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Mediawan Kids & Family is unveiling a raft of prestige animated feature projects at the Annecy Film Festival, including “Meow-woof” by Louis Clichy (“Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion”) and “Twisted” by Lino Disalvo (“Playmobil”).

Emmanuel Jacomet, who worked for over a decade alongside Aton Soumache and Dimitri Rassam on high profile IP’s such as “The Little Prince,” “Miraculous Ladybug” and “Playmobil,” took over the film division of Mediawan Kids & Family under a year ago with the ambition to develop a mix of mainstream franchise-based projects and auteur-driven 2D titles.

The executive, who lived in Los Angeles for a number of years, said also he aims at bringing together European and American talent and sensibilities on projects that are personal, yet boast an international appeal. Many of the filmmakers in business with the banner have a dual culture. Clichy, for instance, is French but previously worked for Pixar...

At Annecy with four features, including buzzy main competition entry “Mars Express,” Strasbourg-based Amopix will create a second studio, Amopix Annecy, located in the Route des Creuses to the west of Annecy.

The move comes as Amopix, the animation studio behind Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight title “Margarethe 89,” produced by Eddy, is embarking on some 10 new titles, either as an animation studio or producer or both, including Louis Clichy’s “Le Corset” and “Shalotte, an Onion for All Cases,” a TV series produced in international co-production, a potential growth axis, Amopix founder Mathieu Rolin told Variety.

Reasons for setting up in Annecy cut several ways: the location, which is highly attractive thanks to its exceptional geographical position and the presence in Annecy of the world’s biggest animation festival.

Public sector policies, implemented by Citia, behind the Annecy Intl. Film Animation Festival, are backing the development of a local animation sector with dedicated incentives.

Exclusive: Valeria Lamm (The Hole In The Fence) has signed with Sovereign Talent Group under their theatrical division.

Lamm’s breakout role was in the critically acclaimed film The Hole in the Fence (El hoyo en la cerca) in the role of Jordi De La Torre. The 2021 feature, written and directed by Joaquin del Paso, premiered at last year’s Venice Film Festival and took home the Best Cinematography award, and was nominated for Best Film. Lamm also made history as the youngest trans-actor to participate in the festival.

The Hole in the Fence recently garnered multiple Ariel Awards nominations including Best Screenplay at the 2022 Ariel Awards which recognizes the best of Mexican cinema by the Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences. The Amacc is regarded as the most prestigious award in the Mexican film industry and is considered Mexico’s equivalent to the Academy Awards.

“We are very...

Production was one of the hot projects at Cartoon Movie in Bordeaux in March.

New animated feature sales outfit Gebeka International has boarded the coming-of-age tale Sheba, following in the footsteps of legendary African figure the Queen Of Sheba.

It marks a first sales acquisition for France-based Gebeka International which was officially launched last week at the Annecy International Film Festival by founding partners Wild Bunch International and Gebeka Films.

The production was scouted at the 2021 edition of animation co-production forum Cartoon Movie in Bordeaux, where it was one of the hot projects this March.

Billed as a family adventure...

Albert Uderzo, the famed French comic book artist, has died at the age of 92.

French wire Afp reported that Uderzo had a heart attack and his death was not coronavirus related.

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“Albert Uderzo died in his sleep at his home in Neuilly, after a heart attack that was not linked to the coronavirus. He had been extremely tired for the past several weeks,” his son-in-law Bernard de Choisy told the agency.

The illustrator created the Asterix comic book series with René Goscinny after they met in 1951. Eight years later, the duo became editor (Goscinny) and artistic director (Uderzo) of the French magazine Pilote, and it was in those pages that they first introduced Asterix,...

On par with 2018, the overseas box office revenue of French movies reached an estimated €244.4 millions ($272 million) from 40 million admissions in 2019, according to a report unveiled by UniFrance.

The org said the worldwide B.O. of French movies was stable and highlighted the large representation of French films at major festivals and across leading streaming services. Italy was once again this year the biggest foreign market for French movies, followed by Germany and Spain.

The mainstream French comedy “Serial (Bad) Weddings,” which already ranks as the highest-grossing films in France in 2019, was also the most successful French movie abroad with nearly €23 million grossed worldwide. Directed by Philippe de Chauveron, the movie follows a narrow-minded Catholic couple and their three daughters, who have married men of different faiths.

