February 22, 2021

The EU’s Initiative to Redress the Effect of COVID-19 on the Entertainment Industry

(natlawreview.com)

Almost a year ago now, the pandemic outbreak disrupted the worldwide entertainment industry – and in particular, film and television production. Similar to the US, European audio-visual productions were halted, movie theaters were closed, events, premieres and entire marketing and distribution campaigns were postponed or cancelled.

Cinemas across the European Union saw a 69.0 % drop in box office numbers in 2020, accounting for a total decrease of €4 billion in revenues compared to 2019¹. With movie theaters on the brink of bankruptcy, postponed productions with huge increases in costs (in part due to COVID-19 safety measures), and a consumer attitude that shifted rapidly to online content consumption, the old business models will probably disappear even faster than anticipated.

In order to combat the negative effects of the crisis, the European Union (EU) stepped in with various programs to support the cultural and creative sectors, as well as artists in all of its Member States.

By: Alina Condurat

Continue Reading at natlawreview.com

Blue Ant Media and Content Catalyst Fund Partner to Back Female Creatives in Unscripted – Global Bulletin

(variety.com)

In today’s Global Bulletin, Blue Ant Media and Content Catalyst Fund team to promote women creatives working in unscripted; Abacus Media Rights secures rights to “Four Hours at the Capitol”; La Biennale di Venezia opens the call for applicants to this year’s Venice Gap-Finance Market; Goldfinch picks two video game IPs to develop as film and TV projects; and Fremantle acquires “Good With Wood” in several key territories.

UNSCRIPTED

International production, distribution and channel operation company Blue Ant Media will partner with Julie Bristow’s recently launched development and funding outfit Content Catalyst Fund (CCF) to develop, produce and distribute female-led unscripted content for the Canadian and global marketplaces.

CCF will handle scouting and identifying standout unscripted project ideas for development and eventual production, focusing on true crime, lifestyle and documentary series. Blue Ant will then step in and produce and eventually distribute the selected projects in collaboration with CCF, with Bristow acting as executive producer.

By: Jamie Lang

Continue Reading at variety.com