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London TV Screenings Sets 17 Distributors & 2023 Dates

The annual London TV Screenings distributor gathering has set dates, with 17 distributors joining founder members All3Media International, Banijay Rights, Entertainment One, Fremantle and ITV Studios from Monday 27 February to March 3. The third event gives numerous distributors the chance to showcase catalogs to buyers via a series of events a few weeks prior to Mip TV in Cannes. Joining the five founding members are Abacus Media Rights, About Premium Content, Beyond Rights, Blue Ant Media, Bossanova Media, Cineflix Rights, Dcd Rights, Fifth Season, Hat Trick International, Keshet International, NBCUniversalFormats, Paramount Global Content Distribution, Passion Distribution, Red Arrow Studios International, Studiocanal, Tvf International Warner Bros. International Television Production. More than 15 events took place last year and the Screenings were attended by the likes of Aidan Turner and Michael McIntyre. For the first two days, the London Screenings will come up against rival BBC Studios Showcase, which...

Midnight Moves

Korean film sales agent Finecut has struck several deals for action thriller “Project Wolf Hunting” ahead of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness section. In Asia, the film has been licensed to Moviecloud for Taiwan, Multivision Multimedia for India, Sahamongkolfilm International for Thailand, The Klockworx for Japan. Finecut also closed a deal with A Contracorriente Films for Spain, Prime Time Media for Cis and Well Go USA for Canada and the U.S. The film set on board a cargo ship which is being used to transport dangerous criminals from the Philippines to Busan, Korea. An escape attempt leads to a riot which in turn unleashes a sinister force. The film is directed by Kim Hongsun and will have a theatrical release in Korea from Sept. 21.

Three Out Of Five Ain’T Bad

Western Australia recently launched a A20 million (13.4 million) production attraction incentive scheme.

We hope Sherlyn Chopra is not watching too much of Verbotene Liebe (forbidden love). The German TV soap opera, in which with Rebecca and Miriam are involved in an intimate lip-lock. But maybe she is doing so, as she has proposed openly to Vidya Balan to such an act. In a recent interview to leading daily, when she was asked which actor she would love to make love-making scenes. She answered, “Vidya Balan, again! I'd love to do a passionate scene with Vidya, I'm obsessed with her. If she's listening I want to tell her — Vidya, I can take better care of you than Siddharth (Roy Kapur).” Well to imagine two such beautiful la...

Another year, another Hot 100! This marks the sixth time we've asked our readers to rank the male celebrities they think are "hot." It's a big deal being on our Hot 100 list, an exclusive club so to speak. Increasingly in recent years, the men who grace our list take notice and appreciate the fans and supporters who voted for them.

Now that the results have been announced, we've heard both via Twitter and also directly from many of our Hot 100 men. I'm sure we'll hear from others over the next couple weeks, but thought I'd round up and share with you the many gracious responses so far.

But before we get to that, I've got some big news. On July 16th at the W Hotel in Hollywood our Hot 100 is making the leap to the physical world! Yes, it's our First Annual Hot 100 Party!

This year, in partnership with sister site AfterEllen.

On Episode 3.02, We Love Soaps TV welcomes Verbotene Liebe star Jo Weil, who potrays Oliver Sabel on the German soap. For the past few years, Christian has been one half of the internationally popular soap opera super couple Christian and Oliver ("Chrolli").

We caught up with Weil on his recent visit to New York City. He fills us in on what he's been up to on his trip, shares his thoughts on Verbotene Liebe and answers questions from you--the fans.

Watch our latest episode below and let us know what you think. And tell us who you would like to see on We Love Soaps TV next.

Editor's Note: Click on HD to play the video.  If you are having audio problems, press HD on the video.

Related:

- Jo Weil's Official Website - JoWeil.com

- We Love Soaps TV 1.21 Jo Weil

- Verbotene Liebe Official Website - daserste.

