Have you ever showed up to speed dating only to find the opposite side of the barcade banquette occupied by a Puritan it-girl, Chicano art collective or trans-femme disco-dancing granny? For that matter, has your scorecard of prospective singles ever included A24? Hulu? ABC News? If not, then you’ve never been on the floor to pitch your latest film project at Film Independent Fast Track.
Now in its 21st year, Fast Track seeks to inject some much-needed capital and support into a diverse range of deserving independent film projects, both fiction and nonfiction. Taking place online December 4–6, the program is an intensive four-day film-financing market; participating filmmakers are connected with established financiers, production companies, agents, managers and other pros who can move their current projects forward.
Making friends at Fast Track
“This year’s Fast Track line-up of projects reflects the current landscape’s desire for bold, innovative and entertaining films.
Now in its 21st year, Fast Track seeks to inject some much-needed capital and support into a diverse range of deserving independent film projects, both fiction and nonfiction. Taking place online December 4–6, the program is an intensive four-day film-financing market; participating filmmakers are connected with established financiers, production companies, agents, managers and other pros who can move their current projects forward.
Making friends at Fast Track
“This year’s Fast Track line-up of projects reflects the current landscape’s desire for bold, innovative and entertaining films.
- 12/12/2023
- by Film Independent
- Film Independent News & More
Film Independent announced that 16 projects were selected for the 21st Fast Track Film Finance Market taking place online December 4–6th, 2023. The program is an intensive, film-financing market in which participants are connected with established financiers, production companies, agents, managers and other film industry professionals who can move their current projects forward.
“This year’s Fast Track line-up of projects reflects the current landscape’s desire for bold, innovative and entertaining films. We’re thrilled to introduce the dynamic and talented filmmakers behind these films at this year’s finance market.” said Angela Lee, Director of Artist Development.
The Sloan Fast Track Grant, a $20,000 grant to support the production of a project that explores science and technology themes or characters in engaging and innovative ways, is awarded towriter/directorCole Smith and producer Nicholas Nyhof for their project Silo.
The Cayton-Goldrich Family Foundation Fellowship is a $10,000 grant that is awarded to a...
“This year’s Fast Track line-up of projects reflects the current landscape’s desire for bold, innovative and entertaining films. We’re thrilled to introduce the dynamic and talented filmmakers behind these films at this year’s finance market.” said Angela Lee, Director of Artist Development.
The Sloan Fast Track Grant, a $20,000 grant to support the production of a project that explores science and technology themes or characters in engaging and innovative ways, is awarded towriter/directorCole Smith and producer Nicholas Nyhof for their project Silo.
The Cayton-Goldrich Family Foundation Fellowship is a $10,000 grant that is awarded to a...
- 12/12/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
2023 edition of international finance forum adds episodic content to line-up.
Canadian 2Slgbtq+ film festival Inside Out has unveiled 11 projects to participate in this weekend’s seventh annual international finance forum, which is moving ahead after the end of the Hollywood strikes.
The two-day forum had been scheduled to run during Inside Out’s flagship festival in Toronto in May and now takes place from November 17-18.
The agenda includes in-person conversations and interactive panel discussions with queer filmmakers and producers, as well as one-on-one meetings with executives, and roundtable sessions on co-producing with Canada, and entertainment law and music rights.
Canadian 2Slgbtq+ film festival Inside Out has unveiled 11 projects to participate in this weekend’s seventh annual international finance forum, which is moving ahead after the end of the Hollywood strikes.
The two-day forum had been scheduled to run during Inside Out’s flagship festival in Toronto in May and now takes place from November 17-18.
The agenda includes in-person conversations and interactive panel discussions with queer filmmakers and producers, as well as one-on-one meetings with executives, and roundtable sessions on co-producing with Canada, and entertainment law and music rights.
- 11/17/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
In Flames, the feature debut of Pakistani-Canadian director Zarrar Kahn, has been picked up for the U.S. market by Game Theory Films.
The Urdu-language horror movie, which premiered as part of Cannes Directors’ Fortnight lineup, follows a young woman and her mother tormented by real and fantastic forces following the death of the family patriarch. The ensemble cast includes Ramesha Nawal, Bakhtawar Mazhar, Omar Javaid, Mohammad Ali Hashmi, Adnan Shah Tipu and Jibraan Khan.
A theatrical release is set in early 2024 in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Toronto and Vancouver, with a focus on South Asian audiences across North America. A home video and video-on-demand release of In Flames is scheduled to follow in the second quarter of 2024.
The AFM deal for In Flames with sales agent XYZ Films follows Game Theory Films earlier nabbing the Canadian rights out of Cannes to the horror film that is also Pakistan...
The Urdu-language horror movie, which premiered as part of Cannes Directors’ Fortnight lineup, follows a young woman and her mother tormented by real and fantastic forces following the death of the family patriarch. The ensemble cast includes Ramesha Nawal, Bakhtawar Mazhar, Omar Javaid, Mohammad Ali Hashmi, Adnan Shah Tipu and Jibraan Khan.
A theatrical release is set in early 2024 in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Toronto and Vancouver, with a focus on South Asian audiences across North America. A home video and video-on-demand release of In Flames is scheduled to follow in the second quarter of 2024.
The AFM deal for In Flames with sales agent XYZ Films follows Game Theory Films earlier nabbing the Canadian rights out of Cannes to the horror film that is also Pakistan...
- 11/7/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: United Talent Agency has signed Zarrar Kahn, director of Pakistan’s Oscar entry In Flames, for representation in all areas.
In Flames premiered at this year’s Cannes film festival in Directors Fortnight and was recently named as Pakistan’s submission for the Best International Feature category of the Oscars. The film has also played at festivals including Toronto, Busan, Sitges, Pingyao, Helsinki, and SXSW Sydney.
