Global Flicks: Zhang Xin Joins Board Of Mubi, Disney+ LATAM Acquires Rights To 'Dancing In The Ring'
Africa: The trailer features gripping and intense action set pieces with character drama. The film is set to release in theaters across Nigeria, Ghana, and Liberia on December 20th. The film is directed by Toka McBaror stars Ayo Makun and Demi Okanlawon.
Zhang Xin
Asia: Chinese film company Mubi has appointed billionaire entrepreneur Zhang Xin to its board of directors and secured investment from her film production and financing group, Closer Media. Zhang, co-founder of the construction giant Soho China and a patron of the arts, brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience to Mubi, which has recently made significant strides with the release of The Substance. Founded in 2007, Mubi has evolved from a global streaming service into a production and distribution powerhouse, with notable upcoming projects including films from directors like Kelly Reichardt, Jim Jarmusch, and Luca Guadagnino. Mubi also continues to distribute acclaimed films such as Priscilla, Aftersun, and The Worst Person in the World, while expanding its reach with services such as the Mubi Go cinema app and a publishing wing.
Miho Nakayama, the Japanese singer and actress best known for the 1995 film Love Letter, was found dead at her Tokyo home on Friday at the age of 54. Her team confirmed the news stating, “We are deeply sorry to have to suddenly announce this to all the people involved who have always looked after her and to all the fans who have supported her, but this incident was so sudden that we, too, are shocked and saddened. We are currently investigating the cause of death and other details.” Nakayama was discovered in a bathtub by an acquaintance after missing work and previously canceled a performance due to health reasons. Rising to fame in the 1980s and 1990s, Nakayama starred in 14 films, recorded 22 studio albums, and had numerous hit singles. Her iconic role in Love Letter earned her multiple awards. Nakayama is survived by a son from her marriage to musician Hitonari Tsuji.
Global sales and finance company EST N8 has acquired the Indonesian horror film Hutang Nyawa which was released on December 12 during the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival. Directed by Billy Christian and starring Taskya Namya and Rachel Vennya, the film follows Erwina, a young woman who discovers she has been sacrificed to settle her family's debt to the devil. Produced by Visinema Pictures, Hutang Nyawa adds to EST N8's expanding portfolio, which includes films like Perewangan and Delivery Man. EST Studios, founded in 2022, aims to represent diverse Asian stories internationally, with projects such as Hidden Letters and K-Pops!
Digitoonz Media & Entertainment and Citrus Ink Studios have launched DGX, a cutting-edge VFX hub in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Led by Digitoonz founder Vikas Kumar and Citrus Ink CEO Vrinda Sood, Sood states “We are thrilled to join forces with Digitoonz and to combine our extensive expertise in launching DGX. By merging Digitoonz’s global production network with Citrus Ink’s creative excellence and technological innovation, we aim to establish DGX as an international leader, setting new standards in creativity and innovation while making a lasting impact on the global entertainment landscape.” DGX also aims to expand into animation, game design, and original IP development, including launching an animation academy to train future animators. The venture is already involved in several projects and plans to extend its international reach while leveraging India’s tax incentives.
Singapore’s Silver Media Group has partnered with U.S. companies Ford Studios and Ark Entertainment to create Samurai Saint, an animated feature about Takayama Ukon, a 16th-century samurai who chose exile over renouncing his Christian faith. The project was announced at the inaugural JAFF Market in Yogyakarta and explores Ukon’s rise through Japan’s Sengoku period and his eventual exile after refusing to abandon his faith. The film combines historical drama with a spiritual journey and features 2D anime-style animation by Core Works Force, whose artists have worked on major anime franchises such as One Piece and Dragonball Z. The project is set for production in 2025 and is co-written and co-produced by Marc Ford, who has worked on major film franchises such as Fantastic Four, X-Men, Star Wars, James Bond, and Ice Age.. The project will also include a role-playing game based on the film that was announced with the animated feature.
disney+
Latin America: Paul Hudson’s studio Outside Pictures has acquired the U.S. theatrical rights to The Shadow of the Sun, Venezuela's 2024 International Feature Oscar submission directed by Miguel Angel Ferrer. The film follows Alex, a deaf young man who, with his brother Leo’s help, competes in a musical contest, facing challenges in a culture that lacks inclusion. Ferrer emphasizes that the film highlights Venezuela's resilience in the face of economic struggles and societal hardships The film, which won multiple awards at various film festivals, is set for a U.S. release in spring 2025, targeting the growing Venezuelan market and global audiences.
