Film and TV Briefing: Friday 14 April 2023

April 14, 2023
Cinema goers

Welcome to this week’s round-up of news, commentary and industry announcements that you may have missed from the past week.

If you are looking for advice in relation to any of the issues mentioned, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

In the news

‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ breaks opening weekend box office records (Variety)    

Harry Potter books set to be adapted into a new television series (BBC)    

Cannes Film Festival 2023: lineup announced (Variety)

David Zaslav “assuming the worst from a business perspective” regarding possible WGA strike (Deadline)

‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’: new ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel series announced (Variety)  

UK consumers spending more on TV subscriptions, and less on eating out (The Guardian)  

Cineworld announces new debt restructuring plan (The Guardian)  

Amazon signs Letter of Engagement with India’s Ministry of Information &  Broadcasting amid plans to boost the country’s creative economy (Yahoo)  

Nine Tree Studios, Bristol's largest TV and Film facility has opened (TVB Europe)

Everyman, a UK cinema chain saw admissions rise by 70% in 2022 (ScreenDaily)

Three new ‘Star Wars’ films in the works (The Guardian)

Production of ‘Silent Witness’ to move to the West Midlands (BBC)

Features and commentary

What the rise of ‘Max’, Warner Bros. Discovery’s newly rebranded streaming service, might mean for streaming (Wired)  

Stories exploring Africa’s cultures and history are “getting a 21st-century reboot” but why has it taken so long? (FT)

Industry announcements

The WGGB supports the WGA in their ongoing negotiations (WGGB)  

Audience Projects Fund: BFI invests £6.48m (BFI)

ITV increases its minimum rates for writers by 5% from 6 April 2023 (WGGB)

Organisations reaffirm commitment to Film and TV Charity's work on mental health (Film & TV Charity)

Resources

New Netflix report on the streamer’s socio-economic impact on South Africa, Nigeria & Kenya (Netflix)

Bectu’s campaign for better conditions for unscripted freelancers (Bectu)

Legal updates

IPC Blanket Licence rates rise (Pact)

Astrid BulmerAstrid Bulmer
Astrid Bulmer
Astrid Bulmer
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Associate

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