Latest news with #MarchéduFilm
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Cannes Film Festival & Market Reaffirms One Persisting Trend
Amy Baker, CEO and co-founder of Winston Baker, speaks to the audience during the 15th International ... More Film Finance Forum in Cannes. Cannes Film Festival represents the epitome of the film festival experience. It boasts old Hollywood glamour (and an even stricter dress code) from one of the most alluring red carpets in the world to larger-than-life premieres like Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning, one of the hottest tickets in this year's lineup, But beyond the silver screen and behind the giant red carpet and gowns, there is a well-attended and robust market centered around the Palais just on the edge of the La Croisette. For nearly two decades, this central meeting hub has provided a space for industry professionals and festival goers alike to educate, discuss and pontificate over networking events, panels and more. Amy Baker, CEO and co-founder of Winston Baker, has led the development of this programming with the company's annual International Film Finance Forum in Cannes in partnership with Marché du Film. Winston Baker is a globally recognized entertainment content curator, specializing in strategic solutions across entertainment finance, music, innovation, sports and various pockets of the industry. And as the 15th annual finance forum, this year's program did not disappoint. Set on the Festival Main Stage, Baker's company led candid conversations with thought leaders, established executives and talent to demystify and predict trends in the ever-changing film marketplace. I had a chance to connect with Baker following the whirlwind market to get her sense of how this year compares in Cannes past. She noted a surprising amount of support for their artificial intelligence (AI) panel which focused on China. 'In years past, that was not as well attended but this year the crowd showed up with real interest.' AI topics still appear to be a charged issue within the industry—especially after the strikes of 2023— as attendees often questioned the panel itself and yet inquired about AI uses. Baker says that while there is a 'strong interest in figuring out the use of AI,' it is still met with skepticism and concern (with enough hope to reinforce that AI in film is not going anywhere). An image of panelists at the 15th Annual International Film Finance Forum in Cannes. After 15 years of hosting this event series, Baker notes that the main change is that the industry 'newbies' now bring fresh materials and greater sophistication than in previous years, thanks to increased access to technology. She is impressed with early creators' sizzle reels and sample artwork that look 'just as good as a studio.' With newcomer trailers matching the level of those screening in the professional sales booth, how does the industry discern and pinpoint where the talent lies? Baker was also excited about the Cannes audience's continued support for disruptors and advancement in her disruptors and advancement in her Shifter(s) Series with The Shift. For instance, Lars Knudsen and Ari Aster, Square Peg co-founders and filmmakers known for horror hits like Hereditary and Midsommar, received wide coverage from the press for their latest film screening at the fest Eddington. While the film industry is contracting, this is one example of how there are still seasoned professionals who continue to reinvent the business and draw in eyes. But we were both amused to find that disruption can sometimes be overlooked or judged. Baker remembers back to 11 years ago when Ted Sarandos, the CEO of Netflix, took the stage at her event and proclaimed that streaming movies would take over distribution, and the audience's skepticism was blatantly apparent. Baker has excelled in providing a forum where new ideas and observations are welcome, and the progressive Cannes Film Festival is especially supportive of her programming. When asked about the viability of Cannes for both seasoned industry vets and newcomers, Baker still believes that this is one of the preeminent festivals and markets as it is always on her radar. Her advice to newcomers is that the human experience of attending these markets still rises above any AI algorithm and there is nothing like 'being there in person to run into people and just talk as you never know who you will meet.' Those who prepare and do their Cannes homework can make the most out of this still relevant human experience where one can meet the past, present and future of filmmaking in one beautiful beach setting. Next up for Baker is the inaugural International Film & Television Finance Forum during the Venice Film Festival in August and another forum at the Busan International Film Festival in September. With the American Film Market (AFM) back in Los Angeles this fall, she is also receptive to that being another great watering hole—not just for selling films, but for bringing the industry together through her company to collectively navigate the future of entertainment.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
RioFilme Wants to Find the ‘Gagacabana of Audiovisual,' Is Currently in Talks to Attract Netflix's ‘Boys From Brazil' and MipTV to Rio