Argentina's newly established Fondosa Foundation, founded by lawyer-producer Virginia Juárez, has partnered with Brazil's Projeto Paradiso to launch a mentorship program for women screenwriters. The initiative will support the development of one screenplay from Brazil and one from Argentina, with mentors including renowned Argentine filmmaker Lucrecia Martel. The program's call for applications will open in February 2025, with winners announced in May and mentorship starting in June. This marks the first public announcement by the Fondosa Foundation since its March 2024 launch. Juárez highlighted the foundation’s mission to support Argentine women screenwriters facing limited opportunities, while Projeto Paradiso’s Rachel do Valle expressed excitement over collaborating with Juárez and Martel.
Speaking of partnerships, São Paulo and Montevideo announced at this year's Ventana Sur a collaboration to foster cross-border synergy in the film and TV industries. The agreement, unveiled by Spcine São Paulo Film Commission and Montevideo Audiovisual, aims to strengthen the audiovisual sectors in both cities, with São Paulo being Brazil’s largest film hub and Montevideo positioning itself as a growing international production center. The agreement highlights the cities' shared goals of boosting production, distribution, and exhibition of Latin American content, tapping into São Paulo’s renewed federal funding and Montevideo’s production environment. This collaboration marks a significant step in establishing both cities as key players in the global audiovisual landscape.
Disney+ Latin America has acquired the distribution rights to Dancing in the Ring, a Chilean boxing biopic about Arturo Godoy, a legendary boxer who challenged world heavyweight champion Joe Louis. Directed by Rodrigo Sepulveda and written by Oscar-winning Gonzalo Maza and Rodrigo Gijón, the film stars Marko Zaror as Godoy, with Benjamín Vicuña and UFC champion Uriah Hall. Set in 1940, amidst World War II, the story follows Godoy’s rise to fame after victories over Firpo and Tony Galento, and his romantic and professional struggles with Leda Urbinati, a Broadway-aspiring dancer. The film is based on Roberto Castillo's book Dying for My Sweet Homeland and is produced by Max Gandarillas, with Vicuña also serving as an executive producer. Zaror, known for his role in John Wick: Chapter 4, is also the film's fight coordinator.
Aiysha Hart- Dave benett
Middle East: Three years ago, Saudi Arabia's first major film, Desert Warrior, was announced with a $150 million budget, directed by Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) and starring Anthony Mackie, Ben Kingsley, and Aiysha Hart. Set in 7th-century pre-Islamic Arabia, the film tells the story of a princess who escapes a ruthless emperor, rallying rival tribes with the help of a mysterious bandit. Produced by MBC Studios and AGC Studios, Desert Warrior faced extensive reshoots, recuts, and production challenges. However, after Wyatt was briefly removed from the project, he has now returned, and the film is expected to be completed by early 2025. Despite its troubled production, the film is set to make its debut on the festival circuit next year.
Imax and Muvi Cinemas celebrated the grand opening of Imax's first location at Muvi Mall of Arabia in Jeddah, marking a significant partnership with Saudi Arabia’s largest exhibitor. During the event, Imax announced plans to release the first-ever Arabic-language feature in Imax, Ambulance, an action comedy directed by Colin Teague. Set in modern-day Riyadh, the film follows two paramedics who find a briefcase with 2 million riyals, leading them into a chaotic web of crime. Scheduled for release on April 17, 2025, Ambulance will be the first Saudi film digitally remastered for Imax.
Pan-Arab content creation hub Katara Studios unveiled a four-picture slate at the Red Sea Film Festival as it expands its production efforts. The slate includes Sakhr, a biopic about Kuwaiti tech pioneer Mohammed Al-Sharekh, creator of the world’s first Arabic language operating system. It also features Sari & Amira, a fantasy epic directed by Qatari filmmaker A.J. Al Thani, which centers on a couple of bandits battling mythical beasts in the desert. Other projects include Sa3oud Wainah, Qatar’s first commercial feature film, a mystery thriller about a magic trick gone wrong, and Anne Everlasting, a documentary about Anne Lorimor, who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro at 89. Katara Studios aims to spark pan-Arab creativity and global connections with these projects, reflecting its commitment to Arab storytelling on the international stage.
Cairo-based Film Clinic and Dubai's Front Row Productions are teaming up with Saudi Arabia's Arabia Pictures Group and Rotana Studios to produce the Saudi romantic comedy A Matter of Life and Death. Set in Jeddah, the film follows Sarah Taibah as Hayat, a superstitious woman convinced she's cursed Yaqoub Alfarhan as Yousef., a shy heart surgeon struggling with a slow heartbeat. The film is directed by Anas Ba-Tahaf with principal photography beginning in January 2025.
