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India’s ‘Mahamantra’ Bridges Ancient Wisdom and Modern Crisis, Teaser Unveiled

14 February 2025 at 16:25
In an era where global upheaval dominates headlines, Indian filmmaker Girish Malik is stepping forward with an ambitious docu-drama that aims to offer ancient solutions to modern problems. “Mahamantra,” his latest directorial venture, is being presented at the European Film Market, and weaves together Vedic philosophy, contemporary science and urgent social commentary in what he […]

Thai Horror ‘Delivery Man’ Casts Bhumibhat Thavornsiri, Plearnpichaya Komalarajun and Ananda Everingham – EFM (EXCLUSIVE)

14 February 2025 at 12:02
Thai production outfit Night Edge Pictures has locked in its lead cast for the upcoming horror-thriller “Delivery Man,” with Bhumibhat Thavornsiri, Plearnpichaya Komalarajun, and Ananda Everingham joining the project, it was unveiled during Berlin’s European Film Market (EFM). The deal was orchestrated by U.S.-Thai film global sales, production, and finance company  EST N8’s team of […]

Issa Rae Exits Kennedy Center Event After Trump Takeover Drama

14 February 2025 at 10:39
In the latest shockwave to hit Washington’s premier performing arts institution, multi-hyphenate creator Issa Rae has pulled the plug on her upcoming Kennedy Center appearance following U.S. President Donald Trump’s installation as chair. The “Insecure” creator-star announced via Instagram Stories Thursday that she’s scrapping “An Evening with Issa Rae,” which had reached sellout status. Rae […]

‘DDLJ’ Musical ‘Come Fall in Love’ Taps Jena Pandya, Ashley Day as Leads for U.K. Run (EXCLUSIVE)

14 February 2025 at 10:16
Jena Pandya and Ashley Day have been cast as the romantic leads in “Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical,” the stage adaptation of Bollywood’s longest-running film “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.” The pair will portray Simran and Rog in Aditya Chopra’s musical comedy, which begins its previously announced run at Manchester Opera House on […]

Kyrgyz Drama on Violence Against Women ‘Kurak’ Lands at Fire and Ice Media for Asian Sales at EFM (EXCLUSIVE)

14 February 2025 at 09:54
Philippines-based Fire and Ice Media has nabbed Asian sales rights to “Kurak,” a powerful Kyrgyz drama tackling violence against women, and is introducing the film to buyers at Berlin’s European Film Market (EFM). The film, now in post-production, represents a milestone France-Kyrgyzstan co-production – the first in two decades – and stands as the largest […]

India’s JioStar Launches Unified Streaming Platform JioHotstar, Eyes Billion-Screen Reach

14 February 2025 at 00:30
In a landmark move that reshapes India’s streaming landscape, JioStar has unveiled JioHotstar, merging JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar. The unified platform, launching Feb. 14, boasts nearly 300,000 hours of content and claims a user base exceeding 500 million. The move follows the events of 2024 when the Indian entertainment landscape witnessed a seismic shift with […]

Oscar Nominees Guneet Monga Kapoor, Adam J. Graves on ‘Anuja’: ‘The Honesty Travels Through’

13 February 2025 at 13:29
Philosophy professor-turned-filmmaker Adam J. Graves never imagined his feature directorial debut would land on Netflix and garner an Oscar nomination. But a Dairy Queen run during the pandemic changed everything. “We were coming home from Dairy Queen – it was the only place open – and I turned to my wife and said, ‘You know […]

Gummybear International, Toonz Unveil ‘Gummibär and Friends, Operation Cotton Candy’ at EFM (EXCLUSIVE)

13 February 2025 at 09:16
Toonz Media Group unveiled its new CGI-animated feature “Gummibär and Friends, Operation Cotton Candy” at Berlin’s European Film Market (EFM), bringing YouTube sensation Gummibär to the big screen in partnership with Gummybear International (GBI). The spy spoof comedy marks the first theatrical outing for the beloved green gummy bear character, whose 2007 viral hit “I’m […]

Berlin Competition Title ‘Living the Land’ Explores Rural China’s Generational Shifts Through a Child’s Eyes; Clip Unveiled (EXCLUSIVE)

13 February 2025 at 08:02
Chinese director Huo Meng’s “Living the Land,” a deeply personal exploration of China’s rapidly evolving rural landscape in the early 1990s, is world premiering in competition at the Berlin Film Festival. The filmmakers have unveiled a clip exclusively for Variety. The film follows 10-year-old Chuang, who is being raised by extended family in his village […]

Horror Film ‘Noise,’ Occult Toon ‘Exorcism Chronicles’ Sell for Korea’s Finecut Ahead of EFM

13 February 2025 at 08:00
Korean sales powerhouse Finecut is ramping up its slate ahead of Berlin’s European Film Market (EFM), securing a raft of international deals for its animated occult thriller “Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning” and multi-sensory horror film “Noise.” “Exorcism Chronicles,” which bows theatrically in Korea on Feb. 21, has been snapped up by Pro Films for Bulgaria, […]

Sony Earnings Surge on Gaming and Music, Pictures Take a Hit

13 February 2025 at 07:12
Sony Group Corporation turned in a strong third quarter for 2024, riding high on gaming and music while its film unit faced headwinds. The tech and entertainment conglomerate posted consolidated revenue of JPY4.41 trillion ($28.6 billion), an 18% surge year-over-year, driven by robust gains in PlayStation sales and streaming music revenue. Operating income landed at […]

India’s Natesh Hegde Talks ‘Tiger’s Pond’ Ahead of Berlin Premiere, Teaser Unveiled (EXCLUSIVE)

13 February 2025 at 02:30
Rising Indian auteur Natesh Hegde’s sophomore feature “Tiger’s Pond” (Vagachipani) is poised to make history as the first Kannada-language film to screen at the Berlin Film Festival’s Forum strand. The dark crime drama, which has secured international sales representation from French outfit Loco Films, arrives with strong backing from celebrated filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. The filmmakers […]

Steve Coogan’s ‘Dr. Strangelove’ Trailer Pays Homage to Stanley Kubrick Original (EXCLUSIVE)

13 February 2025 at 00:01
The U.K.’s National Theatre Live has unveiled the first trailer for its cinematic presentation of “Dr. Strangelove,” the stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s cold war satire, ahead of its worldwide cinema release. The footage showcases seven-time BAFTA winner Steve Coogan’s celebrated performances as Dr. Strangelove, President Merkin Muffley, Group Captain Lionel Mandrake, and Major TJ […]

Bong Joon Ho Knows Mark Ruffalo’s ‘Mickey 17’ Villain Resembles Trump: ‘Were We Oracles Predicting the Future?’

12 February 2025 at 23:39
In a wide-ranging conversation at the British Film Institute ahead of his new film “Mickey 17,” Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho revealed that Mark Ruffalo’s antagonist character bears an uncanny resemblance to a certain U.S. president who once criticized “Parasite’s” historic Academy Awards sweep. “We shot this film in London in 2022 and there’s a […]

Busan Winner, Bangladesh Oscar Entry ‘The Wrestler’ Heads to EFM With Indywood (EXCLUSIVE)

12 February 2025 at 13:39
Indywood Distribution Network has picked up international sales rights to “The Wrestler” (“Boli”), Bangladesh’s submission for the 97th Academy Awards’ international feature film category and top prize winner at the Busan International Film Festival. Indywood is set to launch sales at the European Film Market (EFM) that runs alongside the Berlin Film Festival. The company, […]

Blood, Cults and Killer Gators: Black Mandala Unveils Genre Slate at EFM (EXCLUSIVE)

12 February 2025 at 13:15
New Zealand-based sales outfit Black Mandala is bringing a sinister lineup of six genre titles to Berlin’s European Film Market (EFM), ranging from occult horror to creature features. Leading the pack is “1978,” a twisted tale of torturers who get more than they bargained for when their victims turn out to be members of a […]

Indian LGBTQ Horror Film ‘Ummeed’ Boards Venice Alum Karan Tejpal, Heads to EFM (EXCLUSIVE)

12 February 2025 at 11:25
Director Karan Tejpal, whose debut “Stolen” (2023) premiered in Venice’s Horizon’s strand before screening at BFI London Film Festival, Zurich Film Festival, and SXSW Sydney, has boarded Indian psychological horror feature “Ummeed” (Hope). The project, selected for the Berlin European Film Market’s Fiction Toolbox Program at Berlinale 2025, is aiming for a November production start. […]

Taiwan Powers Into Berlinale With Four-Film Slate Led By LGBTQ+ Crime Drama

12 February 2025 at 10:43
Taiwan is making a strong showing at the Berlin Film Festival with four features in official selection, anchored by queer crime thriller “Silent Sparks” and cross-border pic “Dreams in Nightmares” in the Panorama strand. The Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) is meanwhile mounting an aggressive market push, bringing 99 titles from 45 companies to the […]

‘Mother Schmuckers’ Team’s ‘Heads or Fails’ Lands at Dark Star for North America (EXCLUSIVE)

12 February 2025 at 09:30
Dark Star Pictures has swooped in to acquire North American rights to “Heads or Fails,” the sophomore feature from Belgian directing duo Harpo and Lenny Guit. The deal marks a continued partnership between the indie distributor and the Guit brothers, whose midnight sensation “Mother Schmuckers” made waves at Sundance 2021. The acquisition was finalized between […]

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