News

“Riverdale” and “District 9” star Nat Boltt has lined up a trio of would-be nuns for her directorial debut.

“Holy Days,” a comedy based on the novel by author Dame Joy Cowley, will star Oscar nominee and Emmy, Golden Globe and BAFTA winner Judy Davis (“Husband and Wives”), BAFTA winner Miriam Margolyes (the “Harry Potter” franchise) and two-time Oscar and Golden Globe nominee Jacki Weaver (“Silver Linings Playbook”). Meanwhile, young rising star Elijah Tamati (“Deep Water”) plays a leading role, while Boltt — who directs from her own screenplay — will also star.

Blue Fox Entertainment has acquired worldwide rights — excluding New Zealand and Canada — to the the Firefly Films and Lily Pictures feature, and will be launching sales at the upcoming AFM. Principal photography is slated to begin mid-November.

In “Holy Days,” three quirky older nuns hit the road looking for miracles but end up learning to drive like demons instead.

Mister Smith Entertainment has closed multiple international sales for the adventure comedy Bookworm, starring Elijah Wood and Nell Fisher.

The feature, from Come to Daddy director Ant Timpson follows 11-year-old Mildred (Fisher) whose life takes a wild turn when her estranged father, a washed-up Las Vegas illusionist Strawn Wise (Wood) suddenly reappears. Strawn is left to care for Mildred while her mom is hospitalized and the pair set off on a trip to find the mythological Canterbury Panther.

Mister Smith closed deals on the film for Photon Films in Canada; Metropolitan in France; Plaion Pictures in Germany, Italy and Switzerland; and La Aventura in Spain, among other territories. Vertical Entertainment picked up the film for the U.S. earlier this year. Signature Entertainment will release in the U.K.

Written by Toby Harvard, Bookworm is produced by Emma Slade, Roxi Bull, Victoria Dabbs, Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall. It is...

Exclusive: Signature Entertainment has picked up UK and Irish rights to Bookworm, the latest film from Kiwi filmmaker Ant Timpson (Come to Daddy) starring Elijah Wood.

Described as an “adventure comedy”, the film is produced by Emma Slade (Come to Daddy), Roxi Bull (Uproar), and Victoria Dabbs (Malevolent) of Firefly Films New Zealand and Mette-Marie Kongsved (I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore), Laura Tunstall (Nine Days) of Nowhere.

Timpson directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with Toby Harvard (The Greasy Strangler). Starring alongside Wood are Michael Smiley (Free Fire), Nell Fisher (Evil Dead Rise), Morgana O’Reilly (Housebound), and Nikki Si’ulepa (Same But Different: A True New Zealand Love Story). The film’s plot tells the story of a 12-year-old whose life is turned upside down when her estranged, washed-up American magician father comes to look after her.

The deal was negotiated between Signature Entertainment’s Chief Commercial...

“Head South” director Jonathan Ogilvie is all about underdogs.

“It’s not a story about winners. It’s a story about also-rans, to use this racing term, because there is nothing to win,” he tells Variety about the International Film Festival Rotterdam opener, which sees schoolboy Angus (Ed Oxenbould) falling for a girl and for post-punk music in 1979’s New Zealand.

“There wasn’t a real music industry, so you couldn’t become a rock star. Back in those days, we often talked about ‘the tyranny of distance.’ We felt so removed from everything. But it was the triumph of distance, because it allowed people to interpret things in a new way. It’s a film about music, yes, but also about art and creative expression.”

Praising Oxenbould, he adds: “On the page, Angus could seem like a nasty little brat. But Ed was also in a band; his brother was also living in London.

Two-day event runs September 10-11 in association with TIFF.

New Zealand producers Emma Slade and Victoria Dabbs of Firefly Films and Canadian partner Michelle Morris of Lily Pictures are among 40 producer teams set to participate in Ontario Creates’ 2023 International Financing Forum (Iff) running September 10-11 in Toronto.

The two-day feature film co-financing and co-production market, in association with TIFF and now in its 18th year, is a hybrid event. There will be in-person one-on-one producer and executive meetings, an industry panel discussion with Ontario and international producers, networking opportunities, and online international meetings.

