Latest news with #audiovisual
Asharq Al-Awsat
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Riyadh Film Music Festival Returns for Second Year
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City announced the launch of the second annual Riyadh Film Music Festival, scheduled to take place July 30 to August 9 at the Red Hall Theater of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University. The festival will bring together renowned film composers from around the world. This year's festival offers a unique audio-visual experience that combines screenings of iconic films with live orchestral performances, underscoring the commission's commitment to fostering the arts and stimulating cultural activity in the capital, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The Riyadh Film Music Festival is one of the key initiatives under the Lifestyle Sector of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and is part of the events held in conjunction with the Esports World Cup. It aims to host some of the world's largest cultural and entertainment events, offering diverse artistic and recreational options for residents and visitors alike, while reinforcing Riyadh's position on the global cultural map.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Abidjan's SICA Positions as a Lynchpin Event for African Film, TV
A bourgeoning film-TV market, the International Salon for Audiovisual Content (SICA), is set to return June 26-28 for its third edition in Abidjan, positioning itself as a lynchpin for Africa's film and television industry. This year's edition, moreover, is more ambitious than ever. Unfurling under the banner of Digital Sovereignty and Exporting Our Stories: Building a Competitive and Globalized African Audiovisual Market, SICA, the International Salon for Audiovisual Content will focus on strengthening the continent's digital footprint while boosting the global reach of its talent and content. More from Variety Alex Berger, Larry Kasanoff, Shuzo John Shiota Set to Talk at Abidjan's SICA as It Debates African AI, Shooting in Abidjan, Building a Globalized Market TF1 Group Boss Rodolphe Belmer on the French Network's Landmark Deal With Netflix and What's Next for Its AVOD Service Japanese Manga Adaptation 'Bet' Renewed for Season 2 at Netflix Following Global Top 10 Success 'SICA 2025 is all about consolidating Africa's digital sovereignty and fostering a structured export of its stories,' SICA General Commissioner, Oumar Konaté, tells Variety. 'We want to reaffirm our capacity to produce, distribute, and create value for our own content on our own platforms, and at the same time give this content the international visibility it deserves.' That strategy is reflected across this year's program. It features an opening panel with ministers from key sectors, including culture, youth, tourism, and digital economy. In Konaté's words, the program is 'a concrete response to the transversality of these issues with panels, co-production labs, and workshops on regulation, rights, AI, and sovereign data.' SICA 2025 also brings new initiatives. The SICA Business Hub will offer direct financial support to promising projects; a SICA d'Or, which will recognize excellence across local DTT channels; and a SICA Off initiative to take screenings directly to four districts of Abidjan – Yopougon, Abobo, Cocody, and Koumassi – democratizing the forum by making it accessible to local audiences. In a promotional video on SICA's website, Konaté has further detailed these innovations. 'This year, we want participants to better appreciate the content,' he says. 'That's why we've decided to reduce the number of panels and focus on quality.' The SICA Business Hub is also designed to go beyond concept-stage pitches. 'Here,' he explains, 'young creators can come present pilots and seek potential funding partners.' Konaté explained that the aim of the Business Hub, above all, is 'to remove the financial barriers that often keep African stories trapped at the concept stage. By helping creators produce professional-grade pilots or teasers, we increase their chance of landing serious international partners.' As for the SICA d'Or, Konaté calls it 'an opportunity for both the public and professionals to appreciate content already airing on DTT and recognize what's making an impact. Abel N'Guessan Kouame, CEO of animation studio AfrikaToon and a SICA participant, echoes those sentiments to Variety, saying 'African people need local stories.' He adds, 'In order for a production to be really successful it has to be local. For example, you have 'Squid Game' in Korea, in Europe, 'Money Heist.' You see that local content is very successful and can be spread around the world.' It's this commitment to authenticity that SICA aims to cultivate across its screenings and workshops. With SICA OFF, the salon is keeping its focus local, with plans to host free screenings and industry workshops to engage grassroots talent and audiences. 