The film, which is Kahn’s feature directorial debut, revolves around a mother and daughter whose precarious existence is ripped apart following the death of the family patriarch.
Produced by Anam Abbas and executive produced by Shant Joshi, Todd Brown and Maxime Cottray, the film recently won the Kevin Tierney Indiescreen Award for Emerging Producer at Toronto and Best Feature at the International South Asian Film Festival Canada.
Prior to In Flames, Kahn’s international breakout short film Dia, about a girl who...
In Flames premiered at this year’s Cannes film festival in Directors Fortnight and was recently named as Pakistan’s submission for the Best International Feature category of the Oscars. The film has also played at festivals including Toronto, Busan, Sitges, Pingyao, Helsinki, and SXSW Sydney.
The film, which is Kahn’s feature directorial debut, revolves around a mother and daughter whose precarious existence is ripped apart following the death of the family patriarch.
Produced by Anam Abbas and executive produced by Shant Joshi, Todd Brown and Maxime Cottray, the film recently won the Kevin Tierney Indiescreen Award for Emerging Producer at Toronto and Best Feature at the International South Asian Film Festival Canada.
Prior to In Flames, Kahn’s international breakout short film Dia, about a girl who...
- 10/31/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Pakistan: “In Flames”
Zarrar Kahn’s horror film “In Flames” is Pakistan’s entry for the international feature Oscar. The film debuted at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight earlier this year.
In the Karachi-set film, after the death of the family patriarch, a mother and daughter’s precarious existence is ripped apart by figures from their past – both real and phantasmal. They must find strength in each other if they are to survive the malevolent forces that threaten to engulf them.
The film, produced by Anam Abbas and executive produced by Shant Joshi, Todd Brown and Maxime Cottray, is part of XYZ’s New Visions slate. As revealed by Variety, XYZ had boarded the title last year.
“‘In Flames’ has resonated profoundly with our committee members, as it beautifully encapsulates the essence of our culture, art, and cinematic craftsmanship. We believe that the narrative, performances, direction, and every element that went into...
Zarrar Kahn’s horror film “In Flames” is Pakistan’s entry for the international feature Oscar. The film debuted at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight earlier this year.
In the Karachi-set film, after the death of the family patriarch, a mother and daughter’s precarious existence is ripped apart by figures from their past – both real and phantasmal. They must find strength in each other if they are to survive the malevolent forces that threaten to engulf them.
The film, produced by Anam Abbas and executive produced by Shant Joshi, Todd Brown and Maxime Cottray, is part of XYZ’s New Visions slate. As revealed by Variety, XYZ had boarded the title last year.
“‘In Flames’ has resonated profoundly with our committee members, as it beautifully encapsulates the essence of our culture, art, and cinematic craftsmanship. We believe that the narrative, performances, direction, and every element that went into...
- 10/28/2023
- by Patrick Frater, Leo Barraclough, Ellise Shafer, Elsa Keslassy, John Hopewell, Naman Ramachandran, Nick Vivarelli, K.J. Yossman and Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Anand Ramayya’s Karma Film is set to produce Maya Bastian’s The Devil’s Tears alongside Canada’s Blackout Media, while Shant Joshi’s Fae Pictures has also come on board to executive produce.
Karma Film and Fae Pictures are both South Asian-Canadian owned production outfits, with recent feature film credits including Donkeyhead and Cannes Directors Fortnight title In Flames, respectively.
Written and to be directed by Bastian as her debut feature, The Devil’s Tears is an ensemble horror film set in a remote Sri Lankan jungle village that has been ravaged by war. A red rain begins to fall in the village at night, leading to a dismantling of the villagers’ societal order.
The project is currently in development with financing expected to begin late 2024 and production to take place in 2025-2026 in India. Development is financed by Creative Saskatchewan, and the project has been selected...
Karma Film and Fae Pictures are both South Asian-Canadian owned production outfits, with recent feature film credits including Donkeyhead and Cannes Directors Fortnight title In Flames, respectively.
Written and to be directed by Bastian as her debut feature, The Devil’s Tears is an ensemble horror film set in a remote Sri Lankan jungle village that has been ravaged by war. A red rain begins to fall in the village at night, leading to a dismantling of the villagers’ societal order.
The project is currently in development with financing expected to begin late 2024 and production to take place in 2025-2026 in India. Development is financed by Creative Saskatchewan, and the project has been selected...
- 10/10/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Shant Joshi’s Los Angeles and Toronto-based company Fae Pictures (2023 Cannes title “In Flames”) has boarded Cape Town-based company Giant Films’ “Runs in the Family.”
Fae will executive produce and handle the festival launch of the LGBTQ+ road trip family drama, a clip for which has been unveiled. The film is by real-life father-son duo Ian Gabriel (“Ludik”) and Gabe Gabriel (“No Hiding Here”). Ian directed and Gabe wrote and stars in “Runs in the Family.” The film marks Gabe’s first professional role since he came out as trans in 2019.
The film follows a reformed con artist, Varun (Ace Bhatti), and his transmasculine son, River (Gabe Gabriel), on a road trip across South Africa to break River’s estranged mother (Diaan Lawrenson) out of rehab. When injury befalls Ollie (Cleo Wesley), River’s drag partner and best friend, his mother propels father and son to partner up for a...
Fae will executive produce and handle the festival launch of the LGBTQ+ road trip family drama, a clip for which has been unveiled. The film is by real-life father-son duo Ian Gabriel (“Ludik”) and Gabe Gabriel (“No Hiding Here”). Ian directed and Gabe wrote and stars in “Runs in the Family.” The film marks Gabe’s first professional role since he came out as trans in 2019.
The film follows a reformed con artist, Varun (Ace Bhatti), and his transmasculine son, River (Gabe Gabriel), on a road trip across South Africa to break River’s estranged mother (Diaan Lawrenson) out of rehab. When injury befalls Ollie (Cleo Wesley), River’s drag partner and best friend, his mother propels father and son to partner up for a...
