Latest news with #filmproduction
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Great American Media CEO Bill Abbott and Great Point Studios Founder Robert Halmi Reunite to Elevate Family-Friendly Entertainment
Former colleagues join forces to expand U.S.-based film production with a 20+ picture, multi-year deal producing original series and films domestically at Great Point Studios. NEW YORK, July 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Great American Media CEO Bill Abbott today announced a new partnership with Robert Halmi, an Emmy® and Golden Globe Award-winning producer, and his Great Point Studios. The collaboration is focused on developing high-quality, original movies rooted in family values and created for audiences seeking inspiring and meaningful entertainment. The agreement calls for nearly two-dozen films and original series to be produced by Great American Media at Great Point Studios Buffalo over the next two years. Through this partnership, the two industry veterans are building a new foundation for stateside storytelling. The initiative will also revitalize domestic film production by creating significant employment opportunities across casting, crew, and creative roles—specifically in Western New York. Abbott and Halmi, who previously helped define the modern family film genre, bring decades of production leadership to this renewed alliance and long-term partnership. Halmi is known for founding the Hallmark Channel, where Abbott served as President & CEO for 11 years prior to launching Great American Media in 2021. "This partnership is about raising the bar," said Abbott. "We are committed to producing content that not only entertains but uplifts. We want to produce these films right here in the U.S., with people who share our passion for authentic, values-driven storytelling." "I'm thrilled to reunite with Bill Abbott and support the incredible work he's doing at Great American Media," said Robert Halmi, Founder of Great Point Studios. "This partnership reflects our shared vision, and we're proud to welcome these productions to our campuses." Halmi is a legendary, multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning producer credited with producing more than 400 films. Abbott is credited with popularizing the original Christmas movie genre, with more than 1,000 original holiday films over 15 years—the highest-rated and highest-volume output in the genre. Their shared legacy includes hundreds of acclaimed productions that have shaped family viewing habits for a generation. The first movie as part of the agreement is Great American Media's A Christmas Spark starring Mario Lopez, which completed production earlier this summer at Great Point Studios Buffalo, the company's recently opened, state-of-the-art production facility. Additional films will be announced soon. "It has been a joy to produce and star in A Christmas Spark, which is slated to premiere as part of the 5th Anniversary Edition of Great American Christmas this season," said Mario Lopez. "The talent, crew, and locations in Buffalo are top notch. A Christmas Spark is deeply personal to me—I witnessed firsthand the bravery of firefighters in my community during the recent LA wildfires. This film gave me a way to honor their heroism and tell a story that reflects their sacrifice." ABOUT GREAT AMERICAN MEDIA Great American Media is home to a family-friendly portfolio of brands including Great American Family, Great American Pure Flix, and Great American Faith & Living. As the flagship linear TV network, Great American Family features original Christmas movies, rom-coms, and classic series that celebrate faith, family, and country. Great American Pure Flix is a leading faith and family streaming service that inspires, uplifts, and entertains with content you can confidently stream with the entire family. Other platforms include Great American Faith & Living, the unscripted companion to Great American Family that celebrates faith, family, and country every day and every season; Great American Adventures; and Pure Flix TV, a FAST channel (free ad-supported streaming TV). Great American Media was established in June 2021 by Bill Abbott and a group of U.S.-based family offices. ABOUT GREAT POINT STUDIOSGreat Point Studios is a media-focused company specializing in film and television infrastructure. It was founded by Robert Halmi and Fehmi Zeko. Great Point Studios currently has locations in Yonkers, Atlanta, Buffalo, and Cardiff, Wales, with an additional location under construction in Newark, NJ. Prior to Great Point Studios, Robert Halmi was the founder of the Hallmark Channel and was President and CEO of Hallmark Entertainment. At Hallmark, Robert transformed the business from a small production company into one of the first modern studios, combining production, distribution, and broadcast under one roof. Under Halmi's leadership, Hallmark Entertainment produced over 2,000 hours of original content. He is an active member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and serves on the board of the International Emmy Committee. Media Contacts:Thomas Graham or Debbie Davismedia@ (512) 537-1414Crosswind Media & Public Relations Daniela SapkarSapkar Public 646-644-4418 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Great American Media Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Zawya
