FILM

ADDS “NORTH” TO ITS FILM SLATE

Germany’s Studio 100 Film is adding a new project to its animation film slate: “North”. Produced by PictoryLand, the Norwegian CGI film is currently in pre-production with delivery planned for Q4 2024, just in time to make it the perfect family movie for the holiday season. Studio 100 Film will cover all worldwide film sales except for the Scandinavian territories and will introduce the project, showing the first teaser and art designs of the characters and set locations, at this year’s Marche du Film in Cannes.

“North” is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairy tale “The Snow Queen”, bringing to life the power of courage, persistence, and the endlessly redeeming potential of true love. The exciting adventure is aimed at kids and families with a runtime of 85 minutes. Directed by Bente Lohne and produced by Haakon Gundersen (Flight of the Navigator, Free Jimmy), the film follows the journey of the young girl Gerda, who embarks on a dangerous mission to save her best friend Kai from the Snow Queen’s icy grip.

Thorsten Wegener, Head of Business Operations, Studio 100 Films commented: “We feel extremely inspired to add ‘North’ to our slate and introduce audiences to the magical world of Gerda and the Snow Queen. The film’s heartwarming story, stunning animation, and talented cast and crew make it a mustsee for families during the holiday season in 2024 and beyond.”

Black Mass

A true-crime thriller inspired by real events, Black Mass is set over a 24-hour period in Florida during the winter of 1978, and follows a serial killer in the days leading up to his final, unhinged rampage. The film intends to provide a disturbing and terrifying look into the warped psyche of a notorious murderer, as well as the ramifications of his violence for those who fell victim to it, and for those who survived.

Sometimes I Think About Dying

Fran likes to think about dying. It brings sensation to her quiet life. When she makes the new guy at work laugh, it leads to more: a date, a slice of pie, a conversation, a spark. The only thing standing in their way is Fran herself.

Directed by Rachel Lambert

Sales: New Europe Film Sales

“Black Mass aims to tell a famous serial killer’s story from a perspective that has not yet been done - by spending a day with the victims,” says director Devanny Pinn. When Devanny first approached me about this project, I was so inspired by her passion and commitment for sharing her vision and making this film. The deeper we got into the development of this project, the important to both of us to honor these women as the beautiful people that they were; filled with hope and love... and life. They were real people, not just victims,” says producer and actor Michelle Romano. In attendance at the festival will be director Devanny Pinn (an award-winning actress and producer who has been active in horror for over a decade) and Black Mass stars Andrew Sykes (Speechless), Sarah Nicklin (The Retaliators), and Michelle Romano (Spoken Word), the latter who also produced the film. Sarah Nicklin, who portrays a real-life survivor, says of her role, “It was very important to me to capture the essence of the person my character is based on. I want the audience to feel her warmth and light, and how brightly she shined, so that they can understand how devastating and truly evil the events that happened to her were.”

Black Mass also stars Lew Temple (The Walking Dead), Jeremy London (Party of Five, 7th Heaven), Lisa Wilcox (A Nightmare on Elm Street 4 and 5), Kathleen Kinmont (Halloween 4), and Eileen Dietz (The Exorcist), among others. Brian Perera, Yvonne Perera, Brandon Slagle, Gigi Jankowski and Miranda Mariposa are executive producers. Tim Yasui is co-producer, and Anjanette Miller and Susan Lanier are associate producers. Pinn directs from a script written by Eric Pereira and Brandon Slagle

Black Mass has set its market screening on May 21st, 2023 at 6:15 pm (Palais J).