UK animation production and sales specialist Gfm Animation has upped Amanda Kerridge and Saiqa Mobeen to joint chief operating officers (COO), reporting to chair Guy Collins.
Former head of marketing Kerridge will continue to oversee marketing and PR activities across the company’s slate; head of finance Mobeen will still lead the finance team.
Titles on the Gfm Animation slate include Sundance premiere 10 Lives, The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, Sneaks; Stitch Head, Humbugged! and X Factor In The Jungle.
‘10 Lives’ review
“We were one of the first companies in the independent sales sector to recognise...
Former head of marketing Kerridge will continue to oversee marketing and PR activities across the company’s slate; head of finance Mobeen will still lead the finance team.
Titles on the Gfm Animation slate include Sundance premiere 10 Lives, The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, Sneaks; Stitch Head, Humbugged! and X Factor In The Jungle.
‘10 Lives’ review
“We were one of the first companies in the independent sales sector to recognise...
- 4/4/2024
- ScreenDaily
Sundance award-winner Kneecap, The Outrun and Layla are among nine titles to receive the latest round of UK Global Screen Fund awards (Ukgsf), totalling £129,498 through its international distribution strand.
Administered by the British Film Institute (BFI), 66 awards totalling more than £2m have now been given out by this strand, financed through the UK government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Dcms).
Financial support for international distribution provides sales agents and producers with funding via three tracks – film sales, prints & advertising (P&a) and festival launch.
Rich Peppiatt’s Irish-language hip-hop drama Kneecap won the Next audience award at Sundance after...
Administered by the British Film Institute (BFI), 66 awards totalling more than £2m have now been given out by this strand, financed through the UK government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Dcms).
Financial support for international distribution provides sales agents and producers with funding via three tracks – film sales, prints & advertising (P&a) and festival launch.
Rich Peppiatt’s Irish-language hip-hop drama Kneecap won the Next audience award at Sundance after...
- 2/8/2024
- ScreenDaily
Zayn Malik is writing new music for upcoming animated feature “10 Lives” and is set to perform a duet with “Bridgerton” star Simone Ashley for the film, Variety can confirm.
Malik and Ashley also both star in the film, with the former One Direction singer playing tough-guy twins Cameron and Kirk while Ashley voices student Rose. Malik, who is currently working on his next studio album with Mercury Records, is also an executive music producer on “10 Lives,” overseeing the film’s musical creative direction.
Directed by Chris Jenkins (“Surf’s Up”), “10 Lives” tells the story of a pampered and selfish cat who takes his many lives for granted. After carelessly losing his ninth live he begs for a second chance — and an opportunity to prove he can learn from his mistakes. When his wish is finally granted, however, he learns that it comes with some caveats.
Also lending their...
Malik and Ashley also both star in the film, with the former One Direction singer playing tough-guy twins Cameron and Kirk while Ashley voices student Rose. Malik, who is currently working on his next studio album with Mercury Records, is also an executive music producer on “10 Lives,” overseeing the film’s musical creative direction.
Directed by Chris Jenkins (“Surf’s Up”), “10 Lives” tells the story of a pampered and selfish cat who takes his many lives for granted. After carelessly losing his ninth live he begs for a second chance — and an opportunity to prove he can learn from his mistakes. When his wish is finally granted, however, he learns that it comes with some caveats.
Also lending their...
- 11/2/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Looney Tunes is making a grand comeback with a fresh theatrical release starring Porky Pig and Daffy Duck in The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie. This isn’t just another sequel or spin-off; it’s the first time the franchise will unveil a movie that’s entirely animated for the cinema.
In this new adventure, the world faces the threat of extraterrestrial beings, and surprisingly, it’s Porky and Daffy who rise to the occasion. Under the direction of Pete Browngardt and the imaginative team from the “Looney Tunes Cartoons,” this film is set to deliver a blend of humor, vibrant visuals, and the unique Looney Tunes charm in a way we’ve never seen before.
Seeing these timeless characters take center stage again is genuinely nostalgic. Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios’ president, Sam Register, couldn’t hide his enthusiasm about the project. He...
In this new adventure, the world faces the threat of extraterrestrial beings, and surprisingly, it’s Porky and Daffy who rise to the occasion. Under the direction of Pete Browngardt and the imaginative team from the “Looney Tunes Cartoons,” this film is set to deliver a blend of humor, vibrant visuals, and the unique Looney Tunes charm in a way we’ve never seen before.
Seeing these timeless characters take center stage again is genuinely nostalgic. Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios’ president, Sam Register, couldn’t hide his enthusiasm about the project. He...
- 10/26/2023
- by Hrvoje Milakovic
- Fiction Horizon
Porky Pig and Daffy Duck, one of the most beloved comedic duos in showbiz history, are set to make their return to the big screen in the sci-fi comedy adventure “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie.”
Gfm Animation will launch worldwide sales on the Warner Bros. Animation-produced theatrical feature at the American Film Market (Oct. 31 – Nov. 5) and will share first-look footage. “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie” is the first-ever fully animated Looney Tunes feature-length movie created for a movie theater audience.
Directed by Pete Browngardt and the creative team behind the “Looney Tunes Cartoons,” “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie” stars Porky Pig and Daffy Duck as unlikely heroes and Earth’s only hope when facing the threat of alien invasion. In this buddy comedy, the heroes race to save the world, delivering all the laugh-out-loud...
Gfm Animation will launch worldwide sales on the Warner Bros. Animation-produced theatrical feature at the American Film Market (Oct. 31 – Nov. 5) and will share first-look footage. “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie” is the first-ever fully animated Looney Tunes feature-length movie created for a movie theater audience.
Directed by Pete Browngardt and the creative team behind the “Looney Tunes Cartoons,” “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie” stars Porky Pig and Daffy Duck as unlikely heroes and Earth’s only hope when facing the threat of alien invasion. In this buddy comedy, the heroes race to save the world, delivering all the laugh-out-loud...
- 10/26/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Taost Entertainment, a London-based media production startup, has picked up Chinese distribution rights to the star-studded animated feature 10 Lives.
Taost acquired the rights to the pic, which features an expansive voice cast, including Zayn Malik, Simone Ashley, Mo Gilligan, Sophie Okonedo, Bill Nighy, and Jeremy Swift (Ted Lasso) from the Chinese-based outfit Original Force. The pic is yet to receive approval from censors, at which point Taost will seek a distribution partner in China.
The deal is part of Taost’s plan to expand East. In addition to picking up 10 Lives, the startup is building a Web 3 platform that allows members to post, browse, vote, and engage with animation projects. The company will launch a closed beta at this year’s Annecy Animation Festival.
Directed by Chris Jenkins (Duck Duck Goose), producers on 10 Lives are Guy Collins and Sean Feeney for 10 Lives Productions, alongside Martin Metz...
Taost acquired the rights to the pic, which features an expansive voice cast, including Zayn Malik, Simone Ashley, Mo Gilligan, Sophie Okonedo, Bill Nighy, and Jeremy Swift (Ted Lasso) from the Chinese-based outfit Original Force. The pic is yet to receive approval from censors, at which point Taost will seek a distribution partner in China.
The deal is part of Taost’s plan to expand East. In addition to picking up 10 Lives, the startup is building a Web 3 platform that allows members to post, browse, vote, and engage with animation projects. The company will launch a closed beta at this year’s Annecy Animation Festival.
Directed by Chris Jenkins (Duck Duck Goose), producers on 10 Lives are Guy Collins and Sean Feeney for 10 Lives Productions, alongside Martin Metz...