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Zawya
Celebrating youth and Ugandan cinema with a double premiere
The youth-focused 'Opportunities are Here' project premiered season two of its reality TV show, alongside the thriller, 'You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye' The TV reality series follows the personal and professional journeys of young creatives as they learn, collaborate and navigate the high-pressure demands of film production. The series captures the reality of building a career in Uganda's film sector, from brainstorming and budgeting to late-night edits and final screening. With mentors including actor and broadcaster Gaetano Kaggwa, filmmaker and scriptwriter Nana Kagga, actress and writer Cleopatra Koheirwe, and actor Michael Wawuyo Jr., the series is airing on NTV every Thursday at 8:30 pm. Supported by the Geneva-based UN small business agency, the International Trade Centre (ITC), and the European Union (EU), 'Opportunities are Here' season two builds on the momentum of its acclaimed first season, which featured creative minds from across the continent, including Nollywood star Dakore Egbuson-Akande and Ugandan actors Gaetano Kaggwa, Nana Kagga and Cleopatra Koheirwe. H.E. Jan Sadek, the European Union Ambassador to Uganda, expressed his admiration for the work achieved through the programme, saying, 'We see huge potential in Uganda's creative industries. Projects like OAH (Opportunities are Here) are a chance to build skills, connect with others, and get your work seen. Young Ugandan creatives should not be afraid to aim for international platforms. Their unique perspective is what the world is looking for.' Since its inception, the 'Opportunities are Here' project has reached over seven million people through media and campaigns, with over 11,140 creatives trained. This has further resulted in 13,595+ jobs created, with 135+ youth-led productions completed. Chief of 'Youth, Women and Vulnerable Communities' at ITC, Raimund Moser says: 'Over the last three years, we've seen that with the right skills, mentorship and platforms, youth can lead the way in redefining African cinema. This is not just about storytelling—it's about job creation and raising the visibility of creative services as a sector with great growth potential.' The premiere night also featured a new film, 'You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye', a psychological thriller featuring Hellen Lukoma, Mbabazi Catherine Uwera, Fidel Sankara, Allan Kutos Katongole and Nuwa Wamala Nnyanzi, among other Ugandan actors. The film was written, co-directed and produced by seven young filmmakers who participated in seasons one and two. The team includes Kahbuya Vanessa (Kvan), Kavuma Vieri, Nodryn Evanci Kabuye, Elly E. Debuni, Illungole Emmanuel, Nsiima Chloe and Manirahari Colline. This project brought together writers, actors and producers to create their first commercially viable film using a team-based approach, mirroring real-life production, guided by industry professionals, including Joel Tugaineyo (co-producer), Drake Steven Makanga (director), Loukman Ali (creative director) and Alex Ireeta (director of photography), among others. In close collaboration with international film distributors, it was decided the film would be a thriller, a genre with high commercial potential. The filmmakers have been screening the movie in cinemas throughout Uganda in the past several weeks. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.
Malay Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Sabah, Sarawak creative firms get RM7.4m boost, over 1,200 jobs created under govt fund
KOTA KINABALU, July 23 — A total of 42 Creative Content Fund (DKK) applications from production companies in Sabah and Sarawak, worth RM7.43 million, have been approved from 2022 up to this month, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said the approved applications covered various categories, including feature and short films, documentaries, marketing, scriptwriting and post-production, creating over 1,245 jobs. 'As of this month, the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) has also received 36 applications for the Borneo TV Programme Fund and 24 for the Post-Production Fund. All applications are evaluated transparently and with integrity by a committee comprising professional panellists and ministry representatives,' he said. He was speaking at the presentation of Creative Content Fund letters of acceptance to Sabah's creative industry players in Sabah here yesterday night. Also present were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Finas chairman Datuk Hans Isaac, Finas chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and Information Department director-general Julina Johan. Fahmi further said that under the DKK, 14 local production companies have been offered the Borneo TV Programme Fund, including six from Sabah. He said the six Sabah companies received approvals amounting to RM1.15 million, expected to create over 200 new jobs. 