Uwe Boll’s ‘First Shift’ Acquired by Quiver Distribution Ahead of AFM (EXCLUSIVE)

First Dates star Fred Sirieix has addressed hair transplant rumours as he gets set to adjust to life in the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! jungle. Fred, who is also known for his travel series with Gordon Ramsay and Gino D'Acampo, is among the 10 celebrities who have headed Down Under to swap their home comforts for bushtucker trials, rice and beans and the occasional treat from Kiosk Kev. But before heading into the I’m A Celeb jungle, fans of the show were given the chance to get to know the campmates a little better - with Fred taking the opportunity to speak about a rumour that he’d once read about himself.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Berlin-based sales agency M-Appeal has closed a deal with Reverso Films for the Spanish distribution of Lillah Halla’s “Power Alley.” Reverso Films, which specializes in distributing emerging talents from Europe and Latin America, will launch the film this week at the Huelva Ibero-American Film Festival. After a festival run in generalist, social issue and LGBTQ+ festivals in Spain, the film will be released in 15-25 cinemas across the country, alongside special events and screening-debates with invited panellists. “We are thrilled to bring this dynamic, female-driven film to cinemas across Spain.

EXCLUSIVE: The Unforgettable Gala, the annual ceremony that honors the biggest and most impactful Asian Pacific Islanders in entertainment, arts and culture, is getting a broadcast and streaming home for its 2023 edition, which has been set for December 16 at the Beverly Hilton.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival has announced the bulk of its lineup from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), signaling that the event is forging ahead with its third edition despite the Israel-Hamas war that has caused cancellations of several movie celebrations across the Arab world. The fest’s third edition, set to run Nov.

Ed Meza @edmezavar Studiocanal and Universal Pictures are re-releasing Richard Curtis’ holiday classic “Love Actually” worldwide this year in a new 4K restoration. The Working Title film, whose all-star cast includes Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, Bill Nighy and Liam Neeson, will also be released on home video and digitally in the U.S. and France.

Naman Ramachandran Bollywood war epic “Pippa” will get a direct-to-streaming release on Prime Video. “Pippa” is based on the book “The Burning Chaffees,” written by Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta and the screenplay is by Ravinder Randhawa, Tanmay Mohan and Menon. Ishaan plays Captain Mehta of the 45th Cavalry tank squadron who fought on India’s eastern front during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, which led to the creation of Bangladesh.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Picture Tree Intl. has boarded international sales for Scandinavian period drama “Stormskerry Maja,” directed by Tiina Lymi (“Happier Times, Grump,” “Sisäilmaa”), adapted from Anni Blomqvist’s series of novels. The film chronicles the saga of Maja and her family as they embark on a journey to the desolate and remote island Stormskerry.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Gaumont is launching “Night Call,” a high-concept thriller set over the course of a night, directed by rising filmmaker Michiel Blanchart. Blanchart, who is repped by WME and Itaka Media, previously directed the short film “You’re Dead Hélène,” which was a festival standout and played at Clermont-Ferrand and Sitges, among other festivals. It also made the live action Oscar shortlist last year.

EXCLUSIVE: Quiver Distribution announced they have completed production on the military action/science fiction film Agent Recon, featuring legendary martial arts expert and action hero Chuck Norris (Expendables 2, Walker Texas Ranger), and will launch sales at the American Film Market (AFM) with Millennium Media selling foreign territories. Sci-fi icon Marc Singer (Beastmaster, V) and Hong Kong’s new action vanguard Derek Ting (Agent Revelation), who also writes and directs, unite with Norris to tackle two kinetic genres. 

EXCLUSIVE:  LA-based Bleiberg Entertainment has picked up worldwide rights to Curse Of The Sin Eater, a horror pic starring Carter Shimp ((Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers, The Year Between), Elizabeth Laidlaw (Good Guy with A Gun), and Marcelo Wright (Chicago P.D). 

EXCLUSIVE: UTA Independent Film Group and CAA Media Finance are co-repping North America whilst Protagonist Pictures has come on board to handle international rights to Summer Camp starring Academy Award-winners Diane Keaton (First Wives Club, Annie Hall)and Kathy Bates (Titanic, Misery), as well as Golden Globe-winner Alfre Woodard (12 Years a Slave, The Book of Clarence).  Rounding up the ensemble cast are Eugene Levy (Schitt’s Creek, American Pie), Golden Globe nominee Dennis Haysbert (Far from Heaven, 24), Nicole Richie (Great News) and Josh Peck (Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer).

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor A24 has forged an exclusive output deal with Happinet Phantom Studios covering the distribution in Japan of A24’s upcoming releases, including Alex Garland’s action film “Civil War,” starring Kirsten Dunst, which has a highly anticipated launch at AFM this week. Happinet and A24 have worked together on the release of a number of films in Japan, including triple Oscar winner “Moonlight,” and “Midsommar,” whose gross in the territory was the biggest outside North America.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Hong Kong-based sales firm Autumn Sun has acquisition worldwide rights to Chinese family-oriented animated film “I Am T-Rex,” directed by Shang Ming and Si Lin, produced by Beijing Create Dream. “I Am T-Rex” follows a young T-Rex named Didi in her coming of age journey after the death of powerful father T-Rex Rog, who is killed by a rival dino gang. She must learn the ways of the T-Rex and claim the crown again with the help of her uncle and a very caring friend.

EXCLUSIVE: Paris-based genre special WTFilms has boarded Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury’s horror thriller ‘The Soul Eater’ ahead of the AFM.

EXCLUSIVE: Re: Uniting, a feature debut from Laura Adkin which reteams The Flash stars Jesse L. Martin and Michelle Harrison, is set to world premiere at the Austin Film Festival this coming weekend, and we’ve got a first-look clip, check it out above.

Naman Ramachandran Abramorama has acquired North American theatrical rights for Leslie Shampaine and Pip Gilmour‘s feature documentary “Call Me Dancer.” The deal was revealed on the sidelines of TIFFCOM, the film market attached to the Tokyo International Film Festival. The film follows Manish Chauhan, a young and talented street dancer from Mumbai who struggles against his parents’ insistence that he follow a traditional path.

Indie studio XYZ Films has promoted Maxime Cottray to the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). 

Beta Cinema and the UK’s Free Turn Films and Tempo Productions have officially announced Nick Hamm’s epic drama William Tell, as its under-the-radar shoot enters its final week in Italy.

AGC International has nabbed international rights to Late Night With The Devil from Aussie filmmaking duo Colin and Cameron Cairnes and will launch sales at the upcoming American Film Market. 

EXCLUSIVE: Shooting has wrapped on Went Up the Hill, the psychological ghost story starring Cannes award winner Vicky Krieps and Stranger Things actor Dacre Montgomery.