NEW FUNDS FOR SHORTS
U.K.-based creative agency, Intermission Film has announced the launch of Next Up The Intermission Short Film Fund, a new fund offering filmmakers the opportunity to create work supported by leading industry creatives. The fund is divided into two parts Get it Shot, a production fundand Get It Finished, a finishing fund. The once per year application for the production fund is open until Dec. 20, 2022, and will see two filmmakers being awarded GBP10,000 ($11,800) as well as development and editorial support. The finishing fund is a rolling fund open year-round offering support to two films per year. Filmmakers will be able to apply for a full post package, including on and offline edit, MGFX (if required) and a poster. Intermission specialises in the creationof AV, motion design and key art for film and television. Founded in 2012 bySamCryer, the company now has offices in New York, Amsterdam, Melbourne and Paris. It has previously invested in short films includingGavin Scott Whitfield’s BIFA-nominated “An Everyday Act,” Jack Benjamin Gill’s “Doggerland,” Ellie Rogers’ “Chickenshit,” and Tommy Gillard’s short “Slow Burn.”
DRAG ON
Hong Kong-based TV content distributor O4 Media has teamed up with World of Wonder to represent the Drag Race television format in multiple territories in Asia. Since launching competition series “RuPaul’s Drag Race” in 2007, World of Wonder has co-produced over 700 hours of Drag Race content. Local versions include the U.K., France, Italy, Canada, Spain and ‘Down Under’ (Australia and New Zealand).
O4 Media will also be introducing broadcasters across Asia to the companion series “Secret Celebrity Drag Race,” where the nation’s top celebrities pull off a lip sync performance whilst using drag to create a new persona that hides their true identity from the audience until they exit the show. Both formats will be introduced to potential buyers at next month’s Asian Television Forum in Singapore.
“We’re super excited to be involved with a format that champions diversity and inclusivity at such a high level. Having already been produced in nearly 20 countries and with a huge number of international awards under its belt, we can’t wait to make a difference and expand on ‘Drag Race’ productions in Asia,” said Gary Pudney, founder and MD of O4 Media.
NIPPON FORMATS
Japanese broadcaster and producer, Nippon TV will be heading to this year’s ATF in Singapore with new unscripted reality singing competition genre format,“Vocals Like Locals” and a drama format for the Gen-Z audience,“First Kiss Boys” and “First Kiss Ladies” (10 episodes of 30 mins each). “Vocals like Locals” sees amateur singers from all over the world perform a local hit from their favorite foreign country and try to sound like a native of their selected country. “First Kiss Boys”follows the chronicles of a schoolboy who lives in a rural town who tries to use his skills of creating lyrics to express himself. One day he receives his first kiss from a beautiful young girl; however, she suddenly moves to another school. That leads to a 30-day summer adventure when the young man finds that the girl actually stars in a dating reality show for women. That shown is “First Kiss Ladies,” in which six women that live under the same roof try to capture the heart of one man.
Nippon TV introduced three new titles last month at MIPCOM. The two additions are new to ATF.
SOHU SUFFERS
Sohu, one of China’s leading online video and games companies, on Monday reported third quarter results that showed the ravages of a slowing economy and other macro impacts. Its total revenues were$185 million, down 14% year-over-year and 5% quarter-over-quarter. Losses of $22 million replaced net income of$12 millionin the thirdquarter of 2021and net income of $9million in the secondquarter of 2022. “We faced severe headwinds from the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainties in the macroeconomic environment. Thanks to strict budget controls and the solid performance of our online game business, our bottom-line performance for the quarter was well above expectations,” said Dr.Charles Zhang, chairman and CEO ofSohu Limited. Zhang said that the company is developing science and knowledge-based live broadcasting, and compelling content and events, under the Sohu Video umbrella. online games also performed well during the quarter, with revenues exceeding prior guidance. China’s biggest entertainment tech firms Alibaba and Tencent both report their quarterly figures later this week.
ANIMAL PROWESS
“Animal” by Cyril Dion of France has won this year’s Young Audience Award 2022. The winner was revealed during an online award ceremony on Sunday evening in Erfurt, Germany. The show was streamed live on the YAA website. The award honours European films for an audience between 12 and 14 years and has been an official category of the European Film Awards since 2012. The winner was chosen by young juries from 42 European countries watching the three nominated films online as well as in over 50 movie theatres throughout Europe.
FUNDRAISER
U.K. non-profit The Film and TV Charity has launched a fundraising campaign for industry workers impacted by the cost-of-living crisis this winter.
The charity estimated up to 5,000 additional freelancers and salaried workers across film, TV, and cinema could find themselves in what has been described as “in-work poverty” by increased energy and other bills.
Among the service the charity has provided over the last 12 months are digital tools for financial support, a bullying advice service, practical support or simply a friendly ear on the organization’s 24/7 Film and TV Support Line. To keep these services going – plus grants and counselling services – the charity is asking for donations from those across the creative sector.
“Perhaps you’ve been supported by the charity in the past, or you would like to give back to the industry that you love,” said the charity’s CEO Alex Pumfrey. “Whatever the amount, all donations mean that we can continue making film, TV and cinema a better place to work for all.”
AWARD
Indian pop star Armaan Malik has won the 2022 MTV Europe Music Award for Best India Act for his English-language single “You.” This is the second time that Armaan has won at the MTV Europe Music Awards. His debut single, “Control” won him the MTV EMA in the same category in 2020. Malik attended the awards ceremony in Düsseldorf, Germany. The multilingual singer-songwriter has more than 10 billion streams for more than 300 songs in a dozen languages.
BIRMINGHAM INITIATIVES
Indian singer and composer Shankar Mahadevan will receive an honorary doctorate fromBirminghamCity University for his contribution to music and the arts.
Speaking at a trade mission event in Mumbai, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street made the announcement on behalf of the University,before the member of the celebrated Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy song writing trio in Mumbai was formally invited to receive the university’s highest honor at a ceremony in 2023.
Earlier this year, Mahadevan toured the RoyalBirminghamConservatoire with fellow Indian musicians including Zakir Hussain and committed to exploring links and opportunities between the Bangalore-based Shankar Mahadevan Academy and the Conservatoire.
Meanwhile, at the trade mission event, the Birmingham Repertory Theatre signed a memorandum of understanding with Mumbai’s National Centre for Performing Arts to co-operate on originating new theater co-productions in multiple languages for performance at both institutions. Speculative titles under consideration include “Hedda Gabler” adapted by Tanika Gupta and “Life of Galileo,” with an adaptor of Indian heritage to be /confirm/ied. An MoU between The Rep with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations is also underway.
