Showtime Launches Short Film Anthology Series: ‘Spotlights’

Christopher Vourlias Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk, whose feature debut “Pamfir” premiered in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight section, and director and former political prisoner Oleh Sentsov (“Rhino”) are among the Ukrainian filmmakers who say they’re “distraught” by the inclusion of a Russian film in the main competition at the Transilvania Film Festival.In a statement posted on Monday to the Facebook page for “Pamfir,” the filmmakers spoke out against the selection of Russian director Lado Kvataniya’s “The Execution” as one of 12 features competing for the Transilvania Trophy, criticizing the “illusion of cultural reconciliation” created by the festival’s decision and insisting that “art does not exist outside of politics.” The filmmakers noted that Kvataniya’s psychological thriller was produced with the support of the state-backed Russian Film Fund as well as Kinoprime, the $100 million film fund bankrolled by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, who has been sanctioned by the U.K.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterEthan Hawke will star in and executive produce a limited series currently in development at Showtime, Variety has confirmed.The series is titled “The Whites” and is based on the novel of the same name by Richard Price. It begins with the idea that every detective is haunted by their White Whale, the perpetrator who got away because the justice system failed. Billy Graves (Hawke), once a rising star in his department and former member of a group of well-respected cops called the “Wild Geese,” walks away from NYPD Homicide and joins the Nightwatch division, where his cases end when he clocks out— but his past comes calling when a seemingly straightforward murder case involving a White Whale unfolds, threatening his career, enduring friendships, and family.

Academy Gold, a global talent development and inclusion initiative that provides creative individuals of diverse backgrounds with access and resources toward achieving their career pathways in filmmaking.  Programs under the Academy Gold umbrella also include Gold Fellowship for Women, the Student Academy Awards and the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting.  All past participants and award recipients of these programs become a part of the Gold Alumni Program, which provides networking opportunities, access and career advancement services, and offers affinity groups for Black and African American, Latinx, Asian American and Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+ and women alumni to network with others who share similar identities, backgrounds and experiences.  The program also tracks participants’ career progression and successes through a database, offering a diverse talent pipeline for the industry.Academy Gold Rising is supported by grants from The James Irvine Foundation and the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.  Additional support is provided by The Walt Disney Company and the Ruderman Family Foundation.Other funding is provided by the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, Critics Choice Association in honor of Melvin Van Peebles, and Leon Silverman.

Former Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon has shared a glimpse of her dreamy Dubai getaway with boyfriend Ryan Ledson, posting a series of sun soaked snaps shared on social media. The 26 year old star, who is best-known for playing Bethany Platt in Corrie, wowed fans in a series of photos shared on Instagram.

UPDATED, 11:37 a.m.: Filmmakers Travon Free and Samir Hernandez of Two Distant Strangers fame have unveiled a new trailer for 38 at the Garden, a documentary project examining the cultural impact of NBA trailblazer Jeremy Lin and the cultural phenomenon known as “Linsanity” that surrounded him during his 2011-12 season with the New York Knicks.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAllison Williams has boarded the upcoming Showtime limited series “Fellow Travelers” alongside Matt Bomer, Variety has learned exclusively.The series was picked up at Showtime back in April with an eight-episode order. It is based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Mallon.The show is described as an epic love story and political thriller, chronicling the volatile romance of two very different men who meet in the shadow of McCarthy-era Washington.

Last year, Robert De Niro, co-founder of the Tribeca Festival, stated, “The Tribeca Film Festival was born out of our mission to bring people together in the aftermath of 9/11.” With that mission still leading the charge, the annual festival is returning to New York this week, June 8-19, to bring artists together and allow them a platform to grow their audience and their network. With films from 40 different countries, we believe the festival will do just that again this year.

J. Kim Murphy Although Showtime is pulling from his groundbreaking 1980 drama for its upcoming series, Paul Schrader has no interest in tuning into the network’s upcoming “American Gigolo” adaptation.The writer-director clarified his lack of involvement in the production through one of his famed Facebook posts on Saturday morning.“Some years ago I received a call from Paramount asking about remaking ‘American Gigolo’ as a series,” Schrader wrote.

Showtime Sports Documentary Films is extending its partnership with NBA superstar Kevin Durant and his business partner Rich Kleiman’s Boardroom for a documentary called “NYC Point Gods,” which will showcase iconic point guards from New York City who left an indelible mark on the game and pop culture throughout the 1980s and ’90s. The film will delve into how the Big Apple has long been an epicenter for game-changing basketball talent that inspired American culture beyond the sport.“NYC Point Gods” will showcase a roster of New York City point guard legends including Rafer Alston, Kenny Anderson, Mark Jackson, Stephon Marbury, God Shammgod, Kenny Smith, Rod Strickland and Dwayne “Pearl” Washington.

Yessss! Showtime has set a summer premiere date for NYC Point Gods, a feature-length documentary on the enduring impact of New York City point guards who honed their craft on the city’s playgrounds and high school gyms in the 1980s and ’90s.

Carson Burton The new half-hour anthology series “Spotlights: A Showtime Short Film Series” features work from various emerging filmmakers, Showtime has announced. All five epidodes of the series will premiere Sunday, June 12 on streaming and on demand for Showtime subscribers.Each episode of “Spotlights” will showcase two to three short films that vary in timely subject matter, tone and perspective.

It’s another busy year for Jon Bernthal. Fresh off of HBO‘s “We Own This City” and with Lena Dunham‘s latest, “Sharp Stick” hitting theaters in late July, the actor’s next role is already in the pipeline.

Fleabag and Stranger Things star Brett Gelman is to lead Entitled, a Showtime/Channel 4 series about an American widower who must get to know his British wife’s estranged family in their crumbling gothic mansion in the English countryside.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer“Stranger Things” actor Brett Gelman is set to star in “Entitled,” a half-hour comedy series ordered at Showtime in the U.S. and Channel 4 in the U.K.Created by Matt Morgan (“Mister Winner,” “The Mimic”), the show follows Gabe (Gelman), an American widower who must get to know his British wife’s estranged family.