It's been a busy few weeks for RioFilme. The company, one of the largest city-backed audiovisual funds in Latin America, just had its first-ever stand at the Cannes' Marché du Film as part of Brazil Country of Honor and is gearing to open a dedicated stand for the first time at Rio's buzzy Rio2C, Latin America's largest creativity event taking place from May 27 to June 1. The Rio2C stand is held in partnership with Quanta, the São Paulo-based studio and post-production group that won the bid for the 30-year concession to Rio's massive Polo Rio Cine Video, a complex of seven studios built by City Hall by 1988. Quanta has invested $15 million in renovating the complex and creating extra stages and plans to have a total of 15 fully operational studios in Polo Rio by March 2026. More from Variety Sofa Digital Adds Three Specialty Film Channels, as FAST Markets, Led by Samsung TV Plus, Boom in Brazil (EXCLUSIVE) Brazil Emerges as FAST Streaming Powerhouse, Set to Soon Become Its Second Biggest International Market in the World (EXCLUSIVE) Rio2C's Industry Pitching Captures a Brazil Intent on Remembering the Forgotten, Its Slaves, Extraordinary Artists and an Emblematic Guerrilla Fighter The stand will showcase some of the industry's leading tech resources. Audience members will be able to attend presentations about virtual production and motion capture, with Guel Arraes and Flávia Lacerda's box office hit 'The Rogue's Trial' serving as a key showcase — a clear decision to emphasize the use of modern techniques in Brazilian productions. RioFilme will also be present at several panels, including one on the future of the Brazilian audiovisual production with Ancine's Alex Braga and the Ministry of Culture's executive secretary Marcio Tavares, where the Rio company will announce its new R$100 million ($18 million) incentive rollout. Speaking with Variety in Cannes ahead of Rio2C, the President of RioFilme, Leonardo Edde, highlights the company's internationalization efforts, saying they are currently looking for the 'Gagacabana of audiovisual.' By that, the executive is of course referring to the history-making free Lady Gaga concert in Copacabana Beach, which attracted over 2 million spectators to the sands of Rio early in May and attracted great international attention. 'I am trying to find the Lady Gaga of audiovisual,' emphasized Edde. 'Rio is ready for a production of this dimension. Today, Rio is capable of hosting major Hollywood productions that need studios as well as offering the natural beauty of the city and its surroundings.' One project that can fit this ambitious bill is Netflix's series adaptation of the Ira Levin novel 'The Boys From Brazil,' which Edde says they are 'actively trying to attract' to shoot in Rio. The project is set to star 'Succession' star Jeremy Strong and hails from Peter Morgan, the creator of the critically-acclaimed Netflix series 'The Crown.' Morgan is writing the adaptation and will executive produce along with Suzanne Mackie of Orchid Pictures. In the first quarter of 2025, Rio accounted for 80% of the Brazilian film market share. Rio has also been consolidating itself as one of the most filmed cities in the world, surpassing major cinematic destinations such as Paris and Mexico City. In 2024, the city of Rio surpassed Paris' numbers by nearly 40%, authorizing 8,782 filming days for 505 productions. 'Our goal is to pass Madrid, which had 12,000 shoot days at its highest,' adds Edde. 'For that to happen, we need skilled workers and are heavily investing in technical and artistic training. Today we have technical courses running alongside high schools, so pupils come out of high schools already trained as audiovisual technicians.' 'Another main goal for 2025 is to host more international productions,' continues the RioFilme president. 'We have a cashback program for productions coming from outside Rio and a specific program for international productions that help bring the name and image of Rio to the world. We came to Cannes to try to find a major production to bring to Rio. We want to do business. RioFilme is a public company, but it is a business.' Rio City's cash rebate, which allows foreign producers to receive a refund of up to 35% of the amount spent on filming in the city, was launched in 2022 and produced whopping results in the three years since. 'Our return on the rebate is almost 700%,' says the exec. 'We've seen a very rapid return on the rebate. In year one, it was 400%, year two was 700%, and we are now executing year three and promising a new cash rebate for 2025.' Edde says that, unlike many other cities that launch attractive rebate schemes to increase demand, Rio's rebate responded to a 'long-suppressed demand.' 'Rio is already a highly popular city that is widely recognized internationally, so the rebate was years in the making, and we are becoming more and more ambitious with it every year.' Although RioFilme maintains a firm autonomy within its territory, Edde has been quick to praise the work of the Ministry of Culture and the federal support they have received under the Lula government following years of cultural cutbacks under the Bolsonaro administration. 'Our relationship with the federal government is direct and prolific because Rio is a postcard for the country, and we want to establish ourselves as a great reference for the country's audiovisual industry.' The exec adds that Daniel Celli, the head of the Rio Film Commission, is working alongside the federal government on the development of a long-awaited national film commission, which he views as 'key' for the future of Brazil's industry. 'It's essential that we can create a national film commission that works as a hub for the whole country, because certain states and cities already have their commissions and they have to be centralized without stripping those bodies of their autonomy. I think this is the great challenge of the federal government, but also its great opportunity.' Although internationalization is a great priority, RioFilme continues its home efforts. 'We now have two main industry events where we can connect with audiences and industry members, Rio2C in the first half of the year and the Rio Film Festival in the second half. One of our focuses is the return of the Rio Film Festival as a major international festival. It has always been a reference, and we want the festival to be back to its full grandeur.' Edde also says he and his team are working to bring MipTV to Rio now that the major B2B market is looking for a new home following its Cannes departure. 'This is Brazil's moment. Rio has an Oscar with 'I'm Still Here' and an increased national interest in our national cinema. We are currently in talks to bring MipTV to Rio, we want other major events to be held in the city.' Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 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