'This is a territorial approach,' Konaté explains. 'We want to inspire future creators and show that our stories come from every corner of our cities, not just the privileged areas.' Konaté teased the African premiere at SICA of 'Le Grand Déplacement' ('Black to the Future') from French actor-director Jean Pascal Zadi and shot in Ivory Coast as a highlight of the three-day event. The salon's closing day will include a new emphasis on Ivory Coast as an attractive filming destination. 'This year, we decided to add a more scientific touch, showcasing Ivory Coast's appeal as a filming location through a dedicated panel with the Tourism and Culture Ministries,' Konate emphasized. This is all in service of SICA's core goals, which Konaté spelled out clearly to Variety. 'We want to accelerate the integration of the African audiovisual market with the cooperation of government bodies and industry leaders,' he said. 'That means creating real, actionable financing and co-production opportunities and positioning Abidjan and Ivory Coast as a true hub for the continent.' That commitment is reflected not only in SICA's focus on co-productions and industry partnerships––drawing in regional players like Cinékita, Studio KÄ, Orun, Loqui-la-Technologie, RTI, NCI, Life TV, SABC, and more, but also in its global outlook. SICA expects to welcome 700 accredited delegates, up from 400 last year, with a 40% increase in international guests. With over 100 international buyers and co-producers expected from across Africa, Europe, Asia, the U.S., and the Middle East, SICA aims to act as a catalyst for international interest and South-South alliances for years to come. Heavyweights like Showmax, Canal+ Afrique and Netflix will also participate in pitch sessions, co-production forums, and keynotes, signalling robust international interest. The opening day at SICA will feature an inaugural conference on the theme of Digital Sovereignty and Story Export of Stories: Building a Competitive Globalized African Audiovisual Market, featuring American producer Larry Kasanoff, founder of Threshold Entertainment and executive producer of the 'Mortal Kombat' franchise. There will also be keynote talks from Japan's Shuzo John Shiota, CEO of Japan's Polygon Pictures, and American-French producer Alex Berger of 'The Bureau' and 'La Maison' fame. SICA's three-day conference strand will host panels on topics like AI and Audiovisual Creation: Opportunities and Challenges for Africa and African Diaspora: Diversity and the Promotion of Storytelling. Panels on subjects like Distribution and Export Strategies for African Audiovisual Content and Building Impactful Branding Around African Stories are also on the menu. As Konaté concluded, SICA's role is both cultural and industrial: 'In five years, we want SICA to be one of the most important markets for African content, a true hub that reinforces the ecosystem locally while projecting African talent globally.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
TransPerfect Media Provides Post-Production for Four Films Honored at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival
NEW YORK, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TransPerfect, the world's largest provider of language and AI solutions for global business, today announced that its TransPerfect Media division, specializing in audiovisual post-production and localization services, supported four award-winning films at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. TransPerfect Media and its recently acquired studio MPC Paris provided a range of services for numerous films screened at the festival, including the following award-winning titles: Palme d'Or winner by Jafar Panahi – French and English subtitles. Jury Prize winner by Oliver Laxe – 16mm film reel processing and scanning, English and French subtitles, and sound mixed in TransPerfect's Dolby Atmos facilities in Barcelona. Special Prize winner by Bi Gan – Visual effects and post-production sound effects. Best Screenplay winner by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne – Image post-production and visual effects. The 2025 festival marked the first Cannes appearance for MPC Paris as part of TransPerfect Media. Renowned for its Emmy Award-winning work in visual effects and animation, the studio now brings its creative expertise to TransPerfect Media's global post-production network. In celebration of TransPerfect's growing presence in the creative production space and its partnership with the Cannes Film Festival, the company hosted a series of events during the festival to connect with clients, collaborators, and industry peers. These gatherings highlighted TransPerfect's growing capabilities in post-production, visual effects, animation, restoration, subtitling, and dubbing—several of which were