Selected producers will get the chance to...

Drafthouse Films has acquired three films that it will release theatrically in U.S. theaters followed by digital releases across major streaming platforms.

They include “Mister Organ,” a documentary from journalist and filmmaker David Farrier, whose 2016 film “Tickled” explored the dark underbelly of “competitive endurance tickling,” will be released in theaters this fall. As he turns his camera on another stranger than fiction story, Farrier finds himself caught in an increasingly dangerous game of cat and mouse with a mysterious character who expertly manipulates the lives of anyone who dares to expose his secrets. The film, Produced by Ant Timpson and Firefly Films’ Emma Slade and Alex Reed, was a critical and audience favorite at Fantastic Fest 2022, and has become a box office hit in Farrier’s native New Zealand.

“I am incredibly happy to be working with Drafthouse Films,” said Farrier “Watching this funny, disturbing, and deeply weird documentary...

Evil Dead Rise actress Nell Fisher and Bad Sisters actor Michael Smiley are set to join Elijah Wood in Bookworm, a new family adventure comedy from New Zealand director Ant Timpson (Come to Daddy).

Fisher will play Mildred, a 12-year-old girl whose life is turned upside down when her estranged, washed-up American magician father, Strawn Wise (Wood), comes to look after her. Hoping to bond with the tween, Strawn takes Mildred on an ill-advised camping trip into the rugged New Zealand wilderness in a quest to find the mythological beast known as the Canterbury Panther, named after the region on New Zealand’s South Island.

The project will reteam Wood with Come to Daddy director Timpson and will see the Lord of the Rings actor return to New Zealand to shoot.

“In Bookworm we’re going to put him through the wringer again, except this time he’s at the...

“Lord of the Rings” star Elijah Wood is to return to New Zealand in the leading role of “Bookworm,” a family adventure-comedy to be directed by Ant Timpson. The project is being launched next week at the American Film Market by sales agent Mister Smith Entertainment.

The film’s story sees 12-year-old Mildred’s life turned upside down when her mother lands in hospital and estranged, American magician father, Strawn Wise (Wood), comes to look after her. Hoping to entertain the bookish tween, Strawn takes Mildred camping in the notoriously rugged New Zealand wilderness. There the pair embark on the ultimate test of family bonding – a quest to find the mythological beast known as the Canterbury Panther.

Considering that Mildred has read every book on camping, but never been into the wilds, and that Strawn is more at home on the Las Vegas strip than in the Southern Alps, the potential for mishap is significant.

Julian Dennison and Minnie Driver lead cast.

Principal photography is underway on the coming-of-age film One Winter featuring a cast led by Julian Dennison and Minnie Driver. Blue Fox Entertainment will present first footage to buyers at the AFM.

Rhys Darby, James Rolleston and Erana James round out the key cast on the story set in Aotearoa, New Zealand, in 1981 as the arrival of the South African rugby team sets off nationwide protests against Apartheid.

Dennison plays Josh Waaka, a 17-year-old who after being a passive bystander all of his life, is suddenly forced to stand up for himself, his family and his future.

New Zealand rugby icon Jonah Lomu and former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel will be the subjects of two new documentaries from U.K.-based sales agent and distributor Dogwoof and Sylver Entertainment.

The companies previously collaborated on “McEnroe,” a documentary about the tennis great John McEnroe, which was released in U.K. cinemas in July and premiered on Showtime on Sept. 2.

As development financiers and executive producers on both projects, Dogwoof will be presenting the projects to buyers at the Toronto International Film Festival this week.

“Lomu” is centred on the late Jonah Lomu, one of the greatest rugby players of all time. Lomu was a Tongan/Kiwi warrior who could run 100 metres in under 11 seconds. He was the youngest All Black to put on the jersey and still holds the record for the most tries scored in World Cup history. The film about his life is being made...

Julian Dennison (Godzilla vs Kong), Minnie Driver, James Rolleston (The Dark Horse) and Erana James are set to star in New Zealand coming-of-age tale One Winter from directors Paul Middleditch and Hamish Bennett.