Although it failed at the U.S. box office, Luc Besson’s action pic “Anna” still turned out to be the second highest-grossing French film abroad with €22.8 million.

The adventures of René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo’s potion-supping Gaul creation Asterix and his friends are well loved, since their debut on the pages of Pilote magazine in 1959, all the way up until this new animated feature based on the enduring madcap French creation. In the 60 year history of the series, there have been a plethora of internationally made motion pictures based on the stories and characters, including 4 live-action outings starring Gérard Depardieu and 10 animated films. This latest one, The Secret of the Magic Potion, being released both in cinemas and on Sky Cinema, is hardly the standard barer for all Asterix films but is a fun family flick all the same.

The film centres more on druid Getafix (John Innes), who is faced with finding a replacement after age may be catching up with him. Accompanying him on this important quest are Asterix (Ken Kramer) and Obelix (C. Ernst Harth...

Asterix: The Secret Of The Magic Potion Photo: Courtesy of Eiff San Sebastian has announced it will present a selection of animated films for children at its 67th edition.

The films, which include Asterix: The Secret Of The Magic Potion and The Lego Movie 2 will include a number of screenings dubbed into Basque to make them accessible to a family audience.

The section, which is produced in collaboration with property developer Amenabar, has an international sweep and will also include Nick Park's prehistoric adventure Early Man, Danish adventure The Incredible Story Of The Giant Pair, Belgian/French co-production The Son Of Bookfoot and Icelandic/Belgian film Ploey, which was namd best film at the Kristiansand International Children’s Film Festival (Norway).

The festival has also announced its Culinary Zinema section, with several of the screenings accompanied by themed dinners.

Now in its ninth year, the section is a mix of features shorts.

New releases include ‘The Souvenir’, ’Mrs Lowry & Son’, and ‘Bait’.

There is a flurry of intriguing indie title releases in the UK this weekend, while the top end of the chart looks like to be largely dominated by holdovers Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood and Angel Has Fallen.

In the indie space, Curzon is handling the release of Joanna Hogg’s fourth feature, The Souvenir, which stars Honor Swinton Byrne and Tom Burke in the story of a young film student who becomes romantically involved with a complicated man in 1980s London. Martin Scorsese was an executive producer...

René Goscinny and illustrator Albert Uderzo gave the world a charming gift when they debuted The Adventures of Asterix in 1959. 60 years on, through excursions off the page and across the big and small screens, our affection for the diminutive Gaul and his giant sidekick remains. The rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia are a powerful accessory.

This time – despite the ever-present threat of the Romans – the challenge faced by the feisty villagers comes from within. Getafix the Druid (brewer of the magic potion which sustains the village and gives Asterix his mighty powers) has taken a tumble and broken his leg. With his mortality mortifyingly evident and his present handicap, Getafix realises he needs an apprentice.

Armed with a shortlist from his fellow druid elders, protected by Asterix (Christian Clavier) and Obelix (Guillaume Briat) and accompanied by inquisitive young Impedimenta (Florence Foresti), Getafix (Bernard Alane) crisscrosses Gaul in search of a worthy...

Netflix has released the first trailer for ‘The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance,’ the epic prequel series to the beloved 1982 Jim Henson film ‘The Dark Crystal’.

Directed by Louis Leterrier. The cast also includes the Gelflingcharacters, voiced by Taron Egerton (Rian), Anya Taylor-Joy (Brea), Nathalie Emmanuel (Deet), Caitriona Balfe, Helena Bonham Carter, Harris Dickinson, Natalie Dormer, Eddie Izzard, Theo James, Toby Jones, Shazad Latif, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mark Strong and Alicia Vikander. While the Skeksis & Mystics are voiced by Harvey Fierstein, Mark Hamill, Ralph Ineson, Jason Isaacs, Keegan-Michael Key, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Simon Pegg and Andy Samberg.

Lena Headey (Game of Thrones) as Maudra Fara, Benedict Wong (Avengers: Endgame) as The General, Awkwafina (Crazy Rich Asians) as The Collector, Sigourney Weaver as The Myth-Speaker, Hannah John-Kamen (Ant-Man and The Wasp) as Naia and Dave Goelz as Baffi, a Fizzgig will also be voicing characters.

Also in trailers – New trailer for ‘Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion...

Altitude Films has released a new trailer for ‘Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion’ for the 60th anniversary of the comic book series.