- 5/26/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
A group of South Asian filmmakers, including Indian director Anurag Kashyap (Kennedy) and the team behind Pakistani Directors Fortnight title In Flames, talked on a Cannes panel about how cinema can cross the political barriers that are keeping their countries apart.
Tensions between India and Pakistan are making it difficult for films and filmmakers to travel between each other’s countries, despite the popularity of Indian cinema in Pakistan, and the recent rise of Pakistani films on the world stage, including In Flames and last year’s Cannes Un Certain Regard Jury Prize winner, Joyland.
Kashyap, who is in Cannes with neo-noir thriller Kennedy playing Out Of Competition, said a new generation of young producers from different South Asian countries is helping talent from the region to work together and introducing global audiences to the whole region’s films: “These young producers make a difference because they don’t have any boundaries,...
Tensions between India and Pakistan are making it difficult for films and filmmakers to travel between each other’s countries, despite the popularity of Indian cinema in Pakistan, and the recent rise of Pakistani films on the world stage, including In Flames and last year’s Cannes Un Certain Regard Jury Prize winner, Joyland.
Kashyap, who is in Cannes with neo-noir thriller Kennedy playing Out Of Competition, said a new generation of young producers from different South Asian countries is helping talent from the region to work together and introducing global audiences to the whole region’s films: “These young producers make a difference because they don’t have any boundaries,...
- 5/22/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
XYZ Films has unveiled the first clip from Cannes Directors’ Fortnight selection “In Flames,” a Pakistani-Canadian horror film directed by Zarrar Kahn.
The film, produced by Anam Abbas and executive produced by Shant Joshi, Todd Brown and Maxime Cottray, is part of XYZ’s New Visions slate. As revealed by Variety, XYZ had boarded the title last year.
In the Karachi-set film, after the death of the family patriarch, a mother and daughter’s precarious existence is ripped apart by figures from their past – both real and phantasmal. They must find strength in each other if they are to survive the malevolent forces that threaten to engulf them.
It is the first Pakistan-set film in Directors’ Fortnight since Jamil Dehlavi’s “The Blood of Hussain” was selected in 1980.
Kahn, who is now based in Canada, was born in and grew up in Karachi. “In Flames,” which is Kahn’s feature debut grew out of “Dia,...
The film, produced by Anam Abbas and executive produced by Shant Joshi, Todd Brown and Maxime Cottray, is part of XYZ’s New Visions slate. As revealed by Variety, XYZ had boarded the title last year.
In the Karachi-set film, after the death of the family patriarch, a mother and daughter’s precarious existence is ripped apart by figures from their past – both real and phantasmal. They must find strength in each other if they are to survive the malevolent forces that threaten to engulf them.
It is the first Pakistan-set film in Directors’ Fortnight since Jamil Dehlavi’s “The Blood of Hussain” was selected in 1980.
Kahn, who is now based in Canada, was born in and grew up in Karachi. “In Flames,” which is Kahn’s feature debut grew out of “Dia,...
- 5/19/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Montreal-based company represents worldwide rights excluding Canada on both titles.
Montreal-based Sphere Films has added two completed features to its Cannes line-up and will launch sales on the Croisette later this month on Queen Tut and Red Rooms.
Reem Morsi (The Last Mark) directed Queen Tut, which stars Alexandra Billings from Transparent in the story of an Egyptian teenager who leaves Cairo when his mother dies and lands in the underground queer nightlife scene in Toronto where he confronts his mother’s death by becoming a drag artist – much to his father’s disapproval.
The Canadian drama is in English...
Montreal-based Sphere Films has added two completed features to its Cannes line-up and will launch sales on the Croisette later this month on Queen Tut and Red Rooms.
Reem Morsi (The Last Mark) directed Queen Tut, which stars Alexandra Billings from Transparent in the story of an Egyptian teenager who leaves Cairo when his mother dies and lands in the underground queer nightlife scene in Toronto where he confronts his mother’s death by becoming a drag artist – much to his father’s disapproval.
The Canadian drama is in English...
- 5/3/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Christina Hendricks will lead the psychological thriller “Reckoner,” which will be sold at the Cannes Film Festival this month.
The project is written and directed by Nissar Modi (“Z for Zacharian”), who will be making his big screen directorial debut.
In the film, an affluent woman’s carefully constructed life is disrupted by a young man connected to a tightly-held secret from her past.
The film is based on a short story by late writer Rachel Ingalls and will be produced by XYZ Films and Two & Two Pictures, with XYZ Films financing. XYZ Films has also added “Reckoner” to its New Visions slate of films, with world sales launching in Cannes.
The recently launched New Visions is designed to spotlight new voices alongside established talent that are striking a new path in the international space. “Reckoner” will be the first package in pre-production to run through the new slate.
The project is written and directed by Nissar Modi (“Z for Zacharian”), who will be making his big screen directorial debut.
In the film, an affluent woman’s carefully constructed life is disrupted by a young man connected to a tightly-held secret from her past.
The film is based on a short story by late writer Rachel Ingalls and will be produced by XYZ Films and Two & Two Pictures, with XYZ Films financing. XYZ Films has also added “Reckoner” to its New Visions slate of films, with world sales launching in Cannes.
The recently launched New Visions is designed to spotlight new voices alongside established talent that are striking a new path in the international space. “Reckoner” will be the first package in pre-production to run through the new slate.
- 5/2/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
XYZ Films has unveiled New Visions, an initiative designed to spotlight bold new voices alongside established talent striking a new path in the international cinema space.
The initiative will serve as a curated collection of films that “exists to discover and support the next generation of great filmmakers at the inception of their career, and to give established talents room to do something smaller, more intimate, or challenging outside of the usual box of independent filmmaking,” XYZ said in a statement.
