Scandinavian streaming boom
SF Studios And Warner Bros. Discovery SF Studios and WBD have entered into a Nordic content partnership. The deal grants WBD’s Max streaming service premiere rights to SF Studios’ domestic and international titles in post-theatrical and commercial slots.
The agreement aims to further SF Studios’ investment in Scandinavian productions and expand Max’s audience reach in the region.
Upcoming titles include Tariq Saleh’s “Eagles of the Republic,” starring Fares Fares, Norwegian crime thriller “The Nation’s Gambit,” and Mikkel Syrup’s “Kingmaker,” a sequel to 2004’s “Kongikabali.” The deal also includes international films such as “Area of Interest” and “Horizon: An American Odyssey,” which opens in mid-July.
“This collaboration is an important step in SF Studios’ strategy to expand its licensing and distribution business in the Nordics while also offering a strong portfolio of Scandinavian and international films to consumers in the Nordic market,” SF Studios said in a statement.
Towns beat Tinseltown
Tunes Media GroupDisney, a global children's and family entertainment company, is expanding its live-action film portfolio by entering the U.S. feature film market. The company has revealed plans to adapt William HazelgroveThe best-selling book “The Real Santa” has been made into a feature film.
The Real Santa follows unemployed engineer George Kronenfeldt as he tries to prove Santa's existence to his skeptical nine-year-old daughter. The story explores the lengths parents go to preserve the wonder of childhood.
Toonz, which launched its feature film division in 2023, will oversee all aspects of production from script to screen. The company plans to showcase the project at the upcoming American Film Market. The deal between Hazelgrove and Toonz was brokered by Alan GrafmanPresident and CEO of All media projectsGrafman and Hazelgrove will serve as executive producers on the project.
Transgender Teen Trials
Photon images And Great moviesEmmy-nominated documentary Changing the Game is set to be released online in the UK after the Olympics. Directed by Michael Barnett and produced by Alex Schmider and Claire Tucker, the film follows three transgender high school athletes navigating sport, personal life and societal challenges.
The documentary follows Sarah, a skier and policymaker; Andrea, a star runner; and Mack Biggs, a Texas wrestling champion, as they struggle against online harassment and threats.
“Game Change” premiered on Tribeca The film won the GLAAD Media Award for Best Documentary and Audience Awards at Outfest Los Angeles, Palm Springs International Film Festival, and Frameline San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival. It was also nominated for Best Sports Documentary at the Critics' Choice Documentary Awards and a Peabody Award.
