Variety.com

The mystery behind rare Chaplin short

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 16:20:30 EST

Film News: Six-minute film 'Zepped' recovered in auction -- Morace Park thought he was bidding for a vintage film can when he placed an order on eBay a few months ago.

Showbiz moves fast when you're away

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 14:44:33 EST

Film News: Reporter's maternity leave doubled as an eventful frame for Hollywood -- Everything in the world of showbiz seems to be related to infancy.

Videogame companies set-up studio pics

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 14:35:35 EST

Film News: Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Eidos look to the big screen -- Where Marvel and Hasbro have led the charge for movies made from comicbooks and toys at the megaplex, Electronic Arts now hopes to do the same for films based on videogames.

'Prophet' grabs six European Film nods

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 13:08:12 EST

Film News: Noms include best pic,director and actor Rahim -- Jacques Audiard's prison thriller "A Prophet" leads the nominations for this year's European Film Awards.

'Christmas Carol' cheers in $9 million

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Film News: 'Precious' boasts record limited bow of $585,000 -- Family crowd pleaser "Disney's A Christmas Carol" easily took the top spot Friday with close to $9 million.

Sony eyes 'Agora' for U.S. distribution

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 20:56:26 EST

Film News: Interest growing after strong box office in Spain -- Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group is considering a bid for U.S. distribution rights to Alejandro Amenabar's ancient historical epic "Agora," starring Rachel Weisz.

20th Century Fox picks up Peruvian pic

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 20:29:00 EST

Film News: North American rights nabbed for 'The Dolphin' -- 20th Century Fox has picked up the North American rights to Peruvian CGI animated pic "The Dolphin, Story of a dreamer."

Thessaloniki focuses on revitalization

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 20:05:12 EST

Film News: Topper sees creative answers in global crises -- At a time when the world is going through a historic fiscal crisis, cinema has a key role to play, Thessaloniki fest director Despina Mouzaki says.

Thessaloniki mart boosts Balkan biz

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:58:57 EST

Film News: Economic crisis benefits region's smaller-budget films -- There's an upside to the global economic downturn for small, independent films from the Balkans region, according to Thessaloniki's Crossroads Co-production Forum coordinator Angeliki Vergou.

French mart takes stand in Latin America

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:42:51 EST

Film News: Cannes Marche takes biz know-how to Buenos Aires -- Ventana Sur won't be just another new market.

Paramount vet 'Gino' Campagnola dies

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:25:54 EST

Film News: Former exec had served for more than 50 yrs. at studio -- Sergio "Gino" Campagnola, who served for more than 50 years with Paramount Pictures, died Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 76.

Nick Counter dies at 69

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:16:54 EST

Film News: Former AMPTP chief stepped down in March -- Nick Counter, recently retired as chief of the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers, died Friday. He was 69.

Ventana spotlights Latin American offerings

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:14:59 EST

Film News: International execs keen to tap into local production -- In terms of attendance, organization and budget, Ventana Sur will be the biggest Latin American mart ever.

Ventana Sur titles

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:06:51 EST

Film News: A selection of mart offerings at LatAm event -- Ventana Sur titles

Doc mart sees Sunny side up for biz

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:00:04 EST

Film News: LSD teaming with Doc Buenos Aires on event -- Appropriately, given its acronym, France's Sunny Side of the Doc (LSD) is attempting to take Latin American documentaries to a new level.

Animation gets new focus at Ventana

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:55:21 EST

Film News: Buenos Aires' Expotoons showcases growth industry -- Buenos Aires' Expotoons, Ventana Sur's second sister event, rolls out its third edition this year, as Latin America's animation industry grows. "Ventana Sur has sparked enormous interest among Latin American countries, which see us as a window to the world of animation," says Expotoons artistic director Maggie Stagnaro. The aim of the mart is to strengthen ties within the region "so we can develop and present Latin America as a block to the international market." The four-day event opens with adventure comedy "Planet 51." A competition will showcase new works, and a market will provide opportunities for co-production, distribution and financing, as well as sales deals. Cartoon Connection, a European training program, will hold its first event at Expotoons. Latin America is expanding with co-production and animation service deals. Argentina's Illusion Studios, for example, is partnering with India's Toonz Animation for "Gaturro," a stereoscopic 3D animated feature about a cheeky cat. Another deal is with Canada's Cookie Jar and Germany's Optix for a toon-series version of "Doodlebops Rocking Road Show." "This will open doors to Asia," says Gaston Cami, Illusion's VP of international sales and co-productions. In Latin America, costs can be lower in dollar terms and many animators are skilled, such as in Argentina, where training is still old school with pencils; this provides a solid foundation that's attractive to foreign producers, Cami says. Latin American producers have to be aggressive. While in some developed markets animators can work on a per-project basis, in Argentina contracts are long term. "We have to find a constant flow of work" for a team of 110-115 animators, Cami says. And it is. So much that Illusion is planning night shifts to keep up with the workload.

Safe and sane holiday at the box office

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 17:43:04 EST

Film News: Hollywood sticks to familiar strategies in pursuit of boost -- After a year of surprises and risks that paid off big-time at the box office, from "Taken" to "The Hangover" to "Paranormal Activity," the majors are playing it safe during the holidays.

Why WWII and Holocaust films endure

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 16:17:07 EST

Film News: Euro helmers tackle sensitive historical subject -- Among the 65 films submitted to the Academy this year for Oscar consideration, eight touch on WWII or the Holocaust in varied ways.

Mar del Playa finds beachside groove

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:43:06 EST

Film News: Latin America fest unspools Nov. 7-15 -- With its fine beaches, broad boardwalks, casinos, restaurants and theaters, Mar del Plata is a hot tourist attraction in Argentina and a favorite stop on the fest circuit for local filmmakers.

Sixty-five countries vie for Oscar nom

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:30:57 EST

Film News: Competish fierce for five foreign-language slots -- Sixty-five countries vie for one of Oscar's coveted five foreign-lingo slots. Get to know the competition.