The slate will launch in Cannes with Directors’ Fortnight selection “In Flames,” a Pakistani-Canadian horror film directed by Zarrar Kahn and executive produced by Shant Joshi. As revealed by Variety, XYZ had boarded the title last year. In the Karachi-set film, after the death of the family patriarch, a mother and daughter’s precarious existence is ripped apart by figures from their past – both real and phantasmal. They must...
The initiative will serve as a curated collection of films that “exists to discover and support the next generation of great filmmakers at the inception of their career, and to give established talents room to do something smaller, more intimate, or challenging outside of the usual box of independent filmmaking,” XYZ said in a statement.
The slate will launch in Cannes with Directors’ Fortnight selection “In Flames,” a Pakistani-Canadian horror film directed by Zarrar Kahn and executive produced by Shant Joshi. As revealed by Variety, XYZ had boarded the title last year. In the Karachi-set film, after the death of the family patriarch, a mother and daughter’s precarious existence is ripped apart by figures from their past – both real and phantasmal. They must...
- 4/19/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
XYZ Films has hired Manon Barat, a former executive at the Spanish sales company Film Factory, to head a slate of titles that will fall under the company’s newly-launched global film initiative, New Visions.
Barat will work alongside XYZ Head of International Acquisitions Todd Brown to oversee the new slate, which the company has described as a “highly curated collection of films.”
XYZ will launch the new slate in Cannes with In Flames, a Pakistani-Canadian horror film directed by Zarrar Kahn and executive produced by Shant Joshi. The pic will screen as part of the Directors’ Fortnight sidebar. Check out a first-look image from the film below.
Other titles from the initial New Visions slate include the Czech sci-fi pic Restore Point, directed by Robert Hloz and produced by Jan Kallista, which will have footage screened at the Marché du Film as part of the Fantastic 7 lineup. Paul Duane...
Barat will work alongside XYZ Head of International Acquisitions Todd Brown to oversee the new slate, which the company has described as a “highly curated collection of films.”
XYZ will launch the new slate in Cannes with In Flames, a Pakistani-Canadian horror film directed by Zarrar Kahn and executive produced by Shant Joshi. The pic will screen as part of the Directors’ Fortnight sidebar. Check out a first-look image from the film below.
Other titles from the initial New Visions slate include the Czech sci-fi pic Restore Point, directed by Robert Hloz and produced by Jan Kallista, which will have footage screened at the Marché du Film as part of the Fantastic 7 lineup. Paul Duane...
- 4/19/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Asia-focused production, financing and sales outfit Est Studios has acquired international sales rights to Canneseries selection Streams Flow From A River, produced by Canada’s Fae Pictures.
Created by Christopher Yip, the English-language series is premiering in the Canneseries Short Form Competition at MipTV.
The series follows the struggles of a Chinese-Canadian immigrant family, who dream of owning land and place their bets on a laundromat in a tiny rural town in Alberta, Canada. When a freak snowstorm traps the dysfunctional family together, they are forced to confront events from a decade ago that tore them all apart.
The ensemble cast includes veteran Chinese-Canadian actors Jane Luk and Simon Sinn; rising stars Liam Ma and Danielle Ayow; Canadian TV actor Jinny Wong; Hong Kong-Canadian actor Raymond Chan, and newcomers Dana Liu and Adrian So.
The series also features performances from Indigenous actors Wesley French (Tribal) and Colton Clause (Three Pines...
Created by Christopher Yip, the English-language series is premiering in the Canneseries Short Form Competition at MipTV.
The series follows the struggles of a Chinese-Canadian immigrant family, who dream of owning land and place their bets on a laundromat in a tiny rural town in Alberta, Canada. When a freak snowstorm traps the dysfunctional family together, they are forced to confront events from a decade ago that tore them all apart.
The ensemble cast includes veteran Chinese-Canadian actors Jane Luk and Simon Sinn; rising stars Liam Ma and Danielle Ayow; Canadian TV actor Jinny Wong; Hong Kong-Canadian actor Raymond Chan, and newcomers Dana Liu and Adrian So.
The series also features performances from Indigenous actors Wesley French (Tribal) and Colton Clause (Three Pines...
- 4/19/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Canadian drama series “Streams Flow From a River” will debut in Canada on Super Channel, available on Apple TV and Prime Video Channels, on April 1.
The series is in the Canneseries short format competition and will have its international premiere at the festival on April 18.
Produced by Canadian scripted production company Fae Pictures, “Streams Flow From a River” (6 x 14′) is the first Canadian series from an all-Asian writers’ room and 75% East Asian crew led by producer Shant Joshi. Joshi is one of MipTV’s Producers to Watch 2023 and will be attending Mip-Canneseries Connections event.
Created by writer and director Christopher Yip (“Fish Boy”), the series brings forward the invisible struggles that Chinese Canadian immigrant families face while trying to make a home in the West. With nods to Asian cinema films like Edward Yang’s “Yi Yi” and BBC drama “I May Destroy You,” “Streams Flow From a River” revolves around the Chow family,...
The series is in the Canneseries short format competition and will have its international premiere at the festival on April 18.
Produced by Canadian scripted production company Fae Pictures, “Streams Flow From a River” (6 x 14′) is the first Canadian series from an all-Asian writers’ room and 75% East Asian crew led by producer Shant Joshi. Joshi is one of MipTV’s Producers to Watch 2023 and will be attending Mip-Canneseries Connections event.
Created by writer and director Christopher Yip (“Fish Boy”), the series brings forward the invisible struggles that Chinese Canadian immigrant families face while trying to make a home in the West. With nods to Asian cinema films like Edward Yang’s “Yi Yi” and BBC drama “I May Destroy You,” “Streams Flow From a River” revolves around the Chow family,...
