Highland Film Unveils Pre-Cannes Tease of Bruce Willis-Starring ‘Gasoline Alley’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Christopher Vourlias The return to business at the Cannes Film Market hasn’t necessarily marked the return to business as usual, as sluggish foot traffic and empty stalls in the Palais des Festival can attest. But AGC Studios CEO Stuart Ford says the past year has hardly dimmed his confidence in the indie film business.“The independent financing and sales marketplace is still an incredibly fertile ground to finance content at a significant level,” he said.

EXCLUSIVE: Principal photography has started in Tunisia on contemporary drama Contra, set in the aftermath of the powerful anti-government protests that provoked a wave of change in the region, known as the Arab spring.

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentIn a statement buy, Saban Films has acquired rights to North America – along with Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, France, South Africa and Scandinavia – on Bruce Willis starrer “Soul Assassin.”Directed by Jesse Atlas, the revenge thriller also stars Nomzamo Mbatha (“Coming 2 America”) and Barry Jay Minoff (“Exposure”).

Naman Ramachandran “Postman” by Russian filmmaker Klim Tukaev has won the first prize at the sixth Nespresso Talents global short film competition.“Bagman,” by Jan Kellner, took the second prize, while “Speaking in Flowers,” by Nicolina Sterbet, took third.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief“Many people changed their minds at the last minute and decided to come to Cannes,” said Jerome Paillard, executive manager of the Cannes Market, the business wing of the Cannes Film Festival. Those that did will have access to a large volume of new films making their market premieres.Paillard explained that the pre-Cannes online market held two weeks ago was necessary because it filled the gap between Berlin and Cannes.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentPathé, a driving force behind France’s biggest movies slated for 2022 including “Asterix & Obelix, the Middle Kingdom” and “The Three Musketeers,” is developing an untitled two-part film about Charles de Gaulle, the legendary French army officer who led the French resistance against Nazi Germany during World War II and eventually became president of France.The film will be directed by Antonin Baudry, who made his feature debut with “The Wolf’s Call,”

Whoever “wins” the Cannes Film Festival this year, French actress Léa Seydoux will certainly be up there regardless if she takes home any awards or not.

Naman Ramachandran A galaxy of Indian entertainment industry heavyweights are reportedly backing Reliance Entertainment group CEO Shibasish Sarkar’s special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) targeting the Indian media industry.Variety understands that Sarkar’s New Jersey registered International Media Acquisition Corp.

Pre-Cannes Screenings whose pre-sales market says a lot about the resilient vitality and ever greater complexity of the international film business.Budgeted at a reported $60 million, which would make it the biggest project at the Screenings, “Muscle” moved waves when Leonine paid a reported high seven-figure pre-sale figure for Germany.In an out-of-the-box move, Miramax announced Monday that it had secured worldwide rights to “The Holdovers,” reuniting Payne with “Sideways” star Paul Giamatti.

Will Thorne Staff Writer“Medusa,” the latest film from rocketing Brazilian director Anita Rocha da Silveira, has released a twisted, neon-soaked trailer ahead of its debut at the Cannes Film Festival next week.Set in contemporary Brazil, “Medusa” tells the story of 21-year old Mariana, who belongs to a world where women must always look perfect.

Princess Diana's statue unveiling could be make or break for Prince William and Prince Harry's fractured relationship, royal expert Duncan Larcombe tells OK! The brothers have been on frosty terms since early 2020 when Prince Harry revealed he was stepping down as a senior royal with wife Meghan Markle and relocating to the US. "Their late mother's statue unveiling will be make or break for them.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThree and a half years after Elton John announced his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour,” after an unavoidable pandemic delay, he has finally unveiled the closing stadium dates of that tour.

Bruce Willis is a proud dad to five daughters but when it comes to his personal life he remains out of the spotlight. So when one of his children posted a photo alongside the action hero for Father's Day, it’s not surprising his fans were thrilled. MORE: Demi Moore and daughters surprise fans with baby photo - and it's twins!Bruce shares his two youngest children, Evelyn, seven, and Mabel, nine, with his model wife, Emma Heming, and has three daughters, Rumer, Scout and Tallulah with his

Leo Barraclough International Features EditorFor most of those involved in the film pre-sales business, the virtual Pre-Cannes Screenings, running June 21-25, is the main event, with the in-person Cannes festival and market in July almost a sideshow.

Demi Moore is celebrating Bruce Willis on Father’s Day.

Angelique Jackson In honor of Juneteenth, Netflix and Ghetto Film School have launched the winning films from the inaugural class of their new content creation program focused on emerging Black filmmakers.The three films — “Silence of Friends” by Nia Stanford, “Divinity Streak” by Jess Waters and “Day Into Knight” by Sarah Jean Williams — are now live on Netflix Film Club’s YouTube channel.“New voices are vital to the entertainment industry,” Netflix Studio Film manager Emily Wolfe, Netflix

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentPalme d’Or-winning filmmaker Jacques Audiard (“A Prophet,” “Dheepan”) and rising director Léa Mysius reminisce about presenting their respective debut features, “See How They Fall” and “Ava,” at Cannes’ Critics’ Week in an exclusive video celebrating the 60th anniversary of the sidebar.Under the helm of Charles Tesson since 2011, Critics’ Week, which is dedicated to first and second films, has showcased more dozens of emerging filmmakers over the years.

Anna Marie de la Fuente Barcelona production-distribution outfit Filmax has picked up international rights to director-producer Ibon Cormenzana’s “Guilt” ahead of its presentation at the Pre-Cannes Screenings, which run June 21-25.The Basque helmer directs his long-time partner Manuela Velles (“Muse,” “Kidnapped”) who co-developed the topical drama with him and was actually pregnant at the time of the shoot.Velles plays a woman who hides away in the mountains after being raped by an