- 5/30/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Steve Hudson wrote & directs; ‘Amazing Maurice’ director Toby Genkel co-directs.
Asa Butterfield and Joel Fry will lead the voice cast of Stitch Head, an animated feature co-production from Gfm Animation, Gringo Films, Wild Bunch and Fabrique d’Images.
The film is currently in pre-production and will begin CG animation soon; Gfm Animation will launch worldwide sales on the title at this week’s European Film Market.
Stitch Head is based on the first book in the series of the same name by Guy Bass, first published in 2011. It tells the story of Stitch Head, a small creature awoken to almost-Life by...
Asa Butterfield and Joel Fry will lead the voice cast of Stitch Head, an animated feature co-production from Gfm Animation, Gringo Films, Wild Bunch and Fabrique d’Images.
The film is currently in pre-production and will begin CG animation soon; Gfm Animation will launch worldwide sales on the title at this week’s European Film Market.
Stitch Head is based on the first book in the series of the same name by Guy Bass, first published in 2011. It tells the story of Stitch Head, a small creature awoken to almost-Life by...
- 2/13/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Bill Nighy (Living) and Jeremy Swift (Ted Lasso) have signed on to join the voice cast of CG animated family comedy 10 Lives.
The pair will join already-announced cast members Mo Gilligan (That’s My Jam), Simone Ashley (Bridgerton), Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda), Dylan Llewellyn (Derry Girls), and musician Zayn Malik.
Nighy, who picked up an Oscar nom this week for his leading role in the Kazuo Ishiguro-scripted Living, will voice the character of Professor Craven, while Swift will lend his voice to a wise-cracking dog called Happy.
The pic tells the story of Beckett, a pampered and selfish cat who has taken the lives he’s been dealt for granted. After carelessly losing his ninth life, he begs to be given a second chance and an opportunity to show he can learn from his mistakes. Eventually, his wish is granted, but with certain stipulations.
The film is directed by...
The pair will join already-announced cast members Mo Gilligan (That’s My Jam), Simone Ashley (Bridgerton), Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda), Dylan Llewellyn (Derry Girls), and musician Zayn Malik.
Nighy, who picked up an Oscar nom this week for his leading role in the Kazuo Ishiguro-scripted Living, will voice the character of Professor Craven, while Swift will lend his voice to a wise-cracking dog called Happy.
The pic tells the story of Beckett, a pampered and selfish cat who has taken the lives he’s been dealt for granted. After carelessly losing his ninth life, he begs to be given a second chance and an opportunity to show he can learn from his mistakes. Eventually, his wish is granted, but with certain stipulations.
The film is directed by...
- 1/26/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Casting
Musician Zayn Malik, “Bridgerton” star Simone Ashley, three-time BAFTA winner Mo Gilligan (“The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan”), Sophie Okonedo (“Slow Horses”) and Dylan Llewellyn (“Derry Girls”) will lead the voice cast of CG animated family comedy “10 Lives.”
“10 Lives” is the story of a pampered and selfish cat who takes for granted the lives he has been dealt. After carelessly losing his ninth life he begs to be given a second chance, an opportunity to show he can learn from his mistakes. Eventually his wish is granted, but with certain, hilarious stipulations.
The film is directed by Chris Jenkins (“Duck Duck Goose”) and produced by Guy Collins and Sean Feeney for 10 Lives Productions Ltd, with casting by Robyn Klein and Jeremy Ross. Gfm Animation will be presenting first look footage at the upcoming American Film Market. The animation studio is L’Atelier Animation in Montreal.
***
Meanwhile, the cast of professional...
Musician Zayn Malik, “Bridgerton” star Simone Ashley, three-time BAFTA winner Mo Gilligan (“The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan”), Sophie Okonedo (“Slow Horses”) and Dylan Llewellyn (“Derry Girls”) will lead the voice cast of CG animated family comedy “10 Lives.”
“10 Lives” is the story of a pampered and selfish cat who takes for granted the lives he has been dealt. After carelessly losing his ninth life he begs to be given a second chance, an opportunity to show he can learn from his mistakes. Eventually his wish is granted, but with certain, hilarious stipulations.
The film is directed by Chris Jenkins (“Duck Duck Goose”) and produced by Guy Collins and Sean Feeney for 10 Lives Productions Ltd, with casting by Robyn Klein and Jeremy Ross. Gfm Animation will be presenting first look footage at the upcoming American Film Market. The animation studio is L’Atelier Animation in Montreal.
***
Meanwhile, the cast of professional...
- 10/28/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Musician Zayn Malik, Simone Ashley (Bridgerton), and comedian Mo Gilligan are among the stacked cast who will lend their voices to the new CG-animated family comedy 10 Lives from director Chris Jenkins (Duck Duck Goose).
Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda) and Dylan Llewellyn (Derry Girls) round out the cast.
The flick is the story of a pampered and selfish cat who takes for granted the lives he has been dealt. After carelessly losing his ninth life, he begs to be given a second chance, an opportunity to show he can learn from his mistakes. Eventually, his wish is granted but with hilarious stipulations. Gfm Animation will present first-look footage at AFM.
In the film, Gilligan voices Beckett, the pampered feline with a taste for fine food & lazy days who doesn’t know what’s about to hit him when he begs for a new set of lives. Ashley voices Rose, a...
Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda) and Dylan Llewellyn (Derry Girls) round out the cast.
The flick is the story of a pampered and selfish cat who takes for granted the lives he has been dealt. After carelessly losing his ninth life, he begs to be given a second chance, an opportunity to show he can learn from his mistakes. Eventually, his wish is granted but with hilarious stipulations. Gfm Animation will present first-look footage at AFM.
In the film, Gilligan voices Beckett, the pampered feline with a taste for fine food & lazy days who doesn’t know what’s about to hit him when he begs for a new set of lives. Ashley voices Rose, a...
- 10/28/2022
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
The hilarious family animated film Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank, from Paramount Pictures, is available now to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada. The exciting action-adventure stars Michael Cera, Ricky Gervais and Samuel L. Jackson.
Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank also stars Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Cathy Shim and Kylie Kuioka.
A down-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem… cats hate dogs!
Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank is directed by Rob Minkoff,...
Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank also stars Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Cathy Shim and Kylie Kuioka.
A down-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem… cats hate dogs!
Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank is directed by Rob Minkoff,...
- 9/5/2022
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
A new featurette with Michael Cera and Samuel L. Jackson for the forthcoming animated film Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank has been released, and you can check it out right here on CinemaNerdz.
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank tells the story of a hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem…cats hate dogs!
About The Film Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy MPAA Rating: PG for action, violence, rude and suggestive humor, and some language Cast: Michael Cera, Ricky Gervais, Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi,...
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank tells the story of a hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem…cats hate dogs!
About The Film Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy MPAA Rating: PG for action, violence, rude and suggestive humor, and some language Cast: Michael Cera, Ricky Gervais, Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi,...
- 7/6/2022
- by Editor
- CinemaNerdz
Check out the new character posters from the new animated film Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, starring Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson, Ricky Gervais, and Michelle Yeoh.
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank tells the story of a hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem…cats hate dogs!
About The Film Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy MPAA Rating: PG for action, violence, rude and suggestive humor, and some language Cast: Michael Cera, Ricky Gervais, Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh,...
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank tells the story of a hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem…cats hate dogs!
About The Film Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy MPAA Rating: PG for action, violence, rude and suggestive humor, and some language Cast: Michael Cera, Ricky Gervais, Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh,...
