Berlin-based Picture Tree International has picked up global sales rights to Mexican director Raúl López Echeverría’s feature debut, the socially conscious soccer comedy “Domingo,” and will introduce the film, in final postproduction, to buyers at Latin American film market Ventana Sur this week. The film tells the story of Domingo, a man of 55 living
Following Chile’s most successful theatrical release of 2020 and high-profile streaming premieres in Latin America and the U.S. as an Amazon Prime Video Exclusive, Argentina’s Meikincine, sales agents on this year’s Argentine Oscar submission “The Sleepwalkers,” has sold Chilean political thriller “Jailbreak Pact” to Swift Productions in France and SBS in Australia. Recent deals struck
In further growth in Europe, ViacomCBS’s Pluto TV, the U.S. media giant’s banner free ad-supported streamed TV linear service, is launching eight more channels in Spain, as it has unveiled data underscoring the impact of its Oct. 26 Spanish launch. Set to bow on today Tuesday Dec. 1, and bringing Pluto TV’s total portfolio count
Netflix is to create a Korean version of its own Spanish-language action thriller series “Money Heist” (“La Casa de Papel”). The production is to be a collaboration between BH Entertainment and Contents Zium. The Korean adaptation of “Money Heist” will be directed by Kim Hong-sun, who has helmed TV dramas like “The Guest,” “Voice” and
Los Angeles’ Union Station, a frequented COVID-19 testing site, will shut down on Dec. 1 for the filming purposes of “He’s All That,” Variety has confirmed. On Monday night, homeless outreach and advocacy organization Ktown for All tweeted a screenshot of an email from Curative — the company that runs the testing site — canceling an
As they do at this time every year, Spotify has unveiled the top artists, albums, tracks, playlists and podcasts that its 320 million users streamed the most in its survey 2020. MUSIC (GLOBAL) PODCASTS (GLOBAL) Spotify 2020 Wrapped Global Top Lists: Most Streamed Artists Globally Most Streamed Female Artists Most Streamed Albums Globally Most Streamed
Outfest’s holiday fundraiser “’Twas the Night Before Give-Mas” on Monday night featured appearances by prominent LGBTQIA+ leaders and creatives, including Wilson Cruz, Margaret Cho, Charlie Carver, Candis Cayne, Alexandra Billings and “Veneno” star Jedet. The evening helped raise funds for Outfest initiatives, including OutSet, a joint collaboration with the Los Angeles LGBT Center that empowers
SAG-AFTRA has commended New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York Legislature for signing a law protecting members from “deep fake” sexually explicit material and prohibiting the exploitation of one’s name, image and voice after they pass away. The performers union said Monday that the law protects the images and voices of SAG-AFTRA members
A new dramatic series revolving around China’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic is featured in the market screenings of Singapore’s Asia TV Forum (ATF). The series takes pride of place as part of the Middle Kingdom’s most elaborate presence at virtual markets this year. “With You” is a 20-episode anthological drama series featuring 10 fact-based
Peter Dinklage will star in a reboot of “The Toxic Avenger” for Legendary, Variety has confirmed. Macon Blair will write and direct what is described as a contemporary reimagining of Troma Entertainment’s 1984 hit of the same name. Dinklage will play Toxie, the superhero around which the film centers. Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz will serve as
Film co-productions are on the rise in South East Asia, but their growth brings tricky choices for producers. Leading practitioners Monday shone a useful light on how to navigate the often tricky paths of co-productions at a Singapore International Film Festival panel discussion. The film festival is part of the ongoing Singapore Media Festival. Co-productions
SPOILER ALERT: Do not read if you have not yet watched “Storia Americana,” the fourth season finale of “Fargo.” The Season 4 finale of “Fargo,” which aired Sunday night, was the second of two episodes that were — thanks to the coronavirus pandemic — short four months after the eight preceding episodes were forced to
Charles Rivkin, the chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association, was paid $3.1 million in salary and bonus in 2019, a 37% jump from the prior year. Rivkin’s salary was revealed in the organization’s annual tax filing. According to the document, Rivkin was paid $2 million in base salary plus $1.1 million in bonus
In today’s TV news roundup, Jake Choi has joined the cast of ABC comedy “American Housewife,” and HBO Max unveiled the official trailer for “My Gift: A Christmas Special from Carrie Underwood.” CASTING Jake Choi has joined the cast of ABC sitcom “American Housewife,” Variety has learned exclusively. He will play J.D., a recent divorcee and
Veteran PR exec Allison Elbl has joined top music PR and marketing agency Shore Fire Media, the company announced Monday. Elbl, who starts her new role on Tuesday (Dec. 1), will be a senior vice president of the company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dolphin Entertainment, and will head Shore Fire’s Los Angeles
