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In Rusudan Glurjidze’s weathered, wintry sophomore feature “The Antique,” the title could refer to any number of withering relics: the handsome, richly patinaed items of furniture that Georgian immigrant Medea (Salome Demuria) illegally imports from her homeland to Russia to sell; the once-grand but disintegrating Saint Petersburg apartment that she buys at a reduced price, on a peculiar condition; or Vadim (the late Sergey Dreyden), the apartment’s elderly, crotchety former owner, who insists on living there even after the deeds have been transferred. Or it could just be Russia itself, a venerable state resistant to an evolving population, captured here in the midst of an aggressive 2006 drive to expel or eliminate thousands of settled ethnic Georgians.

Glurijidze’s film sometimes hardens and freezes with lingering anger over that injustice, but that’s beneath the warmer veneer of a genial culture-clash tale, in which ostensibly opposed characters recognize in...

Georgian film The Antique, by Rusudan Glurjidze, has been readmitted to the competition of Giornate degli Autori, the independent sidebar of the Venice Film Festival, and will screen on September 6.

Last week, Giornate degli Autori suspended the screening of The Antique, which is majority produced by Georgian company Cinetech.

The suspension came after an emergency decree by the Court of Venice obtained by production companies Viva Film in Russia, Croatia’s Avantura Film and Cyprus’ Pygmalion over a copyright dispute regarding the film’s script.

In a statement, the Giornate degli Autori said it had taken the precaution of suspending the film’s screening,...

Georgian anti-Putin drama The Antique, which has its Venice debut suspended after a copyright complaint, is now free to screen at this year’s festival.

The U-turn was confirmed this afternoon by the festival. The film will screen on September 6. The decision will be discussed tomorrow at a public meeting in Venice with the filmmaker Rusudan Glurjidze, Venice Days President Francesco Ranieri Martinotti, Artistic Director Gaia Furrer, and attorney Fabio Moretti.

The Antique had its screenings suspended last week after an emergency decree was filed on behalf of Russian and Croatian producers claiming copyright issues with the screenplay. The claims were contested by the film’s Georgian producers and its sales agent MPM International, while the Italian media, which first reported the suspension, is suggesting the move to prevent the film screening is politically motivated.

The drama takes inspiration from the real-life illegal expulsion of thousands of Georgian nationals from...

Georgian drama The Antique by Rusudan Glurjidze has been suspended from screening in Giornate degli Autori, the independent sidebar of the Venice Film Festival, following a court ruling over copyright dispute.

A press and industry screening scheduled for today (August 28) has been pulled and public screenings that were due to take place today, August 30 and September 6 have been removed from the line-up.

It follows an emergency decree by the Court of Venice obtained by production companies Viva Film in Russia, Croatia’s Avantura Film and Cyprus’ Pygmalion over a copyright dispute regarding the film’s script.

A statement from Giornate...

It is always a pleasure to be part of the celebration for the European Film Promotion Shooting Stars, and today we present our interviews with the ten talented actors chosen this year.

Stefan Pape was at the 2024 Berlinale to talk to the Efp Shooting Stars for 2024. Each year we are proud to partner with the European Film Promotion to celebrate ten emerging European talents as part of their ongoing Efp Shooting Stars programme. Today get to know a little bit more about their careers so far, what they’ve learned, the great benefits of being a Shooting Star, and how they reacted when they found out. Remember these names, we’re sure you’ll be seeing a lot of them in the future.

Here are 2024’s European Shooting Stars:

Thibaud Dooms (Belgium), Margarita Stoykova (Bulgaria), Suzy Bemba (France), Salome Demuria (Georgia), Katharina Stark (Germany), Éanna Hardwicke (Ireland), Valentina Bellè (Italy...

Last night the Berlinale Film Festival welcomed the European Shooting Stars of 2024 on stage alongside actress Corinna Harfouch.

The Award Ceremony, hosted by Jenny Augusta, serves as the grand finale of an exhilarating four-day program. During this event, the brightest young actresses and actors come together with casting directors to showcase their talents and are introduced to the international media. The ceremony is the pinnacle of an unforgettable experience, marking the culmination of hard work, dedication, and passion for the craft.