The title is based on a story by Middleditch, Keith Aberdein and Sonia Whiteman, with Bennett and Whiteman adapting the screenplay. Story is set in New Zealand in 1981 when the arrival of the South African rugby team sets off nationwide protests against apartheid and racism. Josh Waaka (Dennison), a 17-year-old boy of mixed race who has been a passive bystander all of his life, is suddenly forced to stand up for himself, his family and his future.

The film, which is set to begin shooting this summer in New Zealand, is produced by Emma Slade, Sandra Kailahi, Angela Cudd, Angela Sullivan and Alberto Marzan. Troy Lum is an exec producer. Blue Fox is launching international sales here in Cannes this week.

“Deadpool 2” star Julian Dennison is set to star in “One Winter,” a coming-of-age drama set in his native New Zealand during a period of racial unrest in the 1980s.

Dennison will lead a cast that also includes Minnie Driver, James Rolleston and Erana James and that is directed by Paul Middleditch and Hamish Bennett.

Blue Fox Entertainment is handling international sales and introducing the film in Cannes, which kicks off today.

Also Read:

‘Star Wars’ Series Inspired by ’80s Amblin Films in the Works From ‘Spider-Man’ Director Jon Watts

“One Winter” is set in New Zealand in 1981, when the arrival of the South African rugby team sets off nationwide protests against apartheid and racism. Josh Waaka (Dennison), a 17-year-old of mixed race who has been a passive bystander all his life, is suddenly forced to stand up for himself, his whānau/family, and his future.

The film is based on a story by Middleditch,...

Exclusive: Producers Andrew Bendel and Alistair Maclean-Clark of Blue Horizon Productions have optioned the memoir Sea Dragons, Yvonne Foley’s story of how she believed she had been abandoned in Liverpool by her Chinese father as a child only to find out many years later that he and other sailors had been deported.

Foley only discovered later in life that her natural father, who was a sailor from Shanghai, had been blacklisted for demanding equality of treatment with British sailors and was prevented from coming back to the UK.

The story was first told in BBC online magazine article Looking for my Shanghai Father, and an exhibition about the Chinese sailors, Dragons of the Pool, was organized by Yvonne and Charles Foley and held in a Liverpool gallery.

Liverpool-based playwright and emerging screenwriter Lizzie Nunnery is penning the screenplay. Her works have been shortlisted for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize,...

Australian streaming service Stan has struck a television development alliance with Hollywood mini-studio Lionsgate. The deal is in addition to the content supply agreement that the pair hatched last year.

Stan and Lionsgate announced the megachurch family drama series “Prosper,” drama series “The Geography of Friendship” and outback comedy crime series “Population: 11” as the first three titles to flow from their development deal.

Separately, Stan announced an expansion of its originals-production activity with other partners and suppliers in Australia. The company says that the new slates put it “on track to deliver 30% of its premium first-run slate from original productions.”

The local slate includes: drama series “Black Snow,” a cold case mystery series set in Far North Queensland; “Last Light,” starring Matthew Fox and Joanne Froggatt; and “The Jump,” a series about the power of friendship and the ways our sadness can unite us.

Also announced is the absurdist comedy feature film “Nude Tuesday,...

Exclusive: FilmRise has acquired all North American distribution rights to New Zealand drama The Justice of Bunny King, starring Essie Davis (The Babadook) and Jojo Rabbit, Last Night in Soho and The Power of the Dog actress Thomasin McKenzie.

Gaysorn Thavat’s feature film directorial debut follows the story of a mother who tries to battle her way back from the bottom to regain custody of her children. Emma Slade produced from a script by Sophie Henderson.

The film had its worldwide premiere at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival where it received the Special Jury Mention for the Nora Ephron Award. The film was an Official Selection at the 2021 Edinburgh International Film Festival, the Melbourne International Film Festival, and the Asia Pacific Screen Awards where Essie Davis was nominated for the Best Performance by an Actress award.

The deal was negotiated by Katie Carroll, Manager, Independent Film Acquisitions for FilmRise and Jonathan Walik,...

In Gaysorn Thavat’s debut feature The Justice of Bunny King Essie Davis plays the titular role, a woman whose children are taken into foster care.