- 3/30/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Long before Canada sought greater diversity for its homegrown films in recent years, its movie industry depended on a web of international co-production treaties to get indie fare into the global market.
Now the Canadian industry is looking to marry that diversity drive with international co-production coin as racially diverse filmmakers converge at the Berlin Film Festival and its European Film Market (EFM).
Take Toronto producer Shehrezade Mian of Markhor Pictures, who is targeting foreign sales for Antoine Bourges’ Concrete Valley, an English- and Arabic-language immigrant drama anchored in Canada. Chronicling the struggles of a Syrian family attempting to make a life in the Great White North, the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and will screen in the Berlinale’s Forum program.
Antoine Bourges’ Concrete Valley tells the story of a Syrian family adjusting to life in Canada.
While in Berlin, Mian will fly the Maple...
Now the Canadian industry is looking to marry that diversity drive with international co-production coin as racially diverse filmmakers converge at the Berlin Film Festival and its European Film Market (EFM).
Take Toronto producer Shehrezade Mian of Markhor Pictures, who is targeting foreign sales for Antoine Bourges’ Concrete Valley, an English- and Arabic-language immigrant drama anchored in Canada. Chronicling the struggles of a Syrian family attempting to make a life in the Great White North, the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and will screen in the Berlinale’s Forum program.
Antoine Bourges’ Concrete Valley tells the story of a Syrian family adjusting to life in Canada.
While in Berlin, Mian will fly the Maple...
- 2/16/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Blown Away producer Marblemedia and Fae Pictures have a union-organizing drama, Salt, in development.
The series is created by Transplant writer Abdul Malik and is pitched as an exposé into how union organizing in America works. Salt follows Mohammad “Mo” Akram, a young man who takes a job as a “salt,” which is a labor union term for someone who goes undercover to get a job in a workplace with the goal of organizing a union.
The political drama will see Mo covertly unionize an upscale international hotel chain in Chicago, while leaving vulnerable workers he aims to protect and threatening his politically influential family.
Besides co-writing the the film Peace By Chocolate, which premiered at Tribeca, Malik has written for NBC’s Transplant and penned two feature films, Streams Flow from a River and Queen Tut.
Marblemedia acquired the project at the...
Blown Away producer Marblemedia and Fae Pictures have a union-organizing drama, Salt, in development.
The series is created by Transplant writer Abdul Malik and is pitched as an exposé into how union organizing in America works. Salt follows Mohammad “Mo” Akram, a young man who takes a job as a “salt,” which is a labor union term for someone who goes undercover to get a job in a workplace with the goal of organizing a union.
The political drama will see Mo covertly unionize an upscale international hotel chain in Chicago, while leaving vulnerable workers he aims to protect and threatening his politically influential family.
Besides co-writing the the film Peace By Chocolate, which premiered at Tribeca, Malik has written for NBC’s Transplant and penned two feature films, Streams Flow from a River and Queen Tut.
Marblemedia acquired the project at the...
- 11/23/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Canada’s Marblemedia and LA- and Toronto-based Fae Pictures have teamed to develop political prime-time drama series Salt, from screenwriter Abdul Malik (Transplant).
Blown Away producer Marblemedia acquired rights to the project at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival’s Series Accelerator program.
Salt follows Mohammad “Mo” Akram, raised by a wealthy and politically influential Muslim family that’s reeling from a scandal that’s decimated the U.S.’s working class. Seeking to make amends for his father’s mistakes, he takes a job as a ‘salt’ — someone who gets a job at a specific workplace with the intention of organizing a union — so he can infiltrate and covertly bring together the workers at an opulent international hotel chain in Chicago from the inside.
The series will address the resurgent labor movement currently sweeping through the U.S. in a world shaped by Malik’s personal insights working within the movement for a decade.
Blown Away producer Marblemedia acquired rights to the project at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival’s Series Accelerator program.
Salt follows Mohammad “Mo” Akram, raised by a wealthy and politically influential Muslim family that’s reeling from a scandal that’s decimated the U.S.’s working class. Seeking to make amends for his father’s mistakes, he takes a job as a ‘salt’ — someone who gets a job at a specific workplace with the intention of organizing a union — so he can infiltrate and covertly bring together the workers at an opulent international hotel chain in Chicago from the inside.
The series will address the resurgent labor movement currently sweeping through the U.S. in a world shaped by Malik’s personal insights working within the movement for a decade.
- 11/23/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
XYZ Films has boarded horror film “In Flames” and will handle North American sales rights.
In the Karachi-set film, after the death of the family patriarch, a mother and daughter’s precarious existence is ripped apart by figures from their past – both real and phantasmal. They must find strength in each other if they are to survive the malevolent forces that threaten to engulf them.
The film is directed by Zarrar Kahn, an award-winning Pakistani-Canadian writer, director and producer, produced by Pakistani-Canadian Anam Abbas and executive produced by Indian-American Shant Joshi.
“In Flames” is officially a Canada-Pakistan co-production with support from Telefilm Canada. Production companies include CityLights Media, Other Memory Media and Fae Pictures.
The film is currently in post production and working towards a festival premiere in 2023.
Kahn said: “We’re thrilled to partner with XYZ films in bringing ‘In Flames’ to audiences. Our goal was to create a...
In the Karachi-set film, after the death of the family patriarch, a mother and daughter’s precarious existence is ripped apart by figures from their past – both real and phantasmal. They must find strength in each other if they are to survive the malevolent forces that threaten to engulf them.
The film is directed by Zarrar Kahn, an award-winning Pakistani-Canadian writer, director and producer, produced by Pakistani-Canadian Anam Abbas and executive produced by Indian-American Shant Joshi.
“In Flames” is officially a Canada-Pakistan co-production with support from Telefilm Canada. Production companies include CityLights Media, Other Memory Media and Fae Pictures.
The film is currently in post production and working towards a festival premiere in 2023.
