Françoise Guyonnet Named Studiocanal CEO Copyrights Group, EVP Kids’ Brands as Euro Powerhouse Drives into Children’s IP

South by Southwest Conference and Festivals announced its initial Keynote and the second round of Featured Speakers for the 38th edition of its annual Conference of technology, film, television, and music. SXSW takes place March 8-16, 2024 in Austin, Texas. 

EXCLUSIVE: Korean webcomic platform Manta has named its first CEO.

Michaela Zee The odds weren’t in director Francis Lawrence‘s favor after splitting “Hunger Games: Mockingjay” into two parts. In a recent interview with People magazine, Lawrence admitted he wouldn’t divide the final book into two films if he had the opportunity. “I totally regret it.

Studiocanal, owned by Vivendi’s Canal+ Group, is powering into the kids IP and premium series business, marking its most significant expansive strategic move since initiating premium TV production. This supercharged kids TV drive looks set to play out in multiple ways at this year’s MipJunior trade fair, which unspools at Cannes over Oct.

The European Commission has sent a formal request to Elon Musk’s X requesting information on the social media platform’s provisions to deal with illegal content, disinformation and abusive material posted on the site in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

A European TV project will soon be on the same quality level as American but for half the cost, predicted Mediawan, Sony and Universal International Studios (UIS) execs today.

Zack Sharf Digital News Director Baz Luhrmann is set to world premiere his upcoming miniseries “Faraway Downs” on the closing night of the upcoming SXSW Sydney Screen Festival, closing the loop on a filmmaking journey that began nearly 20 years ago. “Faraway Downs” is the expanded TV version of the director’s 2008 theatrical release “Australia,” an epic romance starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman that flopped at the domestic box office with less than $50 million.

People just can’t get enough of “The Crown.” After years of awards season wins, the series has begun to tease its sixth and final season. Well, Part 1 of the final season.

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel are taking some time to relax and take in the sights while exploring Venice, Italy.

Stephen Gerard Kelly and Garry Keane’s documentary In The Shadow of Beirut has been submitted as Ireland‘s entry for the 2024 Oscar International Feature Film race.

StudioCanal, Mercis & Superrod Team On Animated Series ‘Miffy’

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Studiocanal has teamed with Mercis and Superprod Animation to produce a CGI series adaptation of the children’s animation classic “Miffy.” The series will launch on French pay TV platform Canal+ in 2025. The Miffy character, a bunny, was created by Dick Bruna in 1955, and featured in more than 30 books.

Russell Brand is facing another police investigation.

Police in London have confirmed they are investigating Russell Brand over allegations of harassment and stalking. This marks the second ongoing investigation into Brand following news last month that the comedian, TV host, and actor was at the center of a Metropolitan Police investigation into historical sexual offenses.

officially ended their feud — after 10 years.The pair opened up about their reconciliation during a tearful joint interview on “Today with Hoda & Jenna.”“I sobbed my eyes out. I told Clinton everything that made me sad, everything that hurt me, every way I thought I hurt him.

Ellie Duque has joined Deadline as President. Duque will bring her vast experience to help the continuing evolution of Deadline beyond being the preeminent breaker of Hollywood news, and into other domestic and international platforms. Duque replaces Stacey Farish, whose resignation was accepted during the summer. Duque will report to Tom Finn, Penske Media’s Executive Vice President of Operations and Finance based in Los Angeles. She starts October 9.  

accused of rape and sexual assaults that were alleged to have taken place between 2006 and 2013. Brand has denied all allegations.

Russell Brand is back on Rumble more than a week on from allegations he raped and sexually assaulted four women at the height of his fame.

The first teaser trailer for Sofia Vergara‘s new limited series has been released.

With “Succession” over, HBO has an opening for its next premier drama. There are couple of candidates for the slot already, like “The Last Of Us” and “The White Lotus.” But if “Succession” creator Jesse Armstrong had cut the show’s final season in two, as he considered doing at one point, HBO wouldn’t have a gap to fill at all.