Tom Rothman, the Sony Motion Pictures Group chairman and CEO, wined and dined a select few at a splendidly swish soirée Friday at Mamo Michelangelo in Antibes, hosted by Charles Finch as part of his annual Filmmakers Dinner honoring 100 years of Columbia Pictures, and there was something he said about why movies matter that has stuck with me.
Hours earlier, Rothman had introduced a gloriously restored print of Charles Vidor’s 1946 movie Gilda, starring Rita Hayworth as the eponymous nightclub temptress and Glenn Ford as the hardboiled gambler from her past.
They hate each other, but as we all know, that’s often a prelude on the road to love both in real and reel life.
Related: Cannes Film Festival 2024 Photos
Vidor also uses the vocabulary of dance to signal Gilda’s emotional temperature.
The great choreographer Jack Cole, who later coached Marilyn Monroe on her moves in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,...
Hours earlier, Rothman had introduced a gloriously restored print of Charles Vidor’s 1946 movie Gilda, starring Rita Hayworth as the eponymous nightclub temptress and Glenn Ford as the hardboiled gambler from her past.
They hate each other, but as we all know, that’s often a prelude on the road to love both in real and reel life.
Related: Cannes Film Festival 2024 Photos
Vidor also uses the vocabulary of dance to signal Gilda’s emotional temperature.
The great choreographer Jack Cole, who later coached Marilyn Monroe on her moves in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,...
- 5/18/2024
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures International Productions and Fremantle’s Italian label Wildside have struck a multi-picture co-production deal to develop and produce local films in Italy.
Kicking off the partnership is the comedy Upside Down Family from Alessandro Genovesi, whose credits include When Mom Is Away and 7 Women And A Murder.
Based on Jean-Patrick Benes’ 2020 comedy Family Swap (Le Sens de la Famille) about a frazzled family of five who awaken one day to find themselves in each other’s bodies, the project is co-written by Genovesi and Giulio Carrieri (Everybody Loves Diamonds).
The cast is led by Luca Argentero, Valentina Lodovini,...
Kicking off the partnership is the comedy Upside Down Family from Alessandro Genovesi, whose credits include When Mom Is Away and 7 Women And A Murder.
Based on Jean-Patrick Benes’ 2020 comedy Family Swap (Le Sens de la Famille) about a frazzled family of five who awaken one day to find themselves in each other’s bodies, the project is co-written by Genovesi and Giulio Carrieri (Everybody Loves Diamonds).
The cast is led by Luca Argentero, Valentina Lodovini,...
- 5/10/2024
- ScreenDaily
Sony Pictures International Productions (Spip) has hired veteran executive Milada Kolberg in the new role of production director.
Starting from tomorrow, Kolberg will oversee local film development and production in Germany, joining the Sony Pictures Germany team headed by Benjamin Bach. She will report to Shebnem Askin, EVP, creative production and head of Sony Pictures International Productions.
Kolberg has over 20 years of experience in film acquisitions, sales and consulting. She joins Sony from X Verleih Ag, the distribution arm of German production company X Filme Creative Pool, where she had been head of acquisitions and international co-productions since 2019.
Films Kolberg...
Starting from tomorrow, Kolberg will oversee local film development and production in Germany, joining the Sony Pictures Germany team headed by Benjamin Bach. She will report to Shebnem Askin, EVP, creative production and head of Sony Pictures International Productions.
Kolberg has over 20 years of experience in film acquisitions, sales and consulting. She joins Sony from X Verleih Ag, the distribution arm of German production company X Filme Creative Pool, where she had been head of acquisitions and international co-productions since 2019.
Films Kolberg...
- 1/31/2024
- ScreenDaily
Sony Pictures International Productions (Spip) has hired veteran executive Milada Kolberg in the new role of production director.
Starting from tomorrow, Kolberg will oversee local film development and production in Germany, joining the Sony Pictures Germany team headed by Benjamin Bach. She will report to Shebnem Askin, EVP, creative production and head of Sony Pictures International Productions.
Kolberg has over 20 years of experience in film acquisitions, sales and consulting. She joins Sony from X Verleih Ag, the distribution arm of German production company X Filme Creative Pool, where she had been head of acquisitions and international co-productions since 2019.
Films Kolberg...
Starting from tomorrow, Kolberg will oversee local film development and production in Germany, joining the Sony Pictures Germany team headed by Benjamin Bach. She will report to Shebnem Askin, EVP, creative production and head of Sony Pictures International Productions.
