Fresh Kanye West antisemitism accusations have emerged in a BBC documentary charting the recent times of the troubled artist.
In The Trouble with KanYe, which launches tonight UK time on BBC Two and is paired with a podcast, the rapper’s former business partner Alex Klein accuses him of anti-Jewish remarks when the pair parted ways.
Klein created West’s Stem Player for his Donda 2 album but the pair broke contact following West’s prior antisemitic remarks, according to Klein, who claims this led to West’s outburst, which is revealed in the doc.
“Kanye was very angry you know, he was saying ‘I feel like I wanna smack you’ and ‘you’re exactly like the other Jews’ – almost relishing and reveling in how offensive he could be, using these phrases hoping to hurt me,” Klein says in the documentary. “I asked him and I said ‘Do you really think...
In The Trouble with KanYe, which launches tonight UK time on BBC Two and is paired with a podcast, the rapper’s former business partner Alex Klein accuses him of anti-Jewish remarks when the pair parted ways.
Klein created West’s Stem Player for his Donda 2 album but the pair broke contact following West’s prior antisemitic remarks, according to Klein, who claims this led to West’s outburst, which is revealed in the doc.
“Kanye was very angry you know, he was saying ‘I feel like I wanna smack you’ and ‘you’re exactly like the other Jews’ – almost relishing and reveling in how offensive he could be, using these phrases hoping to hurt me,” Klein says in the documentary. “I asked him and I said ‘Do you really think...
- 6/27/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Emerging Indie of the Year Forest has launched a sister company Forest Sounds to focus on premium factual podcast series.
Following on from the international success of TV documentary titles, and its first narrative podcast Hometown: A Killing, the team behind The Battle for Britney and We Need to Talk about Kanye are now launching Forest Sounds.
Established to capitalise on the demand for bigger, better propositions, the new label is focused on the premium end of the market developing a range of narrative and always on podcasts underpinned with world-class cutting-edge journalism.
Crafted for audio but with the potential to translate into the worlds of non-scripted and scripted Film and TV, Forest will be leveraging its award-winning track record in TV to produce a range of podcasts for a new generation of listeners.
Currently in production on The Kanye Story (BBC Sounds) and a yet to be announced narrative...
Following on from the international success of TV documentary titles, and its first narrative podcast Hometown: A Killing, the team behind The Battle for Britney and We Need to Talk about Kanye are now launching Forest Sounds.
Established to capitalise on the demand for bigger, better propositions, the new label is focused on the premium end of the market developing a range of narrative and always on podcasts underpinned with world-class cutting-edge journalism.
Crafted for audio but with the potential to translate into the worlds of non-scripted and scripted Film and TV, Forest will be leveraging its award-winning track record in TV to produce a range of podcasts for a new generation of listeners.
Currently in production on The Kanye Story (BBC Sounds) and a yet to be announced narrative...
- 6/5/2023
- Podnews.net
Abacus Media Rights has pre-sold a documentary feature with the working title “We Need to Talk About Kanye” to several territories. The film, which was ordered by the BBC in February, explores the rollercoaster life and career of Kanye West, A.K.A. Ye. Its producer Jeremy Lee spoke to Variety, ahead of MipTV, the TV market and conference, which kicks off Monday in Cannes.
A number of high-profile broadcasters and platforms have already acquired the film, which is fronted by the investigative journalist Mobeen Azhar, including Foxtel in Australia, Npo in the Netherlands, TV4 in Sweden and Finland, Nrk in Norway, TV2 in Denmark, and Vrt in Flemish Belgium.
Unfolding against the backdrop of Ye’s controversial campaign to run as a candidate in the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, and at a time when his behavior has sparked outrage and a re-evaluation of his place in popular culture, this...
A number of high-profile broadcasters and platforms have already acquired the film, which is fronted by the investigative journalist Mobeen Azhar, including Foxtel in Australia, Npo in the Netherlands, TV4 in Sweden and Finland, Nrk in Norway, TV2 in Denmark, and Vrt in Flemish Belgium.
Unfolding against the backdrop of Ye’s controversial campaign to run as a candidate in the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, and at a time when his behavior has sparked outrage and a re-evaluation of his place in popular culture, this...
- 4/17/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC have confirmed it is producing a new documentary and podcast about Kanye West, following the recent controversy surrounding the rapper.