- 6/17/2022
- by Editor
- CinemaNerdz
The new trailer for Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank has been released along with the official poster for the film. You can check it out right here on CinemaNerdz!
A hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem… cats hate dogs! Also starring Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Kylie Kuioka, and Cathy Shim, Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank pounces into theatres July 15, 2022.
About The Film Genre: Animation, Action., Comedy MPAA Rating: PG for action, violence, rude and suggestive humor,...
A hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem… cats hate dogs! Also starring Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Kylie Kuioka, and Cathy Shim, Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank pounces into theatres July 15, 2022.
About The Film Genre: Animation, Action., Comedy MPAA Rating: PG for action, violence, rude and suggestive humor,...
- 6/10/2022
- by Editor
- CinemaNerdz
The trailer for the forthcoming animated film Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank has been released. The film stars Michael Cera, Ricky Gervais, Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Kylie Kuioka, Cathy Shim, and Samuel L. Jackson. It is directed by Mark Koetsier and Rob Minkoff; and will be in theaters on July 15, 2022.
A hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem…cats hate dogs!
About The Film Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy, Family MPAA Rating: PG for action, violence, rude and suggestive humor,...
A hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem…cats hate dogs!
About The Film Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy, Family MPAA Rating: PG for action, violence, rude and suggestive humor,...
- 4/11/2022
- by Editor
- CinemaNerdz
Exclusive: Good Luck To You, Leo Grande and Blazing Samurai backer Align has joined animated movie 10 Lives, which is being sold at the upcoming virtual EFM by Gfm Animation.
The duo recently teamed on starry animated film Blazing Samurai, which features the voices of Ricky Gervais, Samuel L. Jackson, Michelle Yeoh and Mel Brooks, and which will be released stateside by Paramount this summer. Align was most recently financier and producer on Sundance comedy Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, which was picked up this week by Searchlight. According to Gfm, budget on 10 Lives comes in at $26M with delivery scheduled for Q1, 2024. Helmed by Chris Jenkins (Duck Duck Goose), working with House of Cool (Spies in Disguise) and L’Atelier Animation (Ballerina), the film charts the story of a pampered and selfish cat who takes for granted the lives he has been dealt, only to be miraculously granted a whole new set of lives,...
The duo recently teamed on starry animated film Blazing Samurai, which features the voices of Ricky Gervais, Samuel L. Jackson, Michelle Yeoh and Mel Brooks, and which will be released stateside by Paramount this summer. Align was most recently financier and producer on Sundance comedy Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, which was picked up this week by Searchlight. According to Gfm, budget on 10 Lives comes in at $26M with delivery scheduled for Q1, 2024. Helmed by Chris Jenkins (Duck Duck Goose), working with House of Cool (Spies in Disguise) and L’Atelier Animation (Ballerina), the film charts the story of a pampered and selfish cat who takes for granted the lives he has been dealt, only to be miraculously granted a whole new set of lives,...
- 1/27/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The first images have been released for “Blazing Samurai,” an animated comedy based on Mel Brooks’ classic film “Blazing Saddles,” and featuring the voices of Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson and Ricky Gervais. It is produced and creatively led by Rob Minkoff, the director of Disney’s “The Lion King.”
The project is in production at Cinesite Montreal and is on schedule for delivery later this year. Gfm Animation will be selling the film at next week’s European Film Market, where distributors will be able to screen the latest cut of the film.
“Blazing Samurai” follows the story of Hank, a loveable mutt with big dreams of becoming a samurai. When he finds himself with a new job as sheriff of Kakamucho, he also finds he may have bitten off more than he can chew given the town is inhabited solely by cats.
The Japanese-inspired animated comedy “teaches kids...
The project is in production at Cinesite Montreal and is on schedule for delivery later this year. Gfm Animation will be selling the film at next week’s European Film Market, where distributors will be able to screen the latest cut of the film.
“Blazing Samurai” follows the story of Hank, a loveable mutt with big dreams of becoming a samurai. When he finds himself with a new job as sheriff of Kakamucho, he also finds he may have bitten off more than he can chew given the town is inhabited solely by cats.
The Japanese-inspired animated comedy “teaches kids...
- 2/25/2021
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Adrian Politowski’s LA-based Align has come aboard to contribute production financing on animated comedy Blazing Samurai. The $46M toon is a re-imagining of Mel Brooks’ classic Blazing Saddles and is currently in CG production with Aniventure at Cinesite’s Montréal and Vancouver facilities. Completion is expected for late summer 2021. Rob Minkoff and Adam Nagle are producers.
The story, directed by Mark Koetsier, follows Hank, a loveable mutt with big dreams of becoming a Samurai. When he finds himself with a new job as sheriff of Kakamucho, he also finds he may have bitten off more than he can chew given the town is inhabited solely by cats.
The voice cast includes Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson, Ricky Gervais, George Takei, Michelle Yeoh, Djimon Hounsou and Brooks.
Blazing Samurai was originally mooted in 2015, but got held up when animation studio Arc was put into receivership. There was a long...
The story, directed by Mark Koetsier, follows Hank, a loveable mutt with big dreams of becoming a Samurai. When he finds himself with a new job as sheriff of Kakamucho, he also finds he may have bitten off more than he can chew given the town is inhabited solely by cats.
The voice cast includes Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson, Ricky Gervais, George Takei, Michelle Yeoh, Djimon Hounsou and Brooks.
Blazing Samurai was originally mooted in 2015, but got held up when animation studio Arc was put into receivership. There was a long...
- 8/7/2020
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Guy Collins’ Gfm hopes to set up series of virtual meetings instead.
UK sales outfit Gfm is the first to confirm to Screen it will not be attending the Cannes Film Festival in May as a result of the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.
The company said it will instead release a product update to distributors by the end of March and will use Skype and other digital platforms to set up virtual meetings.
Gfm is the first member of industry body Film Export UK (Feuk) to confirm it is not attending Cannes this year.
“For us, this is about...
UK sales outfit Gfm is the first to confirm to Screen it will not be attending the Cannes Film Festival in May as a result of the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.
The company said it will instead release a product update to distributors by the end of March and will use Skype and other digital platforms to set up virtual meetings.
Gfm is the first member of industry body Film Export UK (Feuk) to confirm it is not attending Cannes this year.
“For us, this is about...
- 3/10/2020
- by 57¦Geoffrey Macnab¦41¦
- ScreenDaily
Guy Collins’ Gfm hopes to set up a series of virtual meetings instead.
UK sales outfit Gfm is the first to confirm to Screen it will not be attending the Cannes Film Festival in May as a result of the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.
The company said it will instead release a product update to distributors by the end of March and will use Skype and other digital platforms to set up virtual meetings.
Gfm is the first member of industry body Film Export UK (Feuk) to confirm it is not attending Cannes this year.
“For us, this is...
UK sales outfit Gfm is the first to confirm to Screen it will not be attending the Cannes Film Festival in May as a result of the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.
The company said it will instead release a product update to distributors by the end of March and will use Skype and other digital platforms to set up virtual meetings.
Gfm is the first member of industry body Film Export UK (Feuk) to confirm it is not attending Cannes this year.
“For us, this is...
- 3/10/2020
- by 57¦Geoffrey Macnab¦41¦
- ScreenDaily
Loosely inspired by Mel Brooks’ ’Blazing Saddles’, the $45m film is scheduled for 2021 delivery.
Long-gestating $45m animated feature Blazing Samurai, which was first introduced to the market in 2014, is fully financed, Gfm Animation’s Guy Collins confirmed on the first day of Afm.