Kolberg has over 20 years of experience in film acquisitions, sales and consulting. She joins Sony from X Verleih Ag, the distribution arm of German production company X Filme Creative Pool, where she had been head of acquisitions and international co-productions since 2019.
Films Kolberg...
- 1/31/2024
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Sony Pictures International Productions is ramping up two sequels to 2023 German box office hit The Three Investigators – Legacy of the Dragon (Die Drei ??? – Erbe des Drachen). Both adventure mysteries are co-productions from Wiedemann & Berg Film and Deutsche Columbia Pictures Filmproduktion in cooperation with Kosmos Verlag.
The sequels, The Three Investigators – Carpathian Dog and The Three Investigators – Isle of Death, will be shot back-to-back in the Canary Islands, with principal photography beginning in February. They are scheduled to reach cinemas on January 23, 2025 and January 22, 2026, respectively. Tim Dünschede, who helmed the first picture, will direct both films.
Based on the bestselling children’s book series Die drei ???, published by Kosmos Verlag, The Three Investigators – Legacy of the Dragon centered around a famous trio of boy detectives in Transylvania who must unravel mysteries involving a long-missing boy, a mysterious brotherhood and a mysterious undead.
Returning cast members for the sequels are Julius Weckauf,...
The sequels, The Three Investigators – Carpathian Dog and The Three Investigators – Isle of Death, will be shot back-to-back in the Canary Islands, with principal photography beginning in February. They are scheduled to reach cinemas on January 23, 2025 and January 22, 2026, respectively. Tim Dünschede, who helmed the first picture, will direct both films.
Based on the bestselling children’s book series Die drei ???, published by Kosmos Verlag, The Three Investigators – Legacy of the Dragon centered around a famous trio of boy detectives in Transylvania who must unravel mysteries involving a long-missing boy, a mysterious brotherhood and a mysterious undead.
Returning cast members for the sequels are Julius Weckauf,...
- 1/10/2024
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures International Productions and Italy’s Eagle Pictures have announced psychological thriller “Il Corpo” (“The Body”), starring Claudia Gerini (“John Wick: Chapter 2”), as part of their local co-production partnership.
Principal photography recently wrapped on the film, which is co-written by its director Vincenzo Alfieri (“Mad Dog”) with Giuseppe G. Stasi, who recently made a splash in Italy as the writer and co-director of hit Amazon Prime Video series “The Bad Guy.”
Gerini (pictured in the first-look image above) plays a rich entrepreneur named Rebecca Zuin whose death, due to an alleged heart attack, raises suspicions on the part of a police inspector played by Giuseppe Battiston (“Perfect Strangers”) after her body disappears from the morgue. When her handsome young husband, played by Andrea Di Luigi (“Nuovo Olimpo”), becomes a suspect, he starts thinking she may have faked her death to sadistically torment him.
“We are delighted to bring...
Principal photography recently wrapped on the film, which is co-written by its director Vincenzo Alfieri (“Mad Dog”) with Giuseppe G. Stasi, who recently made a splash in Italy as the writer and co-director of hit Amazon Prime Video series “The Bad Guy.”
Gerini (pictured in the first-look image above) plays a rich entrepreneur named Rebecca Zuin whose death, due to an alleged heart attack, raises suspicions on the part of a police inspector played by Giuseppe Battiston (“Perfect Strangers”) after her body disappears from the morgue. When her handsome young husband, played by Andrea Di Luigi (“Nuovo Olimpo”), becomes a suspect, he starts thinking she may have faked her death to sadistically torment him.
“We are delighted to bring...
- 12/15/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Prime Video has pounced on Mexican comedy “Tequila Repasado” by Gabriela Tagliavini., which it premieres worldwide on Dec. 20.
Co-produced by Sony Pictures Int’l Prods and Mexico-based Itaca Films and Feel Good Films, the comedy was originally written in English by Judd Pilot (“Coach”) and Gerald B. Fillmore (“Muertos S.L.”) to be later adapted for the Spanish-language market by Joan Vives, Ilse Apellaniz and Ricardo Avilés.
Said Tagliavini: “I loved the script. It was weird and hilarious yet also spiritual. And it allowed me to use interesting VFX and create original visuals, which is always a fun challenge!”
“Tequila Repasado” revolves around a workaholic who finds himself repeatedly transported back in time by a mystical tequila, forcing him to outsmart his multiplying selves as he struggles to mend his relationships with his family.
The title, which roughly means Tequila Reviewed, is a play on the term Tequila Reposado, which...