While desperately attempting to secure accommodation that will reunite her with her kids, Bunny rescues teenage niece Tonyah (Thomasin McKenzie) from a gravely dangerous situation. Together, fiery-tempered Bunny and frightened Tonyah embark on a wild quest. Their mission? To have their voices heard – and for justice to be served.

The writer Sophie Henderson and producer Emma Slade. Madman Entertainment will distribute in Australia and New Zealand.

The post ‘The Justice of Bunny King’ (Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.

New Zealand drama stars Essie Davis of ‘The Babadook’ and ‘Jojo Rabbit’ star Thomasin McKenzie.

Screen can exclusively reveal the first trailer for Gaysorn Thavat’s The Justice Of Bunny King, which is set to world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival (June 9-20).

Protagonist Pictures is handling world sales on the New Zealand drama, which is led by Essie Davis, star of The Babadook, and Thomasin McKenzie, star of Jojo Rabbit.

It marks the feature directorial debut of New Zealand filmmaker Thavat, whose short Brave Donkey was selected for the BFI London Film Festival, Locarno and Melbourne in 2009.

Written by Sophie Henderson,...

All the dialogue in the Anz comedy is spoken in gibberish

Cornerstone Films has acquired world sales rights to Armağan Ballantyne’s upcoming comedy Nude Tuesday, which it will launch at the virtual European Film Market.

The London and LA-based sales agency will reveal first footage of the Australia-New Zealand co-production to buyers during the EFM. Madman previously secured distribution rights in New Zealand and Australia.

All the dialogue in the film, about a couple who attempt to rekindle the spark in their marriage, is spoken in unintelligible gibberish. It will feature two sets of subtitles – one provided by “prominent local comedians” from each territory,...

All the dialogue in the Anz comedy is spoken in gibberish

Cornerstone Films has acquired world sales rights to Armagan Ballantyne’s upcoming comedy Nude Tuesday, which it will launch at the virtual European Film Market.

The London and Los Angeles-based sales agency will reveal first footage of the Australia-New Zealand co-production to buyers during the EFM. Madman previously secured distribution rights for New Zealand and Australia.

All the dialogue in the film, about a couple who attempt to rekindle the spark in their marriage, is spoken in unintelligible gibberish. It will feature two sets of subtitles – one provided by...

When local newspapers complain about traffic jams caused by Nicole Kidman filming (in New South Wales’ picturesque Byron Bay) and Natalie Portman stopping Sydney traffic by wearing revealing shorts, there is a sense that normality has returned to everyday life in Australia. The film industry is back in production high gear.

Indeed, films starring Zac Efron (“Gold”), Chris Hemsworth (“Escape From Spiderhead”), Joel Edgerton and Tom Hanks, are all currently lensing in different parts of Australia. Portman is preparing to shoot Marvel’s “Thor: Love and Thunder” while Kidman and Melissa McCarthy were recently shooting Hulu miniseries “Nine Perfect Strangers.” George Miller is shooting his “Furiosa,” a “Mad Max” spinoff, for Warner Bros.

Neighbor and sometime rival New Zealand is equally busy. Disney’s “Avatar” movie franchise and Amazon’s “Lord of the Rings” TV series are

both moving again after a coronavirus hiatus. A slew of local movies is also now shooting.

Adrien Brody and Vera Farmiga will headline director Ant Timpson’s mystery thriller The Salamander Lives Twice.

Written by Toby Harvard, with a story by Timpson and Harvard, the pic follows an injured man (Brody) with an impenetrable briefcase and no memory who is found on the shoreline of a remote island by Iris and her daughter Goggy (Farmiga), the last remaining members of a once prosperous family dynasty.

Producers are Emma Slade for Firefly Films, Katie Holly for Blinder Films and with executive producers Timpson and XYZ Films.

XYZ Films is handling world sales and co-repping domestic with CAA Media Finance at AFM.

Brody is repped by CAA; Farmiga is repped by CAA and Authentic Talent and Literary Management. Timpson is repped by CAA.

Adrien Brody and Vera Farmiga are starring in the independent mystery thriller “The Salamander Lives Twice” with production scheduled to begin in the spring.