We Love Soaps TV is thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with international soap superstar Jo Weil, who plays the gay character of "Oliver" on the popular German show Verbotene Liebe ("Forbidden Love").  Weil is coming to New York City and we are taking your questions for the popular actor who will be our special guest on the second episode of our new season. As we saw during our previous interview in 2010, Jo is clever, funny, and open to answering nearly anything!  So use the comment section below to ask away (and Please use a name for an on-air interview instead of "Anonymous.").

Jo was born August 29, 1977 in Frankfurt, Germany. As soon as he realized that acting was his future, he enrolled in drama workshops and classes in order to prepare for his future in theatre and television.

Throughout 1998 through 2006, Jo studied in play workshops, Arturo Drama School and...

AfterElton and AfterEllen have named their Hot 100 Men and Women of 2011. Check out the soap-filled list below:

After Ellen's Hot 100 Women

1. Naya Rivera - Glee

2. Heather Morris - Glee

3. Jessica Capshaw - Grey's Anatomy

4. Sara Ramirez - Grey's Anatomy

8. Dianna Agron - Glee

10. Lea Michele - Glee

40. Crystal Chappell - Venice/Days Of Our Lives

49. Jordana Brewster - ex-As The World Turns

57. Michelle Rodriguez - ex-Lost

65. Jane Lynch - Glee

67. Lindsay Lohan - ex-Another World

69. Nadia Bjorlin - Venice/Days Of Our Lives

For the full list, click here.

After Elton's Hot 100 Men

1. Darren Criss - Glee

3. Chris Colfer - Glee

5. John Barrowman - Torchwood

6. Luke MacFarlane - Brothers & Sisters

7. Jonathan Groff - Glee

8. Jensen Ackles - Supernatural

10. Ricky Martin - ex-General Hospital

12. Cheyenne Jackson - Glee/30 Rock

15. Matt Bomer - White Collar

16. Jared Padalecki - Supernatural

17. James Franco - General Hospital

18. Chord Overstreet - Glee...

This is the first installment of a new monthly column about lesbian/bi visibility in European media by eur.Out.org Editor in Chief Saskia Joreen.

Forbidden Lesbian Love In Germany

One of the most lesbian things that has come from Europe in the past weeks is the new lesbian storyline on German soap series Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love). The show originally started back in 1995 as an adaptation of Australian soap opera Sons and Daughters. Lesbian character Carla was on the show for years and had several lovers. She got married to Susanne in 2006. The couple also had a daughter together.

Later, Carla got involved with Stella, and apart from the usual soap dramatics, this couple have been treated quite well in the series. They left the show last year to travel the world and came back later for a couple of episodes. They left again to get married in...

Plus Modern Family prepares for their gay kiss, Meg Whitman dreams of defending Prop 8, and Joe McElderry plans a long career.

He had a rough weekend, but he looks good on the September cover.

As the Chrolli wedding approaches on Verbotene Liebe, they've released a rehearsal video. Not of the wedding rehearsal they filmed for the show, but of the rehearsal for the wedding rehearsal on the show. You know what, they're cuter doing it than I am explaining it. GLAAD has announced their 2nd Annual Media Awards in Advertising will take place on September 29th. Looking over the nominees, these look like they were all in gay targeted publications and channels, at least to my memory. Last year, at least the Orbitz ad was true mass market, even if it was subtle. As the Emmy Awards approach this weekend, we're going to hear and read a lot of press about the nominees.

Ard Foto/Glitsch

While soap opera fans in the U.S. are still mourning the abrupt loss of Oliver and Kyle on One Life to Live and the impending loss of Luke, Noah and Reid on As the World Turns, we can at least take comfort that over in Germany one of our favorite gay couples of all time has something wonderful to celebrate.

Christian and Olli are getting married on Forbidden Love (Verbotene Liebe)! That's right, Chrolli are going to have the first gay church wedding on TV in Germany and one of the few anywhere in the world. In fact, I actually can't think of another one. I thought Paul and Jonny on Emmerdale had been married in a church wedding, but I don't think that is the case, and Kevin and Scotty on Brothers & Sisters were married at Kevin's mother's house so this just might be a first anywhere.