The film, which is being overseen and produced by Rob Minkoff (The Lion King) and is loosely inspired by Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles, is currently at first animatic stage, with delivery scheduled for summer 2021. Brooks remains on board as an executive producer.
Canada-based animation content studio Aniventure has joined the production. According to Collins, $16m of the...
Long-gestating $45m animated feature Blazing Samurai, which was first introduced to the market in 2014, is fully financed, Gfm Animation’s Guy Collins confirmed on the first day of Afm.
The film, which is being overseen and produced by Rob Minkoff (The Lion King) and is loosely inspired by Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles, is currently at first animatic stage, with delivery scheduled for summer 2021. Brooks remains on board as an executive producer.
Canada-based animation content studio Aniventure has joined the production. According to Collins, $16m of the...
- 11/6/2019
- by 57¦Geoffrey Macnab¦41¦
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Once Upon A Time In Hollywood producer and Quentin Tarantino regular collaborator Shannon McIntosh has set a four-picture venture with Evolution Pictures, the genre label of UK sales outfit Gfm Films.
McIntosh Films will team with Evolution on four martial arts action movies, which will be produced by McIntosh and H. Daniel Gross (Halloween: Resurrection), formerly of Blackbelt TV.
Two films are due to be shot in Thailand, with the other two lined up to be made in the Us. The team is aiming to shoot the first feature in early 2020. Gfm Films will handle world sales and will launch the slate at the upcoming Toronto Film Festival.
According to the team, the movies will feature a mix of “new young martial arts talent and well-established American & Asian stars of the genre.”
McIntosh and Gross, who have also been developing a martial-arts-themed series, said of the venture, “Joining forces...
McIntosh Films will team with Evolution on four martial arts action movies, which will be produced by McIntosh and H. Daniel Gross (Halloween: Resurrection), formerly of Blackbelt TV.
Two films are due to be shot in Thailand, with the other two lined up to be made in the Us. The team is aiming to shoot the first feature in early 2020. Gfm Films will handle world sales and will launch the slate at the upcoming Toronto Film Festival.
According to the team, the movies will feature a mix of “new young martial arts talent and well-established American & Asian stars of the genre.”
McIntosh and Gross, who have also been developing a martial-arts-themed series, said of the venture, “Joining forces...
- 8/26/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Sean Feeney joins animation outfit.
UK-based Gfm Animation, the sister company to finance and sales outfit Gfm Films, has hired a new head of production.
Sean Feeney has joined the animation-focused label, which Gfm launched in November 2016. He arrives following eight years at Prime Focus World in London, where he set up and developed the company’s animation division.
Feeney has also previously worked as a producer on series for Disney, Splash, M2/Lego, Anima, Mattel, Hasbro and the BBC. He began his career as a runner at Mpc before working at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop and then Prime Focus World.
UK-based Gfm Animation, the sister company to finance and sales outfit Gfm Films, has hired a new head of production.
Sean Feeney has joined the animation-focused label, which Gfm launched in November 2016. He arrives following eight years at Prime Focus World in London, where he set up and developed the company’s animation division.
Feeney has also previously worked as a producer on series for Disney, Splash, M2/Lego, Anima, Mattel, Hasbro and the BBC. He began his career as a runner at Mpc before working at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop and then Prime Focus World.
- 3/8/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Screen can reveal the first image from the company’s first film Duck Duck Goose.
UK’s Gfm Animation, China’s Original Force extend partnership
Gfm Animation, the UK sales and production label for animated films run by the Gfm Films, has extended its partnership with Chinese production outfit Original Force Animation.
The companies previously teamed on family animation Duck Duck Goose, which features the voice of Stephen Fry. Screen can reveal an exclusive first image from the film [pictured].
That film is in the final stages of production and will be distributed in China through Wanda Film Group in February 2018.
Through the new agreement, the two companies will work together to secure production funding and worldwide distribution for the animated films created by Original Force, and will also acquire third party animated for distribution in China and potentially worldwide sales.
Harley Zhao commented on the strategic alliance: “With Duck Duck Goose as a pioneer, Chinese animated...
UK’s Gfm Animation, China’s Original Force extend partnership
Gfm Animation, the UK sales and production label for animated films run by the Gfm Films, has extended its partnership with Chinese production outfit Original Force Animation.
The companies previously teamed on family animation Duck Duck Goose, which features the voice of Stephen Fry. Screen can reveal an exclusive first image from the film [pictured].
That film is in the final stages of production and will be distributed in China through Wanda Film Group in February 2018.
Through the new agreement, the two companies will work together to secure production funding and worldwide distribution for the animated films created by Original Force, and will also acquire third party animated for distribution in China and potentially worldwide sales.
Harley Zhao commented on the strategic alliance: “With Duck Duck Goose as a pioneer, Chinese animated...
- 5/17/2017
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Two titles join previously announced co-pro with former Simpsons animation producer Bill Schultz and China Film Group.
UK sales outfit Gfm Films is to launch Gfm Animation, a dedicated sales and production label for animated films.
Existing Gfm animation development properties such as Hugo and Stonerunner will now fall under the banner of the sister company, which launches with a trio of projects in early stages.
Here Comes The Grump, a joint venture between UK VFX specialists Prime Focus World and Mexican studio Anima, will follow a boy who is transported to a far-away land where he must put a stop to the evil deeds of a mean spirited wizard called The Grump.
Dog’Y’Dog is the story of a teenage dog who longs to be a rock ‘n’roll guitarist but who finds his dreams put on hold when his famous ‘dogynaut’ father goes missing on his latest mission to the moon.
Helsinki based Leningrad Cowboys...
UK sales outfit Gfm Films is to launch Gfm Animation, a dedicated sales and production label for animated films.
Existing Gfm animation development properties such as Hugo and Stonerunner will now fall under the banner of the sister company, which launches with a trio of projects in early stages.
Here Comes The Grump, a joint venture between UK VFX specialists Prime Focus World and Mexican studio Anima, will follow a boy who is transported to a far-away land where he must put a stop to the evil deeds of a mean spirited wizard called The Grump.
Dog’Y’Dog is the story of a teenage dog who longs to be a rock ‘n’roll guitarist but who finds his dreams put on hold when his famous ‘dogynaut’ father goes missing on his latest mission to the moon.
Helsinki based Leningrad Cowboys...
- 11/1/2016
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Gfm Films to launch world sales on post-war thriller about the mass murder of 22,000 Poles.
Alex Pettyfer (I Am Number Four) is to lead cast in post-wwii thriller The Last Witness alongside Robert Wieckiewicz (In Darkness) and Michael Gambon (Harry Potter).
In writer-director Piotr Szkopiak’s (The Coroner) feature, Elvis & Nixon actor Pettyfer will play Stephen Underwood, a journalist who uncovers the horrific murder of 22,000 Poles under Stalin’s instructions, though for many years the blame for the killing was placed on the Nazis.
At the time, information about the Katyn Massacre, as it came to be known, was covered up by both the British and Us governments in view of the delicate relationship with Russia during and after the war.
Shoot is due to commence November 7, 2016 in locations throughout the UK. Carol Harding will produce and Krzysztof Solek and Pettyfer will co-produce.
UK sales outfit Gfm will launch the project at this week’s Afm in...
Alex Pettyfer (I Am Number Four) is to lead cast in post-wwii thriller The Last Witness alongside Robert Wieckiewicz (In Darkness) and Michael Gambon (Harry Potter).
In writer-director Piotr Szkopiak’s (The Coroner) feature, Elvis & Nixon actor Pettyfer will play Stephen Underwood, a journalist who uncovers the horrific murder of 22,000 Poles under Stalin’s instructions, though for many years the blame for the killing was placed on the Nazis.