The new programme will be hosted by Bafta-winning investigative journalist Mobeen Azhar, who also created The Battle For Britney – the documentary which detailed the singer’s fight for freedom out of her conservatorship.
Announcing the news, the BBC described the premise of the documentary: “Unfolding against the backdrop of Ye’s 2024 election campaign, and at a time when his behaviour has sparked outrage and a re-evaluation of his place in popular culture, this one-off documentary follows Mobeen as he attempts to understand the complex journey that led Ye to become one of the most famous and creatively successful artists of his generation.”
“But more recently, to condemnation and notoriety,” they added.
We Need to Talk about Kanye – the new film’s working title – will air on BBC 2...
The new programme will be hosted by Bafta-winning investigative journalist Mobeen Azhar, who also created The Battle For Britney – the documentary which detailed the singer’s fight for freedom out of her conservatorship.
Announcing the news, the BBC described the premise of the documentary: “Unfolding against the backdrop of Ye’s 2024 election campaign, and at a time when his behaviour has sparked outrage and a re-evaluation of his place in popular culture, this one-off documentary follows Mobeen as he attempts to understand the complex journey that led Ye to become one of the most famous and creatively successful artists of his generation.”
“But more recently, to condemnation and notoriety,” they added.
We Need to Talk about Kanye – the new film’s working title – will air on BBC 2...
- 2/20/2023
- by Megan Graye
- The Independent - Music
Britain’s BBC is set to host a documentary and eight-part podcast about the cultural reckoning over the life and career of rapper turned fashion mogul Kanye “Ye” West.
With the working title We Need to Talk About Kanye, the BBC Two film will be produced by investigative journalist Mobeen Azhar, who explored Britney Spears’ conservatorship in another documentary, The Battle for Britney.
An eight-part podcast series The Kanye Story, from U.K. producer Forest Sounds, will also be released along with the documentary, which comes as the music artist has sparked controversy with recent comments that have been condemned for being anti-Semitic.
Against that backdrop, Azhar will look to reassess West’s place in popular culture as his music and business success have been accompanied by condemnation and notoriety, the BBC said in its announcement.
In October 2022, West made numerous comments about Jewish people on multiple platforms, including a since-deleted tweet on Oct.
With the working title We Need to Talk About Kanye, the BBC Two film will be produced by investigative journalist Mobeen Azhar, who explored Britney Spears’ conservatorship in another documentary, The Battle for Britney.
An eight-part podcast series The Kanye Story, from U.K. producer Forest Sounds, will also be released along with the documentary, which comes as the music artist has sparked controversy with recent comments that have been condemned for being anti-Semitic.
Against that backdrop, Azhar will look to reassess West’s place in popular culture as his music and business success have been accompanied by condemnation and notoriety, the BBC said in its announcement.
In October 2022, West made numerous comments about Jewish people on multiple platforms, including a since-deleted tweet on Oct.
- 2/15/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The BBC has set a documentary and eight-part podcast exploring the life of Kanye West.
We Need to Talk About Kanye (working title) will be fronted by BAFTA award-winning investigative journalist Mobeen Azhar, who also fronted the BBC’s Battle for Britney doc.
Unfolding against the backdrop of West aka Ye’s 2024 U.S. election campaign, and at a time when his anti-Semitic rantings and behavior have sparked outrage and a re-evaluation of his place in popular culture, the one-off documentary follows Azhar as he attempts to understand the complex journey that led the singer to become one of the most famous and creatively successful artists of his generation.
The feature will be accompanied by an eight part podcast series titled The Kanye Story. The BBC similarly released a feature doc and podcast on Shamima Begum, the British teenager who travelled to Syria to join Isis before trying to return and having her citizenship revoked.
We Need to Talk About Kanye (working title) will be fronted by BAFTA award-winning investigative journalist Mobeen Azhar, who also fronted the BBC’s Battle for Britney doc.
Unfolding against the backdrop of West aka Ye’s 2024 U.S. election campaign, and at a time when his anti-Semitic rantings and behavior have sparked outrage and a re-evaluation of his place in popular culture, the one-off documentary follows Azhar as he attempts to understand the complex journey that led the singer to become one of the most famous and creatively successful artists of his generation.
