Global Flicks: Jun Bang appointed as CJ 4DPLEX CEO, Ibrahim Al Hajjaj is announced to star in ‘Where the Wind Comes From’
Africa: Shaibu Husseini, the Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) called on his peers for improved storytelling and professionalism in Nollywood at the 5th Annual Nollywood Creative Minds Forum (NCMF). He stated
“We are not just storytellers; we are custodians of our culture and history. Our stories inspire, educate, and entertain while reflecting our unique experiences”.
Additionally, Husseini outlined plans to support the growth of Nollywood such as capacity-building workshops, funding opportunities, and international collaborations.
Jun Bang - CJ 4DPLEX
Asia: Indian media veteran Ronnie Screwvala’s production company RSVP is gearing up for a diverse slate, including director Abhishek Kapoor's equine drama Aazad, a period piece from Honey Trehan set in Punjab, and new seasons of Netflix hits Mismatched and Lust Stories, all slated for release in the next 90 days. Meanwhile, Kanu Behl’s thriller Despatch, starring Manoj Bajpayee, has just launched on ZEE5 Global after screening at the Mumbai Film Festival and the International Film Festival of India. Since founding RSVP in 2018, Screwvala has produced 39 films and series, including the Emmy-nominated Lust Stories, the war drama Uri: The Surgical Strike, and Netflix’s Love Per Square Foot. The company is known for backing unconventional projects like the Toronto-winning Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota and Sonchiriya, which won Best Film at the Filmfare Awards. A pioneer of cable television in India, Screwvala co-founded media conglomerate UTV, which was acquired by Disney in 2012 after a non-compete agreement.
Annapurna Studios’ upcoming Indian action drama Dacoit has cast Mrunal Thakur (Sita Ramam) as the female lead opposite Adivi Sesh (Major). The film, which marks the directorial debut of Shaneil Deo, follows an angry convict plotting revenge against his former girlfriend who betrayed him. The project, produced by Supriya Yarlagadda and co-produced by Suniel Narang, is being shot simultaneously in the Hindi and Telugu languages. Deo collaborated with Adivi Sesh on the story and screenplay. Production is currently underway in Hyderabad, with plans for an extensive shooting schedule in Maharashtra.
CJ 4DPLEX, a Seoul-based cinema technology leader, has appointed Jun Bang as its new CEO. Bang, a company veteran who joined in 2018, previously served as COO of content and marketing and oversaw original content investments, theatrical distribution, and global marketing. He played a key role in expanding the company’s alternative content business, producing nearly 20 original films annually, including K-pop concerts and live events like the Korean Baseball Organization’s playoffs in immersive formats like ScreenX. Bang also helped build the ScreenX VFX Production Studio and was involved in its growth across Hollywood and Asian markets. CJ 4DPLEX, a subsidiary of CJ CGV and part of CJ Group, is known for its 4DX and ScreenX technologies, redefining the cinematic experience with multisensory and panoramic viewing formats in over 1,200 theaters worldwide.
China plans to create more experiences for theaters as media tech firm Stars Collective and VFX leader DNEG have partnered to bring immersive theater experiences to China, with plans to expand into Southeast Asia and North America. DNEG, known for its Oscar-winning work on Dune: Part Two and Oppenheimer, will provide technology, IP rights, financing, and content creation. Stars Collective, along with Meilin Culture and Xinghan Interactive, has already launched dozens of offline experience stores in China and aims to reach 100 locations globally by 2025. The deal is supported by Pathbender Media Holdings' MINT Fund, which backs immersive, live-action, animation, gaming, and VFX projects. This partnership also aligns with Stars Collective’s expansion through its $300 million Stars-Hana fund, which is developing gaming adaptations of upcoming films, including The Garfield Movie, and projects from James Wan, Sam Raimi, and Roy Lee, with backing from Tencent and DreamSky Technology.
Disney+’s supernatural mystery series Light Shop has become the platform’s biggest Korean original premiere of 2024, ranking as the second-largest Korean series debut globally, after Moving. Both series were created by Webtoon artist Kangfull, and follows Disney+'s announcement in November that Moving Season 2 is in development. Light Shop follows six strangers trapped in a mysterious neighborhood, each dealing with past traumas as they uncover the secrets of a strange light shop. The eight-part series stars Ju Jihoon, Park Boyoung, Bae Seongwoo, Lee Jungeun, and Kim Minha. Disney+ has seen strong performance from tapping into the Korean market, with nine of its top 15 international originals in 2023 being Korean productions. Since 2021, Disney+ has released over 130 Asian-Pacific originals.
Ibrahim Al Hajjaj - imdb
Middle East: Films Boutique has acquired the international rights to Amel Guellaty’s debut feature, Where the Wind Comes From (formerly Tunis-Djerba), ahead of its world premiere in the Sundance World Dramatic Competition. The Tunisian-French-Qatari co-production will have its European premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. The film’s story follows childhood friends Alyssa and Mehdi, who feel trapped in their life on the outskirts of Tunis. When Alyssa learns of an artist contest in Djerba, she drags Mehdi on a journey across Tunisia that challenges their friendship. The film stars Eya Bellagha and Slim Baccar, with cinematography by Frida Marzouk, editing by Guellaty, and sound by Aymen Labidi. Produced by Atlas Vision and co-produced with Haut Les Mains Productions, it received support from several cultural and film organizations across Tunisia, France, and Qatar.
Saudi actor and comedian Ibrahim Al Hajjaj, who became the kingdom's top box office star with the comedy Sattar, will star in the screwball comedy Ambulance. Directed by British filmmaker Colin Teague (Doctor Who, Torchwood), the film follows two Saudi paramedics who find a briefcase containing 2 million Riyals ($533,300) in Riyadh. Written by Alberto Lopez (Rupture) and produced by Al Hajjaj's House of Comedy, Saudi producer Talal Anazi's Black Light Operations, and Peter Smith, the film will be the first Arabic-language release in IMAX and is set to open in Saudi cinemas on April 17.
Karla Sofia Gascón - Monica Schipper
Latin America: Karla Sofía Gascón, who gained international recognition for her role in Emilia Pérez, has signed on to star in Las Malas, a Spanish-language adaptation of Camila Sosa Villada's dark fairy-tale novel Bad Girls. Directed by Armando Bó (Birdman) and co-written with Josefina Licitra, the film follows Aunt Encarna, a tough but motherly leader of a group of trans sex workers, who disrupts her group's life by adopting an abandoned baby that unknowingly puts them all in danger. The project is produced by About Entertainment, Infinity Hill, and Suma Content. Gascón’s breakout film, Emilia Pérez, earned her the Cannes Best Actress Award, marking the first time a transgender woman won the honor, along with several other accolades. Las Malas will be produced by Bó, Natacha Cervi, and others, with executive producers including Villada and Phin Glynn.
Grammy-winning Latin artist Ozuna will star in her sixth film role in Odisea, a feature film based on his life story. Named after his 2017 debut album, the film marks his first project under his production company, Bear with Oz Films. Directed by Spanish filmmaker Alexis Morante, Odisea will showcase Ozuna’s rise to stardom, following his career since signing with Sony Music Latin in 2017. The film features a soundtrack with Ozuna’s hits and original music and was filmed in the Dominican Republic, New York, and Puerto Rico. The cast includes Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Dania Ramírez, Ana María Estupiñán, and Milly Quezada. Though the release date is not yet confirmed, the film promises a unique blend of fiction and reality, as Ozuna portrays himself in this deeply personal story.