Kahn said: “We’re thrilled to partner with XYZ films in bringing ‘In Flames’ to audiences. Our goal was to create a...
- 11/23/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Eddie Redmayne, Viola Davis, Lee Jung-jae to participate in on-stage conversations.
TIFF has announced the In Conversation With… series and the talent development programmes and participants.
On-stage conversation participants include Eddie Redmayne, Viola Davis and Lee Jung-jae, while Sarah Gadon is announced as the TIFF Micki Moore Residency.
The festival has also unveiled the 10 Industry Selects roster of acquisition titles. TIFF runs from September 8-1.
In Conversation With…
The In Conversation With… series features Damien Chazelle, the director of La La Land and Whiplash whose December release Babylon is expected to be an awards contender; Viola Davis and Gina Prince-Bythewood,...
TIFF has announced the In Conversation With… series and the talent development programmes and participants.
On-stage conversation participants include Eddie Redmayne, Viola Davis and Lee Jung-jae, while Sarah Gadon is announced as the TIFF Micki Moore Residency.
The festival has also unveiled the 10 Industry Selects roster of acquisition titles. TIFF runs from September 8-1.
In Conversation With…
The In Conversation With… series features Damien Chazelle, the director of La La Land and Whiplash whose December release Babylon is expected to be an awards contender; Viola Davis and Gina Prince-Bythewood,...
- 8/23/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Hybrid feature will screen at NewFest in NYC on June 5.
Kino Lorber has picked up North American rights from UTA Independent Film Group to Framing Agnes, Chase Joynt’s hybrid feature and Sundance Next award-winner.
The film marks the solo directorial debut of Joynt, who previously co-directed No Ordinary Man, and explores the experiences of trans people past and present through re-enactments of transcripts from a UCLA gender study conducted in the 1960s. It is based on Joynt’s 2020 short.
Framing Agnes is based on a screenplay by Joynt and Morgan M. Page. Joynt produced with Samantha Curley, and Shant Joshi.
Kino Lorber has picked up North American rights from UTA Independent Film Group to Framing Agnes, Chase Joynt’s hybrid feature and Sundance Next award-winner.
The film marks the solo directorial debut of Joynt, who previously co-directed No Ordinary Man, and explores the experiences of trans people past and present through re-enactments of transcripts from a UCLA gender study conducted in the 1960s. It is based on Joynt’s 2020 short.
Framing Agnes is based on a screenplay by Joynt and Morgan M. Page. Joynt produced with Samantha Curley, and Shant Joshi.
- 6/3/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
“Framing Agnes,” a hybrid narrative and documentary feature film that explores trans lives and history, has sold North American distribution rights to Kino Lorber.
Directed by Chase Joynt, the film closely and accurately depicts the journey of trans people past and present through reenactments of transcripts from a notable 1960s UCLA gender study. Based on a short by Joynt which premiered and nabbed awards at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, the project features a cast of trans performers and academics that includes Jules Gill-Peterson, Angelica Ross, Jen Richards, Zackary Drucker, Max Wolf Valerio, Silas Howard and Stephen Ira.
The film will make its New York premiere at NewFest on June 5, followed by a theatrical release from Kino Lorber in December. Joynt and Morgan M. Page wrote the script, produced by Joynt, Samantha Curley and Shant Joshi. Kino Lorber senior vice president Wendy Lidell negotiated on behalf of the label, with UTA...
Directed by Chase Joynt, the film closely and accurately depicts the journey of trans people past and present through reenactments of transcripts from a notable 1960s UCLA gender study. Based on a short by Joynt which premiered and nabbed awards at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, the project features a cast of trans performers and academics that includes Jules Gill-Peterson, Angelica Ross, Jen Richards, Zackary Drucker, Max Wolf Valerio, Silas Howard and Stephen Ira.
The film will make its New York premiere at NewFest on June 5, followed by a theatrical release from Kino Lorber in December. Joynt and Morgan M. Page wrote the script, produced by Joynt, Samantha Curley and Shant Joshi. Kino Lorber senior vice president Wendy Lidell negotiated on behalf of the label, with UTA...
- 6/3/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
"Transparent" alum Alexandra Billings has announced her next project: she'll be executive producing and starring in "Queen Tut," a new indie feature following a queer Egyptian teenager who befriends a trans mother in Toronto.
The film will be directed by Egyptian Canadian filmmaker Reem Morsi, and the script is written by Bryan Mark, Kaveh Mohebbi, and Abdul Malik. It will be financed and produced in part by Fae Pictures, a production company on a mission to "decolonize Hollywood by creating cinematic content for, by, and about queer, trans, and Bipoc people," according to its website. The company most recently developed "Framing Agnes," which premiered at Sundance 2022.
The film is expected to enter production this summer in Toronto. "This is a film about family. About chosen family and birthed family and the historic value of queer revolution. Generational dialogue is a spiritual experience and every character resonates with a profound sense of beauty,...
The film will be directed by Egyptian Canadian filmmaker Reem Morsi, and the script is written by Bryan Mark, Kaveh Mohebbi, and Abdul Malik. It will be financed and produced in part by Fae Pictures, a production company on a mission to "decolonize Hollywood by creating cinematic content for, by, and about queer, trans, and Bipoc people," according to its website. The company most recently developed "Framing Agnes," which premiered at Sundance 2022.
The film is expected to enter production this summer in Toronto. "This is a film about family. About chosen family and birthed family and the historic value of queer revolution. Generational dialogue is a spiritual experience and every character resonates with a profound sense of beauty,...
- 5/17/2022
- by Eden Arielle Gordon
- Popsugar.com
SAG Award-nominee Alexandra Billings (Transparent) will star in, and executive produce the upcoming trans revolutionary indie feature, Queen Tut.