Co-produced by Sony Pictures Int’l Prods and Mexico-based Itaca Films and Feel Good Films, the comedy was originally written in English by Judd Pilot (“Coach”) and Gerald B. Fillmore (“Muertos S.L.”) to be later adapted for the Spanish-language market by Joan Vives, Ilse Apellaniz and Ricardo Avilés.
Said Tagliavini: “I loved the script. It was weird and hilarious yet also spiritual. And it allowed me to use interesting VFX and create original visuals, which is always a fun challenge!”
“Tequila Repasado” revolves around a workaholic who finds himself repeatedly transported back in time by a mystical tequila, forcing him to outsmart his multiplying selves as he struggles to mend his relationships with his family.
The title, which roughly means Tequila Reviewed, is a play on the term Tequila Reposado, which...
- 11/27/2023
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Adding to its roster of local-language remakes, Sony Pictures International Productions is teaming with Biônica Filmes on a Brazilian redo of 2011 romantic comedy, Friends with Benefits which starred Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis. The Brazilian version, Amizade Colorida, is directed by Rafael Gomes and stars Maria Bopp and Ícaro Silva.
Bopp plays Julia, a headhunter from Sao Paulo who recruits Daniel (Silva), an art director from Salvador, for a job interview at a major technology company. Initially skeptical about leaving his family and a house overlooking the sea in Bahia, he accepts the job after a day exploring the allure of Sao Paulo, guided by Julia. In a short time, their friendship turns into a casual friends-with-benefits relationship until they both realize that inevitably they are in love.
Gisele Fróes, Tuca Andrada, Luiz Pepeu and Daniel Furlan also star. Mariana Zatz and Gomes wrote the script. Producers are Bianca Villar,...
Bopp plays Julia, a headhunter from Sao Paulo who recruits Daniel (Silva), an art director from Salvador, for a job interview at a major technology company. Initially skeptical about leaving his family and a house overlooking the sea in Bahia, he accepts the job after a day exploring the allure of Sao Paulo, guided by Julia. In a short time, their friendship turns into a casual friends-with-benefits relationship until they both realize that inevitably they are in love.
Gisele Fróes, Tuca Andrada, Luiz Pepeu and Daniel Furlan also star. Mariana Zatz and Gomes wrote the script. Producers are Bianca Villar,...
- 8/16/2023
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Principal photography has wrapped in Italy on Sony Pictures International Productions and Eagle Pictures’ local-language romantic comedy You’ve Got Hotspot (Hotspot – Amore Senza Rete). From director Giulio Manfredonia, this is the first of five Italian projects that will see the partners equally involved in production.
Francesco Arca (Allacciate le Cinture, Gli Idoli delle Donne, Resta con Me) and Denise Tantucci (Tre Piani, Io e Mio Fratello) star in the pic co-written by Roberto Proia (Come non Detto, Sul Più Bello trilogy, Backstage – Dietro le Quinte) and Mauro Graiani (Poli Opposti, Copperman).
The story follows Tina (Tantucci), a young dancer with big dreams. While waiting for her flight at a London airport, she realizes that the application for a very important audition for the San Carlo Theatre in Naples is about to expire and she has 20 minutes to send the email, but...
Francesco Arca (Allacciate le Cinture, Gli Idoli delle Donne, Resta con Me) and Denise Tantucci (Tre Piani, Io e Mio Fratello) star in the pic co-written by Roberto Proia (Come non Detto, Sul Più Bello trilogy, Backstage – Dietro le Quinte) and Mauro Graiani (Poli Opposti, Copperman).
The story follows Tina (Tantucci), a young dancer with big dreams. While waiting for her flight at a London airport, she realizes that the application for a very important audition for the San Carlo Theatre in Naples is about to expire and she has 20 minutes to send the email, but...
- 6/30/2023
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures International Productions and Italy’s Colorado Film have teamed up on Italian comedy/road movie “50km per Hour” which has started shooting with multi-hyphenate Fabio De Luigi directing and starring.
The film is an Italian remake of Sony’s 2018 German box office hit “25 Km/h,” written by Oliver Ziegenbalg and directed by Markus Goller about two estranged siblings who reunite at their father’s funeral and make a spur of the moment decision to fulfill their childhood dream of driving across the country on their old motorbikes. It has also recently been remade in Mexico with the title “A Todas Partes” (“All the Places”).
De Luigi, who is among Italy’s most bankable talents, recently starred in “The Worse Week of My Life” and “When Mom is Away,” which was Italy’s top grossing local title during pandemic-stricken 2019. De Luigi on this film is pairing up with another top local box office draw,...