Brody will portray a man with an impenetrable briefcase and no memory who is found on the shoreline of a remote island by a woman and her daughter — played by Farmiga — who are the last remaining members of a once prosperous family dynasty.

Ant Timpson is directing “The Salamander Lives Twice” from a Toby Harvard script, with a story by Timpson and Harvard. The film is produced by Emma Slade for Firefly Films, Katie Holly for Blinder Films and is executive produced by Timpson and XYZ Films, which is handling worldwide sales. “The Salamander Lives Twice” will be introduced by XYZ to buyers, with CAA Media Finance co-repping domestic rights, at the online American Film Market, which opens Monday.

Brody won a best actor Academy Award...

Production scheduled for spring 2021; Emma Slade, Katie Holly to produce.

Adrien Brody and Vera Farmiga will star in Ant Timpson’s mystery thriller The Salamander Lives Twice, which XYZ Films has boarded for worldwide sales at AFM 2020 Online and jointly represents the US with CAA Media Finance.

Production is scheduled for spring 2021 with Emma Slade of Firefly Films producing alongside Katie Holly for Blinder Films. Timpson and XYZ Films serve as executive producers.

Toby Harvard wrote the screenplay from a story by Timpson and Harvard about an injured man (Brody) with an impenetrable briefcase and no memory who washes up on a remote island.

Adrien Brody and Vera Farmiga are set to headline Ant Timpson’s mystery thriller The Salamander Lives Twice, heading to the virtual American Film Market with XYZ Films.

Written by Toby Harvard (The Greasy Strangler, Tropical Cop Tales), with a story by Timpson (Come to Daddy, Turbo Kid) and Harvard, the film will center on an injured man (Brody), who is found with an impenetrable briefcase and no memory on the shoreline of a remote island by Iris and her daughter Goggy (Farmiga), the last remaining members of a once prosperous family dynasty.

The Salamander Lives Twice is produced by Emma Slade (Come to Daddy) ...

Adrien Brody and Vera Farmiga are set to headline Ant Timpson’s mystery thriller The Salamander Lives Twice, heading to the virtual American Film Market with XYZ Films.

Written by Toby Harvard (The Greasy Strangler, Tropical Cop Tales), with a story by Timpson (Come to Daddy, Turbo Kid) and Harvard, the film will center on an injured man (Brody), who is found with an impenetrable briefcase and no memory on the shoreline of a remote island by Iris and her daughter Goggy (Farmiga), the last remaining members of a once prosperous family dynasty.

The Salamander Lives Twice is produced by Emma Slade (Come to Daddy) ...

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.

Writer Jackie van Beek and director Armagan Ballantyne, who will collaborate on ‘Nude Tuesday’.

Two feature films, one from Robert Connolly and the other a Kiwi-Aussie co-pro penned by The Breaker Upperers’ Jackie van Beek; a ABC TV comedy from Closer Productions; and two online projects are the latest recipients of $3.5 million worth of production funding from Screen Australia.

Connolly, writer/director of box office hit Paper Planes, will return to Western Australia to shoot a feature film adaptation of Tim Winton’s acclaimed novel Blueback, while Nz’s Firefly Productions will join forces with Good Thing Productions to create absurdist dramedy feature Nude Tuesday, directed by Armagan Ballantyne. Erik Thomson teams up with Adelaide’s Closer Productions to produce Yes, Chef! for the ABC, following a notorious celebrity chef who is forced to flee to his hometown in the Adelaide Hills.

Screen Australia head of content Sally Caplan said:...

Essie Davis, star of “The Babadook” and autumn festival hit “Babyteeth,” and “Jojo Rabbit” co-star Thomasin McKenzie will headline upcoming drama “The Justice of Bunny King.”

The film, now shooting in New Zealand, is a triumph over adversity tale about women fighting their way back from the bottom of society. It is the debut feature for director Gaysorn Thavat, from a script written by Sophie Henderson (“Fantail”) with Emma Slade (“Come to Daddy”) producing.

Davis plays a troublemaking mother who cleans car windscreens for a living. She is given new purpose when she takes her niece, played by McKenzie, under her wing. Both actors were recently in Toronto where they also appeared in Justin Kurzel’s “True History of the Kelly Gang.”