Fae Pictures is financing and producing the film in association with Hawkeye Pictures with the participation of Telefilm Canada and Ontario Creates. The producing team will be attending the Cannes Market meeting with international sales prospects.
Queen Tut will be directed by Egyptian-Canadian up-and-coming filmmaker Reem Morsi (The Last Mark), and is based on a script from Bryan Mark, Kaveh Mohebbi, and Abdul Malik. The story follows a shy Egyptian teenager who is discovering a new life in Toronto after his seamstress mother passes away in Cairo. He befriends a trans mother, played by Billings, who inspires him to resurrect his mother’s soul in himself by sewing and donning the magnum opus dress that she never completed making.
Production is expected to begin in August at and in partnership with...
Fae Pictures is financing and producing the film in association with Hawkeye Pictures with the participation of Telefilm Canada and Ontario Creates. The producing team will be attending the Cannes Market meeting with international sales prospects.
Queen Tut will be directed by Egyptian-Canadian up-and-coming filmmaker Reem Morsi (The Last Mark), and is based on a script from Bryan Mark, Kaveh Mohebbi, and Abdul Malik. The story follows a shy Egyptian teenager who is discovering a new life in Toronto after his seamstress mother passes away in Cairo. He befriends a trans mother, played by Billings, who inspires him to resurrect his mother’s soul in himself by sewing and donning the magnum opus dress that she never completed making.
Production is expected to begin in August at and in partnership with...
- 5/17/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Rosario Dawson has picked up 2022 GLAAD List script selection Re-Live: A Tale of an American Island Cheerleader as executive producer.
Last week, it was announced that Re-Live was selected for the 2022 GLAAD List, a curated list of the most promising unmade LGBTQ-inclusive film scripts created by GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, in partnership with The Black List, an annual survey of Hollywood executives’ favorite unproduced screenplays.
In Re-Live: A Tale of an American Island Cheerleader, a transgender Hollywood actress returns to her estranged home island of Guam for her high school reunion’s “do over week,” to live out her childhood dream of becoming a cheerleader. But she discovers a different reunion: family. In addition to co-writing, starring, and producing, the film will mark Rain Valdez’s feature directorial debut.
“I am thrilled to be a part of this compelling and absolutely necessary story created...
Last week, it was announced that Re-Live was selected for the 2022 GLAAD List, a curated list of the most promising unmade LGBTQ-inclusive film scripts created by GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, in partnership with The Black List, an annual survey of Hollywood executives’ favorite unproduced screenplays.
In Re-Live: A Tale of an American Island Cheerleader, a transgender Hollywood actress returns to her estranged home island of Guam for her high school reunion’s “do over week,” to live out her childhood dream of becoming a cheerleader. But she discovers a different reunion: family. In addition to co-writing, starring, and producing, the film will mark Rain Valdez’s feature directorial debut.
“I am thrilled to be a part of this compelling and absolutely necessary story created...
- 4/28/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Emergence from pandemic lockdowns and the promise of in-person festivals has excitement brewing for the future of film, and the genre industry is no exception. The official selection of the 2022 Frontières Platform at the Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes is in, and it displays bullish trends for the future of genre.
“There’s a lot of horror, and it kind of goes back to practical effects, and I love that,” says Frontières executive director Annick Mahnert. “Practical effects are coming back, which is great.”
Highlighting this trend is potential standout “Gnomes!” from the Netherlands, a horror film about gnomes who murder curious humans and turn them into sausage while they’re still alive. The film boasts producer and art department master Richard Raaphorst (“Frankenstein’s Army”), who brought the gnomes to life.
Other possible standouts of practical effects are “Requiem for a Robot, “Street Trash” and “Serial Kitten,” which blends costumes and CGI.
“There’s a lot of horror, and it kind of goes back to practical effects, and I love that,” says Frontières executive director Annick Mahnert. “Practical effects are coming back, which is great.”
Highlighting this trend is potential standout “Gnomes!” from the Netherlands, a horror film about gnomes who murder curious humans and turn them into sausage while they’re still alive. The film boasts producer and art department master Richard Raaphorst (“Frankenstein’s Army”), who brought the gnomes to life.
Other possible standouts of practical effects are “Requiem for a Robot, “Street Trash” and “Serial Kitten,” which blends costumes and CGI.
- 4/1/2022
- by JD Linville
- Variety Film + TV
Inside Out, Canada’s largest 2Slgbtq+ film festival and single largest promoter and distributor of 2Slgbtq+ content in Canada, has announced eight new feature film projects that will participate in the festival’s fifth annual Finance Forum during the festival’s 31st year.
The Finance Forum, taking place online from May 31-June 4, during the festival (running May 27-June 6), will provide 2Slgbtq+-identified producers and/or producers creating 2Slgbtq+ content an opportunity to pitch their projects directly to top decision makers. All participating executives will be taking one-on-one meetings online with the creative teams.
Among those taking part are executives from the U.S.’s Neon, Bleecker Street, Killer Films, Cinetic Media, The Film Collaborative, Verve, Powderkeg Media, Little Punk, Symbolic Exchange, Chicago Media Angels, and GLAAD; the U.K.’s Protagonist Pictures and Bankside Films; France’s MK2 Films; Germany’s Films Boutique; and Canada’s CBC Films and WaZabi Films.
The Finance Forum, taking place online from May 31-June 4, during the festival (running May 27-June 6), will provide 2Slgbtq+-identified producers and/or producers creating 2Slgbtq+ content an opportunity to pitch their projects directly to top decision makers. All participating executives will be taking one-on-one meetings online with the creative teams.
Among those taking part are executives from the U.S.’s Neon, Bleecker Street, Killer Films, Cinetic Media, The Film Collaborative, Verve, Powderkeg Media, Little Punk, Symbolic Exchange, Chicago Media Angels, and GLAAD; the U.K.’s Protagonist Pictures and Bankside Films; France’s MK2 Films; Germany’s Films Boutique; and Canada’s CBC Films and WaZabi Films.