The film is an Italian remake of Sony’s 2018 German box office hit “25 Km/h,” written by Oliver Ziegenbalg and directed by Markus Goller about two estranged siblings who reunite at their father’s funeral and make a spur of the moment decision to fulfill their childhood dream of driving across the country on their old motorbikes. It has also recently been remade in Mexico with the title “A Todas Partes” (“All the Places”).
De Luigi, who is among Italy’s most bankable talents, recently starred in “The Worse Week of My Life” and “When Mom is Away,” which was Italy’s top grossing local title during pandemic-stricken 2019. De Luigi on this film is pairing up with another top local box office draw,...
- 6/21/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
In a bid to give more opportunities to women directors and boost the romcom genre, Sony Pictures International has teamed up with Maria Ripoll’s Cahuenga Filmmakers and transatlantic production shingle El Estudio to launch The Love Collection, a series of romantic comedy features to be written and helmed by women.
Ripoll, best known for her romcom “Ahora o nunca,” the highest-grossing femme-directed film in Spain, will serve as executive producer on all the titles, and will direct the first in the collection, “Yo no soy esa,” (roughly translated to “I’m Not That One” or “I’m Not Her”) starring Verónica Echegui. El Estudio’s Enrique López Lavigne will serve as producer on all the titles.
In “Yo no soy esa,” Susana (Echegui) wakes up after a 20-year coma. Stuck in a grown woman’s body but emotionally and psychologically still a teenager, Susana must learn to navigate an unfamiliar world and rediscover herself.
Ripoll, best known for her romcom “Ahora o nunca,” the highest-grossing femme-directed film in Spain, will serve as executive producer on all the titles, and will direct the first in the collection, “Yo no soy esa,” (roughly translated to “I’m Not That One” or “I’m Not Her”) starring Verónica Echegui. El Estudio’s Enrique López Lavigne will serve as producer on all the titles.
In “Yo no soy esa,” Susana (Echegui) wakes up after a 20-year coma. Stuck in a grown woman’s body but emotionally and psychologically still a teenager, Susana must learn to navigate an unfamiliar world and rediscover herself.
- 3/3/2023
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Sony Pictures International Productions has optioned remake rights to Latvian Christmas comedy Accidental Santa in eight territories: North America, the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Mexico and Brazil.
Sony struck the deal with London-based Canoe Film, which represents international distribution and remake rights and launched sales last week at the European Film Market in Berlin.
Starring Kaspars Karklins, Janis Vimba, Inga Tropa, Jekabs Reinis and Marija Grauba, Accidental Santa follows escaped prisoner Bruno Cricket, who finds the perfect disguise in a Santa suit. Only, it’s Christmas Eve and he’s mistaken as the real deal by two children with a scheme of their own.
Pic is produced by Riga-based Filmu Studija Grauba and was released in cinemas in Latvia last December; it performed as the top-grossing local film over the Christmas period.
Caroline Stern, MD of Canoe Film, negotiated the deal with Sony Pictures International Productions on behalf of Filmu Studija Grauba.
Sony struck the deal with London-based Canoe Film, which represents international distribution and remake rights and launched sales last week at the European Film Market in Berlin.
Starring Kaspars Karklins, Janis Vimba, Inga Tropa, Jekabs Reinis and Marija Grauba, Accidental Santa follows escaped prisoner Bruno Cricket, who finds the perfect disguise in a Santa suit. Only, it’s Christmas Eve and he’s mistaken as the real deal by two children with a scheme of their own.
Pic is produced by Riga-based Filmu Studija Grauba and was released in cinemas in Latvia last December; it performed as the top-grossing local film over the Christmas period.
Caroline Stern, MD of Canoe Film, negotiated the deal with Sony Pictures International Productions on behalf of Filmu Studija Grauba.
- 2/27/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Sony Pictures International Productions has picked up worldwide theatrical rights to ¡Que Viva México! — the latest in a series of political satires from filmmaker Luis Estrada — slating it for release on more than 3,000 screens across Mexico, via Sony Pictures Releasing International, on March 23.
The film follows Pancho Reyes (Alfonso Herrera), a prosperous and “aspirational” middle class man who 20 years ago, abandoned his hometown and entirely forgot all about his very large and very poor family. One day, he receives unexpected news, when his father informs him that his grandfather, Don Francisco Reyes (Joaquín Cosío), a rich old miner, just passed away, and that he is part of his will and possible heir.
Motivated by greed, Pancho decides to go back to the remote town of La Prosperidad to meet with his estranged and resented family, taking his wife, kids, and maid with him. But the mere presence of Pancho,...