The Shooting Stars were presented in a grand ceremony that preceded the screening of Claire Burger’s highly anticipated film ‘Langue Étrangère.’ The event was held in the presence of renowned personalities and dignitaries from the film industry.

Also in news – David Thewlis to star as Sherlock Holmes in ‘Sherlock & Daughter’

The ten European Shooting Stars 2024 joining the stage were Thibaud Dooms (Belgium), Margarita Stoykova (Bulgaria), Suzy Bemba...

The Berlin Film Festival hosted the 10 young European actors selected for the Shooting Stars program, run by European Film Promotion, at a gala event Monday.

The presentation of the Shooting Stars took place prior to the screening of Claire Burger’s “Langue Étrangère,” which plays in competition.

They were welcomed on stage at the Berlinale Palast by German actor Corinna Harfouch, who stars in the competition entry “Dying,” directed by Matthias Glasner.

The ceremony, hosted by Jenny Augusta, is the festive highlight and the closing event of the four-day program, where the talented young actors meet up with casting directors and are presented to the international press.

The Shooting Stars are Thibaud Dooms from Belgium, Margarita Stoykova from Bulgaria, Suzy Bemba from France, Salome Demuria from Georgia, Katharina Stark from Germany, Éanna Hardwicke from Ireland, Valentina Bellè from Italy, Džiugas Grinys from Lithuania, Kamila Urzędowska from Poland and Asta Kamma August from Sweden.

A bitter dispute between factions of the Georgian film industry is coming to a head at the Berlinale. Many leading Georgian filmmakers and industry professionals have joined the independent Georgian Film Institute (Gfi), which was launched in opposition to state body, the Georgian National Film Centre (Gnfc), amid accusations of censorship and creative interference.

Both outfits are at EFM and both are insisting on their right to represent Georgian cinema in the festival.

Gfi is pushing two titles in official selection: Forum Special’s Mother And Daughter, Or The Night Is Never Complete from director Lana Gogoberidze, about her mother,...

As some former European Shooting Stars celebrate Oscar noms for their latest films, the Europe-wide initiative to draw attention to up-and-coming performers coordinated by European Film Promotion introduces another 10 talents during the Berlinale. From Feb. 16-19, the selected actors will participate in workshops, as well as meetings with producers and casting directors.

Asta Kamma August

Sweden

The older daughter of Danish helmer Bille and Swedish actor Pernilla, August is fluent in Swedish, Danish and English, and performs for theater, film and TV in Denmark and Sweden. Her latest credits include Mikael Marcimain’s “Blackwater” for Swedish TV and Thomas Vinterberg’s “Families Like Ours” for Danish TV.

Valentina Bellè

Italy

The actor’s upcoming film projects include Marco Tullio Giordana’s “The Life Apart” and Simone Godano’s “Sei Fratelli,” as well as the series “A.C.A.B.” on tap. The Verona-born star, who is fluent in English, participates...

Georgian filmmaker Rusudan Glurjidze’s drama The Antique has joined MPM Premium’s 2024 line-up.

The Antique is set in 2006 amidst the unlawful deportation of thousands of Georgians from Russia. It stars Salome Demuria alongside Sergey Dreyden and Vladimir Vlovichenkov and is produced by Georgia’s Cinetech.

The Paris-based seller has also unveiled more sales for Caye Casas’ Spanish-language black comedy horror The Coffee Table, selling it to Second Sight Films for the UK, Australia and New Zealand, Exit Media in Italy and HBO for Eastern and Central Europe. The film comes off a festival run at Tallinn Black Nights, the...

Deportation drama The Antique is the newest addition to MPM Premium’s 2024 line-up that also includes Brazilian environmental drama Betania, Saudi Arabian thriller Mandoob, Spanish LGBTQ+ comedy On The Go, horror The Coffee Table, plus Tunisian trauma-centred story Red Path.