Based on the beloved books by René Goscsinny and Albert Uderzo with an original Story by Alexandre Astier, the animation is directed by Alexandre Astier and Louis Clichy.

Also in trailers – Gary Oldman and Emily Mortimer get more than they bargained for at sea in trailer for ‘Mary’

The film hits UK cinemas August 30th

Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion Synopsis

On the 60th anniversary of the much-adored comic book series, Asterix and Obelix embark on a quest across Gaul looking for a young druid worthy of learning the secret of the magic potion – a formula which has long helped to keep the Gaulish village safe against Julius Caesar and his invading army.

However, once Asterix and Obelix begin their quest, all hell breaks...

Statistics were unveiled during a Cannes press conference.

The number of people working in film and TV production in the Paris region rose by 6.7% in 2017 due to the re-localisation of French productions and the shoots of a number of high-profile international features including Mission: Impossible – Fallout.

According to the joint report by the Ile de France Film Commission and Audiens, the body overseeing a mutual social security fund aimed at media and entertainment professionals, 146,777 people were employed in film and TV production in the region in 2017, for a total payroll of $2bn (€1.8bn).

This compared with 135,313 people, for a total...

Company unveils plans for its summer slate including ‘Maradona’, ‘Horrible Histories’.

Altitude Film Distribution, the releasing arm of UK mini-studio Altitude Film Entertainment, has added four titles to its UK release slate.

The company has picked up rights to Andre Singer and Werner Herzog’s documentary Meeting Gorbachev. The film, which premiered at Telluride last year, sees Herzog interview the former general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union to get an insight into his life and career. Altitude picked up the title from History Films and will release in November.

Altitude has also bought Little Monsters, the...

Netflix has acquired Juan Antin’s Cesar-nominated animated feature “Pachamama,” the streaming giant announced Thursday. The film competes in the best animated film category at the upcoming 44thCesar Awards, France’s equivalent to the Oscars, which will be presented Feb. 22 in Paris.

A hybrid animation adventure film about a mischievous young boy, living in a remote village in the Andes Mountains, who dreams of becoming a shaman, “Pachamama” will debut on Netflix in June.

“‘Pachamama’ has been a very long journey, guided by a message that came like an echo from ancient times – a message of love, respect and gratitude to our cherished Earth. Thanks to Netflix, I am thrilled to share this awe-inspiring story with a global audience,” said Antin.

A co-production between France, Luxembourg and Canada, “Pachamama” was directed by Antin, who also co-wrote with Olivier de Bannes, Patricia Valeix and Nathalie Hertzberg. It is produced by Oscar-nominee...

After bouncing back in 2017, the overseas box office revenue of French movies plummeted by 51% to 237 million euros ($270 million) with 40 million admissions sold, a 52% year-on drop, in 2018.

The provisional box office figures were unveiled by UniFrance during a reception hosted at France’s culture minister during which Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, the directors of “The Intouchables” and most recently “C’est La Vie” received the French Cinema Award.

Co-produced and sold by Gaumont, “C’est La Vie” grossed over 15 million overseas and was the second biggest French hit in international markets in 2018, following the EuropaCorp-produced “Taxi 5,” an action-packed film directed by Franck Gastambide.

The other French films ranking in the top 10 of 2018 include Dany Boon’s “La Ch’tite Famille” (Pathé), “Belle and Sebastian, Friends for Life” (Gaumont), the animated film “White Fang” (Sc Films International), “Rolling to You” (Gaumont), “Big Bad Fox & Other Tales” (StudioCanal), “The Young Karl Marx...

Without a marquee English-language title to boost overall performance, French films in 2018 saw a precipitous drop in overseas admissions, totaling 40M versus 2017’s 82.5M. That 52% tumble is matched by a 51% slide in receipts to 237M euros, export body Unifrance reported today in Paris.

In its findings, Unifrance said it was clear that 2018 “was a disappointing year overall, with certain films performing below forecasts.” These annual ups and downs have become somewhat commonplace owing to the production cycle and the fact that animation and French movies produced in English skew performance in particular years.

Over the past few, such films as Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets, Leap! Le Petit Prince, Taken 3, The Transporter Refueled and Lucy have been the strongest earners outside the Hexagon. Many of those have in common that they hail from Luc Besson’s now beleaguered EuropaCorp, which, despite the struggles it is facing,...