“Bunny King” is a Firefly Films production, supported by the New Zealand Film Commission, the New Zealand Screen Production Grant, Images & Sound and Blockhead VFX. Protagonist Pictures is handling world sales.

Essie Davis (Photo Credit: Rachelle Smith) and Thomasin McKenzie.

Essie Davis has been cast in the titular role in New Zealand film The Justice of Bunny King, director Gaysorn Thavat’s debut feature currently shooting in Auckland.

Starring opposite Davis is her True History of the Kelly Gang co-star and Kiwi talent Thomasin McKenzie.

Davis plays Bunny King, mother of two with a sketchy past and a sharp tongue. Bunny works traffic intersections as a squeegee bandit, using her quick wit to charm money from motorists after offering to wash their windows.

However, Bunny finds her frustrations difficult to contain, leading her to clash frequently with the public and police. Finding herself without her children or a home, Bunny crashes at her sister’s. Her stay is interrupted by a confrontation with her sister’s partner, which leads Bunny to try and take her niece Tonyah (McKenzie) under her wing.

The Babadook star Essie Davis and Leave No Trace actress Thomasin McKenzie are starring in The Justice Of Bunny King, a feature film currently shooting in New Zealand. The dramedy marks the debut of director Gaysorn Thavat, from a script written by Sophie Henderson (Fantail). Emma Slade (Come to Daddy) is producing.

Davis will play Bunny King, a mother of two with a sketchy past and a sharp tongue who works traffic intersections as a squeegee bandit. Bunny finds her frustrations difficult to contain, leading her to clash frequently with the public and police. Finding herself without her children or a home, she crashes at her sister’s where her stay is interrupted by a confrontation with her sibling’s partner, which leads Bunny to try and take her niece Tonyah (McKenzie) under her wing.

The feature is a Firefly Films production, supported by the New Zealand Film Commission, the

New Zealand Screen Production Grant,...

A potential bonding opportunity between estranged father (Stephen McHattie) and son (Elijah Wood) takes a demented turn when some surprise visitors show up in Ant Timpson's feature-length directorial debut, Come to Daddy. Following its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival and ahead of its screening at the Overlook Film Festival, Come to Daddy has been acquired by Saban Films for Us distribution.

A theatrical release for Come to Daddy is being planned, but an exact release date has yet to be announced. We'll keep Daily Dead readers updated on further details as they are revealed.

In the meantime, we have the full press release and previously released clip below, and in case you missed it, read Heather's Tribeca interview with Timpson and Wood.

From the Press Release: Los Angeles – Saban Films announced today that they have acquired Us rights to producer Ant Timpson’s directorial debut Come to Daddy,...

Saban Films has bought the U.S. rights to the Elijah Wood horror-comedy “Come to Daddy.”

Saban, which is planning a theatrical release, announced the deal on Friday at the Cannes Film Festival, where Xyz Films represents “Come to Daddy” for international sales.

“Come to Daddy” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last month. Wood portrays a man in his thirties who travels to a remote Oregon cabin to reconnect with his estranged father following a surprise invitation. Stephen McHattie and Martin Donovan also star.

Ant Timpson, a producer on “Turbo Kid” and “The ABCs of Death,” made his feature directorial debut on “Come to Daddy.” Timpson helmed from a screenplay by Toby Harvard, based on an idea by Timpson.

Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall produced for Los Angeles-based Nowhere, alongside Daniel Bekerman for Toronto’s Scythia Films, Katie Holly of Dublin’s Blinder Films, Emma Slade for New Zealand-based Firefly Films and Harvard.

Saban Films has acquires U.S. distribution rights to Come to Daddy, the horror comedy starring Elijah Wood that marks the directing debut of producer Ant Timpson. The pic, which had its world premiere last month at the Tribeca Film Festival, will now get a theatrical release though no date has been set.

Wood stars as a man who travels to a remote cabin to reconnect with his estranged father. Stephen McHattie and Martin Donovan co-star. Toby Harvard wrote the script based on an idea Timpson, whose previous producing credits include Turbo Kid and The Greasy Strangler.

