Latest news with #InvestorsCircle
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Denzel Washington Gets Surprise Honorary Palme d'Or at Cannes During Spike Lee's ‘Highest 2 Lowest' Premiere
Denzel Washington got a career-defining surprise at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival when he was awarded an honorary Palme d'Or at the world premiere of his latest film, Spike Lee's 'Highest 2 Lowest.' The two-time Oscar winner was already having a historic festival, considering this is the first time Washington has attended Cannes in his 50-year acting career. Ahead of the screening of Lee's latest movie, Cannes festival director Thierry Fremaux introduced a montage of Washington's films — including 'Malcolm X' and 'Mo Better Blues,' both directed by Lee — as well as his Oscar-winning performances in 'Glory' and 'Training Day.' Lee then presented the actor-director with the honorary Palme d'Or. More from Variety Topic Studios' Ryan Heller Returns to Cannes with Open Marriage Comedy 'Splitsville' starring Dakota Johnson Nicole Kidman Pushes Back on Industry Ageism at Kering Women in Motion Gala in Cannes: 'Invest in Us and Believe in Us Because Our Voices Are So Important' Marie Kreutzer's 'Gentle Monster' Wins ArteKino Prize at Cannes Investors Circle Lee was on stage for the special moment and handed off the Palme d'O trophy to Denzel while calling the actor 'my brother from another mother.' Washington said that the honor was a complete surprise. Directed by Lee, 'Highest 2 Lowest' is an English-language remake of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa's 1963 film 'High and Low.' Lee's reimagining is set in modern day New York and stars Washington as a music mogul tied up in a life-or-death ransom plot. Superstar rapper A$AP Rocky appears as Yung Felon, an aspiring rapper who will stop at nothing to achieve his dream. Alongside Washington and Rocky, 'Highest 2 Lowest' features Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright, Ice Spice (in her film debut), Dean Winters, John Douglas Thompson, LaChanze, Aubrey Joseph, Michael Potts and Wendell Pierce. The film marks the fifth collaboration between Lee and Washington. 'I'm just glad we got five in,' Lee said at the Red Sea Film Festival earlier this year, referring to his work with Washington. 'Highest 2 Lowest' will be released in theaters August 22 and stream on Apple TV+ starting Sept. 5. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Corsage' Director Marie Kreutzer's ‘Gentle Monster' Wins ArteKino Prize at Cannes Investors Circle
'Corsage' director Marie Kreutzer's 'Gentle Monster' emerged as the big winner at the third edition of the Cannes Film Market's Investors Circle, scooping up the ArteKino International Prize with its €20,000 ($22,500) purse. The Austrian project, produced by Alexander Glehr and Johanna Scherz of Film AG Produktions GmbH, was selected from among 10 film projects presented to VIP investors at the high-profile Cannes financing event. More from Variety Taraji P. Henson Says Hollywood 'Lied to Me' About Black Movies and TV Not Selling Overseas, Spent Years Being 'Graceful in Getting Paid Less ... Not Anymore Though!' Spike Lee Says Denzel Washington Deserved Oscar for 'Malcolm X' Over Al Pacino: 'It's Like Basketball, Where the Ref Blows a Call' Palestine Film Institute Calls for Decision-Makers to Amplify Palestinian Filmmakers' Voices at Cannes Docs Showcase 'I'm surprised in the most positive way,' Kreutzer said following her win. 'Filmmaking is a really big mountain, and what happens before the premiere – to get a film made – is a very long climb. So we really need people who want to support cinema and have love for cinema – that's why meeting investors is extremely important. I had great conversations with these investors so far. The script has sparked their interest, and they're eager to learn more about the project.' Held at the Plage des Palmes – the festival and market's official beachside venue – during the Cannes Film Festival, the third edition of the financing forum showcased 10 film projects that had never been publicly revealed before. The event featured industry panels followed by a private pitching session with acclaimed filmmakers. The high-wattage director lineup included Cannes competition regular Jessica Hausner ('Little Joe,' 'Club Zero'), Academy Award-winner Sebastián Lelio ('A Fantastic Woman,' 'Disobedience'), Grand Prix and Caméra d'Or recipient Lukas Dhont ('Close,' 'Girl') and Oscar-nominated Golden Bear winner Jasmila Žbanić ('Quo Vadis, Aida?'). All projects featured budgets between €3 million ($3.3 million) and €9 million ($10.1 million) and were selected for their commercial potential and creative ambition. Aleksandra Zakharchenko, head of industry programs at the market, oversaw the selection process alongside a committee including ARTE France Cinéma MD Remi Burah, media entrepreneur Serge Hayat, Hubert Bals Fund head Tamara Tatishvili (who also moderated the pitching session), and New Europe Film Sales' head of acquisitions Marcin Łuczaj. Investors at the gathering had the opportunity to be the first to discover these anticipated projects, with legal support from entertainment industry specialists 111 Avocats provided to filmmakers ahead of one-on-one investor meetings. 