The film follows Pancho Reyes (Alfonso Herrera), a prosperous and “aspirational” middle class man who 20 years ago, abandoned his hometown and entirely forgot all about his very large and very poor family. One day, he receives unexpected news, when his father informs him that his grandfather, Don Francisco Reyes (Joaquín Cosío), a rich old miner, just passed away, and that he is part of his will and possible heir.
Motivated by greed, Pancho decides to go back to the remote town of La Prosperidad to meet with his estranged and resented family, taking his wife, kids, and maid with him. But the mere presence of Pancho,...
- 2/2/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Executive started in local-language production at Warner Bros.
Bill Ireton is stepping down from his position overseeing local production at Sony Pictures International Productions, Japan to launch an independent production venture.
Effective January 1, 2023, Ireton will develop and produce content for multiple platforms, primarily based on IP from Japan for audiences around the world.
At Sony Pictures, he shepherded production on a roster of features including Hell Dogs starring Junichi Okada under the direction of Masato Harada; I Am Makimoto starring Sadao Abe; and Violence Action, currently streaming on Netflix.
“Making movies with Sony Pictures over the past four years has...
Bill Ireton is stepping down from his position overseeing local production at Sony Pictures International Productions, Japan to launch an independent production venture.
Effective January 1, 2023, Ireton will develop and produce content for multiple platforms, primarily based on IP from Japan for audiences around the world.
At Sony Pictures, he shepherded production on a roster of features including Hell Dogs starring Junichi Okada under the direction of Masato Harada; I Am Makimoto starring Sadao Abe; and Violence Action, currently streaming on Netflix.
“Making movies with Sony Pictures over the past four years has...
- 12/23/2022
- by Screen staff
- ScreenDaily
Tokyo-based production executive Bill Ireton is stepping down from his role at Sony Pictures International Productions, Japan, where he oversaw local production, to launch an independent production venture effective January 1, 2023.
The new venture will develop and produce content for multiple platforms, primarily based on Japanese I.P. for audiences around the world.
During his time at Sony, Ireton oversaw production on a slate of Japanese-language features, including Hell Dogs, starring Junichi Okada and directed by Masato Harada; I Am Makimoto, starring Sadao Abe, and Violence Action, which is currently streaming on Netflix.
“Making movies with Sony Pictures over the past four years has been a wonderful experience which has helped catapult this thrilling new chapter of my career,” said Ireton.
Sanford Panitch, President of Sony Pictures’ Motion Picture Group, said: “I want to thank Bill for his work the past few years. The making of Japanese films continues to be...
The new venture will develop and produce content for multiple platforms, primarily based on Japanese I.P. for audiences around the world.
During his time at Sony, Ireton oversaw production on a slate of Japanese-language features, including Hell Dogs, starring Junichi Okada and directed by Masato Harada; I Am Makimoto, starring Sadao Abe, and Violence Action, which is currently streaming on Netflix.
“Making movies with Sony Pictures over the past four years has been a wonderful experience which has helped catapult this thrilling new chapter of my career,” said Ireton.
Sanford Panitch, President of Sony Pictures’ Motion Picture Group, said: “I want to thank Bill for his work the past few years. The making of Japanese films continues to be...
- 12/23/2022
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
South Indian star Varun Tej is to head the cast of a patriotic air force action thriller backed by Sony Pictures International Productions. The untitled picture will begin filming from November.
Tej, known locally as ‘Mega Prince,’ has his roots in the Telugu-language regional film industry and achieved fame with the Krish-directed “Kanche” in 2015. With the new picture, he will be making his debut in a film in Hindi, the default language of Bollywood. Production will take place in Hindi and Telugu versions.
Jointly produced by Spip and Renaissance Pictures, the film will be directed by Shakti Pratap Singh Hada – a seasoned commercials maker, cinematographer and VFX aficionado who will be making his directorial debut with this film. Written by Shakti Pratap Singh Hada, Aamir Khan and Siddharth Raj Kumar, the movie will be shot in Telugu and Hindi simultaneously. A release is expected in cinemas in 2023.
Spip calls the project “a patriotic,...
Tej, known locally as ‘Mega Prince,’ has his roots in the Telugu-language regional film industry and achieved fame with the Krish-directed “Kanche” in 2015. With the new picture, he will be making his debut in a film in Hindi, the default language of Bollywood. Production will take place in Hindi and Telugu versions.
Jointly produced by Spip and Renaissance Pictures, the film will be directed by Shakti Pratap Singh Hada – a seasoned commercials maker, cinematographer and VFX aficionado who will be making his directorial debut with this film. Written by Shakti Pratap Singh Hada, Aamir Khan and Siddharth Raj Kumar, the movie will be shot in Telugu and Hindi simultaneously. A release is expected in cinemas in 2023.
