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How do you translate a story about inertia to the screen? And how do you do that when the source material belongs to one of English literature’s most astute chroniclers of the human psyche, in all its intricate mystery? In the case of The Beast in the Jungle, “freely adapted” from Henry James’ 1903 novella of the same name, Austrian filmmaker Patric Chiha has taken a bold creative leap. To tell the story of May Bertram and John Marcher, acquaintances who become soulmates in a strange waiting game, he moves the drama from the rarefied realm of high society to a nightclub in 20th century Paris. The action, to use the term loosely, takes place over 25 years. And it feels like it.

The problem with this version of May and John’s story, scripted by Chiha, Axelle Ropert and Jihane Chouaib, and filmed in Brussels and Vienna, isn’t the...

La bête dans la jungle

Austrian Patric Chiha reunited with Béatrice Dalle and returned to fiction form almost a decade later back in November of ’21. After a year in post … The Beast in the Jungle will be surely hitting a fest soon enough. Chiha shares co-writing creds with Axelle Ropert and Jihane Chouaib for the adaptation Henry James’ 1903 eponymous short story. Shot in Brussels, Vicky Krieps and Gaspard Ulliel were originally attached to the project, but this sees Anaïs Demoustier and Tom Mercier topline instead. Aurora Films’ Charlotte Vincent and Katia Khazak produce. Chiha was last in Berlin with the Teddy Award winning docu Si c’était de l’amour (2020).…...

Highlights include the UK premiere of Finding Dory and the world premiere of the 4K restoration of Highlander [pictured].Scroll down for competition titles

The line-up for the 70th Edinburgh International Film Festival (Eiff) has been unveiled this morning by artistic director Mark Adams.

This year’s Eiff (June 15-26) will comprise a total 161 features from 46 countries including: 22 world premieres, five international premieres, 17 European premieres and 85 UK premieres.

Highlights include the UK premiere of Disney-Pixar animation Finding Dory, in-person events that include Us indie filmmaker Kevin Smith and Sex & The City actress Kim Cattrall, and the opening and closing gala world premieres of the previously announced Tommy’s Honour and Whisky Galore!.

Old classics will be re-imagined with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra performing the score to E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial live at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre and the world premiere of the newly-restored 4K version of Highlander, celebrating its 30th anniversary with star Clancy Brown in attendance.

The...

As Qumra kicks off its second edition with 33 new projects selected (see the full list here), here are updates from several projects selected for the inaugural edition in 2015.Degrade, Arab and Tarzan Abunasser’s story of 12 women in a Gaza hair salon, was selected for C

As Qumra kicks off its second edition with 33 new projects selected (see the full list here), here are updates from several projects selected for the inaugural edition in 2015.

Degrade, Arab and Tarzan Abunasser’s story of 12 women in a Gaza hair salon, was selected for Cannes’ Critics Week soon after its presentation in Qumra, and went on to screen at other festivals including Toronto, London and Dubai. Elle Driver handles sales.

Mountain (pictured), João Salaviza’s Portugal-set coming-of-age story, was a world premiere in Venice Critics’ Week and went on to screen in San Sebastian and Rotterdam.

Frenzy, Emin Alper’s drama about two brothers in upheaval in Istanbul, had its world...

The Marché du Film (Cannes Film Market), in partnership with the Dubai Film Market (Dfm), will present an exclusive screening of five Arab films in post-production amongst the works-in-progress line-up at this year’s Cannes Film Festival: "300 Nights," "Border of Heaven," "The Curve," "Medina," and "The Other Side of November." Films part of the Dubai Film Market Goes to Cannes showcase will be screened to sales agents, distributors and festival programmers in Cannes, with filmmakers giving a brief introduction before showcasing excerpts from their films.

In addition five filmmakers who showcased their films at Diff’s 11th edition and the winners of the ‘The Reel Dubai Short Film Contest’ and ‘The Samsung Short Film Contest’ will present their films in the Cannes Short Film Corner, an essential platform to show their projects to a massive audience, pitch future projects, and make many important connections with industry professionals from around the world.

Through the Dubai Film Market’s (Dfm), the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) plans to strengthen its program to further support filmmakers, develop a thriving film culture in the region, build a sustainable industry and promote Arab cinema on an international platform for the 12th edition which runs from December 9-16, 2015.

The Dubai Film Connection (Dfc), the region’s co-production market will return to the Dfm. Launched in 2007, the Dfc raised the visibility of Arab filmmakers and stimulated the growth of independent film production in the region. Over the years, numerous past Dfc projects have found critical acclaim around the world.

Shivani Pandya, Diff Managing Director said: “We’re very excited to reinstate the Dubai Film Connection. The filmmakers and industry professionals wanted it back and we listened. By offering the right networking and support opportunities the Dfc opens doors for Arab talent to promote and develop their film projects and it becomes a platform for producers and funds to find the best Arab projects ready for production.