'The Investors Circle is a rare and valuable event,' said Celine Dornier, VP financing and acquisitions at Logical Pictures Group, who attended as a selected investor. 'It's truly designed with investors in mind, which makes all the difference. The selection of projects is consistently high-level, with prestigious and diverse filmmakers that match what I'm looking for.' The complete roster of projects unveiled at the 2025 Investors Circle includes: 'Coward' (working title) directed by Lukas Dhont (Belgium), produced by Michiel Dhont at The Reunion 'Disorder' directed by Giacomo Abbruzzese (Italy), produced by Marco Alessi and Giulia Achilli at Dugong Films 'Gentle Monster' directed by Marie Kreutzer (Austria), produced by Alexander Glehr and Johanna Scherz at Film AG Produktions GmbH 'Kamo' directed by Kornél Mundruczó (Hungary), produced by Mike Goodridge at Good Chaos, Ilya Stewart at Hype Studios, and Balthazar de Ganay 'Motherlove' directed by Eliza Hittman (US), produced by Paul Mezey and Andrew Goldman at Present Company 'On Land and Sea' directed by Hlynur Pálmason (Iceland), produced by Katrin Pors at Snowglobe and Anton Máni Svansson at Still Vivid 'Poeta Chileno' directed by Sebastián Lelio (Chile), produced by Rocío Jadue, Juan de Dios Larraín, and Pablo Larraín at Fabula 'Quo Vadis, Aida – The Missing Part' directed by Jasmila Žbanić (Bosnia and Herzegovina), produced by Damir Ibrahimović at Deblokada 'The Puma' directed by Marcela Said (France/Chile), produced by Carole Scotta, Barbara Letellier, and Eliott Khayat at Haut et Court 'Toxic' directed by Jessica Hausner (Austria), produced by Johannes Schubert at Schubert and Philippe Bober at Coproduction Office Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nicole Kidman Pushes Back on Industry Ageism at Kering Women in Motion Gala in Cannes: ‘Invest in Us and Believe in Us Because Our Voices Are So Important'
One would expect Nicole Kidman to be quite used to being honored, considering she has an Academy Award, five Golden Globes, a BAFTA, two Emmys, the Cannes Film Festival's 70th anniversary prize and the Venice Film Festival's best actress award among those lining her trophy case. But the legendary actor was still moved by the gesture of being named the Kering Women in Motion awardee on Sunday night at the luxury fashion house's 10th annual gala during the Cannes Film Festival. 'I'm so happy to be here supporting women's voices in cinema,' Kidman said as she floated down the press line outside of the glamorous dinner held at the Place de la Castre, overlooking the Croisette. 'I'm an advocate and want to continue moving forward with my pledge. It ain't over.' More from Variety Marie Kreutzer's 'Gentle Monster' Wins ArteKino Prize at Cannes Investors Circle Director of Julian Assange Film 'The Six Billion Dollar Man' Wins Golden Globe Prize for Documentary Hong Kong Cinema Makes Splash at Cannes With Industry Push Following a clip reel of her greatest performances, including 'Moulin Rouge,' 'Far and Away' (her first film to debut in Cannes) and 'The Hours,' Kidman took the stage to a standing ovation from the A-list assembly, including Isabelle Huppert, Julianne Moore, Sean Penn, Charli XCX, Dakota Johnson, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Paul Mescal, Juliette Binoche, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Guillermo del Toro. Longtime festival delegate Thierry Frémaux, who presented the award alongside festival president Iris Knobloch and Kering chairman and CEO François-Henri Pinault, declared Kidman a 'Cannes legend' — and she continues to add to that mythology each time she returns to the festival. Case in point, in 2017, Kidman used the festival spotlight to make a declaration: she planned to work with a female director every 18 months. 'I had been having a conversation with Meryl Streep, where we talked about how we have to actually do the work — which is be in films directed by women,' Kidman said during the glamorous dinner held at the Place de la Castre overlooking the Croisette. 'Because you can talk about it, and you can say you support it, but you actually have to do it.' In the eight years since, Kidman has managed to work with a woman behind the camera 27 times between film and TV projects. 'There's so many extraordinary women out there, and, once you go looking and searching there, they are just waiting to be found,' Kidman said. 'So I continue that pledge today, but I continue it not with just female directors. I continue it with female writers, female cinematographers, female crew members.' Kidman, who executive produces and stars in Hulu's 'Nine Perfect Strangers' and was last seen on the big screen in Halina Reijn's 'Babygirl,' also advocated for stronger representation on screen. 'We need to give women better roles, particularly as they get older. We are here, and we can prove to you that we will make money for you,' Kidman added. [To note: 'Babygirl' was a box office success, grossing $64.5 million worldwide.] 