News

Leonine And Lionsgate Strike Germany/Austria Film Deal

Leonine Studios has extended its relationship with Lionsgate by securing the rights to a premium feature film slate for Germany and Austria. The blockbuster deal incorporates high-profile titles for the region such as Keanu Reeves’ John Wick: Chapter 4, the Ana De Armas-starring Ballerina, Sebastian Maniscalco’s About My Father, Kerry Washington’s Shadow Force and a new comedy from Crazy Rich Asian’s Adele Lim. “All the films we release in cooperation with Lionsgate are made for the big screen,” said Leonine CEO Fred Kogel. “We’re delighted to be able to offer this excellent new slate of high-profile titles to both audiences and our licensing partners alike.” Lionsgate International President Helen Lee-Kim praised Leonine for “building a world-class content and distribution studio.”

Channel 4 Goes Big On ‘Married At First Sight UK’

UK broadcaster Channel 4 has agreed a two-series deal...

Endemol Shine Australia has made a number of promotions as part of a restructure of its executive management team.

The shuffle follows on from Banijay’s recent acquisition of the Endemol Shine Group and Peter Newman stepping into the Esa CEO role after the departure of Mark and Carl Fennessy.

Executive producer Amelia Fisk will take on the position of director of content, Sydney, while MasterChef Australia EP Marty Benson will become director of content, Melbourne.

Current commercial director, Scott Howard, has been upped to chief operating officer, and Jane Macaulay, currently director of production, has been promoted to director of production and post production.

Elliot Spencer, director of development and creative services, has been promoted to the newly-created role of creative director, which will see him also work on the creative architecture of Esa’s programs and branding.

Elliott Spencer, Jane Macaulay and Scott Howard.

Megan Rees, who joined the business last year,...

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) crowned the winners from its 2020 awards ceremony today, with Babyteeh and Stateless dominating the film and TV categories respectively.

Shannon Murphy’s tragi-comedy Babyteeth was the big winner on the film side, scooping Best Film, Best Direction, Screenplay (Rita Kalnejais), Actor (Toby Wallace), Actress (Eliza Scanlen), Supporting Actor (Ben Mendelsohn) and Supporting Actress (Essie Davis).

On the TV side, Stateless, the series starring and created by Cate Blanchett, won Best Mini Series, Lead Actor (Fayssal Bazzi), Lead Actress (Yvonne Strahovski), Supporting Actor (Darren Gilshenan), Supporting Actress (Blanchett), Screenplay (Elise McCredie), and Direction (Emma Freeman).

Further winners included Rebel Wilson, who took Best Presenter for Lol: Last One Laughing Australia, and Tim Minchin, who won Comedy Performer for Upright.

Elsewhere, Better Days took Best Asian Film, the Bryon Kennedy Award was presented to The Babadook filmmaker Jennifer Kent, and Steve Bedwell, Bryan Cockerill...

Rebel Wilson.

Endemol Shine Australia is producing the first Australian Amazon Original, Lol: Last One Laughing, which will feature ten local comedians trying to make each other laugh first.

To be hosted and executive produced by Rebel Wilson, the final comedian left standing at the end of the six-part series will win a grand prize of $100,000. The line-up of comedians will be announced in the coming weeks.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Prime Video family of creators and talent,” said Wilson.

“I’ve already had the chance to work with Alexa – she’s great – and on Audible, so working with Prime Video seemed like an obvious choice. I can’t wait to see what these talented Australian comedians come up with and how far they’ll go to take home the prize.”

The show is based on an Amazon Original format from Japan, Documental, produced by and starring comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto,...

Rebel Wilson has signed on to host and executive produce the first Australian Amazon Original series, Lol: Last One Laughing.

The comedy-variety series, produced with Endemol Shine Australia, will feature a cast of 10 Australian comedic actors and stand-up comics competing to make each other laugh first. The final comedian left standing will win the grand prize of Aud$ 100,000. The first Australian Amazon Original series will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories in 2020.

The six-part series will film nonstop to catch all of the action, and follow the select group of talented comics who bring various styles to the table including stand-up, character, improvisational and physical comedy among others.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Prime Video family of creators and talent,” said Wilson. “I’ve already had the chance to work with Alexa — she’s great — and on Audible,...

Mel Gibson on the set of Hacksaw Ridge.. . Mel Gibson's Hacksaw Ridge cleaned up at the 6th Aacta Awards ceremony last night, taking home five awards, including Best Film and Best Original Screenplay. . Gibson was honoured for Best Direction, while Andrew Garfield won Best Lead Actor and Hugo Weaving nabbed Best Supporting Actor. . .I need to thank Australia for making this film,. said Gibson in his acceptance speech. . He praised the "homegrown" film.s cast and crew, .the calibre of which is as good or better than anywhere in the world.. . .I.m not the only one who wants to make films here all the time, Ridley Scott said the same thing,. Gibson said. .I.m honoured to receive this.. . . The five awards add to the four Hacksaw Ridge already picked up earlier this week at the Aacta Industry Luncheon. The film was nominated in 13 categories overall. . Odessa Young...

Mel Gibson on the set of Hacksaw Ridge.. . Mel Gibson's Hacksaw Ridge cleaned up at the 6th Aacta Awards ceremony last night, taking home five awards, including Best Film and Best Original Screenplay. . Gibson was honoured for Best Direction, while Andrew Garfield won Best Lead Actor and Hugo Weaving nabbed Best Supporting Actor. . .I need to thank Australia for making this film,. said Gibson in his acceptance speech. . He praised the "homegrown" film.s cast and crew, .the calibre of which is as good or better than anywhere in the world.. . .I.m not the only one who wants to make films here all the time, Ridley Scott said the same thing,. Gibson said. .I.m honoured to receive this.. . . The five awards add to the four Hacksaw Ridge already picked up earlier this week at the Aacta Industry Luncheon. The film was nominated in 13 categories overall. . Odessa Young...