At the time, information about the Katyn Massacre, as it came to be known, was covered up by both the British and Us governments in view of the delicate relationship with Russia during and after the war.
Shoot is due to commence November 7, 2016 in locations throughout the UK. Carol Harding will produce and Krzysztof Solek and Pettyfer will co-produce.
UK sales outfit Gfm will launch the project at this week’s Afm in...
- 10/31/2016
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
I’ve got an animated short film that you have to watch called "Kaizo Trap." It was created by Guy Collins over the course of 16 months, and I had an absolute blast watching it! It's one of the most entertaining animated short films that I've seen in awhile. It tells the story of a gamer girl who goes on a mission to save her boyfriend from a video game trap that he fell into, and it's loaded with lots of video game nostalgia and fast-paced action.
For those of you not familiar with the title, a "Kaizo Trap" is a term used in gaming that describes an extremely annoying case where a death trap is set at a certain point in a game at a spot where you would normally have let your guard down. It usually comes after you beat a big boss, a level, or even the game...
For those of you not familiar with the title, a "Kaizo Trap" is a term used in gaming that describes an extremely annoying case where a death trap is set at a certain point in a game at a spot where you would normally have let your guard down. It usually comes after you beat a big boss, a level, or even the game...
- 2/16/2016
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Exclusive: Full cast for Gfm Films-produced action thriller to also include Harry Potter star Tom Felton and Whiplash’s Austin Stowell; SquareOne takes German rights.
Dominic Cooper has swooped in to replace Henry Cavill in Special Forces action thriller Stratton, after the Man Of Steel star quit the production just days before shooting was set to begin in June.
London-based production company Gfm Films has rescheduled principal photography to begin in Brindisi, Italy on July 15 before moving on to Rome, working together with Italian producers Eagle Pictures. Production will then move from Rome to the UK for filming in London and surrounding locations.
Cooper, the British actor who plays a young Howard Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is also known for roles in Need For Speed, Dracula Untold and Mamma Mia!. Upcoming projects include Catherine Hardwicke’s Miss You Already, Nicholas Hytner’s The Lady In The Van and Duncan Jones’ fantasy epic Warcraft.
In...
Dominic Cooper has swooped in to replace Henry Cavill in Special Forces action thriller Stratton, after the Man Of Steel star quit the production just days before shooting was set to begin in June.
London-based production company Gfm Films has rescheduled principal photography to begin in Brindisi, Italy on July 15 before moving on to Rome, working together with Italian producers Eagle Pictures. Production will then move from Rome to the UK for filming in London and surrounding locations.
Cooper, the British actor who plays a young Howard Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is also known for roles in Need For Speed, Dracula Untold and Mamma Mia!. Upcoming projects include Catherine Hardwicke’s Miss You Already, Nicholas Hytner’s The Lady In The Van and Duncan Jones’ fantasy epic Warcraft.
In...
- 7/9/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Henry Cavill is understood to have left Simon West's Stratton with just a week to go until filming starts.
It's left the director scrambling to find a replacement lead before cameras start rolling.
The film is hoped to be the first in a franchise based on books by ex-serviceman Duncan Falconer; the first one is based around John Stratton - a special forces operative who works with MI6 to shut down a global terrorist cell.
Empire reports (via Screen Daily) the Man of Steel's exit is down to not being able to make changes he had suggested to the shooting script.
That seems to be backed up by comments from Guy Collins, co-founder of the film's financiers Gfm Films: "[Cavill] told us he has decided not to shoot this script at this time."
"He had a different vision of what the film should be to us and the...
It's left the director scrambling to find a replacement lead before cameras start rolling.
The film is hoped to be the first in a franchise based on books by ex-serviceman Duncan Falconer; the first one is based around John Stratton - a special forces operative who works with MI6 to shut down a global terrorist cell.
Empire reports (via Screen Daily) the Man of Steel's exit is down to not being able to make changes he had suggested to the shooting script.
That seems to be backed up by comments from Guy Collins, co-founder of the film's financiers Gfm Films: "[Cavill] told us he has decided not to shoot this script at this time."
"He had a different vision of what the film should be to us and the...
- 5/30/2015
- Digital Spy
Are you fit, able to walk nonchalantly away from giant explosions, and available at very short notice? If so, you may want to contact Simon West. The director will be on the lookout for a rapid replacement for his Stratton lead Henry Cavill, who’s quit the production a week before shooting was scheduled to start.According to ScreenDaily, the Man of Steel had been unsuccessfully lobbying for changes to the shooting script. “[Cavill] told us he has decided not to shoot this script at this time,” said Guy Collins, co-founder of the film’s financiers Gfm Films. "He had a different vision of what the film should be to us and the production team and wanted to delay production until September and shoot a different story and script.”An action-thriller about an Sbs special forces trooper co-opted into MI6 to tackle a global terrorist cell, Stratton was aimed as a potential franchise-launcher.
- 5/29/2015
- EmpireOnline
Sounds like the Man of Steel can’t always please everyone. Henry Cavill has reportedly pulled out of spy thriller Stratton less than a week before production was set to kick off, leaving the Simon West-directed pic in a highly unenviable position.
Shooting was due to take place in London and Rome starting June 2 on the adaptation of Duncan Falconer’s novel series, about a Sbs (Secret Boat Service) agent for MI5 who embarks on a mission to stop a dangerous terrorist cell.
Everything had apparently been going well for Stratton as it locked down distribution deals at Cannes, but problems arose soon after, according to Gfm Films’ Guy Collins, who spoke to ScreenDaily about the shake-up:
“But just before leaving Cannes last Friday we were informed by the production company that they wanted to push the start date back by around three weeks to finalise some additional casting...
Shooting was due to take place in London and Rome starting June 2 on the adaptation of Duncan Falconer’s novel series, about a Sbs (Secret Boat Service) agent for MI5 who embarks on a mission to stop a dangerous terrorist cell.
Everything had apparently been going well for Stratton as it locked down distribution deals at Cannes, but problems arose soon after, according to Gfm Films’ Guy Collins, who spoke to ScreenDaily about the shake-up:
“But just before leaving Cannes last Friday we were informed by the production company that they wanted to push the start date back by around three weeks to finalise some additional casting...
- 5/28/2015
- by Isaac Feldberg
- We Got This Covered
Exclusive: Man Of Steel star quits production just days before shooting was set to begin.
Henry Cavill has pulled out of the leading role in Special Forces thriller Stratton, less than a week before shooting was set to begin on June 2.
Action director Simon West (Con Air, The Expendables 2) was due to start shooting in London and Rome from next week on the film, based on the first of a series of novels by Duncan Falconer.
Gfm Films is providing finance and worldwide sales and was selling the film at Marché du Film in Cannes last week.
But Gfm co-founder Guy Collins told ScreenDaily that it was now contacting distributors to inform them of the change.
“After securing many distribution deals ahead of the market, we had a really good Cannes and had closed more deals ahead of production next week,” said Collins.
“But just before leaving Cannes last Friday we were informed by the production...
Henry Cavill has pulled out of the leading role in Special Forces thriller Stratton, less than a week before shooting was set to begin on June 2.
Action director Simon West (Con Air, The Expendables 2) was due to start shooting in London and Rome from next week on the film, based on the first of a series of novels by Duncan Falconer.
Gfm Films is providing finance and worldwide sales and was selling the film at Marché du Film in Cannes last week.
