SALES
Altitude is launching international sales on two films featuring iconic British band Blur at the Berlin European Film Market. The band, consisting of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bass guitarist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree, was formed in 1988 and tasted considerable success until it went on hiatus in 2015.
The first film is an untitled feature-length documentary depicting the return of Blur, captured across a year in which the band made a surprise return with their first record in eight years, the #1 album “The Ballad of Darren.” It follows the relationship of the bandmates of over three decades as they come together to record 10 new songs ahead of their sold-out shows at London’s Wembley Stadium in 2023. The second film is “Blur: Live At Wembley Stadium,” a two-hour concert film of the Wembley show.
Both films are directed by Toby L. and produced by Josh Connolly, via production house Up The Game (“Liam Gallagher: Knebworth”).
Altitude will release both films in U.K. and Ireland cinemas later this year.
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Meanwhile, Embankment has launched global pre-sales on “Bollywoof,” directed by Frederic Du Chau (“Racing Stripes”) and reuniting “The Amazing Maurice” producers Cantilever Media and Sky Cinema who are joining forces with Mikros Animation (“The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” “Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight”). The U.K.’s Newscope Films co-produces alongside Good Story Productions and Parti Productions. The script was developed with the support of the BFI.
Du Chau said: “’Bollywoof’ is Basil’s adventure – a very British Springer Spaniel lost in India, trying to find his human family. Chased by a fearsome dog catcher, Basil teams-up with a street-wise, Bollywood-obsessed Street Dog forever living off his wits and a feisty holy cow with a lot of attitude. The movie’s story is epic – action-packed, emotional, funny and stacked with vibrant locations – its core purpose is to have great fun and celebrate the importance of friendship, and the true value of emotional connection, whilst basking in the vitality and warmth of India. Artist Stephen Hanson’s intimate and joyful character design and visual development is inspirational.”
PRODUCTION
Emmy-winning animation star Matt Danner and Malaysia’s Animasia Studio have twinned upto produce Danner’s original animated series.“Super Free Play”is a 20 x 11’ 2D animation aimed at kids aged 6-12, about a set of super powered siblings. Sander Schwartz has been tapped to produce.
The show follows siblings living on an alien planet cluster who have saved their world from evil and must return to normal teenage life. Until a new danger emerges.
Danner’s credits include directing a trilogy of“Hot Wheels”features for Mattel,“Muppet Babies”for Disney Junior and an animated“Night at the Museum”featurefor Disney+. Nominated for five Emmys for writing, directing, and producing Danner won an Emmy for voicing Kermit on“Muppet Babies.”
Now in the final stages of development “Super Free Play” is a co-production with Bruce Robinson of Free Play Media and Animasia Studio. Lacey Entertainment has been brought on board to distribute the series.
AWARD
The Production Guild of Great Britain‘s annual Duke of Edinburgh Film & TV Inclusion Award has been presented to Million Youth Media, an organization offering training and development to the next generation of filmmakers and under-represented talent. The award aims to shine a light on the work that is helping foster and progress talent inclusion in Britain’s screen production workforce.
The MYM Academy’s 2021 BBC scripted comedy series “PRU” created over 60 paid placements across the show and was recently acquired by Netflix. The youth led, managed and curated, MYM: Million Youth Media YouTube channel has launched and supported over 450 films with over 87 million views.
DISTRIBUTION
“Kaagaz 2,” one of the last films starring Indian actor-director Satish Kaushik, who died in 2023, will release theatrically on March 1. The film also stars Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumaar and Neena Gupta. Directed by V.K. Prakash and produced by Shashi Satish Kaushik, Ratan Jain and Ganesh Jain, the film is a joint production of Satish Kaushik Entertainment LLP and Venus Worldwide Entertainment Pvt Ltd. “Kaagaz” released in 2021 to much acclaim.