Georgian filmmaker Rusudan Glurjidze’s The Antique is set in 2006 amidst the unlawful deportation of thousands of Georgians from Russia. It stars 2024 European Shooting Star actress Salome Demuria alongside Sergey Dreyden and Vladimir Vlovichenkov and is produced by Georgia’s Cinetech. The film is currently in post and expected to premiere later in the year.

The Paris-based seller has also...

European Film Promotion has revealed the 10 emerging actors who will take part in the 27th edition of European Shooting Stars program, which promotes European acting talent. Past Shooting Stars have included Carey Mulligan, Alicia Vikander, Maisie Williams and Riz Ahmed.

From Feb. 16-19, the actors will be presented to the international press and industry, and the German public at the Berlin Film Festival. One of the highlights will be the Shooting Stars Awards Ceremony on Feb. 19 at the Berlinale Palast.

The Shooting Stars for 2024 are Belgium’s Thibaud Dooms, Bulgaria’s Margarita Stoykova, France’s Suzy Bemba, Georgia’s Salome Demuria, Germany’s Katharina Stark, Ireland’s Éanna Hardwicke, Italy’s Valentina Bellè, Lithuania’s Džiugas Grinys, Poland’s Kamila Urzędowska and Sweden’s Asta Kamma August.

The jury that selected the actors comprised of Austrian director, screenwriter and producer Barbara Albert, Lithuanian producer Živilė Gallego, Irish actor Moe Dunford,...

We’re once again proud to be a partner in the European Film Promotion’s celebration of the very best of European talent with the announcement of the 2024 Efp European Shooting Stars.

It has been a pleasure to highlight and get to know some of the brightest new stars in the sky. As before, we will look to catch up with the entire cohort to get to know them better at the 74th Berlinale next year, so check back for those interviews.

Until then, here’s a closer look at the ten Shooting Stars for 2024.

© Wil Coban Éanna Hardwicke / Ireland

Éanna Hardwicke’s first professional credit was as a child actor in Conor McPherson’s 2009 horror film The Eclipse. Before graduating from The Lír Academy in 2018 he was cast in Vivarium, which premiered at Cannes Critics’ Week 2019. In 2023, a busy year for Hardwicke, he was named a Screen International Rising...

European Film Promotion has announced the 10 up-and-coming European acting talents for its 2024 European Shooting Stars list.

The actors, which include performers from this year’s award-season contenders Poor Things, Ferrari, and The Peasants, among others, will be lauded at the Berlin International Film Festival in February, next year.

The Shooting Stars class of 2024 includes:

Suzy Bemba (France) Suzy Bemba in ‘Homecoming’

French actress Suzy Bemba, who plays a Parisian sex worker who befriends Emma Stone’s character in Poor Things, and whose credits include standout roles in Anthony Chen’s Sundance film Drift and Catherine Corsini’s Homecoming.

Valentina Bellè (Italy) Valentina Bellè in ‘The Good Mothers’

Valentina Bellè from Italy, who plays Cecilia Manzini in Michael Mann’s Ferarri, won Italy’s Nastro D’Argento award for best supporting actress for her turn in Disney+ mafia drama The Good Mothers and has appeared in Disney+ series Genius: Picasso with...

10-strong line-up includes Italian actress Valentina Bellè and Irish actor Éanna Hardwicke.

European Film Promotion (Efp) has revealed the ten young European talents selected for the 27th edition of European Shooting Stars, its initiative to showcase promising on-screen talent from the continent.

Efp has selected seven actresses and three actors who will be presented to international press, industry, and the public during the 2024 Berlin Film Festival.

The line-up includes Italian actress Valentina Bellè who starred in two competition films at Venice this year: Michael Mann’s Ferrari and Lubo by Giorgio Diritti. She also plays the leading role in Disney + series The Good Mother,...

Drama directed by Reza Mirkarimi scooped best film, best director and shared the best actor prize with China’s The Return.

Iranian drama Castle Of Dreams, directed by Reza Mirkarimi, was presented with three of the top awards at this year’s Shanghai International Film Festival (Siff), including best feature.

The film, about a father who returns to his children after a long absence, was also awarded best director and the best actor prize (Hamed Saberi Behdad), which was shared with China’s The Return (Chang Feng). Mirkarimi’s credits include Under The Moonlight, which won the Critics Week Grand...