Spip calls the project “a patriotic,...
- 9/19/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Sony Pictures International Productions is venturing into local-language movies in Italy with the comedy “Un Natale in Famiglia” (“A Family Christmas”), which is currently shooting in Rome.
Alessandro Usai and Iginio Straffi of Colorado Film, which is owned by Straffi’s Rainbow Group, serve as producers on the film, which is the first of a three-picture deal between Spip and Colorado.
Directed by Italian commercial comedies helmer Giovanni Bognetti (“When Mom is Away”), Sony’s first foray into Italian movies stars Christian De Sica and Angela Finocchiaro, who are both local box office draws.
De Sica, who is the son of late great neorealist director Vittorio De Sica, is among Italy’s most popular stars. He’s had leading roles in some of the country’s highest grossing Christmas movies, such as “Vacanze di Natale” and “Christmas in Love,” both produced by Aurelio De Laurentiis.
De Laurentiis, after churning out...
Alessandro Usai and Iginio Straffi of Colorado Film, which is owned by Straffi’s Rainbow Group, serve as producers on the film, which is the first of a three-picture deal between Spip and Colorado.
Directed by Italian commercial comedies helmer Giovanni Bognetti (“When Mom is Away”), Sony’s first foray into Italian movies stars Christian De Sica and Angela Finocchiaro, who are both local box office draws.
De Sica, who is the son of late great neorealist director Vittorio De Sica, is among Italy’s most popular stars. He’s had leading roles in some of the country’s highest grossing Christmas movies, such as “Vacanze di Natale” and “Christmas in Love,” both produced by Aurelio De Laurentiis.
De Laurentiis, after churning out...
- 7/27/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Sony Pictures Entertainment has promoted Shony Panjikaran and Lada Guruden Singh to take over the reins of its film distribution and production business in India.
Singh has been appointed to Gm and head of Sony Pictures International Productions, India. He will oversee Spip India’s local film development and production slate as well as its expansion in regional cinema. Lada will report to Michael Rifkin and Shebnem Askin, co-heads of Spip.
Panjikaran has been appointed Gm and head of Sony Pictures Releasing International, India. He will manage Sony’s theatrical releasing business, spanning Hollywood and local movies in India, and including all distribution, sales and marketing operations. Shony will report to Adam Herr, senior VP, distribution, Asia at Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Sony Pictures is continuing its investment in Indian theatrical projects and has expanded its footprint in regional-language cinema including Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam projects.
A former journalist, whose earlier...
Singh has been appointed to Gm and head of Sony Pictures International Productions, India. He will oversee Spip India’s local film development and production slate as well as its expansion in regional cinema. Lada will report to Michael Rifkin and Shebnem Askin, co-heads of Spip.
Panjikaran has been appointed Gm and head of Sony Pictures Releasing International, India. He will manage Sony’s theatrical releasing business, spanning Hollywood and local movies in India, and including all distribution, sales and marketing operations. Shony will report to Adam Herr, senior VP, distribution, Asia at Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Sony Pictures is continuing its investment in Indian theatrical projects and has expanded its footprint in regional-language cinema including Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam projects.
A former journalist, whose earlier...
- 7/27/2022
- by Patrick Frater and Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Sony Pictures Entertainment is strengthening its India team with the appointments of Shony Panjikaran as general manager and head of Sony Pictures Releasing International (Spri), India, and Lada Guruden Singh as general manager and head of Sony Pictures International Productions (Spip), India.
The move marks the first time Sony has split its India operations between two heads. It was previously headed by Vivek Krishnani, who stepped down in March, and was recently reported to be joining Indian media group IN10 Media Network to head its new film division.
Panjikaran will manage Sony’s theatrical releasing business across both US studio and locally-produced films in India, including all distribution, sales and marketing efforts. He will report to Adam Herr, senior vice president, Distribution, Asia, Sony Pictures Entertainment.
He previously headed Sony India’s marketing activities for four years, overseeing the release of films including Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spiderman: Far From Home,...
The move marks the first time Sony has split its India operations between two heads. It was previously headed by Vivek Krishnani, who stepped down in March, and was recently reported to be joining Indian media group IN10 Media Network to head its new film division.
Panjikaran will manage Sony’s theatrical releasing business across both US studio and locally-produced films in India, including all distribution, sales and marketing efforts. He will report to Adam Herr, senior vice president, Distribution, Asia, Sony Pictures Entertainment.
