Laura Poitras, Aurélia Petit Join Iran Protest at BFI London Film Festival – Global Bulletin

PROTEST

Oscar and Venice-winning filmmaker Laura Poitras (“Citizenfour,” “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed”) and fellow filmmakers Georgia Oakley (“Blue Jean”), Roberto Minervini (“What You Gonna Do When the World’s on Fire?”) and Ondi Timoner (“Last Flight Home”) were among those who protested against the imprisonment of Iranian filmmakers and other incarcerated artists around the world, and to demonstrate support for the tenacious women of Iran who are challenging for their freedom at the BFI London Film Festival on Monday.

They joined festival director Tricia Tuttle, producer Madeleine Molyneaux (“Gospel Hill”); actors Aurélia Petit (“Saint Omer”) and Taki Mumladze (“A Room of My Own”); actor and writer Mariam Khundadze (“To Batumi and every single memory”); writer Morgan M. Page (“Framing Agnes”); industry leaders Tabitha Jackson, Clare Binns and Jason Wood; and other festival delegates in a moment of solidarity and reflection.

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They stood together holding the names of imprisoned Iranian filmmakers Mohammad Rasoulof, Mostafa Al-Ahmad and Jafar Panahi, whose film “No Bears” premiered at the festival last night.

PRODUCTION

Principal photography has begun in Cape Town, South Africa, on “Catch Me a Killer” from M- Net/Showmax and Night Train Media. Based on the memoir of the same name by Micki Pistorius, the project is directed by Tracey Larcombe (“Innocent”), and adapted for the screen by Amy Jephta (“Barakat”) and Jess Ruston (“Young Wallander”). The cast is led by Charlotte Hope (“The Spanish Princess”), who plays Micki.

“Catch Me a Killer” is executive produced by Simon Howley of CMAK Films alongside Herbert L. Kloiber, Olivia Pahl and James Copp of Night Train Media (“Rogue Agent”). International sales are handled by Abacus Media Rights.

Set in the mid ’90s, the series is based on the autobiography of Micki Pistorius, South Africa’s first serial killer profiler. The story follows six turbulent years that Micki spent tracking down South Africa’s most feared killers as a newly qualified forensic psychologist. While confronting darkness on her quest to understand these infamous killers, this flawed, yet determined protagonist will also have to deal with the looming spectre of her personal life.

Night Train Media’s Herbert L. Kloiber said: “We are thrilled to bring this unique and unapologetic show to screens, drawing back the curtain on a fascinating time, place and person.”

APP LAUNCH

Digital film distribution platform Entertainment Oxygen has launched a mobile application and social networking platform called eoApp that will stream content from film festivals to subscribers around the world. The mobile application and social networking platform promises to “bring the film festival experience to living rooms” by streaming award-winning content and connecting film lovers and industry professionals.

The eoApp has created an integrated social network that allows users to interact with content creators through a group chat feature. The platform combines streaming functionality with direct networking and claims to bridge the gap between film festivals and filmmakers “to create the virtual film festival experience, increase revenue, and expand virtual screening ticket sales worldwide.” Partner film festivals and their filmmakers can upload and distribute their content and grow their interactive network.

Entertainment Oxygen is a Los Angeles-based company founded and led by CEO Apple TungFong, film producer David Ornston, former Dick Clark executive VP Mark Rafalowski, former Disney and AT&T Media executive Bradley Sander, and former Nike SNKRS app lead engineer Gregory Fong. It is backed by a multi-million dollar investment deal with Pasaca Capital.

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