On the evening of June 23, the 22nd Shanghai International Film Festival Golden Jubilee Awards Ceremony was held at the Shanghai Grand Theatre.?

22nd Shanghai International Film Festival Awards winner list:

Best Feature Film

?Castle of Dreams? (Iran)

Jury Grand Prix

?Inhale-Exhale? (Georgia/Russia/Sweden)

Best Director

Reza Mirkarimi for ?Castle of Dreams?

Best Actor (joint winners)

Chang Feng for ?The Return? (China) and Hamed Saberi Behdad for ?Castle of Dreams? (Iran)

Best Actress

Salome Demuria for ?Inhale-Exhale? (Georgia/Russia/Sweden)

Best Screenplay?

Aleksander Lungin and Pavel Lungin for ?Brotherhood? (Russia)

Best Cinematography

Jake Pollock for ?Spring Tide? (China)

Outstanding Artistic Achievement

?Trees Under the Sun? (India)

Best Animation Film

?Ride Your Wave? (Japan)

Best Documentary Film

?Bridge of Time? (Latvia/ Lithuania/ Estonia)

Best Live Action Short Film

?Nowhere To Put? (China)

Best Animated Short Film

?La Noria? (Spain)

The Iranian film "Castle of Dreams" won the Best Film Award and Best Director Award.

China’s leading film festival crowned Iranian drama Castle Of Dreams with three prizes on Sunday evening.

The Shanghai International Film Festival handed Reza Mirkami’s film the Golden Goblet for best film, best director and a joint best actor award for Hamed Saberi Behdad. The familial drama charts the aftermath of a mother’s death.

The unusual bounty comes at a time when the U.S.’s relationship with Iran and China is on the slide. Iran meanwhile has developed a strong bond with China, which is one of its biggest trading partners. During this week’s festival there was also talk of a China-Iran Co-Production Treaty.

Turkey’s Nuri Bilge Ceylan headed this year’s jury, which also gave two prizes to Georgian drama Inhale-Exhale by Dito Tsintsadze. The film scooped the grand jury prize and the best actress award for Salome Demuria.

Chang Feng also shared the...

There aren’t many films willing to plunge into the dark caverns of human society with the courage of Dito Tsintsadze’s Inhale-Exhale. With utter simplicity and a masterful touch, the Georgian director (who has relocated to Germany) describes the murderous prejudices of a provincial mining town against anyone seen as different from the norm. This concisely told, haunting film won the grand jury prize at its bow in the Shanghai Film Festival's competition, while Salome Demuria (House of Others) took home best actress laurels for an achingly tough performance that is hard to forget.

Tsintsadze (Lost Killers, Mediator) opens ...

There aren’t many films willing to plunge into the dark caverns of human society with the courage of Dito Tsintsadze’s Inhale-Exhale. With utter simplicity and a masterful touch, the Georgian director (who has relocated to Germany) describes the murderous prejudices of a provincial mining town against anyone seen as different from the norm. This concisely told, haunting film won the grand jury prize at its bow in the Shanghai Film Festival's competition, while Salome Demuria (House of Others) took home best actress laurels for an achingly tough performance that is hard to forget.

Tsintsadze (Lost Killers, Mediator) opens ...

China’s top film festival showered its highest three honors on the Iranian film “Castle of Dreams,” hours after U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration would on Monday impose “major additional sanctions” on Tehran.

“Castle of Dreams,” a drama about family, separation and keeping one’s promises collected a trio of prizes on Sunday night at the Shanghai International Film Festival. It won the Golden Goblet prize for best film, the best director prize for Reza Mirkarimi, and a shared best actor award for Hamed Saberi Behdad.

The almost unprecedented awards haul comes at a time when analysts say that Beijing and Tehran are likely to develop even closer cooperation as their respective relationships with the U.S. deteriorate. China is Iran’s largest trading partner, and Tehran’s willingness to stand up to U.S. pressure is partially due to ability to fall back on Beijing’s support.