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Taha honoured
Taha Shah Badussha Cannes 2025 Sanjay Leela Bhansali Gajendra Ahire Making a strong mark on the global platform, actorwas honored with the 'Influential Actor of the Year' award atTaha bagged this prestigious award for his memorable performances in's 'Heeramandi', and's 'PARO'.Spilling his excitement following the win, Taha wrote on social media, 'Grateful for this global honor Thank you, WIBA Awards!'. As 'PARO' was screened at the Cannes during the Marché du Film, Taha said the opportunity to showcase his work on a global platform means the world to him.'Grateful and humbled to be part of a story that truly matters. It's an honour to present Paro at the Marché du Film, Festival de Cannes a film that sparks an important conversation and reflects a powerful reality,' he added, 'This opportunity to showcase our work on a global stage means the world to me...'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Great Reset, the First Photorealistic AI Film Makes History at the Cannes Film Festival
The film produced entirely with artificial intelligence positions Spanish filmmaker Daniel H. Torrado as a pioneer in a new era of cinema. CANNES, France, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Following its screening at the European Film Market of the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) last February, the apocalyptic sci-fi thriller 'The Great Reset' has been presented at the Cannes Film Festival's Marché du Film. It is the first time that a feature film created with artificial intelligence (AI) has been presented at the world's leading professional film market, where it has aroused significant interest among distributors and specialised media. The work, written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Daniel H. Torrado, is both a narrative and technological milestone and positions the Spanish filmmaker as a pioneer in a new era of cinema. The innovative impact of 'The Great Reset' has been recognised by the prestigious specialist magazine The Hollywood Reporter, which dedicated in its special edition on the Cannes Film Festival an article entitled 'Spain tests the waters of artificial intelligence'. The article highlights the pioneering role of the film and especially Torrado's participation in the advances of artificial intelligence in the audiovisual field. It is a production of the companies Virtual World Pictures and Canary Film Factory. The project began in 2023 with the writing of the script. Over the last year, the AI workflow has been designed and optimised, including fine-tuning of the models, to ensure full control over the creativity of the material generated. Although the entire film was computer generated, and all sets and characters were created digitally, some scenes used actors as reference for acting and dubbing. AI was involved in all stages of production and post-production, from image and animation generation to sound design, but always with human supervision. "We are very proud to present The Great Reset at the Cannes Film Festival's Marché du Film, a space where the most innovative ideas in contemporary cinema converge. It will undoubtedly be a key impulse to introduce the world to this story that explores not only the narrative potential of AI, but also its ability to transform the film industry," said Torrado. In the film, an artificial intelligence, created from the mind of an unscrupulous hacker, sets in motion an apocalyptic plan to destroy the world in order to save the only person he has ever loved: his daughter. Faced with the collapse of humanity and the echoes of a broken past, Emma embarks on a desperate race to save the world. Trailer: Media Contact:Jose Hernandez, Virtual World Pictures***@ 604 96 44 72 Photos: Press release distributed by PRLog View original content: SOURCE Virtual World Pictures
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sajin Baabu's ‘Theatre: The Myth of Reality' trailer launched at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival
The official trailer of 'Theatre: The Myth of Reality', the highly anticipated film by director , was launched at the prestigious 2025 Cannes Film Festival – Marché du Film. The trailer promises an intriguing drama filled with captivating performances. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Mysticism meets reality in a remote Kerala setting 'Theatre: The Myth of Reality', starring and Sarasa Balussery, delves into the complexities of superstition and modernity through the stories of two women who believe a curse haunts their lives. Set in the hauntingly beautiful Illikkal Island in Kerala, the film captures the eerie collision between myth and reality in a secluded community. Sajin Baabu, who made waves with 'Biriyani', continues his exploration of spiritual and cultural themes, weaving feminine mysticism into a richly layered narrative. About the trailer launch event The event was graced by veteran filmmaker Sudhir Mishra, who officially unveiled the trailer, and Indo-German Film Week Festival Director Stephan Ottenbruch, who served as the chief guest. The launch witnessed the presence of notable Indian, German, Chinese, and French filmmakers, including Dr. Biju Damodaran, actor Prakash Bare, actress Chhaya Kadam, and trans-media consultant MN Gujar. Rima Kallingal's acclaimed performance and a stunning crew Rima Kallingal, who won the Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Actress for her performance, leads a diverse ensemble cast including Sarasa Balussery, Dain Davis, Pramod Veliyanad, Megha Rajan, and others. The technical finesse of the film is evident with Syamaprakash M S as the cinematographer, Appu Bhattathiri as the editor, and music by Saeed Abbas. The immersive soundscape is crafted by Harikumar Madhavan Nair and Jubin Raj, with sound design by Baabu himself. Costume design is by Gayathri Kishore and prosthetic work by Sethu Sivanandan & Ash Ashraf. Meanwhile, Sajin Babu's previous film 'Biriyani' received much critical acclaim. The movie starred Kani Kusruti in the lead role.
