Industry Briefings: August 2024
Posted on Aug 10, 2024 by Samara Husbands
Events, updates and more from the world of production
Read on for all the latest updates with Definition’s Industry Briefings for August 2024
IBC gears up for 2024 event
IBC returns in September, promising a host of new additions and a busy line-up of talks. Debuting this year will be the AI tech zone, offering a hub for creators and companies utilising the technology, and delving into how AI could shape M&E. Look out for the IBC Talent Programme, offering free sessions on how the industry can nurture talent and develop standards for diversity and inclusion.
Another fresh element being introduced at IBC 2024 is the AV buyers’ event on the eve of the show. More than 1100 exhibitors are confirmed on the show floor, including Blackmagic Design, Sony, Canon and Ross Video. Michael Crimp, IBC’s CEO, says: “IBC continues to find new ways to address the trends, issues and opportunities driving innovation in media and entertainment.
Additions like the AI Tech Zone, the Talent Programme and the AV User Group event, combined with the outstanding line-up of visionary speakers we have for this year’s conference, will ensure that IBC is again positioned to deliver the world’s foremost M&E event. This year, with major global sports events and election coverage putting media performance more in the spotlight than ever, we bring together an industry looking to tap into innovative new methods and technologies as it continues to redefine itself.”
IBC returns to the RAI, 13-16 September
Shinfield Studios completes expansion
Shinfield Studios’ ambitious expansion project is now complete, offering 18 sound stages, including two of the biggest in the UK at 43,000 sq ft, as well as 38 workshops, substantial office space and a nine-acre filming backlot.
Located to the east of Reading, the studio has opened in phases over the past two years, welcoming productions including Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Sustainable infrastructure such as the use of air source heat pumps, solar panels and electric vehicle charging points are also featured throughout the facility.
Nick Smith, joint managing director, comments: “Shinfield Studios is complete. We have built from the ground up one of the world’s most state-of-the art studio facilities – designed to attract the most ambitious, high-budget productions. We have already welcomed some truly impressive feature films and television series to Berkshire and, with the studios fully operational, there will be many more to come.”
Shinfield Studios is owned by US-based Shadowbox Studios, an industry leading independent film and television studio platform.
FilmLight Colour Awards jury announced
Celebrating the international colour grading community, the FilmLight Colour Awards are open for entries, with awards presented at this year’s EnergaCAMERIMAGE in November.
Judging the submissions will be an esteemed panel of colourists and DOPs including Australian cinematographer Mandy Walker, best known for her work on Elvis, Mulan and Australia. She’ll be joined by Robert Richardson, ASC, ACK, three-time winner of the Academy Award for best cinematography, and Erik Messerschmidt, ASC, who recently had two feature films premiere at the 2023 Venice Film Festival – David Fincher’s The Killer and Michael Mann’s Ferrari. Joining them are celebrated colourists Yov Moor, Natasha Leonnet, Mahak Gupta, Élodie Ichter, Dirk Meier and Damien Vandercruyssen, as well as technical producer Ben Gervais.
In 2024, colourists will be awarded for six categories: theatrical feature; television series/episodic; commercial; music video; spotlight, recognising colourists who have worked on a lower-budget feature film or TV movie; and, new for 2024, emerging talent, celebrating the work of young colourists (age 18-35) in commercial and music video creation.
The full jury will be announced in the coming months; entries close 31 July.
Tribeca Festival winners revealed
The 23rd annual Tribeca Festival, presented by OKX, has announced its winners at an awards ceremony held at Racket NYC. The prestigious Founders Award for best US narrative feature went to Griffin in Summer, directed by Nicholas Colia, which was recognised for its ‘precocious and unexpected storytelling’.
The coming-of-age film also picked two additional awards: special jury mention for new narrative director for Nicholas Colia and best screenplay in a US narrative feature, which also went to Colia. Bikechess, directed by Assel Aushakimova, won best international narrative feature for its insightful portrayal of oppressed youth in Kazakhstan, while Hacking Hate took best documentary feature for its investigation into far-right social media influencers.
Jasmine Bearkiller Shangreaux was honoured with best performance in a US narrative feature for her role in Jazzy. Nnamdi Asomugha was awarded best new narrative director for The Knife, praised for its gripping and thought-provoking narrative. The Viewpoints Award went to Come Closer by Tom Nesher, captivating the jury from its first frames.
The Nora Ephron Award celebrated Don’t You Let Me Go by Ana Guevara and Leticia Jorge for its poignant exploration of love and friendship. The Human/Nature Award was given to Dust to Dust from Japan. Ripe! was named best narrative short for its vivid depiction of a teen summer romance and Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World won best documentary short for showcasing an autistic girl’s hidden talent.
Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2024 announces winners
On 30 May, the winners of the prestigious Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2024 were announced at a glittering ceremony hosted at the Cary Grant Theatre at the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California.
Chosen from over 8,400 films – by more than 5,000 filmmakers across 148 countries and territories – the six winners impressed judges and audiences alike with their distinctive storytelling, captivating cinematography and unique approaches to the art of filmmaking. This year’s winners are Katie Blair (USA, fiction), Olawunmi Hassan & Adaobi Samson (Nigeria, non-fiction), Solmund MacPherson (Canada, environment), Kyle Novak (Czech Republic, animation), Raheem Razak (South Africa, student) and Cristian Daniel (Uruguay, future format).
Short Takes
1. UK Indie Film Tax Credit becomes law
The UK Independent Film Tax Credit moved onto the statute books just before parliament dissolved ahead of the general election. Part of the spring budget, the new incentive is a 53% expenditure credit that equates to a tax relief of approximately 40% for UK productions.
2. RTS Craft & Design Awards
The RTS opened entries for its Craft & Design Awards 2024 until 6 September. Emma Gormley of ITV Studios is chair, overseeing 29 categories including the new multicamera work for sport class. The ceremony will be held on 2 December at London Hilton, Park Lane.
3. Emmy entries plummet
The number of comedy and drama TV series eligible for an Emmy dropped nearly 40%, due to pandemic-related production slowdowns and last year’s strikes. This led to fewer nominees in most acting categories, with submissions in 13 categories down by 27%.