But Gfm co-founder Guy Collins told ScreenDaily that it was now contacting distributors to inform them of the change.
“After securing many distribution deals ahead of the market, we had a really good Cannes and had closed more deals ahead of production next week,” said Collins.
“But just before leaving Cannes last Friday we were informed by the production...
- 5/28/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Gfm Films hopes to feed film through UK-China co-pro agreement.
Chinese outfit C2M Media Group has come on board to co-develop and co-finance long-gestating sci-fi feature Neuromancer with UK sales team Gfm Films.
C2M, a co-production partner of Cj Entertainment, recently backed successful Chinese-Korean productions A Wedding Invitation and Miss Granny.
William Gibson’s influential sci-fi novel from 1984 follows a smooth ‘computer cowboy’ who is banished from cyberspace after double-crossing the wrong people until a shadowy conspiracy offers him a second chance at redemption.
Mr & Mrs Smith and Man on Fire producer Lucas Foster is currently in talks with new writers and a director on the project.
Foster said: “William Gibson’s books have been very prescient on the topic of Super Intelligence, which people variously call Machine Intelligence or A.I. As we surrender more and more of our thinking and imagining over to software, we lose something important and tangible in ourselves...
Chinese outfit C2M Media Group has come on board to co-develop and co-finance long-gestating sci-fi feature Neuromancer with UK sales team Gfm Films.
C2M, a co-production partner of Cj Entertainment, recently backed successful Chinese-Korean productions A Wedding Invitation and Miss Granny.
William Gibson’s influential sci-fi novel from 1984 follows a smooth ‘computer cowboy’ who is banished from cyberspace after double-crossing the wrong people until a shadowy conspiracy offers him a second chance at redemption.
Mr & Mrs Smith and Man on Fire producer Lucas Foster is currently in talks with new writers and a director on the project.
Foster said: “William Gibson’s books have been very prescient on the topic of Super Intelligence, which people variously call Machine Intelligence or A.I. As we surrender more and more of our thinking and imagining over to software, we lose something important and tangible in ourselves...
- 5/15/2015
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Rob Minkoff, Yair Landau produce family animation.
Gfm has boarded sales on family animation Blazing Samurai, which is being produced by former vice chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Yair Landau (Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs) and The Lion King director Rob Minkoff.
Ed Stone and Nate Hopper’s script, partly inspired by Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles, tells the story of Hank, a scrappy, wide-eyed pooch that dreams of becoming a Samurai. In order to fulfil his dream, he travels to a small town in the middle of ancient Japan, which turns out to be inhabited exclusively by cats.
Although beset by prejudice, Hank perseveres, befriends a once great Samurai cat and fastest blade in the East, Jimbo, and learns not only how to be a great warrior, but how to be an even better dog.
Landau said: “Blazing Samurai is a broadly appealing family film that marries a classic western narrative with brilliant Japanese visuals...
Gfm has boarded sales on family animation Blazing Samurai, which is being produced by former vice chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Yair Landau (Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs) and The Lion King director Rob Minkoff.
Ed Stone and Nate Hopper’s script, partly inspired by Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles, tells the story of Hank, a scrappy, wide-eyed pooch that dreams of becoming a Samurai. In order to fulfil his dream, he travels to a small town in the middle of ancient Japan, which turns out to be inhabited exclusively by cats.
Although beset by prejudice, Hank perseveres, befriends a once great Samurai cat and fastest blade in the East, Jimbo, and learns not only how to be a great warrior, but how to be an even better dog.
Landau said: “Blazing Samurai is a broadly appealing family film that marries a classic western narrative with brilliant Japanese visuals...
- 11/6/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Finance and production company will be allied to Gfm Films.
Former Anchor Bay director of acquisitions Rod Smith was today announced as chief operating officer of Evolution Pictures, a new London-based finance and production company.
Evolution will be allied to finance, sales and production outfit Gfm Films, which will support Evolution financially as well as handle worldwide sales of their product.
While at Anchor Bay, Smith forged a co-production pact with producer Jonathan Sothcott’s Richwater Films. Titles produced together include We Still Kill in the Old Way and Age of Kill.
Smith also oversaw development and production of the Somme-inspired zombie film, World War Dead with Next Level Film’s Freddie Hutton Mills and Bart Ruspoli.
Smith said: “In conjunction with Gfm Films we will be financing, developing and producing a slate of commercially attractive and entertaining films.
“We want to utilise the incredible talent we have here in the UK to create films that really...
Former Anchor Bay director of acquisitions Rod Smith was today announced as chief operating officer of Evolution Pictures, a new London-based finance and production company.
Evolution will be allied to finance, sales and production outfit Gfm Films, which will support Evolution financially as well as handle worldwide sales of their product.
While at Anchor Bay, Smith forged a co-production pact with producer Jonathan Sothcott’s Richwater Films. Titles produced together include We Still Kill in the Old Way and Age of Kill.
Smith also oversaw development and production of the Somme-inspired zombie film, World War Dead with Next Level Film’s Freddie Hutton Mills and Bart Ruspoli.
Smith said: “In conjunction with Gfm Films we will be financing, developing and producing a slate of commercially attractive and entertaining films.
“We want to utilise the incredible talent we have here in the UK to create films that really...
- 10/16/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: London-based company to handle international sales on Thorsten Schmidt’s modern fairytale.
Just before Berlin, London-based production, financing and sales outfit Gfm has announced it is to handle international sales on Thorsten Schmidt’s new $6m feature Hear My Voice, produced by Nils Dunker of Lailaps Pictures.
The film comes billed as an Israeli “Slumdog Millionaire“-story, a modern fairytale about a brave young Palestinian girl who overcomes political and cultural barriers in order to live her dream. She has a beautiful voice. Her ticket to stardom is competing in a TV talent show.
Hear My Voice is English-language and is due to shoot later this year for delivery in the summer of 2015. Casting is underway.
At the Efm, Gfm, the company run by industry veterans Guy Collins, Michael Ryan and Fred Hedman, is also continuing sales on big budget Japanese sci-fi animated adventure Harlock: Space Pirate.
Italian distributor Lucky Red released on Jan 1 and, according...
Just before Berlin, London-based production, financing and sales outfit Gfm has announced it is to handle international sales on Thorsten Schmidt’s new $6m feature Hear My Voice, produced by Nils Dunker of Lailaps Pictures.
The film comes billed as an Israeli “Slumdog Millionaire“-story, a modern fairytale about a brave young Palestinian girl who overcomes political and cultural barriers in order to live her dream. She has a beautiful voice. Her ticket to stardom is competing in a TV talent show.
Hear My Voice is English-language and is due to shoot later this year for delivery in the summer of 2015. Casting is underway.
At the Efm, Gfm, the company run by industry veterans Guy Collins, Michael Ryan and Fred Hedman, is also continuing sales on big budget Japanese sci-fi animated adventure Harlock: Space Pirate.
Italian distributor Lucky Red released on Jan 1 and, according...
- 2/8/2014
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
Legendary TV host and actor Gary Collins died early this morning (Oct. 13) of natural causes at the Biloxi Regional Medical Center in Mississippi. He was 74.
Collins appeared on a number of hit shows in the 1970s like "Charlie's Angels," "The Love Boat" and "Fantasy Island," but he is best known for hosting the "Hour Magazine" talk show from 1980 to 1988 and the Miss America Pageant from 1985 to 1989.
Collins was married to former Miss America Mary Anne Mobley for 44 years before they separated last year. He has three children: daughter Mary Clancy Collins with Mobley, and Guy Collins and Melissa "Mimi" Collins with his first wife, Susan Peterson.