The feature will be accompanied by an eight part podcast series titled The Kanye Story. The BBC similarly released a feature doc and podcast on Shamima Begum, the British teenager who travelled to Syria to join Isis before trying to return and having her citizenship revoked.
- 2/15/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Project Funding
The Asian Cinema Fund, a bursary scheme for film and documentary projects operated alongside the Busan International Film Festival, has announced six Korean recipients and seven hailing from elsewhere in Asia. The fund was put on hiatus during the two years of Covid, which also reduced the festival in size and turned the Asian Contents & Film Market into a virtual event. Three winners – “In the Land of Brothers,” by Raha Amirfazali, “Life I Stole,” by Putri Purnama Sugua and “Smart City,” by Rohin Raveendran – each receive KRW10 million for script development and are invited to participate in the Acfm’s Asian Project Market. Three films currently in post-production — “Birth,” by Yoo Jiyoung, “Juhee from 5 to 7,” by Jang Kunjae and “Mariam,” by Arvind Pratap — will receive in-kind support for digital intermediates, Dcp production, sound mixing and sub-titling, and are expected to premiere as finished works at the Busan festival.
The Asian Cinema Fund, a bursary scheme for film and documentary projects operated alongside the Busan International Film Festival, has announced six Korean recipients and seven hailing from elsewhere in Asia. The fund was put on hiatus during the two years of Covid, which also reduced the festival in size and turned the Asian Contents & Film Market into a virtual event. Three winners – “In the Land of Brothers,” by Raha Amirfazali, “Life I Stole,” by Putri Purnama Sugua and “Smart City,” by Rohin Raveendran – each receive KRW10 million for script development and are invited to participate in the Acfm’s Asian Project Market. Three films currently in post-production — “Birth,” by Yoo Jiyoung, “Juhee from 5 to 7,” by Jang Kunjae and “Mariam,” by Arvind Pratap — will receive in-kind support for digital intermediates, Dcp production, sound mixing and sub-titling, and are expected to premiere as finished works at the Busan festival.
- 7/15/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Afua Hirsch, a broadcaster, journalist and presenter on Samuel L. Jackson’s Epix series Enslaved, has been appointed Advisory Chair of this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival.
Hirsch, a passionate diversity advocate, will examine themes around how those in the TV industry are in a unique position as storytellers to shape the world, asking which stories we are telling and which we aren’t.
She replaces Amazon Studios Europe Head Georgia Brown in the one-year role and will oversee the first in-person Edinburgh for three years.
Hirsch is best known for her work on black culture, history and identity. She has presented documentaries including Samuel L Jackson’s Enslaved for Epix and the BBC’s African Renaissance and has regularly contributed to media outlets including BBC News, Sky News and The Guardian. She also runs a TV production company, Born in Me Productions.
Her Advisory Board includes Hometown presenter Mobeen Azhar,...
Hirsch, a passionate diversity advocate, will examine themes around how those in the TV industry are in a unique position as storytellers to shape the world, asking which stories we are telling and which we aren’t.
She replaces Amazon Studios Europe Head Georgia Brown in the one-year role and will oversee the first in-person Edinburgh for three years.
Hirsch is best known for her work on black culture, history and identity. She has presented documentaries including Samuel L Jackson’s Enslaved for Epix and the BBC’s African Renaissance and has regularly contributed to media outlets including BBC News, Sky News and The Guardian. She also runs a TV production company, Born in Me Productions.
Her Advisory Board includes Hometown presenter Mobeen Azhar,...
- 3/1/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
“RuPaul’s Drag Race: U.K. Versus The World” will be the centerpiece of the opening night on BBC Three, the U.K. digital platform that is being relaunched as a linear channel.
The commission is one of three revealed by BBC Three on Tuesday. In “RuPaul’s Drag Race: U.K. Versus The World,” the U.K. will be the host nation and nine international members of “RuPaul’s Drag Race Royal” alumni will compete for the title of Drag Race Superstar. Michelle Visage, Graham Norton and Alan Carr will join RuPaul as judges. It is produced by World of Wonder.
Also commissioned is “Santa Claus the Serial Killer” (working title), a six-part true-crime series where journalist Mobeen Azhar heads to Toronto, Canada, to explore the case of serial killer Bruce McArthur, a story which has thrown themes of race, faith, culture and sexuality into focus. It is produced by Forest.
