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Bangkok Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Bangkok Post
Thailand eyes B10bn from foreign film production
The Thai government expects 10 billion baht in full-year revenue from foreign film productions, deputy government spokesperson Sasikan Watthanachan said on Saturday. Data from the Department of Tourism's Thailand Film Office (TFO), covering Jan 1 to June 30, showed 279 foreign film projects shot in Thailand, generating 2.8 billion baht in production revenue. The figures were based on officially permitted projects, positively impacting the Thai film industry and tourism, Ms Sasikan said. The top countries filming in Thailand were India, South Korea, Japan and China, with popular locations including Bangkok, Pathum Thani and Chon Buri. The TFO estimates the total 2025 revenue will reach 10 billion baht, surpassing the initial goal of 7.5 billion baht. Ms Sasikan said the government continues to promote Thailand as a premiere filming destination. Measures include the 30% cash rebate, which the government is also considering extending. Recent films featuring Thailand include " Jurassic World: Rebirth," now in cinemas, and the science-fiction series " Alien: Earth," which will be available on Disney+ on Aug 13 this year. FX Networks recently dropped the second trailer of shot-in-Thailand 'Alien: Earth'. It features Bangkok landscapes, interior scenes and large sets built The Studio Park in Samut Prakan as well as natural beauty of Surat Thani, Krabi and Phang Nga. The government aims to boost its film industry's international profile further through film festivals and promotional campaigns at major industry events like the Cannes Film Market and Berlin International Film Festival.
New Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Why filmmakers can't do without Cannes
I first met independent Assamese filmmaker Rima Das in 2017 at the Marché du Film or Cannes Film Market, when her second feature, Village Rockstars, was featured in the 'HAF Goes To Cannes' initiative. Having been part of the Work In Progress Lab of Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), it had made its way to the market's prestigious platform which provided Das the opportunity to look for post-production funds and pitch to sales agents and other festivals. Goes To Cannes, one of the tailor-made official programmes at the Cannes Film Market, aims to discover promising, new-generation talents through their works-in-progress, selected and curated by partner festivals like the HAF. Thanks to it, not only did Das get a great mentor in the famous editor, Jacques Comets, who guided her with the first cut of Village Rockstars, but found the world opening its door for her modest indie. About a free-spirited and rebellious 10-year-old village girl Dhunu who dreams of owning a guitar and makes herself Styrofoam one till she gets a real one, the film played at hundreds of international festivals thanks to the initial exposure at Cannes. At Toronto and San Sebastian, it was the first film from Northeast India to be featured in the official selection. It won the National Award for the best film in 2018 and went on to represent India at the Oscars. This year, the debut feature of Tribeny Rai—a Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute graduate—Shape of Momo was showcased under the same section. Rai is from Sikkim and her Nepali-language film is set in her home state. She was looking for gap-financing, post-production funds and interactions with sales agents and festival programmers. Whether Shape of Momo will also follow the same trajectory of success as Das's film can't quite be predicted. But what's amply clear is the significance of the market for independent Indian filmmakers trying to strike their own course in the international arena, away from the claptrap and constraints of commercial Indian cinema.
New Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
'Kalam: The Missile Man of India': Dhanush to play APJ Abdul Kalam in biopic directed by Om Raut
Tamil actor Dhanush will play the role of former president APJ Abdul Kalam in his biopic 'Kalam: The Missile Man of India' directed by Om Raut. The film was officially announced at the Cannes Film Market on Wednesday. Dhanush also shared the post poster of the film in his Instagram account. "I feel truly blessed and deeply humbled to be portraying the life of such an inspirational and magnanimous leader - our very own Dr APJ Abdul Kalam sir," he wrote. The film is produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar of T-Series and Abhishek Agarwal and Anil Sunkara of Abhishek Agarwal Arts. Director Om Raut, in a post on X, shared the update on the film. "From Rameswaram to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the journey of a legend begins India's Missile Man is coming to the silver screen. Dream big. Rise higher. #KALAM - The Missile Man of India @dhanushkraja @omraut #BhushanKumar @AbhishekOfficl @AAArtsOfficial," he wrote.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Australia-India Financing Venture Southern Sitara Bows at Cannes Market With Cross-Cultural Slate (EXCLUSIVE)
The growing appetite for Australia-India co-productions has spawned a new financing entity designed to bridge the two markets with structured investment and cultural authenticity. Southern Sitara, unveiled at the Cannes Film Market, represents the latest effort to capitalize on the bilateral co-production treaty between the two countries, targeting features in the AUD5-11 million ($3.2-7 million) range through a hybrid capital model that combines proprietary funds with co-raised investment. More from Variety Dhanush to Play Former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Om Raut-Directed Biopic Alibaba's 'Molly' Acquired for Malaysia by U.K.-China Film Collab (EXCLUSIVE) 'Legacies' Star Kaylee Kaneshiro Boards Cult Survivor Horror 'The Rift' From Helmer Colin Levy (EXCLUSIVE) The venture brings together investment duo Roshni Pandey and Jagdish Sidhu — who oversee portfolios spanning Southeast Asia, London and Australia — with filmmaker Anupam Sharma, architect of the Australia India Film Fund. The trio will partner with production house Temple, which operates from Disney Studios Australia in Sydney. 'Australia provides unprecedented support to screen professionals,' said Sharma. 'Southern Sitara builds on this to enable authentic cultural storytelling.' The financing structure addresses familiar pain points in cross-border production, offering development funding, production investment, gap financing and cash flow loans. Pandey emphasized the de-risking approach: 'We've been piloting business models to de-risk film investment, and Australia's treaties and incentives have helped us transform the narrative.' Southern Sitara has assembled backing from established players in the Australia-India space, including Pradnya and Tej Dugal of Jhumka Films ('Maasa,' 'Farewell Amor'), London-based media investor Jacqui Miller-Charlton, Sydney investor Chandru Tolani and angel investor Shallu Kundra. Distribution is handled through first-look deals with Icon Film for English-language titles and Forum Films for Indian-language releases. The initial slate reflects the cultural bridge the entity aims to build. Projects include 'The Return,' a thriller from actor-director Anupam Kher shot extensively in Australia, horror film 'Shadows' that blends First Nations and Indian mythologies, and 'The Indian Cowboy,' inspired by India's sole country music performer Bobby Cash, who was discovered Down Under. Additional titles in development include Richard Jameson's 'Bidjara Kumari,' which has received backing from Screen Australia and Screen Queensland, and 'Framed,' supported by Screen Australia, Screen NSW and SBS. The venture has recruited Australian producers Lisa Duff ('Last Cab to Darwin'), Jannine Barnes ('Downriver'), Cathy Rodda ('Bromley – Light After Dark') and Victoria McIntyre Wharfe ('The Flood') for key creative roles, alongside 'Shark Tank Australia's' Ben Ulm and First Nations producer Jodie Bell ('Doug the Human'). Singapore-based Sidhu will handle finance and compliance while Pandey leads strategy and investor relations. 'Australia's production incentives and treaties offer a uniquely de-risked path to global film investment,' Sidhu noted, 'aligning with our focus on compliance and strong ROI.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Egypt Independent
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Independent
Photos: Egypt's pavilion takes top design award at Cannes Film Market
The Egyptian pavilion at the Cannes Film Market (Marché du Film) earned top honors, securing the Best Pavilion Design Award in 2025. This coveted recognition highlights Egypt's superior design, dynamic programming, and successful visitor interaction among its global peers. The Egyptian pavilion, jointly organized by the Cairo International Film Festival, El Gouna Film Festival, and the Egyptian Film Export Committee (EFEC), succeeded in providing an integrated experience that reflects a collaborative spirit in orchestrating events which seamlessly blend cinematic promotion with impactful professional outreach to global filmmakers. The President of the Cairo International Film Festival, Hussein Fahmy, expressed his happiness at winning the award, stating: 'This achievement further confirms the excellence the Egyptian pavilion has achieved in the market, as it was designed and its activities organized based on a clear vision aimed at highlighting the diverse Egyptian cinema.' 'We were eager to offer interactive and professional activities that bring together Egyptian and international filmmakers, reflecting a spirit of cooperation and partnership we believe in. This achievement is not just a culmination of our joint efforts, but also a platform to enhance the international presence of Egyptian cinema and support the film industry in Egypt.' He added, 'This achievement further confirms the excellence the Egyptian pavilion has achieved in the market, as it was designed and its activities organized based on a clear vision aimed at highlighting the diverse Egyptian cinema.' The pavilion witnessed a variety of activities, including discussion panels, pitching sessions, and workshops aimed at fostering cinematic cooperation and bolstering regional and international film production. Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
