Gary Marenzi: Last News

Naman Ramachandran Newly formed Los Angeles and London-based distribution company Cartel Studios International is making its MipTV debut with a slate of 18 titles spanning mystery dramas, thrillers and romantic comedies. The outfit, led by Gary Marenzi, Giovanni Pedde and Stephen Tague, was launched in 2021 by prolific genre producer Cartel Pictures whose credits include “Creepshow” and “Unborn.” Highlights of the MipTV slate include “Deadly Infidelity” (A&E Lifetime), “Dangerous Snow Day” (Lifetime Movie Network), “Deadly Girls Night Out” (Lifetime Movie Network), “Cheating for your Life” (A&E Lifetime), “Crushed” (Tubi) and “Romeo & Juliet Killers” (Tubi).

Selena Kuznikov The Hollywood Radio and Television Society has elected six new board members to its HRTS Foundation, the org announced Wednesday. The HRTS Foundation, first launched in 2022 (in honor of the HRTS’ 75th anniversary) is a charity that aims to foster “a more diverse, equitable and inclusive TV and entertainment industry.” Joining the board: Aimie Billon, a partners and strategy consultant in cause-related storytelling; Keely Cat-Wells, to co-founder and CEO of Making Space; Tony Jonas, the founcer of Tony Jonas Prods.; Noriko Kelley, the exec VP of programming strategy at CBS Entertainment; Dick Lippin, the chairman, chief executive and founder of The Lippin Group; and Frederic Richter, a writer, researcher and NYU SPS faculty member.

K.J. Yossman Michael Flatley, best known as the creator and star of Irish stage show “Lord of the Dance,” is set to be immortalized on screen with a biographical drama series about his life. Produced by StoryFirst and tentatively titled “Dancelord,” the series is billed as a “no holds barred biopic” which will chronicle the highs and lows of Flatley’s colorful life. It has been written by Micho Rutare (“Z Nation”) with casting set to begin imminently. Jessica Sherman (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”) is on-board as casting director. “For every transcendent moment onstage, Flatley endures grueling hours of pain and the loneliness of the road,” reads the synopsis. “Taunted by the media and, at times, doubted by everyone but his fans, Flatley bounces back time and again, dancing from his heart well into middle age and transforming Irish dance forever.”

EXCLUSIVE: Operation: Kickboxer — a new series based on the Kickboxer action films — is in the works from executive producers Todd Garner (Mortal  Kombat) and Dimitri Logothetis (Jiu Jitsu). 

Wilson Chapman editorIn tandem with its 75th anniversary, the Hollywood Radio and Television Society will launch a charitable foundation to support the careers of entertainment professionals from underrepresented backgrounds. The creation of the charity org, known as the HRTS Foundation, was announced by HRTS board president Odetta Watkins, HRTS board chairperson Dan Erlij and HRTS CEO Melissa Grego.“We share a common passion across our leadership and membership for creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive industry,” Watkins said in a statement.

Creepshow producer Cartel Pictures’ newly-formed distribution arm Cartel Studios International has unveiled its debut Mip TV slate of 18 movies.