The commission is one of three revealed by BBC Three on Tuesday. In “RuPaul’s Drag Race: U.K. Versus The World,” the U.K. will be the host nation and nine international members of “RuPaul’s Drag Race Royal” alumni will compete for the title of Drag Race Superstar. Michelle Visage, Graham Norton and Alan Carr will join RuPaul as judges. It is produced by World of Wonder.
Also commissioned is “Santa Claus the Serial Killer” (working title), a six-part true-crime series where journalist Mobeen Azhar heads to Toronto, Canada, to explore the case of serial killer Bruce McArthur, a story which has thrown themes of race, faith, culture and sexuality into focus. It is produced by Forest.
- 12/21/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
BBC3’s opening night back on linear TV will feature a World Cup-style RuPaul’s Drag Race competition, as the network unveils the first shows to feature on the refreshed channel.
RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK Versus The World will see nine international Drag Race alumni, including those from the U.S., head to the UK, which will be this competition’s debut host nation. These renowned queens from different franchises and cultures will compete in an international arena showcasing their country’s finest drag in their bid to become the ultimate Drag Race Superstar.
Host RuPaul will be joined by regular UK judges Michelle Visage, Alan Carr and Graham Norton for the series, which will debut on the channel’s opening night back on linear.
BBC3 has aired three series of World of Wonder’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and the show has proved hugely popular, having also been picked up in Canada,...
RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK Versus The World will see nine international Drag Race alumni, including those from the U.S., head to the UK, which will be this competition’s debut host nation. These renowned queens from different franchises and cultures will compete in an international arena showcasing their country’s finest drag in their bid to become the ultimate Drag Race Superstar.
Host RuPaul will be joined by regular UK judges Michelle Visage, Alan Carr and Graham Norton for the series, which will debut on the channel’s opening night back on linear.
BBC3 has aired three series of World of Wonder’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and the show has proved hugely popular, having also been picked up in Canada,...
- 12/21/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The British TV industry is “losing the arguments around Public Service Broadcasting and hasn’t yet found the words to make an effective case,” according to Brexit: The Uncivil War and Quiz creator James Graham.
Graham, who is also behind BBC1’s upcoming drama Sherwood, said a “new case” needs to be forged to keep broadcasting in public hands, with Channel 4 potentially on the verge of being sold to a private buyer.
“Unless we can find that language and case I worry about the decline of broadcasters which, if they didn’t exist, would deplete our cultural language,” said Graham. “We are losing the arguments around Psb.”
Graham was arguing passionately at today’s Freeview Outside the Box event in a Vt alongside historian and broadcaster David Olusoga, presenter Mobeen Azhar and former Endor Creative Director Sara Johnson, who has just launched disability advocacy group Bridge 06.
Olusoga called on...
Graham, who is also behind BBC1’s upcoming drama Sherwood, said a “new case” needs to be forged to keep broadcasting in public hands, with Channel 4 potentially on the verge of being sold to a private buyer.
“Unless we can find that language and case I worry about the decline of broadcasters which, if they didn’t exist, would deplete our cultural language,” said Graham. “We are losing the arguments around Psb.”
Graham was arguing passionately at today’s Freeview Outside the Box event in a Vt alongside historian and broadcaster David Olusoga, presenter Mobeen Azhar and former Endor Creative Director Sara Johnson, who has just launched disability advocacy group Bridge 06.
Olusoga called on...
- 11/17/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
“I’m in a lot of meetings now, where people tell me, ‘This will never get on because it’s not woke enough,’” Ash Atalla, award-winning comedy producer of hits including The Office and The It Crowd, told a spirited panel at the Edinburgh TV Festival assembled to discuss the question of how TV makers can properly represent diverse Britain in all its forms.
“I’m amazed how fast the white people have thought, ‘We can’t get on television,’” he continued. “That’s come in hard and fast in the last two years, and it’s a bewildering experience to be in those meetings after 15 years of the opposite. Now white people think there’s no place for them.”
He added that even having the discussion publicly is increasingly challenging for people, through fear of being castigated or cancelled.
Mobeen Azhar, broadcast journalist and presenter, told an opposite but equal story,...