Collins appeared on a number of hit shows in the 1970s like "Charlie's Angels," "The Love Boat" and "Fantasy Island," but he is best known for hosting the "Hour Magazine" talk show from 1980 to 1988 and the Miss America Pageant from 1985 to 1989.
Collins was married to former Miss America Mary Anne Mobley for 44 years before they separated last year. He has three children: daughter Mary Clancy Collins with Mobley, and Guy Collins and Melissa "Mimi" Collins with his first wife, Susan Peterson.
- 10/13/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
AMC's The Walking Dead is pretty cool, but I think we all know what would make it cooler: a Caribbean jazz soundtrack and the inclusion of sapient bears. That's the formula behind Guy Collins' animated series Raised By Zombies, which was added to the Mondo Media network a few weeks ago. The series chronicles the adventures of a young girl and her world-weary caretaker as they navigate a cartoon world full of bloodthirsty zombies and enough wise animals to fill an Aesop's Fable. The pilot was released months ago, but Collins recently released a second episode after signing up with Mondo
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Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
- 9/18/2012
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Australian filmmaker Kimble Rendall is set to direct $25 million local action-thriller Blowback.
The story, penned by filmmaker Brian Trenchard-Smith, follows ex-Special Forces Op, David Craig, as he takes his 15 year-old daughter Marcy to Sydney to show her where he met and fell in love with her late mother. When Marcy is mistakenly abducted Craig is given 72 hours to get her back in once piece.
Blowback, which is being co-produced by Gfm Films and local producer Antony I. Ginnane, will be filmed in Sydney in 2013. Gfm was founded in March 2011 by former Handmade Films principals Guy Collins, Fred Hedman and Michael Ryan.
In a statement announcing the film, Collins said: "Mike Ryan and I have known Tony for many years and between us have worked successfully on six movies, the last being the Peter Weller sci-fi Screamers released by Triumph Films for Sony. Tony introduced the script to us at the...
The story, penned by filmmaker Brian Trenchard-Smith, follows ex-Special Forces Op, David Craig, as he takes his 15 year-old daughter Marcy to Sydney to show her where he met and fell in love with her late mother. When Marcy is mistakenly abducted Craig is given 72 hours to get her back in once piece.
Blowback, which is being co-produced by Gfm Films and local producer Antony I. Ginnane, will be filmed in Sydney in 2013. Gfm was founded in March 2011 by former Handmade Films principals Guy Collins, Fred Hedman and Michael Ryan.
In a statement announcing the film, Collins said: "Mike Ryan and I have known Tony for many years and between us have worked successfully on six movies, the last being the Peter Weller sci-fi Screamers released by Triumph Films for Sony. Tony introduced the script to us at the...
- 7/26/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
At the height of the Berlin Film Festival, THR informs us that Lucas Foster is joining forces with Gfm Films to bring a casino heist film, The Job, to the big screen.
Foster — who’s produced titles that include Man on Fire, Law Abiding Citizen, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith — will produce the thriller, based on Brad Mirman‘s original script. Guy Collins, the market veteran behind Gfm Films, stated that, for them, “the timing is perfect [...] to discuss the film with distributors during the European Film Market in Berlin.” Mirman has also scripted some lesser known films, including Shadows in the Sun, The Piano Player and the upcoming Sleight of Hand, which he is also directing.
Plot details for the project are pretty scarce, but Collins and Mirman worked together on Highlander 3 and Knight Moves, which should create some hope when it comes to their connection. Although I can...
Foster — who’s produced titles that include Man on Fire, Law Abiding Citizen, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith — will produce the thriller, based on Brad Mirman‘s original script. Guy Collins, the market veteran behind Gfm Films, stated that, for them, “the timing is perfect [...] to discuss the film with distributors during the European Film Market in Berlin.” Mirman has also scripted some lesser known films, including Shadows in the Sun, The Piano Player and the upcoming Sleight of Hand, which he is also directing.
Plot details for the project are pretty scarce, but Collins and Mirman worked together on Highlander 3 and Knight Moves, which should create some hope when it comes to their connection. Although I can...
- 2/12/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Berlin -- Lucas Foster, whose producer credits include Man on Fire, Law Abiding Citizen and Mr. and Mrs. Smith, is teaming with British indie and finance banner Gfm Films, run by market veterans Guy Collins and Michael Ryan, to bring a hard-edged casino heist script, The Job, to the big screen. Foster has signed to produce the action thriller based on an original screenplay penned by Brad Mirman, whose resume boasts The Shadow Dancer, starring Joshua Jackson, Claire Forlani and Harvey Keitel. Gfm optioned the screenplay in the wake of Afm last year, and it was Mirman who introduced Gfm’s Collins and Ryan to Foster. Collins
read more...
read more...
- 2/11/2012
- by Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
If you don’t know the name Mondo Media - one of (if not) the internet’s “leading multi-platform distributors of animation for teens and young adults” that routinely garners 70 million views for its programs across its many networks - you probably most definitely do know the name of at least one of their original web series productions. The most notable is the online cartoon Happy Tree Friends, which features a familiar cute and cuddly cast of pastel-colored fluffy anthropomorphic animals with multiple lives, morbid imaginations and violent predilections. They've enticed internet audiences to click play since 1999. There’s Dick Figures, too. That’s the Mondo Media original animated web series created by the very talented Ed Skudder about two dysfunctional, wannabe fratacular, socially awkward, odd couple, stick figure friends. The show debuted in November 2010 and has already racked up over 50 million views across 21 episodes. Combine those figures with the...
- 10/11/2011
- by Joshua Cohen
- Tubefilter.com
What I find most remarkable is this: This news comes from Variety, wherein they were announcing that Guy Collins and Michael Ryan were adapting 1980 movie "The Long Good Friday" into a TV series. Then they casually threw this out there:
Collins and Ryan are also pushing ahead with a "Time Bandits" reboot and are in talks with a Hollywood co-producer to redo the Terry Gilliam pic as a bigscreen kids action franchise.
If that isn't burying the lede, then mother of God, what the hell is?
Because of course, the first thing we think of when we meditate upon a dark fantasy involving time traveling dwarves, the Supreme Being, the incarnation of all evil, and the inevitable flaws in a designed creation is not the tension between free will and fate in a clockwork universe, but upon the story's potential as an action tent pole for the same kids who...
Collins and Ryan are also pushing ahead with a "Time Bandits" reboot and are in talks with a Hollywood co-producer to redo the Terry Gilliam pic as a bigscreen kids action franchise.
If that isn't burying the lede, then mother of God, what the hell is?
Because of course, the first thing we think of when we meditate upon a dark fantasy involving time traveling dwarves, the Supreme Being, the incarnation of all evil, and the inevitable flaws in a designed creation is not the tension between free will and fate in a clockwork universe, but upon the story's potential as an action tent pole for the same kids who...
- 4/1/2011
- by TK
Fans of iconic oddball auteur Terry Gilliam tend to flock to his films for their unapologetically unhinged narratives that are loosely wound through a string of surreal and inexplicable visuals. Even a bad Gilliam movie is usually trippy enough to be enjoyable (though not you, Tideland. You go over there.) Gilliam’s movies are mind-bending journeys that boast flying men, Fisher Kings, con men, and maniacs. As such, they are not generally terribly kid-friendly. Not yet anyway.