'Invest in us and believe in us, because our voices are so important. We will help change the world, but we will also give you a glimpse of our hearts and our souls and what it means to be a woman. If you just give us the chance, we are so ready.' Kidman's honor marks a milestone for Kering's Women in Motion program, which the luxury fashion house launched in 2015 to spotlight the creativity and contributions made by women, both on and off screen, in the world of culture and the arts. In accepting the award, Kidman joins a luminous lineup of past honorees: NBCUniversal entertainment & studios chairman Donna Langley, Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, Patty Jenkins, Gong Li, Salma Hayek Pinault, Viola Davis, Michelle Yeoh, Jane Fonda and Huppert. Hayek Pinault was elated to add Kidman to this elite sorority. 'Her talent and her endurance and her movie stardom have positioned women in a different way; whereas before, it was men and very few women who'd get to that level of movie stardom, so she has opened the way for many of us,' Hayek Pinault told Variety. 'She's always been very conscientious about women's causes — not just recently — and, of course, her pledge of working with and supporting female directors personalizes everything that we stand for.' 'The Substance' director Coralie Fargeat also weighed in Kidman's impact. 'She has a way that is unique in the industry. She commits to very risky projects. She doesn't repeat herself. She explores new territories, and she stands for women,' Fargeat said about Kidman's pledge. 'Those are the type of actions that matter, because we are all responsible for the real, deep change, and that goes through action. Nicole does that, so I'm a huge admirer.' Likewise, Tessa Thompson has been inspired by Kidman. 'She's really one of those women that walks the walk and talks the talk, in terms of [recognizing that] the first thing that we need to do to empower more women is just to work with them early stage in their career,' Thompson said, reflecting on her longterm collaboration with Nia DaCosta beginning with the director's first film, 2018's 'Little Woods.' 'It's the thing you have to do. The impediment to getting in the door is having someone to open the door for you, so I'm so proud of Nicole for continuing to do that. But, goodness, I'm just such a big fan of hers.' Brazilian director Marianna Brennand was also honored at the dinner with Kering's emerging talent prize, which includes a €50,000 ($57,000 USD) grant towards the laureate's second feature. Brennand's debut feature 'Manas' addresses sexual violence and incest in the Amazon. Because 'manas' is a word for 'sisters' in Portuguese, Brennand focused her acceptance speech on the sisterhood between the women and children she met while researching her film, plus the one she entered as a 'Women in Motion' with Kidman. 'What she's done for us in the film industry is really special and powerful,' Brennand told Variety, sharing what she told Kidman upon meeting her a few hours prior at the Oscar winner's Kering Women in Motion talk. 'It was one of the greatest moments of my life, and she was so sweet and so caring. She held my hand. She told me, 'You deserve it. Congratulations.' She's beyond words.' Scroll for a look inside the black-tie soirée, with a guest list that also included Vicky Krieps, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Julia Ducournau, Julia Garner, Charlotte Le Bon, Jameela Jamil, Carla Bruni, Zhang Linghe, Elodie Bouchez, Chie Hayakawa, Pierre Niney, Costa-Gavras, Amélie Bonnin, Virginie Efira and Camélia Jordana — and ended with a special performance from French singer-songwriter Clara Luciani. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Marie Kreutzer's ‘Gentle Monster‘ Wins €20,000 ArteKino Prize at Cannes Market's Investors Circle + Full List of Projects
Marie Kreutzer's upcoming feature Gentle Monster has clinched the 2025 ArteKino International Prize at the Cannes Market's third Investors Circle event, with the prize money going to the producers Alexander Glehr and Johanna Scherz for development of the project. Kreutzer's latest film after Corsage with Vicky Krieps, Gentle Monster will take the spectator on the unsettling journey of an internationally renowned pianist who moves her family from Munich to the countryside and uncovers life-shattering truths about her partner. More from Deadline Wes Anderson Teases Next Project With Richard Ayoade & Roman Coppola - Cannes Marie Kreutzer's Upcoming Film 'Gentle Monster' Wins €20,000 ArteKino Prize at Cannes Market's Investors Circle + Full List of Projects 'The Phoenician Scheme' Director Wes Anderson Questions Trump Tariffs: "Does That Mean You Can Hold Up The Movie In Customs?" It was one of 10 projects pitched at the third Investors Circle event on May 18, aimed at connecting elevated arthouse projects with investors. The festival has also unveiled details of the projects, which were under wraps until the event was over, which include new films by Belgium's Lukas Dhont, whose second film Close shared Cannes Grand Prix; Hungarian festival regular Kornél Mundruczó, who won the Un Certain Regard Prize for White God, as well as Austrian Cannes regular Jessica Hausner. (scroll down for full list). 