He previously headed Sony India’s marketing activities for four years, overseeing the release of films including Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spiderman: Far From Home,...
- 7/27/2022
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Askin joins the channel as executive vice president of programming.
Fox Turkey has hired Shebnem Askin as executive vice president of programming.
Askin, previously senior vice president of international acquisitions and sales at Fox International Productions (Fip), joins immediately and will report to general manager of Fox Turkey, Pietro Vicari.
Vicari commented: “Shebnem is a highly experienced and capable executive who brings strong programming industry expertise to Fox Turkey. We look forward to drawing on Shebnem’s creative and commercial flair to help take Fox Turkey to new heights as we continue to deliver world-class entertainment.”
“I’m delighted to be joining Fox Turkey at such a creatively exciting time for TV. Fox Turkey has some fantastic projects in development and while it is sad to leave Fox International Productions after four thoroughly enjoyable years I look forward to returning to Turkey and joining Pietro and his team as they continue to invest in the very best...
Fox Turkey has hired Shebnem Askin as executive vice president of programming.
Askin, previously senior vice president of international acquisitions and sales at Fox International Productions (Fip), joins immediately and will report to general manager of Fox Turkey, Pietro Vicari.
Vicari commented: “Shebnem is a highly experienced and capable executive who brings strong programming industry expertise to Fox Turkey. We look forward to drawing on Shebnem’s creative and commercial flair to help take Fox Turkey to new heights as we continue to deliver world-class entertainment.”
“I’m delighted to be joining Fox Turkey at such a creatively exciting time for TV. Fox Turkey has some fantastic projects in development and while it is sad to leave Fox International Productions after four thoroughly enjoyable years I look forward to returning to Turkey and joining Pietro and his team as they continue to invest in the very best...
- 1/7/2014
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
China’s State Council has temporarily repealed a ban on selling foreign video game consoles, Reuters reports this morning. The move had been expected and will open up a path for the likes of Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo to sell their wares after a 14-year block. Now, “foreign-invested enterprises” will be allowed to make game consoles within Shanghai’s free trade zone and sell them in China after inspection by cultural departments. Consoles were initially banned in 2000 over concern that gaming would harm young people. Reuters says the growing market is worth a potential $14B. Fox Turkey has appointed Shebnem Askin as Evp of programming. She was previously Svp of international acquisitions and sales at Fox International Productions and will take up her new role immediately. Her mandate will cover building on Fox Turkey’s entertainment offering and commissioning, acquiring and scheduling film, drama, factual, kids and event entertainment programming...
- 1/7/2014
- by NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor
- Deadline TV
Fox International Productions has purchased the rights to Everybody Has A Plan starring Viggo Mortensen. The film is the directorial debut of Ana Piterbarg, who also penned the screenplay. Distribution rights are being sold at Cannes. Piterbarg is slated to begin filming this summer on location in Buenos Aires and El Tigre in Argentina, and Ciudad de la Luz in Alicante-Spain.
The film tells the story of "Agustín (Mortensen), a man desperate to abandon his unfulfilling existence after years of living in Buenos Aires. Following the death of his identical twin brother Pedro, Agustín sets out to begin his life anew by assuming Pedro’s identity and returning to the mysterious Tigre Delta region where the brothers had spent their childhood. Soon after his homecoming, however, Agustín finds himself unwittingly embroiled in the deadly criminal underworld that his brother had been part of."
I am a huge fan of Mortensen...
The film tells the story of "Agustín (Mortensen), a man desperate to abandon his unfulfilling existence after years of living in Buenos Aires. Following the death of his identical twin brother Pedro, Agustín sets out to begin his life anew by assuming Pedro’s identity and returning to the mysterious Tigre Delta region where the brothers had spent their childhood. Soon after his homecoming, however, Agustín finds himself unwittingly embroiled in the deadly criminal underworld that his brother had been part of."
I am a huge fan of Mortensen...
- 5/5/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
Los Angeles, CA May 5, 2011 – Sanford Panitch, President of Fox International Productions, announced today that Fox International Productions has brokered a deal for the worldwide rights to Everybody Has A Plan starring Viggo Mortensen (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) and Soledad Villamil (The Secret in Their Eyes) in the feature film directorial debut of writer/director Ana Piterbarg. The film, which will be distributed by Twentieth Century Fox in Spain and Argentina, will be introduced to select international distributors for the first time at the Marché Du Film at the Cannes Film Festival by Fox International Productions’ Senior Vice President of Sales Shebnem Askin-Schreger. Everybody Has A Plan tells the story of Agustín (Mortensen), a man desperate to abandon what he gradually has come to feel is an unfulfilling existence after years of living in Buenos Aires. Following the death of his identical twin brother Pedro, Agustín sets out...