Italy was the biggest market for French films.

The international box office for French films fell 52% to 40m admissions worldwide in 2018, against 82.5m in 2017, according to figures released by Unifrance on Thursday (January 17).

French cinema export body published the preliminary data at its annual press conference, this year taking place at the Ministry of Culture, on the fringes of its annual Rendez-vous with French Cinema in Paris (January 17-21).

According to the Unifrance numbers, the admissions generated a box office of €237m against €468m the year before. The figures were similar to those of 2016 when there were 34m admissions worldwide.

French productions generated 77m admissions to take a 40% share of the market

French admissions fell by 4.3% in 2018 to 200.5m, against 209.4m in 2017, but the country remained one of Europe’s leading cinema markets, according to preliminary figures released by the National Cinema Centre (Cnc) on Dec 31.

In spite of the drop, the Cnc said France was Europe’s top territory in terms of admissions if not by overall gross, ahead of the UK with 176m entries, Germany with 90m, Spain with 92m and Italy with 79 million entries, according to its figures. The overall gross for the UK could end up...

After recording its third-highest number in the last 50 years in 2017, French theatrical admissions are on track for a 4% drop this year, with an estimated 201 million sold. In dollar terms, however, the French box office is expected to clock in at about €1.3 billion ($1.5 billion), on par with last year, bolstered by the increase of ticket sales for premium large formats such as Imax, Dolby Cinema and 4Dx.

While fewer Hollywood blockbusters drew in French audiences compared with last year, two domestic films managed to sell more than 5 million tickets (grossing more than $37 million each) and four ranked in the top 10. A pair of French comedies released by Pathé, “Les Tuche 3” and Dany Boon’s “La ch’tite famille,” ranked second and third, behind Disney’s “Incredibles 2,” which took in about $44.5 million.

The other top-grossing French films of 2018 were Gilles Lellouche’s “Sink or Swim” (pictured), a star-driven dramedy about a men’s synchronized swimming team,...

After successfully rebooting the Asterix franchise into a clever CG animation movie with 2014’s The Land of the Gods, writers-directors Alexandre Astier and Louis Clichy offer up a lively if less-enlightening follow-up with Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion (Asterix – Le Secret de la potion magique).

Chockfull of gags and pop-culture references, this latest tale of France’s favorite superhero suffers from a brand-new storyline that fails to convince in the way of the original comic books from the 1960s and '70s, which were written by Rene Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo. Indeed, while Land of the ...

After successfully rebooting the Asterix franchise into a clever CG animation movie with 2014’s The Land of the Gods, writers-directors Alexandre Astier and Louis Clichy offer up a lively if less-enlightening follow-up with Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion (Asterix – Le Secret de la potion magique).

Chockfull of gags and pop-culture references, this latest tale of France’s favorite superhero suffers from a brand-new storyline that fails to convince in the way of the original comic books from the 1960s and '70s, which were written by Rene Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo. Indeed, while Land of the ...

The American Film Market has unveiled the initial lineup of screenings for its 2018 edition, with 64 world premieres landing amid the more than 300 films set to be showcased.

Among the world premieres are Killers Anonymous, starring Gary Oldman and Jessica Alba; Running With the Devil, starring Nicolas Cage and Laurence Fishburne; Stano, starring Joe Manganiello and Sofia Vergara; Killerman, starring Liam Hemsworth; and Beautiful Darkness, starring Matthew Broderick and Chloe Sevigny.

Other films making their debut include Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion, starring Christian Clavier, Guillaume Briat and Elie Semoun; Balloon, starring Friedrich Mucke and Karoline Schuch; and the documentary Fidel Up Close....

The American Film Market has unveiled the initial lineup of screenings for its 2018 edition, with 64 world premieres landing amid the more than 300 films set to be showcased.

Among the world premieres are Killers Anonymous, starring Gary Oldman and Jessica Alba; Running With the Devil, starring Nicolas Cage and Laurence Fishburne; Stano, starring Joe Manganiello and Sofia Vergara; Killerman, starring Liam Hemsworth; and Beautiful Darkness, starring Matthew Broderick and Chloe Sevigny.

Other films making their debut include Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion, starring Christian Clavier, Guillaume Briat and Elie Semoun; Balloon, starring Friedrich Mucke and Karoline Schuch; and the documentary Fidel Up Close....