The Dfc is now open for submissions for feature-length fiction and documentary projects in development by directors of Arab nationality or origin. The co-production market introduces Arab filmmakers to regional and international film backers and organizations. Deadline for submission is August 1st, 2015 and details are available at www.diff.ae

Enjaaz, the Dubai Film Market’s post-production and production support program continues to go from strength to strength, lending invaluable backing to a further ten of the region’s filmmakers.

The latest recipients of Enjaaz funding include: Mahmoud Al Massad’s "Blessed Benefit," Jihane Chouaib’s "Breathe," Halkawt Mustafa’s "El Clasico," Fares Naanaa’s "Borders of Heaven," Fawzi Saleh’s "Fish Killed Twice," Mai Masri’s "3000 Nights," Hany Abu Assad’s "Arab Idol," Afraa Batous’s "Skin," Maryanne Zéhil’s "The Other Side of November" and Hakim Belabbes’s "Weight of the Shadow."

Enjaaz is central to the Dfm’s strategy of developing the regional film industry by discovering and supporting filmmaking talent. By enabling more films to get realized, Enjaaz serves to diversify the choice of Arab films available to audiences. A total of 17 films supported by Enjaaz were screened at the 11th edition of Diff and more than 110 films have benefited from the program since its inception.

Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Iwc Schaffhausen, the Official ‘Festival-Time’ Partner of the Diff, continue their support with the highly anticipated fourth Iwc Filmmaker Award offering a cash prize of $100,000 which will help the winning filmmaker bring their ideas to life on screen. This collaboration reinforces Iwc’s global commitment to promoting the film-making industry and supporting talent in cinema with submissions opening later this month.

The Dfm’s most recent initiative, the Dubai Distribution Program (Ddp) launched last year to promote and facilitate the distribution of Arab films has achieved success with local, regional and international titles being picked up from Diff’s 2014 film program. The Ddp has expanded this year to offer greater opportunity for independent filmmakers to obtain distribution and showcase their films to a wider audience by screening films at Miptv, the largest global distribution market and at the Cannes International Film Festival.

Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) has announced a series of industry initiatives for this year’s edition of the festival (Dec 9-16), including the return of co-production market Dubai Film Connection (Dfc).

Launched in 2007, Dfc was not held last year as Diff recalibrated its market activities, but returns this year following industry demand.

Dfc is now open for submissions for feature-length fiction and documentary projects in development from directors of Arab nationality or origin. Deadline for submissions is August 1, 2015.

“We’re very excited to reinstate the Dubai Film Connection,” said Diff managing director Shivani Pandya. “The filmmakers and industry professionals wanted it back and we listened.

“By offering the right networking and support opportunities, the Dfc opens doors for Arab talent to promote and develop their film projects and it becomes a platform for producers and funds to find the best Arab projects ready for production.”

Diff is also continuing with its Enjaaz post-production and production support...

Gael Garcia Bernal has been confirmed as a Qumra Master for the Doha Film Institute’s inaugural Qumra film initiative, which takes place March 6-11.

Twenty-three feature films, 4 feature docus and 4 shorts will participate in an industry programme designed to propel the projects to the next stage of development.

Twenty-two projects were selected from Dfi’s funding programmes and nine are by independent filmmakers from Qatar were identified through Dfi’s outreach with the local industry. There is an emphasis on supporting first- and second-time filmmakers.

“This has been designed to compliment everything we do year round, whether the educational workshops, the financial grants, the Ajyaal festival,” commented Dfi CEO Fatma Al Remaihi. “We want these filmmakers to get to the next level. Every aspect of this event is geared towards giving these first and second-time filmmakers access to the knowledge, inspiration and development opportunities that will allow them to move ahead in their careers.

Mexican actor joins lists of ‘masters’ for Dfi’s inaugural Qumra event, which will see 31 projects from 29 countries involved.

Mexican actor, director and producer Gael Garcia Bernal has joined the list of ‘masters’ for the Doha Film Institute’s inaugural Qumra event, running March 6-11.

The masters previously reported in December are Abderrahmane Sissako, Leila Hatami Cristian Mungiu and Danis Tanović. “They represent different regions and different types of cinema, they all have mastered their craft,” Dfi CEO Fatma Al Remaihi told Screen. “But they are also all passionate to share their experience to help the next generation.”

Dfi has announced the 31 projects from 29 countries selected for Qumra, including 23 narrative features, four feature documentaries and four short films. There are 22 projects who are supported by Dfi and a further nine from Qatari independent filmmakers.

A total of 19 of the projects are in development with the rest in post production.

The 31 projects (full list below) include the story...