'As for the Post-Production Fund, nine companies received offers, one of which is from Sabah. For Sabah, one project was approved with a value of nearly RM240,000, adding value to the post-filming process,' he said. He added that the total amount approved for the seven Sabah companies under the Borneo TV Programme Fund and the Post-Production Fund stood at RM1.39 million. Fahmi said various success stories have emerged through government grants and incentives, including the film 'Blood Brothers: Bara Naga', which grossed RM73.6 million, 'Bleat!' which made a mark at Cannes, and most recently, 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2', which opened in Indonesia with over 200,000 viewers in its first week. Fahmi added that the Communications Ministry, through Finas, has agreed to collaborate with Borneo TV via the Borneo TV Programme Fund, with content produced by its recipients to also be aired on the Borneo TV platform. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the DKK has opened vast opportunities for the people of Sabah to showcase their stories, culture and heritage through various mediums such as films, documentaries and television programmes. 'Sabah possesses extraordinary sociocultural diversity – with more than 30 ethnic groups and over 200 sub-ethnicities. This makes the state one of the richest regions in terms of oral, visual and narrative culture, which deserves attention as a source of authentic content,' he said. He added that Sabah's natural beauty gives it a distinct advantage to be translated into creative content capable of attracting both local and international audiences. The text of his speech was read out by Nizam. — Bernama
The Independent
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
How Netflix plans to utilise AI in its TV series and films
Netflix has confirmed its first use of generative AI in a production, featuring in the Argentinian sci-fi series The Eternaut. Co-chief executive Ted Sarandos stated that AI was used to depict a building collapsing, achieving the visual effect ten times faster than traditional methods. Sarandos highlighted that AI helps creators make films and series better and cheaper, enabling complex effects even for productions with smaller budgets. The use of AI in film and TV has been a significant point of discussion, notably during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The actors' union secured crucial protections regarding AI technology in their November 2023 agreement with Hollywood studios.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Taylor Russell Exits Michael B. Jordan's ‘The Thomas Crown Affair' Remake
Taylor Russell has exited her role in Amazon MGM Studios' reimagining of 'The Thomas Crown Affair,' where she was set to star opposite Michael B. Jordan. Production on the movie, directed by Jordan, is underway in London. Russell is said to have exited the part due to creative differences, and the studio will be recasting her role as progress continues toward the film's March 5, 2027 theatrical release date. More from Variety 'Sinners' Releases on Digital, Sets DVD/4K Ultra HD Release Date Denzel Washington Warned Michael B. Jordan That Overexposure Hurts Movie Stars: 'Why Pay to See You on a Weekend if They See You All Week for Free?' Ryan Coogler Says He 'Never' Considered Making a 'Sinners' Sequel, Wanted to 'Get Away' From Franchise Films: 'I Wanted It to Be a Holistic and Finished Thing' 'The Thomas Crown Affair' also stars Kenneth Branagh, Lily Gladstone, Danai Gurira, Pilou Asbæk and Aiysha Hart. Drew Pearce wrote the script, with plot details being kept under wraps, following a previous draft written by Wes Tooke and Justin Britt-Gibson, which was based on the original film. Jordan and Elizabeth Raposo are producing the picture for Outlier Society, alongside Charles Roven via Atlas Entertainment. Patrick McCormick and Toberoff Productions' Marc Toberoff also serve as producers. Alan Trustman (writer of the original 1968 film starring Steve McQueen) is an executive producer. Russell is best known for her standout turns in Trey Edward Shults' A24 feature 'Waves,' for which she won the breakthrough actor award at the Gotham Awards, and Luca Guadagnino's 'Bones and All,' which earned her the emerging actress prize at the Venice Film Festival and nominations by the Gothams and Independent Spirit Awards. Upcoming, Russell will be seen in the Korean thriller 'Hope' by Na Hong-jin, opposite Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Hoyeon; starring in Frank Ocean's upcoming film opposite David Jonnson; and in talks for a remake of 'Single White Female' with Jenna Ortega for Sony. Russell recently made her stage debut in director Jamie Lloyd's critically acclaimed revival of Lucy Prebble's play, 'The Effect,' which had a run in London and New York. Russell made her directorial debut with the short documentary 'The Heart Still Hums,' which she co-directed and won best documentary short at the Palm Springs International ShortFest. She is represented by UTA, Narrative and James Feldman. Deadline was first to report the news of Russell's exit. 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? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples
