The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has unveiled its main competition lineup, with 15 features vying for the Golden Peacock award carrying an INR4 million ($47,000) prize purse, notably featuring nine films directed by women. Among the world premieres are Manijeh Hekmat and Faeze Azizkhani’s Iranian drama “Fear & Trembling,” exploring an older […]

Director Kim Sung-su’s historical drama “12.12: The Day,” South Korea’s entry for the 2024 international feature Oscar race, chronicles a pivotal moment in the country’s history. The film depicts the military coup of Dec. 12, 1979, which led to an eight-year military junta. The tense action drama features an ensemble cast including Hwang Jung-min (“Deliver […]

Vietnam talent showed strong presence at the 12th QCinema International Film Festival in Quezon City, Philippines, as Trương Minh Quý’s “Viet and Nam” claimed the top prize, while compatriot Dương Diệu Linh’s “Don’t Cry, Butterfly” secured the Grand Jury Prize. “Viet and Nam,” which made its debut in Cannes Un Certain Regard, emerged victorious in […]

Prime Video’s Indian spy series “Citadel: Honey Bunny” has claimed the top spot as the streamer’s most-watched series worldwide during its launch weekend. The show, which debuted Nov. 7, has reached viewers in 200 countries and territories, landing in the Top 10 in nearly 150 markets including the U.S., U.K., France, Italy, Australia, Canada, Brazil […]

“Instant gratification” isn’t a phrase typically associated with Bollywood’s methodical star Ayushmann Khurrana — except when he’s talking about live performance. Speaking with Variety ahead of his November U.S. tour with band Ayushmann Bhava, the actor-singer opens up about his return to American stages after an eight-year hiatus. “As an artiste, I always look forward […]

Prime Video has set a premiere date for the sophomore season of its musical drama series “Bandish Bandits.” The new season continues to explore the fusion of Indian classical music with contemporary pop, following protagonists Radhe and Tamanna as they compete for recognition. Series creators Amritpal Singh Bindra and Anand Tiwari return, with Tiwari directing […]

Indonesia’s JAFF Market is set to welcome two Australian projects at its JAFF Future Project platform, marking a collaboration with Adelaide Film Festival (AFF). The inaugural JAFF Market takes place alongside the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF) in Yogyakarta from Dec. 3-5. The partnership, backed by the Australian Government, brings “Raesita Grey” from Katrina Irawati Graham […]

From masterminding elaborate heists for a global TV audience to sharing intimate moments with 640 theatergoers nightly, Álvaro Morte is embracing a different kind of dramatic tension in London’s West End. During a break at London’s Duke of York’s Theatre, where he stars opposite “Emily in Paris” lead Lily Collins in the play “Barcelona,” the […]

Studiocanal’s third “Paddington” instalment, “Paddington in Peru,” delivered a commanding £9.6 million ($12.3 million) opening weekend at the U.K. and Ireland box office, per numbers from Comscore. “Paddington in Peru” scored the biggest opening of the year for a British-produced film, the biggest opening in the territory for the franchise and is Studiocanal’s highest U.K. […]

Fortress Investment Group has bought British arthouse exhibitor and distributor Curzon in a deal that it claims will secure the company’s future across exhibition, distribution and streaming. The acquisition, announced Tuesday, saw Fortress acquire the company from Charles Cohen’s Cohen Media Group in a foreclosure auction involving multiple Cohen assets, including the Landmark cinema chain. […]

Prime Video has acquired worldwide rights to Nigerian director Tosin Igho’s supernatural revenge thriller “Suspicion,” setting a global streaming release for Nov. 28. The film will be distributed as a Prime Video Original across the platform. Stan Nze (“RattleSnake: The Ahanna Story,” “Colourless,” “The Blind Date”) leads the cast as Voke, a man who wields […]

Michael Gracey’s “Better Man,” a profile of British pop star Robbie Williams, will open the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) with its Asian premiere. The Australian production kicks off the festival’s run from Nov. 20-28 in Goa. Veteran filmmaker Phillip Noyce (“Clear and Present Danger,” “Salt,” “Rabbit-Proof Fence”) will receive the Satyajit Ray […]

Celebrated Bangladeshi filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has been put in charge of his country’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs. In August, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus was appointed to lead Bangladesh‘s interim government following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina‘s flight from the country amid mass protests. As it is an interim government, Yunus serves as Chief Advisor, rather […]

Jio Studios and Stage5 Production’s suspense drama “Saali Mohabbat” will make its world premiere at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. Fashion maven Manish Malhotra is making his producer debut with the film. The film also marks acclaimed actor Tisca Chopra’s first directorial venture. The film features an ensemble cast including […]

Jason Isaacs, Jimmi Simpson and Russell Peters have joined the voice cast of “Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk,” the upcoming animated feature from Exodus Film Group, Toonz Media Group and JAKM3N Productions. Isaacs is known for playing Lucius Malfoy in the “Harry Potter” franchise. Simpson’s recent credits include “Pachinko” and “Dark Matter,” while Peters is a standup […]

As the Taiwan Creative Content Fest (TCCF) concludes its fifth edition, the event has reaffirmed its role as a significant platform for the creative industry on the island – and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. With a focus on collaboration and cultural representation, TCCF 2024 brought to light three key trends that reflect Taiwan’s evolving position […]

In a move to bolster film preservation across borders, India’s Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) is teaming with French diplomatic missions in India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives on a two-year project dubbed FISCH (France-India-Sri Lanka Cine Heritage). Supported by the French Embassy and the French Institute in India, alongside the French Embassy in Sri Lanka […]

Ellen Kuras’ Kate Winslet-starrer “Lee” is set to open the inaugural Women and World International Film Festival in London, with the Oscar winner’s portrayal of war photographer Lee Miller anchoring the Nov. 21 premiere. The screening, which comes on the heels of the film’s Nov. 1 Sky Cinema release, will be followed by a Q&A […]

Comedy-horror series project “Pontianaks in Taiwan,” and education-themed “The Top Percentile” emerged as major winners at the 2024 Taiwan Creative Content Fest (TCCF) pitching sessions, securing three awards each. “Pontianaks in Taiwan,” from the creative team of Goh Ming Siu, Karl Gan and Holly Chan, won the MyVideo Initiative Award, the Taigi TV Award and […]