“I’m amazed how fast the white people have thought, ‘We can’t get on television,’” he continued. “That’s come in hard and fast in the last two years, and it’s a bewildering experience to be in those meetings after 15 years of the opposite. Now white people think there’s no place for them.”
He added that even having the discussion publicly is increasingly challenging for people, through fear of being castigated or cancelled.
Mobeen Azhar, broadcast journalist and presenter, told an opposite but equal story,...
- 8/25/2021
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Britney Spears responded to Framing Britney Spears in a lengthy Instagram post, writing that she was “embarrassed by the light they put me in.” The post, which shows Spears dancing to Aerosmith’s “Crazy,” details her thoughts on the documentary, which premiered on Hulu in February.
“My life has always been very speculated… watched… and judged really my whole life,” Spears wrote to her 29 million followers, adding that she’s felt “judged” and “insulted” by the media. “I didn’t watch the documentary but from what I did see of...
“My life has always been very speculated… watched… and judged really my whole life,” Spears wrote to her 29 million followers, adding that she’s felt “judged” and “insulted” by the media. “I didn’t watch the documentary but from what I did see of...
- 3/31/2021
- by Emily Zemler
- Rollingstone.com
After the success of the documentary “Framing Britney Spears” and the continued interest in the #FreeBritney movement, another documentary is in the works about Britney Spears’ conservatorship, this time for BBC Two.
BAFTA-winning journalist Mobeen Azhar is behind the film, which he began filming in the fall of 2020 in an attempt to understand the full story behind why Spears is under conservatorship, the legal agreement in the U.S. that can place an adult under the legal guardianship of another. In this case, Britney has been under the supervision of her father and has not had control of the decisions around her finances or her career since 2008.
Azhar’s film for BBC Two includes him visiting Spears’ hometown of Kentwood, Louisiana as well as attending a court hearing in the ongoing legal battle over her conservatorship. He also speaks to activists involved in the #FreeBritney movement and what Spears means to them.
BAFTA-winning journalist Mobeen Azhar is behind the film, which he began filming in the fall of 2020 in an attempt to understand the full story behind why Spears is under conservatorship, the legal agreement in the U.S. that can place an adult under the legal guardianship of another. In this case, Britney has been under the supervision of her father and has not had control of the decisions around her finances or her career since 2008.
Azhar’s film for BBC Two includes him visiting Spears’ hometown of Kentwood, Louisiana as well as attending a court hearing in the ongoing legal battle over her conservatorship. He also speaks to activists involved in the #FreeBritney movement and what Spears means to them.
- 3/17/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Britney Spears’ conservatorship battle and Netflix “Tiger King” sensation Joe Exotic are the subjects of two contrasting documentaries commissioned by U.K. broadcaster BBC Two.
In “Britney” (working title), BAFTA-winning journalist Mobeen Azhar seeks to uncover the truth behind the conservatorship that pop icon Britney Spears has been held under for the last 13 years. A #FreeBritney movement that aims to free the musician from her father Jamie Spears’ conservatorship has been gathering support, and was recently the focus of FX documentary “Framing Britney Spears.”
Azhar said: “I went to LA in search of the truth of how Britney Spears, one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, ended up in a conservatorship. I found myself in a world of lawyers, superfans and paparazzi and spent time with many of the people who’ve had a front row seat in Britney’s life. This film taps into the energy of...
In “Britney” (working title), BAFTA-winning journalist Mobeen Azhar seeks to uncover the truth behind the conservatorship that pop icon Britney Spears has been held under for the last 13 years. A #FreeBritney movement that aims to free the musician from her father Jamie Spears’ conservatorship has been gathering support, and was recently the focus of FX documentary “Framing Britney Spears.”
Azhar said: “I went to LA in search of the truth of how Britney Spears, one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, ended up in a conservatorship. I found myself in a world of lawyers, superfans and paparazzi and spent time with many of the people who’ve had a front row seat in Britney’s life. This film taps into the energy of...
- 3/17/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC has announced plans for the release of an upcoming documentary on Britney Spears and her conservatorship. Helmed by BAFTA-winning journalist Mobeen Azhar, the film, tentatively titled Britney, will center on the #FreeBritney movement and the singer’s recent court appearances.
