Hello once again, Insiders! This week, Jesse Whittock will guide you through a whirlwind of events in the global film and television landscape, touching on everything from significant corporate upheavals to vibrant Italian festivals. Let’s dive in! Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter here for the complete Insider experience.
Turbulence at Netflix
International Perspectives Amidst Crisis: Netflix is undergoing significant changes with the departures of its global content chief, Bela Bajaria, and film leader, Dan Lim, which has led to the onboarding of Peter Rice, previously of Fox and Disney. Despite ample cash flow, Netflix is under pressure from Wall Street to improve profits, resulting in substantial layoffs. Nevertheless, the platform’s international presence has been gaining traction, with local titles like Japan’s Plastic Beauty and Denmark’s The Secret Woman receiving attention. Though these titles haven’t yet achieved global star status, the acknowledgment of international successes provides hope for the regional teams. The newly appointed Chief Content Officer, Rice, brings a promising background as he knows European media dynamics, having studied in the UK and traversed international events, hinting at a sustained commitment to global storytelling.
Rome: Celebrating Creation
From MIA Directly: This week saw the hosting of Rome’s MIA Market, where I attended the opening session led by Edward Berger, director of the Vatican-set film Conclave. He shared insights about the evolution of filmmaking, positing that the advent of Netflix was crucial in stimulating US studios. The event featured prominent figures like Marco Bassetti from Banijay, who echoed calls for risk-taking in content creation, and Domingo Corral discussing innovative projects at Movistar Plus+. With the Italian audiovisual market experiencing its first decline since 2018, MIA is becoming increasingly vital in fostering co-productions and financial investments, solidifying its place in the industry landscape. If you find yourself in Rome, I recommend dining at Antica Pesa in Trastevere for an exquisite culinary experience.
The Deadline Interview: Patrick Brammall
Patrick Brammall shared reflections during a conversation with Deadline regarding his role in the Apple TV thriller Last Seen. Fresh from wrapping up the romantic sitcom Colin From Accounts alongside his real-life partner Harriet Dyer, he discussed his shift to drama and his perspective on the evolving Australian production landscape. Brammall paid tribute to the late Binge commissioner Brian Walsh, who played a pivotal role in supporting creative endeavors like Colin. >>>Read the full interview.
The Second Farewell to BBC Three
BBC Three Bids Adieu Once More: How often does a channel get shut down twice in a decade? This is the fate of BBC Three, which fell victim to massive budget cuts by the BBC. The young-skewing network will be remembered for impactful shows like Fleabag and Gavin & Stacey, now facing an uncertain future as discussions around potential further cutbacks ripple through the organization.
The Essentials
🌶️ Latest Buzz: J.A. Bayona, Javier Bardem, and Laurent Bouzereau are collaborating on Néstor, a documentary centered on the iconic Spanish cinematographer Néstor Almendros.
🌶️ Upcoming Feature: Gianni Nunnari, known for the 300 films, is adapting Brian Selznick’s novel Run Away With Me for the screen with Selznick himself penning the screenplay.
🔥 On set: Kari Skogland is set to direct Vigilant, a crime thriller based on a novel by Skúli Sigurðsson, adapted for television by Ólafur Darri Ólafsson.
🤝 New Role: Carol Choi has taken over as President of The Walt Disney Company for the Asia Pacific region, succeeding Luke Kang.
⛺ Festival Update: Walter Thompson-Hernández’s indie feature If I Go Will They Miss Me is among the films featured in the International Competition at the Thessaloniki Film Festival.
🏆 Producer Insight: A look at how the Olivia Colman film Wicker evolved from a short story into a feature film by its producers.
⚖️ Legal News: Updates on the ongoing trial involving Russell Brand in London, where he denies all allegations.
🌐 YouTube Spotlight: Manager Rebecca Dowell is launching an Entertainment and New Media division at her firm, Three Six Zero, for Amelia Dimoldenberg.
🇯🇵 TIFF Preview: Liz Shackleton prepares for next week’s Tokyo International Film Festival with discussions featuring its leadership and exclusive interviews.
😎 Madchester Insights: Dates for England’s inaugural post-Edinburgh TV Festival in Greater Manchester have been announced.
🪧 Solidarity: Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones have publicly supported author Sally Rooney in light of her books being banned in the UK.
👀 First Look: A sneak peek of Minnie Driver in the upcoming Paramount+ heist drama The Day.
Photo of the Week
Claymation Premiere: Naomi Ackie and Tom Rhys Harries at the European premiere of Clayface at the Curzon Mayfair in London.
