Hollywood
Carnaby finalises global ‘Heidi and the Magic Pool’ deal at AFM
NEW DELHI: Carnaby International has cleared much of the world’s film sales territories for its new entry into the durable global Heidi franchise with the family adventure Heidi And The Magic Pool.
In a deal with a major Hollywood Studio, the territories included in the one single deal are: the UK; Australia and New Zealand; France; Benelux; the Czech Republic; Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland; Greece; Portugal; Slovakia; Scandinavia; India, Israel, South Africa, Turkey; Hong Kong; Malaysia; Philippines; Singapore; Taiwan; Thailand; Vietnam; and all of Latin America. Sarra has also concluded deals with the Middle East (Gulf Film), Indonesia (PT Prima Cinema), Spain (Flins y Piniculas) and the countries of the former Yugoslavia (Discovery).
Carnaby head of international sales Tania Sarra said at the American Film Market, “The robust response shows just how wide Heidi’s appeal is worldwide.”
Written by Paul Watson, (IVCA Gold Award Winner, Assaulted Nuts, Puss In Boots), Heidi And The Magic Pool will be directed by BAFTA winner John Henderson (The Borrowers, Tales of the Riverbank, Loch Ness); and produced by Simon Wright (The Last of the Blonde Bombshells, Lucky Jim). Executive producers are Sean O’Kelly, Kirsty Bell and Andrew Loveday.
Carnaby has also announced an April 2015 start for the film, a UK-Hungarian co-production filming in both those countries. Heidi stars Bill Nighy (Pirates of the Caribbean, Underworld, Love Actually) Golden Globe nominee Anna Friel (Good People, Limitless, You Will Meet A Dark Stranger) and Greg Wise (Effie Gray, Walking on Sunshine, Sense and Sensibility). Carnaby are in discussions with Oscar winner Jim Broadbent (Iris, Moulin Rouge, Gangs of New York).
In this family-friendly tale, 12 year-old Heidi lives an idyllic life with her Grandpa in his remote mountain cabin. When the townsmen declare Grandpa an unsuitable guardian, Heidi must go to live as a companion to Clara – the daughter of a wealthy professor in the city. Heidi and Clara become instant friends, but the cruel Governess, who Heidi discovers is slowly poisoning Clara in order to marry the professor, spoils their fun. The girls manage to escape and seek refuge in a remote, ancient and mysterious grotto called the Magic Pool. With the Governess hunting the girls down, Heidi promises Clara they are safe, but fate has other plans.
With two world premieres, eight films in production, as well as its first-ever major television series, Carnaby International is attending its second American Film Market this November with a high profile, varied line-up of exciting titles—and a growing reputation for pulling in A-list talent.
Joint Carnaby co-CEOs Andrew Loveday and Sean O’Kelly, along with director of international sales Tania Sarra and head of acquisitions Alex Tate, are in Santa Monica for AFM this November.
Hollywood
Disney chair confident CEO Josh D’Amaro will ‘rise to the occasion’ in Trump–Kimmel row
Board backs new chief as ABC controversy tests leadership early on
NEW YORK: The Walt Disney Company has placed the responsibility of handling the escalating dispute between Donald Trump and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel squarely on its new chief executive, Josh D’Amaro.
Speaking at a business conference in Oslo, Disney chair James Gorman said it would be up to the CEO and his team to determine the company’s response to the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He noted that such challenges are not uncommon for large corporations and require careful handling at the leadership level.
The row intensified after both Donald Trump and Melania Trump publicly called for Kimmel’s dismissal following remarks made on his show. The comments, which referenced the First Lady, sparked backlash in the days leading up to a security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Kimmel addressed the issue on-air, clarifying that his joke was intended as a reference to the couple’s age difference and not an incitement to violence. He also expressed sympathy for those affected by the incident and reiterated his stance against violent rhetoric.
Despite mounting pressure, Gorman refrained from offering specific guidance on the future of the show or the host. Instead, he voiced confidence in D’Amaro’s leadership, describing him as “world class” and capable of navigating the situation effectively.
The episode presents an early and high-profile test for D’Amaro, who stepped into the top role just last month. How Disney balances editorial independence, public sentiment and political pressure will likely shape not just the outcome of this controversy, but also the tone of its leadership in the months ahead.