key services behind this year's Cannes winners. TransPerfect President and Co-CEO Phil Shawe commented, 'Supporting these award-winning productions is a testament to the talent and dedication of our global teams. They exemplify the impact of multilingual and multimedia collaboration in today's film industry.' About the Cannes Film FestivalThe Cannes Film Festival is one of the most prestigious and internationally recognized events in the film industry. Held annually in Cannes, France, the festival showcases new films from around the world across a range of genres. Since its founding in 1946, Cannes has become synonymous with cinematic excellence, industry networking, and celebrated honors such as the Palme d'Or for best film. For more information, visit About TransPerfect MediaTransPerfect Media elevates storytelling for audiences around the world with media creation and globalization solutions delivered through a network of company-owned and operated studios in 21 countries. TransPerfect Media's hybrid model combines cutting-edge AI technology with creative expertise, all managed in its cloud-based content creation platform, enabling easy localization and distribution. By combining high-level talent with Dolby Atmos and Dolby HDR projection capabilities, as well as services that include image and sound post-production, subtitling, dubbing, accessibility, voiceover, multi-platform delivery, preservation, and restoration, TransPerfect Media is where boutique expertise meets global scale and excellence to help you tell your story—in any language. To find out more, visit About TransPerfectTransPerfect is the world's largest provider of language services and AI solutions for global business. From offices in over 140 cities on six continents, TransPerfect offers a full range of services in 200+ languages to clients worldwide. More than 6,000 global organizations employ TransPerfect's GlobalLink® technology to simplify the management of multilingual content. With an unparalleled commitment to quality and client service, TransPerfect is fully ISO 9001 and ISO 17100 certified. TransPerfect has global headquarters in New York, with regional headquarters in London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit Contact: Ryan Simper +1 212.689.5555mediainquiry@
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Costa Rica Strengthens Its Position as a Regional Hub for the Audiovisual Industry with New Regional Market
Costa Rica Media Market will take place June 24–25 in San José, with over 500 business meetings and participation from buyers, producers, and experts from 19 countries Organized by the Costa Rica Film Commission, PROCOMER and the Ministry of Culture and Youth, the event includes tours across six Film Friendly Zones in the country to highlight Costa Rica's advantages for audiovisual production. The platform offers project showcases, co-production opportunities, masterclasses, and funding access for the region. SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, June 19, 2025 /CNW/ -- More than 50 buyers and 130 content creators from the Americas, Europe, and Asia will gather this June 24 and 25 at the Costa Rica Media Market (CRMM)—a space designed to boost the audiovisual industry in Central America and the Caribbean, energize regional content, and attract international co-productions and services. Hosted in San José, Costa Rica, the event will welcome leaders from the film, television, animation, video game, advertising, and technical service industries. Organized by the Costa Rica Film Commission, the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (PROCOMER), and the Ministry of Culture and Youth (MCJ), CRMM is consolidating itself as a key platform to connect regional projects with the global market. This year, Costa Rica Media Market will feature more than 500 business meetings and 51 international buyers from 19 countries: Argentina, Germany, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Curaçao, Spain, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela. "Costa Rica Media Market is born as a bridge between creativity and opportunity. It is a space where Costa Rican talent in film, music, and literature finds strategic allies to grow, export, and transform our economy through culture. Together with PROCOMER, we are promoting not just a market, but an ecosystem of collaboration, innovation, and pride in what we have to share with the world. Because we believe in our stories, in our voices, and in the power of our narratives, this is a firm step toward a vibrant, strong, and future-facing cultural economy," said Jorge Rodríguez Vives, Minister of Culture and Youth. During the CRMM, there will be business roundtables, matchmaking sessions, expert panels, and masterclasses. The agenda also includes project showcases from the Costa Rica International Film Festival's Industry Section and from Tres Puertos