The film is produced by Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall for Nowhere, Daniel Bekerman for Scythia Films, Katie Holly for Blinder Films, Emma Slade for Firefly Films, and Harvard. Tango Entertainment financed with support from the New Zealand Film Commission, Telefilm, Blinder Films and Egg Post Production. Timpson, Tim Headington and Lia Buman are executive producers.

Saban Films has picked up the U.S. rights to producer Ant Timpson’s directorial debut “Come to Daddy,” starring Elijah Wood, the studio announced on Friday.

The horror-comedy made its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival last month, and in addition to Wood, it stars Stephen McHattie and Martin Donovan.

“Come to Daddy” follows a man in his 30s who travels to a remote cabin to reconnect with his estranged father. Toby Harvard penned the script based on an idea from Timpson.

Also Read: Saban Films Acquires Rights to Horror-Thriller 'Tone-Deaf' Ahead of SXSW

“Come to Daddy’s horror and comedy mix is perfectly balanced and creates a wonderfully wild atmosphere that’ll keep audiences guessing – all the way through,” Saban Films president Bill Bromiley said in a statement.

The film was produced by Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall for Nowhere, Daniel Bekerman for Scythia Films, Katie Holly for Blinder Films,...

Film premiered at Tribeca Film Festival last month.

Saban Films has picked up Us rights to the Elijah Wood horror-comedy Come To Daddy, which Xyz Films represents for international sales in Cannes.

The film premiered at Tribeca Film Festival last month and follows a man in his thirties who travels to a remote cabin to reconnect with his estranged father. Stephen McHattie and Martin Donovan also star.

Saban plans a theatrical release on Ant Timpson’s feature directorial debut based on a screenplay by Toby Harvard from an idea by Timpson.

Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall produced for Los Angeles-based Nowhere,...

While the SXSW Film Festival is kicking off in Austin this week, the Tribeca Film Festival will continue to shine a spotlight on upcoming genre films in April and May, including Joe Begos' Bliss, Ant Timpson's Come to Daddy (starring Elijah Wood and Stephen McHattie), and Something Else (directed by Jeremy Gardner and Christian Stella).

From the Press Release: "New York – March 5, 2019 – The 2019 Tribeca Film Festival, presented by At&T, today unveiled its feature film lineup. Continuing its tradition of elevating exceptional storytelling rooted in today’s global film communities, the 18th annual Festival will showcase debut works from emerging talent and new works from notable filmmakers. The program includes discoveries, comedies, music-centered, political and social films. The 2019 Tribeca Film Festival takes place April 24 - May 5.

The feature program includes 103 films from 124 filmmakers. The films selected in the three competition sections consist of 50% women directed films. The lineup includes 81 World Premieres,...

Veteran producers Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall are launching Nowhere, a Los Angeles-based production and management company, Variety has learned exclusively, with Michelle Craig as a partner.

“We came together with a shared enthusiasm for discovering and developing new talent and working with bold storytellers,” said Kongsved and Tunstall in a statement released Wednesday.

Kongsved has experience in both film sales and development, having worked for years at Xyz Films, where she produced Macon Blair’s “I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore.” That film won the Grand Jury Prize for the U.S. Dramatic competition in January.

Tunstall is a producer with a background in signing and developing talent for music videos as executive producer at Warp Films and Pulse Films. Credits include Sigur Ros’ “Inni” and Beyonce’s “Lemonade.”

Nowhere’s initial film slate includes projects by Jim Byrkit, Ninian Doff, Gillian Horvat and Rohan Blair-Mangat.

Exclusive: Star of Tiff selection Handsome Devil has joined Timothy Spall and Melanie Lynskey in the supernatural thriller.

Screen 2015 Star Of Tomorrow Nicholas Galitzine, who will be seen in tonight’s (Sept 11) world premiere of Toronto International Film Festival’s Contemporary World Cinema selection Handsome Devil [pictured], has joined The Changeover, which Radiant Films International is selling.

Previously announced Timothy Spall, Melanie Lynskey, Lucy Lawless and Erana James also star in the supernatural thriller, which is scheduled to begin shooting on September 19.

