Feature: Last News

EXCLUSIVE: Asha Bromfield (Riverdale, Locke & Key) will adapt her 2021 debut novel, Hurricane Summer, into a feature film for Neshama Entertainment of Toronto. The film will be distributed globally (outside of Canada) by MarVista Entertainment, which has a minority stake in Neshama.

EXCLUSIVE: Tippett Studio and Ultra 8 Pictures today announced that Phil Tippett’s directing feature debut Mad God has sold to a host of key international territories following a theatrical run in the US.

We may see a huge change in the way Netflix releases its shows, as it could axe one of it's most iconic features.

EXCLUSIVE: Metro International has pre-sold UK rights to feature Late In Summer to Lionsgate UK.

Perhaps the most controversial part of the Emmys, on a night when political speechifying was fleeting, came at the very end, when Succession‘s Jesse Armstrong attempted to make a quip or light snipe about the British monarchy, now dominating the television landscape following the death of Queen Elizabeth.

We are beginning to see more and more actresses make the leap into feature directing. Perhaps most notably, at the moment, is Olivia Wilde, who has gone from being a well-known actress to helming one of the most anticipated films of the fall, “Don’t Worry, Darling.” Now, Sarah Gadon is hoping to make the same leap.

If you’ve ever wondered what inspired Emily Brontë to write Wuthering Heights, you’re not alone – and Frances O’Connor has made a film about it. The actor turns writer-director with the imaginative period drama Emily, premiering at Toronto International Film Festival. Sex Education star Emma Mackey puts in a spirited performance in a feminist, revisionist spin on a much-loved author.

Taylor Swift fever hit the Toronto Film Festival on Friday night as the singer-songwriter star passed through with actress Sadie Sink to present her 10-minute work All Too Well: The Short Film, followed by an hour-long In Conversation event with festival CEO Cameron Bailey.

Disney’s D23 Expo wasn’t just about live-action films. The house of the mouse was obviously built on animation, and the studio didn’t forget its roots in tonight’s big promotional event.

EXCLUSIVE: Emmy nominee Rain Valdez (Razor Tongue) has rounded out the cast for her first feature Re-Live, with Yoshi Sudarso (Bullet Train), Jamie Clayton (20th/Hulu’s upcoming Hellraiser), Vico Ortiz (Our Flag Means Death), Nicky Endres (The Dropout), Chris Renfro (Queer as Folk), Sydney Viengluang (Z Nation) and Benjamin Alves (Mystery of the Night) signing on for roles.

Carson Burton A new feature film based on the 1986 sports drama “Youngblood,” this time centering on an African American hockey prodigy, is in the works from Aircraft Pictures and Dolphin Entertainment. Rising filmmaker Charles Officer is on board to direct the film, which is slated to begin principal photography in early 2023. The reimagined update follows hockey prodigy Dean Youngblood, who joins the Hamilton Bulldogs and faces toxic behavior throughout his journey to the National Hockey League draft. The original 1986 film, distributed by MGM, was Keanu Reeves’ feature film debut. It also starred Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze, and it has since become a cult classic among hockey fans.

Black Theatre United has announced the line-up for its inaugural gala next month, and it’s a stellar one: Vanessa Williams, Norm Lewis, Audra McDonald, LaChanze, Capathia Jenkins, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Darius de Haas, Natasha Yvette Williams and Lillias White, for starters.

EXCLUSIVE: Electric Panda Entertainment and The Donaldson Company announced the cast for the dramatic thriller Civil.

2015 U.S. Transgender Survey, more than two-thirds, or 68%, of transgender respondents reported that none of their forms of identification matched their chosen name or correct gender marker.

Manori Ravindran International Editor 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.

BBC Scotland is set to showcase an interesting two-part series which will reveal, for the first time, the untold story of a vicious gang war that tore through Glasgow housing estates in the early 1980s.

K.J. Yossman Netflix has snapped up “The Anthrax Attacks” from BBC Studios, a feature-length doc about the 2001 anthrax threat that paralyzed the U.S. in the wake of 9/11 and sparked one of the largest FBI investigations in history. The doc will star Marvel’s Clark Gregg (“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D”) in scripted scenes recreating some of the events that took place. Oscar-nominated Dan Krauss (“Extremis”) will direct the doc, which is set to premiere globally on Thursday, Sept. 8. It is produced by BBC Studios’ science unit. One week after 9/11 the U.S. suffered one of its worst ever biological attacks, resulting in the deaths of five people, while at least 17 more were injured.

Naman Ramachandran Lionsgate India Studios is producing its first feature film, an as-yet-untitled coming-of-age story. Directed by Milind Dhaimade (2016 London Film Festival selection “You Are My Sunday”), the Hindi-language film is a comedy revolving around a mother and son relationship. It stars Neetu Kapoor (“Jug Jugg Jeeyo”), Sunny Kaushal (“The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye”) and Shraddha Srinath (“Maara”). Lionsgate India has previously produced several series for Starz streamer Lionsgate Play, including “Hiccups & Hookups,” “Jugaadistan” and “Feels Like Home.” Rohit Jain, MD, South Asia and networks – emerging markets Asia, Lionsgate, said: “Lionsgate remains bullish on investments in India spotlighting the region in the global growth strategy. Lionsgate Studios in India is delighted to announce its maiden Hindi film. With Milind at the helm of it, each character has been cast perfectly to depict this beautiful story that we’re sure audiences will love. We are running at a rapid pace with 8-10 grand projects in the pipeline, within a year – expect big announcements coming your way soon from the Lionsgate India Studios’ desk.”

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Best Friend Forever has unveiled the trailer for “To The North,” Romanian Mihai Mincan’s feature debut which is world premiering in the Horizons section at Venice. Inspired by true events, the edgy thriller follows Joel, a religious Filipino sailor who finds a Romanian stowaway, Dumitru, hidden between some containers during his shift on a transatlantic ship. Joel decides to hide him and subsequently starts feeling tormented by his crew, friends and even God.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor Hot off of its Venice Film Festival premiere, a concept album for Cate Blanchett’s “Tár” is set to be released on Oct. 21. The film bowed to rave reviews and a six-minute standing ovation. The Focus Features film, releasing Oct. 7, stars Blanchett as the fictional Lydia Tár, a globally renowned, gay and sometimes tyrannical conductor of a German orchestra, who finds herself in the crosshairs of a perilous #MeToo scandal. The film is director Todd Field’s first movie in 16 years, following the critically acclaimed “Little Children” (2006) and his breakout “In the Bedroom” (2001).

K.J. Yossman Altitude has acquired Georgia Oakley’s feature “Blue Jean” for distribution in the U.K. and Ireland. The film, from U.K./French outfit Film Constellation, is headed to Venice, Toronto and the BFI’s London Film Festival this fall. It will premiere in Venice on Sept. 3. In “Blue Jean,” Rosy McEwen (“Vesper”) stars as lesbian P.E. teacher Jean, who lives against the backdrop of the 1980s U.K. where being gay is still stigmatised. When a new girl arrives at the school, Jean finds herself facing a crisis that will challenge her to her core.