MONDAY, Nov. 30 Hiroyuki Sanada Rounds Out ‘Bullet Train’ Cast Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada will join Brad Pitt in Sony Pictures’ “Bullet Train,” based on the Japanese novel “Maria Beetle” in which a train in Tokyo is the setting for battles between criminals. David Leitch is directing, with Kelly McCormick producing through 87North alongside Antoine
Actor Abby Dalton, best known for her role as Julia Cumson in “Falcon Crest,” died last week at the age of 88. The Emmy-nominated star got her start acting in “Rock All Night,” a 1957 film about a group of hostages taken captive by two criminals at a club. She starred as Julie, a singer
Amblin Partners has signed a multi-year film distribution partnership with Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, as well as forged a series of new agreements that will expedite the company’s move into streaming. The pact is in the five-year range, according to insiders, similar to Amblin’s previous deal with the studio, which was inked in 2015. The
History Channel is developing a pair of drama miniseries, including one executive produced by “Vikings” creator Michael Hirst. The first is titled “The Plague Year,” which hails from writer Coleman Herbert with Hirst executive producing. The series is described as a portrait of 1665 London, during one of the all-time worst outbreaks of the Bubonic
Disney Plus has made good on its promise to deliver a varied and ambitious original programming lineup in Latin America where it launched on Nov. 17. More than 70 original productions are in various stages of development and production in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Colombia, Disney’s four biggest markets. One of them, doc-series “Sobrevolando,” is
Grammy-nominated rapper 6lack’s love for hot sauce runs deep. Growing up in Atlanta, he quickly built up a tolerance to all things hot and would save up his pocket change to go to the local wing spot. Now, with his own hot sauce line, 600 Degrees, he’s making a splash in the world of food
“Into the Storm,” directed by Adam Brown, won the Grand Prize at the 2020 Kendal Mountain Film Festival on Sunday. Filmed over a six-year period, the film follows the story of a teenage surfer as he escapes the poverty of a barrio in Lima with the intention of becoming one of the top surfers in
Apple has given a straight-to-series order to a drama series starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Variety has learned. The series is titled “Surface” and hails from writer and executive producer Veronica West. Plot details on the series are being kept under wraps except to say that it is a psychological thriller. It will consist of eight episodes with
In recent days, New Jersey drivers may have been surprised to see billboards featuring native sons Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi and Jon Stewart wearing COVID masks under the words, “Wear a friggin’ mask!” The effort, launched just before the Thanksgiving holiday, is the first phase of a “Mask Up” campaign, spearheaded by New Jersey
FuboTV, the over-the-top live TV streaming provider, has tapped technology veteran Mike Berkley as chief product officer. Berkley joins the company effective immediately, reporting to FuboTV CEO David Gandler. As chief product officer, Berkley will lead product strategy and development for FuboTV across platforms, including connected TVs, mobile and web. Berkley most recently was chief
AMC Networks has appointed its first ever chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer. The company has hired Aisha Thomas-Petit in the new role, which will see her look to build on the AMC’s current diveristy, equity and inclusion foundation. Thomas-Petit will play an integral role in developing and retaining a diverse and inclusive community of
Brat TV announced the renewal of “Attaway General” for Season 2, with filming already underway. The series, which is known for featuring young talent — including TikTok stars like Dixie D’Amelio — follows a group of teenagers who volunteer at the Attaway General Hospital in hopes of preparing for future medical careers. The first season
“Euphoria” and its Emmy-winning star Zendaya are back. It may not be the full-fledged sophomore season of the HBO original series, but the first trailer for a pair of special episodes released on Monday. The first episode is titled “Part 1: Rue” and will stream on HBO Max on Dec. 6 at 9 p.m. The
Dua Lipa’s “Studio 2054” livestream concert event drew a whopping 5 million-plus global views, according to an announcement from her reps — this tally is said to be a record for a paid livestream. That tally includes over 1.9 million unique log-ins from China, 95,000 from India and 263,264 tickets sold across the regular ticketing
The title of the new album from BTS, “BE,” was short for behemoth, at least in its first week, as the collection easily topped the album chart with 217,100 album units, more than double the number of the first runner-up. “BE” had what counts as a blockbuster number nowadays for full-album sales, selling 136,700 full