- 5/13/2021
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Film Bazaar, South Asia’s largest co-production market, has revealed 21 eclectic projects from several countries and in a welter of languages, for its 2021 online edition.
The selected filmmakers will pitch their projects virtually to a curated audience of Indian and international producers, distributors, festival programmers, financiers and sales agents at an open pitch session. This year, Film Bazaar has also collaborated with the French Embassy in India which will be sponsoring the French Institute Award for one market project.
As is the usual case, the projects are a mix of festival favorites and debutants.
From India, Berlinale title “Eeb Allay Ooo!” editor Tanushree Das and Rotterdam title “Nasir” cinematographer Saumyananda Sahi make their directorial debuts with Bengali-language “Baksho Bondi” (aka “How Long Is Tomorrow?”), produced by Naren Chandavarkar (Rotterdam Fipresci winner “The Bangle Seller”); Tamil-language “Bommainayagi” (aka “Queen Doll”) by debutant Shanawaz Nizamudeen, produced by Pa. Ranjith, director of Rajinikanth...
The selected filmmakers will pitch their projects virtually to a curated audience of Indian and international producers, distributors, festival programmers, financiers and sales agents at an open pitch session. This year, Film Bazaar has also collaborated with the French Embassy in India which will be sponsoring the French Institute Award for one market project.
As is the usual case, the projects are a mix of festival favorites and debutants.
From India, Berlinale title “Eeb Allay Ooo!” editor Tanushree Das and Rotterdam title “Nasir” cinematographer Saumyananda Sahi make their directorial debuts with Bengali-language “Baksho Bondi” (aka “How Long Is Tomorrow?”), produced by Naren Chandavarkar (Rotterdam Fipresci winner “The Bangle Seller”); Tamil-language “Bommainayagi” (aka “Queen Doll”) by debutant Shanawaz Nizamudeen, produced by Pa. Ranjith, director of Rajinikanth...
- 12/22/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Onir is directing and co-writing “symbolic sequel” to his award-winning anthology I Am, with Fawzia Mirza as co-writer.
Shant Joshi’s Canada-based Fae Pictures is joining forces with Indian director Onir’s Anticlock Films on LGBTQ-themed feature We Are, which is being set up as an India-Canada co-production.
Onir is directing and co-writing the feature with Fawzia Mirza (Signature Move). Anticlock’s Sanjay Suri is producing with Onir and Joshi, in association with Baby Daal Productions. Production is expected to start in late 2021 or early 2022.
The two companies describe the project as a “symbolic sequel” to Onir’s award-winning 2011 anthology film,...
Shant Joshi’s Canada-based Fae Pictures is joining forces with Indian director Onir’s Anticlock Films on LGBTQ-themed feature We Are, which is being set up as an India-Canada co-production.
Onir is directing and co-writing the feature with Fawzia Mirza (Signature Move). Anticlock’s Sanjay Suri is producing with Onir and Joshi, in association with Baby Daal Productions. Production is expected to start in late 2021 or early 2022.
The two companies describe the project as a “symbolic sequel” to Onir’s award-winning 2011 anthology film,...
- 12/9/2020
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Rain Valdez and Rachel Leyco will star in the trans-led romantic comedy “Re-Live: A Tale of an American Island Cheerleader,” Variety has learned exclusively.
Fae Pictures has partnered with Now>Ever to finance and produce and will be pitching the project as a part of their slate at the Toronto Intl. Film Festival and at Toronto’s Inside Out LGBT Film Festival in October.
The script, written by Valdez and Leyco, centers on a high school in Guam that decides to create a “Do-Over Week” for its 10-year class reunion, where Valdez’ 29-year-old transgender Hollywood movie star Rowena decides to face her past and go back to her hometown to live her childhood dream of becoming a cheerleader. But Rowena’s commitment to the cheer squad falters when her mother’s cancer spreads. Leyco will co-star as Rowena’s sister.
The project won the Inside Out LGBT Pitch Please! contest last year in Toronto.
Fae Pictures has partnered with Now>Ever to finance and produce and will be pitching the project as a part of their slate at the Toronto Intl. Film Festival and at Toronto’s Inside Out LGBT Film Festival in October.
The script, written by Valdez and Leyco, centers on a high school in Guam that decides to create a “Do-Over Week” for its 10-year class reunion, where Valdez’ 29-year-old transgender Hollywood movie star Rowena decides to face her past and go back to her hometown to live her childhood dream of becoming a cheerleader. But Rowena’s commitment to the cheer squad falters when her mother’s cancer spreads. Leyco will co-star as Rowena’s sister.
The project won the Inside Out LGBT Pitch Please! contest last year in Toronto.
- 9/11/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Film lab includes projects from the UK, US, Canada and Australia.
Thirteen international projects have been selected for the inaugural development lab Attagirl, designed to support female and non-binary filmmakers.
It is an initiative of Australia’s For FIlm’s Sake and is supported by Screen Australia’s Enterprise Business and Ideas programme, advocacy organisation For Film’s Sake, and the Toronto and Sydney International Film Festivals.
The first of three workshops in a 10-month programme will take place this week. It will include projects spanning the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Sweden and New Zealand and will include creatives from Mexico and Trinidad.
Thirteen international projects have been selected for the inaugural development lab Attagirl, designed to support female and non-binary filmmakers.
It is an initiative of Australia’s For FIlm’s Sake and is supported by Screen Australia’s Enterprise Business and Ideas programme, advocacy organisation For Film’s Sake, and the Toronto and Sydney International Film Festivals.
The first of three workshops in a 10-month programme will take place this week. It will include projects spanning the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Sweden and New Zealand and will include creatives from Mexico and Trinidad.
- 9/11/2020
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
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