In our first annual Top 50 Lesbian and Bi Characters poll, we asked you to vote for your favorite characters from film, television, and internet shows.

You cast your votes, and now we have the results. Before we reveal the winners, let's take a look at some of the trends that emerged.

Almost all of the characters were from films and television shows that made their debut after the year 2000. A few of the exceptions include Kerry Weaver from ER, and the ass-kicking ladies from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

While most of the characters were from Us productions, a fair amount came from international shows, including our top two characters (from the UK show Skins).

Also notable was the fact that some of your favorite characters, the leads from Xena: Warrior Princess (which ran from 1995-2001) and Idgie Threadgood from the film Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), were never officially presented as lesbian or bisexual.

Fans of the German soap opera Verbotene Liebe will remember actress Meike Gottschalk as Sophie Lewinsky, but she'll be on an international lesbian radar as the star of the new web series Emma Stahl. The show's producer Sandra Uredat describes the series as "a modern action and crime series like Dexter or " but also a little bit of "old school stuff" like Remington Steele and James Bond."

Emma Stahl is a special agent for the European police unit EuForce and is investigating the Russian Mafia. Meanwhile, she becomes involved with several different women. That's right — like Bond girls, there are Stahl girls.

"When you are gay you always have to decide whether you want to see a movie, tv series or whatever with a thrilling plot but straight heroes, or to see a lesbian main character but no plot" Uredat said. "Since Bound, there was no other lesbian themed movie...

Former Dynasty star Joan Collins has landed a role in a German soap opera.

The veteran British actress will play an English aristocrat in longrunning TV show Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love), and she's set to start shooting on Monday.

And the 76 year old is relieved she doesn't have to learn a new language to take part - as the producers have allowed her to recite her lines in English.

She says, "I don't have to speak German."

Collins' debut in the soap opera will air in Germany in April.

In our annual Visibility Awards, we formally recognize the people who have positively or negatively impacted lesbian and bi visibility in American entertainment during the year. (See previous years here: 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004.)

From Best Movie to Worst Song to Lesbian/Bi Woman of the Year, these awards recognize the television shows, movies, music, books and people who entertained, inspired, or disappointed us in 2009.

Last year, some of the category winners were chosen by both the AfterEllen.com staff and AfterEllen.com readers. This year, AfterEllen.com staff and contributing writers chose the winners for each category, as readers will be given the opportunity to vote on a wider range of topics and categories in our first annual Lesbian/Bi Women's Choice Awards in January.

Once again this year, we've included international people, shows and movies as a reflection of the increasing awareness of lesbian and bisexual visibility around the world made possible by the Internet.

Cologne, Germany -- Maxdome, the German VOD platform controlled by broadcast group ProSiebenSat.1, has signed a deal with local production giant Ufa for VOD rights to some of the company's top series, including hit soap "Verbotene Liebe" (Forbidden Love).

Under the deal, Maxdome will offer episodes of the series directly after their free-to-air broadcast on public network Ard. The episodes will be available free for the first seven days after broadcast, and then for around $1.5 per episode.

The Ufa deals also includes some of the company's top event miniseries including "The Tunnel," "Stauffenberg" and "The Women at Checkpoint Charlie" as well as several feature and TV titles from the company's rights library.

Visibility Matters is a monthly-ish column by AfterEllen.com Founder Sarah Warn about larger trends affecting lesbian/bi women in entertainment and the media.

Visibility Matters: Entertaining the Future

Lesbian/bi visibility in entertainment today is a mass of contradictions. It's both better and worse than it was when I started writing about it more than seven years ago.

There are more lesbian talk show hosts than ever before on network TV, but still very few fictional lesbian characters on broadcast or cable TV.

We now have well-developed, prominent lesbian characters and superheroes in comics — from Willow to Batwoman — but even the most minor lesbian characters are missing from, or "straightened out" in, most studio theatrical releases. Sometimes an entire lesbian subculture is de-gayed, as demonstrated in Whip It.

Female musicians are coming out left and right as gay or bisexual, as we saw when Brandi Carlile finally confirmed last week that she's a lesbian,...