'I'm surprised in the most positive way,' said director Marie Kreutzer about her win. 'Filmmaking is a really big mountain, and what happens before the premiere – to get a film made – is a very long climb. So we really need people who want to support cinema and have love for cinema – that's why meeting investors is extremely important. I had great conversations with these investors so far. The script has sparked their interest, and they're eager to learn more about the project.' Celine Dornier, VP Financing & Acquisitions at Logical Pictures Group and one of the selected investors invited to attend the event, also praised the event. 'The Investors Circle is a rare and valuable event,' she said. 'It's truly designed with investors in mind, which makes all the difference. The selection of projects is consistently high-level, with prestigious and diverse filmmakers that match what I'm looking for.' Full-list of projects: Coward (working title)Directed by Lukas Dhont (Belgium)Produced by Michiel Dhont at The Reunion DisorderDirected by Giacomo Abbruzzese (Italy)Produced by Marco Alessi, Giulia Achilli at Dugong Films Gentle MonsterDirected by Marie Kreutzer (Austria)Produced by Alexander Glehr, Johanna Scherz at Film AG Produktions GmbH KamoDirected by Kornél Mundruczó (Hungary)Produced by Mike Goodridge at Good Chaos, Ilya Stewart at Hype Studios and Balthazar de Ganay MotherloveDirected by Eliza Hittman (US)Produced by Paul Mezey, Andrew Goldman at Present Company On Land and SeaDirected by Hlynur Pálmason (Iceland)Produced by Katrin Pors at Snowglobe and Anton Máni Svansson at STILL VIVID Poeta ChilenoDirected by Sebastián Lelio (Chile)Produced by Rocío Jadue, Juan de Dios Larraín, Pablo Larraín at Fabula Quo Vadis, Aida – The missing partDirected by Jasmila Žbanić (Bosnia and Herzegovina)Produced by Damir Ibrahimović at Deblokada The PumaDirected by Marcela Said (France/Chile)Produced by Carole Scotta, Barbara Letellier, Eliott Khayat at Haut et Court ToxicDirected by Jessica Hausner (Austria)Produced by Johannes Schubert at Schubert and Philippe Bober at Coproduction Office Best of Deadline Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial Updates: Cassie Ventura's Testimony, $10M Hotel Settlement, Drugs, Violence, & The Feds 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? Everything We Know About Ari Aster's 'Eddington' So Far
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sebastián Lelio, Lukas Dhont, Jasmila Zbanić to Pitch New Projects to Investors at Cannes Market
An award-winning lineup of international auteurs, including Oscar-winner Sebastián Lelio (A Fantastic Woman) and Oscar nominees Lukas Dhont (Close) and Jasmila Zbanić (Quo Vadis, Aida?), will take part in the third Investors Circle at the Cannes film market next month, pitching their next projects to a small group of VIP investors. The Investors Circle lineup, announced today, also includes art house favorites Kornél Mundruczó (Pieces of a Woman), Marie Kreutzer (Corsage), Jessica Hausner (Little Joe), Hlynur Pálmason (Godland), Marcela Said (Los Perros), Giacomo Abbruzzese (Disco Boy) and Eliza Hittman (Never Rarely Sometimes Always). More from The Hollywood Reporter How London Became the New Hollywood Jirí Bartoska, Czech Actor and Longtime Karlovy Vary Film Festival President, Dies at 78 The Hollywood Reporter's Access Canada Summit to Launch During Toronto Film Festival The 10 filmmakers will present their upcoming projects to a small group of private investors at the Cannes market, the Marché du Film, on Sunday, May 18. The Investors Circle will feature 10 curated, never-before-seen feature film projects, presented by their directors and filmmakers in a private, invitation-only event for a select group of VIP investors. The projects, spanning various cinematic styles and languages, range in budget from 3 million euro to over 9 million euro ($3 million to $10 million). 'This year's projects reflect bold, original storytelling from some of today's most compelling auteur filmmakers,' said Aleksandra Zakharchenko, head of the Investors Circle. 'These are films with real cultural relevance and global potential — and they need thoughtful, long-term support. With the Investors Circle, we aim to champion these singular voices and help them move from vision to screen.' After just two editions, the Investors Circle is already bearing fruit, with several projects securing funding. Chie Hayakawa's Renoir, one of last year's Investors Circle pitches, was picked to screen in competition at this year's Cannes festival. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Goonies' Cast, Then and Now "A Nutless Monkey Could Do Your Job": From Abusive to Angst-Ridden, 16 Memorable Studio Exec Portrayals in Film and TV The 10 Best Baseball Movies of All Time, Ranked