In the strangest story I’m likely to cover today, Variety reports that Guy Collins and Michael Ryan (formerly of Handmade Films) are looking to produce a remake of Gilliam’s cult classic Time Bandits that will be re-fashioned into a family friendly franchise. There’s no mention of Gilliam’s involvement, and it’s safe to assume there won’t be. The notoriously quirky director doesn’t do family friendly. Time Bandits itself is evident of that.
In the strangest story I’m likely to cover today, Variety reports that Guy Collins and Michael Ryan (formerly of Handmade Films) are looking to produce a remake of Gilliam’s cult classic Time Bandits that will be re-fashioned into a family friendly franchise. There’s no mention of Gilliam’s involvement, and it’s safe to assume there won’t be. The notoriously quirky director doesn’t do family friendly. Time Bandits itself is evident of that.
- 4/1/2011
- by Kristy Puchko
- The Film Stage
While director Terry Gilliam himself can’t get a project off the ground, it appears as though a remake of one of his classic features has no such issue.
A while back, rumblings of Gilliam considering taking on converting his beloved feature, Time Bandits, was revealed, and now, according to Variety, a full fledged remake of the film may be in the works.
The outlet is reporting that producers Guy Collins and Michael Ryan are currently in talks with a yet-to-be-disclosed Hollywood co-producer to not only remake the film, but in turn actually reboot it into a family friendly action franchise.
Now, it remains to be seen what kind of involvement Gilliam will have with this project, if any at all, but frankly, I don’t know if it really matters all that much. I’ve actually never seen the film (it’s the sole Gilliam feature that I’ve never seen,...
A while back, rumblings of Gilliam considering taking on converting his beloved feature, Time Bandits, was revealed, and now, according to Variety, a full fledged remake of the film may be in the works.
The outlet is reporting that producers Guy Collins and Michael Ryan are currently in talks with a yet-to-be-disclosed Hollywood co-producer to not only remake the film, but in turn actually reboot it into a family friendly action franchise.
Now, it remains to be seen what kind of involvement Gilliam will have with this project, if any at all, but frankly, I don’t know if it really matters all that much. I’ve actually never seen the film (it’s the sole Gilliam feature that I’ve never seen,...
- 4/1/2011
- by Joshua Brunsting
- CriterionCast
Variety say Terry Gilliam fans should ready the pitch forks in preparation of a Time Bandits remake, which former Handmade Film execs Guy Collins and Michael Ryan are meddling to produce as “a bigscreen kids action franchise”.
Why? What? How? I’ll be amazed if they get a notable talent to believe they can top Gilliam and Michael Palin’s script or the cast they brought together.
There’s stupid remake announcements and then there’s stupid remake announcements but this one feels like the dumbest in a long while as Time Bandits is not, and has never been, a ‘franchise’ and those who the 1981 comedy movie does appeal to are a niche bunch of Gilliam fans who wouldn’t turn up to a Time Bandits redo without any of the Monty Python’s team involvement anyway.
So why bother?
I say this as not a huge Gilliam or Time Bandits...
Why? What? How? I’ll be amazed if they get a notable talent to believe they can top Gilliam and Michael Palin’s script or the cast they brought together.
There’s stupid remake announcements and then there’s stupid remake announcements but this one feels like the dumbest in a long while as Time Bandits is not, and has never been, a ‘franchise’ and those who the 1981 comedy movie does appeal to are a niche bunch of Gilliam fans who wouldn’t turn up to a Time Bandits redo without any of the Monty Python’s team involvement anyway.
So why bother?
I say this as not a huge Gilliam or Time Bandits...
- 4/1/2011
- by Matt Holmes
- Obsessed with Film
Terry Gilliam’s 1981 adventure film Time Bandits is going to be remade to be more family-friendly.
The original was rated PG, which sounds like a family-friendly rating to me. I believe that the execs behind the remake (Guy Collins, Michael Ryan, and Fred Hedman) are afraid that the original film needs a wider audience, because it’s too strange or unconventional for kids in this day and age.
Read more on More family-friendly version of Time Bandits to be made...
The original was rated PG, which sounds like a family-friendly rating to me. I believe that the execs behind the remake (Guy Collins, Michael Ryan, and Fred Hedman) are afraid that the original film needs a wider audience, because it’s too strange or unconventional for kids in this day and age.
Read more on More family-friendly version of Time Bandits to be made...
- 3/31/2011
- by Ryan Mahoney
- GordonandtheWhale
For a lot of people Terry Gilliam.s Time Bandits fits comfortably on a shelf next to movies like Goonies and E.T. as one of the films that most shaped their childhood. So of course it.s being remade. Guy Collins, Michael Ryan and Fred Hedman who used to run Handmade Films Intl. are produce what they.re calling a .reboot. of the Terry Gilliam classic. In addition to Time Bandits Handmade Films was responsible for such classics as Monty Python.s Life of Brian, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and more recently 127 Hours. Their back catalogue is fairly limited though, with only around 30 movies in their library, so in an era where Hollywood is no longer making original material and instead simply mining their back catalogue for movies with name recognition to redo, this was probably inevitable. In this case using the word reboot to describe what...
- 3/31/2011
- cinemablend.com
Two classic cult films of early 80's British cinema are about to get Hollywood reboots reports Variety.
First up is Terry Gilliam's 1981 effort "Time Bandits", the eccentric and dark fantasy tale about a young boy and a group of dwarves who use a stolen map to find and steal treasures from across history.
Former Handmade Films execs Guy Collins and Michael Ryan are in talks with a Hollywood co-producer to reinvent the property as a big screen kids action franchise, likely losing all the eccentric touches that Gilliam brought to the film along the way.
The pair, and Fred Hedman, are also in talks with director Paul McGuigan about turning John McKenzie's 1980 gangster classic "The Long Good Friday" into a TV series. Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren starred in the original about a Cockney gang boss threatened by Irish terrorists moving in on his territory.
Ray Winstone is...
First up is Terry Gilliam's 1981 effort "Time Bandits", the eccentric and dark fantasy tale about a young boy and a group of dwarves who use a stolen map to find and steal treasures from across history.
Former Handmade Films execs Guy Collins and Michael Ryan are in talks with a Hollywood co-producer to reinvent the property as a big screen kids action franchise, likely losing all the eccentric touches that Gilliam brought to the film along the way.
The pair, and Fred Hedman, are also in talks with director Paul McGuigan about turning John McKenzie's 1980 gangster classic "The Long Good Friday" into a TV series. Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren starred in the original about a Cockney gang boss threatened by Irish terrorists moving in on his territory.
Ray Winstone is...
- 3/31/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Terry Gilliam's 1981 film Time Bandits is one of my all time favorite films. I grew up watching this movie, and I still pop it in and watch it when I'm feeling nostalgic a few times a year. This film is an awesome freakin' classic and has no business being remade. This is the kind of remake news that just pisses me off.
According to Variety Gfm Films' Guy Collins, Michael Ryan and Fred Hedman are currently in talks with a unnamed Hollywood producer to remake the Time Bandits as a kids action franchise. Obviously they are doing this in hopes to make an ass load of money, but hell!? It's Time Bandits people!
As far as turning it into a kids franchise goes, if you've seen the original film then you know it's awesomely dark and it has a more adult tome to it, and as much as I...
According to Variety Gfm Films' Guy Collins, Michael Ryan and Fred Hedman are currently in talks with a unnamed Hollywood producer to remake the Time Bandits as a kids action franchise. Obviously they are doing this in hopes to make an ass load of money, but hell!? It's Time Bandits people!
As far as turning it into a kids franchise goes, if you've seen the original film then you know it's awesomely dark and it has a more adult tome to it, and as much as I...
- 3/31/2011
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
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