Cine, a prominent residency for Latin American film projects that guides selected proposals from development to market. "Costa Rica Media Market is becoming a strategic platform to connect regional audiovisual talent with international opportunities. It's a tool to diversify our audiovisual content offering and generate co-productions, increasing exports and productive linkages for the sector. Costa Rica, with its strong value proposition, natural richness, and competitive tax incentives, positions itself as a key meeting point for the global industry," explained Laura López, CEO of PROCOMER. A highlight of the event will be the Fam Tours, scheduled for June 26–28. These are designed to showcase Costa Rica's potential as a filming destination. Producers and directors will tour the six Film Friendly Zones, mostly located outside the country's major cities. These areas offer a diversity of natural and urban settings, including jungles, coasts, rural towns, volcanoes, and historic centers—supported by solid logistical infrastructure, legal stability, and an incentive framework for international productions. CRMM builds upon the legacy of the Central America and Caribbean Audiovisual Market (MAUCC), which hosted over 1,000 business meetings across seven editions. This platform led to milestones such as the distribution of the film Una Navidad sin Nieve in the Arab region and the creation of the first digital channel exclusively dedicated to Costa Rican cinema on the well-known streaming platform FILMIN. Why Film in Costa Rica? Costa Rica offers key advantages for international audiovisual production: diverse locations within short distances, skilled technical professionals, legal stability, and reliable logistics. These are complemented by attractive fiscal incentives, such as income tax exemptions for foreign film productions, and streamlined administrative procedures to facilitate production processes. This set of benefits has positioned the country as a competitive destination for studios and production companies seeking efficiency, quality, and sustainable practices in their filming projects. World-Class Talent The CRMM will feature a diverse selection of international figures with broad experience in film, television, and content production. Among the guests are Costa Rican directors Antonella Sudasassi and Hernán Jiménez, as well as Pablo Guisa Koestinger, Andy van Veen, Lynette Coll, Adrian Gueyer, Emerson Machtus, Rom Donahue, Arnon Manor, and Arturo Cardelús, among others. As part of the official agenda, CRMM will also host project presentations selected by the Costa Rica International Film Festival and Tres Puertos Cine, a Latin American film project residency. The latter has formed a strategic alliance with Costa Rica Media Market to offer a program that merges creative development with direct market access—allowing top regional projects to move from incubation to co-production, financing, and international circulation. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Promotora de Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica (PROCOMER) View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
News24
17-06-2025
- Business
- News24
Listen Up! Tim Cohen, Mark Barnes bring unfiltered weekly podcast to News24
They can't say they won't offend, but they promise never to hold back. Barnes and Cohen are bringing their wit, honesty, and unfiltered perspectives to Listen Up!, a new weekly podcast available exclusively on News24. Described as an easygoing, opinionated news review, this unscripted and informal pair revels in the bold, unpredictable nature of each podcast episode. 'We take great pride in the fact that we don't prepare,' says Cohen, a former Financial Mail, Business Day and Business Maverick editor. 'We don't want it rehearsed, we don't want it produced. We just want to talk,' adds Barnes, an investment banker, columnist and former Post Office CEO. Each week, Cohen and Barnes sit down to dive into a wide array of topics, from the world of business and geopolitics, to the latest in sports and entertainment. Listeners can expect conversations that are straight, honest, and devoid of pretence. 'There's no topic off limits,' Cohen explains. 'We try to present a point of view which might be entertaining, might be critical, or might just be fun.' News24 editor-in-chief Adriaan Basson says ListenUp! is an exciting addition to the publication's audiovisual offering, delivering raw and engaging perspectives from the respected co-hosts. 'We're thrilled to have Mark Barnes and Tim Cohen bring their spirited debates and candid insights to News24. Our audience is in for a treat each week, with the kind of refreshing banter that feels like you're part of a lively dinner table conversation.' Episodes will be released on News24 every Tuesday, and can be found on News24's Spotify, Iono, Apple Podcasts and YouTube channels.
