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Pinewood Group Strikes Deal With Prime Video to take UK Production Facilities at Shepperton Studios
In a further commitment to the UK production industry, Prime Video today announced a landmark multimillion-pound long-term contract with Shepperton Studios for exclusive use of new production facilities at the Surrey studios for future original TV series and movie productions. The new facilities will comprise 9 sound stages, workshops and office accommodation, totalling approximately 450,000 square feet, and forming part of the wider redevelopment and expansion of Shepperton Studios, which will deliver approximately 1.2 million square feet of new studio space.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Pinewood Group as we continue to support, develop and invest in the world-leading UK creative industries,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios. “Shepperton has long been synonymous with top-tier television and movies and we’re proud that it will be home to many Prime Video original productions in the years to come.”
“As we continue to grow the number of original series we’re making in the UK, it is critical that these productions support and develop a diverse pipeline of talent,” added Dan Grabiner, head of UK Originals, Amazon Studios. “We’re excited to be collaborating with Pinewood Group and our production partners to create new opportunities for UK creatives.”
“We’re delighted to be welcoming Prime Video to our expanded Shepperton Studios,” said Paul Golding, chairman, Pinewood Group. “This landmark long-term commitment to Shepperton supports our considerable investment in this fantastic studio. Once construction is completed in 2023, Shepperton Studios will comprise 31 purpose-built stages, making it the second-biggest studio in the world.”
“We’ve supported our world-leading cultural and creative sector throughout the pandemic and will continue to do so as it bounces back,” said Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak. “It’s fantastic to see Prime Video expanding its UK presence and giving yet another boost to our rebounding economy. The investment will drive growth and create jobs with thousands of opportunities for the producers, actors and directors of tomorrow.”
“The UK”s film and production industry is rightly recognised as among the best in the world,” said Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries. “This multimillion-pound investment by Prime Video is a huge vote of confidence in the strength of our infrastructure and workforce and I hope encourages other firms to follow. I look forward to seeing all the fantastic film and TV created in this state-of-the-art facility in the years to come.”
The long-term commitment to studio space at Shepperton Studios aligns with Amazon Studios’ strategy of expanding its production footprint in the UK. The first UK-produced series, The Grand Tour, was launched on Prime Video in 2016; it was followed by All or Nothing sports documentaries featuring Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Subsequent unscripted series launched regularly, like Clarkson’s Farm in the summer of 2021. Good Omens, the first UK-produced scripted original series, debuted on Prime Video in 2019; as a result of increased production, 2022 and 2023 will see the largest number of UK original series launching to date. These include The Devil’s Hour, a six-part thriller series produced by Hartswood Films starring Jessica Raine and Peter Capaldi; Jungle, a grime and drill music drama series from first-time TV producers Nothing Lost; The Rig, Wild Mercury’s six-part epic thriller series starring Martin Compston and Emily Hampshire; and Mammals, a six-part comedy-drama series written by Jez Butterworth and starring James Corden and Sally Hawkins.
Many of Amazon Studios’ major global series already call the UK home such as Citadel and The Power – with filming currently underway in Scotland on Anansi Boys and Good Omens Season Two. And in 2021, Amazon Studios announced its forthcoming Lord of the Rings series, The Rings of Power, will film Season Two in the UK. Amazon Studios has also signed overall deals with British creators including Neil Gaiman, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Sir Steve McQueen.
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DEMI MOORE DOES HORROR
The Substance, which premiered at Cannes and won Best Screenplay, literalizes the painful experience of aging in Hollywood.
Here’s the official synopsis for the film, which just dropped an insane Reqium for a Dream-esque trailer:
A fading celebrity (Demi Moore) decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.
The film is wildly violent; it’s full-on maximalist body horror as a younger Moore (played by Margaret Qualley) literally bursts out of her body.
Moore explained:
“The script is that this was about the male perspective of the idealized woman that we have bought into as women. And what’s so interesting in the film is here, this newer, younger, better version gets an opportunity and she still repeats the same pattern.”
She continued:
“She’s still seeking this external validation. And in the end comes face to face with just fighting herself because that’s where we have to really look within, not without.”
We are all seeking some level of external validation—this film brilliantly warns us not to be consumed by it.
Dennis Quaid, who plays Moore’s boss—a sublime vision of assholeness—called the director:
“A cross between Stanley Kubrick and Sam Peckinpah.”
The Substance is not derivative. It is so hard core stylized it feels entirely its own creation.
Debuting in theaters September 19th.
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IFFR & Göteborg Film Festival Screenings Information | Borrowed Time by dir. CHOY Ji
Borrowed Time was officially selected by two European film festivals —— the 53rd edition of International Film Festival Rotterdam Bright Future Section and the 47th edition of Göteborg Film Festival Ingmar Bergman Competition!
The European Premiere of this film will be held at the 53rd edition of International Film Festival Rotterdam, and the Swedish Premiere of this film will be held at the 47th edition of Göteborg Film Festival.
Borrowed Time
China | 2023 | Drama | 93 min | Debut Feature
Director: CHOY Ji
Screenwriter: Yin WANG
Producer: Jinjin MO
Cinematography: Shuli HUANG, Chiheng LIANG
Starring: Dongping LIN, Sunny SUN, Eddy AU-YEUNG, Jie PAN, Tai-Bo
Festivals：
International Film Festival Rotterdam | Bright Future
Göteborg Film Festival | Ingmar Bergman Competition
Busan International Film Festival | New Currents Competition
Pingyao Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon International Film Festival | Hidden Dragon Competition
IFFR Screenings Schedule
Public screening: 01-26, 20:00, Cinerama 3
Public screening: 01-28, 12:30, KINO 1
Public screening: 01-29, 15:00, LantarenVenster 3
Göteborg Film Festival Screenings Schedule
Public screening (Q & A) : 01-30, 19:45, Göta 1
Public screening (Q & A) : 01-31, 17:30, Göta 2
Public screening: 02-01, 10:15, Göta 1
Public screening: 02-04, 19:30, Hagabion 2
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Elaheh Nobakht, President of the Jury of the 6th Beirut Women Film Festival
Mansour Jahani – The Iranian movie producer, Elaheh Nobakht, has been elected as the jury president of the competition category “Documentary and Animated Shorts” at the 6th round of Beirut International Women Film Festival, heralding “Women for Leadership” as the focal topic of the event held in Lebanon.
With her third attendance at the Berlin International Film Festival in the preceding month as producer of the documentary feature film “Dreams’ Gate” in the competition category “Generations”, Nobakht had also formerly contributed as a juror to international festivals such as Switzerland’s FIFOG, Italy’s Religion Today Film Festival, as well as MENA International Film Festival held in the Netherlands.
The feature-length documentary film “Dreams’ Gate” directed by Negin Ahmadi and produced by Elaheh Nobakht, will have its second international screening in the competition category of “Feature-Length Documentaries” at the 6th round of Beirut International Women Film Festival.
Following its trend of global screenings, “Dreams’ Gate” is slated to have the third international run at the 19th edition of Kosmorama International Film Festival that is held in Trondheim, Norway.
The 6th edition of Beirut International Women Film Festival is presided over by Sam Lahoud, Beirut Film Society president, and will feature works of filmmakers coming from various countries under several categories, namely “Feature-Length Fiction Films”, “Feature-Length Documentaries”, “Documentary and Animated Shorts”, “Short Dance Films”, as well as specialized summits held from 5-11 March, 2023, in Beirut, Lebanon.
Photo: Mansour Jahani
For more details: https://beirutwomenfilmfestival.com/
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