- 5/5/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Shebnem Askin-Schreger is joining Fox International Prods. as senior vp, sales and production finance. Reporting to Fip president Sanford Panitch, she will oversee international sales for the unit’s local film productions.
Working out of the Fox offices in Los Angeles and New York, she also will be involved with Fip's Indian activities at Fox Star Studios, working closely with Rohit Sharma, who joined Fox’s Indian arm last year as head of sales and content distribution.
Most recently, Askin-Schreger was head of Cinetic International, the global sales, consulting and financial unit of the New York-based Cinetic Media, managing international sales for independently produced films such as "Exit Through the Gift Shop," directed by Banksy, and "Abel," directed by Diego Luna.
"Shebnem's vast experience will be a powerful asset for Fox International Productions and a great advantage for filmmakers. While Fox will continue to distribute in the primary, local territory,...
Working out of the Fox offices in Los Angeles and New York, she also will be involved with Fip's Indian activities at Fox Star Studios, working closely with Rohit Sharma, who joined Fox’s Indian arm last year as head of sales and content distribution.
Most recently, Askin-Schreger was head of Cinetic International, the global sales, consulting and financial unit of the New York-based Cinetic Media, managing international sales for independently produced films such as "Exit Through the Gift Shop," directed by Banksy, and "Abel," directed by Diego Luna.
"Shebnem's vast experience will be a powerful asset for Fox International Productions and a great advantage for filmmakers. While Fox will continue to distribute in the primary, local territory,...
- 7/20/2010
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Park City, Ut (January 28, 2010) - Flache Pyramide has acquired from Cinetic International the French distribution rights to the 2010 Sundance Film Festival hit "Holy Rollers." Kevin Asch makes his directorial debut in the gritty coming of age story set against the backdrop of the international drug trade. Written by Antonio Macia, and starring Justin Bartha ("The Hangover"), Jesse Eisenberg ("Zombieland"), and Danny A. Abeckaser, the film made its worldwide debut at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim. The deal was negotiated by Shebnem Askin-Schreger (head of Cinetic International) and Eric Lagesse (President of Pyramide Int'l). "Holy [...]...
- 1/30/2010
- by Nikki Finke
- Deadline Hollywood
Rumor has it that Shebnem Askin has left 2929 to go to Cinetic. It is official that 2929 will not be attending Cannes.
- 4/17/2009
- Sydney's Buzz
In yet another indication that Mark Cuban and Harvey Weinstein are like-minded individuals, Cuban's 2929 Prods. and the Weinstein Co.'s Dimension Films announced Monday that Dimension has acquired U.S. distribution rights to 2929's remake of the horror thriller Black Christmas. The news comes just weeks after the Weinstein Co. announced that 2929's Cuban and Todd Wagner have each invested $10 million in the Weinstein Co. Also, the two companies will partner on 2929's upcoming comedy Fast Track, with the Weinstein Co. distributing in the U.S. and Canada. Black Christmas, from the writer-producer-director team of James Wong and Glen Morgan, will start production in January for a Christmas 2006 release. 2929 International, headed by Shebnem Askin, will be selling international rights at AFM. The project was originally announced in March (HR 3/31).
- 10/31/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Robert De Niro is gearing up to channel the life of writer-producer Art Linson in the Barry Levinson-directed What Just Happened for 2929 Prods. The actor will play a desperate movie producer hanging on to the tattered threads of his career as he tries to maintain his dignity while surviving the mounting humiliations of Hollywood. Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner's 2929 will fully finance the film -- in the $25 million budget range -- with Tribeca Prods.' Jane Rosenthal, De Niro and Linson producing. The film does not yet have domestic distribution, but 2929 International's Shebnem Askin will be selling it to international distributors at this year's American Film Market, where 2929 also plans to introduce it to the studios.
- 10/27/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mark Cuban's film production company, 2929 Entertainment, announced Wednesday the appointment of Shebnem Askin to head its foreign distribution arm, based in Los Angeles. Askin joins the company from Pandora/Gaylord Films, where she spent six years handling international sales for the Warner Bros.-based production company. "We are very excited that Shebnem is joining us, as her international experience will help us build a network of foreign distributors around the world," said Todd Wagner, co-founder and chief executive officer of 2929 Entertainment. "With 2929 International, we now have the ability to round out the domestic and international distribution alternatives for our growing library of content."...
- 9/30/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.