For the film, Azhar traveled from Spears’ hometown of Kentwood, Louisiana, to Los Angeles, and interviewed numerous fans, as well as people close to the singer. The documentary will air on BBC Two in the U.K., with potential plans to sell it overseas. A premiere date has not yet been announced.
For the film, Azhar traveled from Spears’ hometown of Kentwood, Louisiana, to Los Angeles, and interviewed numerous fans, as well as people close to the singer. The documentary will air on BBC Two in the U.K., with potential plans to sell it overseas. A premiere date has not yet been announced.
- 3/17/2021
- by Emily Zemler
- Rollingstone.com
Following the success of FX/Hulu’s documentary Framing Britney Spears, the BBC has announced that it is planning its own film on the American singer and her conservatorship.
The BBC has greenlit Britney (working title), which will follow BAFTA-winning journalist Mobeen Azhar as he travels from Spears’ hometown of Kentwood, Louisiana, to Los Angeles and speaks to fans behind the #FreeBritney movement.
Along the way he attends a court hearing, finding himself in the midst of the ongoing battle between Spears’ conservatorship team and her passionate fans. He also meets those closest to the singer.
Azhar said: “I went to LA in search of the truth of how Britney Spears, one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, ended up in a conservatorship. I found myself in a world of lawyers, superfans and paparazzi and spent time with many of the people who’ve had a front row seat in Britney’s life.
The BBC has greenlit Britney (working title), which will follow BAFTA-winning journalist Mobeen Azhar as he travels from Spears’ hometown of Kentwood, Louisiana, to Los Angeles and speaks to fans behind the #FreeBritney movement.
Along the way he attends a court hearing, finding himself in the midst of the ongoing battle between Spears’ conservatorship team and her passionate fans. He also meets those closest to the singer.
Azhar said: “I went to LA in search of the truth of how Britney Spears, one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, ended up in a conservatorship. I found myself in a world of lawyers, superfans and paparazzi and spent time with many of the people who’ve had a front row seat in Britney’s life.
- 3/17/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Having worked as both a commissioner and an independent producer, Naked Television managing director Fatima Salaria was able to bring insights from both sides of the fence as she addressed the Australian International Documentary Conference (Aidc) on Sunday from the UK.
Salaria has more than two decades of experience in British broadcasting, much of which was spent at BBC, where she worked her way up to commissioning editor for religion and ethics.
During this time, she acted as the principal commissioner for Who Do You Think You Are?, commissioned the BAFTA-winning Muslims Like Us, and curated the Black and British and Big Asian Summer seasons.
She left the pubcaster to become head of factual specialist at Channel 4 in 2019, overseeing the production of popular formats such as Sas: Who Dares Wins, as well as award-winning documentaries 100 Vaginas and The Identical Strangers.
Salaria joined the Fremantle-owned factual and entertainment programming...
Salaria has more than two decades of experience in British broadcasting, much of which was spent at BBC, where she worked her way up to commissioning editor for religion and ethics.
During this time, she acted as the principal commissioner for Who Do You Think You Are?, commissioned the BAFTA-winning Muslims Like Us, and curated the Black and British and Big Asian Summer seasons.
She left the pubcaster to become head of factual specialist at Channel 4 in 2019, overseeing the production of popular formats such as Sas: Who Dares Wins, as well as award-winning documentaries 100 Vaginas and The Identical Strangers.
Salaria joined the Fremantle-owned factual and entertainment programming...
- 3/2/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
BBC Three and Amazon Prime Video show “Fleabag” was popular at the U.K.’s annual Royal Television Society Programme Awards, picking up gongs for scripted comedy and comedy writer for Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Meanwhile, Craig Mazin won best drama writer for HBO and Sky Atlantic’s “Chernobyl.”
The awards ceremony was held behind closed doors for the first time, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Comedian and writer Paul Merton revealed the awards that were live streamed to nominees and viewers at home via the Rts website.
HBO and BBC One program “Gentleman Jack” won best drama series, while BBC Three’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race U.K.” won best entertainment program. Channel 5 was declared channel of the year.
Saoirse-Monica Jackson won female comedy performance for Channel 4 program “Derry Girls,” over fellow nominees Waller-Bridge and Diane Morgan for BBC Two’s “Motherland.”
Ncuti Gatwa won the male comedy performance...
