John Hopewell

John Hopewell

Juan Gautier’s ‘The Aspirant,’ a Malaga Work in Progress Player, Acquired by Begin Again Films (EXCLUSIVE)

Madrid-based Begin Again Films has picked up Spanish distribution and international sales rights to Juan Gautier’s psychological thriller “El aspirante” (“The Aspirant”), about initiation into a masculine universe revolving around hazing of a university residence. “El aspirante” plays at this year’s Málaga Work in Progress’ WIP España sidebar, an industry centerpiece at the Málaga Film […]

Starring Elite’s Omar Ayuso, ‘On the Go’ Secured by Dark Star Pictures for North America (EXCLUSIVE)

MALAGA — Dark Star Pictures, the L..A.-based distribution company, has secured North America distribution rights to “On the Go,” which showcases the acting talents of “Elite’s” Omar Ayuso, here playing a Grindr addict with vengeance in his heart. Celebrating its world premiere at last August’s Locarno Film Festival, “On the Go” was acquired for world […]

Malaga’s Spanish Screenings Host 222 Titles, Underscore Industry Drivers: NextGen Talent, Animation, the Rise of Spain’s Regions

MALAGA —  Antonio Chavarrías’ “Holy Mother,” Celia Rico’s “Little Loves” and Diogo Viegas’s “Alice’s Diary” play at this year’s 3rd Spanish Screenings Content, the Malaga Festival’s part of the Spanish Screenings XXL, Spain’s biggest international industry platform in its history, featuring over March 4-7 and – when it comes to Málaga – the monumental number of […]

Could ‘Maxima’ Be the New ‘The Crown’? Creative Team Discusses ‘Shakespearean’ Dutch Royal Family Love Story

Germany’s Beta Film is introducing at the London TV Screenings the first episode of “Maxima,” a six-part drama about the love story between future Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and the then Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander. The series is produced by Millstreet Films “The Neighbors”), with Videoland (RTL Netherlands) holding Dutch broadcasting rights. “Maxima” is […]

‘Fallen’ Star Sofia Helin on Swapping Clothes With Her Director, Reuniting With Scribe Camilla Ahlgren and Creating a Lighter Noir Than ‘The Bridge’

One of Banijay’s scripted centrepieces at the London TV Screenings, the Swedish crime drama “Fallen” (“Sanningen”), sees the first reunion of star actor Sofia Helin, writer Camilla Ahlgren, and Stockholm-based Filmlance International since the multi-season hit crime show “The Bridge” (2011-2018). Their collaboration has paid off again as “Fallen” has wooed a first batch of […]

Gerard Butler’s ‘Has Fallen’ Film Franchise Gets an Event TV Series Makeover in Studiocanal’s ‘Paris Has Fallen’

Is this now an age of TV caution? A brace of big swings at this week’s London TV Screenings belie that trend, and few come bigger than the English-language action thriller “Paris Has Fallen,” which Studiocanal launches at this week’s  London TV Screenings.    Like other major LTVS plays, it takes a mainstream genre  – such as, […]

London TV Screenings Bets on Escapism and ‘Elevated Mainstream,’ While Unscripted and Long-Running Franchises Continue to Grow: ‘We Want to Entertain You’

Enough with the winter gloom: Feel-good shows are about to take over TV market London Screenings, as distributors echo Russell Crowe’s Maximus iconic words: “Are you not entertained?”  “Most platforms are looking for entertaining shows. Escapism is a big thing,” says Fremantle International CEO Jens Richter.    “You want to take the audience somewhere else […]

Sony Pictures Television Announces ‘La Academia,’ Its First Spanish-Language Spain-Produced Series (EXCLUSIVE)

In a milestone move, Sony Pictures Television has unveiled “La Academia,” its first Spanish-language scripted series filmed in Spain for Prime Video and Catalan public broadcaster 3Cat. “La Academia” is produced for Sony by Brutal Media, commissioned out of Sony Pictures Television’s international production group. SPT is distributing the series worldwide. Shot over last summer […]

Banijay Unveils One of the Biggest – and Broadest – Lineups at the 2024 London TV Screenings (EXCLUSIVE)

“Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light,” formats “Upside Down” and “Shaolin Heroes” and premium doc feature “Front Row,” offering a novel take on the Ukraine War, are potential highlights on Banijay’s powerhouse lineup at what promises to be one of the biggest presentations at next week’s London TV Screenings.  Mixing third-party pick-ups and Banijay […]

‘Unique and Bold Choices’ Reigned Supreme at Berlinale’s Co-Pro Series: ‘This Should Attract Buyers and Co-producers Now’

From Namibian western to animated revenge thriller, from Bosnian family saga to a lesbian vampire breakup story, 10 upscale scripted TV projects were spotlighted at the Berlinale Series Market’s Co-Pro Series on Tuesday morning, representing “unique and bold choices with regard to genre and perspective, on top of great storytelling,” Martina Bleis, Head of the […]