Co-directors Stuart McKenzie and Miranda Harcourt will shoot entirely in New Zealand, in and around the Christchurch Central Business District. McKenzie adapted the screenplay from New Zealand author Margaret Mahy’s Ya novel The Changeover: A Supernatural Romance.

The story centres on a 16-year-old girl who discovers her true identity and the supernatural powers within her after an ancient spirit attacks her infant brother.

Emma Slade of Firefly Films produces with investment from the [link...

Mimi Steinbauer’s Radiant Films International has boarded worldwide rights to the supernatural thriller heading into Cannes excluding Australia and New Zealand.

Playwright Stuart McKenzie and Miranda Harcourt will direct The Changeover, which will also star Melanie Lynskey, Charlie Heaton, Lucy Lawless, and New Zealand rising stars Erana James, Stefania Lavie Owen, and internet celebrity Jamie Curry.

McKenzie also wrote the screenplay based on New Zealand author Margaret Mahy’s Ya novel The Changeover: A Supernatural Romance.

Firefly Films’ Emma Slade is producing and principal photography is scheduled to begin in Christchurch, New Zealand, in August. Peter Jackson’s Park Road Post will create visual effects.

The story centres on a 16-year-old Laura Chant, who learns she has the supernatural powers to save her younger brother after an ancient spirit attacks him.

Radiant’s Cannes slate also includes the action thriller Juveniles starring Beau Knapp and Stephen Moyer that premieres in the market; as well as rom-com...

The New Zealand Film Commission has named the recipients of its one-off business development scheme Boost, with total funding of more than $NZ450,000.

The scheme is designed to accelerate the slates of active producers and to enable screen businesses to move films more quickly into production.

Applicants were invited to apply for $NZ50,000 - $NZ130,000 per business. At least 50 per cent of the money must be allocated to third party development costs and the commission expects the entire amount to be spent within 12-18 months.

The recipients are Jump Film and Television, Centron Pictures, Pop Film, Four Knights Film and Firefly Films.

Making the announcement at the Big Screen Symposium conference, Nzfc CEO Dave Gibson, said that screen companies in New Zealand are growing in number and scale and he expects the five Boost companies will contribute to this growth.

Founded by Robin Scholes, Jump Pictures is completing Lee Tamahori...

Emma Slade, Steve Kearney, Briget Callow-Wright heading for the UK’s Production Finance Market.

Sales agents from across the world yesterday voted New Zealand’s Emma Slade as the producer at the 37º South Market who most deserves a spot at the UK’s Production Finance Market (Pfm) in October, plus $1,860 (A$2,000) in travel assistance.

Runner-ups Steve Kearney and Bridget Callow-Wright from Australia also won places – but no cash.

Organizers said 2,203 meetings were held as part of the eighth edition of the co-financing film market, which is part of the business arm of the Melbourne International Film Festival (Miff).

Slade will be seeking a sales agent for The Love Of Humankind, the lead project in her slate, during her visit to London.

The “vodka-fuelled tragicomedy about unrequited love” is to be directed by comedian Danny Mulheron (Fresh Meat) from a script by he and Brian Sergent.

Based on a stage play, her one-liner...

Exclusive: Celsius takes rights to Ray Lawrence, Barrie M Osborne sweeping romance.

London-based sales company Celsius Entertainment has boarded sales to romantic drama Rosa [working tite], set to star Elena Anaya (The Skin I Live In) and Emily Browning (Sucker Punch, Sleeping Beauty).

Ray Lawrence (Jindabyne, Lantana) will direct Beatrix Christian’s (Jindabyne) script based on the book Here at the End of the World We Learn to Dance by Lloyd Jones.

The production team includes producers Barrie M Osborne (The Lord of the Rings), Andrew Mason (I, Frankenstein), Emma Slade (line producer, Tracker) and Dan Hennah (production designer, The Hobbit).

Rosa follows intertwining love stories across three generations and two continents as the eponymous young woman discovers a hidden bittersweet romance buried in her grandfather’s past in 1930’s Buenos Aires.

Simultaneously, Rosa struggles to find the balance between loving her down-to-earth husband Ivan and falling in love with a younger man.

Slated to shoot...