The awards ceremony was held behind closed doors for the first time, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Comedian and writer Paul Merton revealed the awards that were live streamed to nominees and viewers at home via the Rts website.
HBO and BBC One program “Gentleman Jack” won best drama series, while BBC Three’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race U.K.” won best entertainment program. Channel 5 was declared channel of the year.
Saoirse-Monica Jackson won female comedy performance for Channel 4 program “Derry Girls,” over fellow nominees Waller-Bridge and Diane Morgan for BBC Two’s “Motherland.”
Ncuti Gatwa won the male comedy performance...
- 3/18/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Vice certainly knows its brand; cocaine and controversy. The nascent production arm of Shane Smith’s youth-focused firm is working with the BBC on the latter after scoring its second third-party commission.
BBC Two has ordered The Satanic Verses: 30 Years On (w/t), a one-off documentary about Salman Rushdie’s controversial novel, which was originally published in 1988 and lead to Iran putting a fatwa on the author.
The book, which was inspired in part by the life of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, was accused by many Muslims of blasphemy and mocking their faith. However, the doc will look at the other side of the story, which took places in the streets, schools and mosques of Bradford, Bolton, Leicester and London, deep in the heart of Britain’s Muslim community. It follows a group of first-time campaigners who believed they were fighting for their community’s civil rights.
Journalist Mobeen Azhar...
BBC Two has ordered The Satanic Verses: 30 Years On (w/t), a one-off documentary about Salman Rushdie’s controversial novel, which was originally published in 1988 and lead to Iran putting a fatwa on the author.
The book, which was inspired in part by the life of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, was accused by many Muslims of blasphemy and mocking their faith. However, the doc will look at the other side of the story, which took places in the streets, schools and mosques of Bradford, Bolton, Leicester and London, deep in the heart of Britain’s Muslim community. It follows a group of first-time campaigners who believed they were fighting for their community’s civil rights.
Journalist Mobeen Azhar...
- 5/1/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
A bounty of thousands of never-before-heard Prince songs could extend the late singer’s earning potential and star power for decades — a catalog one expert said could be more valuable than that of Michael Jackson. The 2015 documentary “Hunting For Prince’s Vault,” directed by journalist Mobeen Azhar, centers on the quest to uncover what former Prince sound engineers said was up to 2,000 unreleased songs, a stockpile that would fetch any eventual Prince beneficiary untold financial returns. The quantity is staggering, but not surprising given the notoriously fickle artist, who would gather producers and musicians in the middle of the night to record entire albums over.
- 4/22/2016
- by Matt Donnelly
- The Wrap
Films include a collaboration between Sing Sing prison inmates and a leading contemporary dance company from Turner Prize nominated visual artist Phil Collins.
Scroll down for full list of projects
Sheffield Doc/Fest (June 5-10) has revealed the titles that will pitch for funding at its MeetMarket initiative, celebrating 10 years in 2015.
A total of 64 filmmaker teams from 19 countries will pitch to international and UK decision makers for research, development and production funding
At Crossover Market, which includes digital titles, a further 26 interactive projects from 12 countries will pitch in one-to-one meetings to a range of specialist decision makers.
Among the Crossover projects being pitched are the latest from Oscar Raby who won last year’s Interactive Audience Award with Assent; and Ram Devineni who attracted funding at last year’s Crossover Market and Tribeca New Media Fund for Priya’s Shakti.
New pitch opportunities this year include a BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra Stories commission for young filmmakers, the Guardian...
Scroll down for full list of projects
Sheffield Doc/Fest (June 5-10) has revealed the titles that will pitch for funding at its MeetMarket initiative, celebrating 10 years in 2015.
A total of 64 filmmaker teams from 19 countries will pitch to international and UK decision makers for research, development and production funding
At Crossover Market, which includes digital titles, a further 26 interactive projects from 12 countries will pitch in one-to-one meetings to a range of specialist decision makers.
Among the Crossover projects being pitched are the latest from Oscar Raby who won last year’s Interactive Audience Award with Assent; and Ram Devineni who attracted funding at last year’s Crossover Market and Tribeca New Media Fund for Priya’s Shakti.
New pitch opportunities this year include a BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra Stories commission